Dig This!

I had some photos taken by Greg Page of the bikes I had built so far and one frame under construction. Greg races in the same class as me and is an accomplished photographer. He has worked for Bicycle Guide and Asphalt in the past and offered to take some shots for the Handmade Bicycle Show in March. Priscilla and I had both cars die on us within a three week period so I loaded up the '73 Bronco with two bikes and two frames and headed to Signal Hill. It may have been only 35 miles but it felt at least twice that in the old truck.






This is the 'cross bike that saw a little racing this fall. I had to clean it while Greg was taking the photos of the other bikes. It had not been touched since the last race in Bakersfield in November.





This is what I have been working on lately. It is a road frame with Columbus tubing and Pacenti stainless lugs. I did take quite a bit of material off the lugs but kept the basic look they come with. My favorite photo is the one of the seat lug. It was difficult to pull off but I am quite proud of it. I can't wait to see it with Joe Bell paint and should have the fork finished next week.


Here is the first frame I made and is still a favorite. The paint is actually a stock Colnago color that Joe had lying around. The other is a pearl blue with red metal flake that sparkles in the sun. The lettering did not work very well and I am still trying to come up with a more permanent solution but that will need to wait.
I love riding this bike and the farthest I have ridden it is the Wildflower Century last April with over 6000ft of climbing and more importantly descending.

Post crash update

It has been a while since the last post because of a car crash and my 'cross season is finished. We were on our way back from racing at Bakersfield and were hit by someone running a red light and our car was totaled. We were a little banged up but we are recovering. The good news is that the bikes on the roof rack survived and will live to race again next season.

I have also been getting back to work on frames when I get a chance and have some photos of progress. Somehow I was convinced to build a frame with all stainless lugs (including the unbelievably difficult seat lug). The frame is nearly complete and I am working on polishing. My fingers hurt so much right now that I am taking the weekend off and will get back to it next week.







I added brass fillet to some Pacenti lugs that I have been working on. These will go on a track bike that I intend to have for the Handmade Bike Show in March. Brian Baylis was very encouraging and I appreciate his support. The fillets change the lines of the lugs and I can't wait to see how they look after paint. It will have a split fork crown and one piece handlebar stem combo.