My De Bernardi

Before I was into photography and blogging I obssessed over bikes and bike parts. Two years ago I built up this De Bernardi Thron 57 (last year they made them), wheeling and dealing parts on Craigslist.org until I finally settled on this set up.

On Saturday I rode over to the Colby Woodsman dojo to take some photos of my beloved whip.

My bike is dirty, scratched, and worