Monday, August 26, 2013

Bicycle Poems or "Spoke and Word"



I listen to this podcast called the BikeShow from London. One episode this creativity counselor (Rosie Walford of Big Stretch) spoke about how cycling elevates your mind into an alpha state of creativity.

So I wanted to design a poster to celebrate my love of bicycles. So, I through a leg over my saddle and as I rode I wrote a poem/prose.

After I wrote this short prose, I typeset it in antique wood type. I also hand carved two linoleum block illustrations to tie the bicycle art piece all-together.

I letterpressed the final poster on Rives BFK paper, using gold and silver inks on an old 1927 Vandercook press in Cincinnati, Ohio.

If you would like to purchase a copy, here is the link.

early drafts:

Oh Bicycle,
How you set me free,
Your wheels like wings,
All the things I see.

Oh Bicycle,
your wheels like wings set me free,

your wheels are my wings,
and I take flight with liberty.

I see the world,
all creation unfurled,
[forgot the rest, did I get buzzed by a car?]

My final:

Bicycles
OH! How we take to the roads
Climb mountains high
Soar through valleys below
We find ourselves on lost lanes
Bicycles give us freedom
—off we go!





Pablo NerudaOde to bicycles
I was walking
down
a sizzling road:
the sun popped like
a field of blazing maize,
the
earth
was hot,
an infinite circle
with an empty
blue sky overhead.

A few bicycles
passed
me by,
the only
insects
in
that dry
moment of summer,
silent,
swift,
translucent;
they
barely stirred
the air.

Workers and girls
were riding to their
factories,
giving
their eyes
to summer,
their heads to the sky,
sitting on the
hard
beetle backs
of the whirling
bicycles
that whirred
as they rode by
bridges, rosebushes, brambles
and midday.

I thought about evening when
the boys
wash up,
sing, eat, raise
a cup
of wine
in honor
of love
and life,
and waiting
at the door,
the bicycle,
stilled,
because
only moving
does it have a soul,
and fallen there
it isn't
a translucent insect
humming
through summer
but
a cold
skeleton
that will return to
life
only
when it's needed,
when it's light,
that is,
with
the
resurrection
of each day.

Thursday, August 15, 2013

"Yeah I have a question: How much dope did you take?"



Speaker at Google opens floor to Q&A. First question is about doping, geesh... This was circa 2008 too (was that after Floyd?).

Teammates

Dude, we close. But not that close. I will always "share a square" though.



Seen at MOTR Pub.


Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Jersey designer?


Ever since I saw Twin Six back in the day I have wanted to design my own jerseys as well. I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to design kits for several teams—some that I have ridden for. But often I come up with designs that teams don't dig as much (I really dig retro kits—my passion dates back before Rapha, I bought a book for the 2003 Tour de France and I fell in love with the old wool jerseys).

I am trying to find resources to do a small run of cycling jerseys. One problem I have is that I would love to design a kit with a collar as well as the retro pockets in the chest.

Some locals who make lycra jerseys:
Made in Bloomington:
http://www.bikejerseys.com

Made in Cleveland:
http://www.pyroapparel.com/cyclepage.html


Peeps who are hip with retro radness:

http://www.oregoncyclewear.com/catalog/item/8667564/9614709.htm

http://www.etsy.com/listing/100664892/design-your-own-womens-long-sleeve?

http://www.rotheracycling.com/



Perhaps it is best that I find someone to do a small order in wool jerseys.
So going from here I have two options:
1. Find someone to do a very small order to make jerseys for just Bridget and I
2. I start designing jerseys that have broader appeal—and get the minimums required to have them printed by one of the above fabricators.

Monday, August 5, 2013

2013 Tour de Colorado!

Some of my fam moved to Summit County, near Breckenridge. Can't wait to hit that.






Brewery Crawl in Downtown Denver!



http://app.strava.com/segments/793443


Looks like a cool MTB trail down in CastleRock.


http://app.strava.com/segments/660768





Breck:
- Blair Witch
-peak trail
- Barney ford
Bankers Tank:
Rating: Moderate

Time: 1-2 hours

Elevation: 10,360-10,850 ft.

Type: Loop, dirt road, trail

Season: Late June to early October

Know Before You Go: When the gate near the trailhead is closed, Boreas Pass Road is still snowy and wet. Cyclists should avoid this ride until the gate opens. Expect vehicle traffic (especially on weekends) on the road which is bordered by aspen groves, making it a spectacular fall ride. Although it may look dry at the beginning, the shaded trail takes a while to lose snow and should be avoided in early summer and also a day after heavy rains. This is also a great ride in the opposite direction.

Parking: From I-70, drive south through Breckenridge on HWY 9. Turn left at the stoplight on the south end of town onto Boreas Pass Road. Drive 3.5 miles up this winding road to pavement's end. Park in a pulloff on the left where the road becomes dirt.

Description: Follow Boreas Pass Road for 3 miles to Baker's Tank (see the Boreas Pass ride to continue up the main road). Turn onto a jeep road forking left just before the tank. Climb briefly and veer left onto a trail starting near a fence. It parallels above the jeep road, then switchbacks left. Pedal along this nearly level trail as it winds around a hill, clinging to a steep slope. Reach a junction at 3.9 miles, turn left and begin a long descent (going straight leads to private property). For the rest of this ride, expect uphill traffic and use caution around blind corners. Twist and turn through dense forest. Then connect with an old road at 4.8 miles. Turn left (going right again leads to private land), descend briefly and then turn right almost immediately and back onto the trail. Cross another road and pass through a camping area/turnaround. Continue on the trail as it cruises along a fairly level section through the trees. It then descends along steep hillside, switchbacking downward and ending at the trailhead.