Wrapping up the goods, that’s some big ass saran wrap!

“No really, it will be fine in here”

“We will put it right behind these BMW’s, that way if anything falls out, those will go first”

Tucked in, safe and sound. Safe travels!

Last Wednesday was a big day as Bicycle Revolutions, our BRevs/ Affinity frames arrived! Thanks to Wilis who drove them down from Affinity as Jason’s head was about to pop off.

A special collaboration 9 months in the making, our bastard lovechild. I was very excited to get mine on the road, the anticipation has been killing me. I was up with the sun on Thursday morning, unable to sleep I headed in to the shop to make it happen.

So Here we go…

A few months ago I scored this lovely Campy Tool kit on “the bay” and have been waiting for a special occasion to bust it out. This was the moment I had been waiting for. Just holding the tools in my hand brings me back to my first summer in a shop many years ago. The smell of the old wooden case and cutting oil are unmistakable.

Nothing more important than prepping your new frame to accept all of the goodies you have chosen to build it with. Getting the head tube reamed and faced here for my Chris King No Thread set, which will hopefully soon be replaced by my Superbe Pro threaded head set when I can get that steerer tube threaded. (that’s another story for another time, eh Jason)

Time for bottom bracket shell facing, have to make them nice and clean for the lovely Superbe Pro open spindle bottom bracket going in there.

Getting that fixed cup securely anchored, the Campy tools are just amazing. Every detail just so well designed and finished.

King head set installed with the Velo Orange threadless stem, it will do for now…

Superbe Pro Bottom Bracket installed and adjusted, ready for some cranks.

I have been waiting to build these wheels for YEARS! Once upon a time I was building lots of Superbe Pro hubs to either Mavic CXP 30 or CXP 12 rims for many of my fellow Philly messengers. I have been saving these rims for over a decade, and these are the cleanest pair of used Suntour hubs I have found in a long time.

All laced up and ready to be tensioned and trued.

Wheel finished, 165mm Superbe Pro Cranks installed. 47 tooth Superbe Pro ring, 17 tooth Superbe Pro cog, Izumi ESH chain. I didn’t have the original Suntour chain ring bolts, so I dug up some Campy bolts, those will do just fine.

I managed to score these Superbe Pro pedals NOS NIB! I finished them off with some leather wrapped MKS clips and WHITE laminated Campy leather straps.

That is a Suntour Superbe Pro seat post, two bolt micro adjustable. And a vintage Selle Italia white Flite saddle I have been saving for at least 6 years.

I finished it up with some lime green Newbaum cloth handle bar tape, and some Panaracer Pasela white 700×28 tires. This is like riding pure BUTTER! I managed to get her out for 40 miles this Sunday in 90f and loved every second of it.

I really think Affinity hit the nail on the head with this frame, it is a modern classic. Thanks to Jason for conning me into this project. As you may or may not know, the last thing I need is another new track bike. But this one is a keeper.

You can check out more info about it HERE, and more pics on the shop FLICKR.

Sam taking Drew’s dollar bet to barspin the Volcano, It took more than three tries so he did not win the dollar but he did nail that shit!

Multiple times!

B-More was well represented to say the least.

Dr. Fast was working it pretty hard, despite  being a bit worse for wear from Saturday and tons of riding on top of the drinking.

Sometimes he won, sometimes the bike won…

Tony throwin’ some bars.

Alright, it was time for flip flops, no more shredding for this guy.

Drew finding some his groove on the Volcano.

Drew always making it look smooth and easy.

Big Lee the Tree making the Volcano shake!

And where the fixed gears boldly go, 20″ go BIG! Bryson getting over.

JP getting rad with a sweet foootjam tailwhip! It’s gotta be those arms…

After we all rolled over to T-Moms for some beers and heckling Tony during his part of BLS 4. Really nice end to a great weekend, thanks to Adam for grabbing so many pics and letting me share them with you all.

This was a very sad day for Philadelphia, the scars and emotions still run very deep. The city still has not made good on their promises to rebuild this neighborhood turned war zone. I was eleven years old watching this unfold on the morning news while I got ready for school, and I honestly still can’t believe that this really happened here. It is time to repair the damage and rebuild this community.

There were quite a few flyers and stickers plastered around the boxes and poles, apparently ROGER was here…

And Frank was here…

Yes Shepard, we know…

Andre still has a posse!

And then Wilis and I decided to join the Warlocks MC gang, look how tough we are.

Then we headed back down south to the Awesome Dudes printshop. Apparently Shepard hit it up there as well. I really love this one, the Andre Fiend face is awesome.

Rise Above!

It was a nice field trip, great to spend some time with Wilis and Mary before they headed back to the BIG CITY on the china town bus. Looking forward to their next visit for the RE Load Maypril Fools Ride, and we might head up to visit them again for the Bike Film Fest or July 4th Escape From New York. A great weekend, now time for a nap.

Yesterday was Bicycle Revolutions‘ 4th Anniversary, Heather and I met up with a couple of friends for some food and a few drinks at the Pope. So while I missed the shennanigans at Water St, I was celebrating with the people I love.

Jesse getting vertical, and looking very shiny.

Mike hitting the wall with a nice foot plant.

Ronnie floating above the “ramp”

Throwing them handle bars!

Apparently Tommy and Rory were trying to see who would puke first while upside down.

Philly is the city of brotherly love, and there was no shortage of Man Love at Water Street last night.

I gotta say I am very happy to have seen the Philly bike community growing over the past 4 years and to be able to contribute to it is rewarding.

So that’s what I did today.

Grabbed my De Martini bag and hopped on my Lo Pro.

Took a spin over the Ben Franklin Bridge.

I paused at the crest to wait for sunset.

It was a lovely way to contemplate yesterday, and consider tomorrow.

It was a difficult week, I lost a loved one.

Life’s not so gentle reminders to appreciate what you have and love those that are important to you.

This one is dedicated to the memory of Timothy J. Mc Erlain.