@pa_randonneurs Ronde Van White Clay 200k ride report: yesterday was my first 200k since 2024 and it was a doozy! The day started off chilly and foggy at the Chamounix Hostel but it was amazing to see so many at the start line. Pat says there were almost 60 riders! So many familiar faces and guest appearances from the NY squad. As we rolled out southish from the city we hopped through suburbs as the day warmed up. Spirits were high and we were moving QUICK as the hills hadn’t really taken effect just yet. We passed through beautiful Ridley Creek and then eventually into White Clay Creek (my old home in Newark!). It was awesome passing through my old haunts and my old routes also (now I’m old though). The rolling hills were a constant but a few nicely spaced controles helped us pace ourselves. As we rolled through country roads and gravel paths we made our way back through PA MD and DE back towards the direction of home. I ran out of gas at mile 110 or so but @erik.wrong gave me two boiled potatoes that fueled my recovery. Ending at the hostel to applause (they clapped for everyone, thank you PA rando for the confidence boost) I was feeling amazing. My fastest 200k to date thanks to the wonderful company of Erik Maria Nick Owen Jasen David and many others along the way. Thank you @hot_and_beleaguered for these photos of a very Easter themed rice crispy from @bicyclesociety that was spectacular. Thank you to @katesparacio for organizing and @dblayman for getting everyone stoked on rando.
I have no plans on doing the series but this ride reminded me of how much I love Rando. Perhaps this year I’ll do the 300k? Or just stick to the fun ones 🫠
I (Zack) have had a minor obsession with @rivbike for years. I used to own a Bridgestone RB-1 and found myself digging around on old forums and learning about Grant Petersen and his ethos around bikes: bikes should be for having fun and enjoying life and they should also look good. Not every ride is about going fast or going far, but if you don’t have a smile on your face you might be doing it wrong.
Fast forward a few years and I have spent a lot of time thinking about bikes, helping design many custom bikes for other folks, and spending a ton of time tinkering on my own. I love to go fast or go far on my Belmont or my @wilde.bikes but forgot that sometimes it’s just about looking at the scenery and having a nice time. I figured it was time to build a Riv.
I had a pile of vintage parts and stuff I saved from previous builds I knew would be for an eventual Riv. Some @paulcomponent cantis, vintage XT 7sp bits, TA cranks, @schwalbetires , and even called up @creepingdeth for an American Classic seatpost (they also provided the smiley sticker which is fitting since they’re the real reason I built this bike). Built some wheels with @velocityusa and added some fun brass accent nipples. Even had an old Sackville bag from @bicyclebertie !
Anyway, I’m looking forward to spring rides with friends and having coffee and loving life. See you out there!
Had a few really fun bike rides this year. @ultraromance shot these photos at the Spring Fling earlier this year, my first time riding in Nutmeg Country and holy shit was it beautiful.
Can’t believe it but Ryan is leaving Philadelphia for rainier pastures out in the Pacific Northwest. We’ve had lots of great times over the years and according to my phone I have almost 1000 pics of them in varying degrees of incriminating. Lots of fun bike rides, coffee outsides, camping trips, and silly times working at the bicycle store together. Sad to see them go but lots of new stuff on the horizon for them, and it will give me an excuse to visit and ride bikes in the Cascade mountains. Thanks for getting me to play Baulders Gate 3, you rogue.
Nutmeg Nor’easter was an absolutely lovely time. The autumn leaves were in full effect in New England and we spent the day cruising on country roads and navigating the chunky double track trails on both sides of the Connecticut River. Highlights include the ferry (and spooky castle), a cider stop at legendary @jpweigle house and workshop, and seeing the assembled Nutmeg enthusiasts from near and far sniff tires and ride bikes together.
Thank you to @ronsbikes and @badd_buddhist for organizing an amazing event and showing us your beautiful corner of the East Coast. Thanks to @creepingdeth@bdalik@michaelreali for a wonderful time out there crunching leaves
Here are some film shots @creepingdeth snagged on @mountaincat100 earlier this summer. I haven’t done nearly as much riding this summer as I wanted to but doing 100 miles on the mountain bike in beautiful Richmond with Ryan was definitely the highlight. Next year I’m coming back better prepared to eat 100 hot dogs and several gallons of Baja Blast.
I put a roll of black and white through my Yashika a while back and forgot to develop it. Here are some veriticle shots. Thanks @cj_arayata for making them alive I owe you a thousand dollars or whatever it costs to get film done nowadays
Last week was our annual trip to Cape Henlopen. A beautiful ferry ride from Cape May, riding our bikes to the beach and camping out. Very special part of the world and grateful to get to see it, especially by bike with all my friends. I promise @fatuncleanlady was there but I didn’t get him on video
My personal photographer @creepingdeth captured these photos from last night at the last @belmont_trails race of the year. Didn’t get out to as many as I wanted to but I’m so grateful for this stinky patch of woods we call home. Also grateful Ryan made me look like a cool mountain biker and not someone’s who’s scared of off camber logovers
