January

• Ice Cross is the only thing that's consistently consistent in TATIville these days, but that's about how things go here in the winter, I suppose. Hyde Park's population will double over the next couple of days, as the University's ranks swell for the winter quarter. This will mean a few more cars on the road, many familiar faces on the bus, but really not that many new tire tracks in the snow-encrusted (and, well, officially non-existent) bicycle lanes. There will be a few hardy souls: the Dutch bike crowd will likely hold things down. There's at least one Pugsley in these parts, and based on Schwalbe Marathon Winter sales over the past couple of years, at least a dozen of you are equipped with carbide tipped studded tires, so I'd expect to see these folks. But aside from that, finding a place on the bike racks will be cake until the Ides of March, at the earliest.

  Back in the back of the shop, this means there's plenty of time to finally finish the dozen of so languishing projects from last month. Or last season. Or last year. There are a few troublesome customs to complete, a gaggle of wheels to build, and a flock of Storcks that flew in over the holiday season. Things are still coming together logistically, but there will still be a Part II of the annual winter sale... and at some point, yes, there will be some open hours scheduled for January.

  But remember, as always, you can always schedule an appointment for a fitting, service, or a consultation.