Another Taiwan check in...

Sorry for the lack of posts lately- the hotel internet connection only partially worked and the wifi at the show itself was terribly unreliable for me. I would frequently log on and then the signal would vanish... so I relied heavily on the iPhone, but the battery wasn't holding much of a charge for very long. So it was a technically challenging week at the show.

Here are a few pics from the show- hope you like'em.

Outside the new Nangang exhibition hall. The bike show last year was the first ever event in the new building. The surrounding area is much more developed now as well. Very cool building

A nice line-up of Masi Mini-Velo bikes. These were developed with the close relationship with both our Japanese and Taiwanese distributors. I personally believe they could find a happy home in the US as well- they really are fun to ride and fit in with the emerging commuter market in the US and elsewhere. We've been working on a fixed gear version as well... which I WILL be getting a sample of for myself!

Remember Mitsue? She's the Masi spokesmodel for Taiwan. She's also a very lovely young woman and incredibly sweet. Needless to say, she drew a bit of attention to the bikes and the booth when she was there.

The wonderful Stella Yu- owner of Velo. She's easily one of the most important people in the Taiwan bike industry and is also an incredibly generous and gracious woman. She's one of the vendors I sincerely have a lot of respect and appreciation for. I arrived in Taiwan early so that I could attend her annual pre-show party. Stella is a fantastically shrewd and successful business woman and I have immense respect for her and what she has done with her company in such a male dominated industry. I always learn a little something from her.


A view of the presentation from the back of the room. The presentation and live entertainment are always a big part of the dinner party.

I would love to have this wonderful old La Pavoni espresso maker!



Some cool items on display on the shelves at my favorite coffee shop here in Taichung. The walls are covered with cool artwork/ photos and the place is just a wonderfully cool and hip spot to hang out and enjoy an afternoon.


The famous Taipei 101 on my way out of Taipei after the show- it's an amazing structural marvel and a true testament to the strength and power of the Taiwanese people. It's a jewel on the island and a source of pride... for good reason.

More pictures can be found on my Facebook page in my Taipei 2009 gallery... if you're in the mood for more.

That's it for now... more to follow.

Thanks again for all the birthday wishes as well. It was a great day and I am thankful for all the friends I have.

Tim

Interbike Pics- Part One

Here are a few pics to get you started- Dirt Demo was a huge success for us, by our very modest terms. All told, we had a fleet of 40 demo bikes and two tents crammed with bikes. It was pretty cool- even if we were tight for space.

The staging area for the annual Lake Mead "Hangover Ride", aka "Wayne Stetina's chance to whip the snot out of the bike industry".

Me with the San Diego (pas and present) Posse; Mark Neimic (head of Mavic Neutral Support), me and Dan Large (Technical Support Manager for Campagnolo USA).

Three of the Spokesmen on one ride... unreal; me (looking fatter than ever), David Bernstein (of Fredcast fame) and Carlton Reid (editor Bike Biz).

My good friend Paul- "Pee Pee"- and his picture in our catalog. Paul was our model for the catalog shoot of the new SoulVille 10spd.


The booth; bikes spilling out all over the place and very little shade. Home away from home for a few days... dusty and windy but fun.

More to come- I promise.

Tim

A little more from Vancouver.

More from Vancouver...

The first night in Vancouver- technically the hotel was in Coquitlam- from my hotel window. The picture does it no justice.


MTB/ Adult Brand Manager, Jill Hamilton, presenting to the Norco sales armada.

My brother-in-arms at Norco, Paul Burnett; Paul is the poor stiff who gets to deal with me at Norco and who got to drag me all over the place.


This is the Gastown area of downtown Vancouver- love the brick street and the funky wedge builing; just to the left of the picture is the really cool restaurant where I had beers and snacks with Amy, Tania and Mia from Momentum Magazine.

From the outside looking in- looking into downtown from the water's edge.


Vancouver's famous Steam Clock in Gastown. It mights been a better picture if wasn't raining on my lens at the time...


I laughed so hard I nearly peed when I saw this sign in a very nice Vancouver neighborhood. Even Canadian grffiti is better than ours!

Ok... more later... again.

Tim

Vancouver pics

Here's a couple shots of Vancouver. I'll have more later; the internet here at the airport is terribly slow.


Getting started on our ride around town- Kits Beach


A Masi fan and his customized machine at Ride On (he's also an employee at the shop- I've just forgotten his name because I'm an idiot... but we had a great moment of big-guy solidarity).


Sitting on the Sky Train traveling from downtown Vancouver back to the hotel in the rain.

More later- promise.

Tim