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Associated Press
HELSINKI (AP) - In the doorway of a Helsinki bar on a snowy December afternoon, American author James Thompson is being offered a pair of Russian army night vision goggles that may _ or may not _ have fallen off the back of a truck.
The author, a Kentucky native who's lived in Finland for the past 15 years, has recently signed a new deal with publisher Putnam that puts his Inspector Kari Vaara series in U.S. bookstores through 2015.
Thompson buys the goggles and the vendor shuffles off into the snow. It's the sort of deal in the sort of neighborhood that Vaara would approve of, and it's somewhat apropos that the Hilarious Pike bar is a regular haunt of both the writer and the fictional cop.
Thompson's style is on the dark end of the "Nordic Noir" spectrum. The genre _ with its stark and often violent police procedurals _ has proved wildly successful for publishers and filmmakers alike.
The marquee names have come from Sweden _ think Stieg Larsson's "Girl With The Dragon Tattoo," or Henning Mankell's "Wallander" series _ but Norway's Jo Nesbo and Iceland's Arnaldur Indridason and Yrsa Sigurdardottir have also made their mark with international readers.
Thompson stands out from that crowd by writing in English and telling Vaara's gritty narrative in the first person.
"My entire vision of writing books set in Finland was to demonstrate what the world is like moment to moment in the mind of an average Finnish man," Thompson says over cups of coffee. "The best way to do that was to narrow that lens of his thoughts."
The three books published so far _ "Snow Angels," "Lucifer's Tears," and "Helsinki White" _ chart Vaara's journey from small-town Lapland sheriff to big-city Helsinki detective, black-ops thug and finally master criminal.
Along the way Vaara acquires sidekicks that include a fetishist policeman and an attempted double murderer and his team manages to fit in a brisk trade in blackmail, illegal guns and drug deals while solving crimes.
Thompson's secondary characters are certainly larger than life, though it's hard to imagine the plethora of brazenly corrupt government ministers, sex perverts and drug cabals inhabiting a country like Finland, which is regularly ranked at the top of clean government indices.
Yet Finland itself shares the character spotlight throughout the series. Its quirky off-beat foibles mean Vaara can't be transplanted to another location without sacrificing Finnish concepts, landscapes and people.
"All I'm doing is writing traditional Finnish stories," says Thompson, 48. "This is the land of sad songs and what I write is simply repeating the themes that have dominated Finnish literature and music forever."
Married to a Finnish woman, Thompson moved to the Nordic country after serving in the U.S. military and working in construction. He held jobs as a bouncer and bartender before studying for a master's degree at Helsinki University and becoming a writer.
Finns may find his themes familiar, but as a foreigner, Thompson can also broach subjects that are uncomfortable or mildly taboo in Finnish society: Immigration, Nazi collaboration during World War II, race relations or right-wing politics.
"I discuss things that other people don't discuss or don't see," he says.
That has brought him some online flak from Finland's political right. It probably doesn't help that some of his most despicable villains seem to be thinly veiled caricatures of well-known politicians or businessmen.
Jukka Petaja, a novelist and literary critic at the Helsingin Sanomat newspaper, said many Finns don't agree with the image of Finland that Thompson portrays.
"But it doesn't prevent readers from enjoying books by him," Petaja said. "Having some distance from Finland, Jim Thompson can also see some phenomenon even clearer than many Finns."
Thompson insists he doesn't write "to send political or social messages" but like Finland's national poet Johan Runeberg, his books are filled with characters and plots that do just that.
Even Thompson's leading man Vaara, whose name can be translated as "Stone Danger," seems to be a nod to Runeberg's 19th-century protagonists who had heroic yet simple surnames that supposedly reflected their honesty and valor.
Thompson's characters side with the common man. The crimes of everyman characters are dismissed with a sentence or two of forgiving prose: alcoholism leading to child abuse, casual spousal violence, multiple fatal stabbings. The crimes of the rich, the powerful and the politically connected, however, are treated more seriously, and Vaara's disdain for Finland's elite is often barely disguised.
The pub's heavily tattooed barman dutifully refills Thompson's coffee, but there's also a bottle of vodka in the freezer with the author's name on it. Not surprisingly, Vaara likes to chase his beers with a shot of vodka too.
"There's a part of the author in every character," Thompson says.
Follow David Mac Dougall on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/davidmacdougall
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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Nick's Fonts
Nick's Fonts is a modest little foundry dedicated to the preservation of our rich typographic heritage. Most of the foundry's designs are based on authentic historical sources, gleaned from the massive collections of the Library of Congress. If you're looking for a font that captures the essence of the Wild West, the Gay Nineties or the Jazz Age, look here first: if it's not in the catalog, it will be soon.


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Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Binging and Purging: Getting Over the Handmade Bike Show
Frankly, after gorging myself on pictures I thought I'd gotten the whole thing out of my system already, but I haven't. There's still something about the show that's bothering me. It's like a slight ticking from your bicycle that you still can't get rid of despite multiple tear-downs and re-builds. Certainly I'd like to just sit back and appreciate the bikes. But as the sort of person who sees a child smiling and wonders, "What the hell are you smirking at?," sadly I am just not able. Here are some of the ways this figurative ticking has manifest itself:
It Makes My Bikes Seem Crappier
I'm a strong believer in bicycle modesty. I don't like flashy bikes, or precious bikes. I don't believe in pampering them, upgrading for vanity's sake, or spending extra money for incremental differences in quality. Still, though, after looking at show pictures I catch myself resenting my own bikes just a little bit. And that's dangerous. First you're coveting some DeSalvo and not bothering to keep your own bike in good working order, and eventually you're throwing your bike down the steps for missing shifts and being ugly like you're some kind of lycra-clad Ike Turner.
It Makes Me Feel Guilty
Handmade bicycles are built voluntarily by people who are passionate about cycling and have studiously unusual facial hair configurations. Mass-produced bicycles are built by slaves who don't know the Maillot Jaune from the Khmer Rouge. Probably the only thing that differentiates my most expensive bike from my cheapest bike is that the people who built the expensive one were over 13 years old and were fed that week.
It Makes Me Feel Like I Have To Do Routine Maintenance
You can only look at so many close-ups of pristine drivetrains before you finally admit your own needs overhauling. If it wasn't for the stupid bike show I could have left mine alone for another few months. Did I care before that my chain links are so gritty and sticky that spinning my cranks sounds like a bongo solo on a scratchy record? No. Do I care now? A little.
It Makes Me Resent Portland
As a New Yorker my image of Portland is that it's some kind of moist cycling paradise, and this was furthered by the handmade bike show coverage. Apparently, the streets are lined with custom bike builders, and you can get one made while you wait. Just pop in, place an order, go next-door and spend 15 minutes shopping for organic hemp underwear or whatever it is that people wear out there, and then come back and pick up your new frame. Between the emails I get and the articles I read it seems like Portland is a place where cyclists frolic in ample bike lanes, race cyclocross in dresses, and lock their exquisitely-crafted bikes not with chains and u-locks but with trust and love. Of course, I should be happy for them, but instead I catch myself wanting to bring them here so they can choke to death on some reality.
It Makes Me Resent Portland
And what's with all those townies and commuter bikes? Sure, I'm all for the marriage of craftsmanship and practicality, but is there a city on Earth where you can actually leave a bike like that outside? And if so, is it Portland? I think any city benign enough to ride bikes like that in would eat me alive—with kindness. Here in New York we've learned not to grow attached to our bikes in the same way that the gazelles of the African savanna know not to get too attached to their young.
It Makes Me Resent Robin Williams
Apparently Robin Williams was there checking in with Independent Fabrication about his new bike made out of 953 tubing. Good for him. I can see him admiring it as he combs his shoulder hair. I hear he styles it with Phil Wood's Tenacious Oil.
Vanilla Bicycles
I admire these beautiful bicycles as much as the next cyclist, but it's enough already. Sacha White's wait list is so long that if head tube diameters keep increasing at their current rate they'll be at least five inches wide by the time you can expect to take delivery. Vanilla has become so popular that I think we're about due for the inevitable backlash for backlash's sake. So be careful. By the time you get your hands on a Speedvagen they could be more out of style than REO Speedwagon.
152 comments:
- February 12, 2008 at 12:27 PM
eat that, blog racers! Poop on your firsts!
- February 12, 2008 at 12:28 PM
- Bun E said...
I hate Robin Williams
- February 12, 2008 at 12:29 PM
And poop on leroy while I'm at it! Drizzily Coors-induced poop!
- February 12, 2008 at 12:29 PM
- February 12, 2008 at 12:29 PM
- iamameatpopsicle said...
i'm choking on my triscuits right now
- February 12, 2008 at 12:33 PM
- Beau said...
