The Radavist

I’m still filing through all of my film photos from the 2013 ATOC but wanted to share with you a few showcasing Garrett Chow and his own FEA-inspired Specialized Venge. Without going too much into what an FEA model is, or Finite Element Analysis, I’ll give you a basic rundown. In a 3D software like Solidworks, an FEA charts the areas of high-stress or load. FEA readouts are essential when prototyping a new frame or component. They allow the designer and the engineer to address areas of high stress.

On a bicycle, these areas tend to be in the bottom bracket, seat mast or seat tube extension and the end of the forks. Garrett used the FEA diagram to become a literal paint sceme on his bike. Some areas have clear lines of demarcation, while others are almost faded into each other. It’s a truly incredible paintjob and the whole time we were walking around the San Jose stage of the ATOC, people were literally picking their jaws up off the ground.

I shot a few portrait-style photos with Garrett on his bike and maybe one day I’ll end up shooting it in more depth, but for now, check out a few more below.

Tools of the trade:
Mamiya 7ii / 80mm
Kodak Portra 400

Andrew Low has been working on a prototype track frame unlike any of his other bikes. These frames are simply put: team-edition racing machines. Some details are consistant with his other bikes, while others are not. Marc’s LOW is one of four in existence, being raced by Team Chica Sexy in SF. The geometry is true track, with steep angles, a short wheelbase and an aggressive saddle to bar drop. You can barely see the compact geometry in these photos but the top tube does indeed slope back.

Marc brought this bike out one of the last days I was in SF so I could shoot photos of it and from what I can tell over on the LOW Instagram, these are getting closer to production…

Tools of the trade:
Mamiya 7ii / 80mm
Kodak Portra 400

Well, not that kinda jamming.

I’ve been very fortunate every time I’ve been to LA, only because I have the best friends there. Friends who are the best ride guides and of course, own the best bike shop in LA (I mean the best bar in Silverlake). Tracko took me on one of the best cross rides I’ve been on in Los Angeles the last time I was in town. Parts of it were very LA, while other sections felt like Austin and some even reminded me (mostly smelled like) Australia. We got to fuck around a bit on tech sections, avoid dog walkers, took a few spills and hammered it home just in time for lunch. Los Angeles really does have some of the best bike riding in the country…

We totalled 48 miles and around 3,600′ of elevation but who gives a shit about the numbers with trails like this. See for yourself below!

Tools of the trade:
Yashica t4
Fuji Pro 400H

I don’t need to write some clever dialoge about how people love their local coffee shops. Since moving to Austin, the coffee options have grown considerably and one of the first people I met in Austin who really got coffee was Matty B.

For the past few months, he and Sterling have been working on Flat Track Coffee. They went from delivering beans to businesses and selling to individuals directly, to opening a small shop in Austin’s East Side. It’s literally three blocks from my house and has become a post-ride staple, as well as an afternoon pick me up.

Follow these guys on Instagram for some rad bike photos and check out some photos I shot in the Gallery!

Flat Track Coffee
913 E Cesar Chavez
Austin, TX, 78702
Open daily…

Tools of the trade:
Leica M7
Zeiss T* f2.8 28mm
Fuji Neopan 400

As I travel more each month, the time I spend at home in Austin is really precious. I’ve been really enjoying the Mamiya, shooting portraits and some of the randomness that I come across. I was going to find some more meaningful way to display these photos, with some theme of “weekends” but I’m too tired from this weekend’s activities…

I hope your weekend was rad and I hope you enjoy!

Tools of the trade:
Mamiya 7ii / 80mm
Kodak Portra 400

Sometimes, the simplest changes in a bike’s setup can really enhance the ride. Take my Sword. Sure, it looked mean as hell with drops but I swapped them out for those Budnitz Ti sweep bars and plugged on a Cetma rack. It’s the perfect photo bike, with the aid of the Tanner Goods Field Camera Bag… Check out a few more photos below.

Tools of the trade:
Mamiya 7ii / 80mm
Kodak Portra 400

Late last summer, a group of cyclists got together in Northern California with Giro to try out their New Road cycling line. While there, I was told to not worry about shooting photos but I still did. Some of which made it to their ad campaign, others made it into my hoard drive where they sat for months.

With the New Road line out now, I can post these and what better time than a Friday afternoon. I’m back in Cali on Monday and I can’t wait, especially after looking through these photos again.

Tools of the trade:
Yashica T4
Fuji Neopan 400 / Fuji 400 ProH

It’s the sort of tale that is the segue into a horror movie. A few mates take to the ‘Strayan wood to celebrate one of them turning forty years young. They don’t have a support car, one (ok two) of them has a camera and all hell breaks loose. Right? Well, not hardly. No hell broke loose, no hillbillies made us squeal like pigs and no thirty foot crock ate our tour guide.

In fact, we all made it out unscathed, including my film…

Tools of the trade:
Yashica T4
Fuji Neopan 400

Previously:
MelburnOut: Shifter Dan’s 40th Birthday Bush Bash Day 02
MelburnOut: Shifter Dan’s 40th Birthday Bush Bash Day 01