092: Yakima

Now, I know what this looks like...that I claim something like "hey, Hott Sam, you're such a male model" and then the following post are about being a model. But damn if this life isn't hard.

I spent the day helping out some pals over at Yakima Racks get a few photos together for their new catalog, or website, or really whatever they're looking to use some great looking photos of great looking people...

This isn't easy though. Let me tell you. I'll break it down for you a little bit, but some of the highlights were this...

-getting up at 5am.
-the coffee shop where we were designated to meet not opening till 7. Not good.
-getting to hang out with Ira Ryan all day (this really was fun he has rhinestone sunglasses). Not only can this cat ride bikes really hard (on gravel, dirt or pavement) but he is also really fun to hang out with. We swapped some travel stories as well. Check out his photos on Flickr. There are even him rocking an embrocation kit on there...


-drooling on myself during the car ride to location.
-picking up a 47 pound mountain bike 48 times and pretending to put it on a rack.
-seeing Hood River, Oregon.
-making new friends.

-having coffee no less than 14 times in one day. Greg Johnson started this coffee shop by the way. Ground.
-spider bites and twitter responses.
-riding out of town with Greg Johnson. This is what I love about these trips. He didn't know that we were going to be in town, but all he needed was a 45 minute prep time and we were out riding on gravel roads around Hood River.
-driving down the road with bikes on the "rack" and hearing that its only a "prototype" and hopefully it still works well. that's cool. Ira made his, he can make another.


-male models.
-riding with Ira, Greg, and Jeff.
-GU Chompers. These things make Shot Blocks taste like Hay Bales.


-alpacas. I tried to get this one to spit on me. I asked it nicely. I got as close as I could. It didn't happen, but in the end I just had to be satisfied with this photo of Al and Mt. Hood in the background. I'm ok with it.

-when you're building a campfire and you see a nice little note that the good people at the hardware store put on their logs that they're selling.


I have to say. This stuff was extremely different from the Rapha Continental shooting that I've done in the last couple of years. But I did get to see a little bit of a town I've never seen before. I also got to see Mt. Hood a little closer than I have before. Which made me go "holy shit that is amazing" about thirty times...

So, I leave you with this...

091: So, You're a Photographer Now?

I got to spend some time with Chris Milliman (check out his new website) this past weekend. He was in town to do some shooting for a new brand of bicycles and asked me to help out. So I got to be a male model for the morning. Yikes. But, enough about that. Check out Milliman's CBS t-shirt (which also looks to be a new website).

It is a good time to watch a guy like Milliman go to work. One can tell that he's always playing with the whole mise-en-scene of each situation. How the light, rider, bike, scenario affect each individual shot. We spent a good amount of time in Forest Park looking for the right angles. I have to say, if there was somewhere to shoot a bicycle, this park is it. The mossy overgrowth made the perfect backdrop for this orange beauty.


Chris also carries a pretty amazing arsenal of cool cameras with him that would, and should make anyone jealous. My favorite is the Clack. Which incidentally also means "cycling cap" in Flemish. But I think it is spelled "klack" there. Photographers are a strange breed I have to say, and some day I hope to be one. Sigh. One can dream though? Can't one?

Moving on.
The whole shoot was film. None of this fancy digi stuff that everyone is touting these days. I didn't get to see all of the Beloved bicycles, but the two that I saw looked great. You know what else looked great....


While we were out shooting we ran into Hott Sam as well. You may recall that both Hott Sam and Chris Milliman have been featured in the same blog post before. Trust me when I say that it was controversial in a way I've never seen. Probably because Sam is so Hott? And Controversial.
I would say that he sparks conversation he's so hot. But that isn't true. He sparks straight up fires in the hearts of all that see him. Now that's controversial (for those of you who don't know, this is a little writing technique I like to call hyperbole).

Although I have to give credit where credit is due. Sam was part of what we like to call "The Original Three." Sacha White and Tony Kick made up the other two thirds and were the founders of a group of cyclists that have come to call themselves the Gentle Lovers. See, I'm starting to get the local folklore down...

That's his Gang Sign For Hott.

Sam and I talked a lot about his Male Modeling Lifestyle. It is pretty extensive. And pretty. And I say "lifestyle" because that is what it is. You'll know when he is ready to turn it into a career. Because it will drop like an atomic bomb. Until then he's probably just going to keep turning his life into art and art into his life. That and drinking good beer.

It was good to see you Sam. And I'm glad that everyone wore red.

