Käse-Deutsch

You know how when you hear your voice recorded, you sound different than you think you do? Well, here is one of me, not only do sound different, but pretty darn funny. If you can understand German than you can hear me just slaughter the language. Nails screeching across a chalkboard sound more appealing! If you can't understand German, still watch, it is a good laugh. The only positive I can say is atleast the laid over some music to partially drown our my Käse-Deutsch...

Bike Sport News Interview

1/2 way point in the year

I am a little numb... the past three months have been a flurry of activities and a blur of events (some if not all great ones), a quick trip to the US (as seen in digital imagery in my last post), our first fahrtechnik training in Pfronten/ Alps, and this past weekend our rival of a classic XC race in the small corner of Hochspeyer.

Our trip to the US was sparked by a request to help out a budding local roaster in Telluride, Tomboy Coffee Roasters. RC was one of the original roasters for the fabled brand Stumptown, and he continues to turn out some of the best beans I have had. We also spent some time visiting our good friends Mike and Soph (who graciously turned me on to Eastbound and Down, thanks to record on demand I caught all six episodes in three sidesplitting sittings). Mike also had a dinner one evening for a local magazine who will be featuring his home in Rico and a little on his catering business. It was an evening of good food, lots of laughs and a variety of spirits. Gunni was also on our itinerary this time around, we stayed with Dan and Cathy while trying to catch up with others and I was cut off premature in a mtb ride when some black clouds unleashed a spectacular showing of lightening follow by a downpour. Some fresh coffee the next morning at Mochas and getting zinged by Jerry (a local lifestyler that happens to be married to the proprietor), and we were off to Denver to have a short visit with my parents before flying back to the fatherland.

Back in Germany, I spent the following week reconning trails and a parcours for our riding technique class. We found a sweet hotel to work with down in Pfronten and I found some good singletrails, but still have a lot more riding to do before I can honestly say i know my way around. It is a tough job but someone has to do it...

This past weekend we organized our first mountainbike race. My cyclocross influence came through as we put together a power course with some sharp climbs, techy descents and fast fire roads. We spent a week pushing in some new singletrack , and what I think is a course with good fluidity and pace. Riders raved about the course, some not so much...but the feedback was 90% positive on the course. We have some dialing to do on the organization side, but all in all it was a great event that left all involved stoked on the sport. I even met an old racing buddy, Wolfgang who was still riding his Yo Eddy, still speced out exactly the way it was when I last saw it, not too mention it was super clean and pretty.

Today it is back to Fuessen and life on the land in Bayern...

Martin Schmidt = Sieger des Elite Rennens
Wolfgang charging his YoEddy down the fresh singletrack
Our brutal short steep climb on the backside of the course

US Trip

EHBE

IF @ EHBE
Carsten's tribute
Owners' frames on display
Very slick Fixie Inc seatstay coupler for belt drive
Crisp w/ BB30 & Cannondale 2x9
Crisp Titanium
In a flury of activity, it is nice to have such a show as the EHBE in the middle. The European version of the NAHBS took place over the weekend in the sleepy community of Schwaebisch Gmuend near Stuttgart Germany. It was small gathering of not so big, small (and very small) frame builders, and companies focused on the bike.

For us, it is our tradeshow this year as we are passing on an official presence at Eurobike. Instead we are doing many more grassroots events, trying to give more back to the IF fans out there. For EHBE we have a delectable showing of our range of frames along with a couple of fresh customer rides (thanks to Conni and Carsten...). We also had some sweet eyecandy courtesey of Waridi and KING in our stand, creating a setting one could endulge themselves in sheer bike porn for a long time.

Attendees and other vendors poured over the love be exhibited, making note of the craftsmanship and detail of our rides and parts. So often I was told of how much people loved our bikes, and were IF fans, something very few other companies can boast. It was flattering to hear of the respect and positive feedback, and more so to hear the distances people traveled just to come and see us.

On Saturday evening, together with Waridi we threw a big BBQ with all of the fixens for over 130 party goers. There was an assortment of grilled meat with me be the Grill MC that evening, 4 kegs of beer were made empty and a good time was had by all. My new friends over at RetroVelo lit up the portable bike DJ turntable to provide the ambiance, and the conversations flowed over the whole setting like a spring flood, it was awesome.

Afterwards the fine people of Daily Bread, RetroVelo, Ulrich Vogel, Waridi and myself all went out for a nitecap on the Altstadt of SG. I heard other stories of even later nights, but I was glad to have found my way home by 1am...

With the prior evening consumption of beverages still lingering in my head, it was another great day of talking about all things bikes. It was interesting to meet and see the offerings of the European bike community, there is some definite talent and innovation happening here, and I have developed some ideas out of the show myself. The openess of the builders and open forum on the bike there was inspiring and great to see. Something you will get anywhere else I think.

