Bicycle Revolutions Frame Badges!

We commissioned some bike jewelry for our upcoming collaboration with Affinity that I have been alluding to for a little while now. We had local jewelry maker Jen Green do some badges to make these special frames even more special. And our friend Jackson was kind enough to pick them up for us today.

So if you are one of the people who are anticipating these frames as much as I am, here is one more thing to make you drool.

Monster Track, Philly Crew Representing!

As usual the events never start on time. There was a lot of time to gather outside of Affinity and socialize while waiting for the start. There had to be almost 300 people out on Grand St. and Philly was well represented in the crowd.

Everyone was pretty laid back as they probably hadn't been to sleep since the night before. I don't know how people who live in NYC do it, 4am is really late to still be drinking and partying.

Mike, seen her sporting his BRevs cap, was seriously ready to race. I ended up hanging out at the Battery Place checkpoint after the start and can tell you that when Mike came through he was racing.

Noe was chilling and having a great time always a smile on that face.

James wins on style points alone, and that bike looked damn good too!

There had to be over a dozen heads from Philly in there. Sometimes I forget how close we are to New York. I use to hop on the Chinatown Bus on friday night to visit Heather when she was still living there. It has been a really long time since I rode around the big city, and it is really nice to do that with friends.

Monster Track, Bringing Old Friends Together And Making New Ones

The best part for me about going to alleycats and messenger events are the the friends, new and old that you don't get to see everyday. The ever growing family of like minded individuals. The people who open their homes and hearts to you at a moments notice. These moments are priceless and eternal, and for that I am grateful.

Wilis and his lady friend Mary opened their home to us for the weekend. Wilis worked with us at BRevs for a little while before moving on to NYC. He has met an awesome lady that seems to be a good match for him. They took great care of us and here is a pic of Wilis making us eggs and potatoes for breakfast.

Fast Eddie is a NYC cultural icon. His book "Bike Messengers Life New York City" has documented the NYC messenger community in a visually stimulating and endearing way.

Felipe, The King! He is not just another NYC messenger, he is a character. He is funny and youthful and still fast as hell.

Then there is SQUID! He has become the face of the NYC bike messenger. He has worked with the Puma cycling team and is still working on the road every day with Cycle Hawk messenger service. Squid is also a new dad, congrats!

And then there is Super Ted. Frame builder for his brand Shop 14 Bike Co. And fixed gear freestyle monster. This guy is a bulldog, there is no stopping him. We just met thursday night at Philly's Water Street Session and then we got some more time to hang at Monster Track. This is one happy fun guy, looking forward to throwing a few more back with him in the future.

There are many stories to tell, I will do my best to pick a few more good ones to share in the next few days. Some videos that I need to edit into bite sized servings for general consumption. But the people that were there and the love that was shared was simply amazing. A nice reminder when the day to day life gets to be cold and dark, there are bright sunny faces just waiting to warm your heart.

RE Load Lockdown Foot Straps!

Roland just brought us some samples of the new Lockdown Foot Straps, and he was nice enough to make them in two lovely shades of green for my next project bike.

They are a very clean and simple design, using materials they already put to use in their bags.

I fit them to a pair on Odessey Twisted pedals with some minor modification of the slots in the side of the pedal. I took some pictures to share with you on that later...

I will get some miles on them in the next week for some critical review.

Another sample colorway that J will be testriding, fitted to a pair of Demolition pedals that require no modification.
RE Load expects to have these available to the public by the end of the month, we should be getting an assortment of colors as well.

Heather Hard At Work

In case you didn't know already, the lovely Heather prints your Bicycle Revolutions apparel. We like to use the Organic Cotton T's and water based screen printing techniques for a minimal environmental and social impact.

She takes great pride in her work...

And Mike was lucky enough to stroll in while she was printing and convinced her to print a cap for him. This is the first of it's kind, I don't even have one.

Monster Track XI, Here I come!

I made a couple of modifications and additions to my Lo Pro for Monster Track. I needed the risers on it because, well I'm too damn old for racing around NYC with drop bars. And put on some WTB Pathway 700x32 tires I have been wanting to try, they are pretty rugged.

And I moved my camera mount from my Surly so I could catch some of the chaos of Monster Track and NYC traffic. And I will be topping off the flask with Ol' Grandad just to make sure I stay warm...
If all goes well I will have some nice video and photos for posting next week, assuming I am still alive.

Soap's New SE Whip

Fernando at SE slapped this monster machine together (after being inspired by my surly 29'r) for Soap to break. It is the new SE Stout frame with the new 700c Heat Treated Landing Gear fork. It's definitely a little crazy but headed in the direction of fixed gear 29'r trick bikes. Maybe Soap will come out and ride it tomorrow night at Water St?

And next time you see him riding by, make sure to get your Free Candy!