A couple of weeks ago, I went on the road with Sean from Soulcraft and Steve from AHTBM.  We were headed south for the San Diego Custom Bicycle Show in a 1971 Chevy Suburban.

There was a small leak that occasionally allowed some exhaust fumes to enter the cabin…we kept the windows rolled down and our jokes got funnier with each passing mile.  On the way down, we stayed in San Luis Obispo with Tim, an old friend of Sean’s, for a couple of days worth of riding.  The weather and the views were as amazing as the trails.

Our tour guide, Tim, leading the way down after an interminable climb.

View from the top of a ridge above San Luis Obispo.

Sean, ably piloting the Suburban down highway 101.

Steve shown actual size with the Suburban….

I didn’t take any pictures of bikes while I was at the show, forgive me, but there is a nice gallery here at the show website.  Look under the show information tab and click on 2010 Pictures.

I traveled down to Pasadena, California for the Velo Rendezvous and spent three days riding bikes and viewing an amazing collection of vintage lightweights. Ted Ernst brought in his collection of original fixed gear and track bikes from the 1920’s through the 1960’s. There was also an exhibition of Colnagos ranging from 1954 to 1985. The most memorable bicycle that I saw was a beautifully restored Mario Confente.

The Handbuilt Show in Portland last week was really inspiring. This is the third time that I’ve participated in the show and every time I walk away with a deep sense of gratitude for being associated with this group of artisan frame builders that all share a passion for the bicycle. From builders that have been making frames for over 30 years to relative newcomers, every builder brings a point of view that is manifest in the choices they make when building a frame. The myriad interpretations at the show are just a small sampling of what is being done, but having them displayed in that one hall for a few days was overwhelming. Here are a few pictures from our trip to Portland and the booth.

Found this beautiful track in Frisco, Texas while visiting my late father-in-law. I didn’t get a chance to ride it, but hope to get back there some day.

In the 1985 Tour de France, a Colombian cyclist named Luis “Lucho” Herrera won the King of the Mountains competition setting a record points total for the polka-dot jersey. He rode for Colombia’s national twenty-two man cycling team that was sponsored by Varta Batteries and the National Federation of Coffee Growers. They were known as the Varta-Café de Colombia team. I got these details from Kings of the Mountains: How Colombia’s Cycling Heroes Changed Their Nation’s History, written by Matt Rendell. Please read this book…

My uncle, Rafael Herrera, no relation to Luis Herrera, was working for the National Federation of Coffee Growers when they sponsored the cycling team. Upon their return to Colombia, the team bicycles were raffled off to the employees of the National Federation of Coffee Growers. My uncle won one of the bikes that Luis Herrera road to victory in the mountains of France that year. When my uncle learned that I was building frames he decided to give the bike to me.

It is a Vitus with a complete Mavic parts group and appears to have the original tubular tires. I plan to do a very minimal restoration, not much more than light cleaning and assembly. I’m looking for information and any images of Lucho in the 1985 Tour de France to put together a detailed history of the bike and his victory that year. If you know of any good resources on the 1985 Tour de France, please contact me. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Birds Bicycles Chairs installation at Vena-Mondt, 108 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol, California. Rebolledo Cycles has two bikes on display, a track bike and a road bike. Check out some pictures from the opening.

Greensboro, North Carolina. Rebolledo Cycles exhibits a 50th Anniversary Campagnolo equipped road bicycle and a track bicycle. Mom and Dad traveled out to show their support.

I attended a lecture given by Peter Weigle about his career as a bike racer and frame maker. Peter builds some of the most beautiful bicycles that I have ever seen. Ever detail is carefully considered and executed with astonishing grace.

North American Handmade Bicycle Show, San Jose, California. Rebolledo Cycles is officially launched and Track bike wins 3rd place trophy for Best Paint.