Hi everyone,
I'm sorry for some it has been a bad year to be in the bike biz. I personally count my blessings that nothing like that happened while I was in the business myself (where's some wood to knock on....aah here's some right atop my sholders). The bike biz can be a cruel mistress, it's more a business of passion than profit for those who hold high standards of principal and integrity. I hope those who really love the business never encounter any of the few hard knocks that have befallen some this year.
Anybody up for some good news? How about this. My new enterprise seems to be MUCH bigger than even I imagined. The ball has begun to roll and is picking up steam at an alarming rate. My process produces for all intents and purposes a $100 bill every minute. Sure, I only feel like working about 100 minutes a day, but none the less every minute I work makes a $100 bill. OK, not good enough news....could easily begin printing $500 bills at any time. I think I could take a liking to this inventor gig. Just so happens than my new work is 100 times easier than framebuilding and 100 times more fun! I know, how could anything be more fun than making quality handmade custom bike frames? I never thought it possible myself until two months ago.
To keep this message on topic as much as possible I'll get back to things that relate to vintage bikes. MORE GOOD NEWS! (OK, for me, not neccessarily you). I would have to say there is a better than 80% chance that I will have to put an immediate stop to any incomming paint/restoration/repair projects within a very short time since there's no way in hell I'm going to continue doing that considering my other source of income. The last time I mentioned something like this I kinda shot myself in the foot by causing "a run on the bank" for frame orders. This time (having 1000% more confidence in my invention) I will not allow that to happen. I know, to some of you people this sounds like bad news; but to a few people in the bike biz (you people know who you are) it's music to your ears (sing along....the wicked witch of the West is dead....)
I know I've been teasing everyone a bit with all of this, but I think the time may be very near for me to reveal my secret (perhaps on national television). Stay tuned....
Brian Baylis La Mesa, CA
>
> This has been a terrible year for the bike biz indeed! I can only partly
> relate to this report. Earlier in June or July, can't remember for sure, an
> arson set fire to his apartment which is above my Mother's bike shop. The
> resulting water and smoke damage were enough to claim quite a substantial
> $$. Several bicycles stored in an upstairs area were also deceased as a
> result. To make matters worse, The arson passed me the other day at my place
> of work, he claimed some type of religious reasons for keeping him out of
> jail and health reasons. He is now out walking around freely! And Several
> people living in the apartment at the time could have died as a result. But
> he is free? Like they say, When it rains, it pours. Seems like all the bad
> luck comes at one time. Hope everything works out Ok for Renaissance Cylces!
>
> Walt Skrzypek
> Falls Creek, Pa
>
> >From: "Eric Elman" <tr4play@home.com>
> >To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> >Subject: [Classicrendezvous] Fire at Renaissance-Cycles
> >Date: Tue, 21 Nov 2000 19:15:21 -0600
> >
> >I had just finalized another order with BC and receievd this
> >reply...thought
> >I'd share this sad news with the rest of the CR list.
> >
> >
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: renaissance-cycles <info@renaissance-cycles.com>
> >To: Eric Elman <tr4play@home.com>
> >Sent: Tuesday, November 21, 2000 5:45 PM
> >Subject: Re: Lost Crankarms/new order
> >
> >
> > > Hi Eric:
> > >
> > > Bad news! One of my neighbors had a fire and it got us too! As for now I
> >am
> > > looking
> > > at a total lost, I will know in a day or two what I am really looking at
> >and
> > > it dosn't look
> > > good! Your order was on-line for out going tomorrow, but I think
> > > not.............Sorry!
> > > I will still be in business, but I will only be able to fill orders from
> >my
> > > suppliers stock.
> > > Everything we had listed was in our hands, about ($ 250K!) in Campy
> >small
> > > parts alone!!
> > >
> > > My landlord had fire works stored there!
> > >
> > > Knock me down and I'll get up and do it again,
> > > Baron