The year 2010

While watching the Vancouver winter Olympics opening ceremony, I cannot help but think about when Leigh and I arrived in Seattle back in 2002. The 2002 winter Olympics started shortly after our arrival. Fortunately we have friends in Seattle and they have kindly lent us a TV, a couple of lawn chairs and had it set up in our rental apartment. We spent quite some of our evening hours watching the winter games. Although we do not play any of the winter sports, it was a nice distraction for us.

8 years had passed and I almost cannot believe that we have moved a few times, lived in both coasts of the US and are now happily living in Colorado. I was unemployable (no work visa) back then, and now self employed doing what I love.

It is the busiest time of the year preparing for NAHBS and I am very much looking forward to meeting fellow builders again, introducing myself to show going enthusiasts and on top of all this - having a pre-show meet and greet at my friend's bike shop.

Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day happen to be on the same day this year. I wish you all the very best for the year of Tiger and a happy Valentine's day. I shall be cooking something different tomorrow after my recent shopping spree in one of the asian markets in Denver. I hope Leigh can handle it.

Have a good weekend.

I named my child after a motorbike

Huh! I received my weekly update this afternoon for web traffic to this blog and noticed there was one hit to this blog in the last week after a search to the phase "I named my child after a motorbike".

Now I understand why this blog is high on the search result, but I cannot help but wonder who would be googling such a phrase? Was it a father / mother to be? or was it someone looking for my blog but cannot remember anything except for the point that I was named after a motorcycle chain? It is interesting.

May the person be so nice to let me know?

Moving on

I just dropped off 2 sets of frame / fork and accessories for paint today and on the way home, I felt kind of funny passing on my own babies to another craftperson to add on his work. Sometimes it feels relieved that my part is largely done, but other times I feel that I am disowning my work. I wonder if other builders feel the same or is it just me getting all touchy feely.

The best fix for this though is to move on to the next build and bury yourself into the detail of it.

One of my recent work was to build a front rack / basket and it was an interesting piece that took me quite some time but I am happy with the result. Here is a picture.

Happy new year

We had a very nice day today and we rode our mountain bike on some still very snow packed trails. It was fun. It surely requires different handling and balancing skills.

Here is the route with some pictures.

I hope you all had your new year ride.

And here is something I have been working on.

winter rides

It has been another long period between my updates. Sorry.

I have been busy building a special bike which, if all goes smooth, will be exhibited during the next NAHBS at the end of February in Richmond, VA. I am not quite ready to show any in process pictures, but check my Flickr for occasional updates.

Today has been an exceptionally nice day and Leigh and I had a short and nice bike ride. It has been a while since I last ride outside, it feels great! Here is today's bike ride.

This is not to rub it in to my buddies out east as I saw a picture yesterday from MD. Keep warm out there.

Questions I got asked

Why do you name your bikes YiPsan?

Some customers had asked about my name - Renold Yip, and how I named my bikes YiPsan. YiPsan , rhymes with Mr. Yip in my native tongue – Cantonese, and I thought a two syllable name might be easier to read. Plus, the word yip really does not carry a particularly good meaning in the English language.

How about your first name, it sounds so western?

Well, yes. There is a story to it. My father named me Renold for a very important reason. My father had been a long time motorcycle enthusiast, especially Triumph, Norton and BSAs. During that era, a famous motorcycle chain was made by Renold (they made bicycle chains too). He believes that a motorcycle chain is small in size but very efficient and important to the operation of a motorbike. There you have it. I was named after a motorbike chain. And if I follow this custom, I may have to name my child Shimano, SRAM or Wippermann!

Are there any meanings to the logos and motifs?

Quite some customers had also asked me if there are any meanings in the logos. The circular one (my headtube badge) is a stylized version of my last name, Yip, in simplified Chinese. It is common to put ones last name on items that they are proud of, e.g. the front of red packets (a tradition during Chinese new year for married couples to give well wishes to singles, it usually contains cash in modern times). This is quite similar to the use of the coat of arms.

The square one simulates an approval stamp used by ancient kings to signify their approval of policies and legislature. The meaning of the 4 Chinese words is “Hand made in steel”.

Peter is riding strong

Wow, another lapse in updating this blog. Things are moving along fine in the past couple of months. A bit of relaxing after the Rocky Bike Show and some riding in the nice fall weather.

Fall is always too short and we already had our first snow a couple of weeks back. I am busy building bikes, fitting cyclists and planning ahead for 2010. Looks like I have to put my infra-red heater to use soon.

A recent update from my friend and YiPsan bike rider, Peter, makes me feel great for making bikes that get ridden and enjoyed. Here is a few pictures of Peter racing at the 2009 Collegiate MTB Nationals in Truckee, CA.