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

Haldeman's bike

Been a while since I updated with pics. Here's a few of Seattle's Matt Haldeman Track bike.

Columbus throughout, except for the Reynolds Seattube. Fillet brazed and sexy. More pics of the finished bikes soon!

its been a while...

Yeah, I know. I have missed you, too, my dear blog. Forgive me for not giving you the attention you so need and deserve. Thank you.

Now that we have that out of the way, its time to rant about a few things.

1.Nothing pisses me off more than someone who tells you one thing, then does another; and that "other" thing has a deep or profound impact on the original person in a negative way.

2. Getting sick sucks. I just recovered from what the Dr. termed as "advanced Bronchitis". The illness kept me from attending Interbike. Damn.

3. I don't give a crap if some over-opinionated ass is offended if I wear my kilt on occasion. If I want to wear it and it offends you, too effing bad. You shouldnt be so sensitive. Thats all I got this time. See ya next time kids. DW

Whats happening in Vegas today.

I am in Vegas at the Connect Marketplace convention. ( http://connectmarketplace.com/ )
I have 42 meetings over the course of 2 days. Its like speed dating for meeting planners.
I made several good connections today and look forward to booking the NAHBS location for 2011.
Just a few of the folks I met today were representatives from Providence, Milwaukee, Chattanooga and even San Diego.
Tonight, we have a dinner meeting with the wonderful folks from our next location, Richmond, Va.
I will keep you updated with our next day of meetings.

DW

Hey, check this out!

I was interviewed by Justin from the South Florida Fixed website a week or so ago. He posted the interview this morning. Check it out when you have a few minutes to kill. http://www.southfloridafixed.com/ DW

uhhhhh, owww!

In my quest to lose weight, I'm riding my bike much more these days.
Todays ride was a CIBA ride. ( http://cibaride.org ) Its my first experience on a CIBA group ride. I opted for the middle distance of 47 miles. Plus I rode to the location the ride starts from.
All in all, 65 miles and about 3.5 hours in the wind. Plus, it was unseasonably chilly this morning. Yuck!

I rode with a group to the rest stop and then it was just me and 1 guy leaving the stop at the same time, so we rode almost 20 miles on the way in together. We were caught by a group, getting close to home, and I had nothing, so I let him go and ride with the group. I soloed the last 8 miles in, by myself, in the wind (carrying my invalid brother on my back... but thats a different story for another time...) and then I had a nice tailwind all the way back to the shop.

So, how do I feel? My legs feel like lead, my lower back is screaming obscenities at me and I'd just love to lay down and take a nap.
Weather permitting, I'm going out for 2.5 hours alone tomorrow. Wish me luck!
DW

Even when I am sick I have a good time....

By a strange coincedence, I found myself with a nasty headcold while my daughter Tessa visited me here in Indy. What makes this odd is that I closed up the shop for the week while I blew yellow snot, coughed, sneezed and was miserable, just to spend time with my kiddo. So, whats the fun part you ask? We came across a book signing from a couple of cool dudes whom many folks might know.

Yep, Grant Wilson and Jason Hawes of Ghost Hunters on the scifi network. As nice a guys as could be, they were all smiles and very, very friendly. While I may not be a Ghost Hunter fanatic, I enjoy their show quite a bit and based on how down to earth they really are, I am quite pleased to pledge my support to their show only, and not of the ghost-come-lately type of shows.

The last pic is of an ice sculpture of a commode, since before their TV success, they were plumbers for Roto-Rooter. An ice toilet... HA!

