Chas and Lucas ride the Tour d’Afrique

0 Comment

https://vimeo.com/76049367

This was an incredible opportunity for everyone involved. The Tour d’Afrique brought Lucas and Chas out to showcase just how insane/beautiful this annual adventure really is. Watch the video, sign up, and you could be doing this next year!

From Cinelli:

“Lucas Brunelle Goes to Africa” movie has been produced by CINELLI and edited by Benny Zenga.
Filmed by Lucas Brunelle while riding the new #BootlegHobo Cinelli bikes through the 1700km of the legendary Diamond Coast route, final stage of the Tour d’Afrique!

Hobo is a totally new steel bicycle, engineered and equipped for off-road rides on long distances. The
Tour d’Afrique has been an incredible test for our new bike as well as an outstanding way to announce Hobo to the world!

With such a cast a short introduction about our friends spotted in the video is a must!
Chas Christiansen, 100% pure San Francisco, is one of the top riders of the Cinelli Mash Team, iconic figure of the fixed-gear culture, always on the highest steps of Criteriums, Alleycats and Cyclo-Cross Single-Speed races podiums.
Lucas Brunelle is the famous video-maker who introduced the first-person point-of-view shooting technique in cycling races thanks to his great riding skills and the innovative helmet-integrated cameras-system with which is filming and reporting the most extreme race contests all over the globe since more than ten years.
Last but not least, Dario Toso couldn’t miss, explorer of the contemporary, historical ambassador of the “Bootleg State of Mind”.

For more info about Hobo concept and bicyle visit
bootleg.it
cinelli.it

CROSS VEGAS SSCX

0 Comment

While in Las Vegas for Interbike, John Watson shot some photos of the Single Speed race at Cross Vegas. Walton ended up taking a podium spot for his first  race of the season. Check PINP for his complete report!

RED HOOK BCN VIDEO

0 Comment

https://vimeo.com/73856498

RED HOOK CRITERIUM: BARCELONA 2013

0 Comment

We are home from a exciting trip to Barcelona Spain for the third installment of the Red Hook Criterium, for the 2013 season. We traveled with the same team of four racers that had attended the first two races of the series, bringing Chas, Kyle, Rainier, and Walton.  Landing five days early, gave the racers time to shake the plane legs, enjoy the warm weather, warm water, and to see the sites, with friends who had all re-grouped in this inspirational city.

MASH was born out of my love for sharing photographs and video of cyclists I looked up to. In the beginning Gabe Morford and I documented an era of street cycling that was happening around us. This effort lead to many other opportunities, ultimately allowing me to better support a street racing team, and a cyclocross team.  Wearing many hats in this small project means I have learned to set priorities within all of these moving parts. My first priority is to care for the athletes. Making sure they have the tools they need to reach their personal goals. I am always ready to put down my bag of lenses, and care for any one of these guys before, during, and after the race. At this point, I think I am the only photographer with a race team in these events. With that said, I love shooting short duration events, working to tell a story of the event, and our friend’s experiences on and off the bike. Crit and Cyclocross races are such a blast to document because the athletes keep lapping back to you, giving multiple opportunities to show a well rounded photographic account of the event. Enclosed are moments I recorded on August 24th 2013, at the Red Hook Criterium, Barcelona.

No problem

This was a white on white sample tape that was not produced. As it wore in, the contrast was amplified.

With a crash the previous weekend at Floyd, Kyle had his share of road rash to mange on this trip. I hope the salty sea water helped dry him out a bit.

It is always fun to see the range bikes brought to race in these events. Inspiration comes from many places.

Kyle blew off steam before the qualifier with some classic tricks.

We loved getting to race with Larz at this event. We have so many friends around the world, you quickly miss them once you get back on the plane.

With close to 200 racers registered to qualify in three heats, the pack would quickly be broken down to 85 for the main event.

This was the first time the guys really had a team esthetic on the bike. It injected a strong sense of Team, to have new product support from the sponsors. No more spray painted frames, and heavy dented clinchers. It was the first time they raced tubulars at these events, and the difference in performance was unmatched.

