Good Company

   For the past month or so I have been trying to organize a group ride out through the rolling farmlands of the Oley Valley, but have had trouble meshing everyone’s schedules enough to have a decent turnout. Foiled once again last weekend by a majority of “maybe” responses and a shaky weather forecast, a couple of friends joined me for a ride closer to home over a route very similar to the one my friend Scott and I did late last autumn.

   Although the temperature was much more reasonable Saturday than what we had faced during that November ride, it turned a bit uncomfortable as a misty rain began just past the midway point of our circuit. The three of us started off in Kimberton and rode into the south side of Phoenixville before heading down Route 29.

   I frequently ride in this area along Pickering Creek and was pleasantly surprised to find one road was repaved with smooth tarmac, as opposed to that annoying “oil and chips” that seems to be a popular method in our region. Matt and Dan mentioned several times how nice it was to ride out on these narrow roads that are so lightly traveled, which is also one of my favorite aspects of this route!

   I had to admit that, because the planned ride was packed with short, punchy hills and my companions were generally flatland triathlon riders, I was a bit concerned that they might wear down, but they rode at a really good pace. Not that I would ever wish any sort of bike malfunction on someone, but the fact that Matt developed an awful clicking in his bottom bracket kind of helped me to be aware of their position without having to look back as much!

Our route passed over the Kennedy Covered Bridge just west of Kimberton.

   We headed south on Route 113 and into Yellow Springs before looping back into Kimberton, where the drizzle had us weighing our options on whether to continue or shortcut back to the cars. I remarked on how the sky appeared brighter on the horizon and was convinced the rain would let up. The guys agreed on giving it a shot, and although it did rain a bit harder, it was never a soaking downpour to make things unbearable or dangerous.

   The rest of the trip included a climb back up to Ridge Pike, which we took west through East Vincent Township, and a ride down roller coaster-like Bethel Road – one of my favorites! We then followed French Creek all the way back into Kimberton.

   I was happy that the guys said that they enjoyed the route so much and that they would like to do it again some time. I assured them that the scenery along the second half of the route would have looked even better with some sun - and not having to peer through rain-drop-covered cycling glasses!

   Those who frequent this blog will know of my love of all cycling things Italian and will not be shocked to learn that two new projects will feature brands from “il bel paese”. I’ll get into those details next week, when the bikes are actually in my hands, and I can provide some photos. In the meantime I was able to put some significant work into the two that have been neglected in my shop.

   My intent was to sell off as many of the bikes that I had in stock (five out of seven isn’t bad!) before working on the Coppi and Ciocc frames. Although I have collected a majority of the needed parts since the spring acquisition of the bicycles, I had done little but some disassembly and cleaning.

   Last week I took the Coppi frame over to Bikesport for a repeat performance of “team bottom bracket”. The drive side fixed-cup is notorious for becoming semi-(or completely) fused to the frame, as moisture tends to do its damage to this sensitive part that people habitually disregard on vintage bicycles. Although this cup came off much more easily than the one taken off my friend Paul’s Bianchi last November, the operation is still entertaining, as the three mechanics struggle to keep the bike stable, the tool tight to the frame so it doesn’t slip and manipulate a longer lever attached to the tool to provide extra leverage.

     I was disappointed to find that when I attempted to polish up some of the chrome lugs on the frame, some areas were too far gone. I ended up taking a spinning wire brush wheel to those areas, and taking it down to the original steel surface. It’s relatively shiny, and I’m contemplating whether to just leave those areas exposed as-is along with the other chromed lugs or just paint over all of it. The frame has had its first round of paint stripper applied, and I scraped off as much as possible before giving the tubes another chemical coating.

   The Ciocc will need some paint in spots, and I’m hoping my friend Bruce can do his airbrush magic – although I am most concerned with matching the antique white shade on the frame. I sanded down the larger areas of bubbling paint and intend to touch-up the smaller nicks and scrapes by hand.