Monday, September 17, 2007

Speedvagen, meet your Speedvaagen

And so it begins, with the First Thirty. The first batch of crossalicious cx weaponry launched by the Vanilla Workshop: Project Speedvagen.

I launched this blog to channel my own excess excitement about my place in the queue, but a fellow Speedbro thought this may be an even more useful center-of-the-universe for all that is Speedvagen (single) or Speedvaagen (my plural; apologies to Sacha for taking liberties there.) Yes, yes, yes. This is how we take it to 11, people.

Bring it: post up your builds, your thoughts, your gossip, your dreams, your plans, your delivery, your first ride, first mud, first dents, first scrapes and gouges, your comments and notes, your reports, your pics and videos. All of it.

Welcome, Speedvagen #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23, #24, #25, #26, #27, #28, #29 and #30.

Go.

11 comments:

Fixie Rider said...

Sweet. Now you're on to something big. Huge, even! When my wife asked me what was so special about this Speedvagen thing, all I had to say was "It goes to 11"

I will be sure to post a photo as soon as I get my ride. Sacha offered to go for a test ride with me when I pick it up. I can hardly wait.

Where will you be racing this year?

tjh said...

OK. Since I guilted Andy into this, I better put up or shut up. So here goes....

Part I. The dream.

"It was my wifes idea"!
Honest. Last year I got a long awaited promotion. My wife said I should treat my self to a new road bike.
(She races...she gets it) I thought "what for"? At the time I had two Steelman cross bikes and a road bike which I hated, but didn't mind putting down in a crit. Why get something really nice that I'd be afraid to thrash....and I loved my Steelmans, especially the "newer" 5 year old deda/reynolds mix w the alpha fork. Besides, w/kids, your priorities change. Then I went to the NAHMBS. Amidst all the glitz, there she was. Bad to the bone. I went home, exploited my family to help score one, sold a ton of crap to finance it and assuage my guilt and here we are. My blog has become a veritable Sacha love-in. I'm not the obsessive type, but I'm obsessing and loving every minute.

Fixie_rider, you better post pics of "Suprise Me".

Andy Askren said...

tjh-- man... guilt? I'd say you INSPIRED the throwing open of the doors that is Speedvaagendom!

Come to NAHBS this year--where is that again? Oh, that's right, it's HERE, in my very own Portland!!!--and I'll buy the first round o pints.

My first race this year is Sept. 30 in Portland; our legendary Cross Crusade starts Oct. 7. I'm giddy like a little girl.

tjh said...

I'm racing in the bay area. Live in Oakland. The season started early this year and I've got two races in already. Racing again tomorrow night. The REAL season kicks off on the 29th

Enjoy your test ride Fixie, I've had a date w/ Sacha as well. I thought it went well, but he never called back :-(
http://have-a-snack.blogspot.com/2007/07/my-date-with-sacha.html

Andy, If I can make it to NAHMBS this year, yer on!

Fixie Rider said...

This might be the second time I am posting this comment. Sorry if that is the case...

Nice TJH,

I recommend the Hotcake House for breakfast the next time you are in Portland. Open 24 hours and I think the food tastes better the earlier in the morning (later at night) you eat there!

Now, don't bother Sacha. He has a lot of work to do getting our Speedvaagens ready for our races at the end of the month.

Every time I sit down at the computer the first thing my fingers want to do is send an email and ask "IS IT DONE YET!?" I have been able to maintain some self control, but don't know how much longer I will be able to stand the strain.

I've got one real race under my belt so far this year and a few practices. Two races coming up this weekend - Starcrossed and the RAD GP Cup. They are both UCI events so there are going to be some top flight racers up here Sat/Sun.

Oh, and I was already planning to attend the NAHBS next year since it is sooo close to home. Now that Andy is offering up beer I am going to be there for sure!

Andy Askren said...

How cool would it be to have as many of the 30 Speedvaagen in one place as we can (post delivery, post their 1st cross season)? I'm thinking a gathering at Sacha's booth, NAHBS, Portland, with brews... aww yeah.

tjh said...

That would sweet. a speedvagen jamboree. I've cross posted on have-a-snack. Now I just need to set up a googlebomb so "svaagen" can work it's way up the "speedvagen" search tree ;-)

tjh said...

...and as for the hoped for speedvagen hoedown at NAHMBS,
two words come to mind. ALLEY CAT!

Andy Askren said...

The tires that this Robin's Egg Blue Vagen #?? will be rockin: ¡PINK! http://www.interlocracing.com/tires_cx.html

Hell yeah.

tjh said...

Ah sorry to disappoint, but that color scheme is unfortunately already spoken for round these parts. I actually ordered some red for my self and pink for a friends wife who has a powder blue Rock Lobster replete w/ pink CK headset/hubs. I'm training on the reds and racing on FMBs. I will have red saddle/bar tape though.

Fixie Rider said...

Alley Cat - For Sure!

Let's also go for a Speedvagen throwdown at the Crank Bros races at PIR on December 1st and 2nd. I am planning on being there.

And the pink tires will rule. Make sure to keep them nice and clean. :-)