The days are becoming longer as we progress into Spring, but for those of us riding our bicycles to and from work on a daily basis —night riding —is not a foreign subject. A quick stop in any bike shop will show you that there are any number of lights to choose from, in fact, most have an entire wall dedicated to the subject. Personally, I have been using a variety of lights over the years and have come down to the few that you see here. A few that are portable and easily accessible, ones that permanently attach to your bike and even a super bright one that is used for night-time trail riding.

It is important to remember with cycling lights, especially the blinky kind that come off and on easily, that the main goal is simple to alert drivers that you are there. Sometimes people have loftier goals with their expectations for bike lights and are let down by a mid-range experience. If you are riding in any sort of city (or small town, or any place that has street lamps) these lights do their job exquisitely. However, if you are riding on country roads with little to no light exposure anywhere, you are going to want to look into some heftier options like those seen here at the end. Until that is the case enjoy some of these stylish choices. Also, remember to mix and match until you come up with the lighting scenario that you feel comfortable with and works for the greatest variety of riding options whether you are training, commuting or just popping out for a night on the town.

Knog Blinder – $35 – $40 – Coming Soon

I’m a big fan of the rechargeable light revolution that these guys kicked off with their Boomer and have now moved into their new Blinder series. They plug right into your pc USB port (or that little iphone wall butt) and charge away while you work. This is a fantastic evolution of the cycling light because, as someone who is notoriously bad at remembering to buy batteries let alone replace them, I am constantly riding home surrounded by the shroud of night when my bike lights have gone out.

Why is it called the Blinder you might be asking yourself? Well, why do you think? Because four LED’s to the face are more than enough to take down a police horse (not true, but it sounded good). However, they are really bright, like really, really bright. They are so bright I sometimes feel bad using them because I’m afraid that people are going to run me down for damaging their pupils (not true either.)

On of the other benefits of using the Knog setup is that they are incredibly easy to swap from bicycle to bicycle. Their little “flippy-clasp” – above – (and that is a technical term) is incredibly easy to use and makes going from the daily commuter to road machine and then over to the mountain bike an easy task. These are also the only lights in this sized family of riding lights that I have found that are easy enough to stash in a coat pocket which makes them incredibly desirable when going out on the town and not wanting to carry a bag simply for a spot to stash your lights.

Now if only they made a bell with this setup I would be all set…

Downsides? You don’t really find too many downsides with these guys. Mostly just user error.

Example 1: Forgetting them and leaving them on your bicycle while going to the movies — gone.

Example 2: Not remembering to charge them and having to ride home in the dark.

Super Upside: The only way to turn on the Blinder is to hold down the on button. Why is this great? Because when you do go in to the movies and toss the lights into your bag, they do not accidentally turn on and leave you with a dead battery by the end of Mission Impossible 3: Rise of the Cruise.

Portland Design Works – Fenderbot Fender Light – $28

The guys at PDW have a special place in my heart for a number of reasons. One of them has to do with basketball but the others have to do with cycling products. Take a look through their site and see all of the products that they make these days. The one that I keep coming back to is the Takeout Basket, because who couldn’t use another front mounted basket that fits a six pack in their life? Aside from that PDW are stocked for all your tools, fenders, pumps on the go and lights you could ever want for the bike. A one stop online boutique of great looking cycling gear.

The lights that I have been using the most lately are the Fenderbot and the Radbot 500 (Side Note: both of these companies also have a knack for not taking themselves too seriously which is a welcome addition to the cycling accessories world.) The Fenderbot is a light that mounts in a rear facing fashion directly to your fender. The fact that it mounts to your fender means that it is always there when you need it or when your other lights have failed to be charged (see above.)

There is a bit of DIY involved with mounting this little beauty to your fender, but that is where the amazing creative team of PDW and my good friend Kyle comes into play. Kyle (who works for Chris King Precision Components not PDW) suggested to the guys over at PDW that they install a handy drilling guide into the back of the placard that holds the Fenderbot. That way when someone was attempting to ready their fenders for these lights they had a way to go at it efficiently and effectively. (Side Note #2: Just remember to remove your wheel from your bike before you start drilling, it would be incredibly embarrassing to drill not only through your fender but also your tire, tube and rim itself.)

