Pearl Izumi's Clothing Woes

Our friends at Pearl Izumi would appear to have some concerns over their latest technical gear. Stay tuned as this story develops. (ha, ha)

B-Cool out there!

So, in one 1-hr road bike ride last weekend I remembered what it is I love so much about riding and what it is that drives me nuts - and it's not cars.

We all know the love part. The wind, the terrain, the cadence, the sound, the invigoration, the listening of your own heart and lungs pumping (assuming you can hear anything over your iPod) - those are sensations that never get old.

Here is the scene: It's a beautiful Saturday morning and during a short coastal ride when a dude (on a Felt F1, no less!) rolls past me. "Morning" from me. Not a thing in return. Not a grunt, motion, nod, elbow, hand-still-on-the-bar wave, nothing. Whatever. Hey, maybe he had headphones on, maybe he didn't hear me. He hits a red light that turns back green just as I roll past him. "Morning." This time I look over. No headphones. Nada back - straight ahead cold stone stare. Whoa. Because he is going a little faster than me he eventually passes me again. This time I am crystal clear, "Good Morning". Deadpan straight-up-the-road. I might have just as well been an orange cone. Jeez. Anyway, after peeling off and doing a little loop through HB, Joe Cool is nothing more than a distant memory. That is until, on my way back home, he passes me again. I can't believe it. 12 inches apart, going no more that 2MPH faster than me, cars whizzing by us on PCH at 50MPH(+) I say "GOOD MORNING" for the 4th time. Not even an "on your left" much less anything civil. Wow. I have to chuckle at this point. Is it because I am on a mere F3? Is it because my legs are hairy? Or, does everybody get this kind of special treatment? Yikes, man - life is too short.

So, to all you roadies who are still wrapped up in this nonsense, take a page from the fat tire playbook. We are all on the same team. And, to the dude on the Felt F1 who is too cool to say howdy, well, you're not.

Be cool out there!

2010

The team at Felt just finished wrapping up the 2010 model year. Frames, components and other parts are being collected and readied for production, catalogs and videos are being developed, created, and shot. The fruit of all the hard work is ready for harvest. We'll be collecting and editing photos for the next month or so, from all points of the globe, check back here often and I'll see about getting a preview of some of the exciting new things to come.

-SD

Alan's back

Figured you'd all like to know Alan is back. To every one's surprise he walked through the door at Felt on Monday - turtle shell and all - and worked all day. It was awesome. He was tired of sitting around and no doubt felt the need to come in to check on Felt's BMX category. And, to have lunch at Chipotle with the boys.

30 seconds after walking in we got to see what it all boiled down to - 304.8mm of cut-and-sew underneath which is plenty of screw, glue, pin and hardware holding together the T-section of his spine. Besides how he is going to get through airport security in the future the last unknown is how long he will have to stay with the protective shell, but it now looks like a lot closer to six weeks vs. six months. So much for the contortionist career, but ask him if he feels like the luckiest man on earth and we are sure he will tell you, yes.

Welcome back, brother.

Alan Foster update - 4/18

The Alan Foster weekend update as told by Brian Wilson, PD honch at Felt who went to visit Alan. Below also includes a little from Mrs. Alan.

Alan is doing really well. Constant stream of old BMX friends visiting. Hospital checkout hopefully this weekend, but there is a possibility that he will be going to a re-habilitation hospital. He is looking very good now, his color is back and much of the swelling gone.

Alan says thanks for all the emails, the support, and for covering for him at work. His goal is riding a road bike at lunch in six months and one day, contraption free. Neck brace coming off in a week or so. Wearing his turtle shell. This will likely be part of his daily attire for next several months. Too bad it’s not offered in Ninja green.

Alan Foster update - 4/15

This is the latest from Alan's wife as of Wed morning:

Hi everybody,

I apologize for not sending an update last night. I think it all caught up with me and I was so exhausted, I went to bed at 6 o'clock and woke up this morning at 6:20. Hooray for TV, the girls watched a movie and went to sleep.

Alan is progressing well, he got his back brace yesterday and the physical therapy has already started. He stood up twice with assistance and is now out of the ICU. I believe that visits are now much more manageable. If you would rather not go see him at the hospital, we will have an "Open House" when he comes home.

Thanks,
Cristiane

Alan Foster update - 4/14

Alan wife's sent this update Monday night after his surgery:

Hi everybody,

Sorry for taking so long on the update. The hospital does not have a strong enough wireless signal that we can pick up and We cannot use the phone in the ICU/CCU.

His surgery took 6 hours to be completed, he is still moving his limbs (which is good), but he looks rougher than he did yesterday. Tonight he was very tired and swollen.

The recovery process will be a lot more challenging than we thought. He will have two braces, one on his neck and one on his back 24/7 until the Dr. tells him he is done with them (it could take anywhere between 6 weeks to one year). He will have routine visits to the Dr.'s office until his vertebrae are fused.

We do not know yet when he is coming home, tomorrow he will probably leave the ICU if all goes well. I will keep you updated on visitation possibilities after he leaves the ICU.

Thank you for all your wonderful words and actions of support, positive thought and prayers.