by Eric Anastasia, Eastern Regional Manager
Now I have made my fair share of things out of wood.....but I have never even imagined of building a wooden bicycle. The freewheel is even made of wood.
Does this mean we need to make this kid a Kryptonite U-lock made out of Ironwood (Lignum Vitae)?
Take a look it is pretty impressive.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Ducati's Desmosedici RR
You may love or hate Tom Cruise, but one thing is for sure, if you are a motorcycle fan, you are going to be slightly jealous of him this week.
The USAToday reports that Tom is first in line to get his hands on the new Ducati Desmosedici RR. There are only 1,500 of them being made and he's getting the first one in the US!
According to the article the cool ride is, "bristling with titanium, magnesium and carbon fiber technology that can scoot up to 200 mph." Everyone should have one, right?
No, don't think you'll be just like Tom Cruise and pick one up (even if you had the $72K) because they are all sold out!
The USAToday reports that Tom is first in line to get his hands on the new Ducati Desmosedici RR. There are only 1,500 of them being made and he's getting the first one in the US!
According to the article the cool ride is, "bristling with titanium, magnesium and carbon fiber technology that can scoot up to 200 mph." Everyone should have one, right?
No, don't think you'll be just like Tom Cruise and pick one up (even if you had the $72K) because they are all sold out!
Monday, January 28, 2008
I Spy....
At the end of last week we had a full team meeting where most of the guys who work out of the office were in. It was like old home week - and lots of fun.
Since you hear about the gang here often, I thought I'd snap a few pictures and post them. I'll preface this with saying that none were too happy about my being a shutterbug, but hey...it's all in good fun.
Since you hear about the gang here often, I thought I'd snap a few pictures and post them. I'll preface this with saying that none were too happy about my being a shutterbug, but hey...it's all in good fun.
Don Shipman and Craig Glab came in and went right to work in the cube across from me.
Gustavo and Roger saw each other for the first time in 5 years! How is that possible? Roger is our Director of Sales for our residential & commercial sales based here in New England. Gustavo was head of action sport sales in Europe until the end of the year. He's now in the States again, working to develop some different areas for us. We have a new, fantastic guy, Paul, in Europe. You'll be meeting him here soon....
I tried to sneak up on Neil McDaid and Craig, thinking they were working hard. Turns out Neil was practicing for the Kryptonite beauty pageant and Craig was giving him pointers. Hmmm...maybe one pointer would have been to decide which NASCAR driver he's going to be a fan of...he's a little confused (Stewart or Montoya?). But, as an aside, congrats to Juan Pablo Montoya for his win in the Rolex 24 Hour this weekend!
Sandy, Donna, Joe, Eric and the jokesters gather for a meeting. Let me just tell you, if the jokesters on the right are ever in a meeting you are conducting...beware...heckling will ensue. But, it's all in good fun.
It was good to have the gang in the office. It was kind of festive and fun. Come back again soon, gang.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Brad Pitt and Kryptonite
That's the subject line of an email I woke up to this morning from Fritz. I was curious because we don't have any kind of deal with Brad (I wish...) or anything in the works. I didn't think Fritz would be pulling my leg about this one, though....
Seems like Mr. Pitt has a new movie scheduled for release later this year called, "Burn After Reading". Big surprise, he's starring opposite George Clooney. Anyway, I'd seen this picture somewhere before of Brad on a Bianchi but didn't pay too much attention to it, although I should have...if you look closely there is something that should have popped out at me. But, I was a slacker that day, apparently, and it didn't.
However, the photo Fritz sent me is amazing...check it out:
Seems like Mr. Pitt has a new movie scheduled for release later this year called, "Burn After Reading". Big surprise, he's starring opposite George Clooney. Anyway, I'd seen this picture somewhere before of Brad on a Bianchi but didn't pay too much attention to it, although I should have...if you look closely there is something that should have popped out at me. But, I was a slacker that day, apparently, and it didn't.
However, the photo Fritz sent me is amazing...check it out:
Do you see what I see? Yes, people, that's a big honkin' Kryptonite chain that Brad Pitt is rockin' on that bike. I don't know much about the Coen brothers movie, but they were filming in New York so at least this part of the set dressing is authentic.
Is there any doubt what movie I'll be first in line for as soon as it comes out? I'm going to have to remember that I'm in a theatre, though, so I don't start jumping up and down while wildly clapping when this shot (or something similar) comes on the screen. I'll work on that...but no promises.
Thanks, Fritz!!!!
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Locking up our boards
by Jody Perewitz
I have to say I have only used my lock a couple of times. Mainly because we don’t leave our boards often and my board has the serial number 0001 on it so I don’t think it would be worth stealing!
This past weekend we decided to go into the lodge for some beer and nachos while we watched the end of the Patriots game. So you bet we locked our boards up and headed in.
Kory, Jeff, and I have gone snowboarding for the past 2 weekends. Last weekend we went to North Conway, NH to Cranmore and this past weekend we went to Wachusett. At both mountains I did not see one lock!
I have to say I have only used my lock a couple of times. Mainly because we don’t leave our boards often and my board has the serial number 0001 on it so I don’t think it would be worth stealing!