Downside: None to speak of. Which actually makes it an Upside. I have been riding this on my rain bike for the past month and a half (hence the fenders) and not only is this thing waterproof, but it is more than bright enough to follow me around everywhere.

Tony’s Pereira Constructeur Tail Light – $139

Speaking of tail lights, if you are looking for something a little bit more on the stylish end of things, maybe you have an old Porteur bike, or a new Porteur bike and you wish to deck it out with a light setup that is more in keeping with the sensibilities of your period specific bike (and pump and fender and spoke holders on the chainstays) then you should check out Tony Pereira’s handmade tail lights.

Tony debuted his lights earlier this month at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show in Sacramento, California, where they sat next to his Best Mountain Bike award winning bike. They are set up to be used with 6 Volt Headlights (whatever that is) and Dynamo’s – which are bicycle hubs that actually generate the power to make the lights function. An interesting option which makes using the rest of these portable lights pretty un-necessary, but costs considerably more to set up. However, I am quite sure that Mr. Pereira would be more than happy to go through some of those options with you when you call him up and order a brand new, one of a kind, handmade bicycle from Pereira Cycles. The options are endless in that department…

Exposure MaXx-D – £324

My friend Joe swears by one of these from UK based Exposure lights. He has this one, the Enduro, which appears to be a couple years old. In and of itself a testament to how will this light works. Plus, I have not only seen him use it as a flashlight to near blinding potential, but he has his name engraved into the side of it which I am sure deters potential thieves. And every time I see this light I think to myself “damn, I NEED one of those lights.” Maybe want is a better word, but still, the desire inducing capabilities of this light is up there. It could have something to do with its sleek and bombproof construction, it could have something to do with its price, but more than likely it has to do with how I have been seeing this same light on Joe’s bike for a number of years.

Upside: The light is rechargeable and comes with a variety of mounting brackets that can be used to mount the light to either your helmet or handlebars.

Cateye Sumo Lights – $400?

These are the lights that you see on top of people’s helmets in the blackest of nights. Mine is called the Double Shot Pro and isn’t available anymore. It is easy to get behind the times with these high end lights because of their propensity to last forever.

As far as I can tell the Sumo Lights have taken over for the Double Shot. Either way you look at it these are fantastic lights but a bit overkill for your everyday ride to and from work. These are the lights that can and will light up the trails in the middle of the night for your Forrest Park Poaching experience (I’m not recommending you do it, but if you do make sure you have proper lights) and ensure that you do not go blundering off into the forest.

Upside: This is the last light you’ll ever need to buy. Until you decide to do something practical like ride to the grocery store or meet your girlfriend (or boyfriend) at a bar… in other words, it has a downside in that it is not as practical for short trips where it needs to be removed easily.

Again, you are going to have to experiment with some light combinations to see what works right. I like the Knog setup for both front and rear because it is something that works amazingly well and allows me to use a variety of bicycles. On my bike set up with full fenders I love the Portland Design Works Fenderbot for the extra bit of coverage, which is always welcome in the rain. And the higher powered lights are always great in a multitude of extreme low light situations but are not all that wonderful for everyday use due to their added bulk with battery packs and the like. Experiment a little bit and ask around to see what people are using, your local bike shops are a perfect place for this (secret tip – ask the employees what lights they use personally) because that is where these things get tested out the most.

Now… what is next in this wonderful world of cycling? Should we stick to the commuter/city specific side of things? Helmets? Actual bikes for riding around town? Or delve deeper into the world of performance cycling and the broad range of products that spill from that Pandora’s box?

Early last month I had the opportunity to be a guest on one of Monocle24’s new radio programs — The Briefing. You can download the episode HERE. While this was something new for me by the way of format (is radio back?), the subject matter was something that I have been touting for a little while now. Hi-Visibility clothing in cycling…  “booooooo—ring” I can hear you saying that, possibly out loud, when you read that last line. And until the last few years have come along and shaped what we know to be hi-vis clothing, I would have been right there with you. Visions of dirty yellow jackets team up with empty kitty litter boxes on the back of bikes and there you have it. You have seen these guys out riding to work. However, there seemed to be shift that has brought some better looking alternatives to this game.

There were a couple products that we discussed on the show and I thought it interesting to try to bring them to life a bit more here. Or at least talk about why I like them so much these days. This is also to be my first entry in starting to bring some Cycling related content to the Selectism world.

