200: NAHBS - EMBRO Awards - Part One.

EMBRO Award: Best Road Bicycle (Race)
Winner: Zanconato "Max" Road

above photos by Whit Yost

Road Racing: CONFIRM
Belgie Rating: HIGH
Edge Carbon Clincher Rating: OFF THE CHART


The results are in and now you shall have them (yes I am aware that I skipped Cross -for now). There was a little bit of question (from the higher ups) as to why I was doing this at the show. Why should I put together my own awards show when The Don already has one? Why Not? That is the simplest answer, but the real reason is two-fold.

A: Content - Things to talk about in Embrocation Cycling Journal
B: The People - They want to take your money? Well, then you should have a say with the judging at NAHBS. Hell, I want to take your money, so you should have something to say in ECJ.

I do not know if you know this, but I am always trying to find ways to gather up a little content. No offense to anyone in charge over there, I could rely on what comes out of it, or I could chase it down myself. Chances are that if you hold up these bikes with a different set of lenses that maybe you might see something that you missed otherwise. (Which I would guess is what they are doing with their panel of judges) Also, I have no idea who does their judging but apparently they did not realize that they already had a tandem category when they gave BEST ROAD BIKE to Bilenky Cycles for a Tandem. And it should go without saying that I am a huge fan of the Bilenky family. But really my friends? A tandem? "Pffff" that is what I say to that.

So, that is just one example of — A: Road Bike to talk about (it wasn't a tandem) in the publication. And B: You (the people who voted at the show) chose it, so you had a say in it.

We also did our own awards so that we could talk about the racier end of the family. And I do not just mean that weird uncle who kept trying to play grabass with your cousin Suzy, that was just weird. I mean race bikes.


I thought a lot about just this subject as I threw my leg over the ol trusty steed not once, but twice this past weekend. The weather in this fair state of Oregon was nothing short of magnificent. And when the weather turns in this direction it is without hesitation that I will reach for the "race bike." If I were a professional judger of "race bikes," which I am not I would look at them with a few different things in mind. Categories, if you will. Now, these would not be the most technical ways to look at bicycles, just my own approach so bare with me.

1) Awesomeness - this is mostly the aesthetics department. How does the bicycle look and how would I (being the judge) look astride a machine of this caliber? (obviously we are only judging the highest of caliber here.) Is the paint something that looks like it was gleaned from a mid 90's Alien Drag Race movie? Or does it have the subtle tones and unweilding power of...well, I do not know what... The thing about "awesomeness" is that it also goes miles in the ability to catch ones eye while at a tradeshow, and this, my friends is a not an easy thing to do. With bicycles all but piled from aisle to aisle you need something that is going to jump out and grab your attention.

Example: One company that does this day in and day out is Independent Fabrication. Every time they go to a show they find another way to keep things fresh. Could have something to do with my man Clint putting the finishing touches on them? Could also have to do with the fact that they care about what they're doing over there and that is kind of a big deal.


2) Weightness- We are talking race bicycles here right? Well, then guess what...weight is going to be a factor. And just as it might be tough to drag your own 150 lb frame (and I am using frame here in place of "body") up a mountain...it would most definitely be tougher to push your 150 lb frame and a 25 lb frame (bicycle in this case) up that same mountain. So, I am going to say the lighter, the better. I am also aware of this strange ability for bicycles to "ride light" which I would have to say that my Richard Sachs bicycle does.

Standout in this area would have to be Crumpton Cycles. With again, the IF wrecking ball close behind, but maybe I am a little biased?

3) Lateral Stiffness - Not really, just trying to throw you off with that one.

4) "Work Hard and Be Nice to People." This is actually kind of a big one for me. Because I am thinking about things in the terms of being a customer and the customer experience. For example I like dealing with Richard Sachs because he is a really nice guy - if you have ever stepped up to talk to him you would know this. Chris Igleheart gives me the biggest hug every time I see him - this is an action that makes me want to give him my money. Tyler from IF has slapped me on the ass more than once (I'm not sure exactly what this means). And Dave Kirk and his wife were excited to show me their new logo and paint jobs, this bodes well because I instantly made a connection with them (being a fan of graphics) and I remembered them when I went on to something else.

