I had the pleasure of meeting Silvio, the founder of Cycled ( https://cycledproject.com/ ), at two Eroica events. The Prosecco Hills gravel ride was the first, and he told me he’d spent quite a while living in London. Back in Italy, he started his circular economy business, crafting used bicycle tyres into belts and other accessories.
I was lucky to be one of around 100 who managed to get a free 3 day pass for the inaugural Eroica Britannia x Goodwood Revival event back in September , 2021.
My good friend , cycling journo (Rouleur) and bike technician extraordinaire Rohan Dubash (a.k.a. Dr D) was also there , and it was good to ride with him. I took my ’85 Colnago Nuovo Mexico, and wore the S.I.R.C.C. maglia rosa jersey I made in collaboration with 3M Caverni, Firenze.
The U.K. organiser , Tim and head of social media, David, asked me if I’d like to join them on a recon ride on Saturday, of course I said yes. We were filmed for the events social media outlets…
My mate Rohan and I also made the Goodwood page..
https://www.goodwood.com/cycling/eroica-britannia/
Tim made a wise choice partnering with Goodwood. The brand has a strong ‘mend and make do’ ethos, embracing sustainability.
Wednesday was Sr Ernesto Colnago’s 90 th birthday.
Our friends at Colnago asked Sr Colnago’s friends to send in a video , I was fortunate to be 4th in their video wishing him well. Here’s to many more birthdays, bikes and wins from the King of pro cycling…
I was lucky and got to attend the inaugural Eroica Britannia x Goodwood Revival ride , and be in the Cycling Weekly social video . Looking forward to next year , 2022!
I recently collaborated with legendary Italian cycling apparel brand Santini .
I designed two jerseys and a set of bib shorts for the Steel Is Real cycling community on social media . The brand is SIRCC , inspired by the legendary SCIC Italian cycling team , and the Maglia Rosa , in honour of the Giro Italia .
Two other ‘ Warriors ‘ inspired jerseys are also available
Pre order only , once minimum amounts fulfilled , jerseys are custom made in Italy by Santini in 6-8 weeks . Karma Evo Jersey details here ;
KARMA EVO Jersey
Bib shorts ;
KARMA EVO BIB-SHORTS
Size charts here ;
Men
https://www.santinicycling.com/en/content/fit-guide-man-47
Women
https://www.santinicycling.com/en/content/fit-guide-woman-48
World wide shipping available , VAT @ Italian rate of 22% included in price
Order via platform here
I collaborated with traditional Italian ‘ heavy wool ‘ cycling jersey producers 3M Caverni , Firenze to produce these two SCIC team influenced jersey .
All orders are shipped directly from the 3M Caverni atelier in Firenze , Italy .
Worldwide shipping via GLS
Available on pre order here
Finally managed to get one of these , with the help of my friend , legendary Colnago collector and enthusiast , from Eindhoven , Mr Maurice Wiels , man , owe him a tall beer or too for helping a brother out .
The frame is in the iridescent purple/pink and metallic grey , with hints of blue and green .
I have read in a number of places and been told by fellow owners it was the lightest steel frame Colnago made , with an advisory rider weight limit of 80kg .
Came with a mixed Shimano group , the wheels are Mavic SUP ceramic rims on Dura Ace 7700 hubs , so I will keep them and change the other parts to suit .
I had the amazing good fortune to have been able to meet Legendary London bag designer Ally Capellino back in 2017 when I was a bicycle courier .
I arrived at her Shoreditch shop and atelier , with a delivery for her , and gave it directly to her.
A very nice Lady , who generously gave me time for a chat .
I said I had been to her Soho shop back in the late ‘80’s / early ‘90’s , bought a jersey top and admired her fine bags . We spoke about her doing some stylish bike bags , as I felt they would be brilliant , given her attention to detail and use of high quality materials in manufacture .
I said I had a few creative projects I’m trying to get off the ground , and we kept in contact on social media .
Fast forward to this year , and Ally dropped me a line , saying she has another cycle orientated bag range , and would I like one to test.
Naturally , I said yes , and a few days later , the wonderful Pendle unisex shoulder bag arrived ….
Made with a waterproof Cordura outter , it is robust enough to use daily as a commuter / town bag .
I can fit a D Lock , water bottle , keys , wallet and energy snacks in with ample room ….
The bag has a zipped front pocket with seals , a rear with velcro fastening , a zipped inner pocket and a mesh wall with two pockets . The interior material is rip stop , which is great as it stops any unforeseen tears spreading .
The shoulder strap is made from Duck Cotton , so is soft and non abrasive against thinner material jerseys or skin , and splits in two with a robust clasp
The strap is attached at a 45 degree angle on the bag , so has a pretty much ergonomic fit to the torso .
Ally has named each bag in the Travel and Cycle range after cyclists significant to her. The unisex Pendle shoulder bag is named after British Olympic Hero , Victoria Pendleton .
Ally Capellino has very , very generously given you lucky readers a chance to win your very own Pendle bag , click the link below and enter .
Move as quickly as Victoria , as the competition closes on July 5th.
https://www.allycapellino.co.uk/pages/competition-ally-capellino-x-julian-saarf
In the Travel and Cycle collection is a fabulous ‘tote’ bag , the Saarf , one can only imagine what this Saarf character is like ….
As I said in an earlier post , last year I was fortunate enough to be able to visit the Tommasini bicycle factory , in Grosseto , Tuscany , Italy .
While I was being given a tour of the premises by Don Irio Tommasini’s daughter Barbara , I saw a beautiful mint condition Monte Amiata Mountain Bike , with original Shimano Deore XT group…
A Columbus Cromor OR frame , with Tommasini cut out lug work . It is like museum condition .
I had been thinking about it for some time , almost a year , then , Don Irio allowed me to buy it , and I imported it to London …
Saarf London 