This year though I have upgraded to a, new to me, used board. Kory gave me his old board because he got not one, but two new boards this year. One for the parks and one for the whole mountain. So all together he has about $1500 worth of boards and bindings. If they got stolen we definitely wouldn’t be able to replace them so we want to do everything we can to prevent them from being stolen.
This past weekend we decided to go into the lodge for some beer and nachos while we watched the end of the Patriots game. So you bet we locked our boards up and headed in.
When we finally left there were a lot of boards and skis still on the rack but, once again, not one locked up! I would love to know statistic on stolen boards. They cost so much money to buy and could be so easy to steal. I guess there is a lot of trust on a mountain because if you think about it people locking up bicycles that aren’t worth as much as a board seems silly.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
My very own bike racing RANT
USA Today's Sal Ruibal is a great supporter and reporter of cycling and I always enjoy reading his articles. He's a very fair reporter and knows how to get a scoop. Today he's got some information on the Tour of California's new drug testing protocols. Give it a read.
(note: rant about to start...)
I'd heard through the grapevine last week about some of this information. I wasn't happy about it then and I'm not that happy about it now. Now before you run off and say that I want to stick our heads in the sand and have less testing that's not it. I have no problems with the extensive testing they are going to be doing in Cali this year. Actually, I stand up and applaud it. Way to go!
They are actually going to have testing before the race to get a norm reading, if you will. If that varies during the race...well...chances are you've been a bad boy. I'm all for that as long as normal bodily production is taken into account. I'm not a doctor so I have no idea if that last sentence is feasible or not, but just wanted to put it out there.
As they go through the race, each day's winner will be tested and the overall leader will also be tested (I think that's what they do in Le Tour, too). In addition, three random riders will be tested very single day. Bravo! Way to go Tour of California! Much better than last year's plan.
Now comes the part I, personally, am not happy about. I don't want to paraphrase, so I'll use Sal's words here because he's seen the plan and I haven't.
Teams have agreed to guarantee that all members, including coaches, trainers and support staff, are clear of any open doping investigations. The team's roster of riders will be submitted to USA Cycling (the national governing organization) and UCI to confirm that there are no "open investigations."
Sal goes on to write...
That exclusion rule has some teams worried. USADA guidelines say a rider can only be suspended if an offense is established. But without a clear definition of "open investigations" at the Tour of California, teams are concerned that overzealous officials could restrict riders without due legal process.
I bolded that last bit because it is exactly what concerns me, too. It concerned me last week when I heard it because the last I checked we were in the United States where, in theory, you are innocent until proven guilty. This last bit does not allow for that. It shuns people that could be truly innocent and doesn't allow them to make a living doing their job.
Yes, more times than not, it seems like in the last couple of years if you are accused of doping you've done it. BUT, there are a few times that this hasn't been the case at all. Riders have been cleared. Whether you choose to believe them or not is a personal choice, but some riders have been cleared. So, under this new rule in Cali, if you are under suspicion you are, in their mind, guilty and they do not want you at their race. Wow. Judge & Jury out there in Cali without knowing any facts.
I absolutely, without question think that drugs do not have any place in sport. I absolutely, without question think that there needs to be better, more consistent systems. I absolutely believe that those who have gone through the system and been proven to cheat should be suspended and not be able to ride in sanctioned races. I absolutely applaud Tour of California for most of their stepped up efforts in the fight against performance enhancing drugs.
However, I do not condone making potentially innocent men sit on the side lines because someone accused them of something. Maybe there is basis to that accusation, maybe not. It's also a very grey area. What constitutes a legitimate allegation being investigated by the "authorities"? Oy...this could be very messy.
I think that the whole sport has been so damaged recently and that races and officials need to find more consistency in their testing and rules. I don't think that keeping potentially innocent men out of competition is the way to do it. We saw that in Le Tour in 2006 - whole teams were kept out of Le Tour and then a few weeks later, "oops, we made a mistake". Seriously? Who compensates them for the wages lost and the sponsors' dollars lost?
Yes, sponsors are walking away from pro cycling because of the doping. But, let's face it, there have been false accusations. So now we are in the situation where a sponsor believes in their riders, but someone says they aren't clean so they are investigated and during that investigation races start excluding them from riding. The sponsor loses chances to promote their brand and their team during that time. Low and behold, that rider is cleared a few weeks or months later. The rider isn't the only one who loses out.
If this becomes the norm at races, you may see additional sponsors walking away.
We are in the United States, people. Innocent until proven guilty.
End of rant...
(note: rant about to start...)
I'd heard through the grapevine last week about some of this information. I wasn't happy about it then and I'm not that happy about it now. Now before you run off and say that I want to stick our heads in the sand and have less testing that's not it. I have no problems with the extensive testing they are going to be doing in Cali this year. Actually, I stand up and applaud it. Way to go!
They are actually going to have testing before the race to get a norm reading, if you will. If that varies during the race...well...chances are you've been a bad boy. I'm all for that as long as normal bodily production is taken into account. I'm not a doctor so I have no idea if that last sentence is feasible or not, but just wanted to put it out there.