Bike Snob, You're really hitting on the reasons I chose not to move to NYC and came to Seattle instead. Seattle isn't Portland (It's a real city), but it's a helluva lot closer to it than NYC.
- February 12, 2008 at 12:34 PM
Top 10!!!!!
- February 12, 2008 at 12:36 PM
- Unknown said...
portland vs. seattle feuds always make me laugh
- February 12, 2008 at 12:37 PM
- Karl Rover said...
Yes, Portland is like the Rivendale of Middle Earth. Everything moves in slow motion while your Liv Tyler like barista hands you fresh coffee with soft, warm eyes.
- February 12, 2008 at 12:38 PM
Mass-produced bicycles are built by slaves who don't know the Maillot Jaune from the Khmer Rouge.... Ohh bike snob, you made me funny-fountain my oatmeal.
- February 12, 2008 at 12:42 PM
I am down with your pain. I worked for a long while in Seattle for a guy building custom hand built furniture, same thing as hand built bikes. Bunch of guys with questionable chin beards using words like Heirloom and time honored and then bitching about the fact that most folks wont throw down 7 or 8 grand for an entertainment center, most folks just want a place to put their TV and most folks just want a bike that goes and stops. "You'll work harder with a gun in your back for a bowl of rice a day, slave for soilders til you starve and have your head skewered on a stake." Khemer Rouge and Ike Turner in the same blog. Priceless.
- February 12, 2008 at 12:42 PM
I heard that Calfee is coming out with a new model made from bong resin and a proprietary natural fiber woven exclusively from Robin Williams back hair.
- February 12, 2008 at 12:43 PM
- Scottie said...
I don't care what anyone says, REO Speedwagon is awesome. You can all go to hell.
- February 12, 2008 at 12:44 PM
Do people really clean their drivetrains?
- February 12, 2008 at 12:46 PM
- Bobby said...
Hey Snob-
If it's any consolation to you, a friend of mine just took delivery of a Vanilla. Not only did the price double during the two year wait, he said if he had to do it over again he would have gone with another builder.
Apparently all the hype is going to Mr. White's head and is making him a bit of a cranky pants.
Still, he likes the bike enough to not sell it on the eBay so that's a good thing, I guess. - February 12, 2008 at 12:47 PM
- K Sizemore said...
I absolutely dispise Portland! yes, it has vast bike lanes, yes there are seemingly, thousands of custome frame builders... but there's no passion. no drive to do anything with class, and bikes are so common place that the odds of getting hit are much higher than in a city that is less accepting. Also, let's not forget that the Max Tracks run all catawampus throughout downtown. besides, that much courtesy is annoying. PDX v SEA fueds are hillarious! (seattle is the superior city by far... BTW)
- February 12, 2008 at 12:51 PM
Even on the CR mailing list there was some hating of the NAHBS
- February 12, 2008 at 12:52 PM
For shame, BSNYC, REO Speedwagon comes with this cyclist's maudlin seal of approval!
- February 12, 2008 at 12:52 PM
bravo for the dk reference.
how do you feel about indy for 2009? i'm pushing for detroit 2010! - February 12, 2008 at 12:54 PM
- brother yam said...
I've just been to Portland (before the NAHMBS) with my wife. We're both smitten with the city. We'd move.
Of course our barista wasn't some doe-eyed lovely, but some skinny, tattooed dork with eyeliner and a porkpie hat. I bet he rides a fixie.
On second thought, we'll probably stay in Minneapolis. It's almost as good and the winters keep the homeless away... - February 12, 2008 at 12:55 PM
before bikesgonewild, michael balls, and various anons get to flaming eachother in an hour or so, let me say that todays post was great.
- February 12, 2008 at 12:57 PM
- BikeSnobNYC said...
I don't know. Is Indianapolis the place with the wheat?
--BSNYC - February 12, 2008 at 12:59 PM
i recently did a study while cooking at a restaurant. it's the music-to-rage-ratio study. as you can probably guess, certain music is put on the stereo (usually by someone who actually likes it) and i time how long it takes me to have a violent visceral reaction to the music. here are the results so far:
country music radio: almost 3 hours!
any other commercial radio: no more than 4 hours
sublime: 2 hours
tupac: under 2 hours
reo speedwagon: less than 10 seconds - February 12, 2008 at 1:02 PM
In a conversation with Bruce Gordon we were discussing the price of handmade bikes. At the time he was showing a $13k bike that was almost completely fabricated by hand, by him, parts and all. The reality is, if you want one of those bikes then get one, if you want a regular bike then get one of those, but don't bitch and moan about the price of a handmade bike, those people need to eat too and none of them are filthy rich for building bikes.
Also, the painter at IF is a friend of mine, she does some pretty impressive work, eh? - February 12, 2008 at 1:03 PM
excellent post..excellent
- February 12, 2008 at 1:03 PM
- GGehrke said...
Wow. Started as sort of a downer but by the end I was loling away. Awesome.
- February 12, 2008 at 1:11 PM
- Cameron said...
To me, these handmade bike guys need the mass produced proletariat just to have someone to look down on (and feel they're better than). I'm happy to oblige them.
Snob, don't forget, this was a bike "show" so clean drive trains and trailer queen bikes should be expected but not taken too seriously. - February 12, 2008 at 1:13 PM
"eventually you're throwing your bike down the steps for missing shifts and being ugly like you're some kind of lycra-clad Ike Turner."
Dude, isn't it kinda soon? - February 12, 2008 at 1:15 PM
Man, Valentine's day is in the air. - February 12, 2008 at 1:16 PM
- Jim said...
Dude, I had a red one, a Khmer Rouge that is. I totally used to ride it all the time.
It wasn't much to climb on or for commuting, but I distinctly remember it killing field sprints. - February 12, 2008 at 1:18 PM
"Killing field" sprints. Funny. - February 12, 2008 at 1:22 PM
- Sprocketboy said...
Matt in Seattle: You are right: if you want one of these bikes you have to pay the price. I saw a superb Llewylln at Cirque du Cyclisme in June and I think it took 300 hours to fabricate. When you add up the Campy parts and everything else, $10G is not really as insane as it first appears.
The custom builders there (Sasha White, Richard Sachs, Peter Weigle et al) all agreed that the waiting lists were too long but when they raised prices even more people signed up! It appears that demand is stiff, yet compliant. - February 12, 2008 at 1:23 PM
bikesnobnyc actually LIKES bikes? Who would have thought.
- February 12, 2008 at 1:25 PM
- nuovorecord said...
Geez! Why all the hating on Portland? Most of us don't give a rat's ass if were better than Seattle, New York or anywhere else. We like our city, warts and all, and there are a lot of us working hard to make it a better place to live. Sorry if your city can't get it together to do that.
- February 12, 2008 at 1:28 PM
anon 12:57 is sooooo above us....snarf!!
- February 12, 2008 at 1:28 PM
hemp underwear gives me saddle sores.
but what about the bike parking crisis? sheesh thats like when people get trampled to death at concerts. - February 12, 2008 at 1:30 PM
- The guy doin' the thing said...
So...among the throngs of photos from the NAHBS on Velonews was one showing a new Shimano wheel....when did Shimano start making anything "handmade"?
REO rocks... - February 12, 2008 at 1:41 PM
I heard that they're are no black people in Portland? Is that true?
- February 12, 2008 at 1:41 PM
- KanyonKris said...
"And I can't fight this feeling anymore.
I've forgotten what I started riding for." - February 12, 2008 at 1:42 PM
that ticking is the worst
- February 12, 2008 at 1:45 PM
sure the bikesnob likes bikes, just not mine.
- February 12, 2008 at 1:49 PM
Wheat? Why yes, right in the infield of the Major Taylor Velodrome. They don't call Indianapolis the Paris of central Indiana for nothing, don't you know.
- February 12, 2008 at 1:58 PM
@ Anon 1:41. One word: Trailblazers!
- February 12, 2008 at 2:02 PM
- Sprocketboy said...
Shimano does in fact build handmade wheels. Actually, they are constructed by little girls with clever fingers in Malaysia. No lie.
- February 12, 2008 at 2:04 PM
I was born and raised in Portland. You're right, it sucks (wink, wink), so stop all the out-of-towners from spoiling our little urban paradise. Thanks BSNYC for doing your job in keeping California, New York, and all these other places out, we gotta keep our property taxes low and the crackhead bike thieves from the Bronx at bay.
- February 12, 2008 at 2:04 PM
I enjoyed the post from another blogger (can't find it any more) about how many of the attendees were bitching about having to pay $18 to get in.
So they could ogle $10K bikes....
I simply walked in, ordered 3 of each model, and left. Can't be late for my back-hair cut & perm. - February 12, 2008 at 2:11 PM
- Miriam. said...
