Monthly Archives: August 2014

As I’m doing my best to keep calm and wait for the FOLLY x BRYANT shred sled to get finished, Matt Blevins is out thrashing on a few fresh Surly Pugsley builds he just put together. I took the opportunity to do my best at a first film product shoot. I’m ok with the outcome but looking forward to improving my film game.

These fatbikes are available for demo. If you’re in this town and want to experience some big wheeled shredding then I highly encourage you to check out Blevins Bicycle Co. to do so. Jah blessed!

Last night I got the FOLLY x BRYANT FaTRoB #getradmachine completed with the help of Blevins Bicycle Co. As soon as it was finished I darted out the door headed for anything off the road. I smashed through a construction site, rode the grass, and had the biggest smile on my face the entire time! I’VE BEEN OFF TWO WHEELS FOR 2 MONTHS!!! It was an explosion of pent up energy transferring through my legs into this snappy cross, road, rando! It was glorious!!

I ride for a few hours, taking snaps as I go, just thinking of how the next morning was going to play out. Do I wake up at the butt crack of dawn and hit up the FOLLYCROSS race routes or do I wait till the sun sets and enjoy that… WHY NOT BOTH?! I get up at 5 a.m., make coffee, eat a small breakfast, and head out to the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge where FOLLYCROSS 2014 will be held.

The humidity here in Alabama is through the roof and this morning was no exemption. It’s my first legit ride back. I take my Yashica FX-3 Super along for the journey to photo document smashing gravel on this beautiful black beauty. The fog was everywhere, peacful and quite, I take a few shots before I get out to Wheeler. As I’m peddling through the woods I see streaking light that would be a solid shot! What I didn’t focus on was that every shot doesn’t necessarily needed f/1:2. I was too excited to pay attention to what my aperture was set at and that’s ok. Things got a little tight. Lessons learned for next go around… PLUS my lens and view finder were fogged most of the time. This fall I’ll have a lot more experience and it won’t be magma hot/humid.

The photos below were taken this morning, processed locally, and now up for your viewing pleasure. It shows the pre, during, and post ride.

I hope you enjoyed!

Did you know that the FOLLY x BRYANT FaTRoB is available for pre-order? Check this out for more details.

I mean seriously… why not? There are a billion solid affordable film cameras to choose from. This was shot with a cheap Vivitar PS:30 that you could find for less than $10! It was a good place to start understanding the value of film vs. digi, how light will be captured differently, and to be confident in what you are shooting with no instant gratification.

Since using the Vivitar I’ve moved on to the Canon ELAN 7E, that I wasn’t hugely impressed with, and now a Yashica FX-3 Super 2000 (fully mechanical) that I LOVE (more on that after I get a few rolls processed)!!

Check out the digi version of the shot above (iPhone x VSCO) to see what I’m talking about. Is one shot/version better than the other? I don’t know… I love them both, but that’s why I took the shot to begin with. My goal is to encourage you fine folks to explore and use film photography to capture what you find.

**OH and… I don’t edit film photos… if the shot sucked then it encourages me to get better! I try to remember my intent with a roll, take a few notes as I’m shooting, and if the outcome isn’t what I was going for then I tweak a few settings in similar lighting situations and push on.

Consistent x Progressive

RIDE x CREATE!

LOL! This is super on point! Go to TCB Courier’s YouTube page to check out more rad videos like this!

“Brooks England and Levi’s® Commuter™ are teaming up to create a Limited Edition saddle: the Cambium Denim, exclusively available this Summer at Levi’s® Commuter™ Workspaces in Brooklyn, Los Angeles and London, and from October at the Brooks online shop.

Brooks will also give away 20 Cambium Denims, enter your email address above to register to win.”

Go to Brooks England and check out more details! This project is killer! Way to think outside the box Levi’s!

ABUS Mobile Security announced today that they are kicking off the 2014 cyclocross season in a big way by sponsoring Clif Bar CrossVegas as the presenting sponsor of the BikeValet.

“We are thrilled to be working with CrossVegas on making getting to the race even more bike friendly,”said ABUS Marketing Manager Joan Hanscom.  “There is an excellent route to the race via the bike lane on Twain Avenue.  It takes riders all the way from The Strip to the race where you’ll be able to leave your bike in a staffed, secured bike parking corral.  To make it even more attractive – anybody checking their bike into the bike parking will automatically be entered into a drawing to win ABUS prizes throughout the evening.”

CrossVegas director Brook Watts commented, “We’ve seen an increase each year in the number of fans riding from The Strip to Desert Breeze Soccer Complex where the race is held. ABUS has stepped up to make it even more practical and Feedback Sports has provided the racks to simplify the storage.”

Hanscom continued, “Brook puts on a top-notch show, CrossVegas transcends bike racing – it’s an event.  In addition to the BikeValet, we’re hosting a private VIP area for our guests.  We’re looking forward to a great party with our colleagues from around the country and the world while watching some of the top cyclocross racers from around the world compete under the lights.”

HOW RAD IS THIS!!! I hope all you goons attending this event this year give ABUS a high five. Looks like they will be serving your and your two wheeled thrashing machine well at Cross Vegas this year!

RIDE x CREATE

It’s simple things like this that make commuting around the city a little bit easier. AND it’s on sale for only $24!

Go to Stock & Barrel Co. and nab these up!

“Cyclocross is hard on parts but it does not have to be hard on your wallet. Just like our shifters we wanted to offer derailleurs for cycloross that offer more of the same you have come to expect from Gevenalle. Better performance, lower price and ability of service and repair.”

“Gevenalle (Formerly RetroShift) releases new BURD (Blatantly Upgraded and Rebranded Derailleur) Front Derailleur (and Chain Guide) just in time for cross season. The new 84 gram short cage derailleur completes the CX 1 and CX2 Shifting System. Coupled with the BURD rear and CX Shifters, Gevenalle comes closer to a complete Cyclocross groupo. MSRP for the BURD Front is 49$ and includes Gevenalle’s amazing crash rebuild service, getting riders back up and running in the event of a incident for only 20$ including shipping.”

These are pretty sweet and for a super affordable price. If you’re prepping your cross shred sled and in need of some good derailleur love… look no further, you just found what you needed.

Go to Gevenalle and check out their front and rear cyclocross derailleurs.

Are you ready?

FOLLYCROSS is right around the corner. Be prepared! More details next week.  

The Giro Synthe and the Smith PIVLOCK V2 MAX were made for each other. They will be great tools to help me be seen in style.

Getting hit blows. Be seen.