Prolly is Not Probably’s Top 10 Beautiful Bicycles of 2013

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Prolly is Not Probably’s Top 10 Beautiful Bicycles of 2013

As I sat down to scroll through all of the Beautiful Bicycles I photographed this year, I quickly realized how diverse PiNP has become. Previous year’s lists never had a MTB, much less two and even though the site has begun to embrace dirt riding more and more, there are still three track bikes in the rankings. Most of these bicycles were made in the USA by small frame builders, but two overseas-manufactured bikes made the cut.

This year for the Top 10 list, I looked at site metrics, social media ‘chatter’ and my own favorites (which were remarkably in-line). All of these bikes got at least 100 Facebook likes and over 20,000 visits within the first week of posting. The latter two requisites were necessary to bring it down to ten bikes, from the dozens of my personal favorites. Also, I omitted my own bikes from this list.

I like to think of PiNP as a showcase for Beautiful Bicycles and how they get put to use. See the full Prolly is Not Probably’s Top 10 Beautiful Bicycles of 2013, in no particular order, in the Gallery!

The PiNP Top 10 Albums of 2013

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The PiNP Top 10 Albums of 2013

If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll notice that in lieu of Tuesday Teardown, I’ve started a #PiNPLP hashtag. I wish I could stay on top of reviewing music, but it’s been increasingly difficult over the years. What I have been on top of however, is expanding my catalog into some pretty strange and obscure acts.

Here’s a disclaimer first: PLEASE go out to your local record shop and have them order these albums for you if you’re interested in including them in your own catalog. They could really use your business.

This year’s Top 10 Albums of 2013 is hardly all metal but there are some very dark bands in there. I’m pretty stoked on this list, so check it out, in no particular order below!

PiNP 2013: A Year in Photos

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PiNP 2013: A Year in Photos

Where do I even begin with 2013? If I can say anything about PiNP, it’s that the site is ever-evolving, much like cycling and my own experiences with it. As my own habits change, so does the content. Looking back over the past twelve months, I still can’t wrap my head around how much I traveled. It was overwhelming at times, but in the end, worth it.

So where do we begin? How about with the first Photoset: a new camera.

Check out the PiNP 2013: A Year in Photos below!

Happy Holidays!

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Happy Holidays!

I just wanted to thank all the viewers, friends and sponsors of PiNP. You’ve made 2013 a great year! Enjoy the holidays with your friends and family.

Kyle’s Stinner Frameworks Team Mudfoot Cross

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Kyle’s Stinner Frameworks Team Mudfoot Cross

The Mudfoot Cyclocross Racing Team began years back as artist Geoff McFetridge found himself racing cross (solo) in Los Angeles. He started winning races and eventually thought it’d be rad to form a team that wasn’t really like other teams in the area.

People take racing very seriously and Mudfoot was about having fun while still kicking ass. Soon Mudfoot grew to a small group of like-minded individuals in the Los Angeles area. Some raced, some didn’t but they all enjoyed cycling. Go to a cross race in SoCal and see for yourself just how ridiculous these dudes act. I know this seems sort of cheesy to read, hell, it sounds cheesy to type but it’s mostly the truth.

Mudfoot has grown to be one of the most coveted “brands” and each year, the team kits get radder and radder. I can’t tell you how many times these guys get hit up to sell shirts, stickers, kits, whatever. People go nuts over it! This year however, Geoff and the Mudfoot elite did something a little different. They teamed up with Santa Barbara’s Stinner Frameworks to design a small fleet of team bikes.

With Geoff’s hand-drawn graphics, paint by Kelli Samuelson of Ritte Cycles and a list of American-made components (PAUL, Chris King) as well as Vittoria, Giro and ENVE, they’re by far the nicest team bikes I’ve ever seen. In fact, I’d go ahead and say that this is my favorite bike of 2013. Kyle‘s bike in particular has some great details.

Details include: Mini Moto front brake, Touring canti rear, Salsa mis-matched skewers and a blue and orange Chris King bottom bracket. While we didn’t get the sunrise light we wanted that morning, the photos came out pretty rad!