Rapha Pro Team Jacket – $275
Personally, this bright little beauty has been a go-to piece for this winter. It is light enough to be worn on its own, but still has a windproof chest piece. The extra bit of wind-proofing in the chest area is particularly welcome while the back vents away most of the wetness caused by exertion. Plus, it just looks damn good. Kind of sleek and slim fitting where some of the others look baggy (and a bit like tarpaulin material.)The chartreuse color is awesome when it comes to low light situations. In the extreme black of night it becomes a little lost, but then again, what doesn’t? Well, actually, I’ll tell you what doesn’t. Reflective material.

Nike Vapor Flash Jacket – $350
Obviously this jacket is the craziest thing that I have ever seen. And probably ever owned as well. The simple fact that the entirety of this jacket made from reflective material makes it great. Reflectivity is the key here. Catching the eye of those drivers who are content with not seeing you, whether you are running or riding is definitely the way to go. Even more so than bright colors reflectivity is the way that commuters are best seen when riding in the dark. This jacket does this so well that it causes people to stare out their windows when they drive by with strange quizzical looks on their faces. If the goal is simply to be noticed, then this one is doing the trick. Plus, it is reversible, so when it is daylight you don’t have to ride your bike looking like you just stole Harry Potter’s Cloak of Invisibility. That’s a real thing right?

The jacket was made for running but translates well to the bike. Maybe not so much for the long training rides (see the Pro Team Jacket above) but for the quick jaunts through town or the ride home each night. One point of contention has been the price point, but that usually comes from people who have yet to actually see it in person, and take a picture of it on themselves. This is me, riding home and using an iphone (note how well the Nike logo stands out.)

DeFeet Hi-Visibility Gloves and Oversocks – $15
I started getting into these for our race team a couple years ago. I wanted to develop them with some of our logos on them as a piece that we could sell to help promote the brand and the racing. However, the main reason was that they looked good and just a little bit crazy so it helped them to stand out in the crowd. Late afternoon and early evening Criterium’s and the Mt. Tabor Series, which happens at dusk, can attest to the fact that these things work. If you have no idea what either of those things are then just know that bright bright bright is the way to go when turning heads.

They work well not only because they are a visual contact point for those around you, but they are constantly moving. Instead of a spot of color on your back or hanging from your tail they are on your hands – so wave with them, point out where you are headed and gesture wildly towards any traffic that you encounter in the evening.

Those were the ones that were discussed on the program. But there was also a moment with some lights. Which, if we are going to talk about visibility at night, is another great way to go. I have gotten in a few samples from a few different light suppliers that I will shoot and put to the test for the next round of This Bicycle Life (that’s not really the name) here on Selectism, so stay tuned for that.

This Thursday October 6th there is an opening of a new storefront/space — Blackbox here in Portland, Oregon. Located in a strangely dead zone that until rather recently was most referred to as either “that weird corner with the American Apparel” or “you know, where the Zoo-Bomb sculpture hangs out.” There are a couple notable shops (actually they are all notable) contained within the Blackbox space including – Blackbird, Dunderdon, Isaac Hers, Solestruck and Tanner Goods.

It is interesting to see something like Blackbox spring to life in Portland, not surprising, but interesting. This one is great because it is so close to having everything…shoes, leather goods, glasses-collaborations and clothes (for men) with that “rough male” exterior that is wont to be associated with Portland right there on Skid Row. The only thing lacking here is the media department (and maybe a bar with a bartender that wears suspenders) by the way of an international magazine stand or a Bookmarc-esque shop (can we not get Diana from Stand up Comedy on the job?) Sure, sure, argue that Powell’s is right down the street, go that route, I understand why you say that. But, I would not mind taking a break from that madhouse to shop for foreign/strange magazines and old sports photographs (can we get Myles from Ampersand AND Diana together somewhere?) in a quiet locale where I can think. Ok, sorry, I shouldn’t push my own agendas on anyone here. I was really just there to see Dunderdon.

I stopped by Dunderdon about a month ago to check out what they have going on over there. This is their first brick and mortar representation in the town that they call home-base for their US operations.

