Off The Front

SEEK | Fred Perry “Cycling” Polo Shirts Autumn/Winter 2011

2011-01-21T21:30:00.000-08:00

Amazing Fred Perry stuff for all of us cyclists or wannabe PRO's out there. Enjoy and thanks to Selectism for putting this out there.

SEEK | Fred Perry “Cycling” Polo Shirts Autumn/Winter 2011

Lust for Levis

2010-11-28T20:29:00.000-08:00

Ok, here is my latest big lust item on the American front. Check this out at Filson.

Too long gone!

2010-11-28T20:17:00.000-08:00

I know its been forever. But I moved, started a new job, bought a house, and have just been crazy busy. But I caught this the other day on DemocracyNow.Org...well worth a watch.

Day Dreaming of ....

2010-07-13T11:01:00.000-07:00

All of us failed to match our dreams of perfection. So I rate us on the basis of our splendid failure to do the impossible.
William Faulkner
(photo from olemiss.edu )

Just surfing around on the inter-webs today and came across this quote. Enjoy!

A New Adventure

2010-06-15T11:20:00.000-07:00

So a major life shift is upon me, my wife, and son. We are officially relocating to the "burbs". San Marcos California to be exact. Pretty much on the Northern most edge of San Diego County. I am not going to lie, this is going to be a big shift in lifestyle for us from our amazing "local" life in Culver City. We are going to miss being able to walk everywhere as well as miss talking to all of our friends and shop owners in downtown. So here is a pic of this sprawling hillside location. (photo from media.point2.com)

Blue Bells

2010-01-29T07:17:00.000-08:00

I hadn't heard of Blue Bell until yesterday. I did a little research, and Blue Bell it appears is the tip top of the Wrangler Jeans range, but with none of the pro bull riding association flavor. Unfortunately, like all good American clothing these days, Blue Bell is only available overseas. Their website's cinematic theme/catalogue is quite unique and worth a look, both for the filmmaking and the clever way the outfits are changed while browsing. Head on over and check it out.

an unusual want

2010-01-05T15:45:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I can't really think of a good reason I "need" this magical set from Boker Knives, but alas I am smitten. Who wouldn't want their own set of knife and fork in a broken in and weathered leather sheath. Perfect for out of doors dining or you could always strap it on your belt and bring it to your local eating spot and blow minds. (either that or they will just think you are armed and dangerous)

For my peeps in NYC

2009-12-09T19:53:00.000-08:00

700 Dollars and an Obsession with films and books

2009-11-23T22:33:00.000-08:00

So surfing around tonight on the inter-web I stumbled across a pic on Dwell's website of a cut-out book. The kind of book you would find a nice revolver or some secret micro film images of a congressman doing things they ought not to with a secretary or congressional page. But low and behold its a book that holds ten smaller books all documenting a movie that Stanley Kubrick never made. I am already saving my nickels and dimes. You might want to as well.

"For Kubrick fanatics this is probably one of the most interesting books (actually ten books tucked into a carved out tome) ever conceived. Of course, I would rather have the actual film, but this meticulously crafted collection shows the remarkable depths to which Kubrick explored the material he would then synthesize into a two to three hour movie experience. It’s not often that you can just be bowled over by someone’s mind, but that is how I feel about Kubrick—here it is on display."

Any Given Sunday? Beer and Fries!

2009-11-17T20:09:00.000-08:00

Not much of a post here, but a friend of mine just posted this little gem of a cartoon/movie on his Facebook page and it got me laughing. However, after the laughs it got me thinking about the real possibility of Cyclocross racing becoming the new Fixed Gear riding. It involves so many of the same things, tattoos, beer, beards, cycling caps, trick bikes, and being dirty. (ok, so maybe those were cheap shots) In all seriousness Cyclocross is an amazing and tough as nails sport that I for one would be glad to go see on any given Sunday. For some seriously insane cross photos go here. PDXCROSS

MOvember Update and Plea for Help

2009-11-15T21:33:00.000-08:00

So far MOvember is going pretty well. I finally broke the hundred dollar mark and got my ticket to a MO party at the Avalon. Most important though is we are raising money for cancer research. On that note if you would like to donate to my cause (and my wife's putting up with me and my mustache) you can click this link to my MOspace.