5) Historical Relavence — What do you know about these builders and where do they come from? And how does this sort of thing relate to you? I like the stories that go behind these builders. How many frames do they build in a given year? How long have they been doing this craft? What sort of riding do they personally do?(Sachs still races cross and Igleheart rides more than anyone I know). And all of these things become a factor in owning what you as a customer would consider the best bicycle EVER...

This is just my way of looking at a show like the NAHBS. Blink judgments and quick assesments are the way to go namely because as a buyer you do not have time at the show to look through everything. I definitely did not get to see everything that I was hoping to see. This might also be because I was trying to work in two booths and take a few photos along the way as well. Whew.

But as this week progresses I will tell you who won each category and then take a little more of an in depth look at who each of these people are. And of course how it all relates back to riding bicycles, embrocating your leggies, and well, I can't think of a third one at the moment.

Does any of that make sense?

124: Where to Start?

How to know your pro? Color photo in the Boston Herald. AND when they lay out the photo, the front wheel is literally bursting from the frame. AND we all know that Kyler knows how to look pro. Damn that shit is "tite!" Just sayin'.

INCOMING:
Here is what I've got coming up for you. I'll break them down in the order that they happened. Last week we left for Vegas in the middle of Monday. A week later and if I said that I was reeling from the week that just happened, I'd be lying. Reeling is putting it lightly.

You don't believe me? Check my Twitter. It was an amazing way to quickly document the show and now offers me a little fodder to go back through and check. Might actually be an interesting way to do some of the blog posts, just update the twitter post with a lengthier bloggy one. Then update the blog post with a magazine article and then eventually a book on the subject. And then in no time we will be flying. What they hell am I talking about?

LAST WEEK:

Monday
Left for Vegas, drove for what seemed to be days, but which was really just hours. Ate a whole bunch of crap and stayed at a hotel in Weed, California. Yes please. Kicked off a long train of unusually bad eating, which included: McDonalds (twice in one day), more soda than you can shake a stick at, various and sundry flavors of chips, gummi something-or-others, Taco Bell (are you getting sick yet?), a corndog, pastrami, more chips, Starbucks, salty liquorice... I'm just going to stop...

Tuesday
More driving. Lots of driving and lots of driving on very, very straight roads. Then a big lake and then some more driving on straight as hell roads. Through hell. And then, finally when you thought it couldn't get any better, we rolled into Vegas. Showered, drank a bunch of booze, at burritos (probably the best meal in Vegas) and then drank until I couldn't see or think straight.

Highlights: Junk Food, Traveling Companions, Hilarity Ensues,
Lowlights: See above (kidding, the companions were the best part)

Wednesday
Hit the show for a few hot minutes. Handed out some invites and then headed back to the Artisan Hotel to prep for the party action. Did that for a few hours before heading to Cross Vegas. Shot photos of Dylan with every attractive...um...person available. Interviewed a Belgian friend who was more than pissed at the lack of Beer stands, and then watched former (note I said former) bike racers schmooze it up for each other (ahem Cannings). Loaded a bunch of people into a pre-arranged bus and then headed back to the party. Saw some MASH folks and promptly lost my Pink Rapha Logo T-shirt to our buxom bartender GG. Great gal, but I kind of want my shirt back.

Highlights: Seeing old friends at the show, Cross Racing, Chris Distefano, Party Time, The Artisan Hotel, Jeremy Powers DJ Set, Andy Clark, people packing the shit out of the Artisan, absolutely anyone involved with Knog, Molly Racing (AND HER RIDER CARDS!!)

Lowlights: People hacking up Lungs from Dry Racing Conditions, Jeremy Powers being booted (by the management) off the wheels of steel after one song, not enough time with Kaiko and Mike, completely missing Rob Vandermark and B. Quirk,

Thursday
Show day, well, mostly. The hotel rooms in Vegas get unusually dark when the shades are drawn, throwing ones sense of time and place into a whirlwind of confusion. And making one sleep well past the time that normal people should sleep. Headed to the show a little late but got to see a few key people and talk about things like: Rapha, advertising, Embrocation article ideas (some really great stuff will come out of this). Then it was back to the hotel for a minute before piling into the trusty white whale and heading over to Mandalay Bay for some Crit Championship action.

