Classic & Vintage - Sad News

There is no loss of life, but one of our members here, toomanybikes, lost three of his classic bikes in an arson fire this morning.

The story is told here:
http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=124174

Links to photos/movies of the fire here:
http://www.castanet.net/edition/news-story-37883--.htm#37883

There is nothing salvageable.

TMB is one heck of a nice guy, and generous beyond belief. He can also ride most folks into the ground, but is kind enough to feign tiredness and wait for us old folks. I mourn the loss of his beautiful Butler, an irreplaceable bike that he put a lot of love into.

That totally sucks.

Losing a new Trek or something that could be easily replaced is bad, but losing irreplaceable classics is way worse. I'm sorry to hear that happened. :(

That's horrible news.

I send out my best wishes and condolences to TMB.

Very sorry for your loss. That would feel awful.

Man, thats terrible. :(

Thanks guys,

Just a miserable day overall.

I loved that Geoffrey Butler.

and the Guerciotti was a dream on the days you wanted to ride hard.

Hmm,

Guess I need to edit the signature block now. :(

News like this is never good. but perhaps some good for others can come from it.

I sold a bike to a friend long ago, he suffered an arson fire, bike survived, wheels were off, and in the garage, paint got messed up from the melting cable housings and various plastics... insurance did cover it, we had to recreate the purchase receipt.

If you do recover some for the loss, please advise the group of what it took to get your funds.

So now, insurance and vintage bikes, or how to give your homeowners' insurance agent heartburn.

Photo documentation is essential! Frame numbers! The police like those, even if you and I know they are of little value overall. Keeping receipts helps, to answer the question... you paid XXX! for having a bike frame painted!? I have a rider on my policy to cover them and some art. Basically a dollar a day to have some peace of mind. It might have been cheaper as I have an umbrella liability rider.

I steered clear of a policy that had a $300. limit on bikes!

How horrible. And nothing you can do, either, except feel bad.

I am very sorry to hear this.

East Hill

Maaaan! I am real sorry to hear that :eek:

I can only offer my condolences. One of the members of my informal vintage Capo owner's club may be able to salvage his frame after a garage fire, but the original paint and most of the components were a total loss.

I disagree with repechage's advice regarding homeowner insurance, only because I strongly believe that filing any claim will make you a target for either cancellation or a big rate increase. I am probably paranoid, but I save my insurance for really big losses, such as the house burning down.

I don't know how things work in the Great White North, but the shop's insurance *should* cover all losses. I would imagine that setting a value and waiting for a settlement will be the hardest thing.

I guess that on the bright side, Mrs TMB has probably given you the go ahead to replace them.

If anyone out there has an EL-OS De Rosa in a 56, I think I know someone who would be interested in it.

What a horrible feeling to go through this. My heart goes out to him. Does he post on C&V? Once he starts putting things back together again, he should stop in, I bet we might be able to help him with small things.

jim

He posted above,
http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=6318393&postcount=6
His name here is 'waytoomanybikes', he posts on other forums as 'toomanybikes'

He posted above,
http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=6318393&postcount=6
His name here is 'waytoomanybikes', he posts on other forums as 'toomanybikes'


I used to post here as Toomanybikes as well. There was some sort of glitch with the board software at some point and my ID went "Poof"

Thanks for the good thoughts folks,

I miss that Geoff.

And yeah, what OFG said about that there De Rosa.

Mrs. TMB has been very supportive -

It will be the store's policy to cover it - had a fight with the adjuster this afternoon who suggested I should claim through my homeowners policy and seemed puzzled by my pointing out that this has NOTHING to do with my home.

It will just be a process I guess but I wanted to get on record with the adjuster before we head away (bikeless) on vacation.

:( :cry: :(

I was driving to work this morning listening to b103 when I heard Gericks was on fire, I couldn't believe it. I actually drove 8 clicks out of my way at 3:30am to see it.

It was horrible.

Sorry about your loss.

A Kelowna People!?

Cool.

Thanks.

Yup, been in Kelowna my entire life.

Sorry, WTMB, I glanced through the other msgs too quickly and did not see your post.

jim

that sucks... :-/

what's with canada and burning bike stores?

I disagree with repechage's advice regarding homeowner insurance, only because I strongly believe that filing any claim will make you a target for either cancellation or a big rate increase. I am probably paranoid, but I save my insurance for really big losses, such as the house burning down.

I have 40k in bikes to cover, a reasonable reason to have insurance.

WTB,

what size bike do you ride, and do you need a loaner? I'd be willing to ship
something dutch up there (no not the zieleman it's not quite done) to cover if
you need it.

Marty

How horrible. I'm so sorry!

I'd have some lugged steel you could borrow if Down South means Minnesota or Kansas....

Susan

Again,

Thank you for all the good thoughts folks. Feeling a little less like I just got kicked in the stomach today.

Lotek,

I appreciate the offer, but I do still have a few bikes around, I guess I will have to ride the Claud Butler more - it doesn't seem like a coffee shop bike though.

I loved that Geoff.

I am very sorry to hear the tragic news. I know how you feel, last year I lost my most beloved bike in a freak accident. It was my very first adult road bike, my Cannondale. It still waters up my eyes just thinking about. We had been to many places together and now I'll never ride it again.

Man! It just breaks my heart! Sorry again for your loss.

Dan

Arson...I hope there's jail time in someone's future...

If I even found a spoke of one I'd be sending it to BC ASAP.

I feel sorry for him, but there are some lessons to be learn here for all of us ..

* Document our bikes with pictures with serial numbers - for loss from theft and fire.

* The bike may or may not be covered by the shops insurance - or under insured , although the concept of Abalement applies that doesn't mean the the shop may not be judement proof for compensating a loss.

* I won't they say there aren't some less than honest home owners policies, but there are State laws against what most of some of you are indicating. So filing a claim won't hurt you - but most deductibles are $1000 to $1,500.

Like all of you I love my bikes - my wife says to much, but I need to keep it in prospective that they are bikes and with likes all of his friends in the forums we can find him new rides to help him potentially dim the thought of his loss. I didn't say forget them just moderate the pain of his loss.

Sorry to hear about the fire and your bikes :( but I am also very happy that no one was hurt in the blaze :) Thank goodness for that ;) :)

This really sucks to hear about. Hopefully the insurance company will "try" to make it right. I am also glad no one was hurt in the fire or putting it out. Hopefully, the person who did this is punished, and the effected shops are able to rebuild and open up again in the future.

a bike store next to a liquor store -- be glad i don't live there or you'd have to put a no loitering sign up. at least they saved the jenny craig.....(im rolling my eyes so hard it hurts).

JUst so none of you are waiting for "fire sale" items

http://picasaweb.google.com/2manybikes/WhatSLeftOfGerickS

WTMB, I feel terrible for your loss. :(
So sorry.

Its kind of an opportunity (im trying to be optimistic) to make an art piece out of the charred remnants. you should pull what you can