Eddy waits for his Jaegher
Waiting has never been my strong point. I’m anxious, but don’t really suffer from anxiety. Good things come to those who wait isn’t at the top of my list of proverbs to live by. Do What Thou Wilt always has been, though; kind of a Just Do It for early 20th century Satanists, and me.
It was with this mantra in the back of my mind that I made the instant decision to build my dream bike. The rationale went something like this: ooh that’s nice, I’ll have one of those. Before I knew it I was increasing my credit card limit and damned with the consequences. Actually, there was some rational thinking behind such a rash decision, but thinking that came after the decision. I think that’s called justification.
I’d had enough of talking about the dream bike in a manner which suggested that said dream would in most likelihood never come true. “When I build my dream bike” had a date set sometime in, well, fucking never. How long should one wait to do something that would presumably make one complete, or bring one joy? Simple answer, my friends, is now. If I waited another ten years, or even five, would I still get the same satisfaction? Why be an old guy riding around on a nice bike when you can be a slightly less old guy riding around on a stunning bike?
The waiting doesn’t seem so bad now. Hell, I’m even keeping the master who will be creating my steel fantasy waiting. But it’s all part of the process. This has to be right. And having the patience, knowledge and experience that my co-conspirator Steven has is a boon. From the very first excited email, to god knows how many hundreds later, every step of the journey has been carefully considered, over and over and then once more to be safe.
First, the thing that maybe should have been last was discussed, debated and dilly-dallied over until we (yes, I feel this is a team decision) settled on close to what you see in the above photo (with a colour-matched fork for my build). The gruppo was of course a no-brainer and a box full of Super Record gorgeousness stares at me from my desk. Already in Belgium await other boxes with the best of the rest; fizik for the cockpit, Chris King to make the steering sing, and cages from their namesake, beautiful bits of bent titanium.
The artisan’s hand of Diel now awaits the numbers game, before he lets any tube join another. All part of the process. The waiting is turning out to be an unexpected pleasure, but April still can’t come soon enough.
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@brett
Yes, I have been on the Wheelworks case for a while. Even gone to the next step of sending emails and corresponded with Tristan re a set of 34's with white ind hubs and twin red spokes at the valve to match SST paint.
Sadly, a busted oven, then hotplates, then fridge all within a fortnight screwed that little plan up.
But will be back in contact with him hopefully 2015
How cool is it that Roy Orbison was there on the same day checking out Eddy's new bike as well. Must of been pre dark shades though.
@Barracuda
Fixed your post.
@brett
I see what you did there, clever.
In other news, Love your new bike !
Very ... Very good choice. It is amazing that as a modern cyclist you try carbon bikes of this or that company .. but in the end when you have settled in your mind that this is gonna actually be the "last Bike", the forever companion, you sum up all your experience and knowledge, all the reading you have done ... and you go with custom steel. When aerodynamics are out of the equation and what you ask is the joy for the ride ... and the joy of looking the little custom details of a custom frame ... King Steel enters the room.
Excellent choice.
I second Bianchi Denti's (and Homer Simpson's) sentiments: * drool *
@Willburrox and @Kupepe: very well put.
I know I'm gonna get hung out to dry for this but the pic of Eddy just reminds me of Alan Partridge.
@minion mine has a similar build - Athena silver alloy gruppo, Record hubs (silver) on open pro rims, Ritchey Classic cockpit and post, white tape and saddle. It's a neo-classic and I love it.
Will never trade the Super Acciaio but have decided to go for the Condor Baracchi for my next N+1. NEED the carbon magic carpet :-)
@eightace
I met with my sensei this morning and have been put back on the straight and narrow. Come hell or high water I am landing the carbon frame and gruppo in Q1.
I can then pull the rest of the package together in time for events in May / June. May have to use existing set of wheels temporarily but by end of 2015 the build will be complete.
@minion
I get where you're coming from but there are two things in Eddy's favor: He's not a twat and has more than likely never been to Norfolk. The latter makes him a lucky, lucky man.
However, I think it is, in fact, David Coleman bending down in front of the Prophet - that comb-over is unmistakable!