Check out the pics!

at long last.... 19 years between track races

Yes, you read that right. I raced my new track bike last night. I know better now that I need more than 10 minutes to warm up.
So, heres where I tell you the results.
the flying lap of 333 meters was 23.2 seconds. Not as slow as I thought I was. However, I still had minimal warm up and it was the bikes maiden voyage. I am still dialing in my position.
I believe my bars are still too low to breath properly.
The 3 lap scratch, I won. Now, I was only going against 5 other riders, 4 of which were women. I really should be ashamed, but I am old and fat and have no speed or endurance right now and only 650 miles in my legs for the year. Not much confidence in my ability right now. The only reason I won was experience. I doubt that I was the fastest rider in race...
The 5 lap scratch, dead last. In fact, I wasnt warmed up yet...still.
Miss and Out, I won. It was 3 laps and then they would start pulling riders. I sat at the back and picked them off one at a time. Again, I only won on experience.
I packed up my stuff, half ashamed, yet half happy that I didn't totally suck. I will try again next week and with any luck I will have more than 1 ride in my legs for the week when I go back...

DW

My oh my... Good news that I just happened upon...

Ok, my all time fave band is actually playing a show in Indy! How I was so late in discovering this is beyond me, but lookie here!!! http://newmodelarmy.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=511:north-american-tour&catid=3:dates&Itemid=7


Yaaaaaaaay! I dont have to travel but 20 minutes to this gig. Yeeeeeeehhhhaaaawwwwwww!
Now, if only I can get them to stop by my shop in their downtime....

DW

The battle thus far.

I have been losing weight on a fairly regular basis. Some weeks I am up, others I am down.
The loss total thus far is 17.4 pounds. I am fairly happy with it. Riding is doing the trick along with eating better and no drinkie drinkie. Well, how about waaaay less drinkie drinkie.

ciao for now

DW

just some random stuff...

I am happy Joey is here. She helps me AND she cleans the shop. Props!

I jacked up my knee playing hockey 2 Wednesdays ago. It still hurts. I hadnt been riding because of it, but am going to try after I leave the shop today.

For some unknown reason, my twitter account wont work. wth?

Jason Lytle's new cd sounds so much like his former band Grandaddy. So much so, he should get the band back together.

I bought a USACycling license. I am a Category 5. Ouch.

Last night, Brooke Crum won her first race on the track bike I made her. Congrats Brooke!

Thats all I got for now...

DW

Meet Joey!

The search for a new apprentice has ended. "Joey" Brown has come into the shop to learn about all things bicycle. She comes from an art/sculpture and furniture background and I am excited to have this self starter in the shop. She made it through her first week at the shop, so thats a good sign...

She is seen here cleaning a 1960s Hercules 3 speed bicycle in for a tune up.

DW

Brilliant!

Ok, so I am hearing thru the grapevine that Indy's Major Taylor Velodrome just lost Masters Nationals. I am hearing that the change in admin at Indy Parks Dept. was kind of a factor, since the new admin didnt have the money to spend to host Masters Track Nationals. I'm no rocket scientist, but why would you bid to host Nationals when you don't have the money in the budget or at least in an escrow account? Why does this matter? I brought NAHBS to Indy and it was a tough sell to my exhibitors, but most of them came. The one's that didnt said there was no cycling culture here. The only thing is that now Indy Parks, in their infinite wisdom just undid what I had accomplished, the masses thinking Indy is a great cycling destination. Thank you Indy Parks! Dumbasses. Done ranting. DW

well, the misery continues...

Thursday nights group ride. After I switched wheels, used Chain-L lube on the chain I was about 6 miles into the group ride and then it started.... The chain went skipping, no matter what gear I was in. I adjusted the derraileur cable and that seemed to stop it from skipping real bad, but I already lost contact with the group. Rather than torture myself with the 20 miles solo, I turned around and headed back to the start. I was glad I did because the chain never really got a good feel to it the entire way back. I have ordered a new chain, a new rear derraileur and will replace the derraileur first and see if that solves the problem. All this from a tip-over crash.... damn. DW

