http://www.etsy.com/listing/107352718/bike-beer-growler-holder-cover-carrier
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Sunday Boston Tweed
What can I say? Sorry you missed it if you were not there?
What a great group of folks! What a great time! Thank You!
Hidden Helmet Hat
What a great group of folks! What a great time! Thank You!
Hidden Helmet Hat
Good Boys Dont Get Flats
In the Summer of 1959, Me and my brother John set off for a bicycle ride that we would remember for many years to come.
I was seven years old and my brother John, six. My Mom would allow us to go off for the day on what was known to us as a "Bike Hike" as long as we had a destination that she agreed with and promised to walk our bikes across at intersections.
Our Bike Hike for the day was to ride to Sunshine Dairy in Sherborn, 7 miles away, have a picnic lunch, feed the ducks, Buy Ice Cream and ride home.
Mom packed our lunch's with the standard PB&J and 15 cents each for Ice Cream.
No sooner did we start the ride, my brother started eating his sandwich while riding and then moved on to the duck bread. By the time we reached the half way point he had finished all the carry-on food and was looking for more.
Along the way there was a little general store with a "Frostie Root Beer" sign on the outside. It had unfinished wide pine flooring and penny candy. They had one of those ice cream coolers that you opened the top and reached down into for Hoodsies and H Bars. There was a little wooden stool for short people.
My brother spent all his money on a big bag of candy and went out side to sit on the step and finish it off. I remember the look on his face looking into the bag, away from Mom with a huge bag, all on his own. Total Bliss.
By the time we reached the dairy, John was out of money, lunch and duck bread. That was the day my little brother taught me without saying a word that you don't need duck bread to attract ducks. All you need to do is make like your throwing it in, The arm movement alone will make them come.
Things got boring that afternoon at the Dairy quickly. It wouldn't have been right to go straight home at that moment.
The only thing that came to mind was exactly what my Mom would have totally forbidden and never would have allowed us to do if it had been part of the original "Bike Hike" plan.
Our ride would now include an extra leg to Downtown Framingham.
Downtown Framingham was and still is a very busy place. Theres lots of traffic. Cars,Trucks,Buses,Trains, no place for a couple of little kids on bikes, even not back then. Our destination, Woolworth's. Why? Lead Soldiers.
Woolworths had a glass shelfs with regiments of 2" high hand painted lead soldiers. Mostly like war figures from World War One. I remember about 10 different poses, placed in rows of 10 deep. Being in the presents of these nobel miniture troops with out parents to say "Come on, Lets go!" was like heven on earth!
We parked our bikes outside unlocked against the window and went in side. We were in the store at the soldier section for only about a minute when a very large women in a house coat told us we had to leave because we were not with our mother. We couldn't argue back then so we followed her orders.
When we got back to the bikes we found that John's front tire was not only flat, but had completely blown off the rim. (Air Pressure didn't mean much to us back then)
At age seven I could patch a flat but did not bring a patch kit for the job. I did however have a adjustable wrench and a screwdriver.
You need to understand that if we were to call my Mom from Downtown Framingham that afternoon, I would not be alive now to tell this story.
If the tire in the back had flatted, we could just ride it back the 3 miles to the dairy, but this was the front.
I did what needed to be done. I removed my brothers front wheel and stretched his front fork to fit my rear axle,tightened the axle nuts and turned the two bicycles into a tandem.
My Brother John looked at it and said, "Lets Call Mom!"
I yelled, "Get On!" Holding his front wheel in his hands on his handlebars like a steering wheel.
We made it back to the Dairy with enough time to call Mom, have here come get us in a place we had agreed to be and be back to the house for Supper in time for Dad to come home from work.
Forty Nine Years have passed. I remember that my Mom wasn't very happy to come get us in the car. Not part of her plan I suppose. I reminded my brother of our day together and he recalls it as the day that he learned that,
"Good Boys Don't Get Flats!"
I was seven years old and my brother John, six. My Mom would allow us to go off for the day on what was known to us as a "Bike Hike" as long as we had a destination that she agreed with and promised to walk our bikes across at intersections.
