RBW HQ visit

[Brenton Eastman]

Hey y'all

I am planning a trip to SF in March, and was thinking of visiting HQ in Walnut Creek. I have two Rivs, and no real need to visit, except that I am a huge fan of the brand, the employees, the culture, etc. It's always been a dream of mine to visit and meet some/all of the crew.

My dream visit consists of, show up, shoot the shit with the whole crew, get a mini tour, and ride off into the sunset on a group ride. I understand this is not the reality, and that you need an appointment to go on a weekday, and that Saturdays there's likely only 2-4 people there. So I would like to hear some experiences of the reality. Has anyone made the pilgrimage to RBWHQ "just because"? Did you make an appointment? Go on a Saturday?

[Joe Bernard]

All my visits were during the pre-appointment days when the shop was always open, but I always had a thing I was there for so it was appointment-ish anyway. This is what I recommend, find a couple things you could use - cables, kickstand, bandana, whatever you can think of - and make the appointment. While you're there it will become a chat-and-lookaround naturally, that's the way they roll. 

As far as getting a full tour you may want to lower your expectations a smidge, it's basically two sections of a warehouse building with stuff crammed into every noik and cranny, plus a small space for bikes. The tour is you walk up and it's all right there! Then you look at the bikes and chat and pay for your stuff and off you go. Pretty mellow (although nerve-wracking for me cuz I'm that way), you'll love it. 

Joe Bernard  

[Sarah Carlson]

I would definitely make an appointment because these dudes are busy and that way they can pencil in some time to give you attention. Otherwise you might show up when they are unloading a truck. I agree with Joe that it's great to find a couple things to order that you can pick up on your visit... and also bring treats! These visits are in a quirky environment, a kinda funky warehouse, but I have found any visit there delightful... even when Grant pokes fun at my over-exuberant color choices. (I will keep my favorite comment to myself, but Leah knows it!)

Sarah

On Monday, January 15, 2024 at 3:55:13 PM UTC-8 brenton...@gmail.com wrote:

[Sarah Carlson]

And in all fairness my aesthetic is like crossing a classy Rivendell bike with a Lisa Frank Trapper Keeper from the 90s... so his observations are fair.

On Monday, January 15, 2024 at 3:55:13 PM UTC-8 brenton...@gmail.com wrote:

[Dorothy C]

If you can swing it, the Mike Plumpatire is a nice pick up item. I ended up mailing one to Oakland that I had bought for my son, I’m in Los Angeles, so I just kept the extra one to keep at work. They are really efficient, and have the double head for Presta / Schrader

[Corwin Zechar]

I have a custom in progress - came back from Joe Bell's a couple months ago. Mark and I have been gathering parts since then. I usually go a couple times a month. I call or email beforehand to make sure a visit is OK on the day I plan. So far, there was only a problem on the day they were shooting video for an ad.

I would call ahead. Try to talk to Will. Tell him you want to come. Tell him when you want to come. Ask if there are any problems. Then call again a week before you arrive just to double check.

I have also been there on Saturdays. Usually not a lot of people - but sometimes you get lucky. I have run into Grant on Saturdays. James, Antonio and Harry are likely suspects as well. If you want to talk to Rich, be sure to show up on a Tuesday or Thursday. If you want to talk to Mark, come Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. And be prepared for some of the people you want to see to be off on vacation, sick, etc.

Regards,

Corwin