“There’s the Damen Mercedes,” Kaitman declared as Brazing drove by Doc Lenny’s in search of a parking space.
“And I believe that’s Leopold sitting in the shade,” Brazing replied, nodding forward before slapping his turn signal downward, pulling up to a parked car such that Lulabelle’s front bumper was adjacent to the other car’s front door and then parallel parking in the street side space. “So chances approach 100 percent that Jamie is already with Doc Lenny,” he added as he switched Lulabelle’s ignition off and set her parking brake.
“I’ll let myself out,” Kaitman said with a smile as she scooped her purse from the center of the bench seat, exited and fed the parking meter. “Ready, darling?” she asked as he joined her on the sidewalk.
“With you? I’d walk to New Orleans if necessary,” Brazing replied with a grin as he offered her his arm and they made their way to the bike shop where they found Doc and Jamie in consultation, a variety of bike parts on the counter between them.
Doc Lenny glanced up as Kaitman and Brazing entered, a smile engulfing his face the moment facial recognition achieved cognition. “Well look who’s here,” he said loudly enough to carry across the shop. “We were just getting down to the nitty-gritty concerning what and when for Herren’s bike build. Or should I say Jill’s?”
“Either way,” Jamie/Herren replied before extending his arm upward in greeting and then turning to extend his hand to Brazing. “Thank you so much for coming. Doc is doing a marvelous job but some of his questions have me a bit flummoxed. You said clinchers for Jill, correct, Kaitman?”
“I would do clinchers for Jill. While there is a definite performance difference the cost, maintenance and installation of tubulars is greater than any return she’s likely to receive. If she falls in love with bike racing I’m certain Doc here will gladly sell her a second set of wheels.”
“I’m always happy to help my customers grow. What race are you doing?”
“Solomon Securities is hosting a charity race for the Saint Monica Children’s Home in Nairobi,” Herren replied. “Twenty miles,” here he paused and screwed the left side of his face upward, “criterium, correct?”
“Wait,” Doc said, “Saint Monica’s? I’ll be darned. I’ve heard of that home. Small world, eh?”
“Truly?” Kaitman asked. “Small world, and yes, that’s what you tell us. So what monumental choices do you have to make, Herren?”
“It’s mostly about timing,” Doc Lenny interjected. “Herren is gung ho on a full Campy build but he’s also looking to get the bike built as soon as possible.”
“Tomorrow, if possible,” Herren replied.
“Tomorrow may be possible. Tomorrow at closing,” Doc added with a wink in Herren’s direction. “I’ve got good parts that we could build the bike up with by then but it’ll be more mix and match than Campy Record. We were just discussing some of the mixing.”
“Well everything you have here seems very respectable,” Brazing said. “Wheels? I know there was a question of clinchers versus tubulars but do you have good clincher wheels?”
“Well that’s the question. Depends on your definition of good. I got Normandy hubs and Mavic rims and Chris back there is a wheel building ace. Simplex, Mafac, Stronglight. It ends up a lot like your PX 10, just a better frame and clincher wheels, that’s all.”
“And you have all of that in stock?” Kaitman asked.
“Every bit of it. I have some clinchers we can put on but I’m fresh out of Michelins. I think Tony has some over in Carroll Garden. I’ll find out tomorrow but, again, worst case we can put something a bit less race oriented on there for a few days and get you the best in the interim. When’s your race again?”
“August eighth,” Herren said. “Alright. If it looks good to you three then let’s do it. Tomorrow at close?”
“Tomorrow at close,” Doc Lenny replied. “Munger?” he called back over his shoulder. “How’s the Colnago coming?”
“Just finished,” a voice declared from the back area as a heavy set, smiling young man rolled Cobra Colnago out. “She’s all set!” Chris said, adding, “That’s one sweet bike you’ve got there,” as he placed it in a stand, nodded and slipped back into the workshop.