Written by: FOLLY

DOPE! I love multi-tools. I love Blackburn. I love this Blackburn multi-tool!!

“To prevent getting stuck in an inconvenient situation hard to get out of, Blackburn has introduced the ingenious, Wayside Multi-Tool. The selection, length and placement of each tool has been designed to ensure the right tool is there when needed. Including detachable hex keys and an 8mm Hex for additional leverage, trail side repairs have never been as seamless. With the added benefit of a serrated knife blade to take care of business at the camp site, the Wayside-Multi Tool becomes the epitome of an all-purpose tool”

Go to Blackburn Design and check the Wayside Multi-Tool out for yourself. Solid gift for Christmas wink wink.

Chrome Industries has been a huge supporter of the FOLLY vibe from day one. Can’t thank the crew enough for their love and support.

Thursday of last week the sky fell out in San Francisco. I made my way though the city when the rain transitioned from full blast to light drizzle down to Chrome HQ to grab a very needed rain coat. As Chrome recently dropped the Storm Cobra 2.0 (review on that later), I decide to nab one. In doing so I meet Jessie (pictured above). Pumped she was sewing and creating bags when I happened to pop in. Really love meeting the Chrome bag creators in each hub I’ve visited throughout the years (Check out Briana’s interview out of the NYC hub for example). Jessie and I talked about the art of handcrafted goods and that it is quickly becoming lost in todays society. I referenced shooting with a manual film camera and Jessie referenced sewing your own goods. Come to think of it… I’ve never developed my own film… I should start. Anyways, Jessie is amazing. If you’re in SF you should go give her a high-five and say thanks for your talent. I’m sure she would appreciate that.

Here are a few shots from our chat.

I’ve gotta hand it to you San Francisco… you get the “Most Friendly City to Ride In” award hands down! I’ve never ridden in a city that is so cycling conscious. It was a pleasure to ride in you SF; and an immediate eye opener when I got back to the Southeast and was almost hit by an 18 wheeler within minutes of my first ride back.  I could rant and rave about how ignorant and non-progressive the South is… but you probably know that already. I apologize for any Southerner’s that I offend but I’m sick and tired of having to question if I’m going to almost be killed when I ride. Sure, feel free to hoot, holler, yell “Roll Tide”, or “Get off the road”; but don’t come within inches of taking my life you ignorant bastards. Some might say that this issue isn’t secluded to the Southeast and they would be right… but damn… it sure is more prevalent in this area of the nation then any other I’ve ridden.

In the days to come when I almost get clipped or pushed off the road I’ll think back to when I rode throughout the heavily populated SF streets without a single close call. Surely this will lift my spirits and give me hope for humanity.

RIDE x CREATE x EDUCATE

Chatting it up with Jake was a highlight of my recent San Francisco invasion. I’ve followed Jake’s work for some time now and love the edge he puts on his film (ONLY) photography which transcends into his perspective on life, or maybe it’s the other way around. Regardless, catching him at MASH and meeting face to face for the first time felt like seeing a pal you haven’t seen in a while. We spent most of the time talking about film photography/processing cost in SF, southeastern culture, and the general publics disregard for respect and common courtesies. It was time well spent. I only wish I would have captured Jake in action doing what he does as a longtime SF messenger. But the lack of those photos further defines that the conversation was to good to get away from.

Make sure to follow @jake_ricker on Instagram to catch a glimpse of his day to day SF experiences using his Contax T3 / T2 AND newly acquired dream shooter, the Leica M7.

Pumped to meet face to face Jake. Keep killing it!     

So like… MASH is a big deal. They’ve killed on all track bike levels and then some. I just so happened to be in SF for the Dec. 4th Alleycat and fresh video viewing that was mind blowing. I would have picked up the MASH Art Book / Video but didn’t have room in my bag to travel back with it. IT’S HUGE! with a lot of amazing photography and a digital download of MASH’s new flick.

