Lots of activity since the last posting. Several shop folks took a trip to Bend and the McKenzie River around the 4th of July. I broke a bone in my hand on the mad dash to complete the McKenzie river trail before dark.

***Quick note:
Hands are useful in the bike shop during the summer. I don't recommend attempting to run/ work in a bike shop with a broken bone in your hand. Clay worked with his broken collar bone, and he seemed to manage well enough. I tried with my hand bone. It was not neato.***

The broken hand has made the blogging, repairing and riding difficult, which made me cranky. I tried to listen to the medical people, but their suggestions didn't take at first so the hand took a while to set up. Another reminder. Listen to the medical people, they often have some good advice. I met a randoneering zealot who taunted me with his tales of multiple century weekends while hanging out in the cast room. Bike nuts in all walks of life.

Prompted by my temporary gimpedness, we have made a few improvements around the shop. We hired Eric Swain from the mean streets of Cedar Rapids Iowa to man a repair stand. Iowa churns out some groovy people: Carebear and Ira Ryan are the more notable bicycle obsessed. Corn must be some freaky stuff; so many nutrient crammed in there. The other shop personnel have stepped in to assist/instruct Eric with the service work and other manual labor type things. Thanks to the guys for adapting so well, keeping the shop between the ditches as we roll through the summer.

I have made a lot more messes and cleaned up a few since the accident. My cast is off and I have been back on the bike. Overall the hand deal is healed up now. I had to miss the short track race series and that was a bummer. I had a great road ride with a couple of the Existential Velo guys last sunday after a few hops up into the woods on my cross bike last week. Getting better all the time.

We have had an extraordinary summer summer and look forward to the fall/winter. Lots of great people have stopped through the shop; several new faces along with the regulars. Some fun custom bikes rolled away this past couple of months: Road, cross and cargo projects were memorable. It has been great listening to the stories of where your bicycle have taken you all this summer. Keep em coming!

We have added a few new names in frames, bicycles and components to our pile. Jake and Verg built up a couple of Javelin frames for the floor and we are looking at some other independent bike makers for next season.

We are making plans for the trade show in Vegas. I will try to keep to more frequent updates from now on.

Enjoy the weather and we will see you soon.