As they go through the race, each day's winner will be tested and the overall leader will also be tested (I think that's what they do in Le Tour, too). In addition, three random riders will be tested very single day. Bravo! Way to go Tour of California! Much better than last year's plan.
Now comes the part I, personally, am not happy about. I don't want to paraphrase, so I'll use Sal's words here because he's seen the plan and I haven't.
Teams have agreed to guarantee that all members, including coaches, trainers and support staff, are clear of any open doping investigations. The team's roster of riders will be submitted to USA Cycling (the national governing organization) and UCI to confirm that there are no "open investigations."
Sal goes on to write...
That exclusion rule has some teams worried. USADA guidelines say a rider can only be suspended if an offense is established. But without a clear definition of "open investigations" at the Tour of California, teams are concerned that overzealous officials could restrict riders without due legal process.
I bolded that last bit because it is exactly what concerns me, too. It concerned me last week when I heard it because the last I checked we were in the United States where, in theory, you are innocent until proven guilty. This last bit does not allow for that. It shuns people that could be truly innocent and doesn't allow them to make a living doing their job.
Yes, more times than not, it seems like in the last couple of years if you are accused of doping you've done it. BUT, there are a few times that this hasn't been the case at all. Riders have been cleared. Whether you choose to believe them or not is a personal choice, but some riders have been cleared. So, under this new rule in Cali, if you are under suspicion you are, in their mind, guilty and they do not want you at their race. Wow. Judge & Jury out there in Cali without knowing any facts.
I absolutely, without question think that drugs do not have any place in sport. I absolutely, without question think that there needs to be better, more consistent systems. I absolutely believe that those who have gone through the system and been proven to cheat should be suspended and not be able to ride in sanctioned races. I absolutely applaud Tour of California for most of their stepped up efforts in the fight against performance enhancing drugs.
However, I do not condone making potentially innocent men sit on the side lines because someone accused them of something. Maybe there is basis to that accusation, maybe not. It's also a very grey area. What constitutes a legitimate allegation being investigated by the "authorities"? Oy...this could be very messy.
I think that the whole sport has been so damaged recently and that races and officials need to find more consistency in their testing and rules. I don't think that keeping potentially innocent men out of competition is the way to do it. We saw that in Le Tour in 2006 - whole teams were kept out of Le Tour and then a few weeks later, "oops, we made a mistake". Seriously? Who compensates them for the wages lost and the sponsors' dollars lost?
Yes, sponsors are walking away from pro cycling because of the doping. But, let's face it, there have been false accusations. So now we are in the situation where a sponsor believes in their riders, but someone says they aren't clean so they are investigated and during that investigation races start excluding them from riding. The sponsor loses chances to promote their brand and their team during that time. Low and behold, that rider is cleared a few weeks or months later. The rider isn't the only one who loses out.
If this becomes the norm at races, you may see additional sponsors walking away.
We are in the United States, people. Innocent until proven guilty.
End of rant...
Friday, January 18, 2008
A Winter Ride
by Roby Holland, National Sales Manager
WOW, how the weather changes in New England! Today is just down right nasty. It was just right last Saturday, a beautiful forty degree day, that I was on my bike for an afternoon ride.
The problem with winter days like this is that they are very sporadic and you are not always prepared to take advantage of them. I think it took me just as long to find my gear as it took for the entire ride.
It was one of those rides where the people in the cars look at you as if you are a crazy person riding tricycle in your birthday suite during a blizzard. You, on the other hand, have the feeling like "Come-on in the water is fine! You'd be surprised what it will do for your complexion, not to mention your dogs mid section."
The ride was appox. 21 miles, and took me on my local tour of the beach and points of interest in Duxbury. The bay was quiet and void of any birds working the fish, a sight which I long for and await its triumphant return!
Back to the ride. This ride was one part introspective, one part reflection one part stress buster, and one reminiscing past rides . I bring up the four parts of my ride because I think many of us think about similar things during our times on our bikes at one time or another. The most enjoyable part of the ride for me was when I let go of the bars to stretch and almost crashed into a mailbox.
You might be asking yourself why that was the high light of my ride? This brought me back to the day that my brother and I were riding our bikes around the neighborhood with some buddies. For the last few days my brother had been trying to ride his bike "no handed" and it just was not happening. One of our buddies suggested to him that he ride faster to help steady the bike. Well, it helped alright and when my brother proudly turned his head and yelled to me "Hey Roby, check this out" he was promptly removed from his bike by one of our neighbor's extending mailboxes. All of us fell off our bikes in that debilitating laughter we all had as kids when one of your friends shows off and get absolutely abused for it. After a good chuckle to myself, I began to think of other times that my brother and I shared similar moments in our life and when that next moment would be.
The point of this rant is to remind us of the fun times we have had with friends and families on our bikes, skateboards, roller-blades or whatever vehicle brought you together and made you laugh together. More importantly not to forget these good times and fond memories and that they can still be had everyday!