Yes, Portland is a moist cycling paradise. But with the paradise we have issues too. In the summer parking is a bitch there are bike traffic jams, and slow commuters to be dodged. And we do have theft, a lot of theft. You do not want to park you 10k hand made bike outside, unless you can afford the security detail for it. Its not as bad as Eugene or NYC, but still, its a damp green oasis for cycling.
We do however, contrary to Kelsy's post, have a very low car/bike accident rate. The fatal accident rate between cars and bikes has been on the decline for several years (dispite some a great deal of coverage regarding the deaths this year involving cyclists and large trucks). Plus, we have a bike master trasit plan. - February 12, 2008 at 2:11 PM
it sounds to me like portland is the cyclist mecca of the world and we should all make a pilgramage at some point in our life.....or just go to italy
- February 12, 2008 at 2:12 PM
mass transit - trash it, buy a car, much more practical and reliable than a stupid bike.
- February 12, 2008 at 2:17 PM
I've been racing on handmade bikes for the past 15 years: http://www.marinoni.qc.ca. I have 4 of them in my apartment.
We here in Montreal, Quebec, have had at any given time a half dozen hand made bike manufacturers. Then again, we just called them frame builders.. I always thought all bikes were made by hand. How naive of me. It's only recently that Marinoni has started importing CF frames
To me all these bikes just look like regular old steel frames we had 20 years ago.. with more gears and better paint jobs.
I'm sure old Man Giuseppe Marinoni is rolling his eyes over this new resurgence.. - February 12, 2008 at 2:18 PM
- Peter said...
great post BSNYYC,
& a DK reference.
my day is complete.
thanks - February 12, 2008 at 2:19 PM
Today's post gave me a responsive read with lateral stiffness, vertical flexibility, and a superior thought to word ratio.
Thanks, BSNYC ! - February 12, 2008 at 2:26 PM
Dear Snob,
I moved to Portland. Gasp! I want to ride my bike here but I'm afraid of 1) looking too snobby (around my neighborhood everyone rides an ugly fixed gear with vegan advocacy stickers) and I left my gigantic U-lock and chain in Texas, 2) getting hit by a car and then someone stealing my saddle.
On the plus side, you can drink the tap water here, unlike in South Texas or DC. On the minus side, I'm not sure if this is bicycle heaven or hell. - February 12, 2008 at 2:26 PM
I heard that Calfee is coming out with a new model made from bong resin and a proprietary natural fiber woven exclusively from Robin Williams back hair.
The new model will be named in honor of Robin Williams, using new technology:
Handmade bike show: bikes for guys who don't ride bikes. - February 12, 2008 at 2:30 PM
The term you are looking for is inelastic. If demand does not change if prices go up, then demand is inelastic.
I would argue inelastic is counter to the stiff yet compliant image you're looking for - February 12, 2008 at 2:32 PM
- Sprocketboy said...
I think in this case the prices are stiff but the clients are compliant.
- February 12, 2008 at 2:34 PM
Sprocketboy said...
Shimano does in fact build handmade wheels. Actually, they are constructed by little girls with clever fingers in Malaysia. No lie.
The same girls are then smuggled to the US for "therapeutic massage", either way, it's quick release. - February 12, 2008 at 2:35 PM
Ahh the cycling in portland. Actually kind of sucks. Don't believe the hype! Way worse in my opionion then other places i have lived, michigan, ohio, florida, virginia. In pdx there are cars everywhere. Good luck finding a quiet country road within 30 miles of the city. It actually gets worse out of the city. And no shoulders on any of these always busy but little roads. Group rides. Huh whats that? Pacelines can't do them, no room and constant interuptions. Commutter Assholes on bikes. Oh yeah we got plenty. Trails for MTBs, Nope, only for walkers or runners. I re-visit Ohio, midwest, I think I'll move, quiet lovely and peaceful roads are plentiful, such a contrast to cars whizzing by every 10 secs.
- February 12, 2008 at 2:36 PM
I live in Seattle and just got a hand made Davidson built up while I waited for my grande latte at Starbucks it's just that easy up here BSNYC,I just gave my homie Billy Gates a call and he pulled a few strings.
- February 12, 2008 at 2:38 PM
- Publikhair said...
The only good thing about Portland is that you can eat a steak while getting a lap dance.
- February 12, 2008 at 2:40 PM
I love your sense of reality - today's my day off from work, so I'm in the garage with the kerosene heater pumping madly to keep the room warm, putting bar end shifters on my 1969 Magneet Sprint (my 15 speed long haul tourer), and looking at the row of bikes hanging off the workshop wall.
All nine of them would sell for enough for a down payment on one of those bikes at the show.
What the hey, I still knocked out a 12 mile loop before the freezing rain hit this morning, I'm riding regularly in February, and I'm enjoying myself. And I don't need anything like what was shown at the show to have such a good time. I'm having more fun upgrading the Magneet than I would have having my toes stepped on from the crush at the show.
Next to wrenching and riding bikes, your writings are probably the most enjoyment I can have in a day. - February 12, 2008 at 2:46 PM
Anon 2:36. I lived in Seattle and spent time in Portland, and although these places are billed as great places to bike and be all around outdoorsy, the problem is that they are filled with folks who want to do that, so there are just too many peeps. The thing that I couldn't take was that everything was an event and a hassle like to go cross country skiing or hiking or biking, it was traffic and parking and then people. I made the leap and headed back to WY and couldn't be happier. Hundreds of miles of empty roads, trails, and rivers. Get back to OH, the rustbelt is calling you.
- February 12, 2008 at 2:47 PM
Don't forget, not only can you eat a steak while getting a lap dance (at the acropolis in portland), you can be taking a shot and smoking a cigar at the same time. Bars aren't the same when there is no smoking, and I don't even smoke.
There is a lack of MTB trails here, and a serious fixed gear fakenger surplus, but there are so many people into all things cycling that I'll probably stay here for a few more years (until I get sick of there not being any decent cheap skiing around).
Great post Snob, and its true, the sidewalks in portland grow moss...ridiculous! - February 12, 2008 at 2:52 PM
Who needs handmade $5K commuter and pizza delivery bikes? Oh, excuse me... porteurs.
Looked like a wankfest, from what I've seen. - February 12, 2008 at 2:55 PM
Don Walker makes crappy bikes anyway. So I am sure the show just blew huge Wankfest chunks full of lug shavings.
- February 12, 2008 at 3:10 PM
Darn near a 10.
BSNYC, the leading hand crafted bike blog builder...Please keep doing it, we will read, no matter the price.
Special mention to Jim and Commiecanuck for the added laughter! - February 12, 2008 at 3:11 PM
"Vanilla has become so popular that I think we're about due for the inevitable backlash for backlash's sake."
beat ya'll to that one - sold mine a few years ago. - February 12, 2008 at 3:18 PM
- Poppymann said...
I'm not certain what is worse, the price of the custom frame or all the cheese/coffee/wine/tomato/frozen yogurt/small batch soda-inspired marketing bullshit used to sell it.
I don't want my paint job to be "delicious" I want it to be "durable" or "bulletproof." Actually mine came form a can and I like it! "Delicious" is for the Pinkberry kooks. And what's with calling your painthouse "Coat." How twee of you.
Like Briko sunglasses, 29ers and
fixies, this too shall pass. - February 12, 2008 at 3:19 PM
Rover, I think you Prolly meant Rivendell, not Rivendale ... We take these things fairly seriously ...
- February 12, 2008 at 3:25 PM
And what's wrong with hemp underwear? You got some nerve, Snob, you know that?
- February 12, 2008 at 3:38 PM
Snob, I hate to tell you this, but I don't think they wear underwear, hemp or otherwise, in Portland.
- February 12, 2008 at 3:43 PM
As far as cycling, there is a lot to be said for living in a smaller city. In NY, my commute was from W 110th down to Houston, and it was never that pleasant. I could make great time down Broadway, but it was kind of stressful (to a 40 year old, anyway) and the other avenues were not much better. The Westside bike path, on the other hand, proved to be a bore.
Here in my new home city of Copenhagen, there are enough side streets and bike paths that you can mostly avoid major avenues altogether. I find, too, that I actually get to ride my finest bike all the time and locking it up with a mere U-lock is sufficient. Since I have stopped wearing a helmet, though, my happiness could be short-lived. I could always suffer the same fate as Knud Enemark Jensen! - February 12, 2008 at 3:44 PM
- Mr. Beattie said...
When did leather handlebar tape become such a hot item? It seems perhaps next ebony and ivory will be on the list for things to trim your headset with and plug your bar-ends. Also Velo Orange is a quite similar deal, in that these dudes are mostly obsessed with antique French crap that they'll never actually ride. Sure restoring and fetishizing chrome and leather are great, but certainly not practical, and no, not a single "city bike" at NAHBS could be locked as a commuter in any part of New York City. It's a joke, right? A $5000 commuter bicycle that you cannot lock up anywhere. Certainly Moots makes a joke with their "Comooter".
