Show founder Don Walker and his fiance Lesley Schommer have been in Austin since Tuesday and say the city is buzzing with NAHBS talk. Excited? We are!

There is still (just) time to register online for NAHBS to save money and get in the fast line at the entrance.
________________________________________

NAHBS Welcomes sponsors: Shimano and New Belgium Brewing

We should say 'welcomes back' for Shimano who have been supporting the show since 2006, and whose innovations in bicycle components have shaped the way people ride their bicycles. Needless to say, Shimano will have some highly desirable items on display in their booth.

shimano-logo


And for New Belgium Brewing, it's a big Welcome to NAHBS for the company that makes such legendary brews as Fat Tire Amber Ale

new-belgium-brewing-logo


________________________________________

A classical approach to building a bike

NAHBS Best of Show winner Dave Wages of Ellis Cycles sent us this video of him making a bicycle. It was made by his talented customer Chris Harris and runs about six minutes. Well worth a look.



________________________________________
Proust Questionnaire: Dwan Shepard, Co-Motion Cycles
dwan_shepard

What is your idea of perfect happiness?
The satisfaction of a job well done, a bike well crafted, a garden well planned and cared for, a child growing independent

What is your greatest fear?
Being inconsequential

Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Mark Twain. He understood character, and enjoyed the world in numerous ways.

Which living person do you most admire?
Dan Vrijmoet, my business partner. No one works harder.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Laziness

What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Disregard for other human beings or for the future

What is your greatest extravagance?
I like a good vacation now and then

On what occasion do you lie?
Telling my wife I am heading home from work, or I'm taking a "short" bike ride

What do you dislike most about your appearance?
Hairs sprouting out everywhere except the top of my head

When and where were you happiest?
The day I learned to ride a bicycle

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I could be friendlier

If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be?
We would stop arguing about petty things.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Being a good father

If you died and came back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?
I don't know, but given a choice I think I'd enjoy being a hawk or eagle, soaring on the thermals.

What is your most treasured possession?
My mind. I'd hate to lose it, but if I did I suppose I wouldn't know.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Lost time

Who are your heroes in real life?
People who embrace their work and do it as though it makes a real difference. It does.

What is it you most dislike?
The question, "couldn't you just ___?"

How would you like to die?
Are you threatening me?

What is your motto?
It ain't what you do, it's the way that you do it.
top
________________________________________

3 p.m. Sunday, 27th

By this time, some people have already left the show. We think you should stay, because for many this is the most exciting part of the weekend. Each year throughout the history of the show, NAHBS is brought to its culmination by two key announcements: the first is the revelation of a closely kept secret: the venue of next year's show; the second is the NAHBS Awards winners. NAHBS Award Archives
The NAHBS Awards are made in 16 categories and are what the Awards jury has chosen as the pinnacles of excellence at the show that year. The Awards jury comprises four veterans of the industry who spend the entire show sifting through the multitude of genius and make the tough decisions about who gets the nod. These judges are: Dale Brown (chief), Eric Vitela, Larry Black, Jeff Bucholz, and Ken Wallace. In addition to the selections made by this sage jury there is the People's Choice award, so if you wish to have a say, be sure you pick up your voting slip from the show registration or information counters. Finally is the President's Choice award, made by our esteemed president, Don Walker.

________________________________________

Sampson Launches Carbon Pedal at NAHBS

Denver based Sampson Sports is choosing NAHBS as the venue to launch it's new Carbon Stratics pedal. Features include a 66mm-wide top surfce, a no-rock cleat design, and an optional titanium axle model that weighs just 95g per pedal, these are well worth checking out.

sampson_stratics_carbon_pedal_300w

________________________________________

Hope comes on Two Wheels

When Don Walker heard the story of cycling Greg Impellizeri, who lost his sight as the unexpected consequence of a medical procedure, he decided he had to help. "I got in touch with him and suggested I build him a tandem, so at least he can keep riding, even if he can no longer see," said Don. A few days later Walker heard from Brooke, Greg's girlfriend. "Bikes were Greg's world, and that world crumbled. You are giving him that world back... trust me, this is MAJOR. You are making more of a difference in Greg's life than you realize." she wrote. The tandem itself will be on display at NAHBS, a fillet brazed frame with clearcoat, and definitely is worth a look.

Impellizeri_tandem

________________________________________

Richard Sachs gets Frame Builders' Collective emeritusness


Guru of NAHBS, Richard Sachs, the Massachusetts based owner of Richard Sachs Cycles and one of The Framebuilders' Collective's founders, has become its first member emeritus... view the full statement

sachs

________________________________________

NAHBS Social Calendar Corrections

The Mellow Johnnys Gentleman's ride with Rapha is Saturday, 26th, not Friday 25th. The ride meets at 6:30 a.m. rolls at 7, returns 9-9:30 a.m. SRAM provides mobile tech support.

The Bicycle Sport Shop VIP BBQ and Austin Original Party, which is also open to the public, starts at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. The Pub Pedal leaves from Bicycle Sport Shop at 8:30 p.m. If you'd like to go to the BBQ/Austin Orginal Party, click here.

We'd like to thank Mellow Johnny's and the Bicycle Sport Shop for the tremendous amount of work they've done in support of the Austin NAHBS. They deserve loads of credit for any success the event enjoys.

mj_logo
BSS_HomepageLogo


Revised NAHBS Social Events Calendar


These events are open to all NAHBS attendees unless otherwise noted. There might be an admission charge for some of them.
Thursday 24th
9:00 - 11:00 p.m. - Movie Night at Mellow Johnny's featuring Rapha's Continental film
Friday 25th
VIP Builder's party at Mellow Johnny's (invitation only, kind of hard to get into).
Saturday 26th
7:00-9:30 a.m. - Mellow Johnny's Rapha Gentleman's Ride
12 noon - 2:30 p.m. - Mellow Johnny's Giordana Road Ride
6:30 p.m. - Bicycle Sport Shop's VIP Builder's and Austin Original Party click to let us know if you're coming! (free drink ticket if you rsvp)
8:30 p.m. - 12 midnight - Bicycle Sport Shop Pub Pedal
Sunday 27th
9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Bicycle Sport Shop Green Belt/Barton Springs MTB Ride. Meets at Bicycle Sport Shop. Call 512. 477. 3472 for more details.

________________________________________


Last Chance to order your NAHBS Gear


If you are going to the show Friday or early Saturday you should still be able to purchase these limited edition clothing items: A NAHBS souvenir jersey by Giordana, and Socks by DeFeet. Who could ask for more? click here for sizing, and order information. If you are arriving Saturday afternoon or Sunday, or if you're not going at all, You can reserve yours for collection at the show, or we will hold it and mail it after we get back.

giordana_jersey_500w

sock_b_250w
________________________________________

Photos courtesy of urbanvelo.org, donwalkercycles.com, sampson, giordana, defeet
Well that's it! Thank you all for reading our newsletter. The next one will be in about ten days from now. We look forward to seeing you in Austin, Tx., 25-27 Feb. 2011. Be sure to check the NAHBS website for the latest news, and buy your show tickets online now! www.handmadebicycleshow.com