Hmm, well, there's not much to my story. The Norman is the story. I was contacted by rhm via PM with the universal C&V SOS signal, which the code dictates I heed. I could sense rhm's excited anticipation. Who wouldn't want to participate in the hunt? It's in the blood!

On initial phone contact, the seller told me the bike was being offered first come, first served. Not wanting to drive 100 miles for nothing, I stated my definitive intentions to buy, and was promised the bike. I headed out into the driving rain, kids in tow (they need training in the field, no?), to arrive there exactly when the seller stated he'd be home.

I arrived early, before the seller. The rains had stopped, always a promising sign. The seller rolled up, took a look at me, then headed to the shed without a word. He rolled the Norman out, and I thought this couldn't be the bike. I was prepared to find frame damage, missing parts (he claimed it to be all original) or some other compromises. I looked at the SA hub. '49? It couldn't be, it was pristine! I began to have sinister thoughts, thoughts that violate the sacred code. The seller told me it was his father-in-law's, that it could sell for $1000 (well, perhaps that's a stretch?). He suggested I tell rhm it was sold. No, banish the thought!

I was a bit nervous about the ride home. The rain was starting up again. I had brought a tarp and plastic covering for the saddle, as the bike would by carried on a rear car rack, but it could protect only so much. It's likely that's the only rain to ever touch the bike. At home, the kids and I spent an hour with towels and a hair dryer. It was a labor of love.

As I've told rhm, it was payment enough to have been given the chance to see this bike in person. It's a true gem. I think that's the great gift of this community: the opportunity to share in the enthusiasm of others, and to learn more about the the history of bicycles through it. Thanks for including me rhm!