Introducing 🇯🇲 national champion @llori_the_sharpest
“Upon meeting, Llori I wanted to be introduced to the person, not so much the athlete. I wanted to know what created the athlete, where it all stemmed from or what may’ve been lost in order to gain. We spent hours driving around Kingston. Her mother describing in great detail many parts of their lives and the Jamaican island in general - the 21 families with “the money that never runs out” with none of these families actually being Jamaican. I began to see why so many Jamaican athletes were so driven and motivated. A person with nothing to lose is a dangerous person. As is a person with something to prove.” - @everydayrenegades 🎞️📷
“Cycling culture links us together. Something DFRNT’s mission is to inspire through art and style, to be the bridge between lanes. Whether it’s kids in the city dodging traffic, lost in the mountains ripping trails or competing in the biggest gravel races in the world, we are all riders. Cycling has always catered to tradition. We are not traditional. Something DFRNT is a movement dedicated to shining a light on the overlooked portions of our sport.”
@andrewjackson_ , @boojohnson , @jonaswoodruff_ , @llori_the_sharpest , @joel_kyaviro are the riders of @something_dfrnt - a crew ready to change the face of cycling culture.
Something DFRNT//Thrilla in Manila IV
You can’t outwork this woman. She will train 20 hours a week, shoot and curate the best content, work a full day teaching Pilates and then fly in to hang with us and win the biggest gravel race in the Philippines.
Everywhere we went she was getting recognized just like Boo. She always stays humble and has time for pictures and brings the best energy. She fits in so well with the squad it was an honor to have her on the trip.
Something DFRNT//Thrilla in Manila III
“Still traveling the world and riding bikes with my friends. I left the Philippines with memories I will never forget and a huge respect for the generosity of the people and culture. Won’t ever take this life and experiences for granted.
Thank you to our little family in the Philippines. Couldn’t have done it without you guys showing up giving it 100. Whether it’s Muz Boo and Adrian riding + shooting a whole separate project on their phones 😂. Fyn kicking it making us breakfast. Kiars, Simon, Pat and the Deja Vu Studios crew going above and beyond to make us feel welcomed and comfortable. And most of all the Filipino community for having us in you country ♥️” - Andrew
Something DFRNT//Thrilla in Manila II
@boojohnson brought amazing energy to the trip. He was always the first one up in the morning doing his workouts. He had fans coming up to him everywhere we’d go and remained so humble and appreciative. Always taking time to make someone’s day better with a conversation or giving gifts to locals and street vendors just because.
Boo got food poisoning right before @graveltonph and still knocked out the whole 120km in a monsoon and finished strong without complaining once. He’s truly an inspiration to be better on and off the bike.
Something DFRNT//Thrilla in Manila
Thrilla in Manila was a legendary fight between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. It was the most watched television event in the world at the time. We worked with an all Filipino crew (@deja__vu__studios ) and shot the project predominantly on film as a throwback to the original photos from that time. This is a look book of memories.
We came with an idea to shine a light on Filipino cycling through racing, exploration and community and left with lifelong memories and a real respect for the hospitality and soul of the the Philippines. Salamat 🇵🇭
Special shoutout to @rapha_n_america@rapha_asia@sramroad@bikesandcoffeemanila for all the support.
Something DFRNT is about bringing culture and art into our sport. We hit up the homie @estevanoriol who happens to be an LA legend and worked with @___grotto___ a black owned gallery in DTLA for the release party. All the vendors like @straightupfastfood were LA based. The reception to the film and project has been amazing that you so much to everyone who has reached out. It’s amazing to see the authenticity connecting.
Event by @thule
Film by @rapha
Photos: @estevanoriol
BTS: @brent.waterworth
@andrewjackson_ , @danteyoung__ and @boojohnson have all taken a unique path to cycling. Together, they formed @something_dfrnt - bringing personality, style, and vision to a sport that hasn’t always made space for them.
Gravity tells the story of their collective and individual experiences as cyclists in Los Angeles, showing the breadth and depth of riding in this metropolis.
Head to the link in bio to watch the full film.
