It's Here!!!

After much anticipation and a little apprehension it came. A call from Doug saying my bike was ready for pick up. Since it was a long weekend and the family came over for Saturday and Sunday we took off for Winthrop Sunday night. We stayed in a local Hotel before our departure in the morning for Doug's house were my new bike awaited. First arriving I met Doug at the door of his shop and we talked for a minute about the trip and our overnight stay. Then he unveiled the behemoth that I now call my bike. At first it took me back by its size. Then I realized, that the huge bike was for a huge guy. Even though it is so large it still looks proportionate. So we commented on its size and how it came out for a minute and I gave it a little test ride. My first impression was holy crap I'm a long way off the ground. But when I began to pedal it was amazing how comfortable it was. For the first time I can remember a bike that finally fits. I have since taken it for a small 6-7 mile street ride into town to get used to it. It is pretty amazing how the custom cranks and frame allow me to use my leverage. It almost seems effortless to get around. My back side on the other hand felt everything. That will take some getting used to. I will put up a more detailed posting of how it all handles when I get it out a few more times. But for know here is a pic and the final Build Specs.

Curtlo AM Frame
White Brothers 29er 110mm 20mm axle Fork
White Brothers 20mm axle
Shimano XT derailers, chain, cassette, shifters
White industries M16 rear hub
White industries venti front hub
Salsa Gordo 29er Rims
Phil Woods Heavy Duty Spokes
Sierra Custom Cranks 215mm
Phil Woods Bottom Bracket
Thomson elite seat post
Thomson elite x4 Stem
Kris King Headset
Avid Code 5 Brakes 185mm
Race Face Dues AM riser bar
Wierwolf 2.55 LT Tires

Update!!

So I will start with an update on my bike. Its been about 9 months from my initial down payment and the summer in Seattle is wearing down to a blistering 68 degrees today. I heard from Doug at Curtlo and he said all the parts should be in this week and he thought it would be done next week. As exciting as it sounds I am anticipating another three weeks. As for the update in life, all is going well. Molleigh starts her Masters in Teaching program in September and should be able to rejoin the working force next September if she can find a job. My new job is going well, but as always in this economy nerves are unsettling within the ranks and a layoff is always possible. They gave me a new truck to drive and I must say its pretty nice, a Ford F150 4x4 STX. Its pretty decked out with the new Windows Sync. As for an update on health. My routine is non exsistant and I am working on getting a set of power block dumbells and a multi position bench to start doing my own thing at home. I debated doing the p90x program and still might this summer but I want to get my strength up first. We have stayed pretty busy this summer doing all kinds of summer things around Seattle. We have gone to a Celtic fair, Good Guys NW national car show, watched the salmon run up the Ballard Lock's, found the Freemont Bridge Troll, Floated the Skykomish River and went camping when we get the chance. Summer isn't over yet and we hope to do some more fun stuff before the grey hits. Well I hope my next Blog is of my new Curtlo Bike.
Take Care

ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST!!

Another one's down. My second layoff in less then 10 months. That's right the second time in less then a year and third time in 3 years. I know that some strive for perfection but this is one statistic I did not plan on when graduating from college. The good news is I found another job that will start the day my current job ends. I am not too sure about its stability in today's economy but the pay is better and I get a F150 that includes gas card and personal use so I am hoping for the best. As soon as I get and sign my offer letter I will be working for TTI. Better known to most as the company that owns Ryobi and Milwaukee Tools. It also makes Rigid, Craftsman, Homelite and a number of other electronics. I am hoping it is a great place to start a career since I will placed in there LDP (Leadership Development Program) which is supposed to be a fast track to management if you perform well. On the Bike front I have not heard much except some guys in the same build batch as me have heard from Doug that they're frames are in. Too bad I have not heard a thing about my frame or component choices. I still believe (or hope) I will get a mountain bike that fits some day. I also want to throw a shout out to my buddy Eric who is a new father to a baby girl today!

Oh Boy!!!