Are you kidding me? Random thoughts and rants

I have lost between 10 and 14 pounds thus far, depending on the morning when I hop on the scale. I have been doing the group rides out of Nebo on the north side. Last week, I went with the Killer Bee's. I stayed out of the back of the group and opted for the front 1/3rd, knowing that at some point the wind would be a factor. The split came about halfway thru the ride and although I had been gapped, I put the hammer down and got onto the back of the lead group. The only problem with that was that I didnt have the recovery. I know I am fat, out of shape (well, round is a shape, right?) and old and slow... well, sort of. My body can still go fast. I know how to suffer. Its one thing I can do. So, after the split, with me hangin on the back hoping for some sort of recovery, we turned left onto Boone Co. road. I remained with the pack for maybe a mile, mile and a half. With no recovery for our hero, I faded off the back and was left to solo in for quite a while. I hooked up with the next group that hadnt made the split. I rode with them but my cassette or hub or chain kept on making nasty noises like it was falling apart... Not exactly sure what was up with it, but I came in with a feeling of accomplishment. I think a few more weeks of riding and such, and I'll be able to stay with them up to the sprint.

Oh, heres something that pisses me off...

If you werent familiar with the Project Tessa bike from a few years ago at NAHBS in San Jose, it was a raffle bike with all proceeds to benefit the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation).

The project took a while, as the concept was to have 10 of the most experienced builders in the USA all contribute a peice of this one of a kind bike. Each builder would get a portion or lug of the bike and carve it in their style and the frame would be brazed together by 1 builder and painted by another builder.

This is all fine and dandy in concept; the harsh reality of it is some of the builders took their sweet ass time delivering their portion of the bike. So, delays happened. Once the bike was brazed however, it was sent to a "master" builder/painter in the midwest for brazeons and paint. The bike was delivered to them back in August of 08.

I was assured once it was in their hands, it would be ready for NAHBS in Indy, because they were "clearing the month of February just for this bike". It became almost comical at how the next series of events unfolded.

On January 28th, I inform the painter the following information; (quoted from email)

>>>I will need the bike at least 2 weeks before the show to have it built up and photographed professionally.

FYI.

Thanks>>>

On January 30th, this "master" asks the framebuilders email list if anyone has a stainless front derrailuer braze on. I respond and ask if its for the Project bike. Of course it is. I overnight the braze on to make sure there is plenty of time for this to be brazed to the bike. Then I am met with a request 5 days later for the Cranks, BB and front derraileur, which hadnt even been shipped to me yet. I was stunned to find out that this "master" needs them; (see email quote)

>>>Which Dura Ace parts are they? If they are the new ones, then I need to have them in my hands somehow so I can work the paint scheme around them. I don’t know any store in my area that has them where I can see what they look like. Can they be shipped to me? I remember at Interbike at the Shimano booth, those parts had a strong color. I’d be nuts to paint something that didn’t go with them. You aren’t taking pictures of just a frame but a complete bike.<<<

I've been around bikes a loooong time, yet, I have never once heard of painting a bike to match the components. Okay, maybe thats a "normal" thing...?

So, after a slew of email exchanges, including giving this "master" a deadline extension of 1 week, the bike still doesnt get done in time for NAHBS. I was furious, because there was more time emailing than there was painting by this so-called "master".

Fast forward to March 5th, when I finally laid down the law; (see email)

>>>The time has come and passed.That bike needs to be in my hands on Friday of this week. To make myself more clear, Friday the 13th of March, 2009. I don't want excuses or explanations. Send the bike. >>>

I was done allowing this "master" the opportunity to paint this bike. In return, I get an email explaining that the bike is being painted, the decals werent done, blah blah blah, yada yada yada.

April 29th comes and I recieve an email that the bike is painted but it needs to cure for a week or two before it will be boxed and shipped. I just let it go this long because in my heart and mind, I was having it painted by someone who wouldnt mess around and who would do a professional, FLAWLESS job. Notice how I capitalized the word "flawless". This bike is something that is near and dear to my heart. It is in honor of my daughter Tessa, who was diagnosed at the age of 5 with type 1 Juvenile Diabetes. This bike is something special. It belongs in a museum.

