My first group road ride in 20 years!

Yes, you read it correctly. 20 years since my last organized group road ride. Sadly, our failed experiment with the Sunday ride here does not count since I think the maximum number of riders was about five (including me). I actually did one of the FAST local road rides -- the Sunday Airport Ride. Did I happen to mention that it was FAST?! HA! Yes, Scott was out on a road bike. Amazingly, one mountain bike ride every other week did allow me to hang -- at least until my seat bag started falling off. Michael was riding with me for a bit, and mentioned at the start that one of my straps had come undone -- the Velcro was not holding. At 20 miles into the ride, I was somewhere near the front of the 100+ rider main group (strictly by luck, I promise you!), when I decided to conserve energy and drop back a bit. As Michael went by, I heard him say, "Watch your bag!" I looked down, and the last strap around the seatpost was the only one holding it onto the bike. I waited as everyone in the group passed me so that I could stop. I fixed the bag, looked up, and there was NO ONE to be seen! I rode the next 20 miles by myself, but I still had a great time!

Not much else new to report. I kept myself VERY busy last week, and the sales were actually quite good. I started off today with a LOT of motivation, so I really hit the ground running. It is amazing how quickly the weeks go by. Since March 1st is my deadline for the shop renovations, etc., I know that it will be here before I know it!

Sprocket the Hedgehog

No new Sprocket stories to share -- just the usual insanity. I do think that he is related to Sonic the Hedgehog, though. I SWEAR that he balls himself up and rolls down the stairs, although I do not have visual confirmation -- just auditory. In the morning, he is always wound up and ready to go. He does several hot laps around the shop, up and down (curled up in a ball, apparently) the stairs, etc. The rest of the day he just sleeps -- in the drawer, on the shop rags, in a box of bike parts -- anywhere. Rough life!

I can't really think of much new to report. Repairs were slow, and sales were even slower. Steady, but slow. However, I am hearing that things are similar for most businesses the last few weeks -- not just shops. I can't complain, since I am not exactly sitting around. The shop is definitely starting to come around with the changes. I am actually even happier than I expected with the results! I am hoping to start working on the new website again this week. Finalizing the plans for how to finish the walls and upstairs platform. Just trying to take advantage of the time I have before spring gets here.

We saw Ride Across the Sky Thursday night. Very motivating! Both Shannon and I are contemplating doing the Leadville 100 at some point. Of course, that means I actually have to get back into race shape, huh? I mean, the elevation climbs to well over 10,000 feet and is 100 miles long -- insane. The movie was good, but in my opinion, they focused a little too much on Lance, and there were zero crashes filmed, etc. It was basically a "feel good" movie. That isn't bad, though -- it will definitely bring attention to the race.



I took my Storck out for a ride last night before dark -- it was great to get out. I love that bike! SRAM Rival is amazing stuff! I honestly can't tell a huge difference between that and SRAM Red while riding. Afterward, I went to Rich's birthday party -- a total "man" festivity. Beer, tequila, chips, ribs, and pizza. His movie choice was Big Trouble in Little China. I don't know how the night could have been any more manly! HA!... I left early so that I could ride at Chicopee this morning. I am so glad I did! Perfect day!

Time to relax!

Exceeding expectations

Let me begin by stating that I used to HATE certain phrases in the corporate world: "Exceeds Expectations... On Plan... etc..." Let me get this straight?... I am "on plan" for a goal we set at the beginning of the year, only to have that goal changed into something completely different because a bean counter in Chicago decides that our group is changing directions? Whatever!... It cracks me up -- the definition of "accomplishments" in modern society. To me, true goals and accomplishments are tangible -- they can be touched and seen. I am looking forward to reading Matthew Crawford's, “Shop Class as Soulcraft: An Inquiry Into the Value of Work.” In my opinion, Crawford "gets" it. He has a Ph.D. in political philosophy, but he was completely disenchanted with his career. He decided to give that up and work on motorcycles. The premise of his book is that men are no longer men, and that we have lost the art of working with our hands. I must say that I agree. There is NOTHING more satisfying work-wise than actually seeing REAL results and progress. The last several days at the shop have given me that sense of satisfaction. I have installed three racks in the shops -- two for repairs (19 bike capability), and one upstairs for my personal bikes (can hold 11 -- see photo). The sad thing is that the rack for my personal bikes can't hold all of them! Additionally, Alan and Mike helped me install several more square feet of slat wall in the main shop. At this rate, I really think we are "on plan" to have my goals for the store ready by spring! Amazing! Again, I couldn't do it without the help of my friends!

