ATOC - Final Preparations, Part I

Amgen Tour of California

We're on the ground as preparations wrap up for the 2008 Amgen Tour of California.

Stay tuned for photos, reports and some unique, behind the scenes PRO action.

Handmade Bicycle Show: Thoughts

One of the all-time great head-tube badges, by Keith Anderson.

There is a distinct possibility that if you peeked out the back door of the Portland Convention Center, what you would see would be the pearly gates of heaven. Put another way, the last retail stop between Earth and Nirvana is the Handmade Bicycle Show; of that I'm certain.

It's not uncommon to attend Interbike only to hear someone say something inane like, "I hate Interbike." Being a cyclist and hating Interbike is as improbable as being an iPod owner and hating iTunes. Interbike is as close to visiting Santa's workshop as most of us will ever get. How could any cyclist truly dislike a roomful of brand new bikes watched over by knowledgeable bike industry veterans? This sort of ingenuous too-cool-for-school attitude is as grating as trying to complain that Richard Sachs is too commercial. One large McBreak please.

Sacha White with a bike he built for his daughter.

The show, unfortunately, now faces a problem. It is the only annual gathering in the U.S. more about the bike than the riding that is that is cooler than Interbike. That's no small feat. The powers-that-be will be paying attention to the Handmade Bicycle Show and they will be giving some thought to how they can pull some of the business their way.

The good news is that the only exhibitors who care to show to dealers—Shimano, SRAM, Cane Creek and Fizik—already appear at Interbike. The bread and butter of the show—the small builder—sell direct and therefore need only consumers. If anything, the Handmade Bicycle Show serves as another argument for why Interbike needs consumer days. The simple fact is Interbike needs the builders more than the builders need Interbike. For that reason, the show has little to fear from Interbike.

That the show has grown from its tiny first year to standing-room-only (the fire marshall slowed the entry of attendees on Saturday due to the facility reaching capacity). And while the climate for handmade bicycles has never been better, this achievement is as improbable as a pig with landing gear. There are three men deserving of credit.

Don Walker with his daughters.

First is Don Walker. The show concept started as a conversation between a handful of builders on the framebuilders' forum. Don, for reasons having more to do with seflessness than capitalism, took point as well as the first shots. It seems likely that the show made money this year and given the hours and money he has put in, he deserves to realize some reward.

Richard with his wife Deb and a hopeful future customer.

Second is Richard Sachs. Without Richard's mentoring of new builders and relentless promotion of the craft of framebuilding, there wouldn't be this many builders to exhibit. He can be credited as the gravity that helps to hold the solar system of builders together. Richard's announcement that he was attending the second show changed its status from curiosity to the must-see event of 2006.

Peter with customers Brent and Bess.

Third is Peter Weigle. Peter is the builder who least needed to attend. His business runs along and he works quietly, doing work universally recognized as exemplary. He doesn't need the show. His success and career are assured with or without the event; he can't sell more bicycles than he does in a year and isn't interested in a waiting list that measures by the score. But he chose to stand up for the community of which he is an important part and that lent the show a hard-won degree of credibility. If Richard's decision to exhibit was the motion before the board, then Peter's decision to exhibit was the second.

The attitude of the show was palpably collegial. From the exhibitors to the attendees, the event was remarkable because its lack of competition was so total as to constitute a vacuum. There was no pushing, no backbiting or badmouthing and definitely no desperate hawking. P.T. Barnum would have hated the event.

Keith Anderson (right) with his assistant Cory.

A bunch of NorCal builders took out a joint space. Exhibitors included Sycip, Steve Rex and Soulcraft. It was a bit like a party there. Neighbors Dave Kirk and Carl Strong shared a space as did Keith Anderson and Wolfhound.

Sacha's booth was also a fun nod to the 'cross life.

Sacha "Vanilla" White's booth was as interesting as the bikes in it. In addition to the Speedvagens on display he showed a bike he built for his daughter.

Mark Nobilette (left) with Dave Bohm of Bohemian.

