NAHBS launches new site

Well, it looks like NAHBS 2010 is already lining up exhibitors, and with all of the preparations, they've launched a slick new Web site over at http://www.handmadebicycleshow.com/. The site contains some articles and profiles on some of the builders, major players, and long-time supporters of the show, along with info about the 2010 show, and highlights of past shows. And, I can't help but note the "Midwest NAHBS Best Yet" article on the splash page.

Looks good, Don. Keep up the good work, and I'm looking forward to/hoping I can get to Virginia for 2010. Dawson's on Main again soon?

Extra! Extra! NAHBS '10 in Richmond, VA.

Just got a call from Don Walker to let me know that next year's North American Handmade Bicycle Show is going to be held in Richmond, Virginia next year from February 26th-28th.

Sucks that it's not going to be in Indy again, but it's smart on their part to keep the show moving along, and some builders have been clamoring for an east coast show for awhile now. It'll likely pass back through our Circle again in a few years, but for now, just plan on a winter trip to ol' VA. It's only 10 hours by car. Congrats to the city of Richmond for winning the bid, and I'll hope to see you in February.

Thanks for the scoop, Don. Looking forward to the show!

A Healthy Mix

To anyone who has ridden in Indianapolis before NAHBS rolled into town, it's obvious that thousands of people who love bikes have converged on the city. They are everywhere, small packs of cyclists passing through the Indy traffic. And, they are from everywhere.

Indianapolis has long been known as the crossroads of the United States, and if evidence is needed, a cross-section of this year's NAHBS attendees should do the trick. Cyclists have come in from cities all across the United States, even all across the globe. There are people in town from Lansing, Nashville, Chicago, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Detroit, San Francisco, and the list stretches beyond to Toronto, Vancouver, and even Tokyo.

"It was a simple drive," says one show-goer. "Indy is simple to access by car, and those who would have flown to Portland have still flown to Indy."

With two-thirds of the United States within one day's drive, attendance has been record-setting, and positively eclectic. There are cyclists from across the spectrums, from urban single-speeders to pannier-laden commuters to carbon-gazing roadies. And Indy has presented something for all of them, whether the shenanigans of the ArtBike! party, or the simple nightlife and restaurants of downtown. NAHBS this year has truly been all things to all people, and Indy hasn't just simply welcomed NAHBS, but facilitated it to the point of embracing it.

(This was written for the NAHBS blog. Check it out for updates throughout the rest of the show.)

NAHBS got the cover!

If you find yourself near a NUVO stand this week, check it out. You will see a cover that looks a lot like the cover in this picture:

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After some hard work, we managed to get NAHBS on the cover of this week's issue of NUVO. As I mentioned before, Don is a really great guy, with a real heart for bikes and recently, Indianapolis. He and NAHBS deserved this cover, and a lot of people are happy that he got it, to say the least.

The cover photo, along with the photos featured with the article, are compliments of that one guy we keep talking about on here, Jeremy Albert.

For those of you who don't know much about the journalism world (including myself), whether or not a story gets the cover is about 30% dependent on the quality of the story/writing, and 70% the quality of the photographs taken to run alongside the story. Let's face it: good writing isn't the first thing that captures a person's attention when looking at a newspaper cover.

So, in short, I got the byline, but the real credit goes to Jer. Next time you see him out and about, offer to buy him Yats or a new tube (that Dano will likely need in the near future anyway).

Click here for the full, online article in NUVO.

Click here to see Jeremy's photogallery of Don Walker.

NAHBS Weekend Weather Report

Looks like a chilly, but decent weekend for NAHBS coming up. For those coming from out-of-town, I'd pack your tights and wool jerseys, but unless you're coming early (Thursday set-up, or Friday opening morning), it looks like you can leave your fenders at home.

Ben, Jer, and I rode last night in weather pretty much the same as what's expected for the weekend. I wore thermal bibs under jeans, a baselayer, armwarmers, a wool jersey, a good pair of windproof gloves, a wool beanie, and a bandana around my face/neck; I added a wind-resistant jacket later in the evening after the sun had been down a few hours.

I was a little chilly for the first 5 minutes, but once I warmed up, it was the perfect layering scheme. I was told once by my friend Debra that if you're warm before you start a ride, you're wearing too much. This is up there on the best-advice-I've-ever-gotten list.

Indianapolis Hardcourt Bicycle Polo

After a good while of talk, a group has finally managed to find enough poloists (Poloeurs? Poloids? Um. People who play polo on bikes) together to get some bike polo going in Indy. If you've never heard of or seen bike polo, is a lot like real polo, only on bikes instead of horses.

So, it looks like this:


Instead of like this:


It seems that this has happened at the perfect time, as players from at least 4 other cities have confirmed that they will be in attendance at NAHBS this weekend, mallets in hand and looking for a pick-up game. They are planning to gather at the Waterford booth around 1:30 p.m. on Saturday.

The only detail they're a little sketchy on is a solid place to play. If anyone reading this knows of a good parking lot, basketball court, or tennis court that would be open through the weekend (the closer to the Convention Center the better), feel free to contribute in the comments section here. Poloids everywhere will be thankful.

For more information, check out the Indianapolis Hardcourt Bicycle Polo club page, and also this thread on the League of Bike Polo website.

NAHBS next week in Indy

Sitting here today, I realized that we've posted about a lot of things surrounding the North American Handmade Bicycle Show (NAHBS), but nothing specifically about NAHBS. If you're sitting an Indy, and you like bikes, and you haven't heard about this show, then you're already missing out on getting to rub it in to thousands of cyclists around the nation/world who would give a left nut to make it to this show. Um. Women, and Lance, you can give...something else. Your left arm? I got nothing.

Anyway. NAHBS. It's going to be in Indy this year for the first time. Ever. For the past 4 years, it's been on the west coast, and cyclists all over the Midwest and east coast have said, "Damn. I'd give my left nut/arm/whatever to go to that; I wish lived closer." Well, you can this year. It's happening next weekend, February 27th-March 1st at the Indianapolis Convention Center downtown.

It's going to be ridiculous. Some of the prettiest bikes you've ever seen are going to be at this thing. Seriously, if you're not going, you're doing yourself a diservice.

And, if not for yourself and pretty bikes, then go for Don Walker, the owner/namesake of Don Walker Cycles here in Indy and founder of NAHBS, because he's an awesome dude who created something amazing and brought it to Indy for us, and deserves to see it succeed.

And, if not for yourself, pretty bikes, or Don, do it for Indy and the Midwest. We all know how often we are underdogged. I've heard the question, "Why Indy?" so many times in regards to NAHBS being held here; it's almost hard to stomach. Let's answer the question.

Check out more about the 2009 North American Handmade Bicycle Show here.