Happy New Year
WOW, how the weather changes in New England! Today is just down right nasty. It was just right last Saturday, a beautiful forty degree day, that I was on my bike for an afternoon ride.
The problem with winter days like this is that they are very sporadic and you are not always prepared to take advantage of them. I think it took me just as long to find my gear as it took for the entire ride.
It was one of those rides where the people in the cars look at you as if you are a crazy person riding tricycle in your birthday suite during a blizzard. You, on the other hand, have the feeling like "Come-on in the water is fine! You'd be surprised what it will do for your complexion, not to mention your dogs mid section."
The ride was appox. 21 miles, and took me on my local tour of the beach and points of interest in Duxbury. The bay was quiet and void of any birds working the fish, a sight which I long for and await its triumphant return!
Back to the ride. This ride was one part introspective, one part reflection one part stress buster, and one reminiscing past rides . I bring up the four parts of my ride because I think many of us think about similar things during our times on our bikes at one time or another. The most enjoyable part of the ride for me was when I let go of the bars to stretch and almost crashed into a mailbox.
You might be asking yourself why that was the high light of my ride? This brought me back to the day that my brother and I were riding our bikes around the neighborhood with some buddies. For the last few days my brother had been trying to ride his bike "no handed" and it just was not happening. One of our buddies suggested to him that he ride faster to help steady the bike. Well, it helped alright and when my brother proudly turned his head and yelled to me "Hey Roby, check this out" he was promptly removed from his bike by one of our neighbor's extending mailboxes. All of us fell off our bikes in that debilitating laughter we all had as kids when one of your friends shows off and get absolutely abused for it. After a good chuckle to myself, I began to think of other times that my brother and I shared similar moments in our life and when that next moment would be.
The point of this rant is to remind us of the fun times we have had with friends and families on our bikes, skateboards, roller-blades or whatever vehicle brought you together and made you laugh together. More importantly not to forget these good times and fond memories and that they can still be had everyday!
Happy New Year
The Lion King to Roar Again
What's been rumored for a couple of weeks now is official - Mario Cipollini is coming out of retirement to race again. Better still....he's part of a team that will be racing quite a bit in the US so many fans here may get the chance to see him and all of his funky skin suits streaking past us. C'mon, wasn't it fun to see what crazy design he'd be wearing each day of Le Tour? Not what Le Tour is about, I know, but a fun side piece on the day's serious racing.
Yes, I know he's about to be 41 and yes, I know the team is controversial, but people, it's Mario Cipollini. There is nothing bad about that. That statement is more than just from some chick's perspective. Think about it from the side of what the sport of cycling needs right now. There isn't anything bad about Mario coming back - he's flashy, he's fun to watch, he's usually got something entertaining to say and he's darn talented. The sport needs some fun right about now and, especially in the US, the sport needs someone to draw in fans. With his flamboyance and talent, Mario may just be the person to do that. He'll certainly get attention for his new team, Rock Racing.
On a side note, does anyone else think that it's pretty ironic that Mario, the fashion king, will be racing for a team where the main sponsor is a "trendy clothing company", Rock & Republic? Do I see cross advertising in the future? Oh yea.
I was already a fan of this team because Michael Ball is giving my friend Tyler a second chance. That's all the reason I need to get back out to a race, chalk the roads and cheer like a maniac. Adding The Lion King to the team? Bonus. When can I buy team merchandise and where are they all racing first? I'm going to try to be at whatever race that is...see you on the roads soon!
Yes, I know he's about to be 41 and yes, I know the team is controversial, but people, it's Mario Cipollini. There is nothing bad about that. That statement is more than just from some chick's perspective. Think about it from the side of what the sport of cycling needs right now. There isn't anything bad about Mario coming back - he's flashy, he's fun to watch, he's usually got something entertaining to say and he's darn talented. The sport needs some fun right about now and, especially in the US, the sport needs someone to draw in fans. With his flamboyance and talent, Mario may just be the person to do that. He'll certainly get attention for his new team, Rock Racing.
On a side note, does anyone else think that it's pretty ironic that Mario, the fashion king, will be racing for a team where the main sponsor is a "trendy clothing company", Rock & Republic? Do I see cross advertising in the future? Oh yea.
I was already a fan of this team because Michael Ball is giving my friend Tyler a second chance. That's all the reason I need to get back out to a race, chalk the roads and cheer like a maniac. Adding The Lion King to the team? Bonus. When can I buy team merchandise and where are they all racing first? I'm going to try to be at whatever race that is...see you on the roads soon!
Thursday, January 17, 2008
And the winner is.....
Every once in awhile it's fun to check behind the scenes of the blog and see some of the stats. It's fun for me to see that people are reading in Korea, Japan, France, Australia and all of the other places that I see in our results. Hello one and all! We are glad you've found us and I, personally, hope you find reasons to keep coming back.
Today I was curious not about where people were visiting from, but why. Give the people what they want, right? If there was a clear winner, well, I'd try to write more about that subject. So...what was the winning search that landed on our blog (in the last month)?
Drum roll please....
Jody Perewitz!
I did say "give the people what they want" right? Well, we are ahead of you on this one, thankfully. You will be seeing a lot more with Jody and Kryptonite soon. Until then, you can always catch up with her on the Plog.
