thank you ladies, for the recommendations and tips - I'll be sure to call ahead and make an appointment, with whomever i choose. I am open to anything in the NW, but I was particular to people who have heard/had experience with the framebuilder. Those Hampten bikes sure are pretty...

Mimi- I think you've sold me. Davidson's sounds like everything I was looking from a framebuilder, I'll visit them and tell them you sent me if they work out (basically at this point, it comes down to the price - what I think I can afford... hah).

Eden - I dabbled a little bit, "little" being I rode a "little" before getting dropped during the first 3 miles each time. Hah. I'm positive it's because of my bike, not because I-am-slow-and-too-lazy-to-practice.