We had a great show, and look forward to the next edition, and yes we will be back with the BBQ, but bigger, and better. For now, it is off to the states, bis bald.

Closing thoughts on Gardasee

another brand on the urban-bike assault front

As I sit in a cafe around the corner from our new place (as we are currently internet challenged), I am reflecting on my time at the 2009 BIKE Festival in Gardasee. My last time there was on behalf of Brodie and FOX apparel back in 1996. To be honest, my recollection of that trip is fairly blurred, so it was like being somewhere new for me.

The spectacular views are the perfect backdrop for a season kick-off party, and I was fortunate to hook up with the Italian Single Speed Mafia, supper nice hardcore group of riders who appreciate fine bikes and cheep beer. They also happen to know a lot about Jackass... We swore next year the stars will align and ourselves and Biciclista will colaborate on a stand there (hopefully much more).

did I mention this is paradise...

One ride was all I got in flying solo on behalf of ifbikes.de. Partnering with the ISSM and with wife and kid in tow, I hope to see much more of what the valley has to offer in singletrack commodity. I also hope to have a stand that doesn't smell like unrine, it seems the tree (and the side of my tent) was a popular place for persons to relieve themselves.

An Italian girl is a terrible thing to waste...

The car is already loaded agina, this time EHBE, stay tuned, should be another good weekend...

Seeside Gardasee

Se of flags Gardasee

Finally, a bar you can actually eat and enjoy...

Dutch importer for Litespeed

Nice group over at Ibis

Super nice guys over at Revolution Sports representing Niner and No Tubes



Does this one match our SUV honey...

Gardasee Day Two

the thing about attending such a festival is not just to be seen, but to see. See what the consumer is doing, and to observe the market in a 'real world' setting. Granted, real world is dependent on where you find it, you will not meet the same public at a single speed meet as you will at one of the main stream events, but both are equally important and interesting.

Thus far I have been positively surprised by what I have observed and seen at the Gardasee Fest. Today was especially sweet for me as not only did I meet more enthusiasts and fans, but I saw some bikes I actually lust after. First was an Italian who will be a customer of ours in the near future, with his beautiful, near fully retro Yeti with elevated chainstays. There are few symbols of mountain biking's heyday, and this is one of them.


Yeti Ultimate


Yeti Headbadge

The second symbol is none other the a Fat City Cycles Yo Eddy, and yes, there was one of those in its full green to blue faded glory, albeit this one was slightly modernized. But it still had a sweet Mag21 Ti mounted for front end suspension duties also painted to match, nice.






Fat City Cycles

Yo Eddy

I think it is appropriate that we are tucked away in a little corner of the festival, it fits the fact people are still getting know us and many still do not know we exist, I guess I have my work cut out for me. Given the overwhelming positive response here, it will be an enjoyable task to continue to build the brand.

Another observation I have made is that I am astonished how many people 'associated' with the bicycle industry smoke cigarettes... Well atleast here in Europe. I have seen people in their respective booths, riders and spectators smoking all around the festival grounds. For a healthy outdoor sport, if I were an unaware outsider looking in, I would have a poor view of the sport giving the lack of regard for one's own health.

Girl Smoking...



...Smoking Girls

The flip side is the top European rider's have always amazed me with their level of fitness and that also shows. Tanned, muscular legs on both the boys and gals rolled up and down the expo promonade, showing off tan lines of people with out day jobs or short trips to Mallorjca.


Yes, I would like something sweet...

Tomorrow is race day and extended hours for us, 9am to 10pm, I am curious what the day will bring...

Gardasee Day One

Soaking in the Italian sun

the BIKE Festival in Lago di Garda is the European equivilent to the Sea Otter int he US. It is the un-offical kick off to the biking season and happens to take place in one of the more beautiful locals in Europe. Nestled in South-Tirol, the Gardasee is the destination for many Trans-Alp crossings, as it was the first end point for the first Trans Alp race.

To be honest, it is little festival and more big Industry hype, the organizers included. So why attend on behalf of IF? As many times before, I have found there is an audience for our product almost anywhere we go. People who you wouldn't expect stop and study our bikes with admiring eyes, their passion for riding comes through in their appreciation for the handcrafted bikes on display. So why aren't they riding a custom bike?



Waridi Lights



Representing the Crown

I see a combination of factors, one I have beaten the drum this on one many times, that of price. The German market has seen such violent price erosion that consumers are trained to pay bottom Euro for a bike, forgoing many other factors over the price tag.

