getfitfirst

The perfect solution

June 22, 2011

Everyone has a story.

That has been the primary lure of journalism for me over the years. The story.

It’s also one of reasons it’s fun to come to Bike Friday each morning.

This is an eclectic bunch.

Not too long after I arrived, Co-Founder Alan Scholz made a point to have me search out Merle Rothweiler, who works in production.

“He could be a really great resource,” Alan said. “He has some incredible artwork.”

That’s the kind of teaser that sends my creative juices whirling like a blender at Jamba Juice.

Think about it. A guy who works in the line with a flair for art. It’s already a great story.

A few days later, Merle took an afternoon break to stop by my desk with his portfolio. It blew me away.

I didn’t know how I’d find a way to use Merle’s artistic talents. I just knew I had to find a way.

Fast forward a couple of months, and we had a brainstorming meeting about a new project: The Bike Friday Poster.

We wanted to create something that would be cool, that Bike Shops around the world would love to have hanging on their wall. Something that would capture the essence of Bike Friday — not to mention grabbing the attention of anyone passing by.

Time to talk to Merle.

Now, one might wonder how some creative meetings unfold. The answer is, it depends.

Back in my days at VeloNews, we’d have regular brainstorm meetings for headlines. That was really code for blow off steam meetings in the late afternoon. Ideas would fly. We’d be roaring. Some good stuff came out of that.

Sometimes creative meetings don’t need anything more than to light the fuse.

I met with Merle. Said we’re thinking maybe a map. Bike Friday. Oregon. Adventure.

Merle looked up with his eyes sparkling with ideas — a sure sign there was no need to go any further.

He went out and started drawing, and nailed it. Just what we were looking for.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Bike Friday Poster, available on the webstore …

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Merle Rothweiler putting the finishing touches on a Carbon Drive tikit. He has been a member of the Bike Friday production team since 2004.

 

 

Entry filed under: News from the Factory. Tags: 1st Class tikit, Alan Scholz, art, bicycling, bike designers, Bike Fiday Poster, Bike Friday, bike innovators, Carbon Drive tikit, Chris Horner, commuting, custom bikes, custom sizing, cycling, Eugene, fit, fixed gears, fixie, folding bikes, high performance cycling, innovation, Jeff Linder, John Rezell, Levi Leipheimer, Merle Rothweiler, Middle Fork Trail, mountain bike, mountain biking, mountain trails, New World Tourist, Oakridge, Oregon, Paul Sherwen, Phil Liggett, Pocket Crusoe, Pocket Llama, Pocket Rocket, Q Tandem, road bike, Rob English, Rocket Pro, Scholz, sizing, tandems, tikit, touring, travel bikes, Triathlon Eugene.