I can’t help but chime in here. . .
I worked at Harris Cyclery for 16 years. The first 8 of those were side-by-side with Sheldon, who passed in February, 2008. This frame is one I purchased new from Rivendell in the original Russian green. It was 2004, IIRC. This bike never belonged to Sheldon. I was involved in working with Harriet Fell, his widow, in finding homes for many bikes in his personal collection, though this was not one of those.
One dark and rainy night in October, 2006, I was riding home from work, lit like a Christmas tree, and was struck by a hit-and-run driver. I went over the car and the bike suffered top tube damage such that Sheldon said, “I wouldn’t ride it if it was mine!”. So back to Rivendell it went for a new top tube. I don’t know for sure who did the work. When it was repaired, Mark Abele called me to ask what color I would like to have it repainted. Red! And so it was. . .
Six months later, I was attacked by a rottweiler in nearly the same spot. The bike was unharmed but I was not. The settlement I received from the dog’s owner paid for a good bit of my first JP Weigle (happy ending).
Shortly thereafter, I sold the bike to Gino Ganz (sp?) in CA. Beyond that, I’ve lost track. It’s fun to see it re-emerge from time to time.
It’s like a game of telephone, it seems. But them’s the facts.
It was listed by Rivendell as a 61cm. It’s one of the ones I wish I’d kept!
Elton Lance (formerly Pope-Lance)
Vero Beach, FL