- February 12, 2008 at 3:45 PM
These trendy bikes make me want to puke........ "fixed gear", "wood", "Carbon/steel/Ti combos", "five year waiting lists".......What's next, a frame made from terlet paper tubes??.....
Just give me a nicely painted Waterford frameset, and I'll be happy. - February 12, 2008 at 3:54 PM
son of numenor, the D&D blog is elsewhere...
- February 12, 2008 at 3:58 PM
It appears 29'ers are never satisfied. Now they want another 7 inches. And by the looks of it, some of them are crazy enough to actually pay from this thing.
http://twentynineinches.com/2008/02/06/36-inch-wheels-update/ - February 12, 2008 at 4:14 PM
I should have previewed that. Sorry. But seriously, this shit is just ridiculous. - February 12, 2008 at 4:17 PM
- Karl Rover said...
Son of Numenor,
My bad, that's how we spell it in Gondor. - February 12, 2008 at 4:19 PM
I'm still waiting for my chocolate frame. made of chocolate.
- February 12, 2008 at 4:23 PM
when is Craig Calfee going to start using animal excrement in his frame building process?
Bat guano lugs, horse shit grips... - February 12, 2008 at 4:28 PM
- crunkenuncle said...
If pdx doesn't suit you maybe you should move here to Denver...miles of commuter/bike lanes completely ignored by motorists, air quality so bad you practically need an knife and fork to breath in and don't forget about the absolute lack of moisture! It is a wonderland I tell ya!
It does have miles of world-class single track within 20 minutes of downtown. It's also not too far from Fruita...and there is the fresh powder in the mountains. Maybe it isn't that bad!
Plus I just found out you can buy cowboy boots that are spd compatable! - February 12, 2008 at 4:38 PM
Calffe should just go all the way...frames made from dried spun loogie.
- February 12, 2008 at 4:40 PM
- K Sizemore said...
You're kidding! i had that idea like 2 years ago... i'm glad(?) to hear that it exsists! - February 12, 2008 at 4:45 PM
- K Sizemore said...
i mean the boots.
- February 12, 2008 at 4:45 PM
Little girls with clever fingers from Malaysia are responsible for the whole "sex tourism" trade. I had no idea that Shimano was involved, however. Boy, the things I have learned from reading this site!
- February 12, 2008 at 4:52 PM
carevenger said...
I'm still waiting for my chocolate frame. made of chocolate.
I'll keep a look out, but my old Shimano Dura Ace chain definitely must have had chocolate rollers. - February 12, 2008 at 5:07 PM
- Jim said...
when is Craig Calfee going to start using animal excrement in his frame building process?
Dude, anybody who can manage to stay in business by selling wooden cross bikes and gold plated carbon fiber bikes, is already using about as *much* animal excrement in his framebuilding business as the market will bear. Probably masculine bovine type, if you ask me. - February 12, 2008 at 5:28 PM
- kg said...
The bike show was cool but Portland sucks. Friday night at about 9pm I went out to buy a bottle of whiskey to calm my stomach and I couldn't. WTF kind of city doesn't sell whiskey at the local grocery store or mini mart? Had to buy a crappy tall can of PBR at a 7/11... that really sucked.
- February 12, 2008 at 5:42 PM
Speedvagen - REO Speedwagon.... simple, but damn funnny! hahaha
- February 12, 2008 at 5:43 PM
Dude, anybody who can manage to stay in business by selling wooden cross bikes and gold plated carbon fiber bikes, is already using about as *much* animal excrement in his framebuilding business as the market will bear. Probably masculine bovine type, if you ask me.
haha i had to read it 3 times to get it, im such an idiot...its what drives the industry - February 12, 2008 at 5:44 PM
- LK said...
Anon 1:58 That's not wheat it's popcorn.
Snob - I feel that pain. But you don't need a custom bike unless you have a weird body shape, like most of the weight lifters at the gym and the opposite extreme.
When was the last time you dissed a nice De Rosa Corum with Ultegra?
Was your bike like a Belgian:
And it can be done in NYC.
I don't know about Sacha White but several of those other builders could take a lesson from Sheldon Brown and get an assistant.
Back to the sofa. - February 12, 2008 at 6:00 PM
Vanilla Sanilla There is only a limited number of ways you can weld three tubes to form a triangle and the magic number is one. Let's see how they hold up at warp factor five Scottie. These guys are getting money for jam. Unleash your artistic juices and make a bike out of four sided geometric shapes, or why stop there try a pentagon or dodecahedron
- February 12, 2008 at 6:18 PM
Hey Grump, Waterford was there too. So much for your 'outsider frame builder'.
- February 12, 2008 at 6:33 PM
bother yam 12.55
"On second thought, we'll probably stay in Minneapolis. It's almost as good and the winters keep the homeless away..."
I hope you're never homeless in winter, bro,' in MPLS . . . and never say 'never.' Your compassion is evident.
And the rest of youse - get offa Robin Williams' hairy back, 'cause he sure as hell didn't spec it. I didn't either. - February 12, 2008 at 6:34 PM
I love REO speedwagon, dick
- February 12, 2008 at 6:42 PM
- February 12, 2008 at 7:02 PM
I think he really is human.
- February 12, 2008 at 7:23 PM
King George has obviously never been to Utah...
- February 12, 2008 at 7:31 PM
This is technically Indiana's Paris
Maybe they'll hand out Cutters Jersey's at the door.
And expect some sort of rolled corn husk composite bikes. - February 12, 2008 at 8:08 PM
All kidding aside, there is a lot to like at NAHBS.
- February 12, 2008 at 8:18 PM
- kg said...
Lol, yeah, but I expect it from Utah, they should warn you before you go to Portland for a bike show.
- February 12, 2008 at 8:52 PM
- rusty said...
One you bikesgonewild out there must have something to say! - February 12, 2008 at 8:55 PM
- SkidMark said...
get a JOB and a haircut - oh, and while you're there, get that nasty habitat for lice waxed off your back - February 12, 2008 at 8:59 PM
Every time I see a Vanilla, it makes me SOOO happy I have a Surly.
- February 12, 2008 at 9:33 PM
- KYScoast said...
You killed me off with "gazelles of the African savanna". Reminded me of how I carried the same attitude through my college years after losing several bikes to thieves. I then resorted to $5 bikes purchased at police auctions. Problem solved and I still could ride.
- February 12, 2008 at 9:54 PM
In stark contrast to what could be considered high ART from the world of handmade bikes I offer this beauty: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/SOFTRIDE-Triathlon-Bike-medium-size-perfect-condition_W0QQitemZ180213322017QQihZ008QQ
I believe euthanasia would be the best outcome - February 12, 2008 at 10:33 PM
For a bunch of photos from the bike show, see: http://alexandchristine.smugmug.com/gallery/4301856_GNe7g#252364465
There are some more bike show pics there too. - February 12, 2008 at 10:45 PM
You've lost it buddy boy.
- February 12, 2008 at 10:51 PM
if it makes you feel any better, my bag bumped Robin Williams a few steps sideways into the Starbucks sign when i was turning around 'cause my friend said "Hey there's Robin Williams."
- February 12, 2008 at 11:31 PM
Very funny post, Snobby. My favorite is the line about how the people who built your good bike were at least over 13 and fed. My bikes are the opposite: my good bike is a recent Giant hardtail, no doubt assembled in a Chinese workhouse. My beater is a 70's Raleigh, whose builder was probably a WWII vet who raised a family and went on seaside holiday with what he earned. Correcting this mess is going to be painful.
- February 12, 2008 at 11:39 PM
Very funny post, Snobby. My favorite is the line about how the people who built your good bike were at least over 13 and fed. My bikes are the opposite: my good bike is a recent Giant hardtail, no doubt assembled in a Chinese workhouse. My beater is a 70's Raleigh, whose builder was probably a WWII vet who raised a family and went on seaside holiday with what he earned. Correcting this mess is going to be painful.
- February 12, 2008 at 11:39 PM
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- February 12, 2008 at 11:43 PM
Dear Anon 12:29 PM --
May your digestive ailment pass quickly ... for all our sakes.
But honestly, when BSNYC titled his post "Binging and Purging" you should have relaized that was just an expression.
Fake bikesgonewild at 11:43 PM -- According to Emily Post, a hand made bike is not also known as a hand job.
Get a hold of yourself. Errr, on second thought ... never mind, ignore that. - February 13, 2008 at 12:45 AM
Allez les Pacers.
- February 13, 2008 at 1:05 AM
Booyah, BSNYC! we really made it!
Bike Snob, you are really good at what you do. Thanks for the late night giggles.