Our Bike Hike for the day was to ride to Sunshine Dairy in Sherborn, 7 miles away, have a picnic lunch, feed the ducks, Buy Ice Cream and ride home.
Mom packed our lunch's with the standard PB&J and 15 cents each for Ice Cream.
No sooner did we start the ride, my brother started eating his sandwich while riding and then moved on to the duck bread. By the time we reached the half way point he had finished all the carry-on food and was looking for more.
Along the way there was a little general store with a "Frostie Root Beer" sign on the outside. It had unfinished wide pine flooring and penny candy. They had one of those ice cream coolers that you opened the top and reached down into for Hoodsies and H Bars. There was a little wooden stool for short people.My brother spent all his money on a big bag of candy and went out side to sit on the step and finish it off. I remember the look on his face looking into the bag, away from Mom with a huge bag, all on his own. Total Bliss.
By the time we reached the dairy, John was out of money, lunch and duck bread. That was the day my little brother taught me without saying a word that you don't need duck bread to attract ducks. All you need to do is make like your throwing it in, The arm movement alone will make them come.
Things got boring that afternoon at the Dairy quickly. It wouldn't have been right to go straight home at that moment.
The only thing that came to mind was exactly what my Mom would have totally forbidden and never would have allowed us to do if it had been part of the original "Bike Hike" plan.
Our ride would now include an extra leg to Downtown Framingham.
Downtown Framingham was and still is a very busy place. Theres lots of traffic. Cars,Trucks,Buses,Trains, no place for a couple of little kids on bikes, even not back then. Our destination, Woolworth's. Why? Lead Soldiers.
Woolworths had a glass shelfs with regiments of 2" high hand painted lead soldiers. Mostly like war figures from World War One. I remember about 10 different poses, placed in rows of 10 deep. Being in the presents of these nobel miniture troops with out parents to say "Come on, Lets go!" was like heven on earth!
We parked our bikes outside unlocked against the window and went in side. We were in the store at the soldier section for only about a minute when a very large women in a house coat told us we had to leave because we were not with our mother. We couldn't argue back then so we followed her orders.
When we got back to the bikes we found that John's front tire was not only flat, but had completely blown off the rim. (Air Pressure didn't mean much to us back then)
At age seven I could patch a flat but did not bring a patch kit for the job. I did however have a adjustable wrench and a screwdriver.
You need to understand that if we were to call my Mom from Downtown Framingham that afternoon, I would not be alive now to tell this story.
If the tire in the back had flatted, we could just ride it back the 3 miles to the dairy, but this was the front.
I did what needed to be done. I removed my brothers front wheel and stretched his front fork to fit my rear axle,tightened the axle nuts and turned the two bicycles into a tandem.
My Brother John looked at it and said, "Lets Call Mom!"
I yelled, "Get On!" Holding his front wheel in his hands on his handlebars like a steering wheel.
We made it back to the Dairy with enough time to call Mom, have here come get us in a place we had agreed to be and be back to the house for Supper in time for Dad to come home from work.
Forty Nine Years have passed. I remember that my Mom wasn't very happy to come get us in the car. Not part of her plan I suppose. I reminded my brother of our day together and he recalls it as the day that he learned that,
"Good Boys Don't Get Flats!"
Thursday, April 18, 2013
The Golden Arrow
It wasent until I found my first Golden Arrow in the Sherborn Dump back in the early 70's that I really fell in love with a bicycle.
At that time I had owned 1 Raleigh 23" Raleigh Sports 3 Speed and a 24" Raleigh Sports 4 Speed, but it wasn't until the Golden Arrow that I realized "The Raleigh" was a bicycle of the highest quality that was looked at for years as one of the finest racing machines.
Before the Golden Arrow I had used my Raleighs as "Woods Bikes". Something to get me up to the pond and save time as well as the wear and tear on my racing bike and lightweight wheelset. Sort of a all purpose bicycle for camping and shopping the dump. Named by my close friend, Jon Currier, "Mobile Unit 1", was my pick up truck of bikes. I could move two complete bikes on my Raleigh Sports and not have to worry about puncturing a Tubular Tire or "Sew Up" as they were known back then.