I forgot to talk about Sprocket the other day -- he was in one of "those" moods. Sure, he does "hot laps" quite often -- running around the shop at full speed for no apparent reason. However, I could tell something was different Thursday. When he is in the area, Bob stops by to mess with Sprocket. That cat will jump 3' off the ground to wrap himself around Bob's arm and gnaw on him. I never really thought about the fact that Sprocket recognized people -- I just assumed that he got worked up by people playing with him. Nope. He DEFINITELY recognizes the people who play rough with him! After Bob left, my good customer Jeff playfully grabbed Sprocket's tail as he walked by. Sprocket immediately did a 180-degree U-turn and walked straight back toward Jeff and attacked his heal. After Jeff shook him off, Sprocket did yet another loop and came back and attacked the back of Jeff's leg behind his thigh, biting hard! It was hilarious! He would not stop! I was laughing so hard that I couldn't even take a picture!!!... As if that wasn't funny enough, the next day Bismark came by to pick up his R-SYS wheel. Sprocket proceeded to attack him with zero provocation. That might be concerning, except for the fact that Bismark always plays rough with him. I was amazed -- Sprocket remembers!

Not much else to report. I am planning to relax this weekend. I finally caught up on emails. Tomorrow I am going to spend several hours cleaning the house in preparation for my father's visit in November. Exciting, huh?

This video is very wild. To protect his identity, I will not divulge the name of the employee who sent it to me so that his wife does not realize what he surfs for on the Internet... Wait a minute... I only have one married employee. HA!



Finally, something from Joseph...

Nice rack!

Another delay in blogging. Even though winter is in full swing, we are keeping VERY busy preparing the shop for next spring. I think Nick is more excited than I am! Now that the giant aquarium stand has been moved out of the shop, we are able to get the ball really rolling. Nick and I built the two wall racks in what used to be the old clothing room -- we can now hang 19 repair bikes in there! Major progress! No more rolling bikes in and out daily, plus I feel better having them hanging in an organized fashion. What used to be the lobby is now almost completely cleaned out, so we can start painting, tearing up carpet, etc., in preparation for that room becoming the new repair area. I honestly can't believe that October is half over. I am taking a week off for Thanksgiving (the shop will still be open), then Christmas is around the corner. Before I know it, spring will be here. I have a feeling that I will have just enough time to complete everything -- it will be close. We shall see...

As for my weekend, I had a blast. We went mountain biking at Yargo and did two loops. I will admit that two laps on a rigid single speed is tortue. Luckily Shannon brought an energy drink -- what a concept! Going forward, I will be prepared. I have always just run on water, but rides longer than an hour need more. Most of my rides are 2-3 hours now, so I really need to keep calories going into my body. I don't think I would have lasted the 25 miles without it. I did the Monster Mile, and the Horseshoe twice. I have never tried the Horseshoe, so it was definitely an experience on the single speed. It is like a diving board -- once you go, there is no turning back, so your brain doesn't have time to think about it. Afterward, we had a great lunch in downtown historic Roswell, and ice cream at Cold Stone. A classic Mercedes was parked next to us at lunch, so I couldn't resist snapping a photo of it and a newer convertible behind it. It was a perfect day!

I FINALLY swapped over the parts from my old KHS DH200 to the new frame. I cannot wait to try it out at the freeride section at Big Creek -- if it ever dries out! Hopefully I can get up to Wind Rock in the near future, too. Luke is always heading up there -- I need to make another day trip.

Well, that is it for now. Eddie sent me this. Normally I am not to hyped up about this sort of thing, but it is absolutely hilarious. The "translation" subtitles were done perfectly!!

Ch...ch...ch...changes!

We are really making progress with the shop! Nick contacted me yesterday morning to see if I needed him. Although things have been slower due to the weather, I decided that I really could use a helping hand. There are dozens of small things which I am always trying to get to -- simple repairs, warranty items, paperwork, etc. It is so hard to get to everything, even when the store only has a few customers. The phone is ringing (50% of which are automated sales calls), helping customers, etc. -- the daily activities of a retail store are a full-time job by themselves. Nick coming in did not double my speed -- it actually squared it! He is coming up to speed so fast! It is amazing how much help even the simplest tasks are -- boxing warranty items, checking in inventory, etc. Not only did we catch up on all repairs yesterday, but I was able to clean both work benches thoroughly (amazing!).

