Philadelphia Murals, circa 2015(?)

1998 Specialized Ground Control FSR Comp in Cosmic. (January 2024 Restoration) All OEM-spec except for the Azonic O'Neal bars, Azonic Stem, XTR M951 shifter/levers and Icon red pedals. And, of course, the Ritchey bar ends, lol

West Chester CX, 11-5-2023

Full set: https://privateerdigitalimaging.pixieset.com/wccx23/

West Chester CX, 11-5-2023

Full set: https://privateerdigitalimaging.pixieset.com/wccx23/

Cooper River Cross 2023

Full set: https://privateerdigitalimaging.pixieset.com/crcx2023/

Cooper River Cross 2023

Dylan Conte eyes the final few grassy turns before the finish line during his seeding run for downhill race number 8 in the Eastern States Cup Intense Cycles Downhill Series. Saturday, 16-September 2023.

Jake Cortes ...

Rachel Pageau ... and

Matt Spain fly towards the finish line during DH practice for the same race. Saturday, 16-September, 2023.

Opening Day, Mountain Creek Bike Park, Vernon, NJ | 18-May-2023

Opening Day, Mountain Creek Bike Park, Vernon, NJ | 18-May-2023

TBT 2022 USDH Nationals (seeding)

Pinelands Gravel | May 7, 2023

Fair Hill Spring XC | Elkton, MD | 22-Apr-2023 | for First Place Photo

It’s a “Periodic Table” of #vintagemtb’s! Welcome to my bike collection “origin story.” One of the unexpected benefits of building an eBay business as a #vintagemtbparts reseller is that sometimes I get to hang onto the bikes I buy to flip. Three of the four shown here (my primary bikes) are exactly that. All are technically “inventory,” and will be available for sale someday, but, like Tom Cruise said in the latest Top Gun: “…not today.”🤣 When I got back into cycling in 2020 (after ~25 years), I only had the black steel Diamond Back Axis Pro. Bought the frame on Craigslist, had it powder coated, and built it up with full XT M730 (down to the Shark Fin). Rides beautifully and the drivetrain is heavenly. Sadly, it’s the bike that gets ridden the least of these.😢 The Gary Fisher Marlin arguably isn’t even vintage anymore, since I upgraded it to 1x10 Deore, mechanical disc brakes (every other bike I own has rim brakes) and a dropper post. But it’s still a very capable bike, and before the #iamspecialized FSR came along, it was the bike I’d take on new or really technical (sic - for me lol) trails. The Y11 started out as a beat up CL find with LX components & shot suspension front and rear. I rebuilt the fork, replaced the rear shock, and spent an insane amount of hours last winter meticulously building it to where is is now: full XT M739, ceramic wheels, 22 pounds. Easily my favorite bike.😎 The DBR Axis Pro TT Titanium started as a DBR WCF Vertex I bought to flip. Rebuilt the Manitou Comp fork and then discovered the Axis Pro TT Ti frame on eBay; after thinking about it for 3.2 seconds, I decided to scoop it up and move all the XT/LX components over from the Vertex. Super easy & fun build. Probably my favorite hardtail (although I think it weighs more than the Y11.)🤣 This isn’t the end of my collection. I also have a Univega single speed, the FSR I’ve really been enjoying lately, a Jamis Coda 700c adventure bike I just built to get into gravel etc., and a Trek aluminum/carbon road bike for when the trails are too muddy or I want to get serious miles in. I think I have enough bikes now. Maybe? Not sure…🤣 What’s your bike collection origin story? (at If I Gave a TED Talk) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn60MZ_O6F3/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

SLY FOX CX 2022

Wanted to share some of my favorite shots from @slyfoxcx. Thanks for your kind words & support!

1) Evan Coleman BLASTED this mud hole (I don't think he slowed down at ALL). It's the first lap (note the clean kit). This location was one of my favorite spots all day.

2) But one area I effectively did NOT shoot was The Pit, because: a) I didn't love the compositions and b) getting into position was tough; it got harder as more spectators arrived. I knew I'd have to be able to move quickly back and forth between locations, so The Pit was a no-go.

3) The grassy off-camber near the top of The Pit provided some nice shots but the area quickly got PACKED with spectators making it hard to get back into position. I abandoned shooting there. :(

4) The shipping container with the stuffed animals was interesting but again the compositions weren't really working for me, so I didn't shoot there more than a few times.

5) @staceybarbossa came in HOT here, taking the high line, demonstrating the bike handling skills of a seasoned pro. This spot, right by the entrance to the main spectating area, was great all day, with good lighting and plenty of interesting things going on.

6) Barriers ... the essence of CX, but again I didn't shoot here much due to the crowd; I did manage some full sequences, including @samstone05, who made his into a neat animation.

7) I loved the WOOOMP WOOOMP WOOOMP sound made by tires as people HAMMERED down the paved stretch towards the finish line. You could HEAR the speed...

8) This far section of course allowed me to get some decent shots, including this one, and ...

9) this one of @ella_brenneman with @staceybarbossa in hot pursuit.

10) This post would not be complete without mention of the awesome costumes some wore during the last race of the day. So great! The beer and other handups were fun to watch and provided a great counterpoint to the "serious" racers hammering out one last effort for 2022.

Can't wait to see you all again in 2023!

Pointed my camera at some cool folks riding bikes last weekend. More to come.

More Eastern States Cup action, this time, race day practice runs. 4-Sep-2022.

Dylan Conte enjoying a peaceful, relaxing late summer afternoon at Windham Mountain Bike Park, Windham, NY. September 2022.