photo by Jesse Rosten

Most everyone is now familiar with Jesse Rosten’s video gone viral,  Fotoshop by Adobe’:

Very amusing social commentary about our views on beauty, or faked beauty that is.  On the making of Fotoshop Rosten remarked,

“I was watching TV one sleepless night and stumbled upon an infomercial for some beauty product. The commercial showed before and after portraits, that to my eye, looked like the same photo just photoshopped. I laughed to myself. Then I made this video.  This commercial isn’t real, and neither are society’s standards of beauty. “

What you might not know about the professional film maker is his interest in filming cycling events (from the back of a motorcycle or helicopter).  I found these two gems on his website.

Levi Leipheimer’s Gran Fondo, which is a “long distance, mass-participation cycling event – not a race.”

And how about a side order of of Portland Gran Prix Cyclocross racing:

Now I’m itching for a cyclocross bike, and wonder when they’ll come out with Fotoshop for Men…
- Chris

Founded in 2004 by Polo Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Rugby is an American luxury brand dedicated to rugby/preppy inspired lifestyle enthusiasts.  The focus is very collegiate yet they have recently introduced a line dedicated to the “Tweed Run” culture of vintage cycling and fashion, specifically traditional pre-WWI British cycling attire.  The sort of apparel you would expect to see folks wearing at any Tweed Run (or “Ride”) that are held these days in most metropolitan areas.  Richard Masoner from Cyclicious described Tweed Runs as a “critical mass of well dressed cyclists.”

2009 Bike Friendly Oak Cliff "'ullo Guvnor!" Tweed Ride group photo

Tweed Runs originated in London in 2009 and have since spread to hundreds of cities all over Europe and north America.  Many if not most folks will not only dress in vintage style outfits for these rides but they will also ride vintage, or just older, bicycles. While any bike is welcome you won’t see many carbon fiber bikes at a tweed ride.

Bike Friendly Oak Cliff’s Tweed Rides may very well be the most attended and most enjoyable group rides in Dallas (click here for my photo gallery from their 2010 ride, and click here for a slideshow from their 2009 ride).  Rumor has it that the 3rd annual Bike Friendly Oak Cliff Tweed Ride will happen Sunday, November 13th.  This is truly a do-not-miss event.

So…Getting back to Ralph Lauren Rugby and their tweed ride collection…The men’s and women’s tweed ride apparel are spot on and range from affordable to outrageous.  In their words,

“Eclectic layers of British-inspired tweed, Shetland and corduroy, along with limited edition accessories, capture the spirit of the Tweed Run cycling event.”

Most of the clothes that I’ve looked at on their site resemble something you’d find in a better vintage clothing store.  They’ve done their homework.

Ralph Lauren Rugby Tweed Run Collection

They have a pair of cotton trousers that I would buy in a heart beat but they’re “coming soon”, oh well.  And I’ll have a dual root canal before I spend $500 on a pair of tweed slippers.  But enough of this talk, there’s a bike to discuss…

Ralph Lauren Rugby "The Tweed Run Bike"

In my book, or blog, the real prize is the Tweed Run bicycle and this represent yet one more fashion house to partnering with a bicycle manufacturer to produce a limited edition bicycle that most any cyclist would want to own.  In this case Ralph Lauren has teamed with British bicycle manufacturer, Pashley Cycles, to produce 50 hand made bikes for their “Tweed Run” collection.  The technical notes are scarce, so far all we know is what’s in the graphic above: “front brake, two speed coaster hub rear, cream tires, black gold-lined rims, Brooks B17, etc.” 

It’s a good looking bike and because it’s a Pashley I imagine it’s no doubt well appointed but I’d like to see the more technical details.  Weighing in with a suggested list price of $2,200 I don’t see myself owning one anytime soon, unless I win the lotto, otherwise I hope you’ll let me ride the one that you buy.

Cheerio,

- Chris – Yes you can now (finally) follow me on Twitter.

A discussion in the comments of this post lead me to discovering the Levi’s 511 Commuter Jean. made especially for cyclists. Before you write it off as a cheap marketing ploy, take a closer look:

Cheap marketing ploy or not, the added reflective element is a welcome improvement, so is the additional water proofing.  I’m not sure about carrying a U-lock on my person, but I’m sure there are others who would.

I think this is an innovative idea and hope it catches on. Maybe they’ll make some for us fat guys who don’t fit so well in skinny jeans.  I bet I could fit in the jacket at least, and be more illuminated at night. Go here for more.

Better yet watch their promotional video:

-Chris

I’m just a patsy!

Last Friday WFAA, the Dallas Morning News, and UnFair Park (Dallas Observer) all reported on the legal battle between the owner of a crumbling apartment complex and the city of Dallas.  Side note, does WFAA have the most annoying website in the entire metroplex, or is it me?

