ExIT Shoes

I recently added an Xtracycle Free Radical to my old GT Transit Express. I got it specifically to carry an adult passenger after consulting with the mechanics and other nice folks at Clever Cycles. Clever Cycles did the installation and let me test one of their pads. The pad had a beautiful floral pattern, but the padding was totally inadequate.

I decided to make my own pad and after some research chose closed cell foam for the padding. I found a great piece of outdoor fabric with a floral pattern at the Mill End fabric store and some elastic from my friend Matt Menely at Mountain Soles. After I finished my pad, I had plenty of foam left over for Matt. We thought it would be fun to make a video showing how you can make your own.

I spent quite some time editing it down. It is still slightly longer than Lord of the Rings, so I’m still working on it. Stay tuned and we’ll have it posted for you. There are probably some better designs out there, but this one will work.

During the open house there were a lot of questions about the bike saddle prototypes I’ve been working on over the last several months.

Mostly I’ve been working on the leather and finishing. Some of my favorite shoes from Italy were finished by hand. I’ve been developing a finishing style for the saddles. Here’s saddle prototype number 3.

This saddle was handed off to a local guy for testing a few months ago. You might see it around Portland if he ever puts in on one of his bikes, which he had not the last time I checked in with him. I’ll give you a hint, he was in a story on bikeportland.org in December.

The leather work is just about done. Before long it will be time to refine the frame.

Thanks everyone who showed up for the open house! I really appreciate the show of support from the people I invited and it was real treat to have so many new people come by.

Thank you Jonathan Maus for the story on bikeportland.org. Your story brought in quite a few people to see the seat prototypes, and at least one person who just came to talk shoes.

I’d like to send out a special thanks for Ariel for the lovely handmade mugs she brought as a studio warming gift.

Now it’s time to get to work!

I will be hosting an open house at my new workshop in the ActivSpace building (google map). My workshop is actually visible from the picture on the ActivSpace page. It’s the corner on the second floor.

Date: January 19, 2008
Time: Noon to 4pm
Address: The ActivSpace Building
833 SE Main St. #201
Portland, OR 97214

The building is kept well locked. To enter, select ExIT Shoes from the directory next to the elevator on the ground level. That will ring my workshop and I will send the elevator to let you in. I’m on the second floor.

I will be displaying some shoe prototypes, leather, lasts, tools and other shoe related stuff. My bike seat prototypes will also be on display. Please come with your shoe questions or just to say hello.

The space is small, so expect a crowd even if only a few people show up.

I look forward to seeing you there!

I am excited to announce that I have moved to Portland, Oregon. I will be posting the details of my new address and shop information in the next two weeks. While the website may have been quiet, a lot has been going on behind the scenes. Stay tuned for more!