I'm feeling it guys. I promised myself several years ago that I would attend Cirque to celebrate my 50th birthday - well that is coming up in under six weeks and a new house, teaching commitments, etc. means that I sadly a have to break that promise.
What is worse is that I have spent time in the last few years - including a new project under way - working on "creating" couple of Cirque-worthy bikes. I have rebuilt with the idea in the back of mind - what would the lads and lasses on CR think if I turned up to Cirque with 1950s parts on a 1940s frameset? Surely I can't break the code of the collective and enter into that sort of bike heresy?
The reality, of course, is that there are few here in Ottawa who appreciate a completely period-correct 1941 Joe Cooke Imperial Petrel. Thus, maybe I could go for parts which are less obscure, rare, or costly? Who would know?
Why bother? Because, someday I might make that trip south and display with pride my latest project to those who know! Until then I will continue to hold my own little Cirque - if only in my head - and dream of taking home the prize for best of British.
Enjoy, but please post pics everyone (CR Friends on Facebook is a good place to post for some) for those of us left behind!
Paul Williams, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Dr. Paul B. Williams, BAH, MPhil, PhD Instructor, Dept. of Geography and Environmental Studies, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
> Date: Thu, 3 Jun 2010 08:53:21 -0700
> From: thomasthomasa@yahoo.com
> To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org; mhoffman0@snet.net
> Subject: Re: [CR] Missing Cirque
>
> Dear Mark:
>
> The worst part is looking at the new bike that you put together over the winter in hopes of showing it off at Cirque, and having it look mournfully at you with those big, puppy dog eyes, asking why she can't go to the ball. That's what makes you feel like a heel. Everyone have fun, and take lotsa pictures for those who have to get their thrills vicariously this year.
>
> Tom Adams
> Manhattan, KS, USA
>
> --- On Thu, 6/3/10, MARK <mhoffman0@snet.net> wrote:
>
>
> From: MARK <mhoffman0@snet.net>
> Subject: [CR] Missing Cirque
> To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> Date: Thursday, June 3, 2010, 10:32 AM
>
>
> Wow. After going to the last four Cirques (my only times), I was unprepared for the listless, sleepless nights. Trying to amuse myself by fiddling with bikes, perhaps a ride soon. I knew they said it would be hard, but, cripes.....
> Maybe there is a near by support group....no, they're all gone. To Cirque. "Sob"
>
> Mark Hoffman
> "Listless" in
> New Britain, CT
> USA