Yesterday’s ride included some of the most torrential rain and hail I have seen. None of this crazy weather was predicted, and despite misgivings I chose to take my very best 80s ride, painted and built by Daniel Salmon. Crimped 653 tubes, Mavic, topped by a Flite: ‘trés nerveux’ and stiff for steel. It, and I, survived: but next time I think I will trust my eyes and wear my overshoes.
Salmon is still making bikes and, probably more famously, manufacturing alloy mudguards (fenders). Here are some really nice photographs (not taken by me) of his shop from 2003; much of his work is now in carbon, but there is some steel still in evidence. Check out this innovatively racked randonneur.