We didn't even give Eric Benson a week to decompress after the 2018 Eroica California ride, before inviting him to join us to recap the event and talk about the L'Eroica event series worldwide and the concept of vintage bike rides. As he put it, "the beauty is in the fatigue," right?  From the pictures we've seen of the scenery along the routes and the incredible vintage bikes that turn out, the Eroica California is a ride that deserves to be on everyone's bucket list!  As Eric mentions, there are multiple ride length options with stops along the way serving wine and homemade whole food options for riders. They also hold a festival serving a large meal and host vintage bike exhibitors for you to peruse bikes and bike parts from the era. What a fun celebration of the machines that we all love so much. Check out the 2018 ride and keep tabs on the 2019 announcements at their website: https://www.eroicacalifornia.com/. You can also give them a follow on Instagram at: @eroica_california for some beautiful photos of the event.

Ep: 33 - Eric Benson - Eroica California

Celebrating the people, stories and events in the world of bicycling.

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"Life by Bike"Thomas Porter taught himself basic bicycle mechanics by scavenging bikes out of the metal pile at the local transfer station, taking them apart and reassembling them (sometimes with new paint or as singlespeeds) for himself and his friends. Coupling that passion with his metalworking experience gathered at art school and working as a metal fabricator, he officially opened doors on a bike framebuilding practice when he started Porter Cycles in 2010. We were fortunate to see his handy work firsthand at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show, and the mountain bike/urban utility vehicle at his booth immediately jumped out as one of our personal favorite bikes of the show. It is not often you see a frame based on a 26-inch wheel platform built up with a generator hub and light, fenders and an incredible plated front and rear rack system. Tom's artistry shined through in details like the removable and interchangeable low-rider pannier assemblies that could be switched from the front rack to the rear rack. Just an all-around solid bike crying for adventure, in an eye catching blue pearl paint and adorned with the signature Porter Cycles head badge.He has built fixies, mountain bikes, cargo bikes and as we caught up with him, the was putting the finishing touches on a very special mixte for his mother. All bikes produced to the highest standards, designed and built to each rider's individual needs.  Do yourself a favor and take a look at the signature curved seat tubes, the talon stems and the logo stamped brass dust caps that he's made. We had a great time talking with Tom about his process, and we're super excited to see him start ramping up bike production and get more badass Porter Cycles out in the wild.IG: @portercycles

Ep: 42 - Thomas Porter - Porter Cycles | Building Custom Handmade Bicycles in Brooklyn, NY

Phil Harwood is a bicycle painter at Alchemy Bicycles in Denver, Colorado. We talked to Phil about how his experiences as a bike messenger in Boston and as a painter's assistant and mechanic in the Independent Fabrications shop in NH have prepared him for the current challenge of painting high-end titanium and carbon frames with Alchemy Bicycles. Phil offers insights about the multiple processes that each frame undergoes during the painting process and the level of care that is paid to each frame to assure a durable and sharp-looking finish. Additionally, we hear about Phil's experience building his own carbon bike from the ground up, starting with rolls of carbon fiber and making the tubes that make up the frame. Make sure you check out the Alchemy Arktos full-suspension carbon mountain bikes that are changing people's expectations of how good a full suspension bike can look. Phil can be found on Instagram at: @philipharwood. Alchemy Bicycles can be found at: @alchemybicycles. Other Topics Discussed: Independent Fabrications, Chris Rowe, ENVE, Serotta,

Ep: 41 - Phil Harwood - Alchemy Bicycles: Painting Bikes & Carbon Bicycle Construction

Modern Components With A Classic Aesthetic.A beautiful thing happens when avid cyclists draw from their experiences to create bicycle frames, components and accessories and Igor and Adrian of Velo Orange have not only done that, but they've knocked it out of the park.  Velo Orange began in 2006 as a U.S. based importer of new old stock components from Europe, but once those supplies ran out they turned to manufacturers to create their own line of parts for the bicycles that they wanted to be riding. While probably best known for their fenders, racks and handlebars, the current line up of Velo Orange components features an impressively wide array of other parts as well, ranging from cranksets to headsets and from brakes to leather saddles, offering virtually everything you need for your build. In addition to the clean and classic polished silver finish, many parts are now being offered in a dark "noir" finish as well to suit the vision of your build. Velo Orange also carries a small family of versatile and well-designed framesets that showcase a commitment to the classic aesthetic while simultaneously taking advantage of modern technology where appropriate. The Piolet, a bikepacking inspired frame, is an example of how Velo Orange continues to embrace the wide-tire, adventure cycling movement. But if braze-ons and disc brakes aren't your thing, there is the more traditional Campeur touring frame with cantilever brakes and clearance for 700c x 38mm tires with fenders. Check out all the goods at https://velo-orange.com/ and make sure to check out their blog too. It's always abound with creative, thought provoking articles about bike builds, how-to's, new product announcements and of course jaw-dropping photos.

Ep: 40 - Igor Shteynbuk - Velo Orange

If you like getting lost for multiple hours and having to back track to get on-route then you may want to skip this podcast! Otherwise, if you're into using an ever-evolving software program that works on your Android, Apple, Garmin or Wahoo to plan and follow routes, then Kevin Prentice is about to be your new favorite person! Ride with GPS was established over ten years ago and has grown into one of the most trusted and reliable navigation programs for individuals, event organizers and tourism organizations alike.  It has never been easier for you to share routes with participants through your Ride with GPS account, so all they have to do is download and go. No more route signage or paper cue sheets for you to worry about on event day. Don't take it from me, have a listen to Kevin as he shares a couple of boots-on-the-ground stories about how events like Land Run and websites like Cycle Cal Coast.com have partnered with Ride with GPS to keep their event running smoothly and to keep their riders smiling. Other businesses like Swift Industries and Bikepacking.com have recently embedded maps (powered by Ride with GPS) into their websites so people in their communities can more easily find and share routes. 

Ep: 39 - Kevin Prentice - Ride with GPS

Our guests this episode extend an open invite to you to go bike camping on June 23rd! Martina Brimmer is the master problem-solver and punk rock aficionado behind the Seattle Washington based Swift Industries. In addition to the daily business of making great bike bags and apparel, Martina's experience at cooperative bike shops in college provided invaluable perspective on the magic of the community that forms around bikes.  Morgan Taylor is a life-long bike fan from his early days riding freestyle BMX and North Shore mountain biking in his native Vancouver transitioning to adventure based bike camping and exploring. Morgan's role at Swift is to be the heart and soul behind the Swift Campout event - connecting people with others and fueling the bike camping stoke. Don't get hung up on not having the fanciest gear, the nicest bike, or even knowing all the bike jargon. Just throw your gear in a basket or backpack and register on Swiftcampout.com to either find a route that others are riding near you or register your own route. At that point, all that is left to do is take a little bike ride with new friends! It's that easy. You can make the trip as short, as scenic, or as weird as you want. You can travel by paved road to a campground or you can navigate a mountain pass to a remote camp site. Put your pin on the map, let others know that you are participating by using #swiftcampout and have fun! Other topics mentioned or discussed: Friends on Bikes, Prescott College, Adventure Cycling, Warm Showers, WTF Bike Explorers, Path less Pedaled, Grant Petersen.

Ep: 33 - Eric Benson - Eroica California

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