It seems Lee Harvey Oswald and his wife and daughter were once renters at an apartment complex in Oak Cliff on 600 Elsbeth Street.  Anything Lee Harvey is news in Dallas you see. Well about four years ago Jane Bryant, president of Align LP, bought the property with the hopes of rehabilitating it into a profitable venture.  Four years later the city of Dallas claims no work has been done to the boarded up eye sore and they want to see it bulldozed.  The property is not a historic landmark, but dang you would probably put some period furniture in the unit where the Oswald family lived and rent it out like a hotel room to conspiracy buffs and rent the other units on a monthly basis and make some money.

Concept and reality via Dallas Observer

I’m sympathetic to both sides, I’ve owned enough “fixer-uppers” in my day to know that I’ll never own another one the rest of my life, they tend to be a financial black hole not to mention the unending hassle of having to jump through so many inspection hurdles and such.  On the other hand, the city of Dallas has a responsibility to not allow vacant, crumbling apartment complexes to gain root in our fair city.  Let’s hope these two parties can find a way to get along, and that soon you’ll be able to rent the room where the Oswalds slept. You can read the legal machinations here.

From the WTF desk

Cycling was a brief topic in a recent issue of Esquire magazine.  Cycling and style that is, or more to the point – cycling and demin do not mix, it seems.

What were they thinking?

The blokes (that’s what cool people call the British, blokes) at Esquire, opined,

“Now that we’re all cycling again (or at least attempting to) the big question becomes, what do we wear when we’re doing it? As anyone with a worn through pair of denim will know, it’s not ideal to wear when pedalling. And seeing as we’re not fans of lycra, we need an alternative. Which is why we spoke to Abe Burnmeister of Outlier, a company specialising in clothes that can take us from the saddle to the office.”

So I’ve read this article several times now and still don’t have a clue as to what I should be wearing instead of “demin” (aka blue jeans). Maybe you can solve this riddle better than me.

That’s Just Sick and Wrong…Where Can I Buy One?

This would work for someone like Kinky Friedman

Bicycle Times, one of my favorite bike magazines, has an article on their site that gives a glimpse of some of the kookier bikes that Specialized have come up with recently.  I’m guessing these are not planned for production anytime soon, but drop by and read “Wacky and wild bikes by Specialized” when you have a few minutes to spare.

Biking in Bali

Speaking of cool bike magazines, Urban Velo has an interesting video and related article about cycling in Bali, the country and not the health dealio.  Specifically it’s about how the cycling culture there has changed, especially in the fixed gear space.

“Filmmaker Josh Estey writes: I proudly present yet another self-glorifying fixed gear video, adding to the erroneous plethora of useless fixed geared bicycle films littering the Internet.

“My latest epic release Fixed Gear Bali, is the follow up to the ever-popular Fixed Gear Jakarta, a film that went viral among my family. FGB is a transindental trip around the “Island of the Gods,” highlighting the various sects of the blossoming partisan cycling movement”

You can read more at Urban Velo.

It’s Only a Theory…Oh The Lulz!

The producers of “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader” announced today that Republican presidential candidate and current Governor of Texas, Rick Perry, has agreed to be a contestant on an episode planned for October. Hosted by comedian Jeff Foxworthy, the popular game show pits an adult against a team of, well, 5th graders to see who’s the smartest.   It will surprise you how challenged many adults appear when compared to school children.

When asked about his upcoming appearance on the show Governor Perry said, “Aw shucks, I’m lookin’ ford tuh matchin’ my wits with a bunch a school childrens”  Perry went on to say,

“Gravity is only a theory and in Texas we teach both theories to our childrens; the one come up by scientists who just want our tax dollars for more grants, and the true theory that little invisible gremlins cling to our cowboy boots to keep us from fallin’ off the planet.  You seem like a smart boy, which one makes sense to you?”

"little bitty gremlins, they just grip yer boots with they tiny hands to keep you from fallin off the planet"

So far Perry is the only candidate to be invited to the show which prompted fellow Republican presidential candidate Jon “call me crazy” Huntsman to state, “Look just because I’m lagging in the polls and some of my party seems to have no interest in rational thinking is no reason to exclude me from a debate, or from competing on “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader.”

On a more serious note I was delighted to see fellow nutter Ben Stein provides Governor Perry with a free lesson on economics that even a 5th grader could grasp.  CBS has made it so you cannot embed the video, so click here for it. In short, the Fed makes money cheap for businesses to borrow, so they will invest more, which leads to job creation. Stein explains to Governor Perry that this is not an act of “treason”, it is a sound and tested economic policy.

Bueller?

Anyhow, that’s all the news for today

Not your father's chain lube company

I was reading the Product Tests section of the Spring 2011 issue of Bicycle Quarterly where I discovered the Green Oil company in the UK.  BQ editor Jan Heine tested their Green Oil Chain Lube product (favorably) but more importantly he brought to the readers attention a company who is doing what they can to produce and promote environmentally friendly products for bicycle maintenance. A company that I hope more bike shops and cyclists will support.

