Bad news, good news, great news
05-26-16, 09:48 AM
#1
Bike Butcher of Portland
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Bad news, good news, great news
The bad: A couple of bike forum contributors already know this, but I got laid off last month. The severance package was good, and I've been in job search mode since then. I was relocated to Portland by my company to help start up a new manufacturing facility, now they apparently don't need me.
The good: I've had several phone interviews, and one company seems to be very intereted in me, and the job looks like a very good fit, something I'd actually get some enjoyment out of.
The great: I find myself with lots of time to ride, work on @jyl's Bianchi Rando bike, make some racks, and sleep in. So I mentioned the UBI framebuilding site, and my better half said "why not take it now while you have time?" It's local (Portland campus), and they had one opening in the June 6 CrMo frame brazing class. What will I build? Don't know yet.
The good: I've had several phone interviews, and one company seems to be very intereted in me, and the job looks like a very good fit, something I'd actually get some enjoyment out of.
The great: I find myself with lots of time to ride, work on @jyl's Bianchi Rando bike, make some racks, and sleep in. So I mentioned the UBI framebuilding site, and my better half said "why not take it now while you have time?" It's local (Portland campus), and they had one opening in the June 6 CrMo frame brazing class. What will I build? Don't know yet.
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
05-26-16, 09:51 AM
#2
multimodal commuter
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When life gives you lemons, you know?
Good luck, and enjoy the lemonade!
Good luck, and enjoy the lemonade!
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www.rhmsaddles.com.
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05-26-16, 09:52 AM
#3
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That is FANTASTIC news!
05-26-16, 09:53 AM
#4
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I wish you all the best. Thanks for letting us know. Great idea on taking the frame building class!
What to build?? Hmmmm, custom cyclocross ?
What to build?? Hmmmm, custom cyclocross ?
05-26-16, 09:53 AM
#5
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Cool.
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Bikes: 1996 Eddy Merckx Titanium EX, 1989/90 Colnago Super(issimo?) Piu(?),1990 Concorde Aquila(hit by car while riding), others in build queue "when I get the time"
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05-26-16, 09:55 AM
#6
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Good luck with the search! Make sure you put BOC routing and administration on your resume, who wouldn't want that skill set on their side?
05-26-16, 10:02 AM
#7
Senior Member
@gugie - sorry to hear about the layoff. That sucks! I hope the new prospect pans out.
Now, the real issue for me is how to manage my insane jealousy of the fact that you're getting to take that class!!! I've been telling Mr. VV for awhile that I want to take the frame building class.....I guess I'll have to live my dreams vicariously via you.
Seriously though, I hope you learn a lot and have a blast. Can't wait to hear all about it. Next thing you know I'll have you adding canti mounts to my R20!
Now, the real issue for me is how to manage my insane jealousy of the fact that you're getting to take that class!!! I've been telling Mr. VV for awhile that I want to take the frame building class.....I guess I'll have to live my dreams vicariously via you.
Seriously though, I hope you learn a lot and have a blast. Can't wait to hear all about it. Next thing you know I'll have you adding canti mounts to my R20!
05-26-16, 11:34 AM
#9
incazzare.
05-26-16, 11:37 AM
#10
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Good luck guy; that does suck though.
Very much looking forward to seeing your bike build.
Very much looking forward to seeing your bike build.
05-26-16, 11:43 AM
#11
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Well, it isn't fun to have your hand forced, but you've turned it into a great opportunity it sounds. Good luck and enjoy!
05-26-16, 11:52 AM
#12
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As with most of us, I've changed jobs and careers a few times, sometimes of my own volition and sometimes not. Every change has ultimately been for the better. The only regrets I've had were the things I didn't take the chance to do during my downtime between jobs. Your mission, should you choose to accept it (after this tape self destructs) is to have fun, collect some great experiences, and build a kick ass Phat Bianchi. Of course the mission also includes finding the next job, but for most of us, the risk is getting so emotionally fixated on the job search that it dominates the other 20 hours of the day.
The UBI frame building class is a great step. How about building it with SS couplers, then packing that bike in a box and taking yourself on a cycling tour of Vancouver Is, the San Juans, Italy?
I'd consider building a frame with disc brakes, simply because you already know how to braze cantilever and centerpull mounts. I'd also make it Di2 ready, for future proofing reasons.
I'd also build a type of frame that you're familiar with, because you'll know exactly what geometry and characteristics to aim for. Learning your preferences for a totally new kind of bike can be done by buying, trying, and selling a succession of used production bikes, a lot more easily than spending hundreds of hours building a frame and then realizing whoops, I actually like a different geometry for my TT frame.
