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Ed Wonka’s Fixed Gear Freestyle Takeover NYC

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Ed Wonka’s Fixed Gear Freestyle Takeover NYC

It’s been a long time since I’ve seen some web action from Wonka in NYC. Check out this half-interview, half-street and park session edit from Network A. This one’s worth the watch, as Ed mentions that he’s left Grime Bikes and is starting a new company with Mike Schmitt, Devon Lawson and Anthony Combs.

Manual for Speed: Philly Part 01

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Manual for Speed: Philly Part 01

“We’re gonna go race bikes for 120 miles and we’re gonna go up a wall and people are gonna yell. It’ll be good. There’s no point waxing poetics about it.”

Manual for Speed takes a look at Dan Chabanov’s first Philly Pro Race in a very informal piece, written by, you guessed it: Dan himself. I love MFS’ unique approach to cycling journalism, if for only pulling quotes like this:

“That’s kind of a stupidly large statement, but it’s true, and here I am. And I don’t care that it’s not the same promoter, and its a different Philly race and its a different course—that doesn’t fucking matter. It’s a pro bike race, it’s going up the Manayunk wall, it’s fucking Philly. For all intents and purposes, if it walks like Philly, if it smells like Philly, if it goes up the Wall, it’s Philly.”

Check out more Phillyness from the mouth of Dan at Manual for Speed.

Cadence: Pez Episode 3

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Cadence: Pez Episode 3

Here’s the latest episode from Cadence and 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.

Pez x Cadence T includes original PEZ pin and or sticker. Available now at Cadence.

Pez’s Tumblr: straysnake.tumblr.com/

Cycles Trailer

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Cycles Trailer

“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.

Collateral BMX Interviews Steve Crandall of FBM

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Collateral BMX Interviews Steve Crandall of FBM

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!

Cadence: Pez Episode 2

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Cadence: Pez Episode 2

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!

Wolfpack Hustle: Competitor Spotlight – Austin Horse

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Wolfpack Hustle: Competitor Spotlight – Austin Horse


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 Sessions New York: Part 1 “Squid”

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Bern Sessions New York: Part 1 “Squid”

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.”

Made by Hand: Fast Boy Cycles

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Made by Hand: Fast Boy Cycles

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.”

Defgrip: the History of the Dig Logo

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Defgrip: the History of the Dig Logo

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…

Zak Kovalcik From Portland to Berlin

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Zak Kovalcik From Portland to Berlin

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!