It houses the Center for Clean Energy Engineering, Human Resources, a couple other curiously named cottages of unknown function, and Uconn's mutated step-child in the attic, the Ballard Institute of Puppetry. Yes, form what I've been told, you can in fact be a puppetry major. A solid plan B for anyone.
Mostly what is interesting about the Depot Campus is a collection of super old looking and long since abandoned buildings. Stone and brick buildings, overgrown and covered with ivy, riddled with broken windows and the like, dot still mowed and somewhat maintained lawns. I found this blog post with some interesting information on the history and current status of the Depot Campus.
Shortly after the final ride, I started away at replacing all the what I felt were more practical parts on the bike, with the original components. Off went the 700c wheels and 32mm tires, compact double crankset, tall Nitto stem and bars, making way for all the original goodies, which basically consisted of nice, mid-range alloy Japanese components. The original catalog from '82 can be seen here.
I think it cleaned up really well, all I need is the white Trek water bottle. The only unoriginal components are the brake lever hoods, tires, chain cotton bar-tape and of course tubes, cables etc. It rides great like this too. The reason for the leap back in time is because I'm passing it on to another vintage Trek fan in Florida. It hurts to have to see it go, but that's how it goes. If I had it my way, I'd pretty much never sell any bikes and just accumulate them, but that's simply not logical. After watching Rivendell's fabulous bike packing video, I got to work and turned this..
Into this..
Of course this bike, having been my primary rider, couldn't go unreplaced.
A couple of weeks ago, this big 'ol box was waiting on my doorstep courtesty of Rob at Ocean Air Cycles. Naturally, I couldn't wait to dive in, utility knife in hand.
The more observant of you will notice that there are not one, but two frame in that box. That's the old law of n + 1. For however many bikes you have n, you need one more. Realistically though, I got a super deal on these frames, and they will effectively replace that 613 and allow me to make some money off the beautiful, largely original example that it is. To keep this from being long winded, I'll build the 311 (the blue one) with the majority of the parts that were on the 613, and the 630 (the gray one that looks similar to the 613) will be a winter project of sorts. You can't see it, but the frame is slightly tweaked and I'll have to build a fork for it. It is a crash victim. I build the 311 sort of quick and dirty. Still waiting on shifters, so it's sort of a single speed now.
So one out, and two in. If you haven't checked out these early Trek frames you really ought to. Super versatile and the 24" versions are a really great fit for me. High quality, American made, investment cast lugged, silver brazed, lightweight steel bicycle frames. How can you go wrong.
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