This week, I struggled with a newsletter topic. The USA election has cast a shadow over most conversations and last week, Israeli soccer hooligans managed to come to Amsterdam and start trouble yet somehow garner sympathy globally. Their belligerent behavior sparked the street brawls that sent them bawling back home, leaving outlandish headlines so fake in their wake. The news cycle had me cooked. I was drawing a blank with witty wisdom and boiled-down bullet-points of insight.
I was saved by Iain Treloar's happy thoughts to think when you’re filled with existential dread. Iain's article really did the trick for me & frankly, I realized how universal these experiences are for cyclists. I recommend clicking the link & embracing the vibe as you enjoy his writing.
I was compelled to reminisce on my own memories his prompts brought to mind:
- 🚲 A child’s first bike ride – I'm grateful to say I've helped teach three kids how to ride a bike for the first time. What sublime moments to cherish! : )
- ⏳ Back in the saddle after a time away – inadvertently, I ended up on a solo 'training' ride on Saturday. Though I did run into Marcel from Springtime Design on my route, more than half of my ride was alone. Mist crept in & I got a chill. I stopped for two warmed cheese croissants & a coffee before the last 15km home. I hadn't ridden some of those roads in ages. After a year of hit-or-miss riding due to two injuries. I really savoured this cold, grey & damp 66km!
- 🌅 Sunrise on the bike – early to bed, early to shred was once my staple with @rollcallams & even before that with the #serenberide. I'm not getting it on before the dawn much anymore but can attest to the pre-sunrise surprise and satisfaction as you roll through the world as it wakes up. Almost inspires me to re-adopt my old routine. ; )
- 💨 Dust on the fork-crown – ah yes, funny how universal this notion is. It definitely predates the gravel trend! An otherwise clean and tidy bike, but the residual remnants of a long day in the saddle gently sprinkled on the fork crown and downtube. Maybe you even recall that dusty section, the stretch of the ride that left its mark on your frame. A descent or a climb, nostalgia in grime.
- 🔧 Finding mechanical perfection – ha! This is me when I finally take the time to wrench on a bike of mine on a Sunday at the office. Fixing the slow leak on the commuter, fixing a fender rattle simply some lover overdue maintenance and the next ride feels like the most sublime journey ever thanks to your own dedication & prowess. Nothing but smiles, at least for the first few miles. ; )
Speaking of smiles & fuzzy thoughts, The Twotone 10 Year is inching closer! If we can, we'll release the final poster for this year's party this week! See you on the 29th!
Thank you, Iain, for the inspiration & you for reading!
with appreciation,
Jon
p.s.
If you're in Amsterdam tomorrow evening, fellow Workspace 6 tenants, The Grid, will be having a launch party. The Grid is the node of truth for Web 3 data. RSVP here.
Upcoming Events
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November
- 🇩🇪 11-12 DT Swiss Craft Days
- 🇩🇪 17 Cycle Zirkus One Year Ride
- 🇳🇱 17 A'dam CX De Amstel
- 🇳🇱 24 A'dam CX Big Spotter's Hill
- 🇳🇱 29 Twotone Ten Year Party! (Need a place to stay or can host?)
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December
- 🇳🇱 1 A'dam CX Sloten
- 🇳🇱 8 A'dam CX De Bukt
- 🇳🇱 10-15 6 Days Rotterdam
- 🇳🇱 15 A'dam CX ARC Ulysses
- 🇳🇱 22 A'dam CX ZWC DTS
- 🇳🇱 29 A'dam CX Uithoorn
Bikes
Procraft's Website Launch & Factory Visit Numero Uno
Kike recently visited Spanish saddle manufacturer Essax in his home town of Alicante & documented their process of producing saddles for Procraft. See more & read about it on the brand new Procraft website.
GCN auf Deutsch Dives into the Dresden Bike Scene
OK, ok, maybe still still counts as Bespoked spam-posting weeks later but this 20min documentary about the Dresden bike scene shot during the show is worth turning on the auto-translate closed captions for! Hope to see you all there next October!
8bar GRAVELO NOV 17 Dusseldorf w/ CycleZirkus
I'll be in Düsseldorf for Cycle Zirkus' 1yr Bday & 8Bar's Gravelo Tour is helping host! More info here.
Ideas
BSG №1 - Cargo Bike Reviews, New Tech & Resources
Arleigh
Arleigh Jenkins kicked off a new weekly roundup of ideas & products to help you replace car trips with bike trips when possible. Check it out here. And check out her Youtube here too!
Central Paris Limiting Through Motor Traffic
Carlton Reid
“We estimate that only 30% of through traffic drivers absolutely need a car to make their journey. For the remaining 70%, the car is first and foremost a convenience.” So limiting cars is a good idea!
Refused - The Shape Of Punk To Come Obliterated
Friends
Heart of Metal #17: Quirk Cycles
Jelle Mul: "Marketing is ultimately about telling an honest story"
If you don't read Dutch, turn on auto-translate for a great interview with my friend Jelle! He was also a guest on The Mechanics of Joy back in Feb '22. Listen here.
Adventure Wheels' New Design & Stickers
Fellow WS6 tenant & friend Leanne Bentley of Dad.Agency designed Adventure Wheels' new logo for our friend Melvin de Groot! Get these stickers at the Twotone party on the 29th! :D
Radness
Andy Anderson's "Skate Break"
Thanks to Tom Parr for the heads up on this one! Any Andy Anderson edit will likely make it into the newsletter but also: mega office decor inspiration here! Someday!
Thank you very much for reading!
And here's to finding the sublime in the grime this week!