Pit / Podium

David  runs these events like clockwork. You can always count on a near pro level system to be in place.

Walton is really strong right now. With a win in LA, he really wants to put together a flawless Red Hook race.

From the start of our qualifying group, the whole team was marked. It was impossible to put in a good qualifying time, with massive packs of wheel suckers trying to jump on our train and benefit from our effort. In the end, the guys had to break up, and put in individual times, which was not as effective as working in a group.

Evan put in his all, and clocked the fastest qualifying time with road teammate Neil Bezdek.

Ferran was an incredible support for the entire week. Linking riders up with the opportunity to ride the D’Horta Velodrome, and enriching the main event with boundless efforts. We are all grateful for your help Ferran!

Kyle getting aclimated to the idea he would be chased by a large section of the qualifying group.Larz put in a fast lap time, and moved on to the main race.

After the qualifier, these come out. Some of the racers stare at a stack of cogs and rings, knowing your damned if you do, and damned if you don’t.

With several crashes, at Brooklyn, including a devastating one involving Joshua Hartman, dave was in overtime making sure all the details were sorted out.

Last minute preparations

After the qualifier, legs go up, and minds go elsewhere to keep nerves calm.

These drones have been falling on people around the globe, so we are wondering if the window to use these additional camera techniques will change in the future. It is always fun to see these videos of the events, and this pilot was a champ, even with major wind challenges that all the racers battled throughout the night.

All bikes were out to watch the race. This gentleman entertained the crowd with his natural abilities.

It was an honor to have SHEONE hanging out with us on race day. During the event he made a pencil sketch for my son, which was by far the best souvenir brought home from this trip.

JT had quite a fruit still-life arranged within his Sidi’s.

Chas is a true ambassador for the sport. The nicest guy on and off the bike, and for this, he has some fans. He was unfazed to have 50 spectators watch him warm up.

These types of details are reminders of why we love these events. Non-pro cyclists from mixed disciplines, all with the opportunity to compete in these organized events. By the end of the night, you know where you stand with this group.

Clean slate for the main event

The medic tent stayed busy through qualifiers, and ramped up during the main event.

It is still an honor for these non-pro athletes to be recognized in their field. There is always time for a photo, and introduction.

Walton and Evan share some pre-race hype.

Minutes before the main race, it began to drizzle. This was the first rain Barcelona had seen in months, creating a very slippery corse in spots. Metal grates, and food truck grease would begin to become more evident throughout the night.

Chas really wanted the first lap prime, then to be a team player, chasing down attacks for his team, and helping set the pace.

The location for this race was a solar field, which created a dramatic background for the racers, and spectators.

Our group worked the front of the race early on, helping drive the pace with a select few.

This corner quickly became popular for spectators. You would hear the entire crowd collectively gasp as a racer would go down, and shortly after blast with cheers as the racer, or racers would re-mount, jumping back into the race.

Collar Bone

Neil was victim to the greasy corner under the solar covering. There must have been twenty racers go down in this corner within the forty minute race.

Kyle and Evan Murphy

Stefan at the line

Victory Lap

Rainier finished third, behind Stefan and Evan. He worked hard to organize the team, and we are proud of his finish. This is his second top three finish out of four Red Hook events he has attended.

The nights winner was Stefan Vis. I hope his life story is well documented. He is a fighter, who has seen success, and hardship. A legandary messenger, and track racer. Many of the racers in the field did not like his agressive race tactics, but on this night, it put him in the number one spot.

Team Dosnoventa are a good group of guys. We enjoyed hanging out all week, and racing beside them on this night. Thanks for taking great care of the guys while we were in town.

Kyle broke from the lead group, and looked good. He was reeled back with a few to go, finishing 5th on this night.

Walton got caught behind Neil’s crash in the lead group, separating his from the group. He fought to bridge up, but crashed on the last lap. All the planning does not always lead to the result these guys want. It is hard to see these guys frustrated, but it does stoke the fire for the next one.