-Sacha at Vanilla - February 13, 2008 at 3:57 AM
- February 13, 2008 at 7:32 AM
- Timothy J said...
Th e Gary Richrath and Gregg Philbin era REO rocked! Their live album kicked ass. After that, not so much.
I actually bumped into Robin Williams at a REO concert. I didn't think I would ever get all the hair off my sweater. He sheds worse than my border collie! - February 13, 2008 at 9:11 AM
Adopt my attitude and find peace: I care passionately about bikes -- my own, that is, and no one else's.
People actually have "good bikes" and beaters? What's that about? - February 13, 2008 at 9:21 AM
Leroy, that's an odd comment
- February 13, 2008 at 9:44 AM
- usedmothlight said...
- February 13, 2008 at 10:49 AM
thank you bsnyc so much for giving portland the FU it so deserves.
-a NJ cyclist - February 13, 2008 at 10:59 AM
- BikeSnobNYC said...
Thank you for the compliment!
--BSNYC - February 13, 2008 at 12:04 PM
- Eric Silva said...
I was at NAHBS. Add Lance Armstrong to the (short) list of celebrities in attendance. They gave him a slot (without qualifying, no less!) in the roller races, but he didn't show.
Portland is awesome. - February 13, 2008 at 2:24 PM
skid-mark, 12.59 8.59pm, 12 Feb 2008
"get a JOB and a haircut - oh, and while you're there, get that nasty habitat for lice waxed off your back"
I've got all of the above, thank you, excepting the cosmetic work, which I leave to you.
Nice skid-mark across your cranium from having your head where it usually is. - February 13, 2008 at 6:47 PM
- DBZ said...
FUCK Portland.
BSNYC: I will gladly take you on a tour of this town that will leave you with enough ammunition for months of invective.
I sold my fixed gear commuter bike recently, and have experienced a wonderful cleansing feeling since it shipped to somewhere in Ohio.
I'm a BMXer. If I need to get somewhere, I'll take the fucking bus--and look better getting there than some clueless sonofabitch taking right turns in front of cement trucks in the constant, dismal rain.
The only good things about this city are the strip clubs, dive bars, concrete skateparks and lack of sales tax. - February 13, 2008 at 6:53 PM
- tjh said...
"The only good things about this city are the strip clubs, dive bars, concrete skateparks and lack of sales tax."
That's an aweful lot in my book. - February 13, 2008 at 8:09 PM
- tjh said...
"So be careful. By the time you get your hands on a Speedvagen they could be more out of style than REO Speedwagon."
...and REO Speedwagon outta style? When did this happen?! - February 13, 2008 at 8:14 PM
- Matthew said...
I wasn't that aware of the handmade bike movement until about a year or two ago. I find that the quality is twofold...a return to a simpler time when manufacturing was done by hand and skillfully....and secondly the aesthetic of gorgeous detail and care that bring the frame from a commodity to a personal expression of 'art' and craft. I admire the care that goes into these machines...and would think that over time as they develop the scars and patina of age, they will look even better.....
- February 14, 2008 at 5:26 AM
umm, can somebody please spell "despite" correctly?
- February 14, 2008 at 11:33 AM
- just a friend said...
as long as your not bitter
- February 14, 2008 at 3:28 PM
- keithwwalker said...
...is there a city on Earth where you can actually leave a bike like that outside?
Sad but true, I have seen 'his'n'hers' Vanilla bicycles locked up at the local market here in PDX, is that smug enough for you? - February 14, 2008 at 7:01 PM
- bikelawya said...
Seems to me the dude at Vanilla is always building bikes for his kids, trikes and mixtes. No wonder the wait is so long. Do his kids really ride that stuff? Sure they do. That is an example of those builds, all show, no go.
Give me a used stumpjumper with rigid fork, with planet bike fenders and rattle can paint for 75 bucks any day over those mastabatory custom builds! - February 14, 2008 at 11:29 PM
Are you asking if my daughters ride? They do. My family gets around by bike and the mixte is my older daughters main transportation.
I get the feeling that you have no idea what you are talking about, but feel free to correct me. How much actual experience do you have with Vanilla? With the people who make them, the reason that the wait is what it is, the amount of time that goes into making them right?
All show and no go?
If you are curious who uses them and how, I would be happy to share, or do you just want to be mad about something based on an image that you have in your head?
-Sacha White - February 15, 2008 at 1:19 AM
I know this post is about Portland, but can you New Yorkers explain something to me?
BSNYC says that Portlanders need a dose of reality, but he and the rest of you would also probably say that NYC is unlike any other place on the planet. So how is NYC any more "real" than Portland? Neither city really has much in common with an average American city.
If NYC and Portland have two things in common, it's being atypical and high rates of hipster fixie riders. - February 15, 2008 at 3:40 AM
- B. Witty said...
I can most assuredly attest that Vanilla has as much "go" as they do "show". Sacha builds for people who ride.....alot. He is also a very down to earth sole. Sacha is the furthest thing from an elitest in any way, shape or form. I love BSNYC, but some of you posters are insufferable.
By the way, i am not a Vanilla owner...just a big fan of what the people (led by Sacha) at the Vanilla workshop stand for. - February 15, 2008 at 10:44 AM
- g. lo said...
don't be hating on vanilla bikelawyer---I stopped in unannounced to Sacha's shop and chatted for about an hour. His bikes are even more beautiful in person. Pretty sure a builder that sponsors a cross team wants his bikes ridden and is ok if they get a little dirty.....
- February 15, 2008 at 1:54 PM
- bikelawya said...
Dear Sacha White:
Thank you for your post directed to me. Why you did not respond to the other posts about Vanilla (like the guy who sold his) I do not know, but once again thanks.
I am very happy for you. And happy for everyone in Portland that you all lead such beautiful lives!
I know it's hard to believe, but I have no experience with Vanilla. I have bikes that function quite well thank you.
I did note that your website states, "Vanilla bicycles are beautifully badass, timeless, sexy and functional machines made for real people with real needs." So I guess that about sums it up.
However, Sacha, in my opinion (and that is all that it is) the NAHBS is a beauty pageant, and you are someone who participates in it. Like most participants in such a pageant the contestants (and this case the bikes and their builders that I have seen) are fairly far from providing transportation for "real people with real needs." In a world of Jon Benoit Ramseys I'll vote for Little Miss Sunshine anyday. - February 15, 2008 at 10:35 PM
If you have ZERO experience with a product why would you make a claim like "all show and no go"? Why would you make a claim about if my kids ride or not. Why the bitterness towards my company?
NAHMBS is another situation where I will ask; do you have any experience with what you are talking about?
I brought 8 bikes and 3 frames to the bike show.
4 of those "beauty queens" had been raced all of last year (one in the 'Cross world cups in Belgium, one to gold in theOregon State Chams and one to first in Oregon's Cross Crusade series) They have the same components on them that they have had throughout the race season, and the paint is original (and far from perfect).
Another "beauty queen" was my daughter's bike, which she has ridden and locked up outside of school nearly everyday for the past 5-6 months. The bike was brought to the show in it's normal condition. Some road grime on the rims and drivetrain, papers from the previous weeks classes in the pannier. The bike has chips and dings from everyday use and people loved it for that among other things.
Another bike I brought was a commuter that I had re-po'd from it's owner for the show. He commutes on it 10+ miles each day, but takes care of it, so it was still in prime condition.
Everything I brought to the show belonged either to my customers, or my team. They are real bike, not show bikes.
If you want to make claims about my business, atleast make some effort to educate yoursellf first.
And if you don't know what you are talking about, it's ok to not say anything.
-Sacha - February 16, 2008 at 2:18 AM
- bikelawya said...
Dear Sacha:
Thank you once again for the post. I appreciate your desire for my educational well being.
You keep returning to this desire to let me know how great your work is. And, that it is practical and used here and there. I would never believe for a minute that your work is in anyway inferior, in fact, I would believe just the opposite.
I have some background in the metal arts and was probably fillet brazing with a Victor torch before you were born. I became a certified welder in Tig, Mig, Stick, and a number of other welding processes that are not relevant to this discussion back in 1974, right after I graduated from high school. I was one of the youngest members of the American Welding Society which back in the day was profitable for learning all I could learn about metallurgy. I began welding when I was in the 5th grade because that was my father's trade, and I had to work for him on the weekends at the shop which was a combination welding, blacksmith, and machine shop.
As to riding: in the real world I have many long tours, the longest was 7100 miles starting from sf, up the west coast, BC Frazier River Canyon, and across the Trans Canadian Highway to Nova Scotia in 71 days. I relate all this to you not to get into a pissing contest-as nobody wins in those types of things. This is an effort to let you know that I am not as stupid as you may think about machines and bicycles.
Over the long haul I have seen many cycles in bike industry. Your are experiencing one of those high points, enjoy it while it lasts.