090: Embrocation Technique — Joe Staples

Previously we've seen our man Steve Francisco and his embrocation application technique. Very good, very purposeful and very heavy on the sheen angle. Great Job!

Well, this has got me to thinking and instantly a few question popped into my head. How do other people do it? Is there a right way to go about applying embrocation to your legs?

I started asking around. Who would know? Of course I got the first person I asked, because I only asked the best. The PRO-est of the PRO. This guy is so PRO that no one has even seen him race a bicycle. I always thought this was because he was so far off the front. Heading into the sunset for that "only one in the photo" effect. Which would be good.

In any case this time it is Joe Staples and instead of the Team Edition he is showing us with the brand new Mango Love Embrocation. I'll recap at the other end. You just watch.



That was quick, now let us recap.

1) Don't mind the chickens, they're loud and they live behind the office.

2) Smell it. This is part of the experience too. Equate it to your morning coffee. Make it a part of your routine.

3) Never cross paths. No chamois cream on the legs, no leg balm on the chamois.

4) Remove the embro in a symmetrical pattern. This way when you share with friends they aren't turned off by the "double dipping." Its just for your legs anyway.

5) Warm it with your hands first.

6) Start with the tendons. I like this one because he's right. They do take longer to warm up.

7) Live out your Frank Vandenbroucke fantasies. As we all should. Model girlfriends, a rock and roll lifestyle. Just don't call all Pantani on us. Why? Because comebacks are awesome, especially when you claim to be T. Boonen.

And that's it really. I know that it sounds like a lot, but figure out your own routine. What works best for you, and then stick to you.

I wonder who else would be good at this sort of thing?

089: Mangocation.

Remember when I came to you and presented you with the Uber Secret embrocation team up with Mad Alchemy and you went nuts for it? Well, that was a while ago and I figured that you needed something new.

And this is that something.

I don't even know where to begin with this one. It is so damn good. I've actually been testing it for a couple of weeks now and it literally turns heads. In fact, when Dan Action said that he liked Embrocations in general because they felt like, and I quote, "20 year old girls are licking my legs," this is the one that he was talking about. He just didn't know it yet.

I can't take all the credit for coming up with this one either. Somewhere along the lines this summer someone mentioned to me that Mango was actually an aphrodisiac and a light bulb went off in my head. That's step one. Now, once that light bulb goes on, and it doesn't happen that often, I start scrambling around thinking "ok, I can see now, what do I do?"

Insert Mango into every part of your daily life? Maybe, but that's not where I'm going with this one.

So, we're riding along on some country roads. Delirious from the hundreds of miles of riding and Dan-o brings up the aforementioned licking scenario. Suddenly thing are getting clearer and I link the two of them together in my brain piece. Bing-Bong. Phase two, completed.

Now enter Steve Francisco into the mix to drop a little bit of that JDK science on your ass and we're off and running. A veritable explosion of the senses this one. Why? And I don't even mind letting you in on the secret here.

Because it smells like summer.

We all know what the spicy embros smell like. The cold weather ones. The ones that make you blanch a little because they're so strong. And those are all well and good and have their place on my legs. However, Mango Love is their long lost cousin. The cousin that just flew in from California and just can't stop calling everyone "Brah," or "Bro" or saying everything is so "Rad."

The (Endless) Summer Solstice happened the other day, and all yoga pants aside, this is going to be a good one.

And, since I designed the label, and I know you're wondering... why the large "IS" in the middle of it. It is simple, and I implore you to remember this one:

Because "Chamois Time IS Tanning Time" and you can quote me on that.

088: Two Videos

I like videos and they're all over the internet these days. People tell me things like "if you want your website to succeed you need to have videos." So, what do I do. I look for cool videos to include on my website. Shit, if that's what the people want, then I'll give the people what they want.

So, back to the matter at hand here. Chris Horner. I have two favorite US Pro Racers (two besides Adam "Jazzy" Myerson) and those are Tim Johnson #1 and Chris Horner #2. It is all because of the Animal Burgers in case you're wondering. Sorry about the broken leg, Chris. But, I'm glad that you're getting a little love from local coverage.

Amazing little cut of this Oregon Live interview. I would love to see the whole thing. Tell us Chris, how many times have you been injured in cycling?

Oh you want to know? Then check out the "interactive" section of the piece at the bottom.