Their products come in100% recycled plastic bottles and they’ll pay you for your empty one and use them again. Green Oil (and related products) are made without petrochemicals and instead include biodegradable, natural oils and plant extracts.  They’re proud of their contribution to the environment, in fact on their site they state “You won’t be funding Shell’s dodgy operations in Nigeria, or Esso’s climate change denial lobby”  I mean how could you not want to support a company like that?

It’s worth noting that companies like Exxon Mobil do not typically outright deny climate change, instead they fund “junk science” by paying people with legitimate credentials to write articles which casts doubt on the topic, and/or casts doubt on legitimate science.  They don’t have to produce actual science, to succeed they just need to create doubt, at least in the minds of the general public. They typically appeal to the same folks who portray evolution as “only a theory” and often times try to wedge creationism or some of other form of non-science into our public school science curriculum.

Wow how did I get off on that tangent?

Anyhow, check out Green Oil or one of their other products the next time you’re shopping for chain oil or grease.

And while you’re here check out this video of Green Oil sponsored Scott Wilson doing some amazing trials riding:

-Chris

]]> http://www.bikingindallas.com/green-oil-chain-lube/feed/ 0 http://www.bikingindallas.com/the-road-trip-to-nahbs-2011-film/ http://www.bikingindallas.com/the-road-trip-to-nahbs-2011-film/#comments Fri, 04 Mar 2011 21:10:23 +0000 Christopher Curnutt http://www.bikingindallas.com/?p=9032

Vanilla Bicycles

I thought it would be fun to film some of the road trip we took to Austin for the 2011 North American Handmade Bicycle Show.   I used the footage I took with the Flip, some “stock” iconic Texas photos and the ones we took at the show. The song is “Red Meat of Texas” written and performed by Junk Train.  Enjoy.

-Chris

]]> http://www.bikingindallas.com/the-road-trip-to-nahbs-2011-film/feed/ 2 http://www.bikingindallas.com/nahbs-is-less-than-one-month-away/ http://www.bikingindallas.com/nahbs-is-less-than-one-month-away/#comments Thu, 27 Jan 2011 16:48:54 +0000 Christopher Curnutt http://www.bikingindallas.com/?p=8659

2011 NAHBS exhibitor Strong Frames (www.strongframes.com) photo via NAHBS

We’re planning a road trip to the 2011 North American Handmade Bicycle Show which runs February 25th-27th in Austin, Texas.  We’re really excited to attend this year and we’re planning to blog live from the event on Friday and Saturday.  They are estimating 8,000 people may attend this year which will break all previous attendance records.

2011 NAHBS exhibitor Violet Crown Cycles

Each year the show attracts some of the most talented hand made bike makers from around the world. The NAHBS folks also promote quite a bit of mingling between the public and bike makers.  Here is a sample of some of the social events they have planned so far:

They’re also holding numerous NAHBS seminars on a variety of topics.
We’ll be posting more details over the next month as we get them.

-Chris

My first forays into winter riding were pretty much a bust. My gloves were awful, the hat I used didn’t cover my ears, my shoes were useless, etc.  Ever since I learned the science of layering I’ve enjoyed riding in colder weather. I still prefer riding in sunshine but I’m not intimidated by riding when the temperatures are near freezing.

Street Films just published this Winter Biking Primer that is pretty informative and you don’t have to live in Chicago to benefit from it.

Lacy Mahone, Dallas’ very own art, film and social media diva has produced a film about the SXS Fixed event last March.  This was where some locals road fixed bikes from Dallas to Austin for the SXSW (south by southwest) Conference.  For our readers outside of Texas think of SXSW as a kind of Woodstock with showers and working toilets.

Lacy was a member of the support team and documented their entire trip. She’s produced other cycling culture related videos but most have been for school projects, so they haven’t been made public just yet.  Her final is due this spring so hopefully we’ll see much more of her work sooner than later. You can catch more of Lacy at Dive Bomb Media and Lace of Base.  In the mean time watch her latest film (and turn up the volume):

Hat tip to  my buddies at Pedallas.com and stay tuned for more details about the SXS Fixed 2.0 ride coming this March.

-Chris

photo by Velo-City Conference 2010

Streetfilms was in Copenhagen for the 2010 Velo-City conference and this is some of what they saw, who they interviewed and what they said.   Interesting to note that 38% of all trips in Copenhagen are done on a bicycle, and 55% of all cyclists there are women.  It’s unrealistic to think out area will ever look like one of these Euro-cycling meccas, but we can continue to make our infrastructure more cycling friendly and more inclusive too all.

Mark your calendars, the 2011 Velo-City conference will be in Spain during the month of March.