Below are pictures of the bike when it arrived to me from this "master".

As a side note, I would like to say the following; these pictures are not doctored, photoshopped or altered in any way. I only wish to show how shoddy the work is from someone that many people hold in such high esteem. IMHO, this "master" is no master of the craft. His work is clearly half assed and he should be ashamed of himself for such a terrible job.

Now, onto the horror.

Good bye!

Dear San Jose Sharks Management and Players,

I am writing you today to inform you that you are now "FIRED" as my team of choice to support and root for in the NHL. This decision has been a difficult one for me to make, but I feel it is the correct decision for both parties, given the current circumstances.

I have been an avid (and sometimes rabid) fan of the Sharks since their days at the Cow Palace and have always supported them as a team, regardless of their ability to make the playoffs or advance in them.

I haven't lived in Northern California in at least 10 years, and I still supported the Sharks wherever I lived. Kansas, Texas and now Indiana, the Sharks were always my team. If I came back home to visit family and friends, I would always try to attend a Sharks game. Of those games I attended, The Sharks won approximately 35% of them. I thought it was me being there that brought bad luck, but we all know how untrue those types of statements are.

Last night's elimination from the playoffs clinched my decision to let you go. Before I totally slam the door on you, I feel that its important to let you know how proud I was of the Teal and Black when you won the Presidents Cup.

However, as important as that trophy and accomplishment may be, a first round exit to the 8th seed in the playoffs this year is as much of an embarrassment as the Sharks could ever have and as much as I can take as a fan. What happened to the team that dominated October and November? What happened to the team that was so far ahead in points, no one would catch them? A simple answer; They didn't show up. Gone was Thornton, Marleau and Nabby for the first two games, much was dependant on them and their ability to dominate at the Shark tank. By the time they had shown up, it was simply "too little, too late".

While I know you will have plenty of support in future years from the Bay Area and even areas a bit beyond, you will no longer have my support. If I wanted to live with a sense of "we can do it this year" only to watch a team fail, I would watch the Chicago Cubs.

Goodbye, good luck and good riddance.

Sincerely,

Don Walker (former Sharks fan)

ride report.

Last night I went on the Nebo Ridge group ride. they have 4 groups. Racers, Killer B's, Honey B's and rookies.
I opted for the Honey B's. Its supposed to have a 19mph average. It was windy as Kansas last night and it was hard work the whole way round. The group splintered even with a tailwind on the way out. I managed to make the split each time. We were echeloning the entire time. Once we turned into the wind, it was a bit more difficult for me. I skipped some pulls and stayed at the back a few times to catch my wind because I didn't want to get caught out there by myself. I held my own and even took some pulls once I had my lungs again. I stayed with the lead group all the way until the sprint. Once they jumped, I was gassed from my effort to hang with them after the first 100 meters and shot out the back. I soloed in during the cool down and thought to myself "give me a few more weeks and I will be contesting the sprints". Not bad for my 3rd ride of the year.

btw, my new road bike kicks all kinds of ass.

DW

Wait! More Photos?

Yep, these here pics taken by Brad Quartuccio of Urban Velo, the official NAHBS shooter!

Thanks Brad!

DW

Day 2 report

Ok, I woke up a bit on the "lighter" side yesterday. I checked my weight first thing and it was 286.5 I really thought it was peeling off. I went to the gym, did some stretching and some basic stuff like treadmill and a few little core exercises and then hit the sauna for 20 minutes.
In the eve, I went on the Nebo Rodge ride with the "B-2" group. I stayed near the front, because mainly these were not racing types, but more along the lines of a social type group but there was some serious cyclists in the group. I stayed with them up until I missed the split, right before the "sprint", only because I had no clue the split was happening.
Again, I am happy to say that my hockey fitness got me through this one. 26 miles total and about 80 minutes on the bike.
Back to my weight... I woke up this morning and weighed in at 288.8 Kind of disappointed really....