The store and space itself is great. It is sporty enough for the sportsmen in all of us and rugged enough to appeal to the bearded guys that come in off the street looking for tall lace up leather boots (I hadn’t shaved in a few days and found myself strangely drawn to the blue ones pictured below.) Everything was perfectly placed neatly on their shelves and hung high above our heads. That is just the thing though, I asked if I could take pictures (I always do this) but I felt like I was doing it a bit more because it felt more like a library (and I LOVE libraries) than a Sunday afternoon shopping. Am I am just bringing my own personal set of somethings into this too much?

Dunderdon clothing is Fan-fucking-tastic. At least what I have seen of it. My co-worker swears by their pants, and you know what? For black pants that are something like 3 or 4 years old, they still look pretty damn black. Also, while we are going that route, my pal Greg Johnson, who was one of the guys to help this this brand get a foothold in the US. Does anyone else remember when they did those profiles of people around Portland that were making their own goods? Well, Greg has this Dunderdon hooded sweatshirt that I try to steal from him every time he wears it near me, it looks comfortable and like it is going to hold together for ever (which it already has, since it isn’t something new.) The only problem is with me again. Are Dunderdon still making everything for what once was their target demographic (was it?) burly Swedish River Loggers. Apparently. So, I am going to have to beef up for the winter, because you know what, I still want it.

Anyway, the place looks great — the whole setup was designed by Portland’s own OMFG, so it has that going for them as well. Everything that those guys touch turns to gold and no one here is complaining so, carry on with the Midas touchy feely all over everything guys.

See the rest of you Thursday.

Blackbox Party – Thursday, October 6th, 6-9pm – W Burnside and 13th

The one brief moment that I had to step out into the rainy London weather a couple months ago and check out some shops we went straight for FOLK. A couple years ago (or was it seasons?) I had seen their clothing at the Capsule show in NYC which had sparked an instant liking for this company. It helps (I thought to myself) that my tour guide for the day, Ben, is friends with Cathall one of the people behind FOLK, but no matter how excited I got about the prospect of meeting him, he wasn’t there. That fact didn’t stop me from touching, fondling and trying on every sweatshirt in the shop.

The shop itself is nearly perfect. In fact I cannot imagine a better place for a man to shop (the women’s store is next door – which seems to work well). What was the most interesting is the connection to the American Southwest. The influence is undeniable here and for an American in London the connection makes for an incredible amount of humorous connections. A small native looking piece of embroidery took me zooming straight into my grandparents living room. Their time spent each winter in the dry heat of Arizona had also apparently left them with a penchant for Native artifacts. Although here, outside the Midwest, none of the choices were gaudy or over the top in any way shape or form. With this resurgence (or is it just a ’surgence’ at that point?) of worker-wear and Americana that has permeated everything new these days it is nice to find a brand that can walk those lines not only tastefully, but also with a sense of humor. (See their Skynard and Joplin belts.) It is almost as if they have taken that whole genre, updated some of the fabrics, gave it a touch of class, spun it around once, and then sent it back out (maybe with a pat on its bum.) This is one company, collection and clothing that I was genuinely excited to spend my money on — Curses on you British Sterling!

Shoes were the one thing that sort of blew my mind. I had seen their foray into this world as well with the Capsule show, but the current collection was even better than what I had seen in NY and I found myself coveting more than one pair. In fact, I’m sure that Ben has been back there since to pick up this pair pictured. Previously I had associated FOLK solely with chunky sweaters and shirts with strange collars (no one wears a button up with a henley neck here) so it was great to see that they have successfully expanded into other arenas as well. Fuck! These guys are on it.

There were some great brands represented in the shop as well as their own collection. This seems to be the bane of some shops that are run entirely by one brand, but that was not the case here. Each other company represented had its own place and complimented everything else that was going on. Others: The Hillside (of course), Field Notes County Fair Editions (interesting) and a new one to me Aesop (fancy.)

Visit FOLK for yourself: 49 Lamb’s Conduit Street, LONDON WC1N 3NG

Seems like I have been on the road a bit lately. One thing that I am always looking for, especially in a place like Los Angeles are new shops to visit. Maybe you’re sensing a theme here? Maybe not. Well, a few weeks ago I found myself in a van driving around Los Angeles looking for a bike shop so that we could find some new cleats for our man who desperately needed his replaced. If you have ever waited too long to replace your cleats you know what I’m talking about (and who doesn’t wait until the last possible minute.)

