Hey my little dumplings, I’ll be out of the office until Tuesday the 4th to attend this year’s NACCC’s in Boston.   All business will be handled upon my return. 

if you spot me out there, make sure to introduce yourself.  I’ll be the guy with the white Big Block. 

This past weekend Josh from Behind Bars and I hopped in the van (now known as the Carmel Starship) and headed down to Milwaukee to hang out with some friends and race in the 24 hours of River West. 

The members of Born with a Moustache were: Boo, Mark, Joshy, and myself.  Josh’s dog Pembo also joined us for the trip down and back. 

We were a team of four although teams of up to 6 were allowed and competed in the same category.  Of course I brought down the Big Block, and she revealed herself to be the perfect companion for such an endeavor, although there were times at the end when I was jealous of the dudes rocking gears.  I ended up putting in a fixed century during the race though, and I’m pretty proud of that.
 
This bike is seriously fast and comfortable.  You may think I’m just shilling for the company who pays my bills, but take one for a ride and you’ll see.

The plan all along was to take it easy and drink alot of beer, but at the last minute I decided to take the first shift, donned the pink skinsuit of destiny, and went all “eye-of-the-tiger” on my teammates.  I didn’t mean for it to happen, but once I got to the line and eyed up the competition, the switch just got flipped and I was out for blood.  Few things give me greater pleasure than riding faster than other people.  If you ride with me around the city, I’ll be the last one in line just cruising around and doing lots of looking.  But as soon as it’s a race, I just can’t help myself but want to destroy and crush and show what these legs can do. 

Yes, I know that it’s disgusting.  I rode slept and farted in that thing for 24 hours

So anyway, I get to the line and we’re the 48th team, and they send the riders out in order at 5 second intervals.  I’m jumping out of my skin wanting to represent hard.  By the first checkpoint I’m riding with the leader, but can’t pass since I have absolutely no idea where I’m going at this point.  By the third lap I’ve got a handle on the 5 mile course and when I finished my 5 lap pull our team is in first place by a decent margin.  Representation accomplished, it’s time to drink some beer, eat some food, and get ready for my next turn.

Here are some photos from the day:

Mark (service manager at Wheel and Sprocket) and his wife, who put up with us for the whole weekend! I have a picture of them smiling, but like this one much better.

base camp

The tattoo was worth 5 bonus laps, a huge deal, but none of us got one.  (which really hurt our chances of victory)

 Mark’s cow tattoo that I promised to show you

this pretty much tells the story of the weekend

The finish- over 300 riders participated

team photo: Boo, Mark, me, Josh.  if you’ll notice I’m the only one who wore any color throughout the event.  These dudes are serious black metal types.  Made the pink skinsuit that much better.

The results: Our team rode 71 laps which amounts to 355 miles.  In terms of actual number of laps ridden we were tied for 3rd and beat all the other four man teams.  It was pretty clear midday Saturday which teams had 6 riders, and several of them kept two guys out until the last 8 hours or so to really turn it on with fresh legs.  We didn’t do alot of the bonus stops which gave you bonus laps so in the end we were off the race podium, but got the gold on the podium of my heart.  We rode our asses off, had a bunch of fun and met loads of new friends.  I couldn’t have asked for a better set of teammates and seeing Boo doing the last few laps with scary intensity (he’s a very mellow dude when not in heavy metal mode) was priceless. 

Can’t wait for next year.

I know I said yesterday I was done for the week, but I’m still here.  (not for long though)

So here is some random business

First: Took the Big Block out for some dirt last night, and it was awesome.  The bike handled great, the high bottom bracket made log piles no problem, the steep angles weren’t really noticeable, and riding fixed gear off road makes you feel like a combination of Burt Reynolds, Kit from Knight Rider, and Slayer (total badass).  It’s a pretty satsifying feeling passing dudes on full suspension Specialized’s, and having them ask if that’s a cross bike.  Nope, it’s a pure trackie.  Suckers.

Second: New Royal blue on light blue Star Track Grips.  check it out

you know you need some

Third: The homies over at King Kog are putting on another pre-NACCC event this weekend

For real this time, I am out.  See y’all later.

 This weekend the second Riverwest 24 takes place in Milwaukee 

Last year I couldn’t make it because the All City Championship was held on the same weekend, but this year I’m riding for “Born With a Moustache.”  I know it’s kind of a “hipster” name for a team, but we’ve no interest in skinny kids with ironic pencil stache’s.  No, the moustache’s we’re referring to are in the Burt Reynolds, Magnum P.I., your dad, kind of vein.  Full bodied and resplendent.  It’s more of a metaphorical thing anyway, since all of us on the team are unapologetic backwoods ‘Sconnie kids.

