Progress Report

February 5, 2014 Aaron Stein

Hello Everyone,

Aaron here. We thought we should shoot out a progress report to let everyone know where we are at. It's been a really productive week so far. Parts distributors got locked down and we actually started purchasing some cool products for the shop (stay tuned...we're gonna write about said cool stuff). We also went to the used fixture store and bought some fixtures ( i.e.. hangers, grid wall, tables) to display our wares. Below is a pic of us after we left the store. Pretty cramped.

Katharine drove her Jeep to the fixture store.  We packed that thing so full of stuff there was barely room for the two of us.  I had to take this picture of Katharine blind because the box you see in the foreground completely blocked her … — Katharine drove her Jeep to the fixture store. We packed that thing so full of stuff there was barely room for the two of us. I had to take this picture of Katharine blind because the box you see in the foreground completely blocked her from my view. It was and interesting ride.

Yesterday and today were spent at the shop working on the brick. I heard that brick and mortar businesses take work but this is getting a little too literal. If you saw any of our other posts about the progress of the shop you would know that one of the major projects to date is exposing the original brick walls, then refurbishing them by cleaning and repointing. We are nearing the end of our brick odyssey and I have to say the shop is really starting to look great. The paint is completely stripped so now it is time to rip out the old mortar joints and repoint. We picked up some sweet safety gear and got to work.

Darth Vader impressions are obligatory when wearing a respirator.  The grinding wheel makes a lot of dust and I'm already out of breath when I pedal back up Penn ave so these are a must. — Darth Vader impressions are obligatory when wearing a respirator. The grinding wheel makes a lot of dust and I'm already out of breath when I pedal back up Penn ave so these are a must.

Today started out a little rough. Yesterday Katharine mentioned that we should ride to the shop this morning as we have been spending too much time in the car as of late. We didn't have anything to schlepp here or there so it was the perfect day to get back on the bike. Well that sounds all fine and good but when its icy and raining and snowing/sleeting you're gonna have a bad time. Couple that with my forgetfulness for proper rain gear and I was completely soaked by the time we got there at 9:15. Luckily, two kerosene burners and scaffolding made a great drying rack. 20 minutes of makeshift drying and I was good to go.

We did a monster amount of work grinding old mortar joints than pointing the bricks with new, prettier mortar. I spent most of the last two days with a grinder in hands ripping old mortar out of the wall. As expected Katharine was a natural mason replacing the the mortar I ripped out with fresh new stuff. We have about two thirds of the shop finished and the new look is really exciting. After spending the last few months working on business planning and other less fun task getting some physical labor in was a nice break. We're two thirds of the way done.

After we finish the brick work we need to get walls put up for the bathroom and dressing room. The walls should go up later this week. Katharine put together a really nice 3D model for our shop layout.

It's almost not freezing outside and the sun is showing...finish reading this and proceed to ride your bicycle

January 30, 2014 Aaron Stein

What is that foreign object hanging in the sky?  It so bright and shiny you can barely look at it.  It seems to be radiating warmth.  Im so happy I can understand why the some ancient cultures worship the sun. — What is that foreign object hanging in the sky? It so bright and shiny you can barely look at it. It seems to be radiating warmth. Im so happy I can understand why the some ancient cultures worship the sun.

Dinky Bridge is still a little icy.  Kristen is taking the high road. — Dinky Bridge is still a little icy. Kristen is taking the high road.

More Progress...This old building is getting a makeover.

January 29, 2014 Aaron Stein

As was mentioned in previous posts the next major project for the new space is exposing the original brick walls. We love that Kindred Cycles is calling an old Pittsburgh industrial space home, just like that old bike that you keep on the road even though there are newer flashier models available.

The walls were supposed to be pressure/steam cleaned to remove the old paint, but the frigid temperatures for the last two weeks would have caused the water supply trucks lines to freeze. We turned to another option so we could keep on schedule. A chemical peel. Check out the pictures below to see the progress.

Katharine is super stoked to see more clean brick.

Close up.  The chemical paste goes on.  Then the plastic sheets.  Let it sit for 24 hours and the paint flakes off. — Close up. The chemical paste goes on. Then the plastic sheets. Let it sit for 24 hours and the paint flakes off.

Frick Park: Great Conditions for Winter Riding

January 23, 2014 Aaron Stein

I just got finished riding Frick and felt the need to spread the good word. The park is in great shape with a packed inch or so of snow covering the trails. With the forecast calling for daytime temperatures below freezing for the next week or so the conditions should stay great and most likely improve as the remaining snow gets packed down making the trails even faster. Word of caution! as the trails see continued use ice is likely to form under the snow creating some slippery conditions.

As you can see I am pretty happy to get out.  If you can get past the initial shock of the cold you warm up pretty quickly.  I know it looks dorky but I like to ride with ski goggles in conditions under 20 degrees fahrenheit as It keeps my… — As you can see I am pretty happy to get out. If you can get past the initial shock of the cold you warm up pretty quickly. I know it looks dorky but I like to ride with ski goggles in conditions under 20 degrees fahrenheit as It keeps my eyes from watering and tear freezing to my face. Disregard the time stamp in the pic!

I like riding my single speed in the winter as there are no derailleurs to freeze and quit working. Also, I'm more likely to take a spill in the winter so I don't have to worry about wrecking my der. hanger. I prefer studded tires in conditions like these. They grab like velcro. The only downside is they weigh three time the weight of normal tires so going uphill takes a little patience. Good news is that when they come off in the spring you feel faster right away!

Work Continues on New Shop Space!!!

January 20, 2014 Aaron Stein

The building has a lot of beautiful brick hidden beneath old plaster.  Here is Aaron using an Air Chisel to remove plaster  and expose the original brick wall. — The building has a lot of beautiful brick hidden beneath old plaster. Here is Aaron using an Air Chisel to remove plaster and expose the original brick wall.

Here is the wall after we got done with it. Next week it will undergo further cleaning. Then we get to grind out all of the old mortar joints and repoint the entire space. Fun!

That stairwell will be disappearing soon giving us more space to work with in the front of the store.

The entire ceiling is now exposed!  The last bits of plaster and drywall were torn down from the ceiling this past weekend.  The Joists are now going to get steam cleaned to knock about a hundred years of dust off them and expose that pret… — The entire ceiling is now exposed! The last bits of plaster and drywall were torn down from the ceiling this past weekend. The Joists are now going to get steam cleaned to knock about a hundred years of dust off them and expose that pretty wood. The white painted brick is also getting taken down to the original brick which should also happen this week.

kindredcycles@gmail.com

2515 Penn Avenue Pittsburgh, Pa 15222

412.471.2656

I'm telling ya we're gonna do lots of fun stuff together. We Promise.