Custom Capital

Tonight is Minnecycle, the Minneapolis handbuilt bicycle show and in the spirit of handmade bicycles I'd like to present some photos of Mark's Capital. (I already featured his Kvale)


It's a lovely Fillet Brazed Capital. I don't know much about Capital. Apparently it's some gentleman who learned the craft at Strong and now only builds for friends or friends of friends. or some such.

I guess all you really need to know though is that if you're into fillet this bike is simply gorgeous.

An open letter to you on the eve of the ACC and party weekend

Well it's not really the eve, but it is coming up fast,
and right now I am in the thick of it. Things get deep for me as the race draws near and I thank all of those who put up with it. I'd like to thank B.ridget in advance (she's very understanding). I appreciate it. And I also wanted to thank Emily, All City's volunteer co-ordinator. She's pro as hell.
The volunteers as well.

I was thinking about this years event and I'm starting to get very excited. I honestly believe that this will be the best one yet (it's gonna be a hell of a time). If you can get here, please do. Nothing brings out the best in an event like a heavy out of town presence. There will be four days of riding and parties and the alleycat course itself is easily going to be the most fun, gnarliest, and epic (not in the overly nostalgic Rapha sense, in the holy shit! I can't believe that just happend way). If you're a racer and going fast in the city is your bag.
This race will deliver in fucking spades.

The last few years I've put together some brutal courses, they were savage, mean, and would happily tear your legs out, break your heart. If you were riding it hot, there was going to come at least one point in the race where you questioned the meaning and whether or not it was worth it. (it was)
The riders who have come in first have always been exceptionally classy.

Well this year's course is going to be a bit different. The riding's going to be more fun and shorter. Expect around 25 miles or so. Fewer outliers. more stops and shorter distances. it's going to be Saturday Night in the city. the best possible conditions. Time trial from Witch's Hat to Kenwood park. Best drag in the city. (if you catch a wave of greens it can be magic)

Since we're running it at night there will be fewer bar stops. I have too much respect for the staff to expect them to put up with racers running in and out. The bars in play will likely all have patios. (also making it more friendly to underagers)
And most of the manned stops will be great places to drink beer at. So if you're not into riding for speed, you can ride for style. It will be fun I promise.
If you stack the Freeride (a booze cruise orchestrated by Zito!) onto your day, it becomes a truly Herculean feat of drinking.
Although there won't be a drinking prize (in my mind a cocktail is a gentleman's pursuit. Not competition.) But as Tim Gellerman says "Most fun wins." (no prize)

If any of you out there have any inclination to travel for this event, you really should make it a point to be here. If you need housing, feel free to shoot me an email to jeff [at] bikejerks.com.

To those of you in Minneapolis, Thank you so much for allowing me to keep doing this year after year.

If you're a person in Minneapolis and you happen to want to host a stop in your backyard please contact our volunteer coordinator. She can be reached at evilantimartha (at) gmail.

ciao

Silver Jews

Banjo Brothers Prototype Backpack

Last week I came home from work to find a package from Banjo Brothers on the doorstep. I opened it up and inside was a very cool white backpack. The Banjo Bros and me go back a few years at this point (I've done some photography and design work for them) and they have always been incredibly generous and kind to me, as well as very supportive of all of the events I've thrown.

Well anyway, I give them a ring to find out if this bag was for the race or for me and he says it's a proto that they need someone to ride the crap out of and to do my worst. (This new white bag is made from a different material than their standard backpack)

here's a rundown on the bag:

zip pocket, outside velcro flap (I put my camera there), pen slots, side pocket (u-lock, or bottle), light clip


dry bag inner (replaceable liner)


cell phone holder included with every bag (bonus), waist and sternum straps (not that useful for couriers who constantly need access but they're awesome for what I use the bag for


thanks Mike!

Chrome Prize Bag

Just got the prize bag from Chrome!!

thanks a bunch

All City Championships on Facebook

B.Ridget has created a Facebook page for the upcoming All City Championships
If you'd like to be a fan, friend, ally, or onlooker go here: All City Championship Face Book

Minnecycle - Minneapolis Handbuilt Bicycle Show This Friday

Just a reminder that Minnecycle is this weekend.

See you at the party on Friday

And for all of you Facebookers out there, the event has it's own page: Minnecycle Face Book

Keo

I was browsing Milano Fixed and came across this video of Keo. It's totally awesome, but I'm bummed because for the longest time I've been planning a Rad dance scene parody featuring this song, and since it's become obvious to me that I'm too lazy for that to happen, I was getting psyched on using it for the forthcoming All-City video showcasing the new trick bike. Looks like they beat me to the joke. Anyway, enjoy the vid. I know I did.




And the aforementioned Rad bike dance scene

Locked Cog 1 Year

celebrating their one year anniversary Kris over at Locked Cog just put out this great edit

thanks for the year. from Kris *lockedcog* on Vimeo.

Stupor Bowl II Add featuring Squid

Came across this add for Stupor Bowl II in an old messenger zine that Tim Gellerman (17 years on the streets of Minneapolis) recently passed my way. The add features NYC legend Squid.



A piece of MBMA (Minneapolis Bicycle Messenger Association) and Stupor Bowl history.

All City Championship Handbills Are In!

The AC 09 handbills just arrived and I'm starting to get very excited about this whole All City Championship thing. B.Ridget's dad Tom drew up the skull and she and I designed the handbill. The posters will look very different and are being designed by our friend and Minneapolis poster impresario Bjorn! More on those later.



Look for them in bike shops, bars, coffee houses and anywhere else I can leave them

Old School BMX

Saw this on Urban Velo and thought it was Rad!

(Rad, get it. Whew)

enjoy

BMX WORLDS 2009 VIDEO from woozybmx.com on Vimeo.

All City Polo Tourney

Our good friend and Bike Jerks sponsored (a dubious honor at best) rider Connor is running the show for the Polo tourney at the All City Championship. So in case any of you out there needed another reason besides the Trick Comp, Match Sprints, free Beer, and alleycat to show the fuck up, now you got one.


The best bike party of the summer in the best bike city in the country. You think you're fast? Show up. You like to ride lazily and drink beer? Show up. You like hitting balls with sticks? Show up. I'm telling you. All City's past have been amazing, and this is easily going to the best one yet.

Crumpler

has just agreed to sponsor the All City
The Crumpler prizes from last year were some of my favorite. A big thanks goes out to our Aussie buddies.