Brian,
It's GREAT to know that the bicycle business still has some momentum and that the flywheel continues to spin forward. Everyday I meet folks passionate about bicycles. While my fingers are crossed, I feel optimistic and so very thankful. Have a wonderful holiday, everyone!
Jill DiMauro
Maryland
> 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