What You missed/ Chicago Tweed

Well it's come and gone. Our first annual tweed ride. Oh what fun you missed! Oct. 10th in Chicago has an average temperature of 62 degrees. Should be the perfect time for tweed right? It would if mother nature didn't hate Chicagoans. What a little @$%%&!
The over night low temp for the Tweed Ride? 29 degrees! I want to thank everyone who came out and gave old mother nature the middle finger.

I love it that so many came out even though it was a blustery Saturday night and I'm sure there were many other options for the evening. Including staying at home and doing nothing.

It was beautiful to meet so many cool people for the first time. I loved how the gathering wasn't a scene or a particular cycling clique. It was a community of people who genuinely love the bicycle Yes that lovely human powered vehicle! Not just fixie, not just spandex, not massholes, just folks in love with the bike. Here are a few shots from the evening.


Does Kate not look like she should be distributing the New York Times? circa 1936?
Extra, Extra! Tax on Booze just passed in the New York legislature... read all about it.



Garth, the definition of cool..


Clare should dress like this every Saturday night.


Even Ryan looked stylish that night. Compare this look:



To his hip spring Uni-Bomber look:


Ryan was also the first Flat tire of the night. Shitty Continental's. Yeah I know. I don't care what the masses think. I think they're shit. Fortunately Bean Came to his rescue.

Way to go Ryan, just stand there and smoke a cigarette. Beans got it.


Laura dresses like this everyday:


Then of course the chilly but cozy after boozing.



What is it about bicycles and PBR? I just don't get it. Great photo however.

Little Taco really wanted to come but Amy Left her BMX bike in Humbolt Park and her style at The Rainbow Shop. Poor little guy, sorry you couldn't make it.

All in all the ride was a success, and we will for sure do it next year.
Damn , I love bikes!

Are you Ready?

It's that time of year, when fall fashions come out of the closet. The cheaper summer wear go's into retirement and for us cyclists it seems, it's dark when you take to the roads in the A.M and Dark when you finally make it home in the evening. Swirling winds are starting up and it really doesn't matter what direction you're riding in, the wind is against you. Being as into bikes as I am, I usually shun the term "biking weather" or "bike season". In my mind there ain't no such thing as bike season.

So to welcome the change in weather, and to get those fabulous fall fashions wrapped around us, I like to welcome one and all to, Lugs first annual Tweed Ride!



For you who are still curious, or who stop me on the street and ask why a tweed ride. It's our way of showing the stylish side of cycling. Sort of a fashion show on wheels. Besides, it's a shitload of fun.

For those not use to this type of ride, here's a few things FYI.

Gloves: the low for the night is projected to be 36 degrees.

Undergarments: I'm fond of bib shorts, besides ass padding you get that cozy feeling underneath.

A metal coffee mug: what you put in it is your business.

Lights: It will be dark, if you don't have any we have a few sets at the shop.

A scarf: so you don't have to always wipe your nose on your sleeve.

A lock or locks: (after party) should be a good time (11pm)
A few bucks: just makes sense...

An empty bladder: we will make a brief park stop. What you do is your call, I won't look.

Dress up: cause that's the whole point.

photocredit/source:Capetom

This just in!
We will end at Corosh 1038 Milwaukee Ave.
Outdoor Fire on the Patio
Outdoor grill
$2 hipster juice (PBR)
$3 Bells Amber draft for those with taste buds

Vittoria's Randonneur

I usually don't feel compelled to write about a product. I figure most things get due praise without my two cents. There's a ton of killer bicycle parts and accessories in the marketplace today, and from all indications plenty of cool stuff coming in the near future.

I built up an old Raleigh Grand Prix, I recently acquired. It started life as a ten speed with pretty shitty Simplex gearing. Most of these seem to have come stock with drop bars, but this one had a factory set of steel cruiser bars. I decided it was best not to change too much of the original stuff and came up with this:


It's still a vintage cruiser, but now it's fixed with a nice Shimano 600 crank and sealed cartridge bottom bracket.
What's I like most about this bike, almost enough to make me want to keep it for myself, is how it rides.
I installed Vittoria Randonneur's after initially installing white CST 700x23 tires. The Vittoria's cost about twice the money. They have a double casing and heavy wire bead which makes most tires pretty fucking hefty. I'm a stickler for tires having low rolling resistance. I'm not the fastest guy out there and don't need a sluggish tire slowing me down even more. Even though the tire is fat at 28c it's still pretty fast. The weight doesn't hold these tires back one bit. The best part about them...they ride like butter. They max out at 85psi which keeps them fairly soft. You could ride on these for many hours in real comfort. I got caught in the rain with them and one thing I noticed was how well they dispense water when rolling. Lot's of road and almost all race tread tires just kind of get wet and ride on top of water. With automobile tires they call it Hydroplaning. The double casing will also save you a few bucks on tubes as they have superior flat protection for this type tire.
If you're planning on commuting this winter, (i sincerely hope you are) this would be a good all season tire to install. I know they come in black, but not sure about any other colors. Trust me your ass will thank you.