Highlights: Hot new Embrocation Socks, Espresso at the Fizik Booth, Bike racing Adam Myerson style, Moots, Ridley, Asian Food (always drink hot tea and you can eat as much as you want and not feel full and gross), Hanging out with James Selman and Ben from Freeman Transport. Twitter action. Seeing Thayne Nord. Hanging out with Jason and Craig Roth made me feel like I was back in Boston.

Lowlights: Walking around all day eating Power Samples (powerbar, power gel, goo, electrolite goo, powerballs?), The George W. Busch photo in the Kenda Booth (not a great idea guys), a fake mud covered bike in the Kuota booth (not even a good idea guys)

Friday
To the show for a few quick meetings. I only say 'meetings' because then it sounds professional. Got to see the inside of the Oakley black cave of death, but only by peering in from the outside as Katarina Nash came stumbling out clutching 40 new pairs of Oakleys. Looks nice in there. Then it was drive time again, back to PDX, but not before a quick stop at In N Out Burger. So good. Before I left though had a great chat with Bob Roll on how much he likes Embrocation Cycling Journal, there's Video on that too. Then we headed back into the desert.

Highlights: Bob Roll, Steve Blick and the LOOK stickers. More espresso. Playing "Where's Waldo" with all of the Independent Fabrication Bikes (Whipperman, Cane Creek, the CO2 Inflaters, EDGE. Am I missing any?) Dan Sharp and I running around on the floor like madmen, the release action on the Time Road Pedals and the Time booth in general. Bern headphones. Military case sales at the side of the road.

Lowlights: Leaving the Artisan Hotel behind. So long. The booth with the leg rollers. Rushing. Chrome's boombox, looking towards another drive. Assy People.

Saturday
Drive Drive Drive Drive, Listen to music, Drive Drive Drive. Eat some candy. Drive Drive Drive. Laugh at some funny shit that Carey, Slate, Dan or Dave say. Drive Drive Drive. God its good to be back Best Homecoming ever. Steaks, drinks, fellowship, laughs..

Sunday
Wake up late and read the newspaper. Go straight to sports section and look for some cycling. Be disappointed with the above from NY Times. Then race some Cyclocross. "Oh, I wonder how that went?" you might be asking yourself. See above. Especially the parts where it says things like: driving, junk food, drinking, party, McDonalds....

"And on Monday we be at it again."

More later.

098: Neighborhood Watch

I figured while I'm in the neighborhood I should really get to the bottom of this IF Embrocation bike. What does it look like up close? Can I touch it? I say things like 'awesome,' 'amazing,' and 'rad' way too much, so I'm sure there's something better to describe. In any case, stay tuned for a little more in depth interview with Clint Lunsford the head painter over there (who's also somewhat of my personal brother in arms as well.)

The Embrocation Moka Pot looks good wrapped around like this. The pattern works well. Check out the White inside of the fork.

I wonder what would happen if you unleashed our design team on a whole bike? I mean seriously, I'm sure that we could get our heads together and come up with something cool right?

You'd totally ride that. Who am I even talking to?


Speaking of the design team they have actually been cranking out some kits in the past few days.

And the place that I'm staying has cable television. And you know what that means? Nurse Jackie. A lot. Which I have to say is ok. The episode we watched last night included some of the a good amount of drugs, some screaming and yelling, more drugs, a payoff, and a leading lady that looks like a man.

Sound like anything else? (especially the leading lady part as I recently heard someone call Lance a "Dyke" no joke I laughed for about ten minutes, after which she explained herself and I kind of went...ooooh yeah).

Which we all know that Lance already won.

"I think...uh..I think, there might be something personal between those two teams."

This was Lance's quote when asked why they chased down Hincrapie. Weak. His response should have been "this is a bike race, that is what you do when you realize that one of your competitors is off for the leaders jersey."

