More Vegas ramblings

Today was another wonderful day in Vegas. I just love doing these shows! I got to see some good friends and some heroes again. Retailers are giving me very, very good feedback on the new bikes and I am really excited about the coming year. I feel very confident that the bikes are going to appeal quite well to the retail customers out there (you know who you are) and you will all be impressed by the ride of the bikes- this is going to be a great year!

My hero-worship gawk fest for today was a wonderful conversation with Paolo Guerciotti... THE Guerciotti! He built frames for Masi from time to time, so he came by the booth to talk about the bikes and look at the new line of bikes. WOW! Here's a world famous builder, talking to me about bikes. I could have kissed his pinky ring if he had been wearing one! I loved his bikes over the years, especially as a kid who used to cut out pictures from magazines and tape them to my bedroom walls. I had many Guerciotti pictures as a kid.

Yesterday I spoke with Joe Bell, the very famous and respected frame painter. Joe paints for many builders, including Bill Holland and Richard Sachs. Joe is one of the very best in the business and I have known him for many years, through riding bikes in San Diego, but it is always a really cool thing to speak to him because he's been in this business for many years and really knows what he talks about.

Tom Ritchey made an appearance in the booth yesterday and today both and I have been so busy that I really haven't had the chance to spend any time talking to him, so I am hoping to get some time to do so. What a cool guy! Tom is somebody I have respected for many years, so meeting him is a real treat for me. Rumor has it that he was very excited when he found out that Masi had chosen Ritchey components for the bikes. Tom is a big Masi fan from the past and is supposedly really pleased to be working with us... he's excited to work with us... whoa!

Today I also got to hang out and talk to Gary Boulanger of Gaansari Bicycles and Skidstrong- what a cool and mellow guy! Wow, I think I may have met another kindred spirit. Get this; he's talking about adding Masi to his retail store. I have a lot of respect for this guy and he really likes my bikes... how freakin' cool is that? Gary- thanks for all of the very kind compliments on the bikes and the other things we discussed- it's much appreciated.

A lot of retailers really do read this blog apparently because I have spoken to lots and lots of them who read it regularly. I am extremely flattered and hunbled by the very kind words of encouragement and support I have received over the past few days here in Vegas/Boulder City. Thank you to all of you who have been supportive of the brand and it's very humble Brand Manager (me of course). I can't tell you how good it makes me feel to speak to you all and get such wonderful, glowing compliments. I don't know what else to say other than thank you.

Ok, here's another couple of pics from the Masi booth. I will try to get more shots of people and things tomorrow, the last day of the show;

Here's another blurry look at the booth from the main aisle...

and here's a shot of the display we created to showcase our fames and the new 47cm size we will be offering. We will now have sizes in most models that go from 47 to 60- 7 sizes.

Ok, off to bed because my eyes are crossing and I'm falling asleep at the keyboard.

Tim
(PS- Hi SRAM guys! See you in the booth again tomorrow... and I love the shifters...)

I need to get some sleep...

Vegas is so hard for trying to get to sleep. I got in to my room at 3:00AM this morning and was up at 6:00 to go to the show and sell some bikes. Here it is almost 1:00AM and I'm creating this post, for you my loyal readers.

I wish this was a better picture and that I was in it, but here is the incredible Eddy Merckx! Yes, I stood in line and got an autograph from the legend of cycling... and for the third time in a row, all I could manage to say to my all-time cycling hero was "thanks Eddy"... what an idiot I am.

Tomorrow night is an "Evening with Edddy Merckx", hosted by Bicycling Magazine, and I was given a VIP pass to attend... so guess where I'll be tomorrow night? Hopefully this time, I can find the strength to make less of an ass of myself.

Here's another fuzzy image of yours truly at the Masi booth, waiting to sell some bikes and get Masi rolling.

Did I mention that I had three different folks from SRAM come by the booth today and poke around? How fun/funny is that? Hey guys; next time wait another minute for me to finish dealing with my customer and I will be happy to talk to you for a minute.

Speaking of customers, just like last year I have been slammed nearly non-stop helping customers who have either walked in by themselves or who were handed to me by the sales rep. So far, the overwhelming response has been very strong. Needless to say, I'm happier than a pig in poop.

Ok, off to sleep now before the next big day of making people happy about buying Masi. (SRAM, SRAM, SRAM... let's do lunch.)

Tim

SRAM, SRAM, SRAM, SRAM, SRAM, SRAM, SRAM....