(Mark has the awesomest country tattoo.  It’s of cows and a barn and it says Midwest written in logs.  I know from that description that you don’t believe it’s rad, but I’ll take a picture this week and show you the proof)

Speaking of hipsters and moustache’s, I’ll never forgive the “cool kids” for co-opting flannels or the aforementioned moustache’s.  They’re not ironic items strategically utilized to impress your friends in faux dive bars with taxidermy on the walls, they’re my birthright as a boy from the woods.  As the son of a son of a working poor S.O.B., they’re cultural touchstones that for me, will always recall the halcyon days of youth swatting flies and sitting with my father.  My dad wore flannel and a moustache, his dad wore flannel and a moustache, and when I’m in the workshop you can bet your ass I’ve got one on my shoulders too. (temperature appropriate of course) No moustache though. I don’t need any help in being creepy.

Once more speaking on the thorny issue of hipsters; one of the things I hate as a cyclist who rides fixed gears is being lumped in with that crowd. (being lumped in with that crowd implies that you flit along in life happily observing all the current trends immersed in group think.  Which upsets me because how dare you assume that this bike is a passing phase.  This bike (all bikes) is my life)  Just last night I was riding wheelies in the dark streets of my neighborhood, and a girl rides past as says “way to go hipster” in a sarcastic tone. I mean c’mon, have you ever seen me?  I’ve never been cool in all my life.   This from a girl riding a fixed gear, covered in tattoos, and wearing what appeared to be a very new Chrome bag (talk about pot kettle black, and it’s not even pot kettle black, because as I just stated, I am not cool.  And I’m pretty sure you have to be cool to be a hipster)
The best part of the whole hipster thing is that no one wants to admit they’re a hipster.  So I don’t have to worry about offending anyone reading this, because to be offended would mean that you admit your hipsterism.  And I know you’re not going to do that.

But enough of all this stupid junk, back to the race.

I’ll be out of the office on Friday to drive down, so all of your All City business and concerns will have to wait until I arrive back on Monday.  I’ll make sure to take lots of pictures and spread some AC love around Milwaukee.  If you’re down there come look me up and say hello.  I’ll be the dude on the white All-City with the huge dumb smile on his face, or depending on the time of day, I might be the guy yelling “screw you mom, I’m not going to school today” as my team mates try to rouse me from an alcohol fueled slumber to go out and ride some laps.

here’s a video promo for the race

I’ll see you all on Monday.  hugs and kisses

To the Cog, Breakaway, and Ben’s Cycle crew you better get ready. Minneapolis is going to rain down hell.  (and by “rain down hell” I mean give you all beers and a handshake) 

best,
jeffrey

In stock now but they won’ t last long!!!

White Large: TC4722
White Medium: TC4723

Neon Green Large: TC4724

First a special dedication to Vince over at Ben’s Cycle for the beer.

Last week I arrived at work to find that someone had UPS’d a 30 pack of Pbear over to the AC offices.  Immediately I wondered who my secret admirer might be since no one owed me any beer, nor did anyone indicate that they would be hooking me up with any, plus sending a bunch of beer is ridiculous since the cost of sending is usually greater than the cost of procurring. 

Well, turns out it was Ben’s Cycle head honcho Vince. Big thanks to you kind sir, you are clearly a gentleman of the highest order.
I’ll be down in Milwaukee this weekend for Riverwest 24. (It always feels so good lay my feet on ‘Sconnie soil) Watch out Milwaukee.

Your gracious gift made my day. And my night. And my morning.

Oh and while we’re on the subject of NYC alleycats.  We were on the subject of NYC alleycats right? 
Gina over at King Kog is hosting one this weekend.

If you’re in town, you should definitely go!

Just got the new issue of Urban Velo in the mail and was stoked to see a photo of Mike’s handrail grind in the editors notes section

Yeah boy!

In other news All-City is proud to sponsor the upcoming Rose City Fix August 15th in Portland

this might be the best sponsored event I’ve ever seen!!

Hope you all have a great weekend, I’ll see you on the other side.

Last night I got ambitious and finished a longstanding project to turn my original prototype Big Block into an off road machine.  There are miles of gravel and trail that I can work into my morning commute and there is a set of trails (Theo Wirth) that are about 10 miles from my house, which is too far to ride my single speed mtn bike, that I want to hit up with this thing.  I’m even thinking that I could happily ride Cross on it.