They're kinda cool lookin too.

Things of Late

The Renegade Craft Fair came to our town recently. It's one of the only street fair type events that I ever attend. I find most of them boring. I also think paying the suggested donation is bullshit. I'm also no fan of Miller Lite and it's twin Bud, which seems to be the preferred offering at most street fairs. Alas however Renegade seems a bit different. (there is still cheap beer however).

While browsing the marketplace I noticed something completely different from last years fair. No one was selling bicycle top tube covers. NOT ONE! I ranted about this early this year. It always seemed like a dorky idea to me. Yet, last years festival had hundreds of pads to choose from. Hopefully those of you who no longer use them can recycle that inner foam or use it for it's intended purpose, covering pipes. I have some sweaty water pipe in back of the shop and would welcome your donation. Thank you Renegade for keeping pace with trends. (and giving us all, hot ladies to check out)


With that fulfilled prediction now in the record books, I'm going out on a weak limb here for my next psychic vision. THE END of COLORED DEEP-Vs!



Enough already. These have gotten way out of control. I know you say, deep is stronger and better for the street. Possibly, yes. But all these wheels to match seats and hipster sneaker colors is just tired. Sure some of the plain colors will remain, silver, black, white. But neon anything? No way. Checkered, snakeskin? Hell no! Also, if you're gonna have a front brake? Please get a machined wheel! Rubber on powdercoat does not work and looks horrid. Last year we had people coming in asking for wheels by color. Never once asking about hubs, build quality, spoke tension or thickness. Just, "do you got any yellow deep-Vs?" I've already seen ads on craigslist for guy's wanting to sell or trade one color for another. "I need to sell these cause I changed my Oury grips to blue." Silly Hipster.

These are limited edition wheels. Only 55 pairs being made. Why limited edition? Because they will be out of style before the UPS man gets them to your door. Sucka.


Oh you colored wheels, we hardly knew ye.

It's Time!

I was having dinner with a friend Thursday night. It was 66 degrees out that evening and we were riding west on Division st. There were people still sitting outside, eating and drinking. I love summer but I have to admit, It's hard to beat a perfect autumn evening. I was wearing a light sweater buttons opened and catching the cool breeze of the evening. Then it hit me. What haven't I done to take advantage of the season? Unlike Critical Mass. What could be done to show non-cyclists just how sweet and beautiful cycling is. My answer?
Tweed Run!






So , here's your opportunity to get all dressed up. Show those Yuppies and other Philistines, that their Range Rovers are classless Shitboxes. Cause you're rinding in the...

Tour de Franzia!


So get your tweed riding wear together and join us Oct, 10Th. 8pm. Starting and ending location TBA. This should kick start the fall riding season. You don't want to miss it.

Need help, Changes, Thoughts from You

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I often look at the Chicago area bike commuters. I'm so impressed at the increasing number of cyclists. It's cool to see people from all walks of life pedaling up the avenues. It doesn't matter what their riding. The fact that their out in force every day, makes it a beautiful thing. I saw a Facebook post from Brianna yesterday. Went something like: i feel like crap and i hate cars!!! why the fuck u wanna hit me assholes!

Frustration for sure. It's not an easy feeling when a 6000 lb vehicle is rolling up behind you, it's engine revving way too high to have a civilized person behind the wheel. What really got to me about Brianna's post was one of the replies: i hate bike riders who ride in the street like its fucking 1920s get with it fuckers. ill hit a fool.

What a shithead thing to post. The first thing Brianna should do is de-list the mofo as a Facebook friend. Probably thought he was being funny. Not! Many people have forgotten that driving a car is a privilege not a right. You're not cool and you don't actually own the fucking road.

While I don't really hate cars, it's this kind of attitude that makes me furious. It's my belief that someone dumb enough to make a statement like that should have their privilege revoked. Let them sit on a bus for the next 5 years.