What I really love about this video though is Horner's enthusiasm for his sport. He races bikes because he loves it and wants to be the best at his job. Even if his job means that it "isn't in his contract to win races" he's there to work, to get it done.



The second video was brought to my attention by a good friend and local bike shop mechanic Dave Rose. He was immediately drawn to this character based on his forthcoming book "Meat is for Pussies." Hell, I'm drawn to it too, but maybe more in a novelty sort of way.

NOTE: In all seriousness watch all 5 minutes of this video. It will change your life.

John Joseph New York City Urban Warfare Cro-Mag Training from Polygraph Productions on Vimeo.

I don't really even know what to say about this guy. Besides talk about how amazing he is. Check out the first couple of scenes where we get to see the Cro-Mag lead singer ride around NYC in a Saxo Bank Jersey on Cosmic Carbone's. It is right about at minute 1:00. He's really going for it.
See him dive into that corner, damn!

And his training regime? Dialed.

And if you think you're over training. You're not. Don't let your mind fool you into thinking you need some rest. Seriously. Be the master of your own mind. John Joseph is.

Something tells me that he and BikeSnob hang out. They kick it together and then they kick the snot out of other people together. Then, together with Chuck Norris, they all have a laugh about their exploits together. And then Chuck caves their skulls in with a sneeze or something. It could happen.

So, today, I leave you with this.

a) this is exactly why New York City is awesome. Listen to his voice. Listen to the words that he is speaking directly to you.

b) "you don't always need to be in the gym. Get that out of your head. Its just important to train. And its always good to mix in resistance training with cardio. That's how you become a beast. That's how you become a Cro-Mag."

Because isn't that what we all want anyway?

087: Silky Smooth

This is Aaron Erbeck, damn he looks good with a little mud splatters going on. Good thing that his neck is protected by the scarf. Whew. I was sad that I didn't get to go on this ride, 150 some odd miles on dirt roads. All of it. Check out the photos and video here. Good stuff.

Rapha has put out their June promotion which in celebration of Father's Day is 10% off of any order that contains one of their Silk Scarves. JUNETIES in your shopping cart will get you there.


THE IDEA:
Was Talking to Kyle at Trackosaurus Garrett at MASH and B. Palmer over at Washingmachinepost about this the other day and put it to them: Silk Scarves - A Challenge. Some kind of content with the scarf. You know, for dads, for june, for fun. Keep things moving.

In fact maybe I'll make Fridays Rapha Silk Scarf Days from now on. Send Some Photos over to me here: jeremyddunn@gmail.com and I'll post them next Friday.

So, I didn't get any nudie photos, or anything close, but Kyle and his Dad are hanging out, so that is cool. And Brian found an old photo of John Wayne wearing the Rapha Scarf, can't complain there. Andy Clark over at Competitive Cyclist made it his avatar on Twitter. So that's cool.

I offer you this.

I became the proud owner of one of these puppies right before I left for our little venture into the South. So, I've had some time to test it out in the various elements that our beautiful country has to offer. Just so you know, it held up in all conditions. It helped me class things up when I was feeling a little shabby on the road, it helped to wick sweat from from my neck area when things started to get a little warm out there, and when the BBQ was getting a little out of control, a dab to the corner of the mouth is made that much more enjoyable by this little beauty. (That was a runon sentence, just so you know that I know it.) I think I saw Cole wear it on his wrist once too. And all I could think was Gangstaaa!


Below you will find my preferred method of wear. Its not complicated at all, so I thought I would outline it for you, show you its versatility on and off the bike. Pay no attention to the wrinkles, this is only because I use it all the time.

STEP ONE: Tie the Scarf around your face as if you're going to rob a bank, or do something else dastardly. This helps for a variety of reasons. One, it makes you look tough as hell, if only for a moment. [Side Note: In this fashion, wet it and save babies from burning buildings.] Two, and this is arguably the more important of the two, when you tie it this way and then slide the scarf down it creates some necessary space for step two.


STEP TWO:
Take the pointy end that is hanging down and tuck it up and through. Make sure that the Rapha logo is facing out, so that when it folds over it is still visible. Aren't those little cogs cute?

STEP THREE: Adjust. See, the logo sits facing outward. Very nice. Fold this flap over as many times as you want for a tighter feel. I usually go loose when in riding mode, keeps things a little more breathable. I like the casual look as well.

USES:

This is adjustment part two and it depends on a couple things. First is the intended use. T-shirt is up first. You may notice how good this looks with an Embrocation Cycling Journal T-shirt. You should get one, because this combination is, well...you can see for yourself.

