This Mariposa was built for David Harris in 1988 and painted for him by an artist friend from Toronto Island. David was a filmmaker and a world class hang-glider (he held the world record for distance hang-gliding).  He took Clare and Mike Barry on a trip to Yugoslavia in 1979 to make a cycling tourism film for the National Film Board titled,  Bike Style 80.

David lived on Toronto Island for many years and was a great promoter of the Island. While living there, he bought about a dozen Chinese roadster bikes and lent them to visitors to explore the Islands.

He was also a keen randonneur and bicycle racer. In the early 1990s, he finished 2ndto Guisseppe Marinoni in the Canadian National Masters Championship Road Race.

David helped Mariposa Bicycles, Bicycle Specialties and Bicycleposrt with various projects over the years and was a good friend.

David died of Cancer in 2013 and his wife, Nancy gave his bicycle to Mike Barry. It has remained a part of Mike Barry’s vintage bicycle collection.

Bicycle painted by Pelle

Specifications:

  • Frame: Mariposa custom build with Columbus tubing
  • Fork: Vitus Alloy
  • Serial number: 8821
  • Size:
    • Seat Tube: 64 cm Centre to Centre, 65.2 Centre to Top
    • Top Tube: 59 cm Centre to Centre
  • Headset: Campagnolo
  • Crankset: Campagnolo  175mm, 53-42 chainrings
  • Brake Levers: Campagnolo
  • Brakes: Campagnolo
  • Shift Levers: Campagnolo down tube
  • Front Derailleur: Campagnolo
  • Rear Derailleur: Campagnolo, 7 speed
  • Freewheel: 7 speed, Sachs 13-23
  • Rims: Mavic Mach 2 CD
  • Hubs: Campagnolo
  • Tires:  Michelin Tubular
  • Spokes: Radial Front 36H, 2 cross rear 36H
  • Handlebars: Cinelli Champione del Mondo, 44 C-C
  • Stem: Cinelli 14.5 cm
  • Seat post: Campagnolo Record Aero
  • Pedals: Look clipless
  • Handlebar tape: blue
  • Silca Pump painted to match
  • Bottle Cage: Specialites TA
  • Photographs by Walter Lai
Dede Barry

Dede Barry is a Silver medallist from the 2004 Athens Olympics and multiple medallist of World, National and Pan-American Championships. She is now an owner of Mariposa Bicycles and continues to ride her bike daily in and around Toronto and guides cycling tours internationally.

4 thoughts on “Vintage Mariposa Feature: David Harris’ 1988 Road Bicycle”

  2. That is awesome. Not sure why I have not seen this bike before. I recall riding with David a few times on Brevets a good strong steady rider.

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