The weekend is almost here!

I don't know if I am worn out from the workload, working six days a week most of the year, the constant fluctuation of the temperature, or a combination of all three. Regardless, I was definitely glad that I was able to get mostly caught up today. Next week is going to be hectic with the arrival of frames and parts for several builds, so I needed a little break. Although today was relatively slow, I did have a sale of a pair of PowerCranks and checked in a tune-up, so it was a good day! Otherwise, I finished what I could on the 25" Ventana El Rey (the customer is 6'9"!!!), completed a tune-up, and tied up some loose ends around the shop. I definitely have a cold of some sort, so I will be crashing early tonight. The remaining parts arrive tomorrow for the Ventana, and he is picking it up in the evening -- I am hoping all goes according to plan!

I finished Lee's Ventana El Saltamontes bike yesterday -- it is gorgeous! The hubs and headset are both Chris King, and the drivetrain is Shimano XTR. He decided to build it as a 1x10, with a 650B front wheel and a 26" rear. We used an X-Fusion Velvet set to 650B for the fork -- the bike came out great! Personally, I am a fan of the larger front wheel with a traditional 26" rear. My Carver uses a 29"/26" combination, and I am planning to build a Ventana El Chucho this spring with that configuration. I feel very lucky to have been able to build so many custom bikes over the years, and I seem to be selling more each month as time goes on. I am very fortunate that so many of these builds have been the result of referrals from satisfied customers!

I am really looking forward to Thanksgiving! I am hoping to close early Wednesday if it is slow, then I will have FOUR DAYS off! That doesn't sound like much, but that is an eternity to me! I figure that I have another year or two at this pace, then I will search for a top-end mechanic to take much of the load off me so that I can focus on growing the business. It is so hard to believe that it has almost been five years! The shop has definitely grown beyond my wildest expectations! I didn't have to Occupy Norcross to make it happen, either -- nothing but hard work!

Hopefully next week will revive me. I know that the winter will be over before I know it and we will be right back into the heart of the season. If I am lucky, Ali and I will be able to take a few short weekend trips before the insanity begins again!