Michael,
Thanks for the wonderful ride report. I had lots of fun and learned so much over the course of preparing the exhibit and talking to and meeting so many bicycle experts that put my little bit of knowledge to shame.
Many of the photos in the exhibit came courtesy of the CRCA and also the USI, cycling clubs here in New York. They had basically languished in a succesion of closets over the years and the current administrations of the clubs were kind enough to share (as was listmember Eddie Albert). I think that treasure troves of this sort of information MUST exist in other closets of former and current club members of your local clubs.
As we are 'KOF', I suggest to listers to find this stuff before it gets dumped by heirs who couldn't care less. For example, the CRC archive included material dating from the 1890s to the 1980s and was a wonderful representation of cycling in New York over the years. Wherever you are, I bet a similar stash is buried somewhere in your town and just as we preserve bicycles, we ought to preserve our heritage.
Regards, Harry Schwartzman Brooklyn, NY
PS - As for going fast, these bikes were meant to go fast!