Cycling Jersey.

The cycling jersey is another spot where the silk scarf looks impossibly great. Wick the sweat. Keep a cool breeze out. It is all good. Although I have to say, my style on the bike tends to be a little sloppy (CD and JP keep reminding me of this fact) and I think that my scarf wearing tends to reflect that slop. Someday I'll learn to smooth it all out, but until then I'm just going to keep riding. What you see modeled here is the Rapha Club Jersey.

Dress Shirt.

Not sure what to wear to your next 'function' of sorts? Maybe a dinner date, maybe a meeting with some 'clients' a trip to the cinema? Throw on a silk scarf. Classy it up as they say. The "B.I.G." as in Notorious stood for Business Instead of Game. That's what I'm talking about in this case. Classy it up. I think this is what I'm going to rock for the rest of the day. In case you were wondering I dress up on Fridays when others dress down. How else am I supposed to head straight to club after work? You tell me.

Beachwear.

This one kind of explains itself really. Think old timey body builder (not me of course, but you get the idea) remember the shots of dudes in the bathing suits that look like singlets, or maybe even bib shorts? And if you're always wearing a sweater, like I am, the scarf does a good job of drawing attention away from that area. Maybe?

IN CONCLUSION:
The Rapha Silk Scarf can help you dress for any occasion that life may throw at you. Hopefully, life throws you lots of occasions. Cycling Ones, fine dining, cinematic and otherwise. Ok, now back to business. Stay tuned this weekend (which I know that no one actually does) because there is a lot of...well, Summer in the air. Good things to come.

Remember to send over photos of your Silk Scarf for SSF. That's Silk Scarf Fridays.

086: Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday!!

I found this taped to the bathroom wall over at Veloshop. Eddy, let me tell you friend, you are looking good. Lets talk about his style here for a moment. I love the fact that he's lying in the sand in a long sleeved shirt. Hold that, not just a long shirt, but also long pants, and to top it off White Socks with his loafers. And the best part is that it isn't even a cool-weather beach shot, which I could understand. Check out the couple behind him. Amazingness.

Sold Out!!

Veloshop. That's the other thing that I wanted to talk about today. They are located in Sunny Portland, OR (211 SW 9th Ave). And I just learned from Cammy over there that they SOLD OUT!! She had to actually call up my man James and order more because they couldn't keep them in stock. Success!

Embrocation Volume One!

I also learned, in case you're wondering... that Cascade Cycling (122 N Killingsworth St) over in North Portland actually has a stack of Embrocation Volume One. Wha! It just keeps getting better because those have been sold out through us for weeks, nay, months now. AND they're selling them for $15 a piece to try and get rid of them. Maybe what they don't know is that a couple of them sold on Ebay a while back for over $60. Ok, it was one, but whatever.


This is Dave. He and Dan run the shit over there, so stop in and say hi to them. Hopefully, when you stop in there, because you will stop in there, Little Fox will be in there too. So, ask Dave if you can see his tattoo of Little Fox and I'm sure he'll make you a deal and sell you two Embrocations for $30. What a steal. Check it out.

085: Macrophenomenal

I'm a fan of books, and at one time I was also a really big fan of PRO Basketball. However, the fantasy of actually becoming an NBA player passed my Sophomore year of high school when I realized that I was going to miss a Weezer concert for a JV game against Darlington High School.

Come on. Pinkerton had just come out. They were hot, give me a break. But it was my understanding that never again would basketball interfere with something like that in my life. That is until I found this book, and now it has interfered with my life again. I've bought it for other people, I've read it when I should be working...


Anyway, the book was written by a bunch of guys with fake names that pen a Basketball blog called Free Darko. Which, I have to say is a pretty good blog. I don't actually know why its that good, but it is. Maybe, simply, because it is updated on a regular basis, which apparently is the new standard for good blogs. Or maybe because the information contained within is so deep and nerdy that you simply have to be in the know to get it? - I'm not- But, either way, there is something there that I don't fully understand yet I'm drawn to all the same.

The book that they put out The Macrophenomenal Pro Basketball Almanac: Styles, Stats and Stars in Today's Game happens to be pretty damn amazing. And very understandable.*


Written in a style that is part textbook and part irreverent to the whole idea of textbooks, the book reads like a charm.