That was all a pretty long winded intro to my point, which is: as to the hand made bicycle show, you are a focal point of this event. In my opinion the event fuels a consumerism that I don't care for. It is a "hip" consumerism, and therefore there are few critics. These bikes are art, functioning art I guess, but don't try to con me into thinking that I have a real need to possess one (real needs for real people).
So… some cyclists can go on living with the long waits, high prices, the obsessive drooling over these bikes, and the worship of a few of the dudes who can handle a torch. When a bike is well fit to my specs, my body doesn't know whether I am on a Magna or a Vintage Masi, it doesn't care the color is a match to eggplant, or the fenders are Honjo or the 300 dollar rack is made especially for vegan scones at the free trade coffee shop. To sum it up, psychologically, I don't care about those things either. That's why the main post on the show by Bikesnob NYC got my attention, because this free forum of ideas is something I care about a great deal. When I say in this forum that the works at the show are masturbatory, I am trying to express that pretty bikes with the narcissistic paint and lug work are not a necessity in my life. I was certainly not trying to assert inferiority or an inability to their riders to participate in something as grand as World Cups.
In the end, Sacha, your stats on the bikes you brought to the show certainly point to the fact that your bikes are in service throughout the world. I am grateful that you share that they are locked up at school, and have nicks and dings. Regarding that point you win, and I loose. I apologize if I offended you in anyway. One thing I notice is the sun is rising and it's time to go and ride something in my life that is a necessity.
Have a better one.
Bikelawya - February 16, 2008 at 11:01 AM
It started as a bad mood and slowly grew into a city. One big surly sprawl of mean spirits and bad luck. But you know, Portland is ok sometimes, just like a bad mood is ok sometimes, like when you have a good reason to feel shitty. A good day in portland is like that, like the way you feel when you're in a bad mood for a good reason. IT's sort of relaxing in a way, because evertying is nicely focused and clear and there are reasons why everything sucks. - February 16, 2008 at 11:50 AM
To be clear, I never said that you don't have experience with welding, or with bicycles in general.
I questioned if you have any real experience with Vanilla, or NAHMBS, the two entities that you have made such definitive statements about.
I would actually like to give you a virtual tour of the bike show and tell you what I saw when I walked down the aisles, because it is really much different than what you describe. Maybe that is due to what people were photographing at the show.
Anyway, I can understand being turned off by the hype, the drooling and the popularity in the media and inernet forums, associated with handmade bkes right now. In some ways I feel the same as you.
To be frustrated with the attention that handmade bikes get is fair. But to fault the bicycle, or the maker is not.
Don't hate the playah... and all that.
I can't speak for other builders, but if we didn't have this surge in popularity, I would still be doing the exact same thing; spending time with my customers, designing something that is right for them, trying to perfect my craft, and run a business with integrity along the way.
The over-hyping doesn't effect what I do at the workbench everyday, which as you know from your metalworking experience, is just good hard work. The stigma generated by forums and blogs has taken on a life of it's own, but is not rooted in the reality of where I and many framebuilders are coming from, which is a place of trying to do something _real_ and _good_.
Maybe the fact that manufacturing in the US is dying, is what brings the spotlight to this handmade movement. It would be a shame though, to focus only on the negative aspects of this spotlight, rather than support what is at it's core; People striving to do the best that they can do, and stay true to an ideal counter to the typical corporate business model
p.s. I don't have anything against beaters with rattlecan paint jobs. One of my favorite bikes is the shabby one that I don't worry about. - February 16, 2008 at 5:04 PM
- bikelawya said...
Dear Sacha:
When I came back from riding today I read your post of February 16, 2008 5:04 PM.
As lawyers like to say, that post was dead on. You certainly convinced me that you are a genuine individual. I like your position about how the hype and the blogs have taken on a life of their own.
As I was riding today, some things began to get a little clearer. For lack of a better term the death of craftsmanship would be a loss.
Perhaps some of my bitterness was prompted by pursuing a career in law, and throwing all of my craft and trade background aside.
Maybe some day I will attend a NAHMBS and experience what you have mentioned. I am surprised that someone has not had the incentive to produce a DVD about the show and preserve all of it, not just the drool and hype. Or maybe I am just out of the loop, and something like that already exists.
At any rate, thank you for taking the time out of your holiday weekend to correspond in this public forum in such a personal way.
My P.s. If I am ever fortunate enough to go to this bike Valhalla AKA Portland, I will drop by Vanilla and say hello. - February 17, 2008 at 12:56 AM
- msgr33 said...
One of the things I find most interesting about the NAHBS is that it's got yearly trends just like that bike show in Vegas. This year it was city bikes, a couple years ago you couldn't fling a chain whip without hitting a road frame with Newvex lugs and a Joe Bell paint job. The bikes are nice, but I think the most interesting part is talking to those builders with the suspect facial hair choices and odd nervous twitches.
As far as Sacha's bikes go, here's mine, for folks who doubt they get ridden. - February 17, 2008 at 6:39 AM
"trying to perfect my craft" -Sacha White
Would that include figuring out how long to make a track fork so that the tire doesn't hit the crown? Not much show and definitely no go with that one. - February 18, 2008 at 2:14 AM
- email@example.com said...
Dear Detective Crankypants,
I won't deny that I make mistakes. They happen all the time. My biggest mistakes have been my most valuable learning experiences. I expect this is true with most everyone.
As for forks being built to the right length, some bikes (like track racing bikes) are built for 21mm tubulars, and some bikes are built for 23mm clinchers. A bike built for 21mm tubulars won't always fit a larger road racing tire and that's ok.
I thought it was group hug time, already - February 18, 2008 at 2:57 AM
I know this is less than articulate, but generally speaking custom-made bikes are for bourgeois fags who care more about commodities than cycling.
- February 18, 2008 at 10:24 PM
I appreciate our exchange and I think it is really cool that you are open to another's perspective.
This has been a good learning experience, and for that, I thank you.
-Sacha - February 20, 2008 at 2:44 AM
- bikelawya said...
Hey: My pleasure.
I have started to consider a custom build! My Colnago Master would not know what to do with something like that hanging from the rafter.
Here's to a good year for both of us in 2008.
Bikelawya - February 21, 2008 at 1:37 AM
- Jamie said...
I live in that moist paradise of which you speak. This article was really hilarious and spot on. I loved the part about "flashy" and "precious" bicycles. So true! I don't know that I would agree about it being a bicycle wonderland here (though it is better than most places), but as far as the ego and sentimentality people have surrounding bike culture and their bicycles, you're totally right. It's kind of fucked up and very tiring.
- May 3, 2008 at 2:54 PM
- Zosia Wiatr said...
Portland is not as magical as you think: those U-locks with the yellow and orange bars are as popular here as I'm sure they are out there.
- August 14, 2008 at 3:18 AM
- ZigaK said...
and eventually you're throwing your bike down the steps for missing shifts and being ugly like you're David Millar or some other english pro.
- February 11, 2010 at 9:41 AM


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text:
Time now for sports.
HEADLEE: We are rounding the corner toward Major League Baseball's homestretch. Some surprising names are up near the top of the standings: Pirates, Royals, Orioles all contending this year. They have a collective zero World Series titles since 1985 and it's not really a surprise. But I can't get through a sports interview without mentioning, of course, the beloved Detroit Tigers. They're in first place in the American League.
As for why the little guys are back in this fight, for that answer we turn to Howard Bryant of ESPN.com and ESPN the Magazine. Good morning, Howard.
HOWARD BRYANT: Hi, Celeste. How are you doing?
HEADLEE: I'm doing well. Thanks for being with us. And we just got to start with the Pirates 'cause what an amazing story. Twenty consecutive losing seasons and now they're on top of their division. What's going on?
BRYANT: Well, that's a really good question. I think last year, everyone thought we were going to be having this conversation. I don't think anyone thought they were going to be the best team in baseball. But with Clint Hurdle as their manager they finally began to start, you know, showing some signs of becoming a pretty good team. And then the bottom fell out in August and September and they ended up under .500 again. They haven't been .500 since 1992 when Barry Bonds was there and they lost the last play of the game in the NLCS.
But they're a very, very good team. They've got a superstar in Andrew McCutcheon. They've got good pitching. They've got a great manager and it looks like they're not going to collapse this year. And I think it's a really great story for the city of Pittsburgh. They've got a fantastic stadium, PNC Park is probably - for my money - it's maybe the best stadium in baseball to watch a game. And the people there deserve a winner.
The team hasn't held up their end of the bargain management-wise, but I think that the city has a - they've suffered enough. I think it's time for some postseason baseball for them.
HEADLEE: I agree. Well, then let's go to another deserving team and that's the Kansas City Royals. They're a few games out of the wild card - definitely in the playoff hunt - and they have a recent history I would think it's fair to say of staggering mediocrity. Wouldn't you say?
