The good folks at Peloton have posted part II of the interview I did with Patrick Brady. Here’s the link to part II – Interview part II.

Thanks for reading -

Dave

I’m not sure what it is about Steve Jobs work and his way too early death that moves me so. A lot of great inventors and businessmen have died during my time and none have made me sad the way the death of Jobs does. It’s interesting. I doubt many in the public shed a tear when Henry Ford or Thomas Edison died so I’ve wondered what it is about Steve Jobs that is different. I think it’s two things – first and foremost he wanted to make beautiful things that work beautifully. He was an artist first who had a vision that few others could see. Second is that he wasn’t done – his time was cut short. Ford and Edison died old rich guys that were mostly trying to get richer off what they’d done decades before. Jobs was concerned with what he was coming next – and now we will never know. That is sad. Steve Jobs made so many lives more enjoyable – including mine.

I first saw this YouTube clip when Sonia posted it on my Facebook wall and I wanted to be sure I did my very small part in sharing it with the greater world.

Thanks for reading and have a great weekend.

Dave

Just in case you didn’t know there is a very cool magazine out there called Peloton. The man Patrick Brady has done a series of interviews with some of the movers and shakers in the handbuilt world and just recently posted part 1 of an interview he did with me. You can see it here -interview.

I’m not sure when part II will be posted but I’ll give you the heads up when that happens.

Thanks for reading,

Dave

by Karin Kirk

Day 3 – Pragelpass

Here is part 2 of the ride report from our Swiss trip.

After a successful day on the Klausenpass, our next target was Pragelpass. This is a minor road in the valley next to the Klausenpass. George had to return to work, so Megan and I set out on our own. The day began easily enough with 16km of descending from Linthal to Glarus. In Glarus, we found our way to a small road that was the start of the climb.

On paper, Pragelpass looked easier than Klausenpass. It had less elevation gain and was at a lower elevation. Over 21 km the road climbed 1039 meters (3400 feet) in two sections of climbing with a nice flat section in between. (http://www.climbbybike.com/climb.asp?col=Pragel-Pass&qryMountainID=5536)

What became immediately clear was that while yesterday’s climb had thoughtful swtichbacks to moderate the pitch and offer you some rhythm, this road just pointed itself straight up the hill. Right from the gun the road was steep, and it maintained steep pitches for a long time. The landscape was different too, and the lower slopes were entirely forested.

Partway up there was a dam containing a beautiful turquoise blue lake and the road was flat as we cruised along the lake shore. But after a few kms of respite, the road resumed the ascent in earnest. Again, the road climbed in extended sections at a steep gradient. The lack of switchbacks and the forest cover made it so that we did not have a sense of what was coming next, and there were a few moments when we were grinding our way up a steep section and wondering what we’d find around the next curve. Would the road relent, or become steeper yet? We tended to ride a bit conservatively so that we wouldn’t get caught flat-footed and I also noticed that we were less chatty than we were yesterday.

On the map of Switzerland, the road over the top of Pragelpass is a faint line. At this point in our ride we realized that in fact, this is barely a road at all but was more of a paved path. It was sort of driveway-like, was only a single lane and had rough pavement that seemed to be loosely draped over the ground. This only added to the interesting experience of the climb.

Eventually we figured that we ought to be nearing the top, and unlike yesterday I was more than ready for it. After one last steep section, the road leveled off, the landscape opened up and we were greeted with – what else – a meadow full of happy cows. The bucolic scenery at the top of the pass belied the effort it took to get up there.

Our summit celebration was brief as we were late to meet my Mom back at the train station in Glarus. The descent was not as freezing as yesterday’s, but the narrow road made for some frightful moments when cars approached from the opposite direction. About 50 minutes later we arrived at the train station, and I think we both had a sort of shell-shocked feeling – that was a hard ride. But we were jubilant to have made it and we had a great time. We bought as much food as we could carry and hopped on the train for the trip back to the Bodensee.

Phew!

After that we had a day to unwind, recover, do an easy ride and eat more cake. The riding around the Bodensee is warm and flat and pleasant and helped us to recharge (the cake helped too).  It was sad to pack up the bike and have to head home so soon, but at the same time I was excited to see Dave and be back in Montana.