Or Hincapie should have paid everyone off with Hincapie Jean's. Although as I typed that I figured out why he couldn't do that. Because the sizing of the jeans start at a 30 waist. Big mistake George, don't you know that the largest rider out there is going to get lost in a 26? Have you seen these guys George? Oh, wait, maybe you haven't because you've been too busy riding off the front?

Moving on.
As I was flying from Austin to Boston I saw in the in-flight magazine tucked into the back pocket of the seat in front of me that they had already published the winner of the 2009 Tour de France, and there he was in his new Whirlpool team kit on. I did a little google research on his new team and this is what I came up with.

Compare
Take a look at Mares Martin's bio. He's got some pretty interesting stuff going on there as well. He lists his favorite race as "none" and his interests as "all kinds of sports, hockey, movie, coffee." Ok, so no one ever claimed that professional athletes are all that interesting? But seriously..if this Cycling Team is your Marketing Plan, what are they doing for you Whirlpool? At least give me some shots of a bunch of dudes in a Whirlpool. I mean, they do make those right?


Now Contrast
Take a look over here in the Basketball arena. Contrast Mr. Martin with that of Ron Artest and his website. Really check out this website, its very space age and there are all sorts of interesting nuggets stored within (nay, on the front page) that will make you love Artest and his sensibilities. No matter how off they are.

For example:
He has a quote on the front page that says:
"As a lifelong fan of Michael Jackson I want to apologize to anyone I may have offended with the language I used in my Michael Jackson tribute..." Then directly underneath this quote are three things. His autograph and then two icons that say things like "Watch Video" and "Read More." Now I clicked on the "Read More" first and was I greeted with a treat. I thought it was going to have something to do with Michael, and I guess it kind of does, but ...no go. Check it out. Its about Dogs Balls. Not even joking.


The gang is back on the road and there is already some pretty sweet video to attest to the fact that they are having a great time and getting slogged by PVB on the gravel. I tried to hold back the tears when I watched this film, but, its ok, to cry. After all, this is emotional stuff.

ANGEL FIRE, NM from RAPHA on Vimeo.

Ok, I tend to get a little off topic when I'm talking about the tour de france, but my meanderings are just to cover up for my mis-steps. If you want some actual coverage and commentary that is really good. Check out the Pavé website. Aside from having been a DS, Whit Yost actually knows how to write about it too..

And then there's Here Come the Belgians.

Which is just plain awesome. So, check that out too...

097: More Later.

Has anyone seen the Independent Fabrications blog lately? There is some Hotness going on over there. Seriously. And I'm not just saying that because My Man James' (have you noticed that whenever I mention James I say "my Man James?") bike is featured there. It is the one that looks especially hot and has Embrocation SSR in the title. Check it out.

James also got a win last weekend, so I guess that kind of makes him the man of the hour.

Pay attention to his style on the bike though. Arms outstretched. Fingers pointed skyward in a sort of "pistol" style. I like riders with a little style and James had definitely got it.

We've got a new secret clothing jam in the works at the moment. Should be picking up those from the screen printer in a couple of days. I'm psyched to be back in Boston to see everyone, but also to finalize a few little projects that are in the works. Projects like, Volume4 of Embrocation. You know, the issue where we take a little Road Cycling, dip it into the a brand new jar of Mad Alchemy Mango Love Embrocation and then roll it in a nice crust of Belgian Cobble-dust. No big deal.

What is a big deal though? Working with ||||| JDK Design on it. (What? That's what they do, little dashes). So, stay tuned for that. I'll give you a little list of what to expect as far as content though...in no particular order.

-phil wood
-belgium
-pegoretti
-some cool photos from belgium
-the tour of california
-looking and smelling like a proper cyclist
-awesomeness
-training: back kicks

Fierce.

Also got to see Pete Rubi's art show last night. Good stuff. Really, really good stuff. In fact, it was great to see everyone come out and support our favorite local pro cross racer. Because, it is almost that time of the year. As you can see above. Kaiko and Jason (go there, they're too fucking cute) were in full effect with their Superb Hats...and if you'll pay even closer attention you can see that our sweet friend from Pedal Strike is also making the same Pistol Grip pattern that James is making above.

Well played friends, well played.

