The Radavist

LA has a bad rep for cycling. Just the other day I got in a debate with someone at a bar because they literally said “LA sucks for cycling”. I laughed, thinking they were referring to the hashtag (right?), only to find a solid 10 minute debate followed. Basically, any city is what you make of it. It’s your attitude and approach that changes your outlook.

I went through so much film during my last stay in Los Angeles and that’s probably because we rode every single day. Some of the rides I had done before, but having Andy along brought a new perspective. We rode mostly cross bikes and even the “road rides” had a fair amount of dirt thrown in.

Here’s a collection of a few rides, in a playful Photoset. See more in the Gallery!

Tools of the trade:
Yashica T4 / Fuji Pro400H

Locals Only isn’t about exclusivity when used in this context, because truth be told, each time I’ve been on this ride, there are usually more out of towners than locals. It’s more of a way that Kyle and Ty like to throw visitors into the proverbial fire. The first time I did this ride, it was at night, in the rain, during goat head season and with no lights. It sucked. This time, it was rad. I won’t post the route (locals only, breh), but we did about 25 miles and 3,000′.

Check out more in the Gallery!

Golden Saddle Cyclery has a lot of really incredible customers, who happen to own really incredible bicycles. I usually sit there all day and just pick off the gems that walk through the door. Case in point: Hans’ Rock Lobster Cross.

Like most people forking out money for a custom bike, Hans was very mindful of what he wanted. The truth is, most people don’t need a cross bike for racing. But for travel, dirt roads, weekend getaways, light touring, singletrack, fireroads and yes, maybe the occasional race, they’re one of the most perfect machines.

Hans and I talked a lot about this bike via email (it happens a lot). He was initially drawn to a lightweight race machine but he kept describing the kind of riding I do on my cross bike. So I asked, “what will you really be using this bike for?”. He ended up going with a more versatile tubing selection, much like I had on my cross machine.

The end result, as seen here, came out superb. See for yourself in the Gallery!

You know a steel bike is utilizing the most in technology when an accomplished raconteur like FYXO assumes it’s made from carbon fiber. No kidding. When Gomi rolled into Golden Saddle Cyclery on his 2011 Speedvagen road bike, everyone was drawn to it immediately. What’s not to love about the fabled “surprise me” paint jobs? Or that build. EDGE / ENVE, Tune, EE Cycleworks and Super Record 11 really bring this build in under 16 lbs.

And it’s steel!

See more in the Gallery!

I don’t know if you know this but camouflage is “in” right now and so is cyclocross. A few months ago, Kyle from Tracko got his ENVE fork painted by Death Spray Custom, for a new bike coming in time for cross season. When Ty didn’t have a fork for Cross Vegas, Kyle let him borrow it. Enough of a backstory? The fork looks great on the black Nature Boy Zona, especially with the Easton camo tape. Let’s just say Ty is living the dream…

People look great on pink bikes. They’re not as ostentatious as red bikes and evoke a certain “fun” energy, especially when they’re pedaled by Ty from Golden Saddle Cyclery. Riding with that dude is always rad and it doesn’t hurt when you get to check out this steed from all angles (including launching into the air).

The Seven Mudhoney is a no-nonsense cross machine. Built from Seven’s Origin™ butted steel, it’s light, responsive and best of all, can be thrashed with ease. Just add some bike control…

Check out more photos in the Gallery!

This is the second pristine Fat Chance to roll through the doors of Golden Saddle Cyclery over the past few months. There’s a local collector who keeps coming upon these gems and builds them up with either NOS components or damn near close. The most recent acquisition is this Team Fat Chance, built with XTR, Kooka, Onza, Machine Tech, Chris King, Syncros and a set of NOS Onza Racing Porcs tires… yeah.

At this point, no one wants to ready any more copy, so check out more photos in the Gallery!

I can’t come to LA and not hang out with Christian, the Golden Saddle Cyclery shop hand. He’s one of the best. After his last frame didn’t work out, he commissioned a builder to fabricate a bike that was closer to what he wanted. In short: a custom FGFS rig. He doesn’t have a name for the frame, so I dubbed it the Toe Breaker. Check out a few photos in the Gallery!