The UBI frame building class is a great step. How about building it with SS couplers, then packing that bike in a box and taking yourself on a cycling tour of Vancouver Is, the San Juans, Italy?
I'd consider building a frame with disc brakes, simply because you already know how to braze cantilever and centerpull mounts. I'd also make it Di2 ready, for future proofing reasons.
I'd also build a type of frame that you're familiar with, because you'll know exactly what geometry and characteristics to aim for. Learning your preferences for a totally new kind of bike can be done by buying, trying, and selling a succession of used production bikes, a lot more easily than spending hundreds of hours building a frame and then realizing whoops, I actually like a different geometry for my TT frame.
05-26-16, 12:09 PM
#13
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I've also been between jobs for some time (the bad). Just finished what might - find wood, knock it - be the final interview for a new position that would be a welcome career change (the good). In the interim, I've become a welcome and frequent presence in my kids' lives again (the great).
05-26-16, 12:12 PM
#14
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Good luck and make the best of your suddenly free time. The last time I was in a similar situation it all worked out for the best. Hopefully you will be able to say the same thing.
05-26-16, 12:16 PM
#15
Pedal to the medal
Good luck with the search and yes, your SO has great advice.
05-26-16, 01:02 PM
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I was lucky enough to become unemployed when my kids were very young. Best thing ever! Odd jobs, selling my paintings on eBay, and part time stuff even brought enough dough to keep my wife mostly off my back for a couple really great years. And my kids still like me, too. 
Best of luck, Gugie, but as I found out when getting fired from a mediocre job in 1987, a couple of months of downtime ain't going to hurt anyone.
Best of luck, Gugie, but as I found out when getting fired from a mediocre job in 1987, a couple of months of downtime ain't going to hurt anyone.
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
05-26-16, 01:56 PM
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Ahh, sorry to hear it. But while I definitely don't believe that "everything happens for a reason", sometimes these potholes in the road end up being great moments of re-evaluation and change -- you end up looking back on this time period with a smile. I hope that's the case for you and this particular pothole.
Hey, I've been meaning to ask anyway: as part of your side job do you re-rake forks? I saw the thread about your Babe Ruth tool...
Hey, I've been meaning to ask anyway: as part of your side job do you re-rake forks? I saw the thread about your Babe Ruth tool...
05-26-16, 02:17 PM
#18
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Good luck to you, @gugie!
05-26-16, 06:13 PM
#19
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Good luck with the hunt! And looking forward to seeing photos of your UBI project (you know, or it didn't happen ).
).
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If someone can pour a Guinness with a cycle instead of a shamrock on top, I'll update my profile pic.
If someone can pour a Guinness with a cycle instead of a shamrock on top, I'll update my profile pic.
05-26-16, 06:24 PM
#20
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05-26-16, 06:56 PM
#21
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The great: I find myself with lots of time to ride, work on @jyl's Bianchi Rando bike, make some racks, and sleep in. So I mentioned the UBI framebuilding site, and my better half said "why not take it now while you have time?" It's local (Portland campus), and they had one opening in the June 6 CrMo frame brazing class. What will I build? Don't know yet.
Way to find the silver lining and keep your chin up.
We expect photos!
05-26-16, 07:08 PM
#22
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Yeah, I like hearing this. And of course I am also looking forward to a future framebuilding thread.
Another long-time member passed along good work-related news today, so May is shaping up to be a kind month to those seeking employment
DD
Another long-time member passed along good work-related news today, so May is shaping up to be a kind month to those seeking employment
DD
05-26-16, 07:32 PM
#23
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Lemons into lemonade was a great comment as it fits you Mark.. You should have charged me more on those forks man! I didn't know and support you just in knowing your excellent work and ethics here. Good luck!
05-26-16, 07:47 PM
#24
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That's good news, Mark. Keep the positive attitude and let's see what you make for yourself. I'm still contemplating that 650b Grand Record that we talked about previously.
05-26-16, 07:50 PM
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That's awesome, gugie. I've been laid off before too, but without the severance package.
But yeah get out there and get some serious riding in. I work in Portland too, but am usually home noon so usually do a 45 miler right after work. The weather is getting better and better, might was well take advantage of it.
But yeah get out there and get some serious riding in. I work in Portland too, but am usually home noon so usually do a 45 miler right after work. The weather is getting better and better, might was well take advantage of it.