tour of the oregon coast

Elizabeth and I just got back from a bike trip. We spent a week riding down the coast from Pacific City OR, to Eureka CA. The coast is so beautiful, I've driven that route a couple times, but seeing it at "bike speed" is so much more impressive. I enjoyed the routine of rolling into camp, setting up the tent, getting a shower, making dinner and getting to bed, followed by coffee first thing every morning. Having a good travel partner makes all the difference too. Liz had to take care of me a few times when I was slipping over to the dark side. We were intending to ride to Napa CA where our car was waiting or us, but we both managed to get sick, and the route got pretty hairy from Crescent City to Eureka. So we rented a car and drove south a few days early. Our car was in Napa because friends Damo and Libby drove it down to the mountain bike single speed world championship race. They were in from Australia and were really fun to hang out with. They run a shop over there called COG bike cafe they even have their own Aussie -made frames available. Pretty cool stuff.

It's good to be back in Portland. Now it's time to get crackin' on some bikes!

Sorry folks, it's been awhile. Before I give a shop update, I have to share the a breaking news- our own Pete Z. has started his fall race season on a great note by winning the first late summer/fall race here in Portland, Krugers Kermesse. Pete raced on a Signal for the short track mountain bike races this summer and was always in the top 5 or so and won the last two single speed races. I'm so happy to see him rolling on his new single speed cross bike and look forward to cheering him on this fall as we all get muddy.

Speaking of getting muddy, we have three cross bikes that are set to race this fall. John, Brice and Kevin are looking to get messy soon. Two more single speeds and one geared race machine are in the works. It's only late August and the cross energy is already starting. I am never ready to race which is why I am so good at cheering. Look forward to getting out there. Till next time.

XOXO
Nate

cool new stuff

We got Caroline's frame off to the painters this week. It has some really cool stuff going on. Nate came up with this super cool through the fork fender mount and he made it look so good. The bike has a brazed on rear rack that needed integrated fender mounts to keep it in sync with the front mount. The rack was a blast to make. I love bending tubing and making it into something pretty. We are also working on some new t-shirts that will knock your socks off and will be ready by cross season. Speaking of cross, we're working on three cross bikes right now that will be getting muddy this fall. A couple will have built in seat masts and a couple other cool bits that should make them turn some heads. We're still posting new pictures on flickr so keep looking there for more of what's new. Thanks for looking at our work.