Some folks who have been clicking here have been disappointed, I know. They are coming to find out how to say "hello in Korean". Yikes! Sorry...I don't have a clue. But Google languages says it's 안녕하십니까. Because I'm not sure those characters will show up on all browsers, you can go here and see it. Hope that helps.
People are also searching in droves about the Evolution series oval, New York Mini, Jeff Clark motorcycles, Tony Hawk and Wonder Woman Lock.
I'm just fascinated by all of this info. But, I'll stop now....for those of you who aren't as interested. But, if you want more Jody, stay tuned...or head over to the Plog - she's just posted about a snowboarding trip she took last weekend.
Jody - you're a "stah"!
Today I was curious not about where people were visiting from, but why. Give the people what they want, right? If there was a clear winner, well, I'd try to write more about that subject. So...what was the winning search that landed on our blog (in the last month)?
Drum roll please....
Jody Perewitz!
I did say "give the people what they want" right? Well, we are ahead of you on this one, thankfully. You will be seeing a lot more with Jody and Kryptonite soon. Until then, you can always catch up with her on the Plog.
Some folks who have been clicking here have been disappointed, I know. They are coming to find out how to say "hello in Korean". Yikes! Sorry...I don't have a clue. But Google languages says it's 안녕하십니까. Because I'm not sure those characters will show up on all browsers, you can go here and see it. Hope that helps.
People are also searching in droves about the Evolution series oval, New York Mini, Jeff Clark motorcycles, Tony Hawk and Wonder Woman Lock.
I'm just fascinated by all of this info. But, I'll stop now....for those of you who aren't as interested. But, if you want more Jody, stay tuned...or head over to the Plog - she's just posted about a snowboarding trip she took last weekend.
Jody - you're a "stah"!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Surprise Guest
It was a quiet afternoon around here today. Lots of people were out at meetings and I was cranking away here at my desk. Melissa comes and and brightens my day when she says, "Michael Zane is here."
For those of you who don't know, Michael is the founder of Kryptonite. He and his family grew this company from one lock to..well, oodles of locks. Michael traveled around in a VW Van to shops and colleges around the country selling his locks and building relationships that we still have today with many of you out there.
We don't see Michael often around the office any longer, but it's always good when we do! He's family, after all. What a great surprise!
For those of you who don't know, Michael is the founder of Kryptonite. He and his family grew this company from one lock to..well, oodles of locks. Michael traveled around in a VW Van to shops and colleges around the country selling his locks and building relationships that we still have today with many of you out there.
We don't see Michael often around the office any longer, but it's always good when we do! He's family, after all. What a great surprise!
Monday, January 14, 2008
Fickle New England Weather
I was in New Hampshire on Saturday babysitting for my Godchild. She's 18 months old and a hoot! She's got some words now and just thinks she's hot stuff for it. At one point, when her mother came home and was calling her to come join us in the living room she called her name and the little one simply replied, "what?" from the other room. That was a new one and one I'm sure she learned from her 5 year old sister. We couldn't help but giggle because it sounds so cute coming from a toddler.
As I was driving home, I saw a sight that you don't normally see in January in New Hampshire - a guy riding his motorcycle on the highway. Yes, it was sunny and in the 50s on Saturday. Nice!
Yesterday, I went out to do some errands in the morning and chose not to wear my winter coat! It was in the upper 40s and sunny. At the stop light at the end of my street a guy in a Harley pulled up next to me. On the highway I saw another motorcycle - in January here in Massachusetts. That's just fantastic!
Today, however...well...see for yourself.
As I was driving home, I saw a sight that you don't normally see in January in New Hampshire - a guy riding his motorcycle on the highway. Yes, it was sunny and in the 50s on Saturday. Nice!
Yesterday, I went out to do some errands in the morning and chose not to wear my winter coat! It was in the upper 40s and sunny. At the stop light at the end of my street a guy in a Harley pulled up next to me. On the highway I saw another motorcycle - in January here in Massachusetts. That's just fantastic!
Today, however...well...see for yourself.
The state is telling everyone who does not have to go anywhere to stay off the roads...and we are. I'm working from home today. Because the weather folks did their usual "drama" around impending storms, we were all well aware of the storm. I went to the office yesterday and got some stuff that needs working on so I'll be getting stuff done - maybe even more things than if I was in the office with phones ringing and other interruptions...then again, there will be the time needed for shoveling...
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Join Kryptonite on Facebook!
I love Facebook. I never thought I'd say that. I was invited a couple of times and thought, "I don't have time for something else." Heck, I couldn't keep up with my own blog how could I keep up with something else?
Then a good friend, an Air Force pilot, who was stationed in Korea sent me an invite. I couldn't pass it up - after all, he stinks at email and I'd like to know what's going on in his world. When I joined, I thought I'd just have a static page just to keep up with him periodically. But, then I found another friend and thought, "ok, I'll add her" and before I knew it, I was hooked. Completely hooked. I love it!