During the drinking hour last night, a few of us were discussing how we've changed as cyclists over the last few years. It was nice to hear many of them say, I'm a lot more courteous than I used to be. Carene said: I even over compensate sometimes. She's says she doesn't want drivers to feel like every cyclist is against them. That's a good attitude to have. Too often I hear cyclists say: I had the right of way! Well dumb ass, the right of way won't matter if you're being dragged 200 feet under a goddamn Escalade.

It's seems there needs to be a movement. Something positive that let's drivers know we are not against them, please don't hurt us, and in the words of Rodney King: can't we all just get along?

Critical Mass, ain't the solution, so please don't write me to inform me of the next mass. Too many massholes for me. Not gonna do it. Ever! Active Tranportation Alliance? Not active enough for me.
So, here today, I say'n let's get the movement started! Who's with me? speak up. As the 60s taught us. You get enough people around a cause, then shit will change. I want to hear from you, if not here then maybe over food/booze. Let's let cyclists know we dig you. Let drivers know we don't hate you, don't try to kill us. Try to join us. I want ideas people. Let's get organized. Let the status quo know we want changes in status. Hit me up.

Just because I know you love photo's, here's Kaitlyn, whose starting to do her own bike repairs.

And here's Haley who is part of a soon to be growing trend of Commuter Cross. A subject for another post.

How many Bikes is Too Much?

I often wonder about this. One? Ten? Is fifteen obsessive or just excessive? A lot I guess depends on where you live. In Chicago we don't really have four seasons. There's the cold season 7 months, the rainy season 3 1/2 months and the warm season. About 6 weeks. So if we commute by bike, that puts the need at about 3. Certainly any bike that makes it through a Chicago cold season is in need of a full rebuild and a good rest, at seasons end. When it is, nice here, it rains or the winds swirl and change direction. Usually against whatever direction you happen to riding in. So of course you need a bike that can handle the wind and rain. Something with a nice set of fenders, but lighter weight than your cold season bike. It doesn't have to contend with salt so it also has a better paint job than your cold season bike. Then there are about 12 days that fall sometime between June and November, when the weather just fucking magnificent. For these rare days you need your baby . That's the one you never take your eyes off of. When you're sitting outside having a beer/drink and it's looking back at you like a beautiful horse. Just waiting til you're ready to get back in the saddle. (hopefully sober) That bike looks different for everyone, for me it would look something like this.

That's a 1938 Schwinn Paramount. It's more than 70 years old so, naturally you would only take it out on perfect days. Bikes have been sexy for a long time. Why is that some people don't see/get it? What a hot little shit...

I've been in love with bicycles for as long as I can remember. My first bike as a kid was gold with a leopard print saddle. I was three years old and my dad buys me this wild looking bike. I've been a freak ever since.

I once lived in a 1 bedroom apartment. I stored as many as twenty bikes in my living room and kitchen. Often people would visit and say something sarcastic like: Think you need a few more bikes? My answer was always the same. I do.

Here's what I think. 1 bicycle is not enough. That's what I'd call woefully unprepared. Three would be meeting the necessities of a cyclist. Four or more would make one an enthusiast. One should always ride their bikes. If you collect and don't ride. You're a loser. Except for those planning to open a museum. So those of you who only have one bike, if I see you and look at you strange. It's just because I'm wondering, what's up with you. Don't you think you need a few more bikes?

What a sexy decal.

Things that make you go Hmmm...

Things around here are always changing, and I suppose that's a good thing. For certain those of us that have chosen cycling as a main mode of transportation, are always hoping for change. Change in peoples attitudes towards cyclists. Changes in laws that can protect us. Changes in tire design, and tread life. I could go on. Sometimes, change just makes you wonder...WTF?

A girl came in earlier this summer, with a bike she had completely bastardized. She rattle can painted a Stronglight crank. To add more insult to the poor bastard she did this:


Those bars, mind you are Cinelli. Wow, hipsters can really fuck over bikes. What possibly could be gained from chopping bars this short? Steering loss? Leverage loss? Elbows to the chest? loss of control? Look at this shit:
Oury Grips be damned. I'll be glad when this trend is over. Such bullshit. I see folks rolling up the street regularly with these chopped bars. All I can say is: see ya in hell. Dumbass!

