Seems like there is enough interest in having a themed event. I’ll reach out to MADE and bike monkey when people come back from the holiday break!
I like having regional bike shows that being local people together in addition to the big national shows. That is what the first Oregon Manifest and first PBE both felt like. Seattle Bike Expo also used to be inviting to small builders (2010 was the pinnacle of that when they invited even hobbyist builders to show a bike), but I don’t think it is anymore. I haven’t been to SBE in a long time.
I like Eva’s idea of including a ride component so that builders can ride other builder’s bikes.
I also encourage local social groups to get created, not just shows. We had a good thing like this going in Seattle around 2010 where local hobbyists and pros would meet up a couple of times a year at different people’s shops. I learned a lot by seeing other people’s shops, talking gear, riding weird bikes, and seeing in person brazing demos.
3 Likes
I like that idea!
And to that end, I always say if anyone is ever traveling to my area (WNC) for mountain biking, my inbox is always open. I love showing folks around our trails, or at least providing some good beta for what to ride if I can’t make it to the trails.
2 Likes
Just to follow up on this thread: it’s happening, and you’re all invited.
Meet Your Maker at Skyline XC.
May 12-13 at Skyline Wilderness Park in Napa, CA.
Bring your “junky old steel bike” and ride with the folks who made it
at this grassroots mountain bike race in Northern California.
Press release below:
Skyline Wilderness Park in Napa has a rich history of mountain bike racing, from the Grundig World Cup races of the 1990’s to the Single Speed World Championship in 2008. These are classic chunky old-school XC trails that are perfect match for your favorite hardtail. Come test your abilities in a fun and supportive community!
Meet Your Maker is an ongoing series of rides hosted by the Northern California bike-making community. It all started in 2011 and kinda faded out in 2016, but now we’re back! No stuffy convention halls, no dim fluorescent lighting, just a good time hanging out and talking shop while we partake in the activity that puts a big smile on all of our faces.
Who will be there: Retrotec/Inglis, Sycip, Hunter, Black Cat, Neuhaus Metal Works, Paragon Machine Works, Chris Sallen, Breadwinner/Pereira, Fitz Cyclez, Outer Shell, Sim Works, and Biciclista. All are welcome and all builders are invited to bring their creations.
The weekend kicks off with a group ride on Friday at 5:00pm. We’ll do a course preview lap at non-race-pace, with plenty of snacks and stops along the way. Then we’ll camp on Friday night. Get a good night’s sleep, because the main event happens on Saturday!
The Skyline XC is a 7-mile loop with a diverse assortment of terrain types to challenge even the rowdiest rider. Beginners hit the 7-mile course one time, Intermediate and U19 take 2 laps and Expert/Pros race 3 times around the park. The race concludes with lunch, cold beverages, and a community picnic vibe under the oaks. Then we’ll have a bike show and podiums. After that, who knows what might happen.
The proceeds from this event support the Redwood Trails Alliance, the trail advocacy organization for Sonoma, Napa, and Lake Counties. The results of RTA’s work can be experienced throughout the region, with miles of new singletrack being built every year. With your support RTA educates, advocates, builds trails, and stewards our parks for your enjoyment and well-being.
To register for the race, go to rtadirtdays.com. Handbuilt bikes get a discount at registration with the code MYMSkyline. We’re stoked to see you at Meet Your Maker at Skyline XC!
5 Likes
Just so everyone knows, the discount code to register for this race (MYMSkyline) is good for 35% off.
4 Likes
Meet Your Maker is such a great name.
I’m starting to organize small shows in Vancouver, mostly because it’s what I want to see happen.
I’m going to MADE and damn excited, but I’d really like to see more small local shows with different themes and easy participation for everyone involved.
5 Likes
Campground booked! See you there!
the last MYM that i participated in, my wife had to help a fellow rider that passed out and we nearly meet our makers ourselves! 
May in Napa will be much better than June in Sac!
3 Likes
It’s going to be so much fun. We’ve got a bunch of confirmed framebuilders and component makers showing up to ride bikes and have fun in a beautiful park. Way better than standing around in a hot parking lot or fluorescent-lit convention center, IMHO. People can race or not race and still have a great time. Plus all proceeds go to the Redwood Trails Alliance, our local trails org serving Napa, Lake, and Sonoma Counties.
Hope to meet some of y’all on May 12-13.
4 Likes
I’ll be there with the Paragon booth! Looking forward to it and meeting some of y’all!
3 Likes
Anybody else here exhibiting at Grinduro CA in a couple weeks? This will be my first time at this event and am looking forward to it.
3 Likes
I will be there since Friday morning as I signup to help trace the course.
If you see a Blue FJ Cruiser with a camp/utility-style trailer, come say hi.
2 Likes
RE: Meet your Maker
I am pretty ragged and beat up from my traveling and illnesses, but I should be able to make the drive up to Napa on Saturday. I have a secret project that I have been working on, that will hopefully be ready 
I am also going to Grinduro!
5 Likes
Well, that was awesome. Thanks to all the folks who showed up, camped out, ate tacos, raced bikes, showed work, and enjoyed the gorgeous spring weather at Meet Your Maker at Skyline this weekend.
Nicholas
2 Likes
For my New England peeps
https://www.newenglandbuildersball.com/
I will be there. Can I build a frame worth showing by then?
4 Likes
Woah sweet! I’m gonna plan to be there to check it out.
1 Like
This looks fun and pretty close, I’ll try to make it.
It would be cool if they had a hobby builder display area to see what people are making outside the “commercial” environment. It doesn’t make sense to rent a vendor stall if I’m not trying to sell my bikes, but I get they have to to cover their costs. Maybe a hobby-builder parking lot scene?
3 Likes
That would be sweet. Or maybe we get ourselves a hobby builder booth and pack it with our homemade stuff haha.
That is a great idea. I will try to pitch it to MADE for next time (they seem frazzled this year). MADE required everyone to have insurance, which excludes all the hobbyists.
Ultimately the hobbyist feeds into the “professional” builder, so supporting that scene is good for these shows. It ensures they have new bikes and talent rising up.
2 Likes
I’ll send an email to the organizers of the Builder’s Ball and see if they’d be interested in a hobby zone or something like that.
2 Likes
I should have something done at that point, not sure if it will be worth showing but I was planning to make it to the Builders Ball.
1 Like