Musings on the Bicycle

From Ben Serotta to Paul Gibson

I am drawn to human interest stories – whether I am reading a biography, an autobiography, or having a conversations with a guest on my podcast.

While pondering the episode I uploaded earlier this afternoon, it occurred to me that my very first podcast – more than 15 years and 681 episodes ago, had come full circle.

In September 2010, I recorded my first conversation for the Outspoken Cyclist podcast with custom frame builder Ben Serotta.

My husband Brian and I were visiting family in New York close to the Serotta factory and Ben had agreed to take some time to chat with me.

I had rudimentary recording equipment at best in those days, and the sound quality was mediocre. But I was a fan of Ben Serotta from my first days in the bicycle business.

Here’s a short version of the story.

One day in 1974, a stunning burgundy lugged steel Serotta touring frame appeared in the shop where I was working. I was mesmerized! Up until that moment, I didn’t know such things existed and its arrival sent me down a path towards learning all I could about the pro-end of the business.

As my years in bicycle retail unfolded, I think I always held that moment as a beacon toward which I wanted to aim my business. Eventually, I was able to open the custom shop of my dreams in 1997.

Fast forwarding to my most recent podcast, one that highlights a 90-year-old custom frame business, it became very clear to me that my love for the bicycle hasn’t really diminished.

Ben’s story in and of itself is interesting. His training in the 1960’s came from the masters of English frame building.

From that background, he created frames for some of the world’s best riders and teams garnering national and international titles. Ben’s ideas about tubing helped form the basis for many of the modern innovations in custom as well as production frame design.

And Paul Gibson’s story, a story that hopes to keep the fundamental elements of the craft alive as well as pass on the skills needed to do so, is also rooted in those same English traditions.

Paul’s story also reminds me of why these bicycles are so precious, helping to validate my commitment to and abiding interest in the craft.

As the bicycle world continues to evolve toward something that doesn’t look anything like it did in 1974, I often wonder about what has happened to the simplicity and elegance of this two-wheeled marvel and how we might reach back and grab a piece of that history to offer to the next generation of cyclists.