Getting ready for SF

The SF expo is only 20 days away, time is burning off fast and there is a ton left to do.  The fork that has been mismatched on the 57 is off at the local powder coater to get a new red finish.  At least a week of waiting, and that is the bike that will be wired with lights.  The yellow 51 is getting the porteur treatment.  There will be new tires all around, and a thorough cleaning.  The bits and pieces needed have been trickling in.

Somewhere in the creative part of my mind I have a fantasy of making some new bags too, we will see how that goes. Not to mention the stickers, cards, posters and other fun things that you likely need for a show.

I am still pushing the kickstarter thing closer to completion.  This is Key as I intend to use it as the vehicle for delivery on the next round of Ramblers, and part of the pitch at the expo.   If you have been thinking about getting one, this will be the time to do it.

Putting Things Off

It always seems like the mechanics have the beat up rides with all manner of maintenance put off, and a mish mash of parts keeping the bike on the road.  I will admit I am no exception.  Even with the Rambler it ends up a test bed for parts and ideas.  I have been using the Nitto Mark’s rack for a while with the Velo Orange fenders, and the two have been making all manner of noise, until this week,

Finally taking a few extra minutes to make a bracket, the added support for the front of the fender is a really big deal.

The catch?  Now I can hear all the other noises coming from the bike.  Most will be an easy fix, nothing that big, but I will put it off, in a couple of weeks the bike will be getting a serious cleaning for the SF bike expo anyway. Until then I get to enjoy the sounds of a bike that sees every day duty,

Taking the Scenic Route

There is something magical in the way a bicycle empowers you to take the long way home.  While possible in a car, there is something about the inertia of the fastest way from A to B that keeps you on route and in your seat.  With the bicycle I am always looking for an excuse to pick a new route, head by the beach or through the hills instead of around them.  Today was hot and clear, the chance foe a clear view of the islands and the water called me up into the hills.  With the errands done and a little extra time on the clock I was able to make the right choice.

It was good, I needed to get the heart pumping, and it paid off.

Take the long way home next time while the summer days are still hanging on!

Video Set and Recording

I have been working on the kickstarter campaign and it has been a huge amount of work, fun but challenging.  The video is a key step in success, and I am feeling a huge amount of pressure to have something good.  The script I put together seemed pretty tight, the hardest part has been cutting it back, and squeezing it in to 3 minutes or so.  Friday night and Saturday morning were spent converting the garage / workshop into the set for the shoot.

I am fortunate to have a friend and neighbor, Thank you George, who could be on the camera end of things, which was a huge help.  The real shocker for me was how hard it was getting the words out once the camera went on.  I have been in front of the camera before, this project is a dream come true and still I felt like my brain and tongue went to mush every time the camera was rolling.  Everything is taking longer than planed, but the results are great, so I push on.  I am pretty sure we have plenty of usable footage.  The next step is the culling and edit.  I know in my heart that this will work and the project will move forward.  The experience I am gaining from this is incredible, it pushes my boundaries at every corner.  The bicycle design and testing came very easy to me, the selling has been the challenge, and I am enjoying it immensely.

The View from behind the backdrop, and time to get things back in order.