Slow boil…

Ever notice how if you watch a pot of water too much, waiting for it to boil, that it seems to take an eternity? Yeah… that’s my world right now.

For various reasons, all of which are normal and relatively simple, the photo shoot of our sample bikes here has been terribly slow. This entire trip has been about the sample bikes and getting them built and photographed for our various catalogs- Fuji, Kestrel, Breezer, Terry (SE Bikes were already shot in China)… but the process has been dogged by delays. We’ve had enough delays that the trip here in Taiwan has been extended by another week, which means I have to skip my trip to Philadelphia next week and will miss the Bicycle Retailer Dealer Tour in Philly… which really bums me out. BUT- the job here has to get done, since it is THE reason we’re here in Taiwan in the first place.

Don’t get me wrong, I love it in Taiwan and have family and friends here, so it isn’t like it is torture… but I also want to get home to my wife and daughters. For the first time since her birth, I am missing my oldest daughter’s birthday… her 10th and the end of single digit age. I return home now just a day before my wedding anniversary as well. And Lily, my youngest is now speaking a few words *in English* rather than Mandarin only.

Sometimes having a job you love means that you have to do things you don’t love and be away from the people you do love a little longer than you want.

I’m looking forward to being home and fighting the jetlag to stay awake and spend time with my family. It’ll be good to get out on my usual training rides and back out racing on the track too. I miss my routines… and making my own coffee. As much fun as the rides have been here and as much as I love Taiwan and the people… the people I love most aren’t here and that’s where I want to be.

Tim

PS- The good news is that the 2012 model year bikes are looking really incredible. We, ASI, make a lot of truly stellar products. Damn.