End ? of an era (Mariposa)

[SamIAm]

Here is an email received from Mike Barry at Mariposa. I don't know why exactly, but it makes me feel something very special is about to be lost. I thought I would share.

--------------------------------------------------------------
Hi,
> The bike is on it's way at last. I took it to the Air Freight people
>yesterday morning but they couldn't get it out yesterday. It will go out
>on Delta 1583-21 and will arrive in Atlanta at 10.30AM tomorrow morning.
>Delta have been told to contact you as soon as it arrives but it may be
>a good idea to give them a call tomorrow morning.
> Unfortunately my colleague Tom found your pedals on his bench after
>the bike went to the Airport. I am putting them in the mail today so you
>should have them in a few days. With the pedals I will enclose the final
>invoice.
> I trust that you will be happy with the bike after such a long wait.
>We are pretty happy with it. It got a lot of good comment from visitors
>to our shop.
> As it happens your bike will be one of the last Mariposas made. I am
>retiring at the end of the year and production will end or at least will
>be put on hold for a few years until possibly my son or someone else
>takes over.
> Thanks very much for your order. I hope to hear that the bike is
>everything you expected.
>Best regards.
>Mike.
---------------------------------------------------------------

[Big Dan]

enjoy your bike.

[dbrk]

Mike and Clare have their hands happily full. Folks may know about recently arrived Ashland, grandson Liam's new little brother--- Mike will be following his own interests in riding, restoration, and some building. If they are on this side of the pond when it happens this coming summer then we may likely see them again at the Finger Lakes Ramble. It's a shame about Mariposa closing up shop but it may yet return with Mike showing the way to another builder who will pick up his legacy. We'll see. In the meantime, if you have a Mariposa you are one lucky, lucky soul.

dbrk

[sspielman]

Truly the end of an era...It's nice to hear that it may continue in some form, however....

[Ray]

Good for Mike. Bad for potential Mariposa owners. But there are other options and all of 'em are better for Mike's influence over the years, so there's really no downside.

Enjoy the ride - you know Mike and Clare will be enjoying their's.

-Ray

[Kevan]

just popped.