My first Golden Arrow came in 3 phases. The first was the frame. I noticed immediately the differences in the frame angles, headset and removable chainring. The bicycle had no wheels. Figuring it was a three speed, I shopped the dumps for a set fitting for my new bike.
About a week later back at the Sherborn Dump, I found the wheel set. Fixed and Free, front and rear with the "R" wingnuts. There must have not been enough room in the car for the wheels on the first trip to the dump. The bicycle at this time still had black North Road Bars instead of the Lauterwasser style that it was originally sold with.
26 x 1 1/4 EA1 tires were rare back then I managed to scoop a pair of near perfect Dunlop Roadsters with the wheelset, but bicycle shops no longer sold that size.
It wasn't until about a year later, a roommate of a close friend came across a 30's Raleigh with Drum Brakes that felt the bike more fitting with up right bars, so we swapped.
Me on my Golden Arrow in October of 1977 after crossing into the infield at the flooded track at Watkins Glen for the US Grand Prix
The Golden Arrow as a fixed gear became my primary bicycle. I rode it everywhere. After becoming use to it super laid back feel with its very relaxed headtube angle and extremely raked fork, It became normal to me and felt right.
As time went on I would meet older riders that recognized the bike from having owned one. They too knew the feel of the Arrow and the love for the Raleigh. I learned that the bicycle was made in two sizes, but it was only the smaller 21" frame that was preferred by riders of all heights. The laid back seat tube angle would create the perfect top tube length as the seat was raised for the rider.
Bill Vandel of Vandels Cyclery Back in 1939 on what he remembers as his Golden Arrow. Check out the high gears and the "Bailey Bend" bars.'
The Golden Arrow to this day remains my favorite Raleigh. I have owned three. On a later date I will do a "Part Two" to this story of how I came across my third. It was truly a dream come true!
At that time I had owned 1 Raleigh 23" Raleigh Sports 3 Speed and a 24" Raleigh Sports 4 Speed, but it wasn't until the Golden Arrow that I realized "The Raleigh" was a bicycle of the highest quality that was looked at for years as one of the finest racing machines.
Before the Golden Arrow I had used my Raleighs as "Woods Bikes". Something to get me up to the pond and save time as well as the wear and tear on my racing bike and lightweight wheelset. Sort of a all purpose bicycle for camping and shopping the dump. Named by my close friend, Jon Currier, "Mobile Unit 1", was my pick up truck of bikes. I could move two complete bikes on my Raleigh Sports and not have to worry about puncturing a Tubular Tire or "Sew Up" as they were known back then.
My first Golden Arrow came in 3 phases. The first was the frame. I noticed immediately the differences in the frame angles, headset and removable chainring. The bicycle had no wheels. Figuring it was a three speed, I shopped the dumps for a set fitting for my new bike.
About a week later back at the Sherborn Dump, I found the wheel set. Fixed and Free, front and rear with the "R" wingnuts. There must have not been enough room in the car for the wheels on the first trip to the dump. The bicycle at this time still had black North Road Bars instead of the Lauterwasser style that it was originally sold with.
26 x 1 1/4 EA1 tires were rare back then I managed to scoop a pair of near perfect Dunlop Roadsters with the wheelset, but bicycle shops no longer sold that size.
It wasn't until about a year later, a roommate of a close friend came across a 30's Raleigh with Drum Brakes that felt the bike more fitting with up right bars, so we swapped.
Me on my Golden Arrow in October of 1977 after crossing into the infield at the flooded track at Watkins Glen for the US Grand Prix
The Golden Arrow as a fixed gear became my primary bicycle. I rode it everywhere. After becoming use to it super laid back feel with its very relaxed headtube angle and extremely raked fork, It became normal to me and felt right.
As time went on I would meet older riders that recognized the bike from having owned one. They too knew the feel of the Arrow and the love for the Raleigh. I learned that the bicycle was made in two sizes, but it was only the smaller 21" frame that was preferred by riders of all heights. The laid back seat tube angle would create the perfect top tube length as the seat was raised for the rider.
