The Radavist

The last Recent Roll Nature Vibes post got a lot of love and while Texas is far from the Northwest, it still has its share of aw inspiring landscapes. Last weekend the lady and I made the trek to Enchanted Rock about 100 miles northwest of Austin. This large batholith is the third largest formation in the world, and second in the US. We managed to sneak in before the crowds so I got some surreal landscape shots with the Hasselblad.

If you’re within driving distance of Austin, or you’re already here for ACL, you better make it out to the Odyssey BMX Texas Toast Jam this weekend. It’s bigger and better than last year, with a tighter, more techy dirt section, a new and improved Gauntlet of Death, better street course and even a flatland section. I went out yesterday to check in on the guys and it’s a lovely, colorful mess of ramps and paint right now. Some of which look dreadfully fun to shred.

Sure, it may look like a bunch of dudes, standing around, looking at some plywood but those are the most capable ramp builders west of the Mississippi. The crew is already cracking away at the 2012 Texas Toast Jam course. With the dirt already getting shaped and the ramps underway, you can expect it to be bigger and better than last year. I’ve seen the sketches for some of the course and its insanity.

Last week I swung by to see the guys. While I was checking in on their progress, I shot some photos with the Hasselblad. Check ’em out! And if you missed out on my photos from last year, see them here and my Recent Roll photos here.

I have met a lot of interesting people on the road. All through bikes. People from all walks of life, with various careers, personalities and ambitions. Sometimes those people become good friends. And that’s how Omar and I became friends. What started as a haircut, led to drinking, then more drinking, some karaoke, bad tattoos (have we even ridden yet man?) and finally, another haircut. Vinny’s Barbershop is my go-to spot for a trim when I’m in LA and it’s not just because Omar knows how to take 20+ years off with an hour-long session…

Mitch from Map Cycles has moved to Chico, California from Portland and I managed to sneak into his shop for some quick lens love before shooting that gorgeous Disk-Ville Porteur. I’ll be real honest here. I wasn’t even going to post these photos. I didn’t have a lot of time to shoot and most of the shop was packed up already. But I really like how short and sweet this set is.

Click on the above photo to launch the gallery, or here to open in a new tab.

Nate Meschke and Matt Cardinal began Signal Cycles in 2007 and in that time, they’ve produced some absolutely beautiful bicycles. Not just commuters either. Recently, Matt’s Cross Bike made an appearance here and their Saltzman Road frames are lovely. Bottom line, if you’ve spent any time looking at Pacific Northwest builders, Signal has crossed your radar a few times. Matt was kind enough to meet with me on his day off, and let me shoot some photos in their space. Check out more below!

Click on the above photo to launch the gallery, or here to open in a new tab.

Yanco is one tough dude. He recently completed a 100 mile race. Which he ran and every time I’ve rode with him, he’s in the big ring the whole time. He’s also the fella behind all the Yancosaurus Rex products, like those slick Ramblin Rolls that no one can get their hands on… I shot a few photos of him and his Waterford track bike outside GSC while I was in LA. Check em out!

Click on the above photo to launch the gallery, or here to open in a new tab.