Holiday...

Well Christmas is over and now it's time for new years.  I must say goodbye to DC for now, as I am off to spend my new years in NYC.  Will be gone for about a week and am looking forward to bringing back tons of photos and fun-ness from my travels.  I also have a new blog in the works with a few super creative minds from Philadelphia, so be on the lookout for that!  Happy new years, have fun, and be safe

Know1edge

Know1edge out of Hong Kong has put together a solid cut and sew line for their 2009 winter lookbook.  Good stuff, look forward to more from them!  Check out the rest here

BAPE-sta...

Ever since Bape came on the scene, apparently taking the "streetwear" world by storm, I have been baffled by it.  Not that I am doubting Nigo's creativity as an individual, although I kind of am.  But to me, just having bright colors, or patent leather, does not make something fashionable, and that is one of Bape's core looks, bright colors, and crazy patterns.  That is not to say that these things cannot be fashionable because they most definitely can be, but the way they are used in the design needs to make the entire piece stand out.  Unfortunately this is something that Bape has never understood.  Well, as if I needed another reason not to support them, they have now chosen Kanye West for their newest lookbook.  I'm sorry, this dude doesn't need another reason to be put in the spot light or be any cockier.  Much like bright colors and shiny materials don't make a good design, acting cocky and thinking you are cooler than life doesn't make you a superstar.  Perfect pairing I suppose.  Hopefully they will both fade away together.  Look at these pictures! Seriously ridiculous...Thanks to our friends at Hypebeast for the images

A Different Spin

It's easy to jump on the next big bandwagon and ride the coat tails of real pioneers who are paving the way.  There are a few companies out there that I think are really doing different things, doing them well, and hopefully getting the respect they deserve for it.  Outlier is one of those companies.  Based out of Brooklyn, NY, they make cycling clothes, but for everyday use so you don't have to look like you are in the Tour de France on your way in to work everyday.  They also take season, and weather conditions into account.  To be able to get a pair of pants that are water resistant, stretch with the motion of riding a bike, and I can wear even when I am not on my bike is what it is all about.  It's not just pants with them though, pants, shirts, caps, almost anything you need.  Their products range from business casual to casual.  Check em out if you get a chance!

I also wanted to talk about Gorilla Bicycles and their new Killroy frame.  This is a frame that is specifically built for fixed gear freestyle riding.  It's not a track bike that is being used for tricks, it is an evolution of where the sport is going.  Different geometry that makes more sense, and having reinforcements on the frame where they are needed because of the different pressure and impact put on certain parts of the frame by doing freestyle riding.  Someone thought differently and saw a need to progress things.  The only way to do that is to look to the future of where things are going and act on it.  Check out the video, pretty rad stuff!

KILROY from Gorilla Bicycles on Vimeo.

Jawsome!

Not sure where this came from, but a friend of mine sent it to me and I thought it was so incredible, it needed to be posted...enjoy

Joy Division...

Besides Joy Division, wonder which came first?  So many rip offs.  Love trackosaurus, but don't forget DC.  If you've ever ridden this city, you know we have some monsters!

The Blizzard of 2009!!!!

Although calling it a blizzard is quite overstated, there was a hell of a lot of snow,  especially because in the 2 years I have been living here in DC I have not seen even 6" of snow accumulation.  Here are pics from Day 1, and then some stuff I saw today walking around in the "aftermath".

What's the point in wrapping your seat when you let your bike sit in 18" of snow for 2 days.  Love you bike, don't let it end up like this.

Check it....

Great riding pics from all over.  Lots in SF...fun stuff

Don't mind the flash

Texas hold em...

 I have always had an affinity towards old signs that are reminiscent of old casino or theater style.  These are great, check out the whole set from Pam Sattler, here.

Nothing like your favorite jeans...

A man, his favorite jeans, and his cat.  Great photo!

Photographer: Mark Peckmezian

Scum....

A cyclist being ticketed in Philadelphia for riding on the sidewalk.  Hope he wasn't wearing headphones, that jumps the ticket to $300!  Thanks to Rick Miller for the photo, who apparently witnessed this and said when the cops rode up the cyclist was not even riding his bike, he was standing next to it waiting for someone.  I guess they are making new laws up as they go.  Not allowed to stand with your bike on the sidewalk either...big hazard!

Never thought I would say it....

But way to go DC!  Washington DC actually recognizes that a fixed gear hub is and does function as a brake.  Philadelphia can actually learn something from this city.  Another good read here as the tension mounts over the bicycle/pedestrian/motor vehicle issue happening in Philly.

Get on board!!!

Check it out, lots of good information on the new, stiffer, ridiculous bike laws in Philly.

Philadelphia Bicycle Insurrection

Douglas Bicicleta

Never heard of him? Me either, but this illustration definitely grabbed my eye and I wanted to share it.  There are a lot of his other works (album covers, posters, etc...) over at Life Lounge .  If you have time to head over there and check em out, you should!

Been a long while...

Be on the lookout...I'm back....lots of good stuff coming up. Inspiration, images, art, adventure, etc...First thing I got; riding my bike home today I realized that Washington DC is without a doubt filled with all the dumbest people who have ever existed. However, this post is really about the new Philadelphia bike laws that have just been put into place. Check em out for yourself, I will post links at the bottom. I hate people who ride on the sidewalk in general because they are meant for walking and bikes are meant to be ridden in the street, in my humble opinion, however, a $300 fine for riding on the sidewalk with headphones on??? Excessive! That one and the fact that if you ride brakeless, (does not specify fixed, so this goes for bmx too), that your bike will be confiscated, and they will put a brake on it for you, (thanks a lot), then charge you $1000 to get it back! Read up, all of the laws are insane and completely alienating to all cyclists. I have a lot of friends who live in Philly, and I myself am trying to move up there in the near future, something has to be done about this. If there is any kind of critical mass or protest going on I would love to be informed. I have already heard of a friend who was followed as he went through multiple red lights and then when he reached his destination was given $600 worth of tickets. Maybe it's just me, but that doesn't seem legal. If a car runs a red light they are pulled over right then and given a ticket. The cops don't follow them to see if they do it at the next light, or am I just crazy? Check out the links and read the laws for yourself

http://www.bicyclecoalition.org/files/DiCicco%20Bicycle%20Registration.pdf

http://www.bicyclecoalition.org/files/Kenney%20bicycle%20fines%20legislation.pdf

http://www.bicyclecoalition.org/files/Kenney%20bicycles%20-%20no%20brake%20confiscation%20legislation.pdf

I included the image because it's pretty incredible.