Secondly it is the media. the media over here tests in laboratories, not in the real world. You can't quantify craftsmanship, artisan, nor the imperfects that make up perfection, therefor run of the mill aluminium and carbon Chinese bikes win so called 'Tests" with out any regards to real benefits for the consumers. Not too mention they are not open for unconventional thinking like single speeds nor twentyniners (although I am sure some outside the media would like to keep it that way ;-))

So the best way for us to build our brand is to hit these events to connect with those who get it. To keep beating the drum, and spreading the message and to show that there is a real viable option to the Xerox copied, re-branded, bullshit that comes out of the sweat factories of the far east. Rides that embody the spirit of riding and offer a lot more that hyped up marketing jargon.

Besides, I love good espresso, wine and food, do you really need any other reason to come to Italy???

Day 2 tomorrrow.

Leipzig Images

sizing up Maik
Gerolf
SSX

Leipzig

There are some cities that have something special, intangible but it is apparent the moment you enter them. They are a live and have a pulse. Now I am not sure if I will ever be a city dweller, but these cities make me ponder the thought. They draw me in an make me want to visit them again and again. For me this is also a rare occurrence that a city is so gravitating, but my trip over the weekend to Leipzig proved to be one of those occasions.

Via an invitation from Bike Department Ost, my auto found itself pointed to the old eastern part of Germany. I am old enough to remember things like the end of the cold war, and the wall coming down, but it is so far removed from even my memory, that was until along the Autobahn I passed a sign marking the old East-West border. It wasn't until I arrived in Leipzig that the difference between East and West started to be revealed.

First off, Leipzig is a beautiful city, not like Rome or Vienna, but in a very historic and noble way. Monuments to its storied past dominate the landscape, icons of good and hard times past. After landing at BDO, hunger drove me out into the street to find some my midday meal. The first thing I noticed about the people on the street, they all seemed content, almost happy. They were buzzing around on bikes, or sitting on benches talking and their was even a festive uprising around some bohemian style music pouring good vibes out onto the street. Something you would expect in Amsterdam with its many street performances and fests.

My liason from BDO, Gerolf was more than hospitable helping me to secure accommodations and arranging a group ride from the shop. There were a few familiar acquaintences Nikita and David along with some fresh faces. on the menu was a tasty plate of Urban singletrack, country roads, some seriously deteoriated back streets and fun riding parks. Besides an abundance of broken glass that riddled almost everywhere we rode (and accounted for two flats cutting down tires and ending my ride slightly prematurely), the were many more cool symbols of Leipzig's history. We rode one of the two hills in Leizig which Nikita explained was a trash mound from the WW2!

Nikita and Gerolf had many stories and background information that they shared readily with us along the ride, very interesting sidenotes to a very fun riding experience. Another one of these antidotes that stood out was the Hafen, a Nazi project that was started but never finished. Basically a large canal shadowed by very large concrete skeletons of three industrial buildings, mere shadows of a forgotten past. There were several burned out remenents of the darkened past, covered in the colorful graphitti of todays challenging urban culture.

After the ride we all had a quick drink together mingeling and making plans for the evening. David and I headed over to Rueckenwind, another very cool shop in Leipzig. If I were ever to own a shop, it would be something like the Rueckenwind, I fell in love with this shop. Ronny, the owner, is a kindred soul, open and passionate about cycling. His shop reflects his warm personality and invites customers in to a sweet bike shop. His focus is urban transport, fixies (although he loathes them) commuters and other unrban transport dominate the showroom in a minimalistic fashion. Not too many bikes to be overwhelming, but enough to wet the pallet and give the customer a taste of what is possible.

David had invited me there for a purpose, Maik whom I had met at SiS was getting new ride, a Ti Deluxe. So we did what I love to do, talk about bikes and get Maik set up. Being a similar stature as I, Maik took a quick spin on my Ti Deluxe and we were to base his dream ride off this bike. We talked some more, tried out my homemade schnapps, did a fitting and had a blast. I did not want to leave. This is what selling bikes should be about, forming a good relationship to your customer, formulating their bike on their desires in an informal, relaxed atmosphere. There was not a better setting than the Rueckenwind to facilitate this process...

Afterwards we hooked up with Gerolf and others at a cool little local hangout for some burgers and beer, good times.

The next day was the demo day on an old Eastern-block velodrome. Pretty cool stuff. David said it best when I mentioned him I thought it was cool to think of all of the historic races and events that must have taken place on the old banked oval as we watched some mtb and bmx dirt jumpers drop down the track and huck tricks. His response was "it is like the geist (meaning ghosts, but also soul) is still speaking to us."

It certainly was.

The demo day was a great for us, our bikes were constantly gone, and in high demand. The best parts was seeing their faces when they returned with ear-to-ear smiles. When the bikes were not out, people would study their details, fascinating over the craftsmanship and perfection. Once again conversations revolved around human-powered two-wheeled machines, and the lifestyle around it. Unfortunately for me I had to pack up fairly quickly at the end of the day to drive to our new home in Hopfen am See to meet my brother-in-law to start setting things up.

