Our friend Steve Monaghan just got back from an epic journey through Malaysia. He was nice enough to send over these pictures but of course forgot the roti. Dick. File under: Creative Reference.

Chuck is one of the first people I met in Minneapolis.  I was in search of a good bike shop and Behind Bars – the shop Chuck owns with his wife Stephanie – had come highly recommended from several sources.  As soon as I walked into the shop, it was obvious that Behind Bars’ reputation was well-deserved.

Things to know about Charles: he has an excellent moustache. he messengered in Minneapolis for ten years before opening his shop a few years ago.  The shop has twice been voted Best Bike Shop in the Twin Cities, no easy feat, considering the quantity and caliber of the other shops.  Behind Bars is a frequent sponsor and stopping point for local alley cats, including the Stupor Bowl, of which Chuck is one of the founding fathers.  He speaks eloquently on the subject in the documentary Down by the Weep Hole: The Story of the Stupor Bowl, premiering at the Bicycle Film Festival in NY next month.

Chuck’s been involved with building up Freeman Transport’s bikes since the beginning, and continues to play an integral role in the project. Not to mention he introduced me to riding snow- and ice-covered mountain bike trails at night, and an urban MTB scene bordering on spectacular: man-made trail systems of rock gardens, teeter totters, jumps made from cars doors.  Almost all of it within riding distance of the Twin Cities.
Chuck and I ride every Wednesday evening now, all year around.  Although lately we’ve been slacking.

Celebrating the 100th year anniversary of the Giro D’italia with a nod to Wolfgang Tillmans and a glass held high to Levi Leipheimer we present you with our Maglia Rosa special shirt. Do you have what it takes to rock the rose? Levi does. Up, Up Levi!!

Born and raised in Butte, Montana, (even though some are lead to believe he’s from California) we know where Levi’s heart still lives. As we are gearing up for the Giro D’italia we are hoping Levi stomps it as his time has come. Here are some pics we found (stole). Here we go LEVI!!! (insert cowbell)

*Note Armstrong working for Levi!!

*Oh how we miss Virenque.

In 1976 Bill Bliss wanted to be a part of the BikeCentennial (now Adventure Cycling) bike ride across the country with his family. His two young daughters were only seven and nine years old at the time, so he had a triple built just for the trip. There probably weren’t that many triples built in the 1970’s, but you gotta figure there were a few. But who knew there were disc brakes at the time. The triple is equipped with both disc and cantilever brakes. The right brake lever controls both disc brakes, and the left lever controls the canti brakes. Takes a lot of power to stop three people all traveling on two wheels. The bike has been donated to Adventure Cycling Association and will be on display at their headquarters in Missoula, Montana.

www.tomrobertsonphoto.com