The Radavist

“Cycles” is a new trailer that interviews cycling figures in Italy. Beginning with Alberto Masi, a frame builder named Soldino Soldani and two different shops: Ciclistica in Milan and Iride Fixed in Modena.

I don’t post a whole lot of BMX content here on the site, but usually when I do, it’s from FBM. Why? Because Steve and his riders are living the dream and part of that is dealing with the struggles of being a company that still believes in American production.

Over on Collateral BMX, JPR interviewed Crandall and even though a lot of it is cryptic and weird, there are some gems in there:

What kinds of new products do you have coming out? Anything exciting?
Yeah, we have U.S. made in-house 8.75” and 9” FBM handlebars, Bellwitch’s are getting worked on right now, Erbles just pieced together a 650b women’s city commuter bike and Kenny’s testing a prototype frame called the Orphan, which later this summer if all things fall into place will be manufactured in-house. Then we’ll be trying to get people to buy them.

That’s the key, getting people to buy your stuff.
Seems like we could fart like ten years ago and people would pay attention and now it’s like I gotta drive a black school bus around with muppets on acid to try and get people to even notice us.

Check out the full interview at Collateral BMX!

Here’s the second installment of Dustin from Cadence’s series with Pez.

“Cadence is proud to announce the exclusive release of special collaborative project with PEZ.
PEZ is a prominent street artist and deeply rooted figure in San Francisco cycling and messenger culture.
Honored by the opportunity to work with PEZ we wanted to share his story with those who may have yet to hear about him.
For the next three weeks we will release an episode on PEZ which we hope sheds some light on his influence and involvement in cycling and graffiti cultures.”

Pick up a PEZ x Cadence shirt here!

Photo by Takuya Sakamoto

With Wolfpack Hustle’s second installment of the 2013 Unified Title Race Series, The CVCCTR Crit looming in the near future, they’ve decided to turn up the heat a bit with a Competitor Spotlight series. The most recent being Austin Horse. With a name like “Horse”, he’s gotta be a beast on the bike right? Of course he is but he’s much more than that.

Head over to Wolfpack for the scoop on the Horse.

Bern has a new web series called “Sessions” out, focusing on one of my favorite people in NYC, Squid:

“Kevin “Squid’ Bolger, has been an NYC messenger for 20 years. He has been wearing Bern helmets for 9 years. A icon in the streets of NYC, he has seen the city and biking there change a ton. Squid was a pioneer helping to organize early alley cat races in NYC and pushing track bike racing with his velocity tour. Through earning his spot within urban bike culture he has used his fame and reach to help make cycling more safe and accessible to more people.

He has served as a Bicycle Ambassador for Transportation Alternatives and helped to educate working cyclists on how to ride safely. To us, Squid is family and a key member of our team. He was the first cyclist that backed our product and helped us push our image throughout the world. We are proud to present a window into Squid’s history, his life and his thoughts on cycling, helmets and NYC. For more info about Squid, check Cycle Hawk.”

Well, hardly “all” but he talks about his career and his retirement. It’s a good listen, even in the background.

Thanks for the heads up Tracko!

I really enjoyed this video from Made by Hand on Fast Boy Cycles!

“A project from bureauofcommongoods.com, Made by Hand is a new short film series celebrating the people who make things by hand—sustainably, locally, and with a love for their craft.

Our fifth film turns to bike maker Ezra Caldwell (Fast Boy Cycles), who was diagnosed with cancer in 2008. When the cancer threatens to shatter his love of bikes, Ezra survives by documenting his illness as thoroughly as his craft.”

I may not be a BMX lifer but the Dig BMX Logo has always been visually engaging to me. Growing up in the metal, punk and hardcore scenes, I always found it relevant. Four fists and a chainring (sorry, sprocket), how simple. But what’s the meaning behind it?

Head over to Defgrip to see what Dig’s editor-in-chief, Will Smyth has to say…

Interviews from Joe.

… and the official video from Red Bull. Don’t forget to check out all the Guest Galleries!

Previously:
Guest Gallery: Matt Lingo at the 2013 Ride + Style – Crowd Shots
Guest Gallery: Matt Lingo at the 2013 Ride + Style – FGFS
Guest Gallery: Matt Lingo at the 2013 Ride + Style – Racers

Here’s a nice one from Met Helmets:

“Zak’s racing career began as a courier, competing in local courier races, twice winning the North American Cycle Courier “Track King” title. He segued into racing on the velodrome and worked his way through the ranks quickly.

2011 saw Zak winning the Alpenrose Velodrome Challenge points race, the biggest race of the year at his home track, defeating arch rival Jame Carney. At the Fixed Gear Classic in Blaine, MN, Zak and long time madison partner Dan Harm won the madison, competing against long time Six Day pro Franco Marvulli.

Zak still works occasionally as a courier, but his main focus is on moving up to the next level in his racing career. His dream until not long ago was to race pro six days in Europe…”

…and I can’t wait to see the whole thing!

Here are the latest from Milliman! Watch as he profiles Team Blanco as they take on the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, as well as the ladies of Rabobank-Liv/Giant.

Here’s the latest episode from Charge TV, featuring Juliet Elliot and her many bikes.

I feel like Andy is getting a lot of love on the site these days and there’s nothing wrong with that. Check out this interview with what I would consider, the original track bike blogger.

How’d I miss this? Mission Workshop, Bike Magazine and Ibis Cycles recently got together for a little Q&A on the history of Ibis and why bikes are so fucking rad. Speaking of rad, that first jersey is pretty incredible. This one’s a little long, so let it play in the background while you “work” on a Friday morning.

Thanks for the heads up Tracko!

Super Ted is one of those individuals that just makes things happen. He’s a skilled designer, craftsman and a staple in the London scene. Here, Spin London swings by Ted James Design to check in with Ted.

While at NAHBS, Julie Krasniak interviewed Richard Sachs and Rapha just posted it up. Check it out at Rapha!

From Manual for Speed

Klaus from Cycling Inquisition pulled together a rather comprehensive interview with my BRO, I mean buddy, Emiliano Granado (Manual for Speed / Outlier / Yonder Journal). As someone who aspires to one day pull in cycling photography work, I’ve always admired how Emiliano photographs the things I care about seeing with professional cycling. I.e. save the finish line shots for the other guys…

Here’s just a sample question:

“Your collective work seems to turn the camera away from the action, namely key—but somewhat expected— moments in a race, and toward a more human side of the sport. Do you see this a conscious deviation away from Cartier-Bresson’s “decisive moment”, or simply a different but equally “decisive” way of photographing.

I don’t want to argue with the establishment of the “decisive moment,” but I may argue that there are many, many decisive moments in every situation. With that said, we are not interested in capturing the same moment everyone else is after – ie, arms-raised-across-the-finish-line. The whole point to Manual For Speed and the majority of our work is to explore the unexplored. So if everyone is seeking certain photographs and decisive moments, then we’re concerned with capturing something else. Something more subtle, quieter, and more honest.”

See the full interview here!

Photo by Jon Woodroof

“We’ve written down 100 random questions and assorted topics, all of which are unbeknownst to our victims. We will be asking people to pick 20 random numbers from 1-100 and then supplying them with those questions/topics to answer. Who knows what might come up!?!?!

For the 2nd installment of “By The Numbers”, we’ve called on John Watson/Prolly who runs the website Prolly is Not Probably. Read on.”

Oh no. ANOTHER interview? This one’s quite clever (who did I pick to be on my side in a fight?) and I love me some Defgrip. I’m honored to have made it through the intense lottery process and blood screening.

See my By the Numbers here!