Rivendell & Selle An-Atomica to LA

mcm Selle An-Atomica™

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Rivendell & Selle An-Atomica to LA

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Rivendell make a line of fantastic lugged steel bikes. They were kind enough to make an A. Homer Hilson for Tom Milton on short notice. The partially assembled bike and loose parts were shipped to Davis, CA. Tom shipped parts he would install to complete the build as well as clothing and sundries needed for a quick 600 mile ride to Los Angeles. Paul Guttenberg, chauffeur and cyclist entertainer extraordinaire picked Tom up at the Sacramento International Airport on tandem Tuesday morning. Just another excuse to do more Davis Bike Club March Madness miles and to reduce greenhouse gas tail pipe emissions. On arrival at Paul's we found that FedEx had not delivered the all important box of bike parts to complete the build and clothing so the subsequent ride to LA was in jeopardy. Two or three hours of high anxiety drama and Tom ran the FedEx truck down to collect the parcel, fled back to Paul's to commence work to complete the bike. The ride became a solo adventure when Paul's erstwhile employer phoned during dinner Tuesday to inform him that he had to attend a meeting in Dallas Friday.

Tom rode A. Homer Hilson in the Solvang Double on March 29. The bike lay on the ground at the first rest stop. A friend not knowing Tom was approaching, nor that the bike was his stood over it talking to no one in particular about what a beautiful bike it is! This from a man who is in UMCA Hall of Fame and is notorious for NEVER doing maintenance on his bikes. He read the model name aloud wondering about the manufacturer before Tom spoke up. When told it was a fairly new Rivendell model his examination and compliments continued while a small crowd gathered. The bike was very nice to ride in such an event for it’s comfort and speed. It was cleaned and tuned after the Davis to LA coastal trip with rack and fenders removed for this Double event. Top spent most of the morning in an exceptionally fast pace line (20s to 30s mph), and the late afternoon traversing some truly awful torn up asphalt, all in same comfort. Tom and the bike have traversed more than 1,000 miles during March and could not be happier.

These photos tell the story with one important exception, Tom met Joff Summerfield, an Englishman who is three quarters of the way around the world riding a Penny Farthing (19th century hi wheel bicycle)! You can see Joff's photo journal here.

Adrienne Ruggles ode to cycling the Coast Highway to LA is at the bottom of the page.