Thanks in advance.

Travis

Buy These Books

2009-11-15T21:27:00.000-08:00

Ok, so some totally obvious endorsement from me here. In the spirit of transparency I purchased my copies of these books and am in no way getting free schwag (Yet, Hint Hint).

artofmanliness.com http://rulesformyunbornson.tumblr.com/

It's Movember People

2009-11-02T20:35:00.000-08:00

Time to Man Up and start your Mustache growing asap. November 1st (or 2nd in my case) is the day to become clean shaven and sign up at movember.com to grow a mustache for prostate and testicular cancer research. Get out there and do it people. Grow your MO!

Old is the New "New"

2009-10-19T20:54:00.000-07:00

I am finally getting around to one of my favorite UK brands,Old Town Clothing. With the massive resurgence of vintage inspired American Workwear brands making their way into our closets, I suggest taking a look at the amazing offerings from Old Town. They are taking the British Workwear clothing to the next level with amazing pieces made with great fabrics in their Norfolk studio. (photos courtesy Old Town)

2009-10-19T20:22:00.000-07:00

A few pics from my day and my collection. I apologize in advance for overuse of my son Tyler as subject matter.

Mr. Winter

2009-10-09T21:42:00.000-07:00

So today I ran into none other than Mr. Winter. If you are not in the know check out atimetoget and look up the hometown heroes section of ATG's blog. Anyway, out this morning with my son Tyler at our local Starbucks (the only Starbucks I truly like) and Mr. Winter noticed my hickory striped jeans from Stronghold. This sparked a quick introduction and a brief conversation about his latest endeavors which I can only say sound awesome. It is truly nice to meet people like Mr. Winter in La La Land. I can't wait to hang out and talk shop some more.

Jens Voigt is rad!

2009-05-26T08:25:00.000-07:00

removed

camera bag

2009-05-15T21:32:00.000-07:00

So a huge shout out to Nick at "a time to get" for giving me the heads up on the "Camera Bag" app for the iPhone. I got this tasty little application a number of months ago and have been using it ever since. For those of you not in the know, this gem of an app takes your iPhone's camera and turns into any number of vintage formatted types of film. It does everything from 2 1/4" style, to blown out black and white, and the truly amazing Polaroid. Being that I have taught both film and digital photography, it stings just a little to see these great film stocks not being produced any longer in favor of the digital. However, the camera has always been a tool and tools do improve. There is nothing wrong with my digital camera or the pictures it takes, it just lacks those "Happy Accidents" that make art so exciting sometimes. I suppose it is a bit of nostalgia for the myth of "simpler" times that gets me so psyched up about this little app. Although there is always some melancholy associated with nostalgia, I still find myself always looking for items in my life that have the patina of age, or the signs of use, that harken back to when we as human beings had more involvement with our day to day objects and their inner workings than we do now. These little windows into the past allow me, even for just a little while, to feel like I am living in an authentic world.

An update and some new pics

2009-05-15T21:28:00.000-07:00

So I have been motivated to get my shit together and get my blog up and running again. I have decided to really let the blog develop into an array of things that I am into, and not limit it to just cycling related posts. Although, given how much I like bikes, there won't be a lack of bike related info coming your way. So sit back relax and check back often.

ETS

Katie's movie

2009-04-13T21:40:00.001-07:00

Hey there, my friend Katie made a documentary about being car-less in Los Angeles. I can't wait for it to come out. Check out her site if you get a chance.

Carless in LA, Teaser

A Law that should be everywhere

2009-04-13T21:26:00.000-07:00

Here is an interesting proposal in Oregon that utilizes a law on the books in Idaho for a long time.

Bicycles, Rolling Stops, and the Idaho Stop from Spencer Boomhower on Vimeo.