Two brakes, a 44X17 fixed gear, 32c Ritchey Speedmax tires, XTR Canti Levers, beat to hell 612 Track Crank early samples, and a riser bar.

For those inquiring minds here are some shots of the tire clearance with 32c Ritchey Speedmax tires

This is what my new white bike looks like with a 25c tire for comparison

and the fork

It was a crazy weekend of partying, organizing, and film watching.  Here for your enjoyment I present some photos from the weekend so you can get a feel for how it all went down

beers in the theatre

first time I’ve run into another Big Block on the street.  Of course this one is being ridden by the Robeast Trevor Crayton so it’s not exactly a surprise to see it, but it was still kind of a thrill for me.  Trevor later got in on some hot derby action with it. 

Minneapolis messenger and bag maker Andy of Trash Bags with some of his wares including the “Winners” pouches for the alleycat

Race sign up.  Check the Zubaz (freaking awesome and he had matching spandex on underneath)

le mans start (that’s me with the bullhorn)

prizes loaded up on the trailer

nice color, don’t you think?

the one and only Palmers

post race

the prizes

Men’s Champ Skinny Randy

Ladies Champ Jana

BFF director and founder Brendt showing some All-City love

Happy Thursday everybody. 

Things are jumping here in Minneapolis with the start of the Film Fest last night.  The movies start tonight and everybody’s going nuts with anticipation for the Premier of Down The Weep Hole: the Story of the Stupor Bowl on Friday Night.

I’m particularly excited today because I just got my hands on some Chukkers and B43’s from our friends at Velocity.   I’ve said it once and I’m sure I’ll be saying it again, the folks at Velocity are some of the kindest and most generous people in the industry and it is my pleasure to count them among the All-City homies and partners.

Today I showed up at work and was greeted by this sight:

Pretty rad thing to show up to.  Anyway, inside were the B43 prize rims that they are donating to the All City Championship (AC’s namesake) coming up August 22nd (more on the race as it develops).

I am particularly taken with the anno green pair

These three sets of rims will eventually be built into wheelsets by our friends at Handspun and be given away to the Men’s, Women’s, and out of town winners of the main alleycat on August 22nd.

The Chukkers on the other hand are for the Minneapolis All-City crew.  We’re going to be putting out a web edit as soon as the proto freestyle framesets arrive and Velocity and Handspun have pitched in to help us build some appropriate wheelsets for our new rides.

I can’t wait to get these laced up, I’ve been on the narrower Deep V’s and doing nose pivots and rockwalks with a 32c tire, I constantly blow the bead off the rim.  I’m hoping that the wider Chukker will alleviate that problem. 

The new wheelsets are going to f’ing rad

Big thanks to Velocity for supporting All-City and supporting the All City Championships.  You guys rule.

Torey just dropped his new summer edit.  Check it out

hfwido’s summer weby 09 from hfwido on Vimeo.

This weekend the Bicycle Film Festival comes to Minneapolis and I have been charged with the task of putting on the alleycat

As you can see, everything jumps off at One on One at noon.  The race will be short, beginner friendly, and fast.  Bring a bag, lock, and map.

The first place men’s and women’s winners will both receive a very cool set of wheels.  Our good friends at Velocity sent rims and spokes, and the pros over at Handspun provided the labor and nipples, and All-City kicked in the hubs.  The end result are two of the most flashy wheelsets ever built



Subtlety was not the desired outcome here.  When people see you rolling these they’re gonna know that you’re the champ.

In other film fest related news the Stupor Bowl movie which premiers on Friday night got some press today in the Star Tribune.

My name in the paper and it’s not even in the Police blotter.  sweet.

Get ready for the race!!!!

So it’s Monday and back to the weekly grind.  Here at the AC offices we’re starting to wade deep into the treacherous waters of Interbike planning: getting the booth ready, new products solidified for next year, Big Block details dialed, and are eagerly waiting for some new, kind of top secret, goodies to arrive.

Before I delve into what I did with my long weekend I’d like to encourage all of you West Coast cats to head to Seattle this weekend for Future Tense and Tour de Water Tower

And now back to the weekend that just past.  For your viewing pleasure here are some selected shots from said weekend:

So yeah, that’s pretty much how my weekend went. Hope you all still have all of your fingers!!!

Jeff-out

Hope you all have a great 4th this weekend