Red Barn intraweb Tour

It's hard to believe that it's been almost a year and a half since we've finished the remodel of the barn (est.2000), and she's starting to feel pretty darn cozy as her newest facet of being considered a bike shop.

a little for the history buffs

Originally built in the early 20's-30's she began life as a dairy farm owned by the McCrossen's who kept an immaculate dairy record (which was found during the remodel). Alvin Schmitt (my wifes grandfather) purchased the farm in the early 50's and he too ran the farm and kept a few head around for dairy. Alvin added to the barn and built the two lean-two additions that you see in the pic on the banner above. Alvin also in his later years converted the barn from Dairy to wood shop by adding a concrete pad, updated electric and a little bit of drywall. My father in law has tons of great stories about this old building, but honestly my favorites have to be about all the mischeif that he and his brother got themselves into and then actually being able to see the knife scar initials, udder napkins stuck to the ceiling, and cracked ceiling joists from jumping around in the hayloft. Actually, the fact that either of them made it past their teen years with their arses still attached is beyond either of their imaginations as ol' Alvin had quite the temper. But anyway.....my wife and i made a home of this place and it didn't take long for the barn to transition into a bicycle shop, it was all too natural.

still....this place wouldn't be anywhere near it's current state if it were'nt for damn good friends and the support of a kick ass community. And folks, we love ya.

looking in the front door:

the shop

the crap in the back.....one man's junk is a red barn treasure.

Schwinn Twin

Kimberly's new/old Schwinn Twin

get your cross on

Cyclocross season is nearly upon us, and Oct. 7th will be the first CX race on the calender and held in Butte. CX bike by Gunnar Crosshairs !

2008 Avid BB7

Take-e-peek at the 2008 BB-7's, larger pad adjustment dials a refined body and new charcoal color are the main differences this year. These simple stoppers still have to be some of my favorite stoppers due to ease of adjustment and super easy maintenence.

Nitto Lugged stem

Here's a look at the new(ish) Nitto lugged stem. Pretty darn nice looking and should compliment a few of those lugged steel beauties that are roaming around, and good for you if you're one of those lucky folks. Price - $100

New Belgium good times

So, saturday was good....damn good. Good buddy Rick and i loaded up the Ford truck with a load of less desirable cruisers dug out from the depths of the barn and we headed up to Missoula for the New Belgium Fat Tire Fest., The Festival is always a carnival of freakish bikes and folks....mix the two together and a throw downhealthy sampling of New Belgium and you have yourself some fine entertainment.

The old cruisers were well recieved and i ended up selling a handful, actually truth be told i think rick did all of the selling/collecting fundage. He's a pretty decent salesman (professional b-s'er) with a couple of brews down his neck.

so we headed home much lighter than when we left....paid for the gasoline to get up there and back and also to get a couple of burgers down our throat so i suppose we faired out pretty well.

riders and obstacles courtesy of the Bike Doc

entertainment courtesy of Mr. George

Rick the bike salesman

good pals

KOZ

one for the cruizer fans out there.....an 83' Mongoose Koz cruiser. Cook Brothers fork, Boss bars, DX pedals, and a sugino crank/chainwheel....truely fashionable.

another classic cruiser

1947 Schwinn Hornet (ladies)

1927 Elgin Motorbike

and also the same frame/fork that Pereira modeled their most recent show bike after. I'm not 100% sure what i'm going to do with it quite yet so we'll just hang her up in the back until i cross that path. Kind of neat stuff though and felt like sharing.

Titus Supermoto

2007 Titus Supermoto's have been reduced down to a pretty darn decent deal.

$750 !!!

We also have a few 2007 Fox Talas 36 RC2's for $600

Nicholia pics

just thought i'd post a few pics up from this past weekend...i'd like to thank our good buddy Shrek for joining us (with broken leg) and being the official camp host and chief entertainer. For those that joined in on the festivities.....thanks for the good times.

2007 Nicholia Creek (Wilderness Study Area and threatened to be potentially closed to mtb's for good)

Day One:

Day deux:

bru-ha-ha

Micro from Austin TX.....thanks Ian for the 6er of your local brew. Mucho appreciated from the redbarn crew !

is it beer-thirty yet ?

Happy friday folks !

Red Barn's friday tunes......i think it's going to be a Wilco day here. I've compiled 9hrs of various albums so don't be surprised to hear them playing 8 hours from now. When Wilco runs out there will be some Uncle Tupelo, Sunvolt, and Billy Bragg to back them up which are all older incarnations of the original group...go out and get some good tunes by any of the above....i'm pretty sure everything they've ever made is pretty darn good. Welp unless you get some expiramental drum stuff from Glenn Kotche , bdiddy and i went to see him this last winter and it was just ok. (check here for that weekend).


Speaking of weekends.....don't be surprised if you call the shop and there isn't anyone here on saturday. Because we're packing the bags and heading back down to Dell MT. to ride the ID/MT state divide trail and to get in some good car camping and fantastic singletrack. She's beautiful down there i tell ya. Hopefully i'll have a short ride report when i get back on monday.

And if you're not going anywhere this weekend make sure you go and cheer on the folks that are participating in the 2nd annual Bitterroot Classic Triathalon , Aaron will be there assisting with air (sorry no oxygen support, we're talking for your tubes folks) , and any mechanical support that the racers may need.

have a good one !

sunday ride

here's a couple of pics from this past sunday...Sheephead Creek down near the Nez Perce pass. You can kinda tell in the middle picture with sir hanrahan that the air quality is quite piss poor in this part of country as the fires in Montana are about as bad as it gets and on par with the summer of 2000. No reason not to ride though.

as for the trail....super conditions and the dh was fantastic.

Vassago Bandersnatch

2007 Vassago Bandersnatch built up 1 X 9

Proud papa

So this past weekend my family and i headed on over to Idaho to hit up the Hiawatha Trail for a little family fun and a camp over (and also to flee from the smoke from the ongoing local forest fires). Caelen, my oldest and only son who is only six years old decided to ride the 15 mile trail on his own will. If you're gonna rope in a 6 yr old to ride 15 miles then there is nothing like 7 very old train tunnels and 5 bridges to keep the attention of a young tike. He finished the ride and still managed to crack a smile but consumed a ton of calories afterwards as i'm sure he was near his first real life BONK. The scenery is second to none and i would esily recommend this ride to all....mark it on your TO DO list as it's an amazing ride.

the lonest tunnel was over a mile and a half in length !! Darker than night and around 32 degrees in temperature. You MUST bring lights !

the bridges were damn cool too !

Ventana El Cuervo

We just finished up two of the El Cuervos this past week for a pair of fellas over in Anaconda....pretty nice and very fast.





Marzocchi Triple Eights RC2X....E.Thirteen gaurd and guides....Avid Codes.....Syncros bars, wheels, seatpin, saddle, and grips.