Nick moved more items from what was the lobby so that we can make the transition, changing it into the service area. I am excited! Last year the winter came and went before I knew it. Although I accomplished most goals at that time, I want to make sure that everything I am planning is completed before spring. The new point of sale system is in place, and that was a seamless transition. I plan to work an hour or two a night on the new website and have that up shortly. With some physical labor, the entire shop should be transformed in a month or two, and the final changes can begin...

I did realize that I wasn't making any progress with paperwork. It is partly due to my daily activities, and partly due to procrastination. I finally decided to do something about it! Last night I brought home a tub of mail. I sat down in front of the TV with a glass of 1792 and tackled sorting out the mail. In an hour I was done, or at least mostly... After that I watched Leno's new show while sorting and answering email. Hard to believe I have so much email to answer at a bike shop! I am going to use this approach over the coming weeks to get caught up. In the future, it should be much easier now that I have the system computerized. A little at a time...

Internally-routed cables = ARGH!!!!

A new customer shows up today -- super nice guy. He has been having problems with an incredibly expensive bike. It is a Colnago C50 with full Campagnolo Record 11. Since the day he bought it, he has had problems with the shifting. Actually, he bought it with Record 10. The "mechanics" (term used loosely) at the shop he bought the bike ended up telling him that he needed to replace everything. HUH?! This type of mentality absolutely cracks me up! ARE YOU SERIOUS?! So, he gets the new equipment (several thousand dollars later, mind you). He still has problems. He leaves it with them for a month or two while he is out of town -- still no resolution. He is finally referred to me.

Now, I know what you are thinking. You think that I am going to tell you that in my infinite wisdom I fixed his problem and he was incredibly satisfied. Yes, I did fix the problem. However, it wasn't because I am superior in any way. I did two things that these other shops REFUSE to do. A) I started with the fundamentals -- is the derailleur hanger perfectly straight? Is there any drag in the cable? Etc. Etc. B) I LISTENED to my customer (what a concept!). I did not tell him that the problems were his fault, or that they are figments of his imagination. I listened and BELIEVED him.

He has a master's degree in electrical engineering from Georgia Tech, just as I do. This definitely helped us to relate. I must say that he is brilliant. He retired years ago. He was the inventor of caller ID. He has well over 100 patents. He understands that bicycles are not the "magic" that most shops would have you believe. Problems with bicycles, machines, and electrical gadgets are all based on cause and effect. If you can eliminate and isolate different aspects of the system, you can get to the root cause. Throwing money and parts at the problem may inadvertently fix the issue, but it does not allow us to learn.

While he was here, we called Campagnolo and discussed the problem. Within one minute, the technician knew exactly what the most likely culprit was -- the cable housing bend into the handlebar was impeding the shifting. I pulled the cable out from the internal routing -- EUREKA! Problem solved. Granted, the derailleur hanger was slightly to blame, and I had found that. But I did not let my ego stop me from calling a guy who works on these daily. I learned something today -- I had never thought of the problems internally-routed cables might cause. I think that I also earned a new customer today. It was a great experience! Too bad these other shops just blow off their customers when things like this happen. Actually, I will say "too good" -- too good for me!!!

That's it -- have to run...

White Lion - Radar Love
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Productivity!

Well, today was another no-hitter: no customers all day. The rain, change in weather, etc., all play a part, I am sure. Can't win them all. Does that mean we just sat around and did nothing? HECK NO! Today was INCREDIBLY productive -- well, for everyone except Sprocket, of course. He just slept in his drawer as usual.

Jason met me this morning at Lowe's so that we could find casters for the aquarium stand. Best investment ever! Alan, Nick, Jason, and I were able to disassemble it and move it out of the shop into the storage building in 2 hours -- pretty amazing! I now have at least 60 sq. ft. more floorspace! The place is really taking shape!

Nick added more items to inventory, and Jay helped us move the display cabinets to their new home at the back of the shop. So much progress!!! I am glad that Sprocket approved!

That is all for today. Hoping to see It Might Get Loud very soon!