An hour? You are very lucky indeed and should not let that opportunity to get by you. It takes me at least an hour and 20 minutes to get there, and it's not a fun trip, whether by subway, car or bicycle. But it's totally worth it. I'm 53 years old and hardly ever raced before, back when I was 21, and thought I would try it this year. My goal this year is to be in ten races and to come in last every time. So far, so good. And it's a ton of fun. The people are nice, too.

This is why I hang out here. Such a wealth of information and expertise. I never thought of that. (face in palms) :)

Great shot. That looks like fun. I am going to have to try the one an hour away from me sometime.

My Fathers' Day gift was this iBert carrier - here we are about to embark on our maiden voyage. Not a C&V bike, but C&V inspired, at least.

http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/a...pse98194aa.jpg

^^^^that is totally cool inkandsilver

Getting ready to celebrate Father's Day after riding 317.5 miles at the National 24-Hour Challenge on my custom Curtlo S3 steel road bike. New personal distance record. Maybe I'll try it sometime on my C&V bike!
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=387793

[QUOTE=ccblunt;16859634]..... on my custom Curtlo S3 steel road bike.

Congrats on your accomplishment. Would love to hear about your Curtlo and the buying experience from the builder. I may just drive over to Winthrop.

Updated pic from Seattle C&V gathering
 

trying to be totally vintage
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=387910
Yeah, i know Banesto didn't ride DeRosa.

[QUOTE=Wildwood;16861591]Thanks! I highly recommend Doug as a frame builder; for the money, I think it's tough to beat what he provides. The frame he built me fits perfectly, and I can sit on it comfortably all day long (18 hours, in the case of this weekend's event) without the aches and soreness my old bikes gave on double centuries.

Given that you're in the Seattle area, the drive to Winthrop is worth doing for no other reason than the scenery on the North Cascades Highway. Just make sure you call ahead to set an appointment. I've been in the Midwest for many years now, but am a Seattle native and come out there for STP each year. A couple of years ago, I spent a day of that trip driving up to see Doug.

We talked about the kind of riding I do, and he took a lot of measurements of my current bike. One relatively minor thing he recommended, given my proportions, was 180mm crankarms, and he designed the frame with that in mind (higher BB shell, etc). Not sure another builder would have come up with that, or if that kind of thing would've come out over the phone. Besides, for me...seeing the shop and personally meeting the framebuilder was part of the whole experience.

But here's the thing: in getting a custom frame, there's Good, Fast, and Inexpensive. You can pick two. Doug is very good, and very inexpensive, but be prepared to wait to get your frame. My sense is that he builds frames in batches; if you miss a batch, you'll be waiting for the next one. I met with him and gave my down payment in July of 2012; he sent a proposed diagram in late September. We discussed it and agreed to some minor revisions. I got a final diagram in late October, and he built the frame shortly thereafter. I then had to wait for it to come back from the paint shop, and for him to get the fork, headset, and some Campy components (his OEM pricing is terrific, BTW) I wanted. The box arrived on my doorstop literally on New Year's Eve.

In doing my research, I'd heard others mention similar wait times - so I wasn't upset or concerned. The frame was definitely worth it. Good luck!

[QUOTE=ccblunt;16862678]Thanks.
That's what I wanted to hear. I've been down the custom road a couple of times. I want a cyclocross-ish bike and Curtlo (being almost local) is on my final list.

Welcome aboard!
That Rossin is beautiful.

I recently acquired a Merckx Corsa Extra sourced from Belgium, also belonged to a former racer...but seller didn't know who. Not as nice a condition as yours. ;)

thx :) i started a year and a half ago restoring bikes . I still have a merckx corsa extra also in vgc with campagnolo c record but that one is not my size .... its a 62 cm
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=388233http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=388234http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=388236http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=388237

from which team was /is your bike do you have any pics ?

I don't think it was a team bike, just an older personal racer. Here is a pic of when I first got it. Campagnolo Chorus mostly, except brake levers and headset. The headset I was told was a popular Belgian/Dutch replacement model.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7400/...74a684ef_h.jpg

Nice bike ! Cant' see the headset very good . So i cant' confirm if it was popular here :)

If it doesn't fit or have sentimental value, you should sell it. I know a possible buyer in USA, if top tube is less than 59cm.

i should measure it ... do you mean 59 center -center ? Selling is a possibility yes however i never shipped to the Usa :)

Top tube (center to center) of 58cm is his best size, but up to 59 is probably OK. I'll email him. He's looking for an 'understated' Eddy.
A bike shop should be able to handle packing/shipping.
You can contact me directly: StuartHarding(at)comcast(dot)net

My bike:

http://tjwoodworking.com/wiggins21.jpg

Yes, I know; a 60cm frame is too small for me. I've had this bike 40 years now and I like it, besides if the frame was bigger I'd have to lean the bike so far over to get on and off that Wiggins would topple out of the front bag, so there. :p

Riding a '70 Honda selfie:

http://tjwoodworking.com/meh2.jpg

Does Wiggins rides along with the Honda :) ?

No, she prefers her adventures at a slower pace, such as the one I ride at.

And what exactly IS Wiggins?

look at the pic

Looks like a groundhog. Didn't know they could be domesticated.

Guessing that is a guinea pig.