I alluded to the trip in the mileage thread. I hope we're over 155k when we return. If I had my REAL preference, we'd be knocking on 160k.
The trip began as a dream the moment my little girl was born almost 17 years ago. All 4lb6oz of her tiny, early arriving frame. I'd like to say its her early start that kept her tiny, but she'd tower over both of her great-grandmothers at just 5'2" today.
Anyway, the trip start was a charlie foxtrot for a lot of reasons that I chose to ignore. We persisted with a late start on Monday instead of our planned Sunday departure. In a last minute bid for options, we towed the bikes along as well.
We stopped in Chattanooga, TN for an impromptu visit with one of her Jr High buddies who is in boarding school there. It's a uhhh.. nice campus.
But the reason *I* wanted to be there was for the handmade titanium bikes made there. I have been dreaming of one of these for a decade before he sold his 1st shop.
Despite what folks might think of the South, times are weird, even inTN. I couldn't get anyone on the phone with a voicemail that said, essentially we *might* get in touch with you in a couple days- or longer. I had very low expectations of the unannounced and unplanned visit.
But I was surprised (and elated) that they came to the door in the industrial park and even brought some frames outside for me to look at. I was already having a GREAT day when the man with is name on the door (and signature on every bike!) came to the door!
He asked if I had a mask and offered to take me on a tour! I walked in the door to the shop and got goosebumps. I would be there as long as they'd let me stay...
The process is meticulous and well-planned. Some of the machines look like they came with the building..
Others are steeped in a mix of old and new tech.
We talked to the guy measuring tubes for this bike. Each one meticulously planned. He noted that he'd measured to 3,000th/in and was ready to cut. THAT is precision!
Here, they are drilling the tube for cables that will move the seatpost up and down..
Another hit for the day's early start was a female welder. From tiny female State Troopers in New Hampshire (don't ask) to a petite female tig welder, I like to show my daughter her options are limitless.
This was no exception. It's great when she gets to see things she may not ever have otherwise. She's growing into a fine young human. I suppose that's the 1st priority for any child.
In the next post, we will begin the (relatively?) short saga of how we came to Spartanburg, SC and the nearly Divine intervention that allowed our time here to be a life experience she will never forget!
04-07-2021, 09:45 AM
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