For a number of reasons, I thought the swap meet at Trexlertown on Saturday, October 13, was certainly one of the best that I have attended.
First the weather report on Thursday indicated sunny and 66, something that I did not believe. When traveling there on Friday with young uber frame builder, Dan Polito, we both had commented that with some luck, after crossing the Chesapeake Bay watershed, the crummy weather might begin to fulfill predictions. Sure enough, the sun shone, it heated up some, and Saturday, except for the "keep me awake cold" in the morning, was spectacular. Sunny and high sixties.
The swap itself seemed to grow as the meet continued. Walking down rows of vendors that I had already visited seemed to produce new vendors, new finds. I commented to Dan or anyone who would listen--not many-- that I don't remember seeing that vendor or that bike.
The vintage stuff, especially bikes and frames, seemed the most that I recall seeing at a T-town swap. Viking and Holdsworth track frames, twin minature Columbine track bikes (if I only had a use for a 46 and 48 cm track bike, and at reasonable price I thought too), 1930's Schwinn Paramount track being sold by Sam Fitzgibbons, a couple of Motobecane Grand Records, a couple of PX-10s, repainted Raleigh Pro, lots of other track and road bikes--most of which I have now forgotten--and an assortment of parts that could bring financial ruin to each of us.
As usual, part of the fun of being there is talking with others and people watching. Lots of CR folk there: Larry, Walt, Steve, Kevin, Michael, Charlie, the minions from Via Bike (I watched them load the van for the trip back to Philadelphia. According to Curtis, they were carrying seventy bikes.) and many more that I have now cannot recall.
In addition to the great weather and the terrific selection of bikes and parts, I came home with more than I brought.
Only thing lacking, at least for me, was the leaves had not come to full color, a part of the view of virtually every other T-town that I remember.
And the capper was I got home in time to watch the Indians win..
Cheers.
Tom Hayes
Chagrin Falls, Ohio USA