Framebuilders show part two:
Since the time that the event took place and since I've been home I hav e had a lot of time to think about the event and everything that took pl ace. I have talked with a considerable number of people who were at the show, including other exhibitors, atendees, and the show organizers them selves. There is still some learning and improvements that need to take place as with any event. It takes time to mature and settle into a situa tion that will run as smoothly as possible and be fun and benificial for everyone.
I feel Don did a great job this year and I throughly enjoyed every minut e of the show and the times during and after the official event. Not eve rything went as some may have anticipated insofar as the awards and voti ng goes; but honestly the awards and everything about them are not reall y the point of our being there. I think everyone tries to show their bes t work and that is part of what keeps the public comming to see what we all do; it also helps stimulate and inspire us to learn and improve upon our craft. The thing that disturbs me about the "contest" part of the " Circus" is that it distracts many people from seeing the beauty and the pracitical aspects of bicycles in general and it also takes some attenti on away from framebuilders who focus on racing and utilitarian framebuil ding; the type of framebuilding that most people find most practical and are most likely to own. I hope that the event helps them grow as busine sses and gain some recognition amongst the public AND the few "high visi bility" builders such as myself. Honestly, each of us does either what t hey do best or prefer to do and oftentimes both. I am not capable of pr oducing bicycles with the skill and effeciency that these people posses, I could never support a family, and I would not be in my element. I onl y do what I do because I can't do anything else and I know of no other w ay. I find my work satisfying not so much in a finincial sense, but from a perspective that is very difficult to explain. Most people are probab ly convinved that the AeroTour, for example was built "to show" and "for the show". Both are incorrect. The fact that it ends up on display actu ally has only to do with that in order to support the show and to be the re to have the great time I have with all of my friends I must have a bo oth. The bike is 1/2 completed, it is a prototype for the sole purpose f or me to learn and develope ideas on, and for me to test and beat on whi le I form my own opinions on everything from 650B wheels to esoteric mou nting systems and other functional aspects. This bike and concept began openly well over 2 years ago and has nothing with the show as far as it' s existance goes. The bike would have been built, and built exactly as y ou saw it wheather there was a show or not. The show last year accellera ted this project only because my policy is not to go to any show empty h anded without something that hasn't been seen before. I one year's time this is all I could get done; and it took all my spare time and the majo rity of my riding time for the past year to accomplish this much. All of that time was worthwhile for me in terms of what I've learned so far an d the time Carlos and I spent in the booth and with other people at the show afterhours told me everything I need to know about the design and c oncept so far. I am now beginning to appreciate and even enjoy the irony and other subtle aspects of the way some parts of the show went this ye ar; but upon reflection I realize that present now are many opportinitie s to observe the facination nature of human behavior and human interacti ons. This next year will be quite interesting and conditions are right f or lots of growth within out small framebuilding community.
So, I personally consider the show a total super success for me. I have to admit I enjoyed the musical part of our time there and the time I spe nt with Paul from Rock Lobster at his shop and home to be the highlight of my trip. I am now inspired to begin another project that I've wanted to do for a while and even some people have asked me to do; and that is to document my collection of bikes. I've decided to add another dimentio n to just showing my bike collection which will involve one of my other passions. One of the funniest comments that came after Paul and I had fi nished the gig was the person that said to me, in contrast to the typica l "don't quit your day job"; was the guy who said to me "dude, you SHOUL D quit your day job!" Probably true, but it isn't going to happen. But I 'm planning on mixing the two a little. I need to get my hands on a adaq uately good video camera at a reasonable price in order to begin work on the project. I've already scouted the first location for filming.
I love the shows. I come home energized (but tired), inspired, and warm from the glow of meeting new people and new framebuilders, and spending time with my friends and colleuges. I really haven't a complaint in the world and I'm really happy that everything has gone the way it has. Anyt hing that needs to be adjusted will be worked out and in time all things will come into balance. Thanks again Don and Leslie for bringing us all together for the real reason to have a show, and that is we all love ea ch other, respect one another in various ways, and ultimately we're all here on the same team for the same reason. The few bumps are nothing com pared to how great this is for all of us.
Brian Baylis
La Mesa, CA