Cool old bike

I visited Tom's Bicycles in Tulsa this afternoon, and while poking around in the back room, I came across this! It's a lovely Italvega from the 1970's with a full Campagnolo component group. The frame is Columbus, as was customary on Italian bikes at the time, but what was truly astonishing was the bike's condition.



I would have given my eye teeth for one of these back in the day. At the time, a Raleigh Professional or Schwinn Paramount with full Campy sold for about a thousand dollars - well out of my price range since I made only about eight thousand a year at the time. Tom plans to sell this one on E-bay.


Another astonishing thing was the story that went along with the bike. An elderly couple living on a farm were allowing their grandchildren to play on the bike up until one of the sew-ups went flat. They brought it into the shop hoping to have the tire fixed. Tom - being the stand-up guy that he is - told them what they had and offered a fair price for it. They left happy.

This bike is lovely....and it's my size. But I couldn't justify buying it only to hang it on the wall. I'd ride it and ride it hard. The bike deserves better than that.

Sunday Musette

Tulsa Little 100

OK, so this is technically Sunday, but most of the following is about yesterday. First, there's this bit from the Tulsa World about the Little 100:

JAMES GIBBARD / Tulsa World

By Staff Reports
4/22/2007

Sts. Peter and Paul Middle School student John Yuan (left), 13, swaps bikes with teammate William Berntson, 12, during the Little 100 Relay Race at Webster High School on Saturday. Students who participate in the event get a chance to win free bicycles. The bike giveaway is sponsored by the Warren Foundation and St. Francis Children's Hospital.

Adam Vanderberg, owner of Lee's Bicycles, and an army of volunteers deserve a huge thank-you as recognition for their efforts on this event.

Tom's Bicycles

Also, I talked with Tom Brown yesterday. He's opening a new shop at 15th and Rockford (Cherry Street to some of you) across from Subway. Tom is very excited about it! For that matter, so am I 'cause it's tons closer to my house. I'll write more on this as it develops. The shop should be open this summer.


An Observation...

As Jordan and I drove through town on the way to Tom's, we spotted numerous people riding bicycles, probably 12 to 15 in all. And of all those folks, only ONE was riding on the road. Though to be fair, he was most likely riding on the road because he didn't have a choice. There wasn't a sidewalk. Also, he was riding one-handed because he held the handle of a push mower in the other one. I wish I had a photo of the guy towing his power mower along Mingo Road.

All the other people on bicycles were riding on the sidewalk. One of them crossed Memorial Drive in a pedestrian crossing while traffic swirled around him. Jordan watched it all in astonishment. So did I.

The city of Tulsa wants to gain bicycle friendly status. We have a long ways to go just in educating cyclists, let alone the motoring public.

Freewheel Seminars

Forwarded from Tom Brown at Tom's Bicycles in Tulsa:

Cycling Seminars brought to you by FreeWheel Inc. and Tom’s Bicycles.

Please Pass the Word!
Here's the latest on upcoming FreeWheel seminars. Consult the experts regarding any questions you may have

on these subjects. Anyone and everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend. You don't have to be planning to attend FreeWheel 2007 to come to the seminars or be a member of any club. All that is required is an open mind, a healthy thirst for knowledge, and the simple desire to ride your bike. Don't miss any of them. Q&A after every seminar. You may sign up for FreeWheel at the seminars. See location and times below, subject to change. Watch the FreeWheel website for additional seminars.
http://www.okfreewheel.com/Archives/2007/FW2007.asp#Seminars also, there are some really good speakers at the scheduled for the Tulsa Bicycle Club general meetings. Check them out at; http://www.tulsabicycleclub.com/ .

Tuesday March 6:

"Effective Cycling" Road Riding & Cycling Ettiquette, presenter Richard Hall, President, Tulsa Bicycle Club. Are you a new rider or just getting back into it for the season? Rich talks about how to ride alone or in a in a group ride; yes there are rules! He will also present valuable information about how to position your self on the road for maximum safety and visability.

Thursday March 15:

"Where to Stay on FreeWheel" Monica Wright leads a great discussion on where we can stay on FreeWheel 2007. What's available in towns as far as lodging or camping. She'll reveal little tricks she's learned along the way that will help you to wake up happy and ready to ride.


Tuesday April 3: Room Change to D-107

Subject To Be Determined

Thursday April 19th: Room Change to D-107

Nicky's FreeWheel Packing Demo" or "how does she get all that stuff into those little bags?" Nicky Hall-Hensley unpacks her bags onstage no holds barred. If you've never seen this demonstration of efficiency in packing, then here's your chance. If you have, then you know that you'll learn something new every time. But wait there's more

"FreeWheel: The Rest of The Story" Ellen Proctor. Q&A and anything else you want to talk about. We've covered a lot of topics, and this evening's for you. We'll answer FreeWheel questions, bicycling questions or any other questions you might have!

Who: Anybody is welcome, from beginners to pros, don’t be shy.

What: We're talking about riding your bike here

When: 7-9 pm each seminar Where: OSU Center for the Health Sciences,

17 ^th street and SW Blvd.

Auditorium First Floor. Directions Below

Why: Because that’s what we do and we all want to do it better.

The FreeWheel Seminars are held at the much-appreciated OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine, Health Sciences Center at 1111 W. 17th St. or better known as 17th and Southwest Blvd. in Tulsa. Times are 7:00 to 9:00pm . Enter from SW Blvd. and go around back to parking lot. Enter through doors recessed in between buildings and guard will direct you to auditorium.