FINDING THE VITUS 979

My riding buddy and I travel to Duluth, Minnesota a couple of time each riding season, to ride the wonderful bicycle trails that the state has been good enough to provide.  On this particular day, our ride had taken us from Carlton to Hinckley. We stopped in Hinckley, had a great lunch and turned our trusty steeds towards the north.  The Munger Trail we were riding is a fully paved path that replaced an obsolete rail line.  This lovely old trail leads one through thickly forested terrain, over wonderful trestle bridges and past some of the nicest little towns that one could imaging.  And one of my favourites is Carlton.  Because Carlton has the "The Third Base", a small tavern that makes the best spicy fries I have tried in some time.  Offers wonderfully chilled beer.  And can be usually found equipped with people who are interested in sharing good conversation.  By the way, the tavern is named "The Third Base"  for a very good reason.  Just as it is in baseball, so to can it be in life.  "The Third Base" is the last stop on the way home.

After a single glass of draft beer, and a plate full of spicy fries, my riding buddy made the last leg of the trek to the truck.  Feeling a wee bit ride weary, but certainly refreshed after our last stop on the way home, we loaded the bikes into the Ranger and headed into the city.  Every time I go to the city of Duluth, I take a bit of time to bicycle hunt in the local bicycle shops.  This day my riding chum and I stopped in at a local bike shop, that we had never been in before.  We immediately headed off in different directions and started looking around.

This shop did not have a basement storage area.  Rather, the basement had been converted into a pretty nice work shop where I met a fellow who is affectionately referred to as Dr. Dave.  My guess is he earned this title because of his prowess with bicycle repair and tuning.  I got to talking with the doctor and, wouldn't you know it, the subject of "do you have a vintage road bike for sale?" came up.  As it turned out, Dr. Dave did have a bike of interest and he promised to bring it to work the next morning.  Fair enough, our visit to the fair city was planned as a two day affair anyway.

The next morning, my chum and I set off to the bicycle shop.  Upon entering, the first thing my eyes came to rest on was the Vitus "979", prominently displayed right at the bottom of the stairs that lead the way to the work shop.  Dr. Dave and I came to an agreement on the price and money exchanged hands.  I was very happy with the transaction and probably spent the balance of the trip grinning like a Cheshire cat.

The Vitus was loaded into the already crowded truck and we headed for home.  Home, in this case, being my riding buddy's niece's place in Duluth.

The bicycle was in very good condition.  At least, I thought it was.  I did get a nasty little surprise some time later and after I had been riding the bicycle for a while.  The beautiful Mavis SSC crank set had a small crack on the left side.  I do not know if the crack was there when I bought the bicycle or if I caused it myself when riding it.  At any rate, I was quick to start a search on Ebay for a suitable replacement and one surfaced with-in a few days.  Though not an SSC model, the cranks and ring set would certainly do the job until the correct component came along at a price I could afford.

NEXT - BUILDING THE VITUS 979