A big, round table.


Since the AHTBM web project’s inception, and well before, I have repeatedly stated that this site is akin to a big, round table where there is plenty of room for all walks to pull up a chair. Except for those who anonymously talk shit in the comment section and then walk away I suppose. They can stay outside.

Thankfully that doesn’t happen all that often, and I can only imagine/hope that their existences are miserable.

As for the rest of us, we continue to stay bellied up to the proverbial bar and trade bits of information that will hopefully make for better days both now, as well as ahead.

Case in point is a correspondence I bullied out of Jocelyn at Portland Design Works. I say “bullied” because as I was trolling her Instagram feed one morning I saw a photo of her riding her bike on what was described as ‘Portland singletrack‘.

Now, anyone who knows anything about the area of Portland’s Venn diagram where singletrack and mountain biking meet is aware of what it looks like;

I think that’s right. My understanding of Venn diagrams is vague at best.

Anyway- So I barraged her with questions about it until she finally relented and not only kindly gave me some information about the trails, but a little bit of insight regarding what they have cooking in PDW these days as well;

Hey Stevil,

Long time no chat. Things are cranked here at PDW and if we can ever get out from under the constant threat of crushing snow storms here in town, we’re gonna have a great 2017. Here’s a summary of some rad stuff that’s sure to blow your mind:

Firstly: Portland is getting new singletrack trails. Let that sink in for a minute. Portland – the best cycling city in the country for all cyclists except those that ride on dirt – is FINALLY getting new singletrack trails. In town. That we can ride our bikes too;

It’s called Gateway Green and it’s a project that’s been in the works for over a decade and the digging has FINALLY started. There’s a big build day coming up (February 11th), and the opening shindig is being planned for early summer – you should definitely plan on attending. Lots of information at gatewaygreenpdx(dot)org and more details to come.

Second: PDW and Bern Helmets have a neat collabo in the works that’s set to launch into your head space soon. It’s a sweet mount for our new minimal and mighty Meteoroid tail light that plugs seamlessly into the back side of their urban lids. We’ll introduce the light and mount properly soon, but I’ve got a sneak peek sample to send your way to check out – keep an eye on your mail slot.

Last and most important: As a cycling company, PDW tends to keep our advocacy efforts focused on what we know best – bikes. But, given how we’ve found ourselves living in the time between Mad Max and The Road Warrior, we’ve decided to help by donating 100% of sales from February 7-14th to the ACLU.

Tell your people to tell their people to pick up some PDW goodies next week. And then give each other a big pat on the back knowing that you helped ensure our freedom to ride bikes and everything else will be protected by people a lot smarter than those in elected office. And thanks.

Over and out.

JG

That one single correspondence packed the punch of ten, and I thank both Jocelyn, and PDW for their service.

Circling back around to the greenway for a second, I’d first heard it was starting, and then stopping, and then starting, and then about a year ago, that a kibosh had been put on the whole project.

I’m stoked for the folks in PDX who will soon have their very own dirt playground on which to folic.

And to her final point, should you find yourself in the need of lights, fenders, inflation systems, bird bottle cages, or whatever, then please considerer throwing some money at them next week. Or just buy some goods the following week and then make a donation of an equal amount to ACLU simultaneously.

The world is your oyster. I’m just giving you ideas on how to shuck it.

Another little company that’s putting their money where their mouths are is VYNL Race Bikes, as illustrated by a patchwork of no fewer than than three different forms of communication I received from the company’s principals;

Stevil-

VYNL Fights is doing a limited edition run of artist collaboration pieces that support various relevant causes we feel are important.

With the VYNL Fights + RJ Rabe collaboration, 100% of the proceeds from these American Apparel Ts will go towards the International Rescue Committee‘s emergency appeal to help the thousands of refugees left stranded in the wake of the current political US crisis;

Timing is of the essence with this cause, so the order window will be open for one week (2/1/2017 – 2/8/2017) on a pre-order basis, and we;ll get them made and shipped within two weeks from there.

Fist bumps 4Ever,

S and S

We may be dorks who play atop bicycles while wearing stretchy clothes and tap shoes, but when push comes to shove, you can’t say that with some constancy, we don’t run towards the fire.

I thank VYNL for the contact, and the effort in stepping up.

Then, just as I finished typing those last set of words, I came across this video clip of Will Johnson’s recent live performance at KTUX, I was struck with a bolt of inspiration.

Folks may or may not be aware that Will and I collaborated on his last record that was titled Swan City Vampires;

Though my effort was a small one, I contributed two drawings which were used on the labels and liner notes- (On the second page, the raven was used, and the attentive will note that the other three were not);

Around the time that the record was released, Will and I spoke briefly about what would become of the drawings.

I knew I wanted to auction them off and donate the money, but that’s about as far as my inspiration went. Now at the conclusion of today’s post I’ve decided that whatever funds I can wrangle from the sale of the two illustrations will be split between the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

If you would like one, or the other, or both of these drawings for yourself, shoot me an email at stevil(at)allhailtheblackmarket(dot)com. We’ll start the bidding at 25.00 each, and see where we go from there. Whoever bids the highest by Friday, February 10th gets the goods. If nobody bids, then I’ll put them back into storage, and send whatever money I can scrape together to them both causes anyway.

I’m proud of our round table. We may have periodic food fights, and there’s hardly an inch of surface where gum’s not stuck and/or Dick Butt’s not drawn, but I like us, and am proud of the fact that we are all here together.

Spread this like it's sick

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4 Responses to “A big, round table.”

  1. Largo February 3, 2017 at 6:32 am #

    Single Track (singletrack?) needs its very own place on the periodic table as the rare and valuable element that it is. Right in there with Carbon, Aluminium and Ti. And yes, it’s Aluminium, not Aluminum. Who says Titanum?
    Whoah, where did that rant come from?

  2. Jason Van Horn February 3, 2017 at 11:59 am #

    Stevil, cool to see news of our new hood in PDX making its way down to the Bay. Yes, there’s a reason you haven’t seen us around the local hills at JMP – we moved down the street from Gateway Green. I’m maintaining a build journal to document the progress at GG – check it if you have a sec – cheers

    http://www.bermstyle.com/?s=GATEWAY+GREEN

  3. Niven Thornhill February 3, 2017 at 9:46 pm #

    Good day Stevil,
    I stumbled upon your website a few months ago. It’s taken a while, but I have finally read all the posts from day 1 to current. I look forward to each new installment, because of the time difference, I kinda get to see the day after you’ve posted. Puts a smile on my face. Your sense of humour and the crazy shit you and your wacky friends get up to, is really refreshing. Thanx.
    Regards
    Niven
    p.s Proposal for T-shirt of the month – Tuck Frump

    • Stevil February 4, 2017 at 6:23 am #

      Good lord. That’s an epic achievement, and I’m sorry.

      Especially because all the old posts kinda got squished together when I did a server switch. I hope your eyeballs are ok, and I thank you for your interest. Shoot me an email and I’ll send you a little something for your dedication.