Pictured above is the entire Twotone crew hours before our 9-Year Birthday Party kicked off. If it's not obvious, even after a bent chainring that put the success of the shoot in peril, we still managed to have a blast doing, what I would describe as, a very difficult endeavor: piloting a two-wheeled behemoth with 6 adults on it!
“People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.” – Dale Carnegie
Twotone, with our modest team of 6, is by no means a behemoth but big enough to face a myriad of challenges, speed bumps, and facepalms each week. Holding our line as we did on that big bike has helped us avoid some big barriers, dodge potholes, and certainly not run off the road.
As the end of this year grows near, moments like the one above really remind me to savor the aspects of our work that make us smile, joke, and laugh. Sure, they may not be productive, entirely strategic, and maybe even dangerous, lol! But it takes a lot to have fun with your work, and in the end: the more you have fun, the more you have won!
If you'd like to dive more into the quote that inspired with week's theme, this Medium article by Thomas Oppong is a good place to start.
Unrelated but maybe also up your alley: Sara Taskers Manifesto for Posting Online (hat tip, Peter) & 52 things Tom Whitwell Learned in 2023.
Thank you, as always, for reading & wishing you an awesome week ahead!
Jon
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Cycling
Twotone Turned Nine Party Photos By Kike Molares
🎷Thank you, @amagukmusic for another incredible performance! Holy shit! Wow!
🔊 DJ King Koen of @soulcyclebmx knocked it outta the park again as well with a slew of crowd-pleasing tracks from his sizeable vinyl arsenal. You’re a Twotone party staple now!
🎸@fish_the_wild_bunch_cc put in mega effort to make the sound, light, and layout just right! Not to mention big help on clean-up crew; thank you!
🥙 The food from @lesudnl was vegetarian and sublime. Everyone was nourished & stoked!
🍻 @nomoq.can’d @stadshavenbrouwerij brews were a hit & for those that preferred it 🍷@nativewines.Eu had delightful wine available until nearly the bitter end! Thank you, Ashton!
🖌️Hard to know how many tattoos @paulsmoothsailingtattoo & @frankvandersman did during the night? Both tattooed nonstop for hours & some people even getting more than one! @lestercycles got three!
We look forward to seeing you all in a year again when TWOTONE TURNS TEN!
Chris McClean's SRMR 2023 Zine Pre-Order Ends Tomorrow
0
60 Pages filled with his favourite shots taken whilst on assignment shooting the Silk Road Mountian Race in Kyrgyzstan. Looks great!
The VERA Cycling Chapka Winter Cycling Cap
Ideas
What’s wrong with saying ‘I hope you are well’ in work emails
Are Europe's Bike Factories Efficient Enough To Be Competitive?
Dalibor (Dali) Horvacki 🚲
A relatively complex issue tackled with a simple article + some comment section discussion. My .02? As time progresses, we'll see more interest and motivation for more locally produced bikes, components, and accessories. Does this mean efficiencies or more competitive? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ (Looking for more ideas? Check Shift's COP Industry Summit Dec 6!)
The Secret History And Strange Future Of Charisma
Joe Zadeh
Quite a compelling long read on #rizz. Like a really long read, but I bet you'll get sucked in!
Friends
BONANNO EDIZIONE CORSA | EXCLUSIVE PRE-ORDER
Sour News #001! New Website, '24 Plans, Bike Shows & More
Unshackled Limitless Heated Glove Kicks Off Crowdfunding
Radness
Bikepacking Journal's Good Night 2023 Overnighter is Back
RULE #1
Camp out with your bike between December 22nd and 31st.
No restrictions apply. Unlike the following years, we’ve opened up the event a little early, from Friday, December 22nd, until the 31st (make it a New Year’s celebration, if you’d like!). We also welcome you to camp in your backyard, your porch, or wherever possible. Just make sure to follow rule number three below.
RULE #2
Keep it small and self-sufficient.
To keep impacts to a minimum, you may want to go solo or camp out in a small group. Carry everything you need, and keep it local. It’s all about maintaining our connection to the outdoors and reflecting on what comes next. Another idea is to meet a friend or friends from a nearby community at a rendezvous campsite.
RULE #3
Have a good night outside, and do it up!
Enjoy your night, preferably outdoors, but we understand if that’s not an option. Eat some good camp grub. Drink something tasty. Wear funny hats. Bring twinkly lights. Stare at a fire. Look at the stars. Reflect on the changes you made in 2023 and the lessons you’ve learned. Toast something or someone. Leave No Trace. And peace out, 2023!
Thank you for reading!