Good morning,
David is asking me to make the commitment to teach my class, but is not willing to commit to being there, or even to ask how much preparation I will be asking of students. I'm sorry, but I am not moved. In order for the class to move quickly and smoothly, I will need the students to have all done some basic preparation. More importantly, I need to work with each student to make sure the materials he needs are in place. Hubs and rims should be chosen in advance, spoke length calculation performed, and then I need to make sure the right length spokes are available at the venue on the day of the class. Further, I have to make arrangements to have a truing stand available for each student, along with dishing tools and tensiometers. I will probably also need a full line of cone wrenches. This is a hands-on class, not a lecture. I usually teach from a bicycle shop, where the materials are all at hand. I have also committed to the cost of the conference room where the class will be held. On a more personal note, I have only a certain number of days off between now and then, and I am reluctant to commit to using even one extra day if I will not have a class of a minimum size. Surely in this current economic climate, you cannot fault me for not wanting to commit a lot of scarce resources to a "Maybe." Not even an "I want to take your class, what advance work would I be required to do?" Just "I might be there, and if I'm there, I want the class to be available." Sorry if this does not seem very accomodating, but it is what I have to do to preserve what is left of my sanity.
Earle Young Madison, Wisconsin, USA
David wrote>
> I very much want to take your wheel building class. It's just that I'm
> uncertain whether I can afford to attend the Cirque at all in the current
> economic circumstances. If I'm there (and I hope to be) I'll sign up.
> Please don't cancel early! Most folks procrastinate. I am certain you will
> have at least a dozen folks in your class-- even if all twelve sign up on
> the day of the class!
>
> Cheers!
>
> David
>
> David G. White
> Burlington, VT