More Photo Hotness

This bike is a prototype of sorts. Columbus answered my requests for bringing back the Max tubing, but in Life material. This, to my knowledge, is the first ever MaxLife bike in the world.

Fillet brazed and built up with SRAM Red, Cane Creek 110 Headset attached to a Wound Up fork, Thomson Post, Selle Italia Flight Gel Flo saddle, Zipp Bars/Stem and Flash-point wheels, this baby came in at 18.7 pounds. Race wheels would make it around 17 and it would give you all the stiffness you could want. Will be ridden by Josh Weir.

DW

More Photo Hotness!

Joe Vondesaar was the shooter on these, as with all of my bikes. Cant say enough about how good he is! DW

Ok, its on. or off.... or on... or off....

Ok, if you are close to me, you know I am attempting to lose weight.
Its not easy. The show really slowed things down for me. I needed fewer hours of working on bikes and the show and more hours of working out. All that is about to change.
Today begins a new era in weight loss for the ol DW. I am joining a gym and have some help in the "Velolosers" club. The Velolosers is a "biggest loser" type of contest among a few friends. At stake is $1 per person per week based on loss %. I am confident I will do well. My initial weigh in this morning was 291. When I grabbed my phone to take a quick pic of it, I had miraculously gained 5 pounds in 30 seconds. Not sure how or why or if the floor was warped where I set the scale.... so my weigh in is 296.1. Updates will be happening once a week. Wish me luck on this as I need to change my diet, exercise program and of course I'll need some encouragement to not have the occasional beers.
Thanks much!

DW

Crap.

Whenever things seem too perfect, they usually are.
I was thrilled to have the best possible apprentice, Alan "Bearclaw" Jones work for me for a couple months. Al had to change his schedule for a few reasons. I am not holding that against him. He was by far the best apprentice a builder could have. He could do it all. Graphics, drafting, slotting, mitering, prepping, etc. etc. etc. I cant believe I had someone so versatile and such a fast learner.

While I felt like it was a match made in heaven, Alan recently became a "fixer-upper" homeowner and could no longer devote his time to DWC. I completely understand and support him in his project. I also want to give him a huge shout out for all his help with NAHBS this year. That guy was "Johnny on the spot" and my right hand man. I should have publicly thanked him during the awards last Sunday, but as my lack of preparation got the best of me, I went to the stage without notes and my public speaking skills are seriously lacking and I barely got through it.

So, anyhow, Thanks Bearclaw! I appreciate you helping me out.

So, anyone know someone who is available to apprentice here?

DW

My post NAHBS thoughts etc.

While I know it was a fantastic show for everyone involved, I still cant shake this feeling like something is/was missing. I am eternally grateful to all my exhibitors, all the volunteers who kicked ass from the word "go" and to my staff.

A few things stand out in my mind, however, about this years show. Unfortunately, they are on the negative, rather than the positive.

1. If I tell an exhibitor that they shouldnt have attendees test ride bikes, they should understand and respect it, put the bike back in the booth and then not let it happen again. If I tell them a 2nd time, they just are tempting fate with me. Sure, "its not a big deal" you say... wait until someone wipes out and asks how much insurance I carry. Then it becomes a big deal.

2. If a company had to lie through their teeth to get in and someone calls me on it, who is responsible for allowing a company in? Ultimately, its me. Deception sucks and said company will get ignored for all future years.

Now, onto the good things. I had the most fun of any show. I was more relaxed. It was noticable. Maybe its because I felt at home because I was at home? Maybe it was because I had the right people doing the right jobs for me and I could relax? Could be all of the above. I just know I had fun and got to see plenty of good friends in the biz.

L-R Zullo Tiziano, DW, Richard Sachs and Maso, (Zullo's assistant) sampling a bit of Scotch in my booth.

Again, thanks to all who helped, who exhibited and all who supported NAHBS 5.0!

DW