This means a great deal to me.

Rainier and Kyle sharing the podium for this one. We feel lucky to have a small team of four, all capable to get on the podium. Their ability to work well together has put them in the number one team position for the series at this time, with Kyle in second for the individual athletes.

This is the first time the Murphy brothers have shared the podium. Kyle has been living in New York, working with Evan and Tom Sachs, racing on the same road team, and his efforts are shaping him as an artist, and athlete.

These moments are always special, no matter how many times it happens. My goal is to help our friends meet or exceed their personal goals,  so to see them on the podium at every one of these races, as the races get more and more difficult, is a testament to what MASH has always been. Friends riding bikes.

Congratulations Stefan!

Cooper focused on routing the after-party.

Good night Barcelona. Thank you for an incredible trip. It felt like vacation, with warm beaches, and warm people. Thanks to the all the volunteers, and organizers for making these special events happen. We are happy to be part of the excitement. Thank you to Chas Christiansen, Kyle Murphy, Rainier Schaefer, and Walton Brush for selflessly putting it all on the line every time, and racing a great race. We are lucky to have you as friends, and teammates. Thank you Garrett Chow, for continuing to see the inspiration in MASH, and help shape our path. Thanks to our sponsors for keeping the guys fresh. CINELLI, CLIF, BOREAS, ENDO CUSTOMS, GIRO, OALKEY, CONTINENTAL TIRES, HED CYCLING,  and SAN MARCO.

We want to try to get a few racers to Milano for the last race, but as a small bike shop, this international travel does not come easy. We hope to see you there!

TUESDAY MORNING RIDE : ROAD

0 Comment

This Tuesday we are heading out on road bikes. A climb to the top of Mt. Tam will be a great way to celebrate the mountain climbs of the Tour. Be sure to bring food water and tools. Meet at the shop at 7:30am for coffee, we will be out the door at 8:00am. This is a steady pace ride, feel free to race yourself, not your friends. Hope to see a solid group on Tuesdays AM.

SF RANDOMNESS FROM JOHN WATSON

0 Comment

John was in town a few weeks back, working on photo projects, and showing images from a recent trip to China with Mission Workshop. He gathered up some loose ends and made a nice post of images on his site today. Check in!Dallas from Oklahoma, made us this nice piece of stained glass for the shop!

We are lucky to have Walton working the shop most days.

This is one of the 21 re-issued Cinelli Laser track frames. #19

Ramone

SF getting tucked in for the night under a blanket of fog.

Thanks for sharing JW!

2014 Cinelli MASH Histogram frame set

0 Comment

With the 2014 trade shows approaching, there will be more information available on collaborations we have in store with Cinelli. The first announcement is the revised finish of our Histogram set. This polished frame shares the original lines, updated in grayscale tones. We will open a pre-order 30 days before these land in the US later this fall. Stay tuned!

2013 RHC 2: BROOKLYN NAVY YARD

0 Comment

With the 2013 RHC Brooklyn Navy Yard in the books, we are back home in SF, and back to work. Processing the event, and it’s memories, both in mind, and in photographs. Chas, Walton and I flew in late Friday night, catching the tail end of the storm. Kyle is living with Evan this summer, racing and working with Tom. With a nights rest, and some morning laps in Prospect Park, we met up at the Navy Yard for the qualifiers. It was not but a few laps into group one, when a horrific crash took one racer away in an ambulance. With the collective racers hearts with that athlete, we all set ourselves up for an exciting night. Enclosed are some moments from the night of racing. We are looking forward to Barcelona next!Two hundred athletes compete for 100 slots in the main event. This front row quickly becomes prime real estate.Dan uses this 2007 NACCC shirt as his barometer summer has started. The first sleeveless T to come out each year! Frank would be proud.Evan upgrading his Wallgreens lotion.

Tonight athletes will be tested on every front.

We found a nice birds eye view for the qualifier, and the sunset. 

