Seattle Bike Expo

The Seattle Bike Expo was this past weekend. For those of you outside the area, the Bike Expo is a public event featuring booths from dozens of shops/vendors, lectures by cycling luminaries, and a used parts swap meet. Thousands attended over the course of the two days and the number of manufacturer/vendor booths make it resemble a mini-Interbike. My highlights:

1) Sean Kelly. The Man was there and still looking fit. He spent time at several booths signing autographs and chatting up the glory days and earlier in the day went riding with some fans. The man exudes class.

2) Davis "Scarface" Phinney. The first American to win a stage in the Tour waaaaay back in 1986.

3) Youth Zone. A full hanger was converted into an indoor riding track where aspiring cyclists could learn safe riding habits. I providing mechanical support at this event and it seemed like we had a really good turnout. You gotta love anything that gets kids out on bikes!!

4) Bill Davidson's booth. Bill is a Seattle framebuilder and his booth was interesting not just for the stunning bikes but also for the contrasts. At one end was a Rivendell Saluki with Berthoud bags. At the opposite end was a Davidson titanium/carbon road racer with every imaginable weight weenie part. I overheard Bill talking about titanium frames with a visitor and when you hear the man talk you can see how can make such a diverse range make sense.

5) Wool!!! A distributor was selling leftover clothes. Most were gaudy team poser wear plastic stuff but there was a rounder full of DeMarchi wool jerseys for only $50. I scored a replica of the Irish team wool jersey - a gorgeous green number with white collar and cuffs, embroidered shamrock, and button pockets. Later got Kelly to sign it. Now I'm debating if I should wear it or display it! Knew I should have bought two jerseys!

6) REI booth. The corporate overlords got smart and realized it's called the BIKE Expo for a reason. This year the booth showed off several Novara models as well as a Scott and Cannondale. Last year the most prominent item in the booth was a canoe prompting several WTFs from friends.