I have a bunch of new really great bestest buddies at SRAM now, they just don't know it yet. SRAM guys; Have I mentioned how nice you looked today? Those white shirts really make you look thin (and sexy- to the opposite sex of course...).

In keeping with the restriction on what I can tell you about the new SRAM road group, let me just say that I was thoroughly impressed by the demo products they presented to us. I sat on a demo bike on a trainer and "rode" the new group prototypes (on a bike about 8 sizes too small) and was really pleased with what I saw and touched. Not to give away my hand, but I am excited by these new developments. As I mentioned before, I love Shimano and have some great friends there and I have always thought of Campy as the sexiest parts you can find, but these new SRAM parts are going to get a lot of attention- and rightfully so. I was wowed.

I can't tell you how any of the parts work, though the secret is only in the shifters really. Let me just say this; WOW! I swear I'm not kissing SRAM's ass when I say that I really, really, really liked the way the shifting works. Smooth, crisp, precise. WOW! Now, no new product is without flaws and these are no different that way, but I believe that SRAM is going to do well with these parts when they are finally available to the masses.

SRAM guys, here's my shameless plea (since I know you read this blog and are likely looking to see what I say about the parts); please let me know when I can get my hands on a set of the parts to test on my own bike/s. SRAM engineers; I hope you get a nice fat bonus because you did a great damned job.

Shimano and Campagnolo; you guys should know by now that I love you both, but I hope that this development leads to some healthy competition and further innovation in componentry. SRAM has a great new product that you absolutely have to take seriously because it will work well and will gain some traction quickly. It's good... really good.

Here's to some great new products coming from SRAM really soon and then some great new products to follow from Shimano and Campagnolo. This new third option/ player in the component world is going to "shift" things around. I, for one, am very happy about this because I honestly believe this will ultimately be good for the industry. Too few people holding too much of the market is bad, in my opinion.

SRAM- good job! Sign me up...

Tim

Vegas (almost) baby!

Yesterday we made the long drive across the desert to Vegas and set up our demo booth. After a long day in the truck and the sun, it was nice to get out for a ride.

I took a ride down to Lake Mead from our hotel. It felt like about 10 miles of descending before I got to the lake... but it felt like about 100 miles climbing back to the hotel. The view of the lake was incredible. After all these years of coming to Vegas for business and for fun, this was the first time I actually went to the lake. What a beautiful place. Lake Mead is a wonderful place and I was thoroughly awed by the view of the lake from the marina. Wow!

Today was the first day of the demo and I got a good group of people out on the carbon bike and all of them came back thoroughly impressed. Obviously, I am happy about that. The bike is a sweet machine and I believe people will be impressed when they get a chance to throw a leg over one.

Tomorrow morning I hope to get out for another ride like I had this morning, when I saw the sunrise over the lake (wow). Scott USA and Mavic are hosting a road ride tomorrow, so I hope to get out with that group and "do Masi proud".

Ok, here's the first pic of the new carbon bike for you... I think you'll like this...

This is the Dura Ace equipped bike... and it is really pretty.

Ok, time for dinner. Maybe after dinner I'll come back and tell you all about the new SRAM road group that I got to play with today. There is a "pres embargo" of course, but I'll share what superficial details I can. Let's just say I liked it A LOT...

Tim

Early morning musings.

You'd think that being sick and just a few days away from Vegas and Interbike that I'd sleep in and get the much needed rest. Well, that's what a smart person would do... but I'm more like a kid on Christmas Eve.

My daughter is sick, but is feeling a bit better today, and she was up early so I joined her and got up too. She's watching her favorite morning show on PBS and I'm trolling the web getting primed and ready for the show. Reading and researching. Comparing and contrasting. Reading about the Women's World Road Championships where Germany has secured yet another title. I'll be driving to Vegas before the sun comes up and will have to wait until I get to the hotel to find out who has won the men's race tomorrow. All fingers seem to point to either Petacchi or McEwen. Looking at the last gasp break that nearly got away in the women's race today, I'm not so sure that a field sprint will materialize.

I have a cousin who is almost as much of a bike nerd as I am, but there is still hope for him unlike me. He sent me a link to a darned funny site. Give it a read and giggle a little like I did. Thanks Steve!

I rode for the first time since returning from Montreal yesterday- had to get a fresh haircut before the show- and it felt great to be on my bike again, even though it felt like my lungs were still packed away in my luggage. Man, I hate getting colds. For whatever reason, I always get wiped out by colds- they appear to be my kryptonite. I'm taking my bike with me to Vegas, of course, so I can try to ride a few times while I am there. In a perfect world, I'll have a chance to ride tomorrow evening after we get settled at the hotel. Tuesday morning, Scott USA and Mavic are sponsoring a ride in the desert before the start of the outdoor demo. I am hoping to make that ride and hangout with all the other industry wankers. So many bike dorks in one place... I admit it is kind of scary.