This is the first time the Navy Yard has been opened up for an event like this, and we all felt lucky to be part of the experience.Takuya Sakamoto scouting for camera angles.With record levels of rain the day before, the skies broke offering a spectacle of light for everyone to enjoy.Mr. Bobe in the qualifierEvan putting in the second fastest qualifying time behind Neil.Base Camp

Walton floating the dirt corner

The warm weather helped keep muscles loose between the qualifier, and the main event, but rollers, and neighborhood laps kept riders loose, ready for what comes next.

Walton inside, doing what he does second best.Kyle will be getting a new bike soon, weather he wants it or not. This sample histogram tape used to be white.Moto support doubled this time. With two on course, they were able to clear the lapped riders more efficiently, allowing those still in the race to have a safer envionment to do what they came here for.Dan had an onboard camera mounted with the best that hollywood has to offer.Evan, Kyle, WaltonThere was a shotgun mic recording the conversations at the start. Hoping this info shows up down the road. It could really reflect the friendships, and camaraderie that goes on between the athletes. Authentic  friends on and off the course.

This moment never gets old. Calling up the rows based on qualifying times. All three of our team members made the first row of ten. Neil, Evan, and Dan also knew this front row start would help avoid the crashes that were to follow.

Chas leaning in leaving the last 90 degree corner before the finishing straight on the course. This spot proved to separate those with handling skills, those who did not, and those caught in the middle.Citibike is a new sponsor for the event, with their new bike rental system in the area. This has been a major undertaking, and Neil Bezdek was heavily involved from the ground up. The chase group heading into the cobble sectionWalton and Chas set the pace early, including earning the first lap prime. Both were crashed out in separate instances before the 10th lap.

Dan was down in the first lap, but ok. He raced on the road the following day. This video has been bouncing around. It gives the viewers an idea of the intensity of these crashes. This one caused by a racer from State Bicycles.Several racers riding tubulars and Stans no tubes flatted in the cobble section. Racers really needed to float this section, while holding their line.This sort of sight became numbing. It will be interesting to see if there is data showing of the 100 racers who qualified, how many were lapped out, crashed, or ended with a mechanical. This course was a blast, and could have been a more intense race on the bike if the qualifier was cut down to the 50 fastest. With the narrow/tight corners, and long dark straights, the bottom 50 were quickly lapped, or became laying obstacles on the course. There were only 29 racers left at lap 12. I think only three racers from the front row finished, with seven out from crashes or mechanicals.Kyle got a front row seat in his second ever Red Hook Crit, finding himself working with Neil to open up the leaders gap.Like Dan’s solo break in 2012, there must be a thousand photographs of these two, who broke 10 laps in, and ended with a 51sec gap in the end.With one to go, Neil and Kyle took turns testing each other in different spots on the course, to see if they could shake the other racer. With a pedal strike by Kyle in the chicane, he lost his moment to attack leaving Neil’s strength on the last straight overpowering Kyle for the finish.Kyle meeting the press

Chas worked with our team, and secured the first lap prime. He divided the cash, and shared the whiskey.Tradition: 1: Neil Bezdek, 2: Kyle Murphy, 3: Marc Marino, 4: Alex Barouh, 5: Cooper RaySave some for DaveA few of the podium bikes, including Kyle’s clapped out 2010 Cinelli MASH Bolt with alloy clinchers. Also his brother Evan’s bike post-rear flat taking him out of the race.Again, we want to thank the Trimble camp for everything. This series of races has continued to grow,  reaching an upmost level of professionalism, while still giving riders and fans aspects of where these illegal street races came from. We are all looking forward to Barcelona, and hopefully Milano too this year!

MM

CALM BEFORE THE STORM: RHC BROOKLYN 2013

0 Comment

Enclosed is a grouping of moments stilled during the national anthem at the 2013 Red Hook Criterium at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Last nights event proved to be the most challenging course of the series, and shed new light on just how dangerous, and fun, these events can be. Today we fly back to San Francisco and will work on a race report when we return. For today, we want to celebrate these athletes, and the organizers who breath life into these races.

RYOKOU

0 Comment