Return to Freedom 2009

We promised updates and we haven't delivered. Sorry about that but let's get back on track.
This past weekend marked the return of our Return to Freedom ride. As you might expect from a formerly annual event that has taken some time off we had a relatively small turn out of loyal, enthusiastic riders, eager to take in our area on their bikes. Fair weather, good food, great company, and the best bicycles in the world made for a memorable and fun weekend.
Here's a visual account of what went down:

Day No. 1 - Watsonville/Freedom/Corralitos
Good thing we started straightening up early:
If you have a red Tour Easy, what else would you park next to?:
Our mechanic stayed busy the entire morning doing little tune-ups:
Riders kept coming until there was a sea of bikes in our parking lot:
As we waited for more to arrive we had plenty of time to meet and chat:
Julian parked his new Ti-Rush in an inappropriate place:
Tanya's pink Gold Rush:
Denton's Ti-Rush is always a hit:
The weather looked a little gloomy early on but it never got any worse:
Denton rallied the troops...:
... Roberto and Eddie looked on...:
... and we took off, through Freedom, stopping first at the Five Mile House in Corralitos:
Everyone kept a good pace and we re-grouped quickly:
After a quick stop at the Corralitos Market..:
... we hit the hills:
The descent was a blast!:


As we rested near the bottom of Hazel Dell Road I took a minute to examine some of unique features of the the bikes in this year's RTF. I found a sleek electric motor kit...:
... an ergonomic handlebar set-up...:
... a Topolino rear wheel with carbon spokes...:
... a "Thermal Drink Pocket" (on a neat insulated handlebar bag)...:
... some ERRC under seat panniers...:
... and a set of ROTOR cranks:
We met-up one last time at the Casserly Store before heading out to...:
Gizdich Ranch!:
We devoured several pies...:
... entertained each other with harrowing cycling tales...:
... and left with our bellies (temporarily) full:
The home stretch:
Back at the factory, the guys had (more) food ready and we all kicked back for the rest of the day:
Day No. 2 - Monterey
Ready for another day of adventure:
The view was stunning, as usual:

The (somewhat smaller) Day 2 group stopped long enough to take a picture:
More of the scenery...:
... and the locals:
Our final lunch together:

There you go. To everyone that joined us: Thank you, thank you, thank you! We hope you had a great time and that we'll see you again next year. To everyone that couldn't make it: Don't miss it twice!
For more pictures check out John's Photostream On Flickr, and Fred's On Photobucket.
Until next year...

-Buck

Chris' Gold Rush: Part I

This is going to be a really beautiful bike when Chris up in Canada finally takes it for its first ride around the block. It's nothing terribly out of the ordinary in terms of its basic components but the rims are what's really going to set it apart.
I saw Jordan Hufnagel had polished a set of H Plus Son rims for a track bike he displayed at the 2009 North American Handmade Bicycle Show (NAHBS); obviously, I found them stunning. I kept thinking about them, knowing that someday we'd have to try something similar on a deep rim like that for one of our custom builds (or maybe even a demo bike). Chis was insistant on polished rims for his Gold Rush but I didn't know how flashy he was going to be willing to let us go until we started talking about the pin striping he had planned for his Gold Rush and... you know, other Hot Rod stuff. A polished Velocity Deep V rim in the rear (paired with a polished Velocity Fusion rim in the front) was definitely going to appeal to his sense of style.




It's missing a few things right now but we'll take a few more shots before we pack it up. Chris is also going to send us some pictures when the pin striping is done so look for that in the near future. The rack is a Tubus Cargo, there are some Velo Orange stainless steel cages and bottles that will eventually be put on the bike as well.

-Buck

2006 Medium/Large Gold Rush Expedition; SOLD!

For riders with x-seams between 40.5" and 43.5"

A beautiful and exquisitely built Gold Rush Expedition with Shimano XTR and Ultegra components, and a Velocity Uriel wheelset. Despite being with the company for a few years this bike has barely been ridden, and looks and rides just as it did the day it was completed.

Features Include:

• Rear Scaffold for Bodysock
• Add a bodysock fairing (either the Carbon Fiber, Double Bubble or Zzipper Bodysock fairing) and we'll throw in a brand new bodysock for half price!
  

A tune-up will be performed at the time of sale. This bike is available for pick-up at our factory, we will also ship it anywhere in the world.

This bike is headed to Berkeley, CA. Thanks for looking!

Call or Email Us With Questions or to Purchase

2007 Medium Javelin Expedition; SOLD!

For riders with x-seams between 38" and 43.5"

This Javelin is set-up an Expedition with wider tires, v-brakes, mountain bike-like gearing and a 406 front wheel (even though it is shown here a place holder front wheel; the front wheel that will actually come with the bike will match the rear). This bike was built for exhibition at the Sea Otter Classic and was displayed at our booth there for two consecutive years. It features a drive train of Shimano XT/LX components.

Features Include:

• Velocity Uriel Wheelset Upgrade
  

A tune-up will be performed at the time of sale. This bike is available for pick-up at our factory, we will also ship it anywhere in the world.

This bike is headed to Spokane, WA. Thanks for looking!

Call or Email Us With Questions or to Purchase

Late 1990s Large Tour Easy Expedition; SOLD!

For riders with x-seams between 41.5" and 45"

A very unique bike for a complete factory build. Essentially an Expedition with a 406 front wheel and wider tires but with a long reach caliper brake instead of a v-brake in the front and a cantilever brake in the rear. It also features a Specialized crankset with a 52 tooth large chainring and a 24 tooth granny gear. A well maintained bike kept in pristine condition despite infrequent use.

Features Include:

• Standard Clear Zzipper Fairing
  
• Upgraded Mavic Pro Rear Wheel
• Kickstand
• Mirrycle Mirror
• Blackburn Rear Rack
• Cateye Vector Cycling Computer
• (New) Water Bottles and Cages
  

A tune-up will be performed at the time of sale. This bike is available for pick-up at our factory, we will also ship it anywhere in the world.

This bike is headed to Australia. Thanks for looking!

Call or Email Us With Questions or to Purchase

2008 Large Gold Rush Expedition; SOLD!

For riders with x-seams between 41.5" and 45"

This Gold Rush is an Expedition with a 406 front wheel, wider tires and v-brakes. It was built with Velocity's Uriel wheelset, and a SRAM X-0/Shimano Ultegra drive train. It is essentially a brand new bike with most of its miles occurring under factory supervision.

Features Include:

• Gold Rush Frame Bag
  
• Have any accessory you'd like professionally installed when you order; make this bike your own!
  

A tune-up will be performed at the time of sale. This bike is available for pick-up at our factory, we will also ship it anywhere in the world.

This bike is headed to King George, VA. Thanks for looking!

Call or Email Us With Questions or to Purchase

Late 1990s Medium/Large Tour Easy Expedition

For riders with x-seams between 40.5" and 43.5"

This Tour Easy is set-up as a Expedition with a 406 front wheel and cantilever brakes. It's in immaculate shape with very low miles. It was built around Shimano's coveted Exage crankset.

Features Include:

• Mirrycle Mirror
• Blackburn Rear Rack
  

A tune-up will be performed at the time of sale. This bike is available for pick-up at our factory, we will also ship it anywhere in the world.

This bike is no longer available.

Call or Email Us With Questions or to Purchase