Kirk007
04-19-2013, 06:14 PM
(to me)
My first custom frame was a Landshark. I convinced myself that I needed the custom geometry (in reality I just really dug the paint on one in George's window (Il Vecchio - Lake Washington Blvd, Seattle). It was completely different, and then George started telling me about John Slawta, and his history and I was hooked. And I enjoyed spending time talking with George and sharing an espresso with a colorful man who, at least when I first got to know him, personified ShimaNO, refusing to even work on such bikes.
Since then, I've sold the landshark but have two bikes built by Dave Kirk, one by Dario and I'm somewhere in the endless quo for one of Richard's bikes. What I've come to realize is it's not about the bike so much.
Anyone who has worked with Dave knows what a great experience that is. Smart design, spare, elegant lines, willing to take risks to refine the product performance,and committed to his beliefs - no ti, no carbon, just what he thinks is best. Generous with advice, a great partner in Karin and always willing to take a break from the bench when I'm in Bozeman.
Dario, I don't really know personally, though we met once. But his reputation, his product, his story, all these things make me feel connected to him just as much as my Marcelo makes me feel connected to the road. An artist, a master craftsman, a cancer survivor, Dario is another person who follows his path and I am happy to support with my $$.
Richard is another who I know only through what he posts, and thus exposes about himself on the internet. But his devotion to producing the best steel frame, his refusal to bend his beliefs to suit the customer (although I do wish at times he'd relent and put bottle bosses on a cross bike - it would make my decision easier); his passion for other quality products and commitment to his sponsors and the sport, all these draw me to want to support him. And I like red bikes. Now, through following his posts, I've come to the writings of his partner, Deb Paulson. Smart, insightful, thought provoking, these too enrich my day and draw a closer bond.
There are others who I hope to someday perhaps support based on what I've come to know of them. Steve Garro - beautiful purposeful bikes, overcoming, and from one of his close friends - both a great guy and a wonderful naturalist. Curt Goodrich - the bikes, the struggle, the apparent road to redemption. And I'm sure the list could go on and on.
So in sum, it has little to do with the bike improving my riding, it has everything to do about relationships that in ways usually not realized by the actor enrich my life experience. Sorta the same reason I hang around this place. It's no longer about the knowledge of bikes, its about broadening relationships. Most of the world's religions speak at some point about connectedness among all things. The older I get, the more I believe.
So on this rainy Friday afternoon in Seattle, tired and bored with the work task I'm trying to finish off, with the world spinning and tumbling in sadness and destruction in so many corners, I say "Chapeau" to all of you who make my days a bit more satisfying.
My first custom frame was a Landshark. I convinced myself that I needed the custom geometry (in reality I just really dug the paint on one in George's window (Il Vecchio - Lake Washington Blvd, Seattle). It was completely different, and then George started telling me about John Slawta, and his history and I was hooked. And I enjoyed spending time talking with George and sharing an espresso with a colorful man who, at least when I first got to know him, personified ShimaNO, refusing to even work on such bikes.
Since then, I've sold the landshark but have two bikes built by Dave Kirk, one by Dario and I'm somewhere in the endless quo for one of Richard's bikes. What I've come to realize is it's not about the bike so much.
Anyone who has worked with Dave knows what a great experience that is. Smart design, spare, elegant lines, willing to take risks to refine the product performance,and committed to his beliefs - no ti, no carbon, just what he thinks is best. Generous with advice, a great partner in Karin and always willing to take a break from the bench when I'm in Bozeman.
Dario, I don't really know personally, though we met once. But his reputation, his product, his story, all these things make me feel connected to him just as much as my Marcelo makes me feel connected to the road. An artist, a master craftsman, a cancer survivor, Dario is another person who follows his path and I am happy to support with my $$.
Richard is another who I know only through what he posts, and thus exposes about himself on the internet. But his devotion to producing the best steel frame, his refusal to bend his beliefs to suit the customer (although I do wish at times he'd relent and put bottle bosses on a cross bike - it would make my decision easier); his passion for other quality products and commitment to his sponsors and the sport, all these draw me to want to support him. And I like red bikes. Now, through following his posts, I've come to the writings of his partner, Deb Paulson. Smart, insightful, thought provoking, these too enrich my day and draw a closer bond.
There are others who I hope to someday perhaps support based on what I've come to know of them. Steve Garro - beautiful purposeful bikes, overcoming, and from one of his close friends - both a great guy and a wonderful naturalist. Curt Goodrich - the bikes, the struggle, the apparent road to redemption. And I'm sure the list could go on and on.
So in sum, it has little to do with the bike improving my riding, it has everything to do about relationships that in ways usually not realized by the actor enrich my life experience. Sorta the same reason I hang around this place. It's no longer about the knowledge of bikes, its about broadening relationships. Most of the world's religions speak at some point about connectedness among all things. The older I get, the more I believe.
So on this rainy Friday afternoon in Seattle, tired and bored with the work task I'm trying to finish off, with the world spinning and tumbling in sadness and destruction in so many corners, I say "Chapeau" to all of you who make my days a bit more satisfying.