Now, bike shops? That is another story entirely and it does not take much to coax me into a local bike shop anywhere. Except this time, because about a block before we landed at our bike shop Cole pointed out the right side of the van and said casually “There’s the Rising Sun Denim Company.” If you have not seen the first episode of Put This On, go and watch that right now. Jesse Thorn (the host of The Sound of Young America) also has a pretty damn cool fashunz website called Put This On and Rising Sun Denim Co. was the very first post of the site. So, naturally I was more than excited to check this place out, even if it meant not being able to check out a new bike shop.

As luck would have it, they were closed. We waited around for a little while, hoping they would be right back. They were not. So, after creeping out the locals by trying to take spy photos through the windows (it didn’t work very well.) We left with our tails between our legs, I mean, when am I going to be in Pasadena again?

We walked across the street back towards the bike shop and stopped outside what looked to be some new Vintage/Americana/Heritage shop, but was actually the Pasadena Fire Department. They invited us in for a look and this is what we saw and made us feel better about not seeing the interior of Rising Sun (which I’m betting they haven’t either.) Then they fulfilled Cole’s childhood dream of becoming a fireman by letting him sit in the driver seat. Apparently real Americana is the new Heritage. What?

But in all seriousness. Rising Sun looked pretty awesome from what I could see by cupping my face to the glass and the Fire Department? Well, they have a ping-pong table in the back, so they have to be cool. With that being said, if anyone has any interesting shops in the Portland area, that they would like to see reviewed here, let me know as I would love to check them out.

If you’re wondering who that handsome man that I travel with, that is Cole Maness, you probably saw him here on Selectism a few weeks back. We were riding around California for the Rapha Continental. This next week will see the launch of new photos and video from this very trip.

Last year our booth at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show (NAHBS) was our take on a convenience store. We styled everything in it to look and feel like an amalgamation of the all the stores we have come across while riding our bicycles on the backroads of North America.

This year we decided to switch the focus a bit. Class it up and turn all eyes toward the Rapha Bicycle Collection that we unveiled earlier this year. The four bikes were on display. Er..well, three of the bikes were on display. The fourth wasn’t allowed in the show (still not sure why exactly) but no matter, it was being proudly shown nearby at Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop, which would prove to be a center for all things NAHBS related throughout the weekend.

The booth was a hit if only for the fact that it allowed people to touch and feel the clothing, make a connection to what we have to offer on the site and talk with the builders that we love to hang around. With only 17 dealers around the country it leaves a bit of void when it comes to trying on articles of clothing. The pink V-Neck baselayer was definitely a hit and launched this weekend on the site. People tried to buy is straight off the mannequin, which is usually a good sign. Although when they casually walk away with it, not so much.

The four bicycles in the collection (Cinelli, Ira Ryan + Tony Periera, Independent Fabrication, and Beloved) were the perfect addition to the clothing. Since all of them (besides the aforementioned Beloved) were there showing (Cinelli’s booth was directly adjacent) it allowed the conversations of the weekend to naturally progress to the other builders that we have partnered with. Tony Pereira (who was not showing individually, but was there to check out the show) was on hand to talk about the bike that he is building with fellow Portland, Oregon framebuilder Ira Ryan.

I watched nearby, with a sly grin on my face I’m sure, as he explained mitering tubesets, how they chose the steel and how the duo would actually tackle the process of welding of the frame. Fortunately, this is exactly why we go to the NAHBS, to meet these people, find out what they have to offer and how they got into their particular craft. To have something to say, or at the very least to help facilitate these conversations means that we are, in the immortal words of Charlie Sheen “Winning.”

Thanks to everyone who stopped by to visit and everyone who made the 2011 North American Handmade Bicycle Show a wild success.

I love workspaces. All kinds.

Last March I had the good fortune to be able to be allowed a peak into the spot where a company called Cielo manufactures their bicycles. Neatly tucked away within the Chris King Precision Components factory is a little section where they operate. My friend Daisuke was in town and we had the extreme pleasure of visiting this little nook where great things happen. Daisuke was in town from Japan and more than excited to see what the King family had cooked up with Cielo. I was also happy to use this as my in to see what went on behind what were normally closed doors.

I took a few photos and we milled around trying to look important, when really I was in awe (admittedly this is how I feel every time I get a glimpse of bicycle builders spaces anywhere) and then we went on our way. I wrote about it on the Rapha Blog and chalked it up as just another amazing workshop that I was fortunate enough to experience. There it would sit, in the memory bank with a tag on it titled “awesome” until it was again something that needed talking about.