In other news! I prayed to the bicycle gods and asked that permission be granted to any drunk cyclist, who wished to walk their bike home. Seems some of us think it's better to ride drunk than walk a bicycle. My good pal Sven, has argued that it's just not cool to walk a bike. We've seen the tragic photos of him over and over. Many of you may remember, The Lady Pillowtalk. She started writing a sex blog, but has since stopped posting. She mumbled something about sex being too hard to write about. No, I don't get it either. Anyway, the Lady decided to take Svens road to hell and attempted riding while intoxicated. You can pretty much guess what happened. I exited the bar a few minutes after her, only to see flashing lights up the street. I ran down to see what was going on, and sure enough the Lady was lying in the gutter, wondering why there were so many handsome fire personnel around her? She loves the attention of people in uniform. In fact she told me to get lost, as I was blocking her action. Just take care of my bike, she moaned. Below is a picture of her, the morning after the face plant.





She looks pretty good in a hospital gown and she has the most beautiful eyes. Again, please note, it is best to walk your bike when you've had too many. Permission has been granted.


Not quite a chicks and bikes photo, but I built this up for Annika. She used to ride an SE Draft. Now look at her.





Hot little Whip.

Love and Bicycles

As usual, when I'm having a conversation with Sven. We become engrossed in some pretty wild conversations. Just this morning while sitting at Lovely Bake Shop, here in Bikeville, I asked him how his recent romance was going. He mumbled something about, a whirlwind, love, a balancing act, and trying not to go nuts. I believe the phrase was, "a pyschotic break from reality" I said, I guess that's why for the most part, I don't bother with romance. It's just too much work.

“Love is not only something you feel.
It is something you do.”

David Wilkerson

I agree with Mr. Wilkerson, love is certainly something you do. Whereas that alleged, feeling you get, isn't necessarily love. So, Sven Say's to me, " with all due respect Ron, on bicycles I accept your knowledge. On love, he said my opinion was akin to heresy. Geez, that's harsh.

Sven went on to explain this feeling that you get. This newness, these expectations, wanting to go balls out in pleasing another person. At least for the short term. He claims to have done this in most of his previous bouts with love addiction.
Now, I'm no Dear Abby, but I've been involved in enough affairs to have some knowledge of love and how it relates to other people.

For sure the one thing I can say is , The feeling you get from a trusted bicycle. The freedom one can derive from riding atop a perfectly, fit and functioning bike, is fucking Divine!
The bikes that I've fallen in love with, have treated me well. Been with me through many seasons, and have transported me to many places. I've had love affairs that were short lived, not so with my affairs of the bicycle kind. Look at what a fucking hot machine this is.

Sexy little beast!


It's name is, Filthy McNasty. Truly a lovely bicycle. Just look at those curves. When I ride it, I get this response from it that say's, You know Ron, we work really well together. Why don't you take me on the town and show me off? I reply with, I love you. You sure do please me. Now that's what an affair should be.
Don't tell me I don't know love. It sure as hell ain't tragic and it ain't a lot work. It's just what you do.

So please, drop me line with pics of your lover. (The steel ones) Show me what gets you off.
I just love erotic photos.

Not too drunk tonight

It's been a relatively peaceful day around here so alas, it's 10:30 and I'm sober! I've taken some great photos lately. I've wanted to post them for some time, but I'm usually two sheets by now.
Not to sound like a hypocrite. Even though I am. I'm starting to become an advocate for
helmets. I do own one, yet because I'm too dumb to rock it, you can more often than not find me without one. I believe in freedom of choice. If someone wants to drive without wearing a seatbelt, they should be free to be ejected from whatever vehicle they want to. Likewise with bikes, if someone wants to end it all on a slab of asphalt, so be it.
There have been a few visitors to the shop lately and one regular in particular, that have me rethinking my choice. You may have seen Sven's photo in recent posts.He's the guy that tries like hell to win the title of worst dressed Chicagoan. Well I have a more recent photo that shows he's into cosmetic surgery. Check this out!


Sven, claims to have made out with Division st. While riding without a helmet.
I have reason to believe he's been visiting Dr. 90210. Checkout the smirk in the following photo.

Those scars don't look like road rash. They kinda look unnatural, like, oh say...Botox? Or as Sven uses the code word, Botizzle.

Another fella came by recently. Showing of his new tattoo. Max Moore, a really nice guy, who seems to have his head on straight. Until, he decided on this little Frankenstein head tatt.

Boy the things some folks will do to make a fashion statement.
Now whenever I see him he tries to hide that tattoo and piercing mistake with a
helmet. Can't fool me, I saw him down at that Insight Studios place.

Chicks and....

Amy has moved into one of the rooms in the back of the shop with me. Now that's a reason for wearing a helmet. I'm gonna get drunk now.