Live from New York City!
Big up from The Big Apple!
I got here Monday night after a 3 hour delay due to fucking hail at JFK. Hail! And lightning! So gnarly. I was super bummed. I hate airplanes.
But the following morning I hooked up with my man Diego here and we went up on his roof to partake of some crucial Sour Diesel, which really lifted my spirits.
We went for a walk around the LES and I spotted this mural I designed many years ago for my friends at Missbehave. It was painted by Collosal Media. I'm really glad it's still here.
That afternoon Diego and I walked over the Williamsburg Bridge to his rented garage so that we could pick up some bikes and go for a ride. Diego's been riding this really beautiful vintage BSA bicycle. Super rare. He put a lot of time and effort into getting it road-worthy again and I think it really shows.
This bike is packed with awesome details. Check out the headbadge! Did you know that most early bicycle manufacturers also made guns?
BSA pedals?
It's even got the original chainring and cotter-pin cranks.
I thought the Brooks saddle with the tool bag was a nice touch too. Great build, homie!
He let me test drive his most recent build, this Atala.
Another sweet vintage ride.
Both bikes are rolling on old Bendix 2-speed coaster brake hubs. After I got used to it, I really liked it. It was cool to be able to shift by popping the brake like a clutch. And I'm already a big fan of coaster brakes. Don't get me wrong, I love my fixed gears. But I love to coast too!
I've been bouncing around meeting with old friends and making new ones. The spirit of this city has changed a lot since I lived here in '99 but it's still full of New Yorkers. They're pretty fuckin' timeless. I love 'em!
I'll be here until the 20th. More adventures to follow!