The travel bike was a major success and it was such a treat to have a properly-fitting, light and sporty bike to ride on these roads. I was really nervous that something might happen to the bike in transit but it was just fine. Now I can look forward to many happy returns, since there are quite a few Swiss passes left for me to climb!

Thanks for reading!
Karin

What is the opposite of being a ‘hoarder’? Whatever that is is what I am. If I’m not using it and have no plans to use it then I would like it to be gone. So with that in mind I have a few items that I would like to find a new home for. In no particular order -

* SRAM Red crankset and ceramic BB – 172.5 mm arms and 53/39 rings. English threaded BB. Both new in box. The pair retail for about $550. This one set available for $325 shipped in the lower 48.

* Reynolds Aluminum stems – 1 1/8″ steerer, oversize bar and 130 mm long. Brand new, simple, light and strong. Two available – $25 each shipped in the lower 48.

* Oval Concepts carbon bar – oversize. 440mm wide c-c with a 150 mm drop. Gently used and in as new shape. $100 shipped in the lower 48.

* Oval Concepts alloy stem – 1 1/8″ steerer and OS clamp. 130 mm. Again – gently used and as new. $50 shipped in the lower 48. Buy both the Oval bar and stem and get the pair for $125 shipped.

* Oval carbon seat post – 27.2 dia. Simple and easy to use two bolt head Like the Oval bar and stem it is lightly used. $75 shipping in the lower 48 or get the Oval cockpit package (bar, stem, post) for $180 shipped.

First come first served. This is all there is and there ain’t no more after this.

Email or call and I’ll get them right out to you.

Thanks for helping me un-hoard.

Dave

Update – everything except the two Reynolds stems has been sold as if 10/3/11.

by Karin Kirk

I just got back from a cycling trip in the Swiss Alps so it’s time to share photos and stories!

This was a relatively short, 1 week trip that was wedged between work commitments. The plan was to do 3 rides in the Swiss Alps, with a day or two at my Mom’s place in nearby southern Germany before and after the Alps trip.

The cast of characters included George, a cycling pal and Swiss tour guide extraordinaire; Megan, a Bozeman teammate, world traveler and all-around awesome cyclist; and my Mom, a happy traveler who is always up for an adventure of any kind.

I have ridden in the Swiss Alps once before, 3 years ago with George. At the end of that trip I was certain I’d be back for more. (Read about that trip on the Serotta Forum.) One key difference on this trip was that I had my own Kirk bike that Dave had retrofitted with couplers for easy travel. This bike fits me perfectly, has Terraplane stays and is a whopping 4 pounds lighter than the old bike I had been using on my trips to Europe. So I was especially looking forward to piloting a worthy bike on the alpine roads. (See the post where Dave describes the retrofit process.)

Day 1 – Poor weather at the Santis.

We delayed our departure for Switzerland by one day due to widespread pouring rain. We kept ourselves happily busy in Germany visiting the Mainau gardens, a huge public garden that has a great way of filling up an entire day. The following day we took the ferry across the Bodensee under clearing skies. The forecast called for possible showers and we hoped we’d luck out once we arrived at our ride location.

We met George at the train station and even though the skies were generally clear on the trip there, it started sprinkling pretty much right when we disembarked from the train. So we decided to have lunch and watch the weather. Lunch was tasty, but sadly the rain increased and we had a steady drizzle by the time we were done. It was chilly (in the 40s) and while the idea of riding up to the Santis in the cold rain seemed like an OK prospect, the thought of negotiating wet roads and twisty descents while freezing cold seemed like asking for trouble.

As a consolation prize, we decide to drive the loop that we had planned to ride. The route included one big climb and two smaller ones, threading through small alpine villages and farm countryside. The big climb took us up to the base of the Santis, an impressive mountain face with a cool cable car ascending to a weather observatory and communications tower on top. After visiting here last spring, I realized this would be a super fun ride location. But today, upon arriving at the Santis, the rain switched to part snow with cold, slushy drops sealing the deal that a ride that day would not be possible. What to do? Even though we had just finished a big lunch, some espresso and cakes seemed like a good choice.

After stuffing ourselves with cakes, we proceeded on our drive around the ride route. The valleys were brilliantly green after a rainy summer in the Alps. The villages were perfectly cute with everything tidy and well-tended. The adorable Swiss cows dotted the pastures and their bells created the perfect musical accompaniment to the peaceful landscape. I do love Switzerland!

