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Sometimes, you just need to go off and take those roads you ride past everyday, or jump over the fence that says “No Trespassing”. These shots were all compiled during a few days I spent out wandering the hills and forests on my road bike.
Click the above photo to launch the gallery, or here to open in a new tab.
Grade school. It’s a place where you go for life’s lessons. No matter how strong of a rider you think you are, a few hours in grade school each day will whip your ass in shape. Granted we don’t have mountains here, but we’ve got good climbing and this Recent Roll is dedicated to the people who have put in work the past few weeks on the hills. It’s from a few different films, hence the change in grain and color.
Check out more by clicking the photo above or here to open in a new tab.
I’ve been meaning to do a bit of exploring off the beaten paths of my typical hill loops. A few wrong turns and sneaking into gated communities proved to be a great way to spin off the day. I found a nice, 1-mile long path along mesquite trees and a few streams. What I intended to only be a 10 mile jaunt became a 38 mile, 3,200′ afternoon. What can I say? The weather is amazing in Austin right now…
Check the route on my Strava and share your Sunday rides in the comments!
Yesterday, I woke up rather early and went on a little ride with Ross. It wasn’t particularly long, nor were there many climbs, we just wanted to get a spin in before the weekend hit us. Austin’s great for many reasons, two of which are photos like this, taken from my Instagram. What I didn’t get photos of were the two pitt bull / mastiff mix dogs that chased Ross for a mile. The water bottle trick didn’t even phase those beasts.
I’m so stoked on the new Viking vector logo done by Paul DeVay of Angry Icons (shown in a clipping mask above). Its simplicity is a new direction for the site and it’ll be popping up quite frequently in new products. This past week, I’ve been working on so many collaborations that my head is spinning and the only way I can keep it straight is by riding. Here in Austin, the trees have been barren for so long that it’s taken all winter for new growth to sprout. The live oaks and mesquite trees are like dripping veins from the sky and when you’re in Texas, the summer heat shows no mercy, sending you to their shade. I spend a lot of time cooling down while riding and when you look up, you’re greeted with chaotic beauty. The ride and journey continues…
Next up, printing this Raidô graphic on a shirt to correspond with a 4/20 product launch and if all goes as planned, the Necronomicog set will be available soon after. Stay tuned!
Look, cycling in Austin is by no means as “epic” as Oregon, Colorado or California, but we’ve got some damn fine riding here. In Travis county, the elevation maxes out at 1,300′ and drops down to around 400′, leaving most of the gain on your rides to short, steep climbs. The Dam Loop is a popular ride for weekenders and training elite alike but it’s no where near as fun as some of the hill loops, unless you incorporate a few into the mix, which is what we tend to do. It’ll come in around 50 miles and over 3,000′ if you play it right but it doesn’t have to end there. And it’s hard not to, especially if it’s cool out and the heat hasn’t gotten to you. Not to mention the looming skies and limestone cliffs make for great scenery.
In the few days that I was in Austin after Australia, I hit the loop with Jon a few times and this Recent Roll showcases that.
Check out more by clicking the photo above or here to open in a new tab.
It’s been spring all winter long in Texas and the heat has already picked up. Every day is a sweat-filled adventure and helmet pads are sponges.
You really should… shots like this make me so stoked for Erik and Sofia.
Photo by Wilis Johnson
Damn dude, this one’s nice! If you’ve spent any time in NYC on a road bike, you know right where this is. Wilis has been out on the road bike all winter with Shawn and this was taken during one of their rides. Check out more at Milk Money and Wilis’ Flickr.
Photo by Adhitya Alie
The FLYRS from Indonesia rode out to Anyer Vuurtoren beach recently. Back in 1885, the Dutch built a lighthouse there. I liked this photo a lot and thought it should be shared with everyone.
Thanks to everyone who came out to the Loose Legs ride today. It was great meeting Brian from Denton and being able to hang with Dan from Austin and Erik from Sweden. It was a lot of climbing but everyone did great. After Jon, Dan and Erik split off, Ross, Brian and I went on to Lost Creek. At the end of the day, my Garmin pulled in 48 miles and 4,400′ of climbing. More to come once I get some film developed and I have the time to pull a Shots from the Road post together.
It’s beautiful here in Austin today, I hope everyone’s out riding!
One of the reasons why I love riding here in Austin is that I’ve got great friends to ride with. Fixed, BMX, road, whatever your preferred terrain may be, this city delivers. On a road bike, you’re missing out if you avoid the hills, just a few miles northwest of the city. Some of the my best times on my bike have been spent with Ross and Jon. This Recent Roll is dedicated, once again, to the hills!
Today Ross and I went on a great ride. It wasn’t crazy mileage or gnarly climbing, just a lot of fun. It’s been raining here nonstop for the past week, so we were getting a little stir crazy. We finished up at the bar, where I took this shot of a bourbon and a GSC bidon: the only way to end a ride in the endless summer that is Austin.
Also, as a reminder, you can follow my activity on Instagram, even if you don’t have an iPhone, by checking out the API at the bottom of the blog.
The Raidô has ended and everyone’s submissions flooded Instagram. By my last count, there are over 100 photos with the #Raido hashtag. I received dozens on the PiNP FB and my email. Wanting to be as unbiased as possible, I sent 44RN the pool and had him pick two winners. Each of these guys will receive a limited edition Purple 44RN 144#47 chainring.
Check out the two winners below.
Øyvind Næss shot this night video of Anki riding through the winter slush and snow to promote his photography site. Pure Norwegian black and white videos just look so much more epic. Especially with all that snow.
How’s that for Raidô?
