Day 5

Finished the trim on the wall.  You can see how un-level the floor is.  The plan is to paint the base board and the wall white, leaving the rest of the wood unfinished.

Mark came by and helped me put the Kobila together.  This fit cycle (once I install the cranks, front wheel and computrainer) allows me to determine the perfect fitting bike.  It can also be adjusted to mimic the geometry of other bikes out there - say you want to see how a Medium Xenith T2 fits versus a 54 Cervelo P4.   No problem.

Beautifully machined to tight tolerances, the etched measurements let me know how a bike is configured in space in relation to the bottom bracket.

I'll be installing these on the bike to assist with fitting and so that people can use the bike as a training tool.  More on Powercranks here.

Lots left to do but the shop is definitely shaping up.

p.

4 days

Not too much building but lots of progress

So, we did a little moving around, a little more tearing down and settled on the location of the workshop.  Those tables probably weigh over 100 lbs each, are nearly 6 feet long and 2.5 feet deep.  Really ideal for working on (and I'll be renting the bench and tools out as well).

Still more fixtures to install and the lounge, which will give you a great view of your bike as I repair it.

The biggest find was this showcase from Recycled Displays.  Yes that is the 2008 cycling picture book and the latest edition of Rouleur under the glass..  Come by and have a read.

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Other Choices & Day 1 and 2 of rennovation

One of the things that I really wanted to be able to do was to start group rides from the front door of the shop.  And this includes the mother of all group rides that I organize, the Tour de Creemore 160.  A shop with a narrow front boulevard, a regular sidewalk or small doors just would not cut it.  I want to be able to collect 40-50 riders on a weekend and give everyone a chance to grab some water and get their chain lubed before the ride.  Of all the places that I saw over the last 8 months, this was the best one.

This is the entrance to the unit off Carlaw.

And the other side viewed from the unit. 

I made excellent progress over the last 2 days.  Took apart a wall, built another, installed the sink, counter and plumbing and built my 2 workbenches (which required a blow torch and a scraper - I'll tell you why when you come by the shop).

Tomorrow, finish the kitchen, the office wall, sign boards and pick up track lighting and a cash desk.

Lots of Choices

In November of 2007 I decided that it was time to go.  For very personal reasons, my seven year stint as a public servant was drawing to a close.  While my taste for working inside a bureaucracy had definitely faded, I can say that the people I worked with were both dedicated and a pleasure to spend 10 hours a day with. 

Finance, planning, budget work, human resources, large information system installs could all be rewarding work, but the core of that which I did was just not close enough to what I really loved to do.  Picture me winding myself up to work on a chart of accounts when I would rather be winding up the pedals on Scenic Caves Road in Collingwood.  So I made a choice and put in my notice.  First choice made and thousands more to go.  And here I am.  

Hello Velo will be located at 260 Carlaw Avenue, Unit 103.  The unit is just off Carlaw at the end of the loading bay entrance (this building was an old toy factory). If you zoom in on the map you can just about see the unit, just across from the white car.   

2 of the things I considered when choosing this location:

1) Location

It needed to be on the east side of Toronto, near the Lake.  There are a number of commuter oriented shops in the area but none dedicated to performance and training.  Proximity to Darkhorse Espresso Bar and home was also important.   I did not need a traditional retail location but it had to be close to other shops and services

2) Size and Amenities

I needed enough space for a full workshop, a training and instruction area and space for retail.  I also needed a bathroom with a shower and a full kitchen.  This space has all of this (although the Kitchen currently only consists of a drain and water hookups).  I also needed to keep things affordable and not have a mammoth location.  The unit works out to 1158 square feet - just right.

Here is what it looked like when I saw it for the first time.

Feel welcome to come by and say hello and watch it transform from the empty gray box it is right now to the shop and studio.  I am currently accepting tea and brownie (vegan) donations.

Riverdale Cross Championships

A cool but sunny day at the races for Edgars and Wes. 

Congrats on a great season!

Riverdale X