This little trip became relevant once again when, recently, Chris King decided to start making the bikes for another company based here in Portland called Beloved Cycles. The bikes being produced are pretty much anything and everything you could ever hope for in the City Riding department of cycles. And hopefully you hope for the world when it comes to riding your bicycle in your city. Because you should. My high school basketball coach left me with the best fashion tip that anyone could hope for. Even thought it was his way of trying to help us get our shit together on the court, I think it applies to most aspects of life. It went like this:

“If you look good, you feel good. When you feel good, you play good. And when you play good, you win.”

We won with these bikes. They look good, feel good, and this is the bike that I want to be cruising around the city on.

So, our bike launch last week was even more exciting than your usual bike launch. I mean all new bike launches are exciting and spectacular, but this one a bit more so. The Rapha Bicycle Collection was something that we have been working on for a while now. A collection of some of our favorite people to work with, and both Chris King and Beloved fall into that segment of the population. Plus, it gave me the perfect chance to go back and revisit my day with the Chris King family of bicycles. And just so you know, this is going to become even more interesting when we (and by we I mean The World) has a chance to see the Every Day in person at the 2011 North American Handmade Bicycle Show in Austin, Texas next month. So, stay tuned for that as well.

I was recently in the Los Angeles area and was recommended a visit to Mohawk General Store. “Check that place out, I think you’ll dig it,” is what the text message read. “A General Store?” I thought to myself.  The images that instantly come to mind are the Cracker Barrel restaurants that dot the landscape throughout the midwest. My grandparents insisted every time we came to town that we take in the great atmosphere and indelible flavors that the Cracker Barrel had to offer. Mohawk General Store, for the record, is nothing like that place.

In fact, it could be said that this place is a pretty great place to spend a few minutes. Peruse their great collection of “goods,” if you will. I only say “goods” to stay in keeping with the General Store theme, and though I did try to purchase a sack of grain and 40 pounds of hard candies, I could do no such thing here. This place is more dedicated to fashionable styling for men and women alike.

The fashion selections within the place were impeccable, but at the same time there were no real surprises as to what was found inside. Wood Wood belt. Retrosuperfuture glasses. Some pants, some shoes, that stuff. However, the two things that help to set this place apart from other shops of the same ilk were the Antiques and the Sound Equipment that were for sale, but also expertly displayed to give the whole place a sort of travel/expedition feel. Not really sure what the musical connection relates to (check out the Mohawk Blog which contains more than a few musical refs as well) but all the pieces that were positioned throughout the shop worked well with the overall decor. Oh yes — I was also excited to see copies of It’s Nice That #4 resting smartly near the entrance — love those guys.

So, if you happen to be on West Sunset sometime soon and feel a hankering for your old days of lounging creepily in the gift shop area of Cracker Barrel, well, then go next door to Circus of Books. If you are in the mood for something a bit more tasteful and interesting, then I suggest the stylish interior of the Mohawk General Store.

4011 West Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, Ca. 90029

Open Monday – Saturday 11-7PM Sunday 12-6PM

“Interesting things from Interesting Places”

The signage to Kiosk is a little hidden to the untrained eye. My eye would definitely be one of said “untrained eyes” as every time I am in New York City I find myself wandering aimlessly, just hoping something cool will jump out and punch me in the face. Otherwise, there is a good chance that I will miss it.  Fortunately, when I saw the sign hanging above the sidewalk on spring street the other day my brain actually registered something. Kiosk? Haven’t I been hearing about this shop for a little while now? Brian from Coolhunting mentioned it was worth checking out, adding “Don’t be thrown off by the strange trip up the front stairs, that place is awesome.” More importantly Miss Oh, who could arguably out-hunt the coolest of cool hunters casually mentioned it on one of my previous trips to NYC. You can bet if she has told you to see something, no matter how casual her assertions come across — it will be good.

So, when I turned the corner and almost sprinted up the steep stairwell to the space that is Kiosk it was because I was excited to see what lay in store. So to speak.