We will surely take part again next year, and stick around a little more to soak an incredible city in, and experience more the past and present culture.

(some pics will follow...)

39er

Ahhh... to be 29 again!


Tomorrow is it, the beginning of my last year in my thirties. No crisis or anything, just another decade passing. I guess you could say I lived the lives of two 20 year olds, and in many ways I feel that my life has been much more.

Looking back over my life during my second stay in Europe, I have been blessed to have seen, experienced and accomplished so much. Yet I feel like life has not got the better of me. Besides a bike fetish, I live a fairly simple life with Sandi and Colin. We take pleasure in the day to day routines and pleasure, I love a good cup of Joe or a good beer, we take advantage of being outside and have been surrounded by some amazing people.

Anyone who knows me knows a love a good conversation over some 'slow-food', and a good wine. I love to hear and tell stories, philosophize about life, politics and other mind bending topics. I am not looking for nor do I need absolutes, I can live with abstract and uncertainty. Maybe that is why I walked away from a $40k+ job with security for a scrimping, nail biting year (and we are not out of the woods yet, but things are looking much better!) of starting my own business in a foreign land with many challenges and pitfalls.

Colin shows me the world through eyes that are a distant vague childhood memory, but he shows me the important things in life. Sandi keeps me in check, and showers me with more affection than I deserve sometimes. She really is my counterbalance in life.

Sometimes I get off track, but the way always seems to find me again. Who knows how long I will be around for the ride, it doesn't matter. i will always try to milk the most out of each moment, enjoying those and the world around me.

Here is to the next 40 and whatever life will throw at us!

Photo Dump #2

here is a quick peek at a custom Ti Deluxe Single Speed we just did for a customer here in Germany. The paint is so sweet and it is fitted for a Fatty Headshok, can't wait to see this one built up...

Think fast

Wiesmann GT MF5

When the opportunity came to do a limited series of bikes for a small handmade car manufacture, it did not take us long to say yes. Wiesmann is a little manufacture here in Germany that turns our beautiful retro-looking, but technologically advanced street and race cars. Built on the BMW chassis and engines, Wiesmann handmakes the rest. For our project, we built a super sweet SSR to match their MF3 Roadster, a 300+hp convertible that somewhat resembles the old English roadsters of the 50-60's. The bike built up super sweet, complete with Campy Super Record 11, carbon Sports Ventoux wheels, EDGE 1.0 fork and a sweet silver Gecko headbadge to match the Wiesmann carbadge.

Wiesmann display

We had a new display built for the upcoming European Handmade Bicycle Exhibition, and put it to use for the Wiesmann Fruehlingfest, an open door event for the public to come and see their stunning creations. It is also an opportunity for those lucky enough to test drive a possible new car. Being that we are working together, I had the pleasure of driving the MF3 we used, but also the supercar, the GT MF5, a 500+hp beast that would blow most other cars off the road, and motorcylces can just forget it. Surrounding Duehlem, home to Wiesmann was a spiderweb of back roads perfect for stretching out the legs of these German muscle cars. Admitingly nervous, I climbed behind the wheel of a bright yellow MF5. My 'co-pilot' gave me a quick lesson on all of the controls and provided me with all the tech data as we rolled out of the parking lot. It was amazing as onlookers quickly turned to catch a glimps of the car growling along which raised to a roar as I layed my foot into the throttle.

Once clear of the city limits I shut of the automatic mode and took over shifting duty via paddle shifters on the steering wheel. Then I really layed into it... Now I know what a shuttle launch must feel like, as we quickly ate up the country side kilometers. Then I did what I have always wanted to do while driving my minivan back in the states and a Porsche or other sports car passed me like nothing. We over took several cars with out even shifting out of second and quickly topping out at a cool 150km, sick! Craddled in the tight confines of the GT5 cockpit, we sat super low to the road and the view was inhibited by the bulging fenders and ginormous hood, but you felt impervious in some way. I still had tons of respect for this car, being that it had way more power than I had ever driven before, and I did not want to be the 'one' to do anything to it. Granted I only scratched the surface of what this car could really do, but it was still a huge thrill to drive a super car.

Limited edition Wiesmann Roadster SSR

I bikes were more than well accepted at the event, and we drew a lot of interest despite being in the presence of show stopping automobiles. The year for ifbikes.de is off to a great start as we have been taking orders, I have been doing many fittings and we have several riding clinics booked. We will have some more demo bikes soon and are moving to Hopfen am See in Bayern.

My new 29er is quickly becoming one of my top rides, but we will save that for the next blog...