By blackmountaincycles,
Filed under: Visitors
Years ago when I first got a real bike after graduating from college, I picked up an issue of Cyclist magazine in 1985. It’s one of two issues of Cyclist I saved from that year. In it, was a story about Charlie Cunningham written by famed cycling writer, Owen Mulholland. The sub-title of the story was “Meet Mr. Wizard.” I scanned that article and posted it here. Charlie’s workshop pretty much looks exactly the same today.
Three years after that issue came out, I actually did find myself on a bike trip with Charlie and Jacquie Phelan. We were down in Baja to be part of an exploratory bike trip with an expedition company to chart out the potential of mountain bike guided tours in the mountains of Baja California Norte. I remember clear as a bell riding with Charlie and “trying” to follow him on some of the bovine created single-track trails. His style was effortless. He made it look so easy.
Anyway, Charlie popped over the hill from Fairfax today for a visit. While he was there, Steve stopped by with a load of redwood he had milled the previous day and was out delivering it. It was really cool to see the two old friends together and their obvious closeness and camaraderie. It was also especially cool to get a compliment from Charlie on how the shop has a “great feel.”
(What’s playing: Jaime Crespo’s Faultline Radio on KWMR)
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Wow, you must have some sort of “vintage magnet” in your soul Mike. That’s awesome. Charlie looks fit as ever. I suppose he still could say “Well, see you later.” and motor away up a hill if he had a mind to.
Great story, by the way, in the scan. I think that must be the 10th time I’ve read it and it still is “that” good! Is Mr. Mulholland still around? That is some good scribin’ there.
I think those were, actually, his exact words when he left 😉
Owen Mulholland is still around the area. If you search his name on the VRC forum there will be some threads.
Wow. Magnet indeed Mark.