I've kept it away from work, it's just for my closest friends (not that you all aren't, but you know...) and my young cousins - seriously, it's the only way they communicate, I think.
Anyway, since I'm hooked, and since there are a lot of bicycle lovers on Facebook, I thought I'd start a Kryptonite group. I wanted it to be all fancy-schmancy like some of the other companies in there, but if I wait for that, it will be next year or something. Why wait?! Today seemed like a very good day.
So...go to your Facebook account and search for "Kryptonite Locks". We should come right up in the groups. JOIN US!!! Leave a message on the wall. Post a photo of your Kryptonite lock.
There will be changes to the group - I'm planning on adding some fancy-schmancy things there - cool graphics and contests. So visit it often!
See you there!
Then a good friend, an Air Force pilot, who was stationed in Korea sent me an invite. I couldn't pass it up - after all, he stinks at email and I'd like to know what's going on in his world. When I joined, I thought I'd just have a static page just to keep up with him periodically. But, then I found another friend and thought, "ok, I'll add her" and before I knew it, I was hooked. Completely hooked. I love it!
I've kept it away from work, it's just for my closest friends (not that you all aren't, but you know...) and my young cousins - seriously, it's the only way they communicate, I think.
Anyway, since I'm hooked, and since there are a lot of bicycle lovers on Facebook, I thought I'd start a Kryptonite group. I wanted it to be all fancy-schmancy like some of the other companies in there, but if I wait for that, it will be next year or something. Why wait?! Today seemed like a very good day.
So...go to your Facebook account and search for "Kryptonite Locks". We should come right up in the groups. JOIN US!!! Leave a message on the wall. Post a photo of your Kryptonite lock.
There will be changes to the group - I'm planning on adding some fancy-schmancy things there - cool graphics and contests. So visit it often!
See you there!
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Other ways I use my Kryptonite locks!
by Nicole Hoffman
A few weeks ago Gregg and I headed up to the Ocala National Forest for some off-road riding. I figured not only would this be a lot of fun, but it would keep me in riding shape as well! I used to ride dirt bikes in high school with friends but it has been years. I seemed to have forgotten how to ride a dirt bike with all of the road racing I have done. I kept sticking my knee out in the turns and it took me a while to stop doing that. I was laughing each time I did that. Habits are hard to break, you know!
In the midst of taking a break we were playing around with the Kryptonite locks…why in the middle of the forest you might ask? There were a lot of people at the campground where we parked. I suppose it wouldn’t be too difficult to walk away with a dirt bike and then take off in the middle of the woods.
We use the Kryptonite HardWire™ 2025 Key Cable lock on the trailer around the tires even when it’s parked in the driveway for added safety, and that is what you see in the photo.
If you go to Ocala, have a great time…it is a great place to ride. But look out for the bears, we saw 3 of them!
A few weeks ago Gregg and I headed up to the Ocala National Forest for some off-road riding. I figured not only would this be a lot of fun, but it would keep me in riding shape as well! I used to ride dirt bikes in high school with friends but it has been years. I seemed to have forgotten how to ride a dirt bike with all of the road racing I have done. I kept sticking my knee out in the turns and it took me a while to stop doing that. I was laughing each time I did that. Habits are hard to break, you know!
I ride a Honda CRF150…kind of small but it is the perfect bike for me to get back into it. It has electric start…sure beats kick starting the thing each time I fell (which was 3 times). Sorry we don’t have any photos of that.
We spent the day up there on the newly designated trails. If anyone plans to go, make sure you follow the rules! They are very strict there and WILL give you a ticket for riding on the numbered roads….we know. So many roads can be mistaken for trails, especially the first time (they even admit it on their sign but will issue a citation). They mark the trails but not very well. The rules and fees are new as of October 1, 2007.
In the midst of taking a break we were playing around with the Kryptonite locks…why in the middle of the forest you might ask? There were a lot of people at the campground where we parked. I suppose it wouldn’t be too difficult to walk away with a dirt bike and then take off in the middle of the woods.
We use the Kryptonite HardWire™ 2025 Key Cable lock on the trailer around the tires even when it’s parked in the driveway for added safety, and that is what you see in the photo.
If you go to Ocala, have a great time…it is a great place to ride. But look out for the bears, we saw 3 of them!
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Happy Birthday Elvis!
As a kid there was a lot of music at my house - lots of "country & western" music, but some good ole fashion rock n' roll, too. One of the possessions that my dad loved most was his collection of original Sun Records with Elvis Presley. Needless to say, we listened to Elvis a lot. Still like the guy and he's on my iPod. Times have changed in how we listen to music, but not the type we truly have an affection for throughout the years.
I'm not one who believes Elvis is alive - but each year I do think of him on his birthday. Kind of corny I know, but....here's to you, big guy. Happy Birthday.
Monday, January 07, 2008
Videos to Start The Week
Hope you all had a great weekend. I'm just getting fired up for the first full week I've had since...what...mid-December? It's gonna be a long one so I thought I'd start off the week with two cool videos. One for the bicycle enthusiast and one for you motorcycle fans.
