Z --

1). You may not recall, but when I was planning my first custom frame, I had the pleasure of talking to you as you were about to start your year away from framebuilding (while in the midwest with your better half). I remember you were in the middle of deciding whether to go back to grad school, and since I am in the field you were thinking of studying, I gently encouraged you toward grad school. But it sounds like things have worked out in a good direction, and I think you will be happy with this. Not too many people can do what you already know how to do. And you certainly have a number of fans over here. Also, I can speak from experience, there are some real advantages to not being in the same field as one's spouse (she can't second-guess me over dinner, and I can't second guess her). In any event, it is good to see you thriving.

2). Separate idea, more of a business idea. My first sport was running, and I run the Boston Marathon every now and then (didn't run it this year, but did it last year, and may do it next -- and several of my clubmates ran it this week). I suspect I am not the only runner who also has a thing for bikes. Have you and the other local custom builders ever considered having a local Boston-area builders show during the Marathon weekend? Most of us are in town for 3 days, and we can't spend the whole time at the Expo and eating pasta. If there were a small bicycle show within walking distance of the Expo, I suspect it would get foot traffic from folks who otherwise couldn't travel all the way to Boston for a visit. A quick count off the top of my head of builders in the Boston area includes you, Mooney, of course IF and Seven, and a couple famous guys are just down the road in Connecticut. Just a thought.

Yrs, Eric in Seattle