Moab...OH YEAH!!

The place rocks, I didn't quite have the time I wanted in this amazing place, but make no mistake, this crew will return. The photos below are from "the Slickrock Trail". Interestingly enough, it was actually a motohead in 1969 that went through all the tape to get this trail "built". Kinda cool, but man those guys are nuts.






Now we are hanging out South of Salida, CO doing some climbing and riding, both moto and pedal bike, should be a fun nine days.

Gooseberry Getaway !

What do people do after Interbike? Take a vacation of course. Conveniently located on the way from Vegas to Penatente, CO is Gooseberry Mesa. What a drive to get in to the trails. We camped, drank and rode. Here are a few photos of the weekend. Now we are in Moab for a day of errands, then off to the Canyon for a week plus of climbing and office work.

Interbike...simple as that.

Well, I am relaxing after my last day at "the show". Above is a photo of the frenzy about to unleash on day one. I was lucky enough to get an exhibitor pass and was able to snap this sweet photo from "in" the show. This is what a mob looks like at nine am before ravaging the industry.

So what is it like? Man, crazy to say the least. I spent two straight days trying to convince the manufacturers that what is a good idea...is actually a good idea. It's like the quire speaks Spanish and the preacher speaks Russian. However, we all speak BIKE. Check out this homage to the true old school below. Thank you creativity.



Then, what do you do at the end of the day? Go to "the strip" of course. And I got to see the fountain at the B, which was super high on my while in Vegas list. Next we head to CO to do a bit of riding and follow up with the umpteenmillion contacts I made this week.

Vegas Day 2...Orientation and Outdoor Demo

The goal today was to learn the system. I have never been to either Vegas or Interbike. 14 years in the Industry and this is the first trip...and this place is certainly a TRIP!! Above is a photo of the Outdoor Demo, which was good, but definitely not for me. Crazy packed trails and bikes that I really should leave for shop owners to ride. The trip is paying off for next year already.

The photo below is of the line waiting to get to the demo. I showed up this morning to see this and found my boyz...BIG THANKS TO CANE CREEK...you know who you are. We jumped in the truck and off we jetted getting to the demo.

Now that I am oriented tomorrow is down to hard working trying to find sponsors for projects and the company. I hope to talk to the right people and be in the mindset to get the right things done. Folks...please wish me luck. I think I need it this time around, feels a bit David and Goliath.

Vegas and the Death Valley Curse

Man, Death Valley is HHHOOOTTTTT!!!! Why? Check this out. It really is too. On our way from So Cal to Vegas we drove through the valley and sure enough, she blew. We lost an o ring that fits in between the dip stick tube and oil pan on the truck. 4 Quarts of oil gone like a flash, good thing the truck holds 15 quarts! However, we did make it to Vegas. Upon much research on Diesel Stop and a Powerstroke Diesel forum we figured out the fix. No biggy if you have a shop. But alas we are on the road indeed and a hotel parking lot is nowhere to get 15 quarts of oil spilled in, for both laziness and ecological reasons. So, off to the shop for 200 dollars in repair on a 4 dollar o ring, we need a bigger trailer so I can carry more tools. Now I just am trying to relax and enjoy Vegas. All 100 degrees of it. Tomorrow I will be heading to the Dirt Demo and hopefully get to meet some nice folks in nicer weather.

Below is a video from a pretty interesting mechanic on the ins and outs of PSD leaks. If you can't tell I am a bit of a wrenching geek.

Design/Build Benefits

Over the last few months we have been traveling the continent and reviewing on-the-ground, case-studies of operational bike parks and clandestine facilities alike. With a back ground in many industries, I find that we are forging new territory by creating a bike park construction industry from the ground up. Much like the life span of constructing a park you should first establish what the needs are. In the recent years fiscal responsibility has moved to the forefront and a municipal bike park project is no different. It is through all of this experience and the needs of financial efficiency that the design/build concept really shines.

Off-road bicycle facilities that truly excel contain elements of aesthetic beauty, craftsmanship, and experiential art. It is truly an endeavor that balances form and function. When a facility truly stands out it has a level of continuity and a level of detail unmatched by less unique amenities. This continuity is delivered through a unified vision and execution process, the core value of design/build procurement.

By qualifying and hiring the proper design/build team on a project, clients are able to achieve a number of benefits including cost savings, construction efficiency and an artistic community asset that is sure to please both the users and spectators. B4 Consulting and Construction Inc. is uniquely qualified for this type of project with a background in engineering, art and home building.

A specialty project like a bike park should not be left to less passionate design firms that do not understand the nuances of building the individual features and should certainly not be interpreted by a General Contractor based upon CAD style drawings. Having a true artist that understands the reality of the construction ahead; insures the ultimate product and the design/build model ensures efficiency and a better overall project value.

Take some examples from the skate park industry: (skateparkguide.com)

“There are a couple of design/build teams that insist upon the freedom to make any modifications they desire while the park is under construction. These skateparks undergo a dynamic, almost organic process while the park is being built. This design approach works because these teams have a high level of experience both as skaters and as park builders and demonstrate a meticulous attention to detail. The result is some of the best skateparks in the world.”

With the benefits of a qualified design/build team coupled with the lower general costs of a bike park project compared to a more materials intensive project like a skatepark or playground, building bike parks in communities is truly a priceless amenity to invest in.

References:
- http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=design+build+philosophy&aq=f&oq=&aqi=
- http://teampain.com/process.php
- http://www.thehaskellco.com/upload/NewsLibrary/ReferencePapers/DesignBuildBenefits.pdf

More...

An $800,000 park in San Jose, Cali. Yeah $800K.

Pleasanton, CA has one too.



They both look pretty nice for piles of dirt. The question is "how do we take it to the next level?" Oh, Oh I know call on me teach!......Please!