Well I will admit the wait time for this bike is killing me. The weather is getting nicer and each weekend I think "wow this would be a great ride weekend". But instead I just wonder what is going on with my bike. So I decided to e-mail Doug last week and his response was this drawing of my bike. All I can say is I am excited. He also let me know it would probably go off to paint this week and get a nice dose of baby poop brown powder coated sprayed all over it. The Fork was changed from a 135mm to 110mm travel so it makes the down tube a little confusing with all the lines. Me and the wife have been getting ready for the day it arrives. I am ordering her a Gary Fisher Mamba or picking up a last year X-Caliber this week from a local shop that is having a sale. We also have been preparing the Honda to cary 2 bikes with a new yakima rack and a couple bike racks. It was all on sale from different places. As much as this recession bites there are allot of good deals right now. So a little excitement in the menotiney of negativity from every day activity is a good thing these days.

Just Waiting!

The last few days have been very hard as my patients is running out and I am getting very antsy about my bike. The weather has been unreal and I wish I had a bike to take advantage of it. The past two weeks I have decided to drop 20 pounds by the end of July. It wont be easy but at 6'10" its like someone 6' dropping 10. I have gained way too much weight this winter and am tipping the scale at a blistering 285. I should be at 265 and my body is reminding me every time I do anything strenuos. So I took on the dreaded running again. The amazing thing is when I played basketball I hated running and did it for endurance, but I kind of enjoy it now. Seattle is a little hard to run since every street is a hill but my legs get a killer workout. I figure this will also help me when I get my bike enjoy it sooner and help with some of the hikes we plan to do this summer. The job is going well but like everything in our thriving economy the sales are very low and everyone is uneasy about they're jobs. I have learned to do the best I can and whatever happens, happens. So here is my final build sheet (I think), I know Ryan wants me to use Sram but Doug gets a killer deal on Shimano, I might switch to XTR if its no too crazy on price.

Fork White Brothers Magic 110 mm 20 mm axle
XT derailleurs, chain, cassette and shifters
Hope Tech M4 Brakes 8" Rotor
White Industries M16 rear hub 36
White Industries front hub 20 mm thru axle
DT Alpine spokes
Salsa Gordo rims 36
WTB Laser V saddle
WTB Weirwolf 29x2.55 tires
Race Face Deus XC riser bar 31.8
Thomson X4 stem 31.8
Thomson 31.6mm seatpost
HSC long cranks w/Race Face chainrings 215mm
Phil Woods BB
Chris King headset
Oury grips

Like always advice is welcomed.

My Bike Is Next

I spoke to Doug at Curtlo (actually e-mail). It sounds like my bike is in the next batch to get built. I cant wait. The weather here is starting to get nicer and since the days are longer and I get off around 3:00 pm I am looking forward to some good summer rides. I also need to drop a few pounds so I am hoping this will help. Here is the first draft of my build. Any component that come in black will be. The color will be baby poop brown.

Fork White Brothers Fluid 135 mm 20 mm axle
XT derailleurs, chain, cassette and shifters
Avid Code 5 disc brakes 185mm rotors
White Industries M16 rear hub 36
White Industries front hub 20 mm thru axle
DT Alpine spokes
Salsa Gordo rims 36
WTB Laser V saddle
WTB Weirwolf 29x2.55 tires
Race Face Deus XC riser bar 31.8
Thomson X4 stem 31.8
Thomson 31.6mm seatpost
HSC long cranks w/Race Face chainrings 215mm
White Industries BB
Chris King headset
Oury grips

A couple changes will be to swap the fork with a White Brothers Magic 110 mm 20 mm axle with a heavy duty crown, also the bottom bracket will probably become a Phil woods. I Want to swap out the brakes if I can figure out something better. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Its Been 2 Months