There were a number of truly stunning bikes at the show. No surprise there. What might surprise you are my pick for three of the top bikes there. The first was a reproduction Rene Herse built by Mark Nobilette that featured handmade lugs. The revival of the brand is a project by Michael Kone (the original proprietor of Bicycle Classics) with all the fabrication work done by Nobilette. Next was a bike with hand cut lugs bearing Nobilette's own label.

My favorite bike of the show was a Llewellyn. As much as I loved the bikes from Richard, Peter and Brian Baylis, the Llewellyn was my favorite because it surprised me. It made seeing a custom frame fresh and looking it over was a process of discovery. It was the visual equivalent of how riding a new bike can make cycling fresh again.

Nick Crumpton (right) with his most loyal customer.


We also noted some BKW sympathizers in attendance. Steve Hampsten was hoofing it from one old friend to another and got a big smile from the Rapha commemorative Hampsten jersey. Builder Ira Ryan showed some nice stuff. We learned that Mike Zanconato is going full time with his building (Zanc has four dozen orders currently) and Cascade Bicycle Studio's Zac Daab was hanging with friends Bernard and Maxwell at 333fab.

Most events I attend I end up thinking, "Man, if they just added 'X' it would be really cool." I really can't find a way to criticize the event. I wouldn't mind doing some rides with the folks I saw, but I chose to travel without my bike. Scanning the photographs I took, what I'm most impressed by are the number of bikes and builders of whom I only got a fraction of the story.

Handmade Bicycle Show: Image Dump Part II

Red on red.

Rapha's jersey commemorating Hampsten's exploits on the Gavia.

Cool right down to the silk number. And if you have to ask how much ...

Pacenti fork crowns.

Crisp lug work from Steve Rex, a man better known for his fillet brazing.

Steve with daughter Sadie.

Spectrum Powder Works manages things in powder coating that look difficult even in paint.

Incredible to think you can have this much beauty and durability for the ages.

This matte finish was a stunner.

Handmade Bicycle Show: Image Dump

Collector Matt Gorski, builder Brian Baylis and Cirque du Cyclisme promoter Dale Brown.

Builder Ed Litton.

A Litton with a suicide shifter.

Pegoretti head tube badge.

Very trick Indy Fab logo rework.

Jig builder Don Ferris has a tribute devoted to him at the LiveSTRONG booth in light of his recent cancer diagnosis.



Guess who.

Lance Who?

Back in 1994 I asked the sports editor of Charlottesville Daily Progress if we should cover the Tour DuPont. "World Champion Lance Armstrong is racing" I added, forgetting the sports department had no idea cycling had a world champion. After getting a solid no I took the idea over to the lifestyle section. "Sure, we've got a page to fill. All pictures, need it by Wednesday." And with that I secured what at the time was my dream, a chance to photograph the race from a moto rather than just the standard finish line photo I'd been doing since Tour DeTrump started coming to town.

A few calls later a moto was secured for the Richmond to Lynchburg stage. Gently rolling hills and a sprint finish for sure. At the start line I meet my driver for the day, Bob. I think Bob has always gotten "the new guy" as a passenger, he tells me all the dos and don'ts of being on a moto. Bob was a pro at this, he asked me what kinds of photos I wanted, he studied the map for the right places to go ahead of the group. Being a still photographer is far different than the TV bike. Still shooters get to blast thru the pack three or four times, no hanging out. It's the skill of the driver and how much he's willing to push the commissars determine what images you get.

After an uneventful hour on the road there's crackle on the radio. We're behind the peleton and over Bob's shoulder I see the Motorola car slowing. Lance has a flat. Bob stops an inch off the car's bumper and I get ready to jump, literally at the heels of the mechanic, for the photo. The Rainbow Jersey getting service. As I leap an arm grabs me. It's Bob, I can't hear him but he shakes his head. I don't understand. The photo I saw is gone.

