Jon,
I agree with you and Richie. It is the only vacation I get other than the other events I attend. For me being out of town and out of my element is not all that relaxing either. The comaradrie and the events themselves override the discomfort; but beyond a short speech or brief dog and pony show every now and then, I would just as soon sit back and kick it as much as possible.
In addition to that, I'm sure you KNOW how much work we already have to do and how many distractions we encounter; but what it could come down to is who has the most time to waste. It's better if we just bring what we can and never mind anyone judging anything. Better to just ENJOY everything and dig on the cool vibes of the event. The event isn't actually about the bikes anyway; it's always been about the people. It's true.
On the other hand, someday, possibly Cirque 2006, LONG after I finish your frame along with the others currently under construction, I may build something for the Cirque that is out of the ordinary. But I normally don't do that sort of thing. I like to bring the bikes I normally ride. Something out of the ordinary would (for me) usually be a bike for a special purpose and occassional use.
Brian Baylis La Mesa, CA Fondest memory of Cirque 2004: when Jon Green cut the Motobecane seat tube decal out of a frame he bought for $2.00 at the auction (to make a weather vein out of) for me to have for my Motobecane frame here that was missing only that decal. You see, it really IS about the people. (Sorry to have missed writing about this event this year, but just not enough time lately. The great experiences like this go on constantly at the Cirque, Velo Rendezvous, and hopefully in Houston.)
Mike,
I've got a few reservations about this.
First, I don't see the point in having these guys mimick the quality you see in a department store bike. Any small time slot would be asking them to do just that.
Second, these guys come to the Cirque to get away from their jobs for a few days. Why ask them to give some vacation time up so they can be our monkey's in a cage? Let them chill, mingle , drink some beer, and generally think highly of us.
Jonathan Greene
Oviedo FL