“Dear forums, I never thought this would happen to me” started every letter to Penthouse Forums, as some schlub would be seduced by a beautiful woman way beyond anything he could have imagined.

Well, I’ve been looking for the right DeRosa for years. To the point I’ve been collecting period pantographed components anticipating the day I’d fine one in the 1970-73 era, and in my size.

Last year in Gaiole, some panto campy brakes were found.

In some co-op bins, I located a chain ring in both 53 and 52.

A black painted (not anno) Cinelli stem was brought back to life.

I even found a DeRosa wool jersey in Cambria last year.

all that was needed is a frame.

On October 6th, I drove to Bend to deliver some wine to a famous athlete and deliver an Ibis “Spanky” to its new owner.

“Wanna see my other bikes” will always get a yes.

This gentleman, former racer, daily rider, has a decent collection of good bikes in mostly rideable condition. This being Bend, where the city created a map of all the gravel trails, you can imagine 90% of his stable is Mt or gravel related. Sure, there are a couple of Italians, an Oriental Blue mid-70s MASI, an ancient OLMO, but all too tall for me and often shod with Dura-ace, when I prefer Campy.

Over tacos and beer at the Yacht Club (great name for a food truck corral with beer), the conversation turned to the difference between a hoarder and a collector. My personal philosophy is a “hoarder” has bikes that aren’t even their size, so can’t be ridden.

He explained, some bikes are art, like his Huffy “Daisy” tandem that sits in the backyard, offering whimsy to what would be a boring patch of grass.

Then he cocked his head and said, “come with me, I have more in the shed.”

Built so his wife could park a car in their garage, and filled with bikes that aren’t his favorite, don’t fit, or future projects.

“Um, we will have to take turns, there is only room for one person,” he said.

My eyes had to adjust from the vast bright central Oregon sky to a small one window shed. I spied a DiNucchi, a Campy and 3ttt clad early 70s 3Rensho, and on a shelf, a 1971 DeRosa frame in gold.



The fork is behind the box.


“What’s up with that” I asked as calmly as possible, hoping my voice didn’t crack.

“Oh, I traded some DeWalt tools for it when I decided to go 100% Milwaukee. But I was told it’s a 57 when it’s actually too small for me.”

It was a perfect 56ctc. My size.

“So how much are you into it?”

“I dunno. I always liked the idea of a DeRosa, but I don’t have the parts, and I really don’t ride road.”

He then added, “I wouldn’t sell it, but I’d be open to trades.”

A tour of the rest of the house revealed he was also passionate about McIntosh audio.

I saw a mish-mash of components of Mac, Pioneer and Sansui. This was my in.

Two weeks later, I asked sweetie if she wanted to go to Bend, I bought her a ticket to the “Locavore” dinner, booked the Element hotel downtown Bend and grabbed the weims.

“Are we bringing our bikes,” she asked.

“Nope,” not a bike-themed weekend, I said.

And it wasn’t. Nice dinner, cocktails, wine in the hot tub. Brunch, big hike, various small breweries, more hikes, tacos, etc. She actually thanked me for not dragging her to co-ops, shops and bike swaps.

“Just one more stop sweetie, I have to drop off some Mac components.”

No money changed hands. Both parties ecstatic with the deal. Even sweetie profusely thanked me for making the trip about the things she wanted to do. Not even sure she noticed the frame and fork shoved in the hatch.