The Bakery: For the Love of Independent Bike Shops
Six years ago I showed up on the doorstep of my local bike shop and sheepishly admitted that I had broken up with my boyfriend before I had learned to fix my own bike.
Six years later I probably spend a little too much time there. I have been known to show up at their Christmas parties and the coffee place next door gives me a staff discount. It’s the kind of place where everyone knows your name, or some variation of it. They hassle you and high-five you. They give you hugs and lectures about not taking better care of your ride. They are family.
They are so much my family that I have introduced boyfriends to my dad before I have taken them to my bike shop. True story.
The Bakery: The Power of Not Giving a F*ck
Be more like a skateboarder–that’s the latest life advice I have been given. Apparently I need to take a page from skate culture and learn how to not give a fuck. Mountain bikers are just too caring.
In an attempt to embrace these new words of wisdom and learn how to not give a fuck, I recently asked a friend who works in the skate industry to teach me.
He didn’t show up, because, clearly, he doesn’t give a fuck.
Bike Mag: What I'd do for a Bike Hat
I’ve been lusting over a Bike hat for some time now. It seems that everyone in my life has one.
Everyone, except me.
While I was on the road with Sombrio, I quietly plotted how I was going to get myself this one crucial bit of schwag. I even managed to liberate one from its owner for a short time before sheepishly having to return it. No amount of eyelash batting or flattery would return it to me. In light of the fact that I clearly can’t flirt my way into this new bit of headgear, I’ve compiled this list of 100 things I would do for a Bike hat.
This goes out to the “higher-ups” at Bike who, apparently, hold onto these things as if they were made out of gold….
1. I would call your grandma a dick.
2. I would show you a boob, but just one.
3. I would show you both boobs.
2. I would show you a boob, but just one.
3. I would show you both boobs.
Rig Life: The Full Story
There comes a moment in everyone’s lives when you realize you are an adult. Calling home from a truck stop in Vegas because the bank has suspended your debit card for suspicious use (your use) at a strip club is not that moment.
This was how I started my last stint of rig life; winning.
Read more on bikemag.com:
Vid: Karla
In the final year of my photography program Karla was my muse. She inspired a project that I completed for graduation photographing scars and recording the stories behind them. The biggest question that I get in response to the project and all the bike related scars is “do these people still ride bikes?”.
Marx Conditioning
Monika Marx of Marx Conditioning asked me to do some photos with her clients in her temporary studio. I was definitely inspired by these strong women and by Monika's ability to pursue her goals and help so many people to achieve theirs.
Pinkbike: Complete
Diagnosed with a complete spinal cord injury following a crash at the Jeep King of the Mountain race in 2007, Tara Llanes has worked hard to build a complete life without limitations. After years of a successful professional BMX and downhill racing career, including 2 US national championships, 4 World Championship medals and 4 ESPN X-Games medals, Tara has developed a focus and drive that continues to serve her in every challenge she faces. Most recently Tara is preparing to get back on technical riding trails for the first time since her accident.
Read more on pinkbike.com
Vancouver to Canmore. . . Almost
My 6 day, 900km solo bike tour from North Vancouver to Canmore, Alberta was cut short when I was found unconscious on the highway just outside of Merritt.
I left North Vancouver in the afternoon on a Thursday and spent half the day trying to avoid traffic jams and construction sites. I consulted my iphone for directions often, and made ambiguous turn after ambiguous turn though residential neighborhoods to find my way safely out of the city. I must have looked lost and confused, since a man with a bike loaded down with garbage bags of cans and a beard that looked like it’d been around since the ’80′s stopped peeing off his bike long enough to turn and ask if I needed help. I make friends everywhere I go.
Read more on CCNbikes.com
Bike Mag: Jump Ship
Jump Ship, a Silver stop in the FMB World Tour, saw over 20 professional riders flock to the jump-filled barge in Victoria Harbor, British Columbia.
The battle for first place in the slopestyle event was a tight competition between Brandon Semenuk and Mike Montgomery–who just came off a win at the Teva Mountain Games. In the end, Semenuk came out on top by just under three points. Montgomery did however win the best trick contest on Day 2 with a butter-smooth 720 (See video bottom of page).
Check out more of my photos on bikemag.com
First Ripper of the Year
When I saw the snow outside at 6am on Saturday morning I thought for sure that the Ripper would be canceled, but those NSMBA people are a tough bunch! The Ripper was on and it turned out to be an amazing day for photos.
I was lucky enough to get a lift in James' truck (Obsession Bikes) for the start of the race.
Thank-you to awesome photographer Corey Toews for this photo!
There were some bunnies. . .
. . . and a hospital patient. . .
. . . even Joan of Arc made an appearance!
Lots of riders braved the snowy conditions for the event and had an awesome time!
Even my boss, Kelli (Endless Biking)!
The organizers liked the snow too!
Thank-you to all of the volunteers, ripper participants and the other photographers, it was definitely a Ripper to remember!
More photos!
I was lucky enough to get a lift in James' truck (Obsession Bikes) for the start of the race.
Thank-you to awesome photographer Corey Toews for this photo!There were some bunnies. . .. . . and a hospital patient. . .. . . even Joan of Arc made an appearance!Lots of riders braved the snowy conditions for the event and had an awesome time!Even my boss, Kelli (Endless Biking)!The organizers liked the snow too!Thank-you to all of the volunteers, ripper participants and the other photographers, it was definitely a Ripper to remember!More photos!
Portraits from the Bike Park
Seann and I got out to enjoy the sun today with some friends out at the dirt jumps. It was so great to be outside in the sun and on our bikes! Unfortunately Seann had a bit of a spill and tried to smooth out a landing with is face.
David Garibaldi
Tonight I attended an art show by David Garibaldi at the Oh My Godard Gallery on Granville Street, what an amazing artist. David 'performs' but putting on an inspiring show of painting while rocking out to loud music and encouragement from the audience, his performances are called 'Rhythm and Hue'.
I was lucky to be able to attend the show with my brother, and thanks to him, I got to meet the artist. David's performance was unique and very exciting to see, if you get a chance to see David perform, go see it!
This isn't as good as the live show, but you can catch some clips of his performances here.
David Garibaldi, Chris (my brother) and Brandon (David's manager)