We blast ahead of the bunch at full tilt, so fast not a photo to be had. I'm frustrated. I need images for a page and I’m getting a little nervous about what I’ll end up with for the day. Bob has gotten me nothing. We stop and I ask "Why?" Bob calmly pulls off his helmet and tells me, "It's the World Champion, you can't take a picture of the jersey in trouble. It's a rule." In my world of American journalism it makes no sense, maybe in Europe but not here. Photos of other guys show the chaos but it was the World Champion. Bob can tell I'm not happy. "I'll get you something good. Promise."

What I didn't know was Bob stopped at a place we could rejoin the race and cruise in the group for miles. What you aren't supposed to do. We’re in the middle of a big club ride in the country. And I get this photo. Lance joking around with fellow Texan Chann McRae. I'm not sure what's going on (I'd like to know the story!) but it’s the fun side of bike racing. Something you might do to your clubmates on a long day in the saddle. Grab a snack when they aren’t looking perhaps. It’s far from the greatest cycling photo ever but I like it.

When you see the photos by any of the photographers of our sport, know it takes not only their talent to see the moment but also their driver to get them to the moment. Thanks Bob.

Back in December, BKW was lucky enough to run into Chris next to an espresso counter and over the course of a few heavily Caffeinated beverages the stories began to flow. Lance Who? seemed like a perfect fit for BKW. You can see more of Chris' PRO images and read his random thoughts at Velopix.

Pacific Buys Cannondale

Congratulations to Pegasus Partners. Pegasus has just sold Cannondale to Pacific Cycle for $190-200 million (the final price will depend on this year’s EBITDA). Following the purchase of Cannondale out of bankruptcy for roughly $58 million in 2003, Pegasus rebuilt Cannondale from its ashes into a $200 million/annual company.

While it should be noted that prior to the Cannondale bankruptcy Pegasus was C’dale’s largest secured creditor, making its complete investment greater than the $58 million purchase price, it nearly tripled its investment in four years. Take that Wall Street!

Even so, it should be noted that today’s economic climate did not permit Pegasus to realize a multiplier on its annual revenue numbers. Not too long ago bike companies were going for three to five times earnings.

The press release announcing the sale named Dorel as the purchaser, as do all the stories in the media, but Dorel is Pacific Cycle’s parent company. Plainly put, Pacific bought Cannondale. Saying Dorel bought Cannondale is like saying the American people (rather than Ford) bought Volvo. Ford is a publicly owned company and its directors authorized the purchase of Volvo. Ford is the corporation we identify as the owner of Volvo.

So what’s the big deal, you ask? Pacific Cycle is a colossus of a bike company. Their lines include Schwinn, GT, Mongoose, Pacific, InSTEP, Roadmaster, Flexible Flyer, Powerlite, Murray and Dyno. It’s largest accounts aren’t respected IBDs but big-box chains: Wal-Mart, Target, Toys “R” Us, Sports Authority and Dick’s. Now ask yourself this question: When was the last time you walked into a bike shop you respected and saw one of those brands? Chances are, it was prior to 2001 when Pacific acquired Schwinn and GT. Pacific’s largest IBD account is Performance.

Performance has stores in most of the major cycling markets around the country. With more than 80 stores in 15 states, they are a larger retail operation than all of Trek’s and Specialized’s concept stores put together. What’s more is that Performance has plans to operate 150 locations by winter 2010, fueling the growth through acquisition of existing stores and opening new locations. Performance’s consolidation of its product lines is such that only one of its lines—Iron Horse—isn’t either owned by Pacific or Performance. The tally: Schwinn, GT and Mongoose are Pacific, while Scattante and Tirreno are Performance house brands. Now, multiply that by 80 locations … and growing.

Jeff Frehner, the president of Pacific Cycle is leaving his current role to head up the newly formed Cannondale Sports Group, which includes Cannondale and Sugoi as well as the brands Pacific will use to focus on the IBD channel: Schwinn, GT and probably Mongoose.

How significant is Frehner’s move? Frehner joined Pacific Cycle in ’07 to replace the retiring founder and CEO Chris Hornung. Hornung founded Pacific in ’77. It was under Hornung’s leadership that Pacific purchased Mongoose and Roadmaster and later Schwinn/GT and transitioned the brands into price points appropriate to big-box retailers.