And what a 2 months it has been. After 5 interviews and 2 months I was offered a Job. I feel fortunate to have found something in the current economy, by no means was it easy I applied to anything I thought I had a chance at and only heard back from 2. The position I took was with Hilti Tool Company as a Account Manger 1. This is a entry sales job for the company. I am located in a Home Depot with my own section where I sell all Hilti product. It is a stepping stone to Outside sales and then what ever you may want to do within the company. There is a great oppurtunity since they relocate all over the world. They also have allot of people change career paths within the company, if I want out of sales at some point. They are very serious about who they hire. I just spent 3 weeks in Tulsa Oklahoma at the North America Corporate office for training. For those who have not been to Tulsa I suggest you keep it that way. It is extremely boring consisting of all commercial food chains and strip malls. I found out it was the testing grounds for almost all the franchise reseraunts in the United States. On the bike front I contacted Doug at Curtlo when I got back. He said my bike was in the next batch to be built. i will post all the specs when I get all the Details worked out with Doug. I will also try to stay more up to date on my blog. Hope all is well, Later.

First Part

The first Bike part I have recieved in over 10 years came today. It was my Time ROC Atac Carbon Clipless Pedal. After much resaerch and talking on forums to heavy riders this was the sensous for what I think will work best. Since I am buying the Bike from Curtlo I will buy the rest from him. But for Christmas I thought I would get a head start on some of the smaller things. My shoes are coming next and should be hear any day.

Global Warming?

Well first of all I hope everyone had a great Christmas and are looking forward to a happy new year. I am still under the status of unemployed, but hopefully that will change in the near future. I sure hope so or that Bike dream will be a empty frame sitting in the garage come spring. Well thats the bad but the good is I am down 5 weeks on my build time so its getting closer, even though Im not sure how much closer. Now for the pics as you can all tell it looks like we went home for the holidays but nope, this is the rainy city of Seattle. We had a white Christmas and more snow then then they have seen in a decade. Fortunantly the old man came over from spokane and flew back east to my aunts for the week. I was able to enjoy driving his newer fully loaded 1 ton 4x4 GMC, its a tank in the snow. Well not much else on the front to talk about so happy new year.

Bike Thoughts

I know I wont see my new bike for at least 12 to 15 weeks but it is hard not to start planning for the build. I have pretty much come up with all the components of the bike. Here are some of my thoughts, any input would be great. As a reminder I am 280 lbs which is the reason for most of the heavy duty parts. Weight is not going to be a huge issue to me since it is all relivant. The bike is going to weigh more but I am stronger then the average person so it equals out.

Frame: Curtlo Advanced Mountaineer 29er custom frame
Fork: White Brothers Magic 29er 110mm, 20mm thru axle (ordered with heavy duty crown)
Wheels: 36h Salsa Gordo 29er
Hubs: white industries m16's
Spoke: Aspen heavy gauge
Brakes: Avid Code 5's 185mm rotors
FR Derailer: Shimano XT
Rear Derailer: Shimano Saint
Shifters: Shimano XT rapidfire
Bottom Bracket: Shimano XT
Cranks: Custom 210-230mm
Pedals: Time Roc Atac
Handlebar: Easton EA 70 monkeybar
Cassete; Shimano XT
Headset: Chris King
Stem: Thomson Elite X4
Seatpost: Thomson
Seat: WTB Shadow V
Tires: WTB WierWolf FR 29x2.55

This is what I have so far, some will change I am sure as it gets closer and the prices start coming in. This is just what I am shooting for if the price is not to crazy. I am still not sure about the color. The green on the bike below is more neon then it looks in the picture and I don't really care for it. I might go with military green and call the bike Tank because it will be built very beefy.