BRYANT: I would say more than staggering. You know what? I have less sympathy for the Royals because...
HEADLEE: Aw, come on.
BRYANT: ...David Glass, owner of Wal-Mart, is one of the richest men in the world. They could have spent money. They've had great players. They've had better players than the Pirates have had for the past 15 years. A lot of their players ended up winning with other teams, whether it was Johnny Damon or Carlos Beltran or some of the other players. They've had good players and they haven't spent - obviously the economics of the game sort of hurt them. But when you look at what the Oakland A's are doing, they're in first place - they made the playoffs last year.
When you look at what Tampa Bay has done, they're in second place. They went to the World Series in 2008. Just because you don't have a $200 million payroll doesn't mean that you can't compete. It may mean that you can't for 10 straight years, but it doesn't mean that you should be in last place every single year.
I think that in the case of Pittsburgh and in the case of Kansas City, I think their managements have failed the fans. And this is the year where you've got a chance to do something and I think the fans deserve a little bit more action, let's say, from the front office.
HEADLEE: Well, before I let you go, Howard, we have to talk about the big story in baseball, which is the suspension of 13 players for performance-enhancing drug-related offenses. Is this going to affect the playoff hunt?
BRYANT: Sure, it's going to affect the pennant race. Your Tigers, they knew a suspension was coming...
HEADLEE: Yeah, I knew - bloody prepare for it.
BRYANT: ...with Johnny Peralta so they...
BRYANT: Exactly, they prepared for it, so they went and got a backup with Iglesias from the Red Sox. But Texas did not make a deal for Nelson Cruz. He ended up taking a 50-game suspension, so now they're scrambling. Maybe they're going to get Alex Rios from the White Sox. They're going to try to find another player to fill that void. But for some of those teams, that lost player, it's going to be very interesting to see how they fare in September. But at the same time, as one of the players told me, don't test positive and you won't have these problems.
HEADLEE: Howard Bryant of ESPN.com and ESPN the Magazine, he joined us from the studios of Vermont Public Radio in Norwich. Thanks , Howard.
BRYANT: Thank you.
HEADLEE: You're listening to WEEKEND EDITION from NPR News. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.


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To the editor:
Many thanks to all those who are supporting the Winkler Botanical Preserve in its efforts to save a significant portion of the preserve from being paved for access roads to the new military building (Washington Headquarters Service) being built at Mark Center just off I-395. Thanks especially to Winkler supporters on the City Council, Virginia House of Delegates members David Englin (D-45) and Charniele Herring (D-46), and Rep. Jim Moran (D-8).
The Winkler Botanical Preserve is a 44-acre treasure that provides much-needed green space in the densely populated West End of Alexandria. It also provides a key source of free environmental education for the Alexandria City Public Schools, as every child in first through fifth grades visits at least two times a year to explore native Virginia flora and fauna.
But more work is required to preserve the Winkler Preserve. In December 2009, City Council voted to request that the Virginia Department of Transportation work with city staff to evaluate additional alternatives to relieve traffic pressures on Seminary Road and to address traffic impacts from the BRAC-133 project in ways that would not harm the integrity of Winkler Botanical Preserve. Despite City Councils vote, in February VDOT released its Access Study for BRAC-133 and identified Alternative D as the preferred option. Alternative D calls for constructing a 34-foot-tall exit ramp and highway directly through the Winkler Preserve.
VDOT officials have stated that their department will not present this or any other access proposal to the Federal Highway Administration without the support of the local jurisdictions, including Alexandria and Fairfax. I ask City Council to reiterate its opposition to Alternative D. VDOT representatives have said they are looking to the city for its suggestions on other alternatives that could address traffic needs as well as protect the Winkler Botanical Preserve. I strongly urge the City to present VDOT with its own realistic short-term and long-term traffic management plans that will be acceptable to the community and protect the preserve.
In addition, I urge the city to identify traffic solutions that actually work. Short-term and local solutions that city traffic engineers could consider include 1.) seeking a phase-in of occupancy so that the 6,400 WHS employees come over a period of time, allowing time for traffic improvements to be implemented; 2.) changing Dash bus routes to accommodate the commuters; 3.) extensive use of shuttle buses from satellite parking lots; 4.) adding traffic lights and coordinating timing of traffic lights during rush hours; 5.) using reversible lanes during rush hours on Seminary Road, as is done in on Connecticut Avenue and elsewhere in D.C.; 6.) building new road(s) at Seminary Road and/or Beauregard Street to take pressure off local streets.
City engineers and planners should also look at long-term traffic management solutions, including new alternatives for direct access from I-395, such as highway access on the Remote Inspection Facility side of the WHS complex, as envisioned by Congressman Moran. Redesign of the outdated Seminary Road interchange should also be evaluated.
Alexandrians can voice their opinions on the proposed VDOT traffic solutions for BRAC-133 at a meeting on March 11 at Minnie Howard School at 6:30 p.m. The VDOT report (called Volume 1 Operational Analysis) and an electronic comment form may be found at http://www.vamegaprojects.com/faqsdocuments/mark-center-documents/
The BRAC-133 is here to stay and the traffic is coming. Alexandrians need to insist on better alternatives that provide traffic relief and are acceptable to our community while also preserving Winkler Botanical Preserve.
Susan Pettey


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Banks Seek to Expand Presence in Canada, Says Canadian Finance Minister
Banks are lining up to expand their presence in Canada, and the government welcomes this as a way of fostering competition, Canadian Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said on Wednesday.
"Banks that have already established themselves in Canada as something less than the chartered bank level seek to move up the chain," Flaherty told reporters in Ottawa by telephone from Thailand, where he is promoting Canadian financial institutions.
"We are interested in expanding the availability of bank products in Canada, and there are a number of pending applications."
He was elaborating on a reference in the federal budget he introduced last Thursday that said the government would review how it regulates financial institutions to ensure it promotes the entry and growth of smaller financial institutions in order to foster competition that helps consumers and businesses.
The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions is very careful in assessing the applications and then makes recommendations to him, Flaherty said.
While in Thailand, he said, he raised with authorities there restrictive rules concerning the participation of non-government banks, in particular regarding a deposit tax.
His Thai hosts received his message without any commitment to change at a particular time but acknowledged "the need over time to move toward a level playing field between government and non-government banks," the minister said.
During his trip, he also visited Hong Kong.
(Reporting by Randall Palmer; Editing by Will Dunham)
Copyright 2013 by Reuters. All rights reserved.


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AJ McCarron leads Alabama to BCS title over Notre Dame
| Miami Gardens, Fla.
Barely taking time to celebrate their latest national championship, Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide are ready to get back to work.
That's how they make it look so easy.
In what must be an increasingly frustrating scene for the rest of college football, another season ended with Saban and his players frolicking in the middle of a confetti-strewn field. Eddie Lacy ran all over Notre Dame, AJ McCarron turned in another dazzling performance through the air, and the Tide defense shut down the Fighting Irish until it was no longer in doubt.
The result was a 42-14 blowout in the BCS title game Monday night, not only making Alabama a back-to-back champion, but a full-fledged dynasty with three crowns in four years.
This one was especially satisfying to Saban.
"People talk about how the most difficult thing is to win your first championship," he said. "Really, the most difficult one to win is the next one, because there's always a feeling of entitlement."
Rest assured, that feeling won't last long in Tuscaloosa.
While Saban insisted he was "happy as hell" and "has never been prouder of a group of young men," it was hard to tell. He was already talking about reporting to the office Wednesday morning and getting started on next season.
"One of these days, when I'm sitting on the side of the hill watching the stream go by, I'll probably figure it out even more," Saban said. "But what about next year's team? You've got to think about that, too."
So, in short order, he'll be talking with underclassmen about entering the NFL draft, making sure everyone goes back to class on schedule, and getting started on that next depth chart.
"The Process," as he calls it, never stops.
"We're going to enjoy it for 24 hours or so," Saban said.
No. 2 Alabama quieted the top-ranked Irish on the very first drive — so much for waking up the echoes — and could've started the celebration at halftime, heading to the locker room with a commanding 28-0 lead.
The Tide (13-1) pushed it out to 35-0 midway through the third quarter on the third of McCarron's four touchdown passes, a 34-yarder to Amari Cooper with a defender nowhere in sight.
At that point, Alabama was on a 69-0 blitz in national title games, having scored the last 13 points in its 2010 triumph over Texas and blanked LSU 21-0 for last year's BCS crown.
When Everett Golson finally scored for Notre Dame (12-1) with about 4 minutes remaining in the third, it snapped a scoreless stretch of nearly two full games — 108 minutes and 7 seconds — by the Tide.
