Yo!

I have a brand spankin new site, blog and gallery.

Thanks

DW

psssst, don't forget....

I'm over here !

DW

Enterprise Rent A Car, kiss my ass.

Yep, the title says it all. First, let me give you a back story.
I have a frequent renter number with them for about 3 years now. Whenever I travel, I use Enterprise because they had treated me very well in the past, and actually don't mind paying a few bucks more because of the treatment. Past being the key word.

As NAHBS was fast approaching back in February of this year, I reserved a car online to make the drive to Richmond, VA. I had my friend drop me off at the airport to pick up the car. I went to the car rental desk for Enterprise and paid for my car, picked up the paperwork and walked out to pik out the lucky car that was going to carry Les and I to Richmond. I meet the "lot girl" out in the sea of rental cars and I pick one out. I start signing the final copy of paperwork after the walk around and then she springs it on me; "where are you driving to?" I tell her Richmond, VA and she says "hang on, I'll be right back" and she walks into the little office in the parking lot. She comes out a few seconds later and informs me that I can only drive to states that share a border with Indiana and not pay an additional fee. As it turns out, Virginia is a couple of states away, and each state beyond the Indiana border is an additional $10 per state, per day. Take 9 days that I would have the car and 2 states beyond Kentucky and you have an additional $180 charge.

I informed her that I had never heard that rule before and she called over one of her co-w0rkers and he confirmed the rules existence. I let her know, "hey, its nothing personal, but BULL $***!" so I said "hang on a few minutes, I'll be back." I walked into the Car terminal and walked up to Thrifty. I asked the counter gal, who was all smiles when greeting me, "do you charge extra for states beyond the Indiana border?" She said "Of course not, why?" I explained that Enterprise had neglected to inform me of that when I rented the car and asked of they had any vehicles available. They did. And you know what, it was even cheaper than Enterprise. I immediately reserved a car with them (did I mention it was cheaper walking up than Enterprise's online reservation?) and then walked next to the Enterprise desk. I told the counter guy to cancel my reservation and refund my money. He did just that and asked what the problem was and I said "I'm not paying 20 bucks a day to drive beyond Kentucky. You guys have lost me as a customer".

I will still call the Enterprise main office and let them know where my blog and my ass is, and let them pucker up if they still want my business.

FWIW, I don't think they will issue an apology, which is fine with me.

DW

Milwaukee? Nope, not this time.

Hey, its been a while, I know. But its good to see you again, dear blog.
Today's tale comes courtesy of the Milwaukee Convention and Visitors Bureau.

A month ago I was contacted by Collinson Publishing ( http://connectyourmeetings.com/ ) about going to Milwaukee to serve on a board of some sort answering question about NAHBS. Sounded good to me. I jumped at the opportunity. Lets face it, I enjoy jet setting around the globe ( in reality, I am a white knuckle flyer ) but I really like to eat on someone else's tab. Well, a week ago, I still don't have an itinerary. Odd. I do get an email from someone telling me that they need to book my flight. I respond saying, yes, you do. Then a call on Friday to discuss my itinerary with the CVB, but still no itinerary. Yesterday, I get a phone call in the morning from someone and they said they would call back in a few minutes with the details. 4 hours later, I get said phone call. I realize that there have been missed communications (to say the least) and now I have changed my mind about going. I don't like "wingin it" when it comes to travel. I like things to be well planned and organized, believe it or not. So I politely bowed out of the opportunity. Its best this way. If I had been out of the shop for 2 or 3 more days, that puts me farther behind schedule.

Anyhow, I was really looking forward to going to the Comet Cafe ( http://thecometcafe.com/ ) because I saw them on Diners, Drive In's and Dives. Hey, any place that will give you a basket of bacon when you buy a beer on Sunday night is more than OK in my book. I just wish that the trip would have worked out. Damn the bad luck. I guess this means I have to wait for next year when my brother comes to the Midwest for a visit to go there.

DW

Joseph L. Walker, Nov. 9 1923 - Jan 1 2010

For those that didnt know, my father passed away on New Years Day. Its been a rough few weeks already. He was in the Hospital in Sacramento for a week before he passed with Pneumonia and irregular blood pressure.

The memorial was a good one that was attended by many of our friends and almost all of our extended family. My mom is crushed. She now faces the rest of her time here lonely without her husband of 63 years. Please say a prayer for her. Thanks.

I am sad, mostly for my mom. Yes, I will miss talking to him and visiting him in Ca. a couple times a year. I hope he knows he raised a good son and is proud of me.

See ya on the other side Pop.

Love,

Your Son

Hey, over here!

Howdy.

I have a new blog. Located at http://donwalkercycles.wordpress.com/

I will be switching this blog over to my more personal blog, with less bike construction and more stuff about racing, riding and other fun stuff.

Thanks

DW

Why DW, why??

Recently, I have had some questions arise about why I am supportive of Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, Kentucky instead of a more local school. Well, the short answer is that 2 of my sponsored track riders attend LWC, Brooke Crum and Mike Souers.

The longer answer would be that "... I had attempted to work with a local University, and sadly, it didnt work out."

I enjoy supporting junior and collegiate cycling. Admittedly, I don't enjoy monetary profits from it, but I enjoy supporting the young cyclists to the best of my ability, because I like looking into the future of our sport.

So, why bother explaining this?;
Because recently, in September, Lindsey Wilson had a real good showing at the Collegiate Track National Championships. I had loaned them a few track bikes and they represented my brand well. As of late, I have been asked by a growing group of folks the dreaded question... "werent you supposed to be building bikes for XXXXXX?" Its difficult for me to discuss because of how it all went down, and the less said, the better.

Since that time, I had discovered quite a bit of talent at LWC. Depsite the distance between Speedway, Indiana and Columbia, Kentucky, I look forward to be able to assist these talented young riders, whether on position or technique or training tips, whenever possible. This is something I would have loved to have done on a more local level.


Thanks for reading.

DW

Status of bikes in que.

Status updates for the bikes in que.
Crum Road: Needs finish work on fillets and will ship to paint.
Stone Road: Waiting for special sized seat tube reamer. Needs touch up before shipping to paint.
Haldeman Track: Needs finish work on fillets and will ship to paint.
Karthauser: Drawing complete. Mitered.
McKinney Track: Hot! Nuvo photographers will shoot the build process within a week or so. Drawing complete. Tubes in stock, awaiting fork.
Ernesto SS Cross: Drawing Complete. Tubing in stock.
DW Fixie: Drawing Complete. Tubing in stock.
Hudson Max Road: Drawing Complete. Tubes, fork crown, blades and BB shell in stock.
Gabriele Trike: Drawing complete. Transmission and wheels are in from U.K., tubing in stock.

More updates soon!


Karthauser
McKinney


Ernesto
Hudson

DW