Even though I’m on vacation, I’m still thinking about Rice University arcana. On the drive from Spokane to Portland this comment by a grad from the mid-70s about my 1957 Beer Bike post was rattling around in my skull:
According to the tribal knowledge the worst spot on the inner loop was the turn from the N-S portion to the portion in front of the colleges. Before it was built up, there was a car wash location right at that corner and many riders wiped out there. I remember that car wash when I was there.
Oddly enough, that car wash has been the subject of correspondence with a couple of other readers too. I’ve tried and tried to find it in a photo but I haven’t been able to manage it. At least, I haven’t found it to my own knowledge. I’m not completely sure what it is I’m looking for. So be a pal and take a look at this aerial, which I would date c1968 (the graduate wing of Fondren isn’t quite complete). Zoom in on it and tell me if you can see the car wash:
Bonus: Wait ’til next year!