I can’t think of a better way to end a year of Beautiful Bicycles… See more in the Gallery!

Kinoko Visits Alex Singer

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Kinoko Visits Alex Singer

Out of all the European frame builders, this name in particular resonates with me, as well as a majority of the rando crowd. Alex Singer’s shop in Levallois-Perret, Paris, France has become a mecca for cycling tourists. Kinoko cycles recently visited Singer’s shop and took some photos. See more at the Kinoko blog!

Upper Chilao Trail Session

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Upper Chilao Trail Session

I have to admit, it was a little weird traveling with my Santa Cruz Tallboy LTC instead of a cross bike this last trip to Los Angeles. Riding mountain takes it out of you. There isn’t the same kind of physical recovery or relaxation that you get on a road bike. No zoning out. You’ve gotta be there 100% of the time, or there are consequences and I knew we’d be hitting it hard every day.

Apprehension aside, the first ride we took on was Upper Chilao in the Angeles Forest, off the 2. I’d been up in this neck of the woods before on my road and cross bikes, but never on a mountain bike. I knew what to expect for the most part: upper altitude desert / arid riding. There would be no mud, but rather rocks, sandy switchbacks and fast, technical descents.

On the ride was Brandon, Sean from Team Dream, Kyle, Ty from GSC and Lyle from Mission Workshop. That’s three cross country bikes, a fatbike and two Tallboy LTCs. We were prepared, already hitting the flask and ready to roll, but first, a small climb up to the Rosenita Saddle…

Check out more in the Gallery!

Team Dream Bicycling Team: Compression Bibs in Stock

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Team Dream Bicycling Team: Compression Bibs in Stock

Before 2013 comes to an end, Team Dream has restocked on a few pieces at their webshop, most notably, the Compression Bibs. These, for what it’s worth, are my favorite bibs I own. They’re a little tight the first time you wear them, but then they stretch out and fit like a glove. A glove around your junk.

Team Dream has XS, Medium and Large left in stock. So go swoop!

There is also a stock of Wind Vests, Home and Away jerseys too!

Cold Rolled Chapter 03

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Cold Rolled Chapter 03

Let’s just say that I hate the cold and yet, I really want to do this!

“Chapter Three explores the ever-shifting moonscape of the frozen shoreline of the world’s largest body of freshwater, Lake Superior. This segment was shot over two days in late March 2013 about a half mile offshore within the city limits of Marquette. Over the course of the long winter Lake Superior’s legendary storms create an otherworldly landscape of ice and snow that shifts with each gale. The ice formations, created by wave action and freezing temps, are usually anchored on the lake bottom and can rise from the water up to 30 feet in some locations. Lake Superior’s water temperature hovers right around freezing, and is the leading factor in the region’s high snowfall totals that have influenced the winter cycling culture in this adventure-loving town on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.”

Loving the Cold Rolled series!

CX Hairs: #SVENNESS 2.12

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CX Hairs: #SVENNESS 2.12

I always end up missing CX Hairs’ #SVENNESS series when I travel. Just to make sure you’re all caught up, here’s 2.12, which is a night race and 2.11, from the World Cup race that took place in Koksijde, Belgium is below. The perfect watch for a rainy and cold Saturday.

Enjoy Your Weekend #SeekThisSound

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Enjoy Your Weekend #SeekThisSound

I’m back in Austin, before heading to NC to see my family next week for the Holidays and while I’m perfectly content being home, I miss these tracks and trails. This weekend, get out if you can. Although for most of the US, I doubt it’ll be this sunny!

It’s Easy to See Where My Priorities Are

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It’s Easy to See Where My Priorities Are

Photo by Matt Irwin

I met Matt on one of the Friday Morning Caffeine Hustle rides in Los Angeles a few months back and bumped into him again at last weekend’s SoCal cross where he was shooting photos. At this point, there are so many photographers at cross races, that I just focus on the stuff I enjoy the most. Pretty easy to see what that is here…

Check out more of Matt’s photos on his Flickr!