It was a lovely drive. But I’d be lying if I didn’t report that I was hugely disappointed. This is one trouble with planning a complicated cycling trip; it doesn’t take much to knock the carefully-laid plan off-kilter.

Day 2 – Klausenpass

We awoke to grey skies and an impressive covering of fresh snow on the mountains. The forecast called for clearing weather and plan for the day was to ride the Klausenpass. This was the road I most wanted to do and I was really, really hoping the weather would cooperate. As we drove over a minor pass to the adjacent valley, we were greeted with one of the happiest sights I’ve ever seen – clearing skies and some emerging patches of blue. Hooray!

We got ourselves situated in the highly pleasant town of Linthal, at the base of the climb. The sky was bright, the roads were still wet but drying nicely and the snowy mountains were beckoning. Spirits were very high as we prepared for the climb. The disappointment from the previous day melted away and I had that “all is right with the world” feeling as we pedaled off.

The climb began immediately and was beautiful right from the start. No more than 1k into the climb the road surface turned to cobblestone. While the cobbles had us thinking we were the stars of the next epic Rapha video, I’m thinking, “Cobblestones, really? Nothing I’ve read about this climb ever mentioned this!” Luckily the cobblestone sections lasted only for the first few switchbacks and smooth asphalt followed. Next we got to a long tunnel, which seemed somehow disorienting until I realized that the road was actually pretty steep, but you couldn’t sense that without a horizon. Interesting.

The climb is broken into two sections. The lower portion has lots of switchbacks and ascends through forests and pastures with promising views of snowy Alps at every turn. The riding was not difficult and the whole experience was fun and lighthearted. After about 9 km of that, we emerged in an upper valley that was fairly flat and offered a nice place to regroup. Only then could you see the crux of the climb which, I have to say, looked pretty improbable as the road twisted its way through a high alpine landscape and lots of snow. But it was an exciting sight because this is exactly what we’d come for!

The ride up that upper section was one of those experiences I’ll never forget. The combination of the huge alpine features, the wonderful road, the brilliant weather, the perfect Swiss-ness of it… all experienced while riding a bicycle. What could be better! I felt energized all the way up the climb. We climbed at a pace that allowed for some conversation and as much picture taking as we could manage without stopping too much. The top of the climb arrived a little too soon – I was having so much fun and I felt like I could have gone on all day.

After some cappuccino and baked treats at the top (how civilized!). We readied ourselves for a cold ride down. We piled on all the layers we’d stripped off on the way up and raced down the switchbacks. Alpine descents have never been my favorite thing but maybe some practice or having a nicer bike helped because on this road I couldn’t help but let out a whoop each time I got that slingshot feeling riding around a switchback. In no time we were down from the cold upper slopes and were back in the land of cows and green pastures. Descending through the long tunnel was really weird and disorienting. We also learned that there was no such thing as a smooth line through the cobblestones. And on a section of rough construction, George proved that a flat tire was inevitable.

Riding back through the village of Linthal, we had that jubilant feeling of a successful adventure. What a perfect climb that was!

Climb statistics: 23 km, 1300 meters (4264 feet) of climbing. Klausenpass stats and description from Climbbybike.com

Stay tuned for part 2 of the trip report in a day or two!

thanks for reading!
Karin

I recently received some photos from a friend of the Frameworks named Dave and with his permission thought I’d share them. It looks like the places Dave spends time are a wee bit more exotic and historic than Montana – very cool. Thanks for the photos and the permission to share them.

Dave

Hey,

Here is what has been on my bench for the past few days. It’s a single speed/fixed gear road bike with two brakes and room for road tires. The rider isn’t a big or heavy guy so we went with standard sized tubes (1″ top tube and 1 1/8″ down tube) and my favorite webbed lugs. The webbed lugs are tricky to work with but I love the challenge and the end results. Fun stuff.

Thanks for looking.

Dave

Just a short note to share a cool photo sent in by a customer and friend of the business from Belgium. He recently took a trip to the high Alps to ride his JKS up some of the legendary climbs there and was cool enough to send me this photo. I’ll be sending his second Kirk (a filleted bike to be used as a commuter) soon and I look forward to more photos from far away.

Thanks for looking and have a good one.

Dave