Well, off to have another cup of coffee and pop a few more cold meds.

Tim

Here's to a great show!

To all my fellow bike industry brothers and sisters (including retailers, sales reps and manufacturers), here's to a great Interbike. I wish everybody smooth travels, may your samples show up unscratched and may your backs, knees and livers all hold up to the test of Vegas.

I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible.

Last year was a great show with lots of positive attitude, so let's all hope this year's show builds on that and reaches new highs.

See you in Vegas!

Tim

I'll be seeing you...

Been in the office since just after 7:00 this morning so we can get a caravan going to pick up the rental trucks for Vegas. I'm winning huge points with my wife right now, who suggested I get a hotel room for the next few days since I will only be around for a "few more hours"... on top of the fact that my daughter is sick, like Daddy, and I have been nearly invisible for the better part of 2+ weeks... I'm really popular around the house. I can't say I blame her at all- this is the toll of show season and it is a very real thing. Every year, this is a difficult period for my family. My wife knows it is coming, but it doesn't make it any easier or fun. It is a strange situation; the shows are a lot of hard work, a lot of fun (for me anyway) and a lot of time away from the family. It means juggling the stress of the shows, the fun of the shows and then the guilt of being away from the people you love and miss being near.

This is the price of having a job that I really love having. I am sure that there are other industry people out there who know exactly what I am talking about.

Like I mentioned the other day, posts from here on out will be few and far between, most likely. If I am unable to post for a while, it is because I was unable to get my wireless to work or to get a good land connection going- similar to what happened the first few days of Montreal. Keep checking in though because I do intend to try and get things to work.

Good bye for now- it's off to load trucks and make the final push for Vegas.

Tim

It's officially time for Interbike...

... because I have my annual Interbike Cold! Every year, for as long as I can remember, I have gotten a cold for Interbike. I think it is a combination of the weather change (summer into fall) and the stress that surrounds the show season. Regardless, I always get a cold. I kind of thought I had dodged a bullet with Montreal, since I was healthy, and dreamed of going to the show this year without a runny nose and watery eyes. Alas, nearly everybody in this building has either currently got a cold or has recently gotten over one.

Last year I had the double whammy of having been run over by a car just three weeks before the show and having a cold- the sample platter of pain and discomfort... and yet it was the most fun I had ever had at Interbike. This year, coming off of the delightful success of ExpoCycle, I expect to top the charts again this year. I am very excited and motivated this year, as always, but also very confident and rehearsed after being in Montreal.

So get ready Vegas, me and my "boogie nose"are coming to get you! I might be slightly incoherent from the cold medication, so forgive me.

Tim

Creative "juices" flowing... "I'm leaving (for) Las Vegas"

Here at Haro, global headquarters for Masi, we strive to provide the greatest products in the world. Creativity comes in many forms and is fueled in many ways.

Here you see the fridge contents of our Creative Director, Pete Demos. This is how graphics and catalogs and other such goodies get created in the late hours of the night or wee hours of the morning.

Last night we had a crew of wrenches working until 5:00 AM this morning building bikes for the demo rides in Vegas. The crates with booth contents were loaded onto the truck and are on the way to Vegas now. Sunday morning, around 6:00 AM, we will be driving a caravan of large rental trucks to Vegas. The show is almost a go...

Since the show is busy beyond all comprehension, I may not be able to post until afterwards, but I am going to try. Since the Sands convention center will have wi-fi, I will try to do some booth updates whenever I get a free moment. With all of the retailers, media and other appointments it will be hard to post... but I will try.

Tim

Lesson for the day; how NOT to get sponsored.

Here is a shining example of how NOT to ever get sponsored by a company;

Subject: Haro Site Message - Received Response

Topic: stickers
hey bitchessssssss... sponsor me... because i ride rocky mountain and haro blows... but sponsor me anyway... and my friend m***... he rides for kona... but sponsor us...
Name : n****
Country : canada

Let this be a lesson for you kids/ athletes- this is the best way known to man to make sure you DO NOT get what you are looking for. Sure, he's trying the funny and sarcastic "I rock, you blow" technique... but it just doesn't work like this.

Hey N****... nice try, but no sponsorship.

Tim