"It was just a complete game by the offense, defense and special teams," said Alabama linebacker C.J. Mosley, the defensive MVP with eight tackles, one of them behind the line.
Despite the dazzling numbers by McCarron — 20 of 28 for 264 yards — he was denied a second straight offensive MVP award in the title game. That went to Lacy, who finished with 140 yards rushing on 20 carries and scored two TDs. Not a bad finish for the junior, who surely helped his status in the NFL draft should he decide to turn pro.
Lacy also was MVP of the Southeastern Conference championship game, rushing for a career-best 181 yards in the thrilling victory over Georgia that gave Alabama a chance to repeat as champion.
The Tide will have some big holes to fill, no matter who decides to leave school early, with offensive tackle D.J. Fluker and cornerback Dee Milliner also pondering their draft prospects. There's not a lot of seniors on the roster, but All-America linemen Barrett Jones and Chance Warmack and safety Robert Lester are among those who definitely won't be back.
But Alabama had some huge holes to fill a year ago, too, with five players drafted in the first 35 picks.
That worked out just fine.
The Crimson Tide wrapped up its ninth Associated Press national title, breaking a tie with Notre Dame for the most by any school and gaining a measure of redemption for a bitter loss to the Irish almost four decades ago: the epic 1973 Sugar Bowl in which Ara Parseghian's team edged Bear Bryant's powerhouse 24-23.
"The process is ongoing," said Saban, tightlipped as ever and showing little emotion after the fourth BCS national title of his coaching career. "We have a 24-hour rule around here. We enjoy everything for 24 hours."
Notre Dame went from unranked in the preseason to the top spot in the rankings by the end of the regular season, winning two games in overtime and three other times by seven points or less.
But the long wait for a championship — the Irish haven't finished No. 1 since 1988 — will have to wait at least one more year.
"They just did what Alabama does," moaned Manti Te'o, Notre Dame's star linebacker and Heisman Trophy finalist, trying to digest an embarrassing loss in his final college game.
Golson will be back.
He completed his first season as the starter by going 21 of 36 for 270 yards, with a touchdown and an interception. But the young quarterback got no help from the running game, which was held to 32 yards — 170 below its season average.
"We've got to get physically stronger, continue close the gap there," said Brian Kelly, the Irish's third-year coach. "Just overall, we need to see what it looks like. Our guys clearly know what it looks like now — a championship football team. That's back-to-back national champions. That's what it looks like. That's what you measure yourself against there. It's pretty clear across the board what we have to do."
Kelly vowed this was only beginning, insisting the bar has been raised in South Bend no matter what the outcome.
"We made incredible strides to get to this point," he said. "Now it's pretty clear what we've got to do to get over the top."
Alabama is already there but still longing for more, not content even after the second-biggest rout of the BCS era that began in 1999. The only title game that was more of a blowout was USC's 55-19 victory over Oklahoma in the 2005 Orange Bowl, a title that was later vacated because of NCAA violations.
You could almost hear television sets around the country flipping to other channels as Alabama poured it on, a hugely anticipated matchup between two of the nation's most storied programs reduced to a laugher when the Tide scored on its first three possessions.
"We're going for it next year again," said offensive tackle Cyrus Kouandijo, only a sophomore and already the owner of two rings. "And again. And again. And again. I love to win. That's why I came here."
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.


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Dimensions | 55 × 54 × 88 cm |
Product Category | Freezers |
Fitting Type | Integrated |
Colour | White |
Shop By Height | 61cm – 100cm |
Freezer Capacity | 96 Litres |
Shop By Freezer Capacity | 81L – 100L |
Frost Free | No |
Energy Rating | E |
Door Hinge Type | Sliding |
Guarantee Period | 2 Year Guarantee |
Delivery Timescale | 3 to 10 days |
Availability | to order. Free delivery to mainland UK |
Hinge Position | Reversible Hinge |
- Cooking - ovens, steam ovens, hobs, warming & sous-vide drawers, microwaves and cooker hoods
- Refrigeration - fridges and freezers
- Dishwashers
- Laundry - washing machines, washer dryers and tumble dryers
- Coffee Machines
Refrigeration Buyers Guides
Fridge Buyers Guide
A complete guide to buying a new fridge, including advice on how to choose the right type, size and hinge style for your kitchen.
Fridge Freezer Buyers Guide
Discover what you need to know about buying a fridge freezer, from choosing the right size and split to extra features like water dispensers.
American Fridge Freezer
Discover how to choose the best American fridge freezer, from door configurations to ice dispensers and convertible zones.
Freezers Buyers Guide
Discover what you need to know about buying a freezer, including how to choose the right size and type, plus common features to look out for.
Wine Coolers Buyers Guide
Wine coolers have become increasingly popular over the last few years. Here is a handy guide to help you choose the right one for your home.
Recycling at Knees Home and Electrical
When we deliver locally to our customers (25-mile radius), we pride ourselves on service, we will for £19.99 take away your old appliance if disconnected and recycle free of charge, this includes the removal of packaging which we dispose of in a proper manner. With national deliveries our third party delivery companies will for the same price £19.99 takeaway any major domestic appliance on a like for like basis disposing of the item free of charge.
On small domestic appliances we offer a free of charge, like for like recycling scheme in both our Trowbridge & Malmesbury stores. Online & nationally, we can also offer a service, where we will collect your old like for like item at a cost to you of £8.65 and recycle the appliance free.
For local packaging we use a polystyrene compactor & cardboard baler to minimise the amount of waste that must be disposed of from products. Our third-party delivery companies nationally also dispose of packaging in the same way.
We'll recycle your old product for just £19.99
We can help you dispose of your old major appliance in an environmentally friendly manner. We will take away your old appliance, like for like, when we deliver your new one, and make sure its recycled in accordance with the UK's WEEE directive.
Just make sure you tick to choose that option on the product page when you add it to basket.
We'll recycle your old small domestic product for just £8.65
We can help you dispose of your old small domestic appliance in an environmentally friendly manner. We will collect your old appliance, like for like, after delivery of your new one, and make sure it's recycled in accordance with the UK's WEEE directive.
Just make sure you tick to choose that option on the product page when you add it to basket.
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive is now UK law, aiming to make producers pay for the collection, treatment and recovery of waste electrical equipment. The regulations also mean that suppliers of equipment like high street shops and internet retailers must allow consumers to return their waste equipment for recycling.
Knees Home and Electrical are doing their bit under these regulations to offer our customers take-back of their WEEE on a like-for-like basis when you buy from us a new Electrical or Electronic product, by taking away your old appliance when we deliver your new one. If that's not enough, we also allow customers to return an old item back to Knees Home and Electrical at their warehouse on Epsom Road, Trowbridge. How's that for convenience?
Under the WEEE Regulations, all new electrical goods should now be marked with the crossed-out wheeled bin symbol. Goods are marked with this symbol to show that they were produced after 13th August 2005, and should be disposed of separately from normal household waste so that they can be recycled.
We deliver to set postcodes within a radius of our store located in Trowbridge. We also offer national delivery services on selected products for an additional fee.


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Air Conditioning System Service
The Basics Behind Air Conditioning System Services at Greulich's Automotive Repair
Car air conditioning systems promote a comfortable cabin interior and help prevent driver fatigue. During normal vehicle operation, a substantial amount of heat is created by the engine and exterior contributors like the road and sun. Your vehicle's AC system is responsible for cooling, purifying, and circulating air. Your air conditioning system works through a series of processes that involve refrigerant. In your vehicle, the refrigerant is responsible for removing heat from the cabin compartment. Refrigerant goes through a continuous cycle of air compression that is dependent on your compressor's drive belt. The compressor pumps the refrigerant through the system where it is transformed from a hot gas into a liquid and then cooled. Through a number of other components, such as the condenser, compressor, and evaporator, the liquid is again processed into a gas, pressurized, and vaporized before being released into the cabin as cool air.
Why Should You Have Air Conditioning System Services Performed at Greulich's Automotive Repair?
Like most aspects of car maintenance, treating a problem with your vehicle's air conditioning system early can help prevent major repairs. For example, an air conditioning system operating on low refrigerant due to a leak will eventually damage the compressor. Replacing or repairing the compressor can be more expensive than sealing the leak and refilling the refrigerant. Some symptoms to beware of regarding a faulty air conditioning system include an inoperative fan or blower, an unusual amount of noise during regular operation, and, of course, reduced cooling capability. Stale smelling air is another sign that something is wrong with your vehicle's air conditioner. A clogged compressor, evaporator, condenser, or expansion valve can contribute to AC system failure. Routine maintenance now can help you avoid major AC repairs down the road.
We proudly service the Air Conditioning System Service needs of customers in Scottsdale, AZ, Cave Creek, AZ, Phoenix, AZ, and surrounding areas.