Traveling is one of my favorite things to do. And when traveling, finding new things, or rather, products that are native to the region of travel tend to be the ones that are the most fun. For instance, a fully used tube of Belgian toothpaste is in my drawer at the moment. The Flemish written on the backside makes absolutely no sense to me, but damn if it does not look cool. A fish shaped bottle opener from Uruguay was only one of the surviving highlights of a trip to South America. Belgian Cycling Supporters hats and diaries from the local frites shops. Even the foreign  design on a 10 year old Mars Bar wrapper from London was something that I could not bare to throw out. Which is why it remains where it is — smashed between the pages of a notebook somewhere.

So, you can see why I was excited to check out Kiosk. The concept being that the purveyors of the shop travel around the globe for me, finding new products to stock their shelves. New trinkets to entice me up their ragged stairs and into what looks to be their apartment. Their display and delivery is a little kooky at best, but charming and right in line with their business model on the whole. Which is why I could not help but to ask them to start filling a bag for me. I quite literally wanted something from each of the collections.

This time around the three collections are “Groundhogs Day,” “Iceland”- which is a collection of Icelandic candies, and “Portugual,” by far the most comprehensive of the three. Each one of their collections walks the perfect line between curated art flavored niceties and extremely affordable/functional pieces you want to own. I bought a Kaweco Sport Pen from Germany.

What is nice about this place is that with each product smart bits of copy are included. Each one a personalized short tale from whence the piece came, the city or country of origin and possible uses directly from the owners. When finding trinkets like this, out in the wild, the allure comes from actually finding them yourself. Then being able to craft and build your own stories around them. But the copy on each of these pieces is what broke down this buying barrier. Knowing from whence they came from, and why they were added to the collection did the trick. And the range is incredible, from backyard, back-alley camping —Audubon Bird Call — to new uses for a ratchet and even the elusive and hilarious Citra Sipper . It is these little stories that hammered home the pieces in my mind. I had not gone out and found these things for myself, but somehow knowing a little bit more about them gave them just the little bit extra that I needed to make the connection.

Kiosk can be found on the second floor of 95 Spring Street, NY, NY

Before a recent trip back East I had the good fortune to pick up a Chester Wallace tote bag straight from its creator Patrick Long at his studio in Portland, OR. The Pdx cache of cool was apparent when running into the bags while traipsing about New York City. One with a red bottom stood out nicely against the green shelving in the Project No. 8 shop connected to the Ace Hotel. And once in Boston someone liked mine so much that they straight up tried to take it from me without me noticing. Which was a bit awkward, because I did.

I was after a specific one. Waxed Cotton has been a fabric that I have been aware of for a few years now. When I worked at a bicycle shop in West Newton, MA the older gentlemen there came looking for it by the way of Gilles Berthoud and Carradice bags that were popular among the Bicycle Touring crowd. Initially, I could not stand them, the bags. The rough, slightly greasy feeling texture of the bags was a bit of a turnoff. To the touch, maybe, but mostly because of the crowd that these bags ran with. I also could not wrap my head around the way that they called everything “cotton duck.” No idea why they couldn’t say “cordura” or “canvas” like the rest of us?

I might be a bit older and wiser now (probably not the latter) and for some reason I have a hankering for Waxed Cotton. So, when Patrick was telling me that he was starting to make his bags out of this material I wanted one. And more than that I wanted to see where they came from.

The sign on the door says “Illustrator” and if you ask Patrick (or see him featured on the Nau website) that might be what he tells you is his profession. But when you get him going you might think that he is a baker by trade, or maybe a silk scarf maker, and quite possibly he might be teaming up with a perfume manufacturer in the near future. And if you are very lucky (which at that moment, wide-eyed, I considered myself) he might tell you about his run-ins with J.D. Salinger back in the day.

Patrick’s studio is filled with inspiration. From the illustrated posters that he created for the Oregon Lottery during the Holidays, to a cheese list scribbled on a piece of paper. Even the handwritten type of a project for a Condom company, everywhere you look the creative process is apparent. I am used to the musings of bicycle related ephemera, but here is different. The clutter is almost bookish, with scraps of paper taking precedent over inner tubes. Where type becomes a conscious decision instead of an afterthought. And the feeling is very used, and very comfortable.

So, Illustrator? Certainly. Designer? Definitely. Bag maker? Yes, that works too, but, step into his office and you will see that there is more to Patrick (and his bags) than could ever be contained with any one of those titles. However, Chester Wallace is a title that seems to fit nicely.