My kingdom for a bike...

Today was one of those beautiful, warm, sunny days with blue skies that make San Diego so famous. The weather was awesome with temperatures around 80 degrees- yes, I know I am spoiled.

This afternoon, the Masiparents watched the Masidaughter so that Masiguy could go for a Masibikeride. Getting out in the sun and working on getting my old tanlines back was pretty sweet.

The punkin and I, as I was heading out for the ride.

I rode one of my favorite loops in the east county area of San Diego, in the semi desert hills of Jamul for about 37 miles. I did the ride on my scandium prototype- the same bike I rode in Taiwan. It's built up with a Prologo Nago saddle, Ritchey WCS carbon seatpost, WCS Carbon Evolution bar, Ritchey 4-Axis Carbon Matrix stem, SRAM Rival group and the new Shimano RS80 carbon/ alloy wheels. I have to say, the RS80 wheels are awesome. I rode them for the first time when I was in Taiwan with this bike. I put them on the bike just before shipping it to Taiwan, so my first ride on the wheels was over there and I was really happy with how well they performed. Sure, they aren't super light, but the carbon/ alloy rims provide a really supple ride with great sprinting/ climbing stiffness. I just got the bike back from Taiwan this week and I have been riding these wheels every chance I get... and I really dig them so far. I highly recommend them.

The trusty steed in beautiful Pea Soup Green .

The burned remains of a tree along the road to Otay Lakes.

This area was destroyed in the wildfires a year ago. The valley is full of fresh green grasses now and should be beautiful when the wildflowers are in bloom this Spring.

I didn't feel super strong or anything, but I felt a lot better than I did a few months ago. It's great to be getting just a little bit of fitness showing up and not feeling like quite the same tub of goo.

Soaking in the sun!

I'm gonna teach that cholesterol a thing or two!

Tim

Studio Time...

Today was studio day. "Gee, Tim, what's Studio Day?" Well, that's a great question; studio day is when we set up all the bikes in our little mini photo studio and shoot the pictures of the bikes for the catalog. It tends to be a rather tedious project, for the most part.

It's a (never ending) series of little tasks; wiping off finger prints and dust, getting seat in right position, seatposts at right height, bars at right angle, brake levers in right position, no gaps in bar tape, no kinks in chains, chain in right gear, pedals in right position, tires in right position, valve stems in right position, crank arms in the right position, all components are correct (or can at least be Photoshop'd if they aren't)... and then repeating countless times for all the bikes. And then when you get the catalog done, you always find mistakes. Bikes fall over, you notice issues after you've already shot a few pics and then have to start over, you find a footprint on the paper background, etc... it's just a bit tedious and tiring.

For me though, this year is fun, even if terribly stressful; catalog copy still isn't done and I have to finish it this weekend because I have to work on my fiscal year-end report/ presentation next week. On top of it, my desk is UPstairs and the studio is DOWNstairs... and I made the trip about 10 times today, on crutches with bruised underarms/ torso... so that part wasn't fun. BUT... I really love what I get to do for a living and getting to see the bikes that we have worked SO hard to create is just an immense thrill for me. This is as pretty as they'll ever look- good lighting, great positioning, great photography... so it's a kinda special time for this bike nerd.


Getting ready to stage a bike- the white paper is used for the catalog sideviews- makes for easier clipping.



Getting all the details handled... and yes, that IS one sexy freakin' bike!

I tried to see if our photographer extraordinaire, Pete Demos, could even make me look good... but I think I broke the lens.


On the right is Photo-Gawd, Pete Demos, and his new intern Billy.

This is my Product Manager, Wayne- Waynbow, Bearded Lady, Taiwayne- Doran. When it is really busy during catalog season, we sometimes let him out of his cage and give him little snacks; he's partial to Monster and Doritos.


Searching for inspiration. Sometimes Pete needs direction and he loves it when you try to tell him how to take pictures- really, he does.


In the end though, it's worth each second! Check out the great family portrait! You KNOW you want a sexy new steel bike- especially after seeing this!

It's enough to make a broken Brand Manager happy... the Bionic Thumb is happy too.

Yes, there will be more to come...

Tim

Making a broken Brand Manager smile...

Got this today through the Masi website;

Hello, just bought my first Masi, a speciale fixed. Got back from my first ride earlier today, and I love it. Thank you.

Topic:

Name : Liz Gresey

Country : USA

All the parts of me that don't hurt are smiling right now...

Tim