Categories
Advocacy/Awareness

Sky King’s take on Austin

While much of our time in Austin was spent inside at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show, we did get out and about a bit.  Most of these photo’s were taken with my phone but thought it would be fun to give you a little view of some of the things we saw.

I must confess, on day one, we observed a gentleman riding his bicycle wearing nothing but a G-string, way too much information for us.  Needless to say we decided no one else needed to be exposed to that either.

Ironwork Arch in East Austin

As a bit of a history nut, I imagine this Arch as an entrance to East Austin that the community installed to declare a neighborhood existence beyond downtown Austin. Now somewhat drawfed by I35 it still stands with pride.

Also in East Austin was this funky neighbor music venue and some interesting tiled mosaic murals.

Neighborhood music venue
tile mosaic mural

Eating at Scholz Garten, was a treat, Only a few blocks from the stadium where the Texas Longhorns play basketball, the place was packed with people wearing orange t-shirts with longhorns but cleared out quickly once the game commenced. Scholz was established in 1866 and prides itself in serving German Food but they also make a pretty decent pulled pork sandwich!

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The Bar At Scholz Garten, serving beer and German Food since 1866

Our “go to” beer in Austin quickly became the Live Oak Big Bark, interesting taste, not real hoppy and a bit of blend between a black IPA and a Red Ale. Of course Jim could probably go into way more detail, but I just drink them.

The Live Oak Big Bark quickly became our beer of choice (sorry Lone Star)

Mellow Johnny’s was a big supported of the North American Handmade Bicycle show. They hosted a huge party Friday night but didn’t have honky tonk so we cruised the shop and then departed. We are happy to say they are a dealer for Zimbale North America and had the bags displayed beautifully. To bad this photo doesn’t do justice to this bike. Similar to the Surly Big Dummy and Mellow Johnny’s decked it out with propane hot plate and mixing bowls – was pretty entertaining. The panniers are Giant – could probably stuff two kids, all the groceries and the kitchen sink.

Treks extended bicycle

The Bike Hermit has the highest metabolism of anyone I know so finding Whole Foods was on the top of the list. The Austin store is the flag ship and a must visit for anyone who goes to Austin. I thought this “desert” stream in their landscaping was quite pleasant and deserving of a photo.

When at the Austin Whole Foods, be sure to admire the desert stream.

As I failed to do much research prior to our trip regarding bike rental options, I was the queen of walking. BUT just so you know, Austin Bike Tours and Rentals not only rents bikes they deliver and pick them up when you are done – DANG
I walked past this very clever bike rack, if you have any old frames in your garage, just weld them together!

recycled bike frames make a great bike rack!
Categories
Austin to New Orleans Tour Living Vicariously

Austin to New Orleans-Goin’ Down Groovin’

While the Bike Hermit is exploring Texas and Louisiana, he is journaling on Crazy Guy on A Bike.  Here are a few photos and the link to his Journal

Chief - aka A. Homer Hilson loaded and ready to roll
the Bike Hermit, happy to be wearing his new jersey by Club Ride
Three nice pockets and comfortable pleating on this Club Ride Jersey
The Bike Hermit rolling out of the Sheraton Hotel, Downtown Austin
The first of many routes to New Orleans
Categories
Touring Bicycles

NAHBS, Day One, cont.

Jon Littleford makes custom touring bikes in Portland, OR with an emphasis on durability and usefulness. Where have I heard that before?

Holder for u-lock on rear rack.
Meticulous
Integration
Integrated front rack.

Now I realize, after looking at these photos that I may have missed some details on this bike like the routing of the rear brake housing..is it actually inside the rack tube? Have to go back tomorrow and see.

The brake housing enters the top tube and exits through the rack braces in lower right.

Indeed after closer inspection the brake cable/housing enters the top tube and exits from the rack support behind the seat tube. Very clever and clean. I wonder how hard it is to change the cables!

Categories
Touring Bicycles

NAHBS , Day One

Tim had this bike painted twice and still was not completely happy. Looked pretty good to me!

As promised, here is a pic of  Tim O’Donell’s fillet brazed road bike. We are right next to YiPsan Bicycles‘ booth. Renold has some good ideas. Especially the porteur/low rider front rack. The two side platforms on the front rack come off and attach to the lower stays to support panniers. A really clever solution and one that I’m sure will be reproduced in a production way by somebody judging from the number of photos taken during the day. When you see it, know where it came from.

The YiPsan transformer rack. The right side of the platform has been removed and attached to the right stays to support a low rider pannier.
The YiPsan transformer front rack.
YiPsan transformer rack. This is the right side platform attached to the side for a front low rider pannier
Categories
Event Coverage

NAHBS 2011, Austin, TX

80 degrees today in Austin. 34 with snow on the ground back home.

We are in Austin for the 2011 North American Handmade Bicycle Show. Framebuilder Don Walker had the brainstorm for this show and produced the first one in 2005 in Houston, TX. The show has grown over the years but still showcases only those bikes made by hand, in the exhibitor’s shop. Today Dario Pegoretti, Ben Serotta and other icons could be seen  helping to build their own booth displays. Still a pretty hands on and down to earth bunch, or so it would seem.

Tim from Shamrock Cycles – “Handbuilt Frames From The Mountains of Indiana” was kind enough to let us use one of his fillet brazed road bikes in the Zimbale booth to help display our products. I saw the bike today and it is sweet. Stay tuned for photos of that bike and maybe some others too!