A couple of weeks ago I had the distinct pleasure of riding with a group to memorialize Randy Smolinski. He is a regional legend who specialized in producing high quality custom steel frames. His production was small by most standards but the quality rivals the best. There were about 12 of us and were all former fans of his or good ole lugged steel craftsmanship.
Basically it was a bunch of old guys riding old bikes. Those who didn't have a Smolinski rode some of the best we had like Kyle Brooks' fixed gear Mercian.
This lovely refurbished Bianchi was a nice piece of work. I got away with riding my "faux vintage" Rivendell Hillborne without much flack from anybody.
We had a very pleasant, no hassle ride up the White Pine trail north of Grand Rapids for about 30 miles to Jim Townsend's lakefront cottage for lunch,
where we had a chance to compare all the the Smolinski frames ridden. They were all beautiful pieces of work but the one that totally overwhelmed us all was the example ridden by Jason Perkins.
It is a stunning road bike detailed to the finest degree.
A luscious cream color off set by a red metallic that just glowed with some gold metal flake finish. Jason took it a bit further over the edge with the components.
You are wondering if what you see is what you are looking at, probably not.
Those are not gold anodized in color. He had the cranks, brakes and seatpost plated with 24 caret gold. Uh Huh! Not much else to be said about that except that I wish I had brought my real camera.
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