Back in the saddle after a long hiatus
09-24-10, 10:59 AM
#1
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Back in the saddle after a long hiatus
After heart valve surgery, a kidney transplant, and the trials and travails of running my own firm, I am getting back in the saddle again. My 1989 custom Hollands bike, a longtime resident of the basement, just broke my heart sitting there and doing nothing. A foresaken lover; good thing my wife never kicked her out of the house.
Then along came Baltimore Bicycle Works. Having driven past it many times I stopped in one day and met Tommy and friends who encouraged me to bring the old gal in. So the Hollands went off to Circle A in Rhode Island for a month at the spa and just came back looking prettier than when she was new.
Now she is getting a complete new wardrobe, with hand-built traditional wheels and a Brooks leather saddle. When finished she will be as beautiful as the goddess Athena (as will all her components).
It will be strange to ride again, and the extra pounds added over the years will certainly slow me down. So if you see a heavier guy huffing and puffing on the roads of North Baltimore and central Maryland don't make fun of him. Just tell him how beautiful his old steed still is.
Thanks and glad to be here,
Old Hollands
Then along came Baltimore Bicycle Works. Having driven past it many times I stopped in one day and met Tommy and friends who encouraged me to bring the old gal in. So the Hollands went off to Circle A in Rhode Island for a month at the spa and just came back looking prettier than when she was new.
Now she is getting a complete new wardrobe, with hand-built traditional wheels and a Brooks leather saddle. When finished she will be as beautiful as the goddess Athena (as will all her components).
It will be strange to ride again, and the extra pounds added over the years will certainly slow me down. So if you see a heavier guy huffing and puffing on the roads of North Baltimore and central Maryland don't make fun of him. Just tell him how beautiful his old steed still is.
Thanks and glad to be here,
Old Hollands
09-24-10, 02:02 PM
#2
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Welcome to BikeForums.
Never heard of Holland bikes. Got any pics?
I'm guessing you're over 50. Stop by the 50+ forum and introduce yourself.
Never heard of Holland bikes. Got any pics?
I'm guessing you're over 50. Stop by the 50+ forum and introduce yourself.
__________________
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
09-25-10, 07:58 AM
#3
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Thanks, I'll check it out as I am over fifty.
I will post pics once I figure out how to do that on this forum. In the meantime, Hollands is a custom bike built by John Hollands, a former British aerospace professional who used his metallurgy skills to build a racing bike for his son, who kept breaking frames.
Teammates began requesting them and thus began a business. I think John has scaled back somewhat recently but you can find his bikes online if you do a search,
He is a steel guy and does beautiful work. My bike and those my friends ride are among the sweetest looking; sweetest riding bikes around the mid-Atlantic.
If it works here is the frame before coming back to Baltimore. Glad to be hanging out here. Thanks,
Old Hollands
Teammates began requesting them and thus began a business. I think John has scaled back somewhat recently but you can find his bikes online if you do a search,
He is a steel guy and does beautiful work. My bike and those my friends ride are among the sweetest looking; sweetest riding bikes around the mid-Atlantic.
If it works here is the frame before coming back to Baltimore. Glad to be hanging out here. Thanks,
Old Hollands
10-10-10, 07:39 PM
#4
Fuji Fan
I've heard of the builder, but I don't know much about him. You should post that bike over in the Classic & Vintage subforums. You will get a lot of ooohs and awwws. It is gorgeous.
10-11-10, 08:19 AM
#5
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Will try to do that although my photo skills are lacking.
Will be picking up the finished bike this week and will try to talk my shop into shooting it before it begins to take on its "road character" again. Thanks,
Old Hollands
Old Hollands