Also got to check out their new shipment of swrve clothing. This stuff is looking good. Jason showed off a little bit of the collection without going in to too much detail. I hear that renovations are going smoothly and the Boston scene should have a new addition shortly.

045: N a h b s : Wrap-up. Part One. Of Many.

I realized while looking through the photo and video content that I obtained from the handmade show that I would have to post about three times a day for the next...ok, so I didn't think it through that far. What I'm trying to say is that I've still got good stuff from the land of handmade bicycles. I'll just keep dipping in to it as things get boring.





A video of Sacha White talking about his new Speedvagen Track Bike. Pretty hot stuff. But then again, that is kind of what we all expect from Vanilla right? That's just the way that it goes.

I started a 'channel' on vimeo to put these things.
Check it out.

As I was watching this video I came across this little article by Amy Walker over at Momentum Magazine. They had a very nice booth at the show and took some great photos as well. I think that somewhere they had a booth set up...

The last part of her article she talks about the five things that could be done to enhance the Nahbs experience for next year. I'm a big fan of this. I'm glad that she has opened the dialogue as to keeping these things not only fun and exciting but working to expand the cycling audience.

I'm a big fan of her #4. Thanks Amy.

I would also like to add one on as well.

6. Expand the awards to include a number of other artistic diversions that happen throughout the show. There are all kinds of things happening in the periphery that are easily overlooked each year. Like, as Amy mentions earlier in her article, the lack of women builders.

So, here's what I've got for you.

NAHBS: The Other Awards. And the Other Winners.

Award:
Best Underground Club Formed During the NAHBS
Winner:
The Hot Tub Club.

You thought I was going to say the Framebuilders Collective didn't you? Nope. I don't think this one got the same amount of hype, but who knows where they will be in a year. My guess is that they're going straight to the top.

Letsee...who have we here: I think all the major food groups are represented. Signal Cycles, Villin, Courage, Seven Cycles, Cambridge Bicycle Shop, Chicagoland Racing (Ben Popper), Hufnagel Cycles, and if you look closely even Sachs in the background. (Thanks to Molly for the Photo.)

Award:
Best Guerrilla Marketing Campaign
Winner:
Independent Fabrication

What is guerrilla marketing anyway?

Guerrilla marketing is an unconventional system of promotions that relies on time, energy and imagination rather than a big marketing budget. Typically, guerrilla marketing tactics are unexpected and unconventional; consumers are targeted in unexpected places, which can make the idea that's being marketed memorable, generate buzz, and even spread virally.
- Wikipedia.

Novel concept.

This was their campaign. Taking over bathrooms everywhere.

What I would be really curious to see though. Is photos from bike shops everywhere. Because they gave out these posters at their booth and I'm sure that they have made their way to gracing the walls over more than one fine bicycle purveyor? This might actually make a good photo spread for an upcoming Embrocation: Bike Shop Bathrooms. I could see that.


Award:
Best Sock Puppet.
Winner:
Pucket, the official Artbike Puppet.

Pucket is the one on the left. I believe that she was given out as part of the raffle that Artbike was holding during their Goldsprints event. I don't know why someone would want to give up such a wonderful prize/pet, but who am I to judge. All I know is that she's got a good home now. I don't know what happened to the creepy blue sock puppet.

Award:
Best Nahbs T-shirt
Winner:
Duh.


I used the same image for the intro to the Speedvagen video above. There are still some available. You can get them here.

——

Now, maybe some of these would be considered "joke" awards. I wouldn't consider them in that fashion, but whatever. But I think that it brings up a good point, and that point being that there needs to be more going into the Nahbs awards and award ceremonies. For example and in all seriousness now:

Paint - These guys work their asses off to make sure that all the bikes look good. There could even be individual awards. Best Paint Job, Best Painter, Best Thematic Paint Job?

Booths - I've seen a ton of work go into each and every booth that goes up at these things. Why is there not an award for this? It might also make it interesting to see where they go from year to year. Maybe get a Home Depot to sponsor this award and give out a gift certificate for the winner to use for their booth next year? Just another little idea.

Best Use of An Old Thing in a New Way - I don't know if you saw the Signal wine rack, but that is what I'm talking about.