Here’s a few shots from the alleycat. Really dope shop filled with folks that have inspired the FOLLY vibe from day one. Cheers to that!Rob Ward : First Place RoadSean : First Place Track

RIDE x CREATE

So this little meet and greet was unexpected, but I guess that’s what happens when you hang with dudes like Massan Fluker and Matt Reyes for an afternoon.

LOW Bicycles has all the style in the game locked down. That fun fact mixed with high quality handmade craftsmanship equals pure excellence. Plus… Andrew is a really killer doode. Massan had a meeting set up with Andrew that Matt and I tagged along for post Tenderloin hill dominating smash attack; he introduced us to Andrew and away we went snapping shots.

Andrew has a super dope shop filled with dream pedaling machines all over the place. I only had about 10 minutes to do my best at capturing the vibe and it’s left me dreaming about building a LOW Track STD. Maybe dreams will come true sooner than later.

Go check out all the rad that LOW Bicycles is. I promise you won’t be disappointed that you did.

The Ride x Create vibe is strong with these two. I was introduced to Massan and Matt a few years back via Chrome Industries. Instantly fell in love with their style and serious skill shooting, skating, and riding; so when I got the chance to high-five AND shoot them in action on the streets of San Francisco, it made for one seriously killer afternoon.

I was blown away by how confident Matt and Massan are bombing through traffic. It’s on a whole’nother level. Timing lights, getting low, staying close, and screaming down steep traffic filled streets like it’s a walk in the park. Pumped on that!

Here are a few shots documenting them, their skill and their steezy steez. I hope you enjoy.

ALSO… head to Massan Fluker and Matt Reyes’ Instagram to keep up on the vibe.     

I unintentionally caught a few shots of Kyle’s Shinola watch while out on our last morning camp coffee hike. I haven’t really checked out Shinola before so it was pretty fun to capture and enjoy their beautiful creations in person.

Go to Shinola and check out more on their handmade watches. Might just be the perfect holiday gift. 

The Topo Designs x Woolrich Rover Pack is definitely the classiest pack I own hands down. When I first got it in I didn’t think the combo of having Woolrich woolen fabrics accompanying the Rover would be that big of a deal. Actually, I primarily picked this version of the Rover because it was blacked out and I was instantly in love. Little did I know that the feel and subtle look of the Woolrich wool upper really makes this pack standout. Those facts along with the coated pack cloth liner, and other amenities the Rover pack offers, makes this bag a go to when I hit the trails for a simple coffee hikes like the one depicted below.

Kyle and I got out during the Thanksgiving holiday to explore and find the best camp coffee spot, talk about life, and enjoy nature outside of the insanity that was unfolding in the city below. I hope you had similar opportunity to enjoy nature during the holiday. Cheers!

Absolutely the. best!! I mean… seriously. So… I could go into why this set up is the most baller set up in all the land but just know that I have never been more amped about a bag like I am with the Hinterland Jr. Ranger Panniers. With their addition to the Joshua Bryant custom FaTRoB I truly have my version of a dream bike built up.

The Hinterland Jr. Ranger Panniers are made with some pretty killer fabric called X-Pac™ “It is a 4 layer laminate that is extremely tough, very waterproof material that is the favorite material for high performance backpacks and gear bags”. Perfect for getting out there without worrying about your gear getting jacked in the elements. Now, I’ve only taken the Jr. Ranger’s out for a simple local exploration session and they rode solid and quiet; creating no issues whatsoever with handling even packed with Kammok, camp coffee gear, food, and 12 cans of excellence. I’m really looking forward to getting out of town fully packed up and seeing how they handle. I’m assuming I will only be more elated.

Here’s a few shots from my simple ride. I’m looking forward to using/documenting trips with these beautiful black panniers. With that said… keep your eyes peeled, I’ll be adding and reviewing the Hinterland Ozette Randonneur Bag soon. At that point the Death Star will be fully operational!!! In the meantime, go to Swift Industries and check out their other Hinterland Collection goodies. I promise you will not be disappointed that you did.

RIDE x CREATE