Monday 26 December 2011

Happy Christmas and all that.

A day late but what the hell. Hope you all got some good loot and are well.

We didn't get out for a Christmas ride, so maybe have a joint new year/Christmas one. Itching to get out and ride with some more people again. Riding by yourself and practising different stuff is only fun for so long.

Luckily I've come into some money and thinking of investing it in a new bike. Something a bit tougher and can take the roads up north, as they're shoddy. I'm gonna keep the fast bike as it is my first fixed bike build. I've been trawling the sales online today as the LBS doesn't deal in fixed and I hate admitting it, but they'll be expensive.

If anyone has seen any bargains or has a recommendation, then shoot them my way or leave a comment. Looking for a complete build, unless there's some mega deal on a frame.

Wednesday 7 December 2011

Stupid child...

I know there's been a lot on here in the last couple of days but, this stupid kid made me laugh a little too much.



Big Top strap review coming soon, I promise.

Chilly ride out




On a cold and frosty tuesday evening, we finally managed to get out and meet some other fixed gear riders. Josh and Calum, (I'm crap with names, so if I've renamed you, kick me next time) met us outside Ropner Park. Originally we were gonna meet inside the park at the bandstand, but winter means it closes early to keep the kids out. We headed off through Stockton and towards the Tees Barrage (which was also shut due to improvements for the 2012 olympics), stopping on top of the concrete multi story carpark for a picture and made friends with the security guard who was not too bothered, but we needed to move on as the police would eventually turn up. Made our way across the Millennium and Infinity Bridge, looping back round and headed home.
Only a short ride, but I enjoyed it. Thanks to Josh and Calum for meeting me and Ryan, you're top lads and looking forward to next time. Hopefully we'll get a few more riders along and make it a longer ride.

I took a few pictures with the iPhone, as all the 6 battery packs for the DLSR were flat and the charger was at my girlfriends house. Typical.

Monday 5 December 2011

God and Fixed Gear

Yes, you're wondering what the heck I am going on about and no, I have not suddenly become religious whilst riding fixed.

BBC2 have included a fixed-gear-riding-teacher into their cast of Rev - a comedy about an inner city London vicar. The sad thing is that he is actually killed by a lorry after falling off his bike.

It made me think about fixed gear breaking into the mainstream - with Argos taking a punt with their bike, fashion shoots based around the bikes, 42x12 book making it to HMV (spotted by Ty from thefootdown.co.uk) and of course hollywoods own Premium Rush.

I think the coming months, especially in the UK, it will give us all an idea of what is going to happen with the mainstream trend. Maybe nothing at all and I'm presuming the worst, but it definitely will be interesting.

My girlfriend actually spotted this on Rev, so credit goes out to her (not sure if she reads this).

Godbless

Thursday 1 December 2011

Restrap Foot Straps Review

I think it is about time that the blog had a review and what better than my Restrap Foot Straps.

My bike has been up and running for a couple of weeks now and I've not ridden a huge amount, but enough to know if my foot straps are working the way they should and by 'eck they are! I chose the horizontal version of the straps, but they do offer a diagonal strap.

Restrap are based in Leeds, Yorkshire (I'm from Yorkshire and like supporting local brands) and are expanding their product range to suit every type of rider and their needs. Focusing on getting the product right and to a high standard of finish are what they pride themselves on. They are doing this hands down and I can highly recommend using them. Postage was quick, well packaged and even had some stickers included - everyone loves a freebie!

From opening the package you could tell their heart and soul had gone into everything. The straps look and feel the part - made from recycled seat belts (3 layer velcro system) and are tough as old boots, but are still super comfortable. Stitching is solid and no frayed edges to be seen. You can be safe in knowing that you can fit these to your bike and they are gonna last a lifetime, whether you're commuting to work or riding freestyle.

I paid £28 and got free postage - for something that is hand made in the UK by people who give a damn about what they do. I cannot fault them and will be purchasing some of their other products very soon.

Pictures to follow.

Restrap have also got their Christmas Giveaway running at the moment - giving away one of their products everyday to one lucky customer. No better time than now to buy from them!

http://restrap.co.uk/
This didn't quite work the other day. It's the obligatory me riding my new bike picture, before I put the bar tape on and sorted a break out.

It has been a while...

I have finally got my fixed gear bike up and running and I'm loving it. Haven't had it out for a long ride or anything strenuous, but what I have done has backed up why I wanted to ride fixed. I'm sure every rider has their own view, but I think the main one we all share, whether freestyle riding or just riding track/road, it's the freedom you have and the fact you can concentrate just on riding.

My parts/frame aren't the most expensive and I'm sure they will break and wear down, so I can replace them with better ones and keep advancing. For now I just want to ride and get as many riders in the area together on regular meets and rides. Winter is a bit of a crap time, with the gale force wind we have recently up north (deep v rims are a bad choice), and the threat of snow, but I'm sure we'll get something together.

You should all check out FURY Magazine's first issue, which was launched today. I've subscribed, downloaded and had a read. It is pretty fucking good to be honest. I don't ride freestyle, but I do enjoy watching people ride and photographing them and this magazine is a real tribute to it. I'm really looking forward to seeing where the magazine will go and how it will evolve as the fixed scene does in the UK. We need more of these magazines and to firmly seal our little place in the cycling world, which FURY magazine is really helping to do.

Enough of me rabbiting on, go get your download!!!
http://issuu.com/furymagazine/docs/fury_issue_01_edited