No. 37, Vol. 4. - The Copper and the Scorcher

“He was a mounted copper,
Upon an iron steed,
And was laying for the scorcher,
Who rode at lawless speed;
When whizzing 'round the corner,
At a breakneck, lightning pace,
Appeared a reckless rider,
Whereupon the cop gave chase.
"I say there!" cried the bluecoat,
As he humped himself about,
"You're arrested for fast riding."
When the scorcher heard the shout.
He looked o'er his shoulder,
And he didn't do a thing.
But pedal all the harder,
And make the welkin ring.
"I like that," said the "finest,"
As through the thoroughfare.
He started for his victim;
And the crowd that gathered there.
Cheered the racer, jeered the copper,
And wagered ten to one,
On the scorcher as he sped along,
On that exciting run.
In and out among the horses,
And the wagons on the street,
They dodged about most artfully,
Doing many a dangerous feat;
But the bluecoat was outdistanced,
He set too slow a pace,
And his anger gave expression,
In the wrath upon his face.
At last grown weak and weary,
The copper swore he'd shoot,
And reached back for his pistol,
But the crowd cried, "Don't you brute!"
But he aimed it at the scorcher,
If he didn't, I'm a liar; "Bang!"
The scorcher tumbled,
For the cop had pierced his tire.”

~ Author unknown, circa 1897

Gary Boulanger, editor
The Bike Evangelist
305 S. Main St. - BARN
Springboro, Ohio USA
Website
Email
Diary
Phony: 937-748-8862

Cycles Gaansari Store Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 10-6 p.m.; Saturday 11-5 p.m. Closed Wednesday and Sunday.

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The 125 Most Influential People in American Cycling
The League of American Bicyclists is accepting nominations for the "125 Most Influential People in American Cycling" to celebrate its 125th anniversary. Racers, journalists, product designers, marketers, bike company owners, industry pioneers and event organizers are some of the folks to consider. To throw in your two cents, submit your nomination(s) today.
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Applicable Products to Ponder (and Purchase)
All products, unless otherwise noted, can be shipped to your home or workplace for an additional shipping cost. Just call 937-748-8862 or email , and we'll take care of your cycling needs.

SADDLES & BAGGAGE

Brooks Leather Saddles
Fine bicycles, by definition, can be used as tools, transportation or tra-la-la-ing through the thicket. A fine bicycle is not complete unless it's shod with a thoroughly designed and proven saddle, like those listed on our site from Brooks (the undisputed king of crafted leather saddles). Made in England.

Carradice Baggage
Every cyclist I know carries a fair amount of emotional baggage (myself included!), and most of our friends are also very practical cyclists, so they usual tote their necessities with handmade baggage from Carradice of England. We stock everything listed on our site, and reorder promptly.

Baggins Bags
Baggins Bags, a product line from Rivendell Bicycle Works, are made out of waxed cotton duck, a very water resistant fabric. Whenever you add zippers and seams to fabric, though, you give water potential entry points. THESE BAGS ARE NOT WATERPROOF. They work well in light rain or damp conditions, but if you ride in heavy rain, we suggest getting waterproof stuff sacks or plastic garbage bags to ensure that your gear stays dry. Made in the USA. At least one of your bikes needs a Baggins Bag.

BIKES

The Gaansari Scorcher is a fixed/singlespeed road bike inspired by the Orville Wright's passion for racing in the 1880s. The Gaansari Scorcher is designed to be ridden with chubby 700c tires, on fast urban commutes or club rides. Lovingly built in the USA, individual in design, and guaranteed to last a lifetime. To commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Wright Brother's historic first flight on December 17, 1903, a limited production of just 100 Gaansari Scorchers will be available for purchase.

Scorcher frame material: Columbus Zona heat-treated cromoly steel, silver-brazed using cast lugs and dropouts. Frame sizes are measured from center of bottom bracket to top of seat tube collar. All Scorcher steel forks are built with 1" threaded steers to fit the frame's 15mm extended head tubes and PCD fork crown. Single fender eyelet front and rear. Available as a frameset ($1,350) or complete bike (starting at $2,300). Blue Jean paint with French Custard painted head tube and seat panel. Custom colors available. Simple, understated Gaansari decals. Made in Ohio by Jack. Sizes: 50, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62 and 64cm. Optional lugset choices: Fleur d'lys for non oversized tubing (add $100); Richard Sachs' OS Newvex lugset and fork crown (add $150). Media reviews: USA Today; 63xc.com: "How We Built The Gaansari Scorcher"; Bike Cafe; Cycling News.

NOTE: Because we've redesigned the Scorcher for 2005, there are two British Racing Green 2004 Gaansari Scorchers remaining in 54cm and 56cm sizes. These are TIG welded Reynolds 725 with 1-1/8" threadless steer. Price: $750. First come, first served. Email or call 937-748-8862.

Fixed Gear Catalog
Products and photos galore to compliment your fixed-gear project, or to provide inspiration on ways to spec your new Gaansari Scorcher.

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The Bike Evangelist is an electronic newsletter developed to keep cyclers informed on the latest goings-on at Cycles Gaansari, including new products, services, events, and anything else pertinent to the Greater Dayton cycling community and beyond. Nearly 1,275 strong! Published by Clutch Marketing Group LLC, Springboro, OH. © 2005. All Rights Reserved. If you like what you've read, tell others. If you don't, let us know and we can unsubscribe you, no problemo.