Restoration Update

So Ciöcc finally has everything he needs to finish my two old frames. I hope to pick them up next week after getting back from the Tour. Having finally found all the packages sent by me and others, we now have the proper Legnano and Galmozzi decals to finish them up. I say 'proper' loosely, as this is a subject I'll likely receive some grief over once they're built... and I'm calling it now! You see, the thing with collectors is that their discussions rarely get past whether something is "original" or "restored" or "period correct". In my case, I really don't care that much. I'm restoring these babies to do one thing... RIDE 'EM!

That Galmozzi decal with the address would most likely not be found on a bike made in the 50's. Guess what? I don't care - I like it, and it will look great adorning my seat tube! The head tube badge is a repro. Guess what - ALL collectors in Italy tell me that my chances of finding a real one are about nil.

The '47 Legnano would not have chrome on the dropouts, or at least four of the decals that I'm going to place on it. But, it's going to look SO much nicer with them.

The point is, these things lost their resell value to collectors the moment I found them without their original paint. So... Jimmy crack corn! Another point I've learned is that back then, large decals weren't easy to make reliably, so bike graphics weren't the advertising that they are today. Also, they didn't make these bikes knowing that they'd be so desirable sixty years later. Lots of detail has been lost through the years. What crank did Cannondale spec on a 2002 R1000? I bet you can find that answer within five minutes of a Google search. Now - what brakes would you find on a 1952 Roma? Guess what - Legnano most likely ran out and switched to whatever was lying around!

Other things not likely to find for a reasonable price? Jerseys and bottles. So, check out what you CAN find on a trip to Tuscany. Seems l'Eroica has been good for those able to reproduce certain desirables!

OK, off the soapbox now, and off to the Tour!

Meeting the Badger in 2005

It was at the start of stage 2 of the 2005 Tour in Challans. We were at the start village and I had just gulped down a series of oysters (my mother would be proud) when I caught a glimpse of him... over there... no, now he's over there! Mrs. Masini didn't know exactly 'who' 'he' was, but I'm pretty sure she knew he was some famous old cyclist, as I am not usually starstruck by the current crop! She was right, and here is my moment in time with the Badger!

And now... I'm off for Rotterdam! Forza Basso, forza Kreuziger, forza Cannondale!

The US Cycling Hall of Fame

Some catching up here... Back in May, during the Tour of California, I was invited to a private tour of the US Cycling Hall of Fame in Davis, CA by my good friend (and fellow collector) Richard Bryne of Speedplay. I joined Richard and his lovely wife Sharon after the finish in Sacramento for what was a great evening of talking old bikes and US cycling history. Richard is a wealth of knowledge and took great pride in explaining the finer points of history and the machines on display.

I'll try not to post what in essence could be a 'virtual tour' but I'll limit it to my own personal highlights. Here we go...

I'm a huge fan of the Major Taylor story. I won't even try to do him justice in such a small forum, but instead will lead those interested to here and here. To see one of his bikes on display was awe-inspiring. In the days of Jim Crow laws, this man was the first African American world champion in any sport - at a time when cycling in America was bigger than baseball!

The other thing that caught my eye was a corner loaded with six-day items and a video and write-up of how the six-day turned into the Madison.

Finally, this quote is taken from the earliest patent for a bicycle, granted to Pierre Lallement November 20, 1866. And this is what is as intriguing as what's on display here... the mountains of paperwork, clippings and magazines that are archived and hidden away!

Of course, there was a cambio corsa bike on display which I ogled, the actual Hall of Fame plaques upstairs, the REALLY old and strange stuff and of course the more modern US racing history. I'll leave all that uncovered here and let you find out for yourself. If you're a bike nut and ever near Sacramento, make the short trip to Davis and check out what's sure to be an important collection of cycling history. Oh yeah... thanks again, Richard!

As Joel Says, 'I'm eatin' wet food tonight!'

Took the opportunity to do some vintage shopping at Via Bicycle in Philly this morning... WOW! I was able to pick up some Universal & Balilla parts for the Legnano retoration, plus a 'hairnet' in great condition. The collection is incredible, if you're into piles of classic old bikes and parts (which I am).

Giro Wrap Up

Can it really be that LG won the Giro and I failed to write anything more after Amsterdam? Well, I WAS doing the ToC thing, and I did cover the Giro best I could from the road on that 'other' website.

So I did the first day of the Giro, and the last. While on a short vaca/long weekend staying at a friend's 15th century villa in Tuscany (thanks to my lovely Mrs.), we hustled up to Verona to cover the last stage. Nothing too memorable... other than the awards ceremony in the Roman arena, and our front-row seats! Photo and video duties called, so we made the best of it... and it was pretty damn good.

