Monthly Archives: January 2015

This was an immediate purchase when it hit the streets. Love the design and the fit is perfect for me.

Go to Swift Industries and pick up one of these beauties. Jah blessed!

That voice though…

This is a really rad program. If you’ve been looking to get out and lose yourself via bicycle this is for you.

BLACKBURN RANGER PROGRAM

Do you believe that the world is best seen by bike? OK, we have something for you …

SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif, (January 6, 2015) – Continuing in the spirit of adventure, Blackburn announces its third installation in its “Out There” adventure cycling program.

Blackburn will be recruiting 6 new brand ambassadors for 2015. Nicknamed “Rangers,” these ambassadors are the ultimate testers of Blackburn products, while supporting and promoting it’s core culture. The program will continue to feature two of the most iconic cycling routes, the people who ride them and the uncommon adventures they have along the way. The Pacific Coast and the Great Divide will continue to serve as the pages that the Blackburn ambassadors, will write their journal of adventures upon.

“We know that there is a great story around every corner once you are on your bike and we want to be a part of that,” said Robin Sansom, Blackburn brand manager. “Enabling adventure through design and innovation was the reason that Jim Blackburn started the company 40 years ago.”

How To Become A Ranger:

In order to become a Ranger, be prepared to inform Blackburn by presenting your best experience on a bike, or why you want to ride from Canada to Mexico. The next step is to create. Show who you are by uploading a short video to YouTube, using the hashtag #beablackburnranger2015, that embodies who you are and showcases what will make you stand apart as a ranger. Lastly, inspire others by sharing your adventure. After submitting your application, get your friends, family, and community members to endorse you via social media.

Go check out more information on the Blackburn Rangers and the “Out There” program if your interested.

Routes: Blackburn is proud to be a Titanium Member in support of the Adventure Cycling Association. An organization whose diligence and passion for travel by bike have and continue to make these routes some of the best in the world.

*The Pacific Coast Bicycle Route covers 1,852 miles from Vancouver, British Columbia to Imperial Beach, California. Consisting of beautiful roads lining the Pacific Ocean, Rangers will use touring bicycles and Blackburn racks and panniers to carry necessities along the way.

*The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route is an off road route that was originally mapped by the Adventure Cycling Association, from Banff, Alberta to Antelope Wells, New Mexico, a distance of 2,740 miles. Great Divide Rangers will ride mountain bikes, whether rigid or suspended, and use bikepacking bags strapped to their frames, handlebars and saddles. Lights, pumps and computers from Blackburn will keep them rolling and safe.

About Blackburn Design

Since its inception at the hands of Jim Blackburn in 1975, Blackburn has been dedicated to designing stronger, lighter, more innovative and more reliable cycling products and accessories that are essential to the riding experience. The Scotts Valley-based company produces pumps, lights, racks, bags, computers, cages, trainers, tools, saddles, fenders and mirrors. For more information, please visit http://www.blackburndesign.com.

Also, Blackburn very much appreciates the support of the Out There program this year with great partnerships from Niner, Bell, Giro and SRAM.

I’ve been using the Showers Pass Body Mapped Base Layer for the last few weeks on rides and runs alike in really cold weather. It’s blown me away with how solid it is (review on that product in the works)!

With that said… I could only image Showers Pass’ new Metro Jacket is equilly as impressive.

Press Release:

Portland, OR | January 5, 2015 — Answering strong customer demand for a handsome piece of weatherproof outerwear that looks great on the street and works even better on the bike, the new Showers Pass Metro Jacket has arrived. Designed with the style-conscious commuter in mind, the Metro is made to withstand the rigors of real-world cycling, year-round, no matter the forecast. Throw in a supple build and soft, silky interior and you’ve got a perfect crossover jacket.

Showers Pass president Kyle Ranson is thrilled about this addition to the company’s lineup. “From the street to the bike and back again, with uncompromising style and performance—that’s what we set out to deliver,” says Ranson, “and it’s exceeded our expectations. The Metro performs brilliantly and looks amazing. And we put a premium on comfort: we spec’d our proprietary Artex fabric with a unique double-print technology. This lifts the membrane just a hair’s width farther away from the skin to allow it to breathe and wick perspiration better, killing any clamminess. It’s just a pleasure to ride in.”

TECH SPECS:

• Artex Hardshell 2.5-layer fabric for waterproof-breathable performance without the bulk
• Seam-taped construction for maximum wind- and waterproofing
• Reinforced panels across shoulders protect fabric from backpack and messenger-bag straps
• Asymmetrical front zipper reduces chafing under your chin
• Two-way YKK wide-tooth front zipper with interior storm flap
• Dual core vents and upper back “exhaust pipe” vent for airflow without billowing
• Articulated elbows, plus slightly longer tail for better coverage when riding
• Exclusive airflow-regulating cuffs
• Reflective accents on back hem and left sleeve for signaling turns
• Specially designed back pockets with water-resistant zippers angled for easy accessibility 
• Soft, moisture-wicking lining at collar

The Showers Pass Metro Jacket retails for $199 and is available now.

Jason Wussler 1995 – 1998 St Louis, MO from Ando Nesia on Vimeo.

Go to FTC for more radness.

This is just plane beautiful. I’ve never owned a track bike before. This makes me want to change that more than ever before.

Go to MASH and check out more details on this beautiful beast available for pre-order with delivery late February.

Have you seen these sweet goodies over at MASH!? In love!!

Make sure to go check them out along with their photo inspired caps. Jah blessed!

This interview from American Photo Mag of Ed Templeton is brilliant. I love the idea behind Ed’s new photobook collection “Wayward Cognitions”. This was my favorite photo / question / answer.

“It sounds like you are doing a lot of composition in your head. Is that correct?

For sure, if you were watching me from above you would see my path take a weird erratic turn. I see somebody and then I have to make a decision real quick: Is it a full body shot? Do I have to get close? A lot of my focusing is guesstimation. I see someone so I focus my camera accordingly and then I put my camera in that position to make my focusing correct. I don’t shoot from the hip or anything. I look through and compose in that split second, I’m walking by and I kind of slap the camera up to my eye make that millisecond composition and then shoot. Sometimes you fail of course, but I’m more and more surprised by how good I am at getting everything in there, getting what I wanted in there and getting the exposure right.” – American Photo Mag

Go to American Photo Mag and read the rest of this interview by Jeanette D. Moses of Ed Templeton. I promise you’ll get inspired.