When I first moved to the Bay Area in 1990, I shared a condo with an old family friend. She introduced me to one of her friend’s boyfriend (are you following me so far?) who became a very good friend of many years. Well…he passed away recently. Way to soon!

He made an “adult cyclist” out of me. That means I got into cycling as something more than short-distance transportation, like at college. He helped me buy a “real bike” and make a healthy hobby out of exploring the hills of Silicon Valley. (He was very patient in waiting for me at the top of iconic local climbs, like Old La Honda Road.)

His wife (widow) contacted me recently to ask if I wanted his old racing bicycle “because he’d want you to have it”. I choked-up a bit, and shed a tear, and picked it up at her house. With a hug, I told her I’d take good care of it.

He bought it new, around 1978 or 1979, and raced it until sometime in the 1990s, when he replaced it with a Colnago. The Guerciotti was put in the garage, with the tires and brake pads getting hard and dry with age.

It’s an interesting combination of Campagnolo, Dura-Ace and 600 components. He had made some swaps and upgrades over the years. I tinkered with it a bit, then decided it really should be disassembled and completely lubed. I didn’t want to damage any of the long-dormant components, and I didn’t have the tools and expertise to do it all myself.

The local shop did a great job. New chain, brake pads, and cables. Everything else was completely cleaned and polished. The yellow seat cover and two color handlebar tape was left as it was. It rides very nicely!

Yes, my friend, your memory is alive. I will take good care of it!