The first is from New Year's Eve in Las Vegas. If you didn't hear, Australian Robbie Maddison broke the world record for the longest jump on a motorcycle. He went over 322 feet and seriously landed that bike. No wobble, nothing. Did he go celebrate right after? No, he does it again! Both jumps are on the video, it is fantastic to watch.
The second is from our friends at Bicycle Retailer & Industry News this morning. Here's a link to the newest Lance Armstrong commercial. I haven't seen it on television yet, but it's pretty funny. Yes, Lance being funny - I was a little surprised, too. But, it's worth the 35 seconds to watch "the warrior" in action.
The first is from New Year's Eve in Las Vegas. If you didn't hear, Australian Robbie Maddison broke the world record for the longest jump on a motorcycle. He went over 322 feet and seriously landed that bike. No wobble, nothing. Did he go celebrate right after? No, he does it again! Both jumps are on the video, it is fantastic to watch.
The second is from our friends at Bicycle Retailer & Industry News this morning. Here's a link to the newest Lance Armstrong commercial. I haven't seen it on television yet, but it's pretty funny. Yes, Lance being funny - I was a little surprised, too. But, it's worth the 35 seconds to watch "the warrior" in action.
Friday, January 04, 2008
Meet Dave and Jody Perewitz
It's that time again - time for trade shows and consumer shows to start in abundance! The first motorcycle one in our area is this weekend. The Northeast Motorcycle Expo comes to Hartford, Connecticut this weekend.
The Perewitz crew will exhibit, which means that Dave will be there signing autographs, posing for photos and chatting with attendees. If you are in the area, go meet him and check out all the cool bikes they'll have with them. Oh, and tell him that you want one of the Kryptonite posters!
This time Jody will not only be there, but she'll also be working on her own project. As we mentioned before, she is teaming with Sara Liberte to build a bike for charity right while you watch! She's been talking about the project on the Plog, too. It's been a lot of work for her, but it's all coming together and you'll see the build start tomorrow. Don't forget to buy a raffle ticket, too. You could win the motorcycle at the end of the expo series. All the money goes to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
The Perewitz crew will exhibit, which means that Dave will be there signing autographs, posing for photos and chatting with attendees. If you are in the area, go meet him and check out all the cool bikes they'll have with them. Oh, and tell him that you want one of the Kryptonite posters!
This time Jody will not only be there, but she'll also be working on her own project. As we mentioned before, she is teaming with Sara Liberte to build a bike for charity right while you watch! She's been talking about the project on the Plog, too. It's been a lot of work for her, but it's all coming together and you'll see the build start tomorrow. Don't forget to buy a raffle ticket, too. You could win the motorcycle at the end of the expo series. All the money goes to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Help Trips for Kids! Vote Now!
If you haven’t heard, the Volvo for Life Awards are happening for the 6th year pretty soon. What are they? I can’t say it any better than they do on the website:
"Protecting our kids. Helping our neighbors. Saving our earth. This is what heroes do, the real-life heroes we honor each year through the Volvo for life Awards. Since 2002, Volvo has given these heroes nearly $5 million in funding and awards to help them continue their extraordinary work on behalf of their communities."
There are 4 categories (Safety, Quality, Environment and Butterfly) and multiple nominees in each category. Each winner from the Safety, Quality and Environment category wins $100,000! The Butterfly winner gets $25,000 and the grand prize winner gets the money and a Volvo for life. The breakdown is here.
Online voting has been open since November, but it closes at noon on Monday, January 7th. Why am I telling you this? Because we know one of the very cool nominees, Ms. Marilyn Price, the founder of Trips for Kids. She has been nominated in the Quality category.
I’m hoping that they don’t mind, but I’m going to past Marilyn’s nomination bio here so you’ll see why we all think she’s so worthy of this award:
As a young bicycle enthusiast in the mid-1980s, Marilyn Price often pedaled up the redwood-forested slopes of Mount Tamalpais across the Golden Gate Bridge. On one afternoon excursion, she stopped to look out over Tamalpais' sweeping view. Taking in San Francisco, its deep, blue bay, and the Pacific Ocean beyond, the mountain's panorama inspired in her a sense of so many paths not yet taken. She remembered the disadvantaged children whom she served when volunteering at St. Anthony's Dining Room in the heart of the city. It was from the mountain's view of a larger world that Marilyn's vision of Trips For Kids (TFK) began to take shape.
A single mother with two children, Marilyn began TFK on a simple hope and ten donated mountain bikes. But she persevered in her belief that getting inner-city youth bicycling outdoors would connect them with nature, provide exercise, and steer them away from trouble. The program has ensured that more than thirteen thousand disadvantaged children from the San Francisco Bay Area have experienced the natural world from the seat of a mountain bike. The program also teaches bicycle and computer repair work at the TFK warehouse. Through their apprenticeships, participants earn credits toward purchasing their own mountain bikes and computers.
