Danielle had a conference in Portland Oregon and talk in Missoula Montanna, so we made a road trip of it. We visited some friends and family along the way. I took advantage of the opportunity to visit some frame builders I meet at the San Diego Custom Bike Show in April. I visited Keith Anderson (Keith Anderson Cycles) in Grants Pass Oregon, - Fred Cuthbert (Wolfhound Cycles) in Talent Oregon, and Mike DeSalvo (DeSalvo Cycles) in Ashland Oregon. Kieth does the most amazing things with paint, Fred takes tube bending and artistic style to the next level, and Mike's TIG welding and frame building background is incredible. These guys were great - it was great spending time with them in their respective workshops and talking shop them.
Of course while in the mountainous northwest - I got the opportunity to test my most recent build on the local single track...
Ashland's single track was outstanding - well maintained, bermed, curvy, twisty, with lots of dips, dives, jumps and loads of vertical.
Missoula's single track - while completely different from Ashland's was also outstanding. Riding the Rattlesnake NRA area reminded me so much of riding the western loop of Hall Ranch above Lyons Colorado. Empty, windy, curvy, flowing single track surrounded by grassy green meadows.
Talking with those guys gave me some great ideas, now I'll just have to see what I can do with them.
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