Sweden, Land of Beauty and Bicycles

If I had to live in another country Sweden would probably be near the the top of the list. 

Obviously this photo is staged, but staged quite well.  If I had to imagine an idyllic summer day, this picture would include many aspects of it.  The Swedish countryside, beautiful girl, sweet old school bike, really what more could you want?    If this ad would have crossed my path back in the day it would have definitely peaked my interest in Crescent bicycles and if it was a poster I would have it hanging in my bedroom. 

Crescent was a top bike manufacturer founded in Sweden in the early 1960's.  The company actually included both Crescent and Monark branded bicycles.  Basically the same bikes, but different logos.  Like GM, except for bikes.  I'd liken the company to the Scandinavian equivalent of the American Trek.  The bikes were ridden by the Pettersson brothers Goesta and Thomas, a dominating presence in professional cycling from in the late 1960's. 

Currently the Crescent and Monark brands are owned by a bicycling behemoth CycleEurope, that manufactures Bianchi, Gitane, Peugeot and DBS bikes.  It's like the InBev (thanks for selling out Budweiser) of bike manufacturing, gotta love globalization!