Planning for failure
07-11-17, 08:46 PM
#1
Bikes are okay, I guess.
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Location: Richmond, Virginia
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Bikes: Waterford Paramount Touring, Giant CFM-2, Raleigh Sports 3-speeds in M23 & L23, Schwinn Cimarron oddball build, Marin Palisades Trail dropbar conversion, Nishiki Cresta GT
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Planning for failure
We had to make a quick trip to the Midwest on family business and I set about guaranteeing that on the 2,000 mile round trip drive I would not find the '80s full touring frame/bike I'm looking for to replace my RB-T. I got a wad of cash from the ATM and packed my Allen MT-2 Compact two-bike rack that would go on the trunk of the Civic, bungee cords, and a cable and padlock to keep it secure. I deliberately did not check Craigslist before departure for the cities on the route and I did the driving to make sure I could not burn up data minutes searching while my wife drove. But I did check once we reached our destination in Illinois. Turns out I had missed a Miyata 610 in 25" and an early Trek 520 in 25", two fairly desirable bikes in a size I can ride and have owned, but I'm holding out for 24"/60cm since I'm getting shorter in my old age and have sworn not to buy 25s any more. The Miyata in Lexington KY was only $200, so someone might be interested. The Trek (Indianapolis?) was an early caliper brake model like the one I built up for my then-girlfriend (now wife) back in '83 and I'm holding out for cantilever brakes.
Meanwhile, on with the search. While there I decided to check out CL for the cities on the way home by a different return route and found nothing of specific interest although there are some neat bikes out there, including several Raleigh Sports 3-speeds along the route but I'm stocked up with them.
So you see, there is a way to have the thrill of the hunt and not have to rationalize a purchase to your spouse. Just make sure you don't find what you're looking for! If I had not prepared so well I assuredly would have found the Trek 720/Miyata 1000/Specialized Expedition/whatever that I'd like to find and then I'd have had to spend the money and deal with the complications.
Meanwhile, on with the search. While there I decided to check out CL for the cities on the way home by a different return route and found nothing of specific interest although there are some neat bikes out there, including several Raleigh Sports 3-speeds along the route but I'm stocked up with them.
So you see, there is a way to have the thrill of the hunt and not have to rationalize a purchase to your spouse. Just make sure you don't find what you're looking for! If I had not prepared so well I assuredly would have found the Trek 720/Miyata 1000/Specialized Expedition/whatever that I'd like to find and then I'd have had to spend the money and deal with the complications.
07-12-17, 04:20 AM
#2
Senior Member
One of my maxims is "set low expectations so I will never be disappointed" .
Not a tourer, but you should get that 60 cm De Rosa that keeps popping up in Richmond.
Not a tourer, but you should get that 60 cm De Rosa that keeps popping up in Richmond.
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N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '82 Colnago Super, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, '84 Basso Gap, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, '84 Paletti Super Prestige, Heron Randonneur
N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '82 Colnago Super, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, '84 Basso Gap, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, '84 Paletti Super Prestige, Heron Randonneur
07-12-17, 05:56 AM
#3
Extraordinary Magnitude
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Waukesha WI
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Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT
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Planning, forethought, perseverance. These actions have served you well and reflect great credit upon yourself, the Classic and Vintage Forum and the United States of America.
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*Recipient of the 2006 Time Magazine "Person Of The Year" Award*
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
07-12-17, 06:12 AM
#4
Bikes are okay, I guess.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Posts: 8,996
Bikes: Waterford Paramount Touring, Giant CFM-2, Raleigh Sports 3-speeds in M23 & L23, Schwinn Cimarron oddball build, Marin Palisades Trail dropbar conversion, Nishiki Cresta GT
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Below is a photo of the trunk kit that accompanied me on the unsuccessful search. Very compact.
Trunk kit.JPG
Last edited by thumpism; 07-12-17 at 02:13 PM.
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