R. Herse Chainring for sale

I have this R. Herse chainring for sale. It has 50 teeth and less than 50 miles on it. Thats less than a mile a tooth! I'd gladly sell it for 70$ shipping included. If your reading this, it is still for sale.

Graeme Obree on bicycle building

I thought I would re-post this short video here, as more of a archive to the works that influence me. I really appreciate the insight that Obree has in his approach to designing bicycles. That, his kitchen workshop, and his no frills I'll source parts from this sauce pan style ingenuity. Simple and genius.

Graeme Obree: Hand-building the fastest bicycle in the world from Humans Invent on Vimeo.

MAP Sportif

The first proper photos of my new MAP randonneur project bike showed up on Mitch's flickr page last night. I'm calling this bike a sportif, as that was the subcategory of randonneur style bicycle we were going for. Originally when I was helping out in the Ahearne/MAP space Mitch proposed to build me a 700c rando bike as long as it could be tested by Bicycle Quarterly. Being a sort of opportunist, well I couldn't decline the offer. He had some ideas he wanted to try out, and as far as those the rest of the design was left up to me. Of course Mitch had the last say and executed everything to the best of his ability, which in my regard is hard to match. Instead of making a more versatile randonneur bike that would be suitable for light tours, I decided I wanted a lightweight, fendered bike capable of carrying a handlebar bag and lighting my way. Pretty much an event bike. I figure the touring bike I built can and will continue to work well for tours heavy or light, or rides where 650b is needed. When I started thinking about this new bike, this old one came to mind:



The inspiration comes through rather clearly in the MAP:













Of course this is the initial MAP build, not much will change when I get it though. Seat, seatpost, and pedals will go first of course, seeing at they are Mitch's prop parts. The preliminary black bar tape will probably be swapped at some point for something a little more fitting. I didn't want to pick out an expensive leather tape without living with the bike for a little while first. The gearing is also subject to change, if it doesn't quite feel right for the ride. As it turns out the test for Bicycle Quarterly fell through. Meaning I will have my bike sooner, so I can't complain. There will be a follow up article or two once the bike has arrived.

John Buck Wilkin - Screaming Metatphysical Blues

Found: Mixtapes

Relics of a lost social art.


"Moon On My Mind"


Songs Summer - Fall 9-11-91 (retape)

Shell Game

Back in Wisconsin. Travels over for a bit. Like Mountain biking a whole lot now. Can't say I know much else at this point. Oh and Jerry Jeff Walker.

April Come She Will

Well, I've moved out of my dusty dog haired sublet in Portland and into the great expanse of my van. The apprenticeship with Ahearne and MAP is pretty much over. It sort of fizzled out during these last few weeks. I've gotten a lot out of the whole experience, including two new friends namely Joseph and Mitch. My suspicions that I'm not quite cut out for the heroic and somewhat self sacrificial role of the full time custom bicycle builder have been confirmed. I did indeed learn a lot about the craft but probably more so about myself, what I'm better suited for, and what I want to do in this world. Like how and what I want to provide to a community. And the community itself? How will that be shaped? Will it look like spotty over spray from a paint can over a map of the world. Or will it be concentrated locally in a face to face, day to day sort of way? I think I know which direction I'm headed. What it will look like when I get there? I have a vague idea but that is about it. And thats just fine at this point. Onward, down the road.