There is a good chance I will be doing Nate's "Indy Roubaix" ride tomorrow. If so, there will be a report.

DW

Day 1, officially.

Ok, in my quest to lose the extra poundage (hey, its not a quest, its a mission, dammit!) I went on the Wednesday night ride in Indy upon the urging of my friend and fellow builder Tim O'Donnell. Tim said, "hey man, its a piece of cake. It only does 19-20 mph."
Ok, so I packed up Bertha and headed to meet him and the rest in Broad Ripple. It was cloudy, windy and about 55 degrees, which is at my "minimum" temperature level that I will ride in until I have lost the weight and can buy some decent winter clothes that will fit me.

I warmed up at the back of the group, which is fine with me. I know not where the ride goes, so I dont have any business up front. All was fine until we hit the potholed hill at Butler. I stood up and pulled my rear wheel when I hit a deep hole. I stopped and tightened the QR as fast as I could, but the 30 seconds of stopping and doing the fix and getting back on the bike was enough for me to lose contact for good. I chased hard, but, lets face it...its my first ride of the year and hockey shape will only get me so far. I blew. I kept riding and eventually managed to see them ahead at a stoplight. Just as I got back on, they took off and kind of hard, too. I didnt maintain contact for very long. Damn. I managed to pick up a couple who were kind enough not to drop me on the way back. They stopped off at Butler for some unknown reason and I kept going back to where Bertha was parked. All in all, it wasnt a bad ride. I got in an hour+ and about 18-19 miles. My back hurt a little, but thats expected my first time out.

FWIW, Tim talked me into tonights ride at Nebo. I think I'll stick to the slower group, provided I can hang with them.

New report tomorrow.

DW

Coming soon, to a wall near you...

This will be a poster soon... with more graphics added... or not...?

DW

Even more and more photo hotness

My best bud Nathan Schickels new track steed. Lovingly fillet brazed from Columbus Zona and Reynolds (seattube), this red rocket is built for speed. The "NEW" Warp 9 Track Fork (cleverly disguised as a TT GS 40) is attached via a Cane Creek 110 Headset. The Zipp Bar and Stem are decorated with some brand (unknown to me) of bar tape that is chrome looking and imho, hottt.

A Truvativ Omnium crank and BB drive a massive 54 x 16 gear thats attached to the only Zipp 1080 track wheels in existence. A Integrated Seat Mast Clamp holds a SSM Regal saddle.

Look for Nate at Major Taylor Velodrome this year!

DW

Even more Photo Hotness

My new road steed. Fillet brazed mix of mega OS Columbus Zona and Life. Serotta 10.5 fork with a Cane Creek 110 headset, Zipp Bar/stem, Selle Italia Flite Gel Flo saddle attached to a Thomson Post and integrated seat mast, SRAM Red gruppo and Zipp 808/404 wheels. Weighs in at 17.5 pounds as is. Not bad for a big boys bike, eh?

As usual, photography by Joe Vondesaar. Thanks Joe!

DW

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

Wow.

All I can say is that my photographer, Joe Vondesaar, is AWESOME!

Bike 1. Josh Reddoch's track bike. Formerly clearcoated, now has a bit of pigment to it.

Bike 2. Nathan Schickel's Max Fixie.

Paint by David Somers.

DW

Sorry!

The above bike just came back from paint and is for Josh Reddoch. Really sharp colors!

Schickel's new steed.

Seatstay bridge and fillets

Yes, I made myself a new bike, too.

I know my posts arent frequent as they used to be. Sorry for that.

The past month or so has been really busy. The show is coming up in 3 weeks (a bit less now) and its really crazy around here. About all I can do is give a couple teaser shots of whats going to be in my booth right now.

So, please be patient... as things calm down after the show, I'll get back to posting bike shots.

DW