Team Columbia does it again

2009-04-08T21:04:00.000-07:00

Well, this team may just be the team to beat again this year. They pulled out a win at today's Ghent-Welvelgem race in Belgium. Here is a post race video for your enjoyment.

High Road's Wet, Wild Win at Wevelgem from CycleTo on Vimeo.

amazing art video

2009-03-22T19:39:00.001-07:00

MUTO a wall-painted animation by BLU from blu on Vimeo.

Liz Hatch and the Maxim Reebok Challenge

2009-03-20T20:08:00.000-07:00

Pretty funny watching Liz smoke the editor from Maxim. Check the link and watch her punish this guy on a stationary bike.

NYPD Cop gets Fired...errr Resigns?

2009-03-15T20:08:00.001-07:00

Here is a great article by Bikeradar.com that explains a bit of the outcome of the NYPD officer who attacked a cyclist during a NYC Critical Mass ride.

Be careful out there folks...

Tour of California finish

2009-02-23T21:25:00.001-08:00

Well, another edition of the Amgen Tour of California is behind us. The addition of an extra day, an epic climb, and some early bad weather made for a great race to watch. The Versus coverage was a bit spotty at best, but I love Phil, Paul, and Bob so I have to watch when I can. My biggest gripe is VS cutting off the end of stages during live coverage (even when I tivo for 1 hour past) yet finding the time on their channel for Bull Riding when cycling is supposed to be on. But I digress. I went to the final stage of the ATofC with my wife, 8 month old son, and my in-laws. It was a first for my in-laws who happen to live really close to the race finish. The crowds were epic. I have been to every edition of the race so far, and yesterdays crowds were insane. So lets hope the race keeps on getting bigger and bigger. The fans were well behaved for the most part, but I do think that American fans have not yet mastered how to be unique and fun without getting in the way of the racers. I saw a lot of yahoos running around in costume right in the middle of very narrow roads. Bad news for the riders and bad news for the fan if something goes wrong or the person trips or something. Anyway, I took a couple of pics at the finish. The boys went by fast and it was hard to get a good shot with all the yellow chalk dust in the air, and fans with point and shoot cameras trying to get their piece of cycling history. But I managed a couple worth while pics.

Tour of California

2009-02-12T13:36:00.000-08:00

Well it is almost upon us. I can't tell you how excited I am for the next edition of the TofCA. The field is stacked, and the local teams (Read: Domestic) are ready to throw down as well. Landis, Armstrong, Sastre, the Schlecks, Leipheimer, etc. It reads like a TDF lineup for the ages. Lets keep this race coming back.

Get out to a stage if you can!
Watch the coverage on Versus!
Don't paint the roads with anything but chalk (they are really going to crack down on this)
And most of all, go ride!

Team Type 1 "One Shot"

2009-02-04T22:55:00.000-08:00

2009-01-13T20:33:00.000-08:00

So here is some Fixed Gear fun from back in the day. Surprisingly the tricks are pretty close to todays if not exactly the same. Enjoy

An amazing article on Hipsters

2009-01-13T12:40:00.000-08:00

I was reading a thread in the bike forums today that dealt with a "roadie's" hatred of all things fixed gear and hipster. While I am a fan of the fixed gear, I am often at odds with the notion of hipster. Adbusters did an amazing job penetrating the enigma of hipsterdom. Enjoy

Death of Western Civilization

Post Lance Discovery Behind the Scenes

2009-01-12T22:13:00.000-08:00

Well, I was digging through my video files and noticed I had the webisodes from the first season that Discovery had post Lance. I figured since Lance is back I would dig these out of retirement and post some of my favorites. Enjoy

check the vids at fireant

Gary Garay, great artist that I went to school with

2009-01-09T23:21:00.000-08:00

2009-01-09T23:19:00.000-08:00

It's Official

2009-01-09T22:48:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I have succumb to the blogosphere and am now going to attempt to put together this page at regular intervals. You can also find me as "travkat" on Twitter and get more frequent updates. I plan on using this blog to show off my artwork and talk about all things road cycling. I am looking forward to posting some great stuff. Until Then.....