Re: [CR]Vintage rides...and keeping them moving... : )

(Example: Framebuilders:Mario Confente)

Date: Sun, 25 Sep 2005 15:04:20 -0700 (GMT-07:00)
From: "Guy Apple" <cinelliguy@earthlink.net>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: Re: [CR]Vintage rides...and keeping them moving... : )


Jeff makes a good point and I have another.

Yep, our numerous rides in NorCal tend to be a gab-fest for sure (Jeff's good point) I totally agree. It is the nature of the vintage bike ride groups to gab away with abandon. We tend to like one another and our bikes. The deal up here in NorCal, as it must be in other places too, there is alot of negative PR being directed at bicyclists. The main point of the negative PR is that we bikers make it a habit of running stop signs, riding side by side (sometimes X3), hogging the road and generally cutting vehicle code corners at our choice. This stuff is not just a vintage ride thing but I have noticed over the years that there are some in our ride groups that gab to the point of their own near-total distraction and place themselves and close riders in danger. Not good.

Message, please be sensible, careful and super aware.

Best always,

Guy Apple Sunnyvale CA

-----Original Message----- From: Jeff Potter <jeff@outyourbackdoor.com> Sent: Sep 25, 2005 1:57 PM To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: [CR]Vintage rides...and keeping them moving... : )

I'm thinking that Vintage Bike get-togethers might have a tendency to stand-around and talk, making the actual ride something that takes continuous prodding. Jay's report reminded me of this. It sounds like they did a good job. Also, I'm sure there's plenty of gabbing while under way. But only of the finest kind, of course! On the one vintage club ride I've been on so far, I had a great time and I think everyone else did, too, with over a dozen riders. What a gab-fest! : ) As I rode I heard snippets of chats about all kinds of things worthy of the Vintage Vibe, not just bikes. Compare and contrast to a typical hammerhead club ride---what a difference! And of course there are worldclass gorgeous memorable bikes---and apparel!---every way you turn your head. (In contrast to a typical soda-can and epoxy bike and NASCAR-colored ride. Of course, back in the day, even a racer ride could include talk about classical music---and even some operatic singing! "Breaking Away" didn't come out of nowhere, after all.) OK, it also took a good bit of work keeping everyone going the same direction and within several miles of each other, what with the mix of fast, slow, standing, getting lost. I have a sneaking suspicion that the Vintage Mind tends to get lost easier than some others. : ) I'll gladly do it again! --JP --

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