Gary at the Bike Gallery!

Gary Fisher at the Bike Gallery

After seeing all the advertisements for Gary Fisher bikes with Gary wearing bright flashy floral print shirts I was a bit surprised when he showed up at the Bike Gallery last Thursday he was wearing all black!  He was wearing a brown baseball cap, but not his signature floral print shirt!  Now the black coat on the other hand was something else!  Long zippered sleeves, full  collar that covered his shoulders and down to the middle of his back.  And the tails!  The jacket had tails!  Gary did not disappoint this observer!

A conversation between Gary and Jay Graves, Bike Gallery owner and host for the evening included comments about a trip the two were on in Italy and Gary’s fashion ideas.  It was mentioned that he didn’t wear sequins on his trip because it wasn’t known in Portland.  I almost yelled that they were forgetting Darcelle!  But the evening also included more than discussions on fashion!  It was about mountain bikes and our enjoyment  in riding them.

Gary was at ease with the people who showed up, graciously holding youngsters for a photo op, giving autographs for adoring fans, answering numerous questions from the bikeophiles in attendance.  He showed a clip for the film ‘Klunkers’ which is about the early roots of mountain biking – on thrift store/garage sale coaster brake bikes!  He tells of smoking grease from the brakes on early races down Mount Tamalpaias, in Marin County, California.

Gary was asked which were his favorite mountain biking locations.  For sheer scenery his first choice was Moab.  While for reverence a trail in Humboldt Redwoods State Park was also one of his favorites.  Gary, like many of us loves bicycles and rides whenever he can.  Shane Gould and I encouraged him to come back to the North-west and ride our Ape Canyon trail.  Hopefully he will take us up on our invitation!

It was good seeing several PUMP members at the Mountain Bike Tech night at the Bike Gallery.  PUMP was represented by myself and Shane.  We talked with potential new members about mountain biking opportunities in the area.  Roger Louton lobbied Jay on behalf of the 123 miles of trails on Mount Hood that could be closed if Congressman Blumenauer’s wilderness proposal goes thru as proposed.  But, as they say, ‘A good time was had by all’. 

by, David Anderson