Bill Vandel of Vandels Cyclery Back in 1939 on what he remembers as his Golden Arrow. Check out the high gears and the "Bailey Bend" bars.'
The Golden Arrow to this day remains my favorite Raleigh. I have owned three. On a later date I will do a "Part Two" to this story of how I came across my third. It was truly a dream come true!
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
The Beauty of the Bicycle
Is there any other more beautiful bicycle than a Raleigh Roadster?
I should say not!
Riders of the road and the Roadster agree!
Adding beauty to any New England scene, the Raleigh Roadster completes the picture! Fitting its background in a timeless manor that actually adds to the view in such a pleasant way!
Bicycles and cameras work well together. Like being on a hunt, finding the best spot and shoot. Bring home the memory to share and save. Remembering a time gone by, easily relived on another great day off riding your Raleigh Roadster!
I hope to see you on the road!
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Looks like its Time for a Ride
It looks like we just may be over the "Snow Season" here in Southern New England. One can only hope anyway.
All though we have seen snow as late as May 10th here, chances are good that we are done with the white stuff for the Winter of 2012/2013.
Sunnier Sundays and salt free roads have me wanting to take out the nicer Roadsters for a spin around town, Heads up and happy, our favorite style of riding make one feel alive again. Its like having come out for the first time when you look down and see that favorite bike that you saved for another year of salt and sand. Like a fine watch, You not only own the Roadster, but holding it foe a future owner to carry forward in time. Its an important responsibility.
Warm weather is picnic time. Planning outings in ones head takes you away from daily troubles and has you thinking back to times when it was great to be out. Thinking how you could make it better and what you could pack, this time around.
Planning an adventure is easy. There are enough riders of the Roadster to have a great group. Nice stops in nice places are important. Thinking about places spots great photo opportunity's for visual souvenirs of your event are a must. The bicycles look so nice as they are, but with some fantastic background the finished photos are sometimes worth framing.
Weather you ride as a group or alone, the view you complete with your Roadster have drivers smiling. Its hard not to feel good, adding to the New England scenery with something that looks so proper and looks so right!
Happy Roadstering!
All though we have seen snow as late as May 10th here, chances are good that we are done with the white stuff for the Winter of 2012/2013.
Sunnier Sundays and salt free roads have me wanting to take out the nicer Roadsters for a spin around town, Heads up and happy, our favorite style of riding make one feel alive again. Its like having come out for the first time when you look down and see that favorite bike that you saved for another year of salt and sand. Like a fine watch, You not only own the Roadster, but holding it foe a future owner to carry forward in time. Its an important responsibility.
Warm weather is picnic time. Planning outings in ones head takes you away from daily troubles and has you thinking back to times when it was great to be out. Thinking how you could make it better and what you could pack, this time around.
Planning an adventure is easy. There are enough riders of the Roadster to have a great group. Nice stops in nice places are important. Thinking about places spots great photo opportunity's for visual souvenirs of your event are a must. The bicycles look so nice as they are, but with some fantastic background the finished photos are sometimes worth framing.
Weather you ride as a group or alone, the view you complete with your Roadster have drivers smiling. Its hard not to feel good, adding to the New England scenery with something that looks so proper and looks so right!
Happy Roadstering!
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Monson 2013
Sometimes its not the things I find or the bikes I wish you could buy that are the best part of any swap meet.
The people you see and meet are truly my favorite part. The common interest of old bikes and bike parts connects us. Seeing the new and old friendly faces is truly the best!
People are what I'm looking for when I go to a show and because of it, they smile say hello and thank me for coming.
Its the people that make the event, not the bikes and parts. If it were only a room of stuff, it would not be close to as much fun.
Here are some of the photos from the Monson swap meet from this year. If you have never been, you just might enjoy meeting some of the faces.
The people you see and meet are truly my favorite part. The common interest of old bikes and bike parts connects us. Seeing the new and old friendly faces is truly the best!
People are what I'm looking for when I go to a show and because of it, they smile say hello and thank me for coming.
Its the people that make the event, not the bikes and parts. If it were only a room of stuff, it would not be close to as much fun.
Here are some of the photos from the Monson swap meet from this year. If you have never been, you just might enjoy meeting some of the faces.
