Tribute Bike
Sat, February 28, 2009 
It has been over six months since I posted an update here. I feel I should at least post this story, because of the actions of a very special group of bike enthusiasts.
In January this year I got an email from an old friend, Dale Brown. Dale owns the bike store Cycles de Oro in Greensboro, North Carolina, he sold many of my frames when I had my framebuilding business in California, back in the 1980s and early 1990s.
Dale mentioned that he was coming down to the Charleston, SC area on business and wanted to stop by to see me. As a result, Dale arrived at my house earlier this month, on my birthday to be precise. It became apparent that the “Business trip” story was a ruse, and he had made a special trip to deliver, as he dubbed it a “Tribute Bike.”
Flash back to a year or so ago, I had lamented (Probably right here on my bike blog,) that I had never saved one of my top of the line custom frames for myself. These are extremely rare as I only built 216 of them in California during the 1980s. (As opposed to my production frames that I built several thousand.)
Out of that 216, only about 15 were a size that would fit me. My chance of finding one was extremely remote as owners do not usually part with them and they rarely come up for sale.
I should mention that Dale Brown is also the man behind the Classic Rendezvous website, that has an email chat list where members talk about vintage steel bikes. CR list member Loren Youde (Who owns a Recherché mentioned here.) suggested, unbeknownst to me, that people who appreciated my work should look out for a suitable frame.
As a result, a group of twelve people for all over the US. As far afield as California, Dallas, TX, Chicago, IL, and Connecticut and New Jersey in the East, donated a frame and others donated parts to build it into a bike. They found a 53cm. frame that I built in 1983, with original paint in almost new condition.
I was blown away to say the least at the generosity of this group of people, most of whom I have never met. I emailed each of the group individually to thank them, and to let them know I will treasure this bike always.
I still have a hard time taking in the significance of what happened, and this occurs every day when I look at the bike. It is like winning a bike “Oscar.”
Dale Brown told me that he and other members of the group did not want their names mentioned here or elsewhere. However, Dale I have mentioned as I feel he went above and beyond. He assembled the bike, and made a special trip to my house to present the bike to me on my birthday. The least I can do is give his bike store a plug, and the CR site. Loren I mentioned because he instigated the whole thing.
The rest of the group, you know who you are, and my heartfelt thanks go out to all of you. The picture at the top is of my smiling self, taken by Dale Brown right after he presented the bike. More pictures of the bike can be viewed on the Classic Rendezvous site here.
Reader Comments (13)
i had heard about this "through the grapevine," as it were, and am extremely happy for you, Dave. you definitely deserve it!
Good for you, Dave! Enjoy that 'new' bike for years to come. It looks gorgeous.
It is really good to hear from you. Glad you are well and I love the bike. That is awesome and you definitely deserve it. Hope to see you on the road here in Charleston.
What a lovely gift! Thank you to all involved, for helping to make the world a brighter place.
Marvelous Dave! Absolutely marvelous.
And happy birthday to you, as well!
Go put a few miles on that wonderful bit of craftsmanship.
wow, what an awesome birthday present!
A heartfelt thanks to all those who shared such a touching gift with such a great man. I have never seen a smile on Dave's face like that in all the years I've known him.
Happy Birthday Dave and may you live many more years so you'll be able to enjoy your new gift.
Dave, I just checked your site in hopes that you had started posting again and lucked upon this story of kindness. This is a moving story of friendship and kinship among strangers. Happy birthday. Go lightly.
JBar
Awesome!
Good to see you found a voice again, Dave. You have been involved in the cycling community longer than many of us have been alive. Having one with your wealth of experience is a treasure for the rest of us.
Also, you have good friends, to put together such a heartfelt gift for you. Reading this blogpost reminded me what I missed most about your site: you filled it with stories and photos of bikes that had histories. Thanks for that.
Dave,
So glad you have one of your bikes after all.
Ron
Fantástico! Amazing story!
And happy birthdays, a little late.
That is fantastic. You DO deserve this. Enjoy it.