Where Have We Been ??

Yes, it has been so long since our last post that an univited guest moved in....

Lesson learned about talking to our Kryptonite lock friends...it can be hard work to come up with pearls of wisdom each day. Sorry if you've been disappointed when you haven't found anything new here, but thanks for being patient until we got back on track.

If you are like us, you are really happy that we've had so much wonderful rain this season, but enough is enough already. The weather has certainly put a damper on cycling activities in many parts of the country, but not so in New York. Eric, our National Sales Manager for bike spent a soggy weekend at the Bicycle Film Festival and was happy to chat with the stalwart souls who weren't going to be put off by a little water. Some of them brought out their most colorful rides to try to chase away the funk.

Burn After Reading Redux

Yes, now I bet our competitors REALLY wished they were us! Some still shots of Brad Pitt in "Burn After eading"....Recognize anything in these pictures?? Yes, that's our very own New York Chain. Must confess that I haven't seen the movie yet myself, to know if these shots landed on cutting room floor, but I'm really motivated to go now.

Thanks, Jeffery Deaver!

I've decided that the great novelist Jeffery Deaver must be a cyclist and must have Kryptonite lock.

Earlier this year I was reading his novel "The Blue Nowhere" and found a Kryptonite reference. Yesterday I was on my porch reading his latest Lincoln Rhyme novel, "The Broken Window" and, again, there's Kryptonite!

On page 104 it says, "I found her bike outside - she had a Kryptonite key in her pocket and it fit."

HA! He even chose the correct lock for the location. The novel takes place in New York City and a few pages later they mention, "...her bike was chained to a lamppost outside the loft."

How cool is that?

I'm only on page 133, but it's a classic Deaver novel so far and I'm very much enjoying it. I see more reading on the porch today in my future. Go pick it up today and enjoy!

Incredible Hulk Anyone?

Although I'm back from vacation, I haven't had the chance to see The Incredible Hulk yet. But, lots and lots of people did from the box office returns.

Did you see it? Was there a Kryptonite chain or lock in it? While they were filming we worked with the crew to send up some locks for a possible early scene where someone rides a bike up to a building and goes inside. Who knows if it got cut or not, but if you saw the movie, or if you are going to see the movie, let me know....do you see a Kryptonite lock there? Either a New York Chain or an Evolution Mini.

C'mon....don't keep me in suspense....did you see the movie? Is it any good? And...of course, did you see a lock?

Kryptonite City

I love getting emails like this. David Bowman of Outdoor Gear Canada, our fabulous distributor in Canada, sent me an email with the subject line, "Kryptonite City".

When I opened it, he told me to look at the attached photos that his nephew, Nicholas Mirotchnick took in New York City recently. Seems Nicholas is a student in the city and this bike rack caught his eye.

How cool is that? And, before you ask...no, it wasn't staged at all. He just saw this walking by and thought he should snap it and get it to his uncle. After all - this shows just about 99.9% bike security ownership by Kryptonite on this New York City street. THAT is pretty darn COOL!

Look at all of those New York Chains! Guess we named that product appropriately, eh?

Thanks Nicholas, and David, for making our day!

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:

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!!!!

MONTY Comic Strip

I don't read comic strips often now that Sparky has gone to heaven. But, my friend Eric still does and he sent this Monty strip to me today and I just cracked up!

The strip is by Jim Meddick and can be seen on www.comics.com. Now, I wonder....Jim, are you a cyclist by any chance? Thanks for the fun today!

Random Photos

I love taking photos, it's a hobby of mine. But, I also like to get photos to check out sometimes - breaks up the day and usually, the photos that are sent to me are interesting.

Here are some photos I've collected over the last couple of months. They are completely random, but I hope you find one or two interesting.

John K. sent me this photo taken this Fall in Washington state. Isn't that gorgeous?

Kryptonite in NYC!

Squid's been messengering in NYC for 15 years. Check out the lock that keeps his bike safe.

John B. sent us this photo of how he found his cable lock after returning from work one night. But, his bike was at the train station waiting for him (lock was opened by the owner, not the would-be thief)

Our friend Tim Jackson shows us all alternative uses for our products. Bling!

This is Sprocket. Sprocket belongs to Team Kryptonite member Nicole Hoffman and she did the whole "dress the doggie" for Halloween deal. Makes me giggle every time I look at it. I understand the dress the doggie bit because I used to dress up my Rottie...yes, I did....yea, she didn't think it was a good idea either, but she was very good about it. Sprocket looks ready to fly off that bed and tear into the costume. HA!

Why We Do What We Do

Everyone has days where they sit in their office and wonder if what they do makes a difference. Ok, maybe it's just me....but then there are days when you know exactly why you do what you do...at least I do....

Here are two excellent examples of why everyone here at Kryptonite does what we do.

First up, Jorge is putting on an alleycat in a couple of weeks to honor a friend of his who died this spring, way too soon. His friend did a lot of charity work and the proceeds of the race will go to his favorite charities. Nice tribute, Jorge. We gladly gave a prize and Jorge wrote about it on his blog. Only he did one better - he talked about what's protected his bike for six years on the streets of a couple of different cities. Protecting Jorge's bike is what it's all about for us.

Then, today Roberta, our customer service supervisor, forwarded an email to me from Seth. Seems like some thief (or thieves) tried to steal his bike yesterday. He/She/They didn't get it. HA! Protecting Seth's bike is what it's all about for us, too.

Protecting what is yours, so it stays yours...that's what it's all about for us.

Thanks for reminding me of that guys....makes me work harder. Makes us all work harder.

The New York Times & Urban Velo

Our friend Brad over at Urban Velo teamed up with The New York Times to do a review of some bike locks. We think Brad did a great job! You can see most of the piece online, but what you will only see in print is a photo of Brad, his bike and the New York Fahgettaboudit U-lock that keeps it safe. Go pick one up; you'll find him in the Style section.

Also today over at Urban Velo is a very good reminder of why you should always wear a helmet when riding your bike. We are just thankful that Jeff is ok and hope he mends quickly.

Safe riding to you all.