The Radavist

The AWOL blog has so much good content in it these days. Like these photos of Dylan and Erik’s Swift Ozette randonneur bag!

I can’t help myself. Even when there’s an event photographer, I always carry a camera. In this case: my Yashica T4 in my artisanal fanny pack and my 5Dmkiii in the support car. Santa Cruz, you were a blast. I can’t wait to see my developed film.

Anyone else seen that wild 3-story tree house before? So crazy!

It’s been real fun! Thanks to Giro for showing me the #SantaCruzEffect, all the participants for the camaraderie and all the frame builders I got to hang out with. Oh and Paul, keep on rocking man!

I can’t pass this video from Animal NY up.

Today we went on an insanely fun ride from Giro’s HQ through Mount Charlie, Highway 236 and now, we’re in cabins on the coast where we’re staying the night… As always, there’s more to come but for now, here’s a banana slug that enjoys Black Cat fillet brazed stems.

Speedvagen is so Portland and I don’t mean that in the Portlandia, ironic, hip sense. When I think of Portland brands – those of which who have made it to international credibility anyway – I think of people who obsess over the details. The Vanilla / Speedvagen family is one such brand.

Friday afternoon, I received a package from the great V. Inside was this meticulously-wrapped package, with coasters on the back and a little brown box with a twine bow. Inside, a hand-painted Speedvagen racer was tied to a padded backing.

When I saw these frames from Ruckus, I kindly requested higher res files. This is so good. While I don’t have a whole lot of information, I’m sure if you go bug the dudes over here, they’ll explain the origins of the cloning process they used to bring these carbon beasts back to life.

It looks like Taj is biding his time well in Denver with the new Fairdale R&D department! The line at 3:00 is killer.

This is amazing. Watercolor artist Chris McNally tackled over 300 watercolor illustrations to make this short video about what it’s like to own a Vanagon. So rad Chris!

Tuxedos, Jello Shots, Jeff Frane DJing. It was a great time. But damn was it cold….

Chris Kelly of Topanga Creek Cycles – aka the best MTB shop in America – lays it all out. LISTEN TO HIM PEOPLE. Support your local bike shop!

“I don’t know the answers”… so good!

#screwingyourlocalbusinessdotcom

LOLOLOL this is amazing. I kinda want one. Do they come in all-black?

What did I just watch? Whatever it is, I like it. Surly’s new Karate Monkey Ops is causing quite the stir with its MDS dropouts…

I had a blast at Frostbike, riding fatbikes, drinking, eating and hanging out with my dudes Jeff and Kyle! There’s much more on the way…

My feet are still frozen but we had a blast on Lake Superior today exploring the ice caves along the coast. More to come!

“Grown ass men” having fun is right! Joe Simon’s a local here in Austin and I’ve shared many drinks with him. Talk about an inspirational individual!

Check out more about what it means to Grow Backwards with Joe Simon at Story and Heart.

A now-bald friend dropped this on me tonight. Yes, it’s ok to laugh and cheers to the dude with the Knob Creek during “recovery day”.