rccardr 

Thanks for the kind thoughts from both you and Merziac, as well as for the in-process encouragement from nlerner. Putting this together was like Ye Olden Bike Shop Days, many things hand fitted, threads cleaned and re-threaded, etc. But the frameset was NEW in the box in my size, and frankly the only Raleigh model I ever actually lusted after.
Still, finding a way to work with a 120 OLD rear was interesting. And the result is, chef’s kiss.

curbtender

Coming down, not going up? That fog we had was as thick as I've seen in a while and the east side of the hills haven't warmed up yet. I hadn't seen your DeRosa before.

gaucho777 

@curbtender This shot was taken at the beginning of the trail (bike still clean) before I headed up the little roller. Fyi, this short trail connects the end of Grizzly Peak with Kensington Hilltop Elementary (not far from the Arlington). From your area, you could come up Wildcat Canyon, turn right at Grizzly Peak by the top of Spruce, and take the trail toward the Arlington to get back home. Yes, the fog was nice and it’s been chilly—at least for us fair weather CA folk. Had some numb fingers on my commute this morning.

The De Rosa is nice but it’s been getting neglected. It’s my only brifter bike and I caught myself reaching for the down tube a couple times when trying to shift.

curbtender

Dressed warm but was enjoying the sunshine. Looped past Lime Ridge on our way to coffee.

DQRider 

OMG, what a beauty! Great photo as well.
I've always been puzzled by the Raleigh "Gran Tour" line. Some were rather common gaspipe things, but then others were spectacular like this one.
And without a doubt, this is the very best livery. I have never seen a finer example of the breed. Thanks for sharing this!
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rccardr 

Thanks for the kind words. Did not know there were other Gran Tour models/years.

DQRider 

Oops, my mistake. I was getting it mixed up with the Gran Sports and Gran Prix.

MooneyBloke

All these pictures are making me jealous. Yesterday, it was 9°F (-13°C) when I walked to work. Today, it's a balmy 21°F (-6°C) at the moment. I'm not on the bikes save for quick jaunts to the nearby grocery store. Them's the consequences of living in northern Michigan I guess.

botty kayer

It got up to 12c today in London, back to finger less gloves and it definitely felt like the coldest part of winter is behind us, Halleluyah!

Its still not really nice enough to be riding around in the countryside, so for now I'm still city bound cycling around looking for un-seasonal color to further convince my brain that spring is coming. The fair weather cyclists have still not emerged from hibernation, so this new bike path sentinel had only me to contend with this morning.

Bike in front of what looked like some therapeutic doodlings by someone....

...but the bike it barely visible against this rowdy backdrop, I've been very much enjoying putting miles on this my most recently built Merckx *enhance*

I then came across this, which made me think of the classic Shakespeare line :"Alas poor Yorick!..."

And while the great bard was reflecting on the brevity of life, I cycle past this next one and am reminded cycling keeps me smiling.

And this one is a collage of various animated characters.

Quiet little back roads, yes they are the actual size, you won't get a Hummer down there.

In the sea of concrete that is the Barbican, my bike zeroes in like a bumble bee to a flower on any color around, a post box.

And my final new art work of the day is my favorite, firstly for framing it so well in the arch, and secondly because the girl has the look of a girl about to sneeze, it's coming....any second now......

malcala622 

Excuse the new bike but something amazing C&V happened when I got home and it made me fall head over heels.

Shake down 23 mile ride on my upgraded Intenso. Needs a few adjustments.



But I got home and while the wife is packing for a week in Japan she asked to borrow one of my cycling items. A bit hard to notice but look closely she wants to use my Campagnolo musette. I'm in love all over again.

darkmoon

Cool Bianchi

Dura Ace 9000 is acceptable for old school cyclists like me
Tan side wall tire are good.