10 Hour Bike Fitting

Yesterday I made the great Journey to Winthrop, WA. Why did I drive 4 hours for no apparent reason to the middle of no where? It's easy, to meet with Doug Curtis the owner of Curtlo Cycles. Many people talk about what a great builder Doug is but not many people get to meet him. So I set off on my venture at 6 am for the great Northwest Cascade Highway. This is probably one of the most scenic drives I have ever been on in Washington state. Along my drive I managed to see a heard of elk, 5 bald eagles on a mound of rocks and get a sweet picture of a young buck. I stopped a couple of times along the way taking pictures and looking at the earths marvels.  Finally at 10:30 am arrived in Winthrop. This is a magnificent place to live. For the outdoor enthusiast it is a dream. With rivers running everywhere and trails for miles and miles you could live there your whole life and not see it all. In the winter it is a cross country skiing haven with 2000 km of groomed trails. For the Hunter and Fisherman it has just about everything the Northwest has to offer. When I pulled up to Doug's house and shop it was easy to understand why he moved here. His neighborhood consisted of a few houses sprinkled around a large meadow in no particular order. In every direction a scenic view that could be on a postcard. When I pulled up I was greeted by the the house watch dog. A friendly golden retriever that said hello as soon as I opened the car door. After petting the dog for a minute I walked to Doug's shop.  After meeting and talking with Doug for about an hour I got a feel of his philosophies about building and life. Doug is a extremely nice guy who Builds bikes not to get rich or have his name on every bike across america. He builds them because he loves building bikes for people and it gives him the freedom to live life at his own pace. He builds the bikes at the same pace if he has 10 or 100 orders, his speed is not determined by number he needs to build but what is comfortable and enjoyable. It was kind of funny, he talked about if you were the last person on the list he would not stress to build 100 bikes fast, you would just wait longer until the 99 were built before yours. After an hour of talking we got to the bike stuff. Doug sized me on his own bike, taking some measurements and asking me questions about what I wanted. We talked allot about component options. Being 280 lbs it is important to get stuff that is going to hold up. Doug is pretty amazing when it comes to pricing. When you buy one of his frames he sells you all the components at cost. For example the white brothers fluid 135 mm fork sells online for about $780-$880, Doug puts it on the bike for $650. This is how all the components are priced. Allowing you to build a pretty sweet bike for way cheaper then allot of manufactured bikes. After we were done sizing we talked a little more about Winthrop and his journey there and I headed back for another 4 hour drive home. The whole experience was amazing. From drive there to meeting Doug and even the drive back. It was refreshing to meet a person who cared more about the quality of life and making people happy then the almighty dollar. I couldn't be happier I chose Doug to build my bike, besides the craftsmanship and price I could not have purchased from a nicer guy.   

A new addition to the family!

Some may be as surprised as I am about this new addition, it was a shock to all of us. My Wife said .........................I could get a KEG O RATOR. Thats right this little bundle of fun is going to entertain for years to come. And with Red Hook Brewery being within 5 miles keeping it stocked should be of no problem. It did come with some compromise. My wife purchased the rest of her dishes from the wedding registry and I got this black beauty. It is on delivery as I write this. I have been wanting one for about a year and with being layed off I knew it wasn't going to happen for Christmas. Thanks to allot of gift cards from friends and family at our wedding, a young mans dream at Christmas can come true " To wake up Christmas mourning walk out to the tree a pour a ice cold brew".

Thank you    

My New Order

Here it is a picture of my new order. Well the closest thing to what I am going to order. Since every bike Curtlo builds is different this is the closest to what I want. Still not sure about the single speed and front fork but it will be this color and have all black components. Some may say why would I buy a custom bike when I am just getting back into it. Well I don't have many choices. Being 6'10" limits ones options but after talking to Curtlo he can build me a steel kick A$$ bike for the same cost or less then most production bikes with nicer components.  

It Happened!

Thats right allot has happened. First is that I wrote a blog. This day has finally come, mainly out of a new found time, from being layed off. I never thought I would write one of these. The primary reason being I am a terrible writer. The reason for the Blog is dedicated to my friend Tread29 who's blog keeps me in touch with my friend that now lives across the country. Another thing that happened was I got married, hard to believe but it finally happened. The last which is the reason for the blog is my new bike order. Thats right I have sent my deposit for a custom Mountain Bike. The lucky builder is Curtlo Cycles in Winthrop, WA. And hopefully by June I will role onto the dirt trails of western Washington.