Pacific’s management style is nothing if not clear. Each brand it has purchased has been removed from high-end IBDs and transitioned to focus on the price-point or entry-level segment consisting of sub-$2000 bikes.

Dorel’s Martin Schwartz had this to say: “Dorel recognizes the importance and potential of the Independent Bicycle Dealer channel and is purchasing Cannondale as the first step to become the world's number one IBD player. Cannondale will be the crown jewel of this new Dorel division, which will seek additional such growth opportunities.”

Given that supply-side integration is the big catch phrase these days, Schwartz’s words take on a rather ominous tone. First, just how does Pacific define IBD? Their definition would seem to include Performance, which defies any association with the traditional neighborhood bike shop, which is how many of us would define Independent Bicycle Dealer. Second, you can’t hope to compete as “the world’s number one IBD player” unless you consider Cannondale part of Pacific. Third, “seeking additional growth opportunities” means selling more bikes, and the easiest way to do that is to open up Cannondale to Pacific’s largest account. After all, private equity firms don’t engage in business models that depend on independently owned, single-location boutiques.

Performance has long lamented its unhip status to cycling insiders. It is no secret that Performance has long been considered to PRO what Kryptonite is to Superman. They’ve always lacked a premium brand that would in effect make their stores a destination. Landing Cannondale would be tantamount to being handed Excalibur by the lady of the lake.

Creating a concept store program based on a Cannondale/Schwinn/GT etc. formula may seem like a no-brainer, but there seems to be some hostility on the part of devout bikies for the folks who dumbed down Schwinn and GT. One could be forgiven for thinking that Cannondale will be dumbed down in a similar, if lesser, way.

So who are the winners in this? Well, Pegasus and … we’ll see. It could be Specialized and Trek and maybe some of the other brands with a complete product line that could replace Cannondale in IBDs, such as Felt.

It’s premature and unfair to sound the alarms regarding Cannondale’s future. It’s place in the pantheon of great brands is assured. No other brand has done more to advance the use of aluminum in bicycles than Cannondale; were it not for Cannondale, Gary Klein’s bikes would have seemed freakish, not the next wave, and who knows how much longer it would have taken for such a great idea—using thin-walled, large diameter tubing to gain stiffness and reduce weight—to gain traction.

That said, given Pacific’s history, vis-à-vis its management of acquired brands, things are likely to change for Joe Montgomery’s brainchild. It is fair to surmise many current Cannondale dealers will cease to carry the brand and we will soon see Cannondales available mail order through Performance’s web site. Or maybe not. But anyone who isn’t suspicious of how this will affect Cannondale hasn’t read Machiavelli.

Image courtesy of Cannondale.

Homage to Sheldon Brown

In the annals of single name stars, cycling has had nearly as many as rock ‘n’ roll. We’ve had Eddy, Greg, Lance, Mario and Eki. But for those of us who have cared about the operation of the bicycle itself we’ve had our own star: Sheldon.

His contribution to cycling cannot be overstated. From his glossary of bicycle terminology to his articles on fixed gear cycling and do-it-yourselfing, Sheldon was the consummate cycling geek. He was in and of himself a compendium. I can think of no higher compliment to pay someone’s intelligence than to say it was encyclopedic. His site was and is the Encyclopedia Britannica of cycling; I can't recall how many times I said, "I'm sure it's on Sheldon's site."

To the IRS, Sheldon was a bike shop employee. From my limited understanding, the folks at Harris Cyclery thought of him as much more; his value would be best described as treasure.

His career at Harris Cyclery was an unassuming backdrop to his contribution to the cycling community. Reading through the links to the volumes of articles he wrote for beginner cyclists, one cannot help but remark, “I wish I had been able to read that when I was starting out.”

That Sheldon compiled all of this information so devoid of desire for personal glory, so stubbornly without remuneration was far more than modest, it was selfless. That he didn't make his living as a bike magazine editor bears an ironic twist--he deserved to make his living as a writer, but had he done so, his thousands of pages of text would be buried deep within magazine back issues rather than searchable on the Internet. His sacrifice was our gain.

