Day One - Monster

First, I have forgotten the cable to my camera, so I can't upload good pix at the moment! Remedy that later...

So to say there was a slow opening day would be way, way off! Being the first year for October Bikes to exhibit, and seeing that the show is in a different city every year, I guess you never entirely know what to expect. The gut feeling would be that a weekday, even if a Friday, would see people sort of trickle in at a moderate pace. 9-11am is press/industry only...11am hit, and man, it was sort of like the flood gates opening up! We had constant flow all day long, right until 6pm. Lots of encourage words about our bikes, softgoods, and booth! We are really excited to share this with you all and are extremely grateful for the amazingly positive reception for October Hand Made!

Another highlight, for sure, was seeing lots of friends, not only from the Boston area, but industry folks we talk to often, but don't get to shake hands or hug regularly, To you all, it's been a real pleasure.

I will work on posting pictures with another update later. For now, we've gotta rally to the show to be ready for Saturday!!!

For those of you here with us in spirit, your support, encouragement, and energy is felt. Thank you.

Love and gratitude from Indy,
Andrew & The October Family

We're Ready!

First day of the show today! Was so great to meet up with lots of the October Family out here in Indy! Everyone converged yesterday evening at the convention hall to assemble what hopefully will be the best booth at the show!!! More updates for sure later this evening...for now, a grainy spy shot of the crew in action:


Also, good-guy and cyclingdirt blogger Colt McElwaine came to the shop a month or so ago and did a little video and interview. The interview will eventually make it on to his site, but for now, click on the preview and you'll see my mug at about 1:15min in! Here's a link (on my 'friends' list on the right side, too. Definitely keep track of Colt's site for all things bike!


Wish us luck today!
Love From Indy,
Andrew

Wright Cycle Company - Ramblings from the Road #2

After making great progress West and spending a night just outside Cleveland, OH, I decided today could have some sightseeing mixed in. I did indeed stop at the Air Force Museum. Was really glad I did, and know Pops would have dug it. After re-realizing that Columbus is arguably the birth place of aviation, I also re-realized, thanks to a sign, that the Wright Brothers had their shop just down the road! Hell yeah, I'm going there! With the Sprinter on fumes, I searched for some diesel along the 5 mile trip to the Wright Cycle Company. I made it (even without a fill-up) and am so, so glad I did! A small shop/store front on a residential street was home to some fine framebuilding. The Wright Bro's made their own milling machine/drill press, and also had a lathe and an assortment of hand tools. A pretty sweet shop stand complete w/ wooden clamp stood in the space as well. The Ranger shared with me that the Bros never took any pictures of the inside of the shop, so they did the best the could from some historic pictures of the building where they could see in the windows a bit. They actually had 4 other bike shops spread around, so the historical society created the workshop based on one of their other stores.

I stood on the same, original wood floor where Wilbur and Orville Wright hand crafted frames. Yeah, I got a few chills as the magnitude of my vision set in briefly. Somehow, I get the feeling they chose the life they wanted to live as well. Inspiring.

Here's to the Bros!

Rambling from the Road #1

About 6:15 am here in Mentor, OH. Hit my limit at about 9pm last night, and it took me a bit to find a low rate, but not-so-scary hotel room... A check of the map, a small amount of emailing, and I hit the sack.

Good day on the road. Made it about 2/3 of the way to Indy, so an easy day will ensue today. Considered a stop at Niagra Falls, but the sun was already setting when I had to make my decision to catch the exit. If I'm going to stop, I'd actually like to see the Falls!!! Maybe on the way home... Was so beautiful to see lots of deer in the fields off to the side of the highway, pretty much the entire way through New York.

Consulting the map, I realized this journey will be taking me through Dayton, OH. Some of you may know that I'm a bit of an aerospace nerd. It was the reason I studied mechanical engineering...(and the vehicle that got me to be living my dream as a framebuilder) What Dayton means to me is the US Air Force Museum... Now, I'm absolutely no lover of war and violence, but I do have this thing for the incredible science of flight. Much more importantly, however, is that a trip to the museum was something we talked about, but never got to do together before my dad passed away.

Today I'll be enjoying the museum with you Pop, wishing you were here with me, and smiling the same way I would if indeed that was the case.

Don't wait. Ever. For Anything.

Love from the Journey,
Andrew

Indianapolis, Anyone?! NAHBS 2009

The time has come - the culmination of energy, spirit, vision, and the most amazing support. The 'Official October Hand Made (rental) Sprinter' is leaving the gate... Chills, butterflies, adrenaline...this is going to be a really, really big deal for October Hand Made. As you may or may not know, this will be the first time we've exhibited at a trade show. Sure, there have been plenty of opportunities to meet us at the races...but this is different. The October Family has put so much energy and love into our booth, we couldn't be more excited or proud to share it with everyone. To all that support our journey, thank you. For those who have lent a hand, a brain, a muscle, or some sort of high-tech printing apparatus, you have helped us achieve a wonderful goal. Grateful is the word, but it seems a little weak for the feelings.

Please keep an eye on the blog over the next week or so. I'm planning some posts along the journey, and definitely daily wrap-ups from the show. If you will be with us in Indy, please stop by for a hi-5 or fist-bump. We'd love to meet you, show you the bikes, and share the vision.

Much love,
October Hand Made Bikes

Ride, October

Today was a day I saw a smile. A smile that touches you from the tip of your toes to the top of your head. I have an amazing crew, amazing support, and amazing amazingness. Today was the first of many days where I get back way, way more than I could ever give. Thank you to the Worlds Greatest Adventurer for being a part of a magical journey that mimics nothing I could have ever imagined. Well, maybe just a little bit...

Ride October