We got the new sign up into it’s final resting place, just in time for it to start snowing. Typical for VT this time of year. Despite being warm enough to ride for a couple of days, it is far from spring. We’re about ready to get right into MUD.
Things to look forward to over the next few days…
3 custom builds. The Dos Niner from a previous post, a Niner S.I.R.9, and a Niner One9.
Very exciting stuff.
Stay tuned!

It’s here.
We had the first official shop ride today, even though only one other person showed up.
WE aren’t afraid of getting our bikes dirty. Although the bikes didn’t get as dirty as the last ride, the roads were much softer. So soft, that at one point, I lost all forward momentum, and almost had to put a foot down. Fortunately, I was able to dig deep, and get the cranks around a few more times before almost passing out. They had also sent the grader out early in the morning too, which made things worse.
Nothing quite like decelerating while pointed downhill.
It was nice to get out though, and see some of your common variety views of backroad Vermont.

Another nice part of today, was the delivery of the temporary banner that will alert potential customers to my presence. It’s looking like my sign will be ready soon too, so things are really rolling along. At least we are getting more visible…

Here is our very first complete bike sale.
This customer was referred to us by Surly, and we were able to help him out.
The pleasure was all ours, building this bike was an absolute joy.
It’s uncommon that you get to build something like this from the ground up, but that is exactly what we did.
And it’s exactly what we like to do.
Even though Five Hills will have a major brand (can’t name which one yet…) that will take care of a majority of folks, we still strive to service the full custom market, providing bikes and service that are just as individual as the customers themselves.

Although no one has seemed to figure that out yet. It might have to do with the fact that I have no sign yet. I was dealing with this one company, that shall remain nameless, that seriously dropped the ball. I know stuff like this happens, but this is important stuff to me. I waited for 2 weeks to get a quote, which I didn’t get, called during week 3, and was told that my contact was on vacation for a week.
So we are 3 weeks out now, and I have no idea what my sign will cost. So I called someone else. The big bare spot over my door will soon have a nice new and easy to see sign, so people know I’m here.
I never did get a quote from the other guy…

Well the pictures arent great, but we had a good time.

These are some shots from the big opening day party. And there was much rejoicing (yayyyyy)
While there is still much to do with the online site, we are getting off to a good start. All of the attendees are friends, some regulars, and all of whom we would love to see more often.

Some jokers check out the wares…

We are open for business!

OK, it wasnt this bad, but that’s what I thought it would be like… It’s been like 10 years.
Besides being sidetracked this morning, I managed to line up a few more ducks.
Looks like Friday is going to be the big day for Five Hills.
Bike 29 is live right now, but I can only take Paypal. I’m getting the whole credit card thing figured out. Stay tuned for more info….

Yeah, I sort of plagerized an already crummy ad campaign, but in this particular instance, it may have teeth. This is the back yard of my shop.

Up in them thar hills is some damn fine riding. You can ride to your ride if you are so inclined from the shop. The ride “Five Hills” is up in there too. It’s a ride I came up with that takes you on a tour of the 5 hills that Waterbury is built on. It’s only 25 miles long, but each of these 5 hills are steep. I’ll get the actual specs up on the web soon. Bear in mind, we do this on singlespeeds. In the grand scheme of things, I’m sure there are folks that have the fitness and ability to scream right through it, but for us, it’s more of an enjoyment thing. Yeah, we suffer on the climbs, race on the downhills, and talk smack at the end. It’s about fun more than anything else.
The shop is coming right along. Check back to this post for a before shot. It has taken quite a while to get to this point, but now it’s coming at me fast. Just like our Loomis Hill, it’s a long grind up, but when you get to the top, the only way to the next hill is down. Which is not a negative, stuff just happens fast, and you need to watch your step.

So we keep on rolling to the big day. But now, it’s the end of the day, and I missed the spectacular alpenglow because I was too busy leaving stuff behind at the shop.
Yeah, this is my front yard….

…to want to go for a bike ride when it’s snowing? I know some folks in the Midwest that will say no. What is wrong, is that I don’t have the necessary clothing for it.
Yes, I have warm clothes, but they are made for snowboarding, and totally unsuitable for riding bikes any farther than the store to get beer. Even that can be pushing it.
I’ve figured out that I have stuff that will work between 25 and 40 if I use the layering principal. Except for shoes. My lovely Answer XC-1s, that are pretty much mesh with a tiny bit of leather. Useless below 45 degrees, unless I want frostbite.
Needless to say, I’m going to step up to some winter shoes, and maybe I’ll ride more.

Maybe, but I’m busy. I have bills to feed and kids to pay jeezum crow.
Today was a non-day in the shop, but a big day in the universe for Five Hills/Bike 29.
Lots of little stuff happening that will grow to be big.
Tonight, we have 50 mph wind gusts, finishing off the weaker of the trees. Warm weather and soft soil this February has exposed the trees that will not make it.
Lots of clean-up on the trails this spring I predict.
However.
I rode yesterday, my first sub 40 degree ride. Soft? Yes. February in VT? Yes. Ride? Yes! Pictures? Yes!
Ride #3 this year!

For me, music has always played a pivotal role in my life. I can remember just about anything to music. I remember driving around with my Dad listening to Paul McCartney & Wings singing “Band on the Run” when I was 4. Blondie was huge in England from 1978 to 1982. Then it was Adam and the Ants. I remember the summer that Van Halen’s “Jump” was on every radio station. I remember my teen angst years with (the bitches formerly known as) Metallica’s “…AND JUSTICE FOR ALL” album. I crashed a car listening to Jane’s Addiction’s “Nothing’s Shocking”. An entire winter’s worth of snowboarding in Colorado can be summed up in Nudeswirl’s only album, and Swervedriver’s “Mezcal Head”. I spent 8 hours driving from San Diego to Monterey for Sea Otter (most of it in LA) with someone who is still a very good friend, listening to Radiohead’s “OK Computer” and “Kid A”. My son was born to Black Rebel Motorcycle Club’s “Awake”. When I was 2, my favorite song was Neil Diamond’s “Song Song Blue”.
I love music.
Which is why I bought some CREATURES.

They have quite a bit of sound to them for such little guys. And they have most certainly made the difference for me during the long hours spent painting, building, painting and painting. This post is for my shiny red Creatures, and their new home they warm with their sound.

And they are oh so cute