If you are reading this, you probably know that Interbike is underway in Las Vegas this week. I started to write a post about it today, but I ran out of steam as soon I got started. That lack of motivation to post has been plaguing me for a while now (it is certainly not for lack of content), so I think that it’s time for me to take a little break from this blog. I am not sure if it will take weeks, or months, or a year, but I’ll resume blogging when I feel like I am ready for it again. Yeah, I know that Bicycle Design might lose readers if I am gone for too long, but honestly, I have never been all that concerned with traffic or metrics. For me, this blog has always been about connecting with those of you who share a passion for bikes, creativity, and design…and I think a longish break is necessary to recapture that (on my end at least).
I mentioned Interbike, because the show reminds me that it has been almost exactly eight years since I quickly set up a blog and hit publish on my very first post. At that time, I never imagined that this blog would ever reach so many people, or provide an outlet for industrial designers to share their bike related work, or even play a role in generating the level of interest in bike design that we see on the internet today (OK…that last one might be a stretch, but I like to believe it, so don’t burst my bubble). I really never had a plan for this blog at the beginning. It was just something I wanted to try, so I started it on a whim. Lately though, that excitement that I used to feel about sharing and discussing ideas and concepts has been replaced by a feeling that I NEED to post something every week or so. Instead of serving as a creative outlet and mental break from my work as a product designer, the blog has started to feel a bit like…well…a bit like a job I guess. That’s not what I want from it, which is why I feel the need to walk away (or ride away) for a while.
I have quite a few personal design projects that I have been putting off, so I want to shift some of my attention to those for now. Until I get back to this blog (and the associated social media accounts), you will be able to find me on Twitter at @JCTdesign, on Google +, on Instagram, and a few other places on the web.
I am truly grateful for the incredibly positive experience of writing this blog for the past eight years. I have learned so much from it (more than I can cover here), and I have met some really great people along the way (both online and in person). I really do want to sincerely thank all of you who have contributed, commented, or just read my posts here over the years, and apologize to those of you who have recently submitted design work that I never got a chance to share. OK…that’s enough of this sounding like a goodbye post. I can always share some of those submitted designs when I am back. Not sure when that will be just yet, but I hope you will stay subscribed to find out.
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