Well, we are back from Minnesota.  We had a great time, but it is always good to get back to Northern California after some time away.  The shop has been hopping, at least when the sun comes out.  It is great to see everyone busy here.  A1 has his hands full trying to unpack and merchandise Claire’s huge orders, Andre has been working his poor fingers to the bone repairing bikes, Paul has been trying to get as many new bikes built as possible, Jim has been trying to balance his last semester of school and work, and I have been just kicking back keeping them busy.

Well, it is our third day in Minnesota, and we are really enjoying our stay.  We have been visiting one of our favorite bicycle parts supplier, Quality Bicycle Products.  QBP is probably the biggest supplier in the US for the bicycle business, and they have flown us out and put us up in a hotel so that we can visit their warehouses and visit with other bike shop owners.  There are probably a 1000 dealers here or so, almost a small Interbike, which is our industry trade show.  This has been much more satisfying than some of the Interbikes we have been to because of the fewer people, and the real concentration on the bike industry.

Here is a photo of their warehouse and a photo of Claire with the Michelin Man.  We are heading back over today for a couple more seminars and then they are having a big giveaway of stuff at the end of the show.  We will be flying back to CA on Monday.

 It has been a whirlwind adventure.

Well, we are back to work tomorrow, but not before I had a chance to get out on a couple of bike rides.  Yesterday Claire and I went out on a 40 miler to Healdsburg and back.  We stopped in Healdsburg for a cup of coffee and a sticky bun, which fueled me for the way home.  I had just put some new fenders on the Burley tandem, and it was fun to see them doing there job as we cruised through a few puddles here and there.  On the way back Eastside Road, we decided to head up Windsor River Road to get away from the narrow sections.  It was a great detour that added about 2 or 3 miles to the loop.  We went down Starr Road and over to Mark West Station Road.  That is such an awesome area to ride.

Today I met Eric the Fireman in Graton for a little loop out to the coast.  We headed up Harrison Grade and made our way into Occidental before heading up Coleman Valley.  We are very, very lucky to have these roads in our backyard.  After hitting the coast, we turned South and headed over Bay Hill Road before stopping in the town of Bodega for some Gatorade and Cheese-Its.  From there we headed up JOY Road, which is such a beast from that side.  After dropping back into Occidental, we headed over Graton and then split up from there.  It was great to ride with Eric, but I felt a little guilty for making him pull me down the coast before Bay Hill.  Not too guilty.

Well, I am down in San Jose for the second day of the Park Tool Summit.  Yesterday consisted of leaving the house at five in the morning, checking into the hotel, and then eight hours of classes.  Yesterday was Rock Shox, Campagnolo, and Fox.  Today will be Hayes, Shimano, and SRAM/Avid.  These classes are VERY hands on.  We rebuilt a couple of shocks and also some Campy Ergo levers and hubs.  It was a good time, but I was exhausted by the end of the day.  I will write more about this later.

Last Saturday was the Grasshopper.  Since I was doubling my miles for the year in that one ride, I was not expecting to be very competitive.  This worked good since I was able to try and take it easy on some of the climbs.  I still suffered miserably on the way up Willow Creek.  Here is a link to my Garmin data.  What could be worrisome here is the fact that my average heart rate was 179, and that was “taking it easy” on the climbs.  A1, Jimmy Neutron, and Engin, our Cannondale rep were all there also.  I will try to post a picture later, I need to get down for breakfast and some coffee.