Afterwards, we waited for all the riders to come by in order to congratulate everyone and sip the champagne, and then headed straight back to Florence. Yeah, we skipped the party, but sometimes it's better to duck out.

Of course, I'm super happy for the team and especially for Ivan, who proved himself a true champion and completed a great comeback/redemption. I called him the other day to set up a visit to our Dutch HQ and congratulated him immediately... but not for the Giro win... for the announcement of his third child!

Chicchi's Sheriff Bike... the Final Word (maybe)

With the Tour of California in the rear view now, I figured I'd start wrapping up the past two weeks if I can only begin to recall them. Right off the bat, the most exciting thing upon my arrival to Sacramento was to see how the Sheriff bike turned out. I had worked with Lara to frantically get her the design elements she needed in order to get it done in time. It was so last-minute (call it procrastination since I knew since the '09 Tour of Missouri that I would do this) that nobody had seen it until it was unwrapped in Cali! The results were nothing short of fantastic!

This bike quickly became THE most photographed bike at the ToC. Once Chicchi won stage 4 to Modesto, the payoff was truly felt. I think that the best part of it though was that Francesco absolutely loved the bike and all the attention it brought to him.

Here's the back story to this bike... During last year's Tour of Missouri, Chicchi bet me that he'd win the morning of the stage into St. Joseph. We wagered a cowboy-themed bike, since his wins in St. Louis (Gateway to the West) and St. Joseph (Birthplace of the Pony Express), combined with his love for western movies would make for an interesting project and be a fitting reward. With that win in hand, I began thinking about the design. Of course, previously mentioned procrastination set in, and the short timeline I left myself, along with 5 minutes of Adobe Illustrator hackery, left me with a good idea and the following communication to the artist...

How she turns this garbage into such a beautiful bike, I'll never know!

The bike has been talked about all over the place. Most people love it, although there are a few haters as well! For all the photos, more western-themed puns and coverage written by far more creative writers than I, click through to...

• Cannondale
• Velo News
• Road Bike Action
• Twisted Spoke
• Cycle To

The best satisfaction for me came while I was waiting for the Modesto finish in the parking lot. I heard that Chicchi had won and immediately my PR duties took over. I sprinted slightly slower than Cav to the finish area in order to help translate at the podium, the interviews and then the press conference. After arriving to the tent, Chicchi asked me if I saw the finish (I hadn't). With a big smile on his face, he told me that he shot six-shooter style on the finish line! I used this as ammo of my own when responding to an online hater who said that Chicchi must have been embarrassed to race such a bike.

Watch him 'bite' the microphone at 2:19... This guy is my favorite!

Why the 'maybe'? The bike is currently being sent to Philly, where the Sheriff will race it again. Now, 10 laps up the Wall might be too much for Chicchi... but we have a Sagan up our sleeve too!

One Last Look from the Smiling Assassin

I now leave behind Amsterdam and the Giro and make the long trip back to Basel before heading straight to California. Ivan, while warming up, asked me if I was "really going to miss the show? Because I'm going to fly!" Let's hope. Not a bad TT for Ivan today. The real action will come in week 3... when I return!

C-Record... 11 speed Ergo! Why not!?!

All props to La Rueda Tropical for the concept and the awesome Photoshop work. This is most definitely an old article (over a year old!) but for some reason I only found it today... brilliant.

I'm pretty sure you can come fairly close to these ergos with Hudz gum-flavored rubber, but check out the brilliant Campy shellack for the bar wrap! I think this paired with a Kara Ginther carved Brooks saddle and a Revolution Cycle custom head badge (Cicli Masini) would be right up my alley!

I though about this a while back, and you can come fairly close with the current Athena group. They also used to offer an alloy lever with the Centaur group. So all that, combined with a bit of Easy-off and polish would get you in the neighborhood. Next up, figure out how to laser etch or engrave the logos. OR better yet - make some anniversary-like coins. How about cobalto stones for the brake calipers? I know, now I'm getting away from the C-Record concept, but you get the point. With all the carbon out there, doesn't this stuff look great?

Training for l'Eroica!

So the long weekend presented many opportunities for some training d'epoca. This entails my best wool jerseys, clips and straps, and climbing the local hills in the hardest gear possible. Here's a taste... with a little help from Photoshop to make it "period-correct"!

Old Legnano and Bianchi Signs

So my late purchase at the Reggio swap were these two old signs. A rusted out Legnano and a heavy "cardboard" Bianchi, both terribly dirty but also terribly vintage! I got them from a moto guy who was asking FAR less than the "sign guy", who wanted hundreds of euros for some better looking ones. If you ask me, I like these better anyway!