And, welcome to Japan, your lovely wife, from a Japan's cyclist.

northbend 

Seeing your MXL makes me miss the one I sold a few years ago. What a fine bicycle.
Hurricane Ridge by Matthew Pendergast, on Flickr

bironi

I'm lusting for your DeRosa, but you're too tall.
I have a 95' that was that color, but now it is some shade of pink.
When the sun comes out in my hood, I'll post a pic.
Mine is set up as my winter/fixed gear/fendered.

botty kayer

They are great riding bikes, I have 2 of them at the moment but mine have spent most of their time in the flatter lands of Belgium and England, and neither has seen a back drop as epic as that ^

botty kayer

I woke up this morning and shock of shocks we had patches of blue sky and even some sunshine. My shiny bikes were fighting each other to get closest to the door in the hope of being chosen as today's bike of choice. The 753 Merckx won out, so this weekends rides have been on bikes at the green end of the color spectrum.

I've not seen it around these parts for a while, but its so nice to see that glowing orb in the sky again, and to actually feel its glow on your face.

I cut through the throngs of people out walking along the river for a quick photo opportunity.

And a bit further along I pause for a pic at the ruins of the Great Hall of Winchester Palace and its Rose window, built in the 12th century to house local Bishops it remained in use until the 17th century, when it was divided into tenements and warehouses. The ruins were rediscovered in the 19th century following a fire, and were finally revealed in the 1980s during redevelopment of the area.

I then loop up through the banking district with its more modern buildings, one of the more widely known cockney rhyming slang phrases refers to this lot, a bunch of merchant bankers

And final stop of the day for one last gratuitous bike shot....

...before heading home, which I'd describe in rhyming slang as follows, I'm in need of a Jimmy Riddle (piddle, a wee) , along the way having a bubble bath (laugh) at people stuck stationary in their jam jars (cars) rolling their mince pies (eyes). I've got me appetite going and am proper Hank Marvin (starving), so its back home, up the apples and pears (stairs) before putting up me plates of meat (feet) and enjoying a cup of Rosie Lee (tea) as I'm cream crackered (knackered). And now to sit down and spend an hour and a half shouting at my football team, the bunch of useless merchant bankers.

RCMoeur

Led the weekly PMBC ride up the hill to a very busy restaurant (where the ample portions were sincerely appreciated), then a hill or two after breakfast, and now closing out the 28-mile ride with a cruise through the neighborhood that is convenient to ride through but I don't have to pay the HOA fees.


I had eyelid surgery on Friday, but I'm happy to say it hasn't bothered me on today's ride, even early in the morning when it wasn't exactly warm.

RCMoeur

I think it was Churchill who quipped that the UK and the US are "divided by a common language".

curbtender

Bay trail through Pinole on trip up to Mare Island in Vallejo. The Coal Shed art studio has been busy. A muralist named Hyde is working on the buildings there. All the dry docks were occupied. Good to see the transition. Been riding here for years and it was pretty much a ghost town.

bironi

That looks like 1-3 bunny hops.

vahtreb

Still thinking to risk riding in Paris…

vahtreb

Hope to do so soon once they allow me to post pictures

Spaghetti Legs 

Had a winter respite of temps above 60 this week which coincided nicely with my not working. I got out yesterday on the Carrera and today, after posting a pic of it in another thread, took the Tommasini for a short ride, tackling a couple of tough climbs on the 42 ring.



My usual photo spot at the top of the climb to McCormick Observatory but decided to look off toward the north today

Just before the start of a long fast descent down Tilman Rd. I thought I was smiling but the soul sucking climb that starts right afterward must have had me worried.

In front of Red Hill Elementary School looking northwest

curbtender

I've taken pictures of this trailside spring in Moraga a few times. Sun was shining and the water flowing today.

djkashuba 

2-9-23 by djk762, on Flickr


2-9-23 by djk762, on Flickr


2-9-23 by djk762, on Flickr


2-9-23 by djk762, on Flickr


2-9-23 by djk762, on Flickr


2-9-23 by djk762, on Flickr


2-9-23 by djk762, on Flickr

gugie 

@Andy_K and I decided we were due for some climbing. A chilly morning got us out to our favorite country cafe for eats and hot beverages. We were tempted by this, but had too many miles ahead of us.


South Store Cafe is upping its game.



By the time we left the sun was coming out, making the climb up Bald Peak more comfy.



Andy pass hunting

The ridge road was spectacular today.



We discussed the many shades of celeste. Mine didn’t quite qualify. We did agree that orange is the fastest color.