The original program still brings inner city youth from San Francisco to bucolic Marin County to mountain bike the county's expansive countryside. "Many of these kids have never been out of a concrete setting," Marilyn notes, "and never hiked on a mountain, and never seen a deer." The typical outing begins at TFK's San Raphael warehouse, where the staff outfits the young riders for the trip. Next, the staff teams each youngster with a mentor - an experienced mountain biker who will accompany them for the duration of the trek. Together, the group sets out for Marin's lush terrain. Here, inner city kids ride from hidden ocean beaches up through steep coastal slopes forested in towering redwoods. "I liked being in a natural setting," one teenager says, "and I never thought I could make it up the slopes. But I did."
Twenty-one years ago, Marilyn Price rode up the high slopes of Mount Tamalpais and saw a view that inspired her. Marilyn's inspiration has, in turn, inspired hundreds of volunteers to join her cause - fifty-seven TFK chapters have since formed across the United States. Through her program, over thirty-eight thousand inner city children nationwide have explored a world once closed off to them: a place in nature far away from the confines of the street.
To learn more about Marilyn Price and her cause, and how you can make a difference, please visit: www.tripsforkids.org.
There are many great nominees, but we think Marilyn is fantastic and has brought cycling to many more kids than you can count. Go on…no signing up, just a little check mark. It’s so easy!! Vote for Marilyn and Trips for Kids! I did.
Go Marilyn!
"Protecting our kids. Helping our neighbors. Saving our earth. This is what heroes do, the real-life heroes we honor each year through the Volvo for life Awards. Since 2002, Volvo has given these heroes nearly $5 million in funding and awards to help them continue their extraordinary work on behalf of their communities."
There are 4 categories (Safety, Quality, Environment and Butterfly) and multiple nominees in each category. Each winner from the Safety, Quality and Environment category wins $100,000! The Butterfly winner gets $25,000 and the grand prize winner gets the money and a Volvo for life. The breakdown is here.
Online voting has been open since November, but it closes at noon on Monday, January 7th. Why am I telling you this? Because we know one of the very cool nominees, Ms. Marilyn Price, the founder of Trips for Kids. She has been nominated in the Quality category.
I’m hoping that they don’t mind, but I’m going to past Marilyn’s nomination bio here so you’ll see why we all think she’s so worthy of this award:
As a young bicycle enthusiast in the mid-1980s, Marilyn Price often pedaled up the redwood-forested slopes of Mount Tamalpais across the Golden Gate Bridge. On one afternoon excursion, she stopped to look out over Tamalpais' sweeping view. Taking in San Francisco, its deep, blue bay, and the Pacific Ocean beyond, the mountain's panorama inspired in her a sense of so many paths not yet taken. She remembered the disadvantaged children whom she served when volunteering at St. Anthony's Dining Room in the heart of the city. It was from the mountain's view of a larger world that Marilyn's vision of Trips For Kids (TFK) began to take shape.
A single mother with two children, Marilyn began TFK on a simple hope and ten donated mountain bikes. But she persevered in her belief that getting inner-city youth bicycling outdoors would connect them with nature, provide exercise, and steer them away from trouble. The program has ensured that more than thirteen thousand disadvantaged children from the San Francisco Bay Area have experienced the natural world from the seat of a mountain bike. The program also teaches bicycle and computer repair work at the TFK warehouse. Through their apprenticeships, participants earn credits toward purchasing their own mountain bikes and computers.
The original program still brings inner city youth from San Francisco to bucolic Marin County to mountain bike the county's expansive countryside. "Many of these kids have never been out of a concrete setting," Marilyn notes, "and never hiked on a mountain, and never seen a deer." The typical outing begins at TFK's San Raphael warehouse, where the staff outfits the young riders for the trip. Next, the staff teams each youngster with a mentor - an experienced mountain biker who will accompany them for the duration of the trek. Together, the group sets out for Marin's lush terrain. Here, inner city kids ride from hidden ocean beaches up through steep coastal slopes forested in towering redwoods. "I liked being in a natural setting," one teenager says, "and I never thought I could make it up the slopes. But I did."
Twenty-one years ago, Marilyn Price rode up the high slopes of Mount Tamalpais and saw a view that inspired her. Marilyn's inspiration has, in turn, inspired hundreds of volunteers to join her cause - fifty-seven TFK chapters have since formed across the United States. Through her program, over thirty-eight thousand inner city children nationwide have explored a world once closed off to them: a place in nature far away from the confines of the street.
To learn more about Marilyn Price and her cause, and how you can make a difference, please visit: www.tripsforkids.org.
There are many great nominees, but we think Marilyn is fantastic and has brought cycling to many more kids than you can count. Go on…no signing up, just a little check mark. It’s so easy!! Vote for Marilyn and Trips for Kids! I did.
Go Marilyn!
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Welding by Bicycle
by Eric Anastasia, Regional Manager (East)
This year Kryptonite asked Santa for a new welder for the shop, but the old timer never came through. Looks like he didn't come through in a few places because I see that someone took it into their own hands to create a welder from what we all know best.....a bicycle.
Here's a video of it, too.
Clever!
This year Kryptonite asked Santa for a new welder for the shop, but the old timer never came through. Looks like he didn't come through in a few places because I see that someone took it into their own hands to create a welder from what we all know best.....a bicycle.
Here's a video of it, too.
Clever!
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