It is unsurprising that such an original thinker would credit the works of Robert A. Heinlein, Martin Luther King and Bertrand Russell as sources of inspiration.

Sheldon leaves behind a wife, Harriet, and two children: a daughter, Tova, and a son, George, both of whom are Ph.D. candidates in mathematics.

For my part, I met Sheldon only once, at Interbike. I told him it was a pleasure to meet him and how important a resource his work has been to me. He seemed genuinely delighted to be paid the compliment and I was pleased to think I might have brightened his day.

Sheldon, your passing is a loss to a community larger than you know.

Picture of Sheldon from his site was pilfered without his family's permission. We hope they won't mind.

The Greatest Socks Ever in the History of the World

Merino wool is a material no one ever badmouths. Ever. You already know its myriad qualities: keeps you warm in the cold, keeps you cool in the heat, wicks moisture from you like a paper towel in a TV ad, stinks like a dog when you ride in the rain but never when it’s dry and can leap tall buildings in a single bound. Okay, that last one not so much.

Merino’s miraculous abilities notwithstanding, socks made from the stuff rarely last. And the problem of course is not with the wonder wool. No, the problem is one of construction. A great product ruined by one unfortunate turn. It could be compared to the issue of making car bodies from stainless steel. The material’s combination of strength, corrosion resistance and futuristic good looks should have been an unbeatable combination—and nearly were. There is nothing inherently wrong with making a car from stainless steel--the material wasn't the problem. The DeLorean is by almost any account a brilliant piece of engineering, but between John DeLorean’s brush with the law and Back to the Future, the car is more laughingstock than legend. ‘Tis a pity. Where were we?

Right, construction. The first few pairs of Merino socks I ever wore were SmartWools, gifts given to me at Christmas—a fact one might consider in judging their relative expense at the time. I love everything about the brand, so it pains me to report how the elastic in each sock failed, one by one. The socks were comfortable, fit well, didn’t stretch out of shape, and were treated with reasonable care, washed in a mild detergent and dried on low. Regardless, the elastic failed, giving me the fashion statement equivalent of a pair of inverted bellbottoms.

Then in 2000 or 2001 I ran across the DeFeet WoolEator. That I can’t remember when I bought them is significant. I've had them so long I simply don't remember when I purchased them. These were my first wool cycling socks to last more than two seasons. They are so old they have the old DeFeet logo. I purchased a second pair the following season and can’t tell the two pair apart. I don’t know much about the art of garment making, but I believe the key to the WoolEator’s durability is that it is a knit rather than a weave incorporating elastic. They have retained their shape—a not insignificant achievement for a wool garment or a knit, and have developed no holes.

The charcoal grey color is a stroke of inspired genius; I’ve worn these socks in the nastiest of circumstances and after a single washing they look none the worse (as they say) for wear. Did I mention they fit? Someone at DeFeet figured out that a sock cannot possibly fit someone with size 6 feet and size 13 feet—except in science fiction—so they offer the WoolEator (as well as their other models) in four sizes.

They are also harder to lose than a bad debt … though I suspect the folks at DeFeet have nothing to do with my luck. And just to press said luck, I recently wore the socks for six straight rides just to see if they’d start to stink. A bottle of Windex couldn’t smell cleaner.

I seem to have forgotten something ... ah, the socks’ extraordinary comfort. There would be little point to wearing a durable technical garment if it were no more pleasant than hot coals. So it is that the WoolEators are also the most comfortable socks I own, by a country mile. Soft as a kitty cat’s belly, this stuff could save a lot of mink-wearing Beverly Hills housewives the scorn of PETA members.

The $10 price tag on these babies seems almost unjust. Surely Rapha would charge $40 or $50 for a pair of socks imbued with a magical ability to resist aging. After all, when did someone last describe a sock as impervious? Maybe DeFeet ought to make cars.

2008 Cyclo-cross World Championships Part II

2008 Cyclo-cross World Championships Part I