HHB Flood Of 2013 - News, Updates, and a "Flood Sale"

Well folks, we've had a LONG weekend...  I had planned to ride out to Kentucky on Friday morning for the Ramble Tamble.  Instead I was awoken from my sleep at 2:45am to a call from the Fire Department. Apparently one of the very old sprinkler pipes had ruptured in the shop.

So I got to the shop as fast as I could...

Thats not good. not good at all.  Apparently the pipe had ruptured, and the shutoff valve could not be found for a good 30-45 minutes or so once the Asheville Fire Department got there.  (BTW, thanks to ALL of the AFD who were there that night, it was a sigh of relief to be surrounded by some great folks in such a stressful moment)

The best part?  The pipe that burst, filled the office ceiling with water until my office caved in...

Looking into the office from the shop.

I was soo overwhelmed, that all I could do for a few minutes was grab a few pics of the damages, then start pushing bikes outside.  I opened the shop door and literally watched parts and packages float out of the office.  Everything in the office is 100% loss at this point...

 

Here are some shots, just to give you an idea of the damages we have sustained this past weekend..

Man, you would never think 4-5" of water could do soo much damage...

I know it's strange, but this is somehow my favorite picture of this disaster...  

And this picture truly breaks my heart.  

It filled the office ceiling with water until it couldn't handle the weight, and collapsed - ruining all of our office computers, printers, about 50% of our inventory and all of my baby girl (Rebecca) stuff that I keep at the shop. You see, without my office and without the things for her, I cannot work at the shop. I bring my baby girl to the shop everyday, and keep her safe and sound in the office as I work.

We have always been a small operation, and as such - I do Daddy Daycare each day while my wife goes to work.

The office is a total loss, we are hoping to strip all of the drywall this week and insulation, and start the rebuilding process. We could use building materials or funds to help get those as well.

We lost a ton of inventory, as well as all of our packing/shipping supplies and other stuff that comes with running our business.

To make matters worse, we tried to get flood insurance about a year ago, but since we are in the flood plain, it was astronomically high. Fast forward to today, and now the river is rising and rising FAST! 

 

I will be having a "flood sale" on the blog (as soon as I can find a computer that will let me upload images from my phone, mine is trashed of course) in order to help raise money ourselves as well. I will have lots of bikes, parts, frames, and other stuff for sale.

If you are local, and have a Pack and Play (baby crib), a decent laptop/computer, or other supplies we can use - feel free to contact us.

 

So as you can imagine, we are a bit overwhelmed right now.  With our lost inventory, lost office, and the time it will take to clean up this mess, we are going to be a bit backlogged with orders and emails.  Please be patient with us, and we will move forward as best we can to make sure that you get the best from Hugh's HandBuilt - just as always.  

And as always, thank you soo much for your continued support.  Even in times like this, I am overwhelmed with the postive vibes and support you folks have sent in via Facebook, Instagram, etc..  

 And for those of you who have asked how to help?  Lisa Ballard has set up a nice "GoFundMe" site.  It humbles me to even think of asking for help or donations, but Lisa set this up for us knowing as much.  For those of you who have reaped the benefits of our Tech, Support, Products and Services, and would like to give back - I'll not turn it down at this point.  I'm a bit overwhelmed with everything that is happening, but we'll take it one step at a time and come back stronger.

Instagram username - Hughshandbuilt

Facebook - Hugh's HandBuilt on Facebook

GoFundMe Account - I cannot be more humble and more grateful for your help - than I am today. Thank you soo much.

If you have pending orders, services, emails, etc... with us - please be patient and we will have everything squared away as soon as possible.

Hugh

Meltdown 2013

This past weekend was a KILLER vintage event - The Meltdown.  It was held at the Southern Appalachian Brewery and we had a blast.  We rode down in wonderful 60 degree weather, but that was as good as it got. 

The weather was pure crap, which was nice in all reality.  I had the following conversation with my friend (and an amazing photographer) Frank Bott

Frank: In this crappy weather, only the really tough bikers show up

Hugh: No way dude, all the "tough" guys are at home watching Sons of Anarchy re-runs.  The people that actually showed up today at the people that genuinely LOVE this stuff.  

Frank:  Thats a great way to put it. 

(Some of that is paraphrased, I had a "Few" of those wonderful brews that day - haha)

You see, for me it's all about the love of two wheels (and sometimes just one, if it's a really gnarly wheelie!) and the folks that rode out in the 50 degree rain and stood in the rain talking motorbikes, drinking great brew, and having a blast - those are my kind of folks...  Diehards, and not "tough" at all really - just in love with 2 wheels.  

Another great friend of mine came down, and took an amazing amount of photos - so I'll let the photo's do most of the talking.  Enjoy it folks, this is what it's REALLY all about.

Setting up before the rain

All Smiles

Sam made it there with his freshly built XS (black)

"Shreddie" Cleveland hanging back with his Shovel, he was on guard with that many cool XS's around - ha!!

Tevan Morgan made the ride down on his XS2

Tevan entered his bike into the show, so we gave it a quick wipedown

A really strong showing of cool vintage bikes, not as big as last year due to the weather, but some great bikes for sure.

This 55' Pan took "Best American" in the show and I know for a fact that he rode it in...  That's the only way to roll in my book. 

And then the rain came down.  And damn did it come down!!

Roy Vance made a showing with "The Tennessee Rose" - nothing says "I LOVE riding like coming into a show in the 50 degree rain...  This bike gathers a crowd everywhere it goes, and being Rephased it sounds amazing too!

Tevan being himself.  I love this dude!

If you aren't bringing your baby out to motorcycle events, you probably aren't raising them proper.  But seriously, those who follow us on the blog/facebook/instagram know that my lovely Courtney and Rebecca are very integral parts of my life at HHB.  The shop is always full of family time.  I LOVE my job!!!

My lovely ladies

Just a bit wet you say??  

And of course none of us had raingear, because who thinks ahead like that??

THIS Man - you should know him...  This Frank J Bott, he is an amazing photographer and someone I'm glad to call a friend.  Google him, check out his work, and bring your bikes to him to shoot.

When not killing groundhogs, Creature prefers a life of luxury.  

Nothing says "lets roll" like a bunch of soaked to the bone helmets...  Kinda like putting on wet underwear, but worse...

Tevan's XS2 Resto-Mod Cafe' ended up taking home "Best Japanese" in the show, and then we packed up and hit the road home.  I'd say it was miserable riding, but everywhere I looked was a rider smiling like he'd never ridden before...  So yeah, get in love with 2 wheels - rain or shine!!

Hugh