Day 5: Sunday, January 9
SesameCrunch isn't just the inspiration for lexm's multi-thousand-mile journey to buy a Moulton, he's a helluva good guy all around. A natural entrepreneur and born leader, he organizes and hosts a ride in beautiful Half Moon Bay to coincide with lexm's visit.
Because lexm may not be able to put the Moulton TSR-2 back together again, Bruce advises him to arrive early. He does and Bruce soon follows. The TSR-2 up on the stand, lexm mugs for the camera while Bruce does the real work:
In addition to lexm, Bruce, SesameCrunch, and kamtsa (who declines to be photographed for this outing), the group includes a long lost friend of lexm's, Dr V, who learns of the ride through those technological marvels, Facebook and Twitter:
Dr V worries that his mountain bike isn't welcome at this Moulton convention, but the others assure him that, as a suspended bike, it is in effect a descendant of Dr Moulton's genius.
SesameCrunch leads the group through the mean streets of Half Moon Bay
and onto its beachside trail. lexm has some initial difficulty shifting the kickback without also engaging the coaster brake. Similarly, his occasional absent-minded slight backpedals yield unwanted shifts. But soon he learns pedal discipline and can kick back with the kickback.
Reaching their northernmost point (beautiful photos of which appear in Bruce's contribution to the meet up thread) somewhere near Princeton-by-the-Sea, the Moultons are assembled for a group shot:
From right to left, kamtsa's TSR-27, lexm's TSR-2, Bruce's AM-14 (partially obscured), and SesameCrunch's totally smokin' Mk 3.
After many miles of riding, the group takes on food at a local seafood eatery. Thereafter, they ride south to SesameCrunch's 'hood. There, lexm finally gets to pose for a cheesy 1940s-style handshake photo with the man he wants to be when he grows up, SesameCrunch:
lexm and SesameCrunch shake hands in front of the Ritz Carlton.
A couple passing by asks Bruce about the Moultons. Shifting into salesman gear, he has them eating out of the palm of his hand. Meanwhile, lexm poses with his new bike against a dramatic background:
A gentleman and a scholar, SesameCrunch invites the group to his house for coffee. Here, the Crunch family dog greets Bruce:
New friends made (Bruce, SesameCrunch, kamtsa) and old ones revisited (Dr V), it is time to return home. lexm pilots his rented car back to San Jose, where he dines on Thai with his family:
Left to right: lexm, sister, father.
Left to right: mom, niece's boyfriend, niece.
*To Be Continued*