My basement bike - how many Transport cargo bikes do we build?

Once a week, I have a meeting with the forecasting group. We look at shipments, orders, and new products to make decisions on units to build for each bike model. 95% of the time, everyone agrees on the decision. However, once in a while there is a disagreement. One of the disagreements this year is the Transport Plus. A new, super-cool, utility cargo bike that can carry 150 pounds of cargo in the back and 25 pounds in the rack up front. It also features an electric assist. Perfect for getting around town, going shopping, or replacing your car! It is AWESOME. Unfortunately, Jennifer Garner, who is in charge of forecasting for this product category, does not share my enthusiasm. Jennifer and I have placed a bet for a case of beer.  Winner's choice with an over/under number. If you think this is a cool product, would you please send Jennifer an email and let her know? I want to make sure that we are producing enough of these bikes!!!

Thanks!  Jb.

P.S. I received this e-mail from one of our top engineers today.

From: "L, Chad"
Date: Fri, 6 Aug 2010 11:19:51 -0500
To: "L, Michael", "Burke, J"
Subject: Seriously holy awesome

I just rode the ride plus Transport with Keith Von Huben on the back. All I am gonna say is holy sh*t and hallelujah that bike is F'n awesome!!!!!!!!

Now I know these are on back order.  Can we start an employee purchase back order list?  Seriously this is my next family bike...my farmers market bike...my take my son to the Monona pool bike...my next bike that my wife fights me to ride to the Y.

ChadL!

The family vacation

Every year the Burkes go on family vacation. Traditionally the third week in June and each year hosted by one of the kids. Last year Tania and I hosted with a family Trek Travel trip to Yellowstone. Of course, it rained every day except for the one day it snowed. Everyone had a blast. This year, my sister Sharon and her husband Jeff hosted the family in Park City, Utah. Events included a Steve Martin banjo concert (he really does play the banjo and unfortunately does not tell a lot of jokes) outdoors with rain and temperatures in the low 50’s, family bowling, golf, a bike ride, a trip to the ski hill for a family luge event, and yes, the Burke family games night where the Black team beat the White team. Events included horse, one hole of golf, the peanut toss, ping pong, and banana grams.

My favorite event this year was the luge ride down one of the ski hills in Park City. We traveled down in pairs with people racing each other to the end. I provided security for my 77 year-old mother as she mounted her sled and headed down the hill. I wanted to be behind her so that some 13 year-old kid did not slam into my Mom. We are around 1/4 of the way down the hill and I am thinking this is really funny...so...I got my iPhone out, hit the video button, and turned into an Olympic announcer as I called Lainey's wild ride down the hill in Park City. This is a must watch!