Monday, March 11, 2013
SOMA's Lauterwasser Bars
As close to the real thing as I have ever seen, these aluminum alloy copr of the populay bars from the 30's could lighten up any Raleigh Roadster.
The bars measure 25.4 at the center and 22.2, or 7/8" at the grip. Standard for what we call in the industry, "Touring Levers" Road bike levers could be used if shimmed and shims hidden by bar tape.
The bars should retail for around $65.00. Cheap by comparison to the originals that I last saw on Ebay for #300.
Great Site Loaded with Info.
One of my readers introduced me to this site this morning. Beautifully laid out, I found it a joy. I hope you do too!
http://www.kurtkaminer.com/TH_ralsport_visID.html
http://www.kurtkaminer.com/TH_ralsport_visID.html
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Dr Cutler West
Two of my all time favorite customers in the 70's were Sheldon Brown and Dr cutler West. Everyone reading this, I think has heard about Sheldon Brown. Cutler, Im not so sure. They're both in the photo below. Sheldon to the right, Cutler to the left.
Sheldon and Cutler West
Cutler was always a pleasure. Very kind and very quiet. He was said to have more money than,, Rockefeller, but rode a women's 3 speed bike. He was a genius and Dr Edward Lands right hand man.
I was living in Cambridge and working at the number one shop on the East Coast. (Ben Olken's Bicycle Exchange) I met some of the most interesting people. I once helped Carolyn Kennedy put a Allen Rack on the back of her Volkswagen Bug to bring her Women s Raleigh Sports back to Hyannis.
Cutler was special. You can see in the photo to the right with Sheldon. Eisenhower jacket. huge beard. No ego. A joy, every time he came in.
They said when he died, they went into his Cambridge home and found Polaroid pay checks used as book marks. Never cashed, Never needed. He road a Raleigh 3 Speed and did quite well.
I was told he picked up the tab at the Bicycle Exchange for the repairs and bicycles for the Cambridge Visiting Nurses. They used Womens Raleighs to get around.
Check this out:
http://books.google.com/books?id=6TTbCT64seEC&pg=PA49&lpg=PA49&dq=dr+cutler+west+polaroid&source=bl&ots=0P_3dZqpa3&sig=c9Z0lxV8VbWeElKj5bVUJdXO5v0&hl=en&sa=X&ei=pOIzUeS_EIrK0AGsk4GwDw&ved=0CEYQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=dr%20cutler%20west%20polaroid&f=false
I will always Remember Cutler. People like him make staying in Bicycles Sales worth more than money. Employees at the Bi-Ex would walk away from people like him. The attract for me was overwhelming and worth every second.
Cutler was always a pleasure. Very kind and very quiet. He was said to have more money than,, Rockefeller, but rode a women's 3 speed bike. He was a genius and Dr Edward Lands right hand man.
I was living in Cambridge and working at the number one shop on the East Coast. (Ben Olken's Bicycle Exchange) I met some of the most interesting people. I once helped Carolyn Kennedy put a Allen Rack on the back of her Volkswagen Bug to bring her Women s Raleigh Sports back to Hyannis.
Cutler was special. You can see in the photo to the right with Sheldon. Eisenhower jacket. huge beard. No ego. A joy, every time he came in.
They said when he died, they went into his Cambridge home and found Polaroid pay checks used as book marks. Never cashed, Never needed. He road a Raleigh 3 Speed and did quite well.
I was told he picked up the tab at the Bicycle Exchange for the repairs and bicycles for the Cambridge Visiting Nurses. They used Womens Raleighs to get around.
Check this out:
http://books.google.com/books?id=6TTbCT64seEC&pg=PA49&lpg=PA49&dq=dr+cutler+west+polaroid&source=bl&ots=0P_3dZqpa3&sig=c9Z0lxV8VbWeElKj5bVUJdXO5v0&hl=en&sa=X&ei=pOIzUeS_EIrK0AGsk4GwDw&ved=0CEYQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=dr%20cutler%20west%20polaroid&f=false
I will always Remember Cutler. People like him make staying in Bicycles Sales worth more than money. Employees at the Bi-Ex would walk away from people like him. The attract for me was overwhelming and worth every second.