Chapters run the gamut from things like "Master Builders" (Kobe, LeBron, KG, and Tim Duncan(??) to "People's Champs" (Rasheed Wallace, Yao Ming) and even the hillariously named "Phenomenal Tumors" (Ron Artest, Stephon Marbury)...amazing. Each player comes with their own playing style guide as well as a short chart with their stats and Spirit Animal**...below is Ron Artest.


The stats that are displayed are simply astonding as well. Their humorus take on everything provides a vehicle of delivery that almost sneaks by while at the same time teaching you something about this sport...

And this is what I learned and how it applies to cycling:
-Its not always about Jordan.
-Everyone has their own individual styles. Especially the PRO's. Even if this style involves punching fans...see Ron Artest or Bernard Hinault.
-All the stats are important.


But, at the same time that this book is informative it is also striking in its delivery. The design and flow of the book is so impeccable that you can't put it down. Not only would this book be in good company standing next to any textbook out there (I would place it in either my Anthropology, or Social Studies Libraries***) but it could, and should be found alongside some of the best designed books around.


* Yeah BKW!
** My spirit animal is a Goat.
*** I don't have a library.

084: Getting There.

I found this image as I'm readying files and sending them off for Embrocation Volume4. I didn't take this photo but I've thought at lot about it at this point.

Always forward.

083: Alter

Taken Brick Lane Bike Shop, London.

082: Our Man Fran: Two Videos

I don't know if you, dearest readers, remember our good friend Steve Francisco? Well, Fran and I got to spend a lot of time on the road recently. While on this crazy adventure across the country I noticed a good number of things about our man Fran.


1) he calls his wife and kids everyday and talks about them non-stop. In fact, Ben and I took to calling him Worlds Greatest Dad from the back of the van. He even had a special space-age hook up for his laptop that would let him skype from the road. The Future?

1.5) he rides a sweet Seven. And a sweet Giant for that matter.



2) Steve runs the shit over at JDK. And while those fools may make fun of him behind his back for shaving his legs, drinking coffee, and then prancing around in the "spando" or "dex." But they obviously haven't had their legs literally torn off by him. I have. It hurts. Especially when he turns on you with said legs and pummels you about the head and neck with them...but that's another story...

3) The best part about Franny is that he knows what's up with the PROgram.


I have two videos for you that are examples of this. The first one, and I argue the more important of the two, is about the application of embrocation. The thing that stands out for me here is his actual application PROcess. Pay heed that his choice of embrocation can be found at the Embrocation Cycling Journal Store. I use the video below to not only illustrate the techniques, but also to let you know that next to the Russian Tea, this is my favorite Mad Alchemy product.**

Video #1

Recap:
-start with the sunblock. SPF4 works good. I guess. If you want some pro tan lines. Which I think you do.
-cover legs lightly with a smattering of embrocation. think: cat's tongue gently licking at your extremities.
-work it in to your legs, massage any areas that might be tender or sore from your previous days riding.
-repeat.


Video #2
The PRO way to utilize the vents in your helmet.
Watch.

Couple Things to note:
-Glasses go on the outside of the helmet straps. Justin Spinelli told this to me over and over the last time I rode with him. I don't know what it is, but I can't do it. They have to go on the inside or it just doesn't feel right. Just sayin.

- Would also like to note the Icehouse Football in the background. You only get to see it for a second or two, but damn if it isn't worth it. Yes, we were in West Virginia.

Thanks to Steve for his help with these videos.

** But the embrocation is almost as good as the stuff we just teamed up to create. Wait for it. Seriously its that good.

081: Eats

Tony Pereira put this up on his Flickr account today. Pretty awesome I have to say. Especially the card in the middle.

And now I'm starving, so thanks for that.

080: Passo de Larch

Rode the aptly dubbed Il Passo di Larch Friday in tribute to Sir Andy Hampsten and his legendary ride over the Gavia in something like 1988. He attacked. The elements attacked back covering everyone in snow and ice and he was the first over the top. He got second on the day, but secured his status as legendary when he went on to win the Giro that year and cement himself as the first American to win the race.

Bing.
Pretty Bad Ass if you ask me.

Which, apparently is why Slate Olson and Rapha organize a group ride each year to mark this momentous occasion.



So, with that it was up to the snow line. The ride ended up being something like 80-85 miles and the road did definitely head right up into the snow. With the warm summer here in Oregon the ride lasted something like 5 miles further than it did the year before. Who knows, maybe by next year we'll be able to get all the way to the top?