This has FUN written all over it

London branch of Bicycle Film Festival is starting with really good vibes this Wednesday by launch of bicycle inspired art exhibition in Wilkes St gallery. This is unfortunately going to be the only event of BFF i can attend this week as I'll be away in Bristol. Gutted I'm missing the short films and highly attended Spike Jonze (produced) film about BMX legend Matt Hoffman. If you, like me, won't be able to make it either, let's at least have a trailer

ArtCrank party photos

Photostream from a Friday party - it was very enjoyable, some really nice prints on sale for 10 - 20 quid, amazing! Bring more of this to UK, please

Dont forget the ArtCrank party tonight...

For more deets see one of my posts below.
Print by WhiteDuck

Match made in heaven - Brooks x Vans Vault

Brooks England has teamed up with Vans Vault for probably one of their most exciting collaborations of the year. Featuring is a limited edition of Vans shoes – only 1000, alongside a beautifully crafted saddle that comes in limited run of 500. The word about the collaboration has been around since the beginning of the year, but only now you can finally rest your eyes on the finished products. Available in selected dealers of Vans and Brooks from November 2010.

Bike interiors

This has been sent to me by my friend Dreadka. Thanks to all my peeps that are sending me inspirational things and links to good stuff. Keep it up!
More of this interior design beauts HERE

Cute

Sent through by my friend Peter.

This is going to be great

I popped down to Knog launch party in Look mum no hands cafe yesterday and it was really good although I came too late for free beer - judging by the attendance it must have run out hours before I got there. Another great event at this lovely cycle cafe is taking place on 17th of september and it's First-EVER London's ArtCrank bike poster show! Hell yeah!

5th Floor on the road - Eurobike 2010

So as I mentioned in previous post, Angus Sung has not only done great photos of our trip to Germany, he even did a video and awesome video it is.

Rapha x Paul Smith

Beautifully done video and another proof how fashion industry seriously started turning their heads towards cycling, which could be slightly annoying at times (like seeing topshop chicks in cycling pants because asos said its a summer trend) but if something nice comes out of it, why not. I really like this video, apart of slightly lame finish where the cyclists let the old man Paul win. I mean, cute, but really?

Eurobike 2010

Group shot by random french person using Angus Sung's camera (and instructions)
It's been pretty quiet around here of late but I have pretty good excuse and reason that makes up for it. Last weekend I went on the road trip with guys from 5th Floor to visit Eurobike 2010 in Germany. We had quite a blast. It was mainly about bikes and beers, both in equal measure. Ok, maybe a little more about bikes, as Eurobike happens to be the largest bike trade exhibition. But beers was aplenty too.
Here's some pics:
Preparations for the 600 miles/12 hours long journey...

Well worth it tho. Eurobike had really quite a lot to offer from bike innovations and new technologies, clothing to obscure stuff, like the Mondrian bike. I didn't really take much pictures on my film camera, as I know how shitty they would come out. But here's some stuff. Will upload some stuff from my blackberry camera later.



These young mountain bikers were literally killing it.



5th floor guys organized a lake ride and sprint competition that had a huge turn up and it was great fun. The lake Bodensee we arrived to is apparentely biggest in Europe and its fecking beautiful. The water was freezing cold but we braved it anyway.




This guy's bike dates back 1910's. He was pretty proud of it as he was parading it around. Germans you meet on a street like to talk a lot. Just take it as a precaution.

If you wanna see some proper photography documentary of the event, go to Angus Sung's flickr.

Ouch

Babes and wankers

The title of this post is not quite accurate as you don't need to be a babe (or a female for that matter) to be harassed whilst on your bike. But it takes a wanker to harass people on the street. I take my bike everywhere I go, no matter what I'm wearing and gosh, do I have a numerous stories about people holling at me from the passenger seats or even stopping on red light to ask me how much would it be. For what, asshole, FOR WHAT?! is my usual loud answer to which they generally have nothing left to say. Street harassement, especially towards women, has finally become widely recognised and debated issue. Dawn Foster, female cyclist, sick of the unwanted attention has set up a blog 101 Wankers where she pins down places on the map where the incidents happened. My friend Julia and her friends have also started blog Hollaback London with motto "If you can't slap them, snap them!" where girls are encouraged to take photos of drivers and their registration plates and openly ridicule them on internet and calling up their companies (more often than not, the attackers would be van drivers) to complain. If you have a story to share, send it to Julia, I did too and it was very liberating experience.

While on the feminist note, there's an interesting article in Guardian online about the all-male British version of Tour de France - Tour of Britain - looking for a women cyclist to (wait for it) become their podium girls! Alas, it seems that the only way a female cyclist can make her way to this contest is to stand on the podium, looking pretty and kiss the winner. As the tour manager says: "Their role is not to stand there and look pretty by any means; they are there to coordinate the activity that goes on. They will be bringing our VIP dignitaries on the stage, handing the trophies to them to hand to the cyclists, they help the riders to put the presentation jerseys on." Now, that's something that requires a serious skills. What's most depressing is that some female riders go along with it like when Claire Pedrono, winner of Tour Britanny was given the honour of holding the chalkboard with the information on racer's times. Sad.

Hugo Koblet - Pédaleur de Charme

Bring this film to UK!

My good friend Kevin has sent me this link the other day as he saw this movie on a film festival in Switzerland. Unfortunately, my school level german is not sufficient enough to understand a word in this trailer, but it looks like an interesting movie. Hugo Koblet was rather tragic character who is believed to commit suicide at the age of 39 after a successful career both on and off the racing track (the off implies to his tour de force with women, more about him here. I'll try to get my hands on a DVD as soon as it's out and organize a film screening.

Tomorrow is my birthday...

Here's few ideas for those tossing and turning in their beds unable to sleep thinking what could possibly make me happy

Sofus Fransisco handmade straps...

Altura mitts...

Book...

...

Oh and some sort of good waterproof jacket, the weather's getting shitty again.
FANKS! <3 <3 <3

"Barclays Cycle Hire"

There's a great piece on upcoming London's cycle hire in today's Guardian blog. The perspective it takes on Johnson's sell out of public space as a huge piece of advertising in the name of green politics is one definitely worth a thought. Will I try one of the bikes? Sure. Will I cycle on the (barclays blue) cycle superhighways? Nah, thanks.

Read HERE>

Bristol's own bike festival

At the beginning of August, in a few days, in fact, Bristol is hosting its own little bicycle festival called Cyclescreen. Two days full of bicycle films, talks and events sure look like a lot of fun and another reason to get out of stinky London and head for the land outside the city that we all Londoners call countryside. Apologies to all Bristol peeps. YOU KNOW IT'S TRUE.

Link to festival HERE

Revenge of the Spandex

Stolen bike

So it has finally come down on me too. Last week, my bike was stolen in Angel, area, apparently well known for bike thieves, as well as for its wealthy and uncaring residents (hence the thieves). As usually it came in the worst time when i have a lot of travelling and running around and these few days of taking tube and buses have almost brought me on to the verge of nervous breakdown. I am, however, excited to be getting new bike. Always something to be looking forward to with anticipation.

BOBBIN bicycles

Anyone interested in dutch bikes should definitely check out this website. I'm not crazy about bike chic, it's not really my thing, but they definitely account for a nice accessory for those less trafic and more fashion conscious.


http://www.bobbinbicycles.co.uk

Power woman