Looking for a New, Old Bicycle
Shopping for an antique Raleigh can sometimes be as fun as riding one. Prices have been climbing over the past 5 years, so maybe the time is right.
Bikes are found in different ways. Searching on Ebay may not get you the best deal if your a buyer. A world market has more folks shopping that can drive the price higher than what we would consider a good deal. After the shipping costs are added, you could be paying more then the bike is worth.
Craigs List, being local, eliminates in most cases, shipping costs. Prices are more reasonable and sometime, the seller has other bikes they want to pass on. They also may know where to find more.
Swap meets like the Monson, Ma show (March 24th, 2013) are a great place to meet collectors that have bicycles they want to sell or swap, thus the name "Bike Swap". Asking around, you might find out about other locations that have old Raleighs sitting.
Shopping the town dumps and the metal pile takes time. Great bikes can be found, but don't expect to find what your looking for. It seems like now a days there are fewer and fewer being thrown away because the word is out, "That bike is a Collectors Item!" When I ever I hear that said, I say, "Well, your going to need to find a Collector"
I once had a women on the phone tell me that her 1960's Raleigh was worth $1000.00, I said, "Its Not." She then went on to tell me that the guy next door knows all about bicycles and he said so. I said "Sell it to him for $500. and he can then make some money to who he knows will pay $!000." I then went on to tell her that the bike was only ,at tops, worth $100. After a long pause, she said that that the first person to come to her house, she would sell it for $50.
Finding bicycles on the side of the road happens. I once found a 1936 Raleigh Golden Arrow.
Hunting for Raleigh's can be fun. A great way to stay in touch with whats out there and for how much. The best advice to any buyer is that if they find something that they want, Go Get It. because its not going to last for long.
Do you have any good ideas that you want to share?
Bikes are found in different ways. Searching on Ebay may not get you the best deal if your a buyer. A world market has more folks shopping that can drive the price higher than what we would consider a good deal. After the shipping costs are added, you could be paying more then the bike is worth.
Craigs List, being local, eliminates in most cases, shipping costs. Prices are more reasonable and sometime, the seller has other bikes they want to pass on. They also may know where to find more.
Swap meets like the Monson, Ma show (March 24th, 2013) are a great place to meet collectors that have bicycles they want to sell or swap, thus the name "Bike Swap". Asking around, you might find out about other locations that have old Raleighs sitting.
Shopping the town dumps and the metal pile takes time. Great bikes can be found, but don't expect to find what your looking for. It seems like now a days there are fewer and fewer being thrown away because the word is out, "That bike is a Collectors Item!" When I ever I hear that said, I say, "Well, your going to need to find a Collector"
I once had a women on the phone tell me that her 1960's Raleigh was worth $1000.00, I said, "Its Not." She then went on to tell me that the guy next door knows all about bicycles and he said so. I said "Sell it to him for $500. and he can then make some money to who he knows will pay $!000." I then went on to tell her that the bike was only ,at tops, worth $100. After a long pause, she said that that the first person to come to her house, she would sell it for $50.
Finding bicycles on the side of the road happens. I once found a 1936 Raleigh Golden Arrow.
Hunting for Raleigh's can be fun. A great way to stay in touch with whats out there and for how much. The best advice to any buyer is that if they find something that they want, Go Get It. because its not going to last for long.
Do you have any good ideas that you want to share?
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Tuesday Ride
Beautiful day for a ride around the block. How lucky we are to have such a lovely block!
The sap is running and their boiling syrup. It seems early, bot things are in full swing!
Enough salt still on the road for a good bike wash at the finish. What a wonderful ride!
The sap is running and their boiling syrup. It seems early, bot things are in full swing!
Enough salt still on the road for a good bike wash at the finish. What a wonderful ride!
Thursday, February 21, 2013
The Raleigh Wingnut
In the shape of two opposing "Rs" The Raleigh wing nut is a thing of beauty and a detail of a time gone by.
I know a few people we could call "Raleigh Wingnuts"
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