Bad news first: My cheap-ass pen-cam lost all the pictures I took. What I learned from this is that this camera, in tandem with my old, creaky computer is unlikely to download anything more than about ten pictures successfully. So any pictures you want to see you'll have to get from someone else's blogs. Sorry.

Good news: I saw a lot of beauty. So much so that I'm actually glad I got a ticket for only one day instead of three. It was just too much to take in.

More good news: craft frame-building is on the rise in North America. Hundreds of frame builders and custom component makers showed off their best stuff and some of it was inspiring. Notables include just about every touring bike from Waterford, Bilenky, Bruce Gordon, Aherne and so many more I cannot list them all here. (I am writing this about an hour after I got home and I am still a little overwhelmed.)

Frame builders to watch, in no particular order:

1. Courage Bicycles, Portland OR ? beautifully simple, strong frames. I especially like their dropouts, which are sturdy and sensible without being overwrought.

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