Hi Folks....

I might as well throw in here. I think Seattle is a great city to ride around .... especially at night. As for Counterbalance, it's true they are the shop where the messengers go/hang but I don't think they intend to be mean, just that they're one of those shops that has to see your face a few times before they warm up to you. I suppose every city has one or two like it and alot of people are put off by it. I think it comes from having a solid and consistent customer base that sometimes allows them to forget that a new face in the shop can be a good thing and can easily become part of their bread and butter. Take that for what it's worth.

Recycled, and Wright brothers are great. Charles at Wright Bros knows his coasterbrakes too ;-) I also like Free Range. If you want to experience something really amazing (in an other-bike-world sort of way) scope out Il Vecchio .... the roots of so much. They also publish the Antique Bike Quarterly which is my single favorite read (periodical) on the planet and I'm not even into Antique bikes.....It's a great window into another time and culture but still about the bike.

I'd love to do a Seattle ride .... at least start one with you all ..... and then watch everyone disappear ahead of me at the first big hill 8-) I'll do the math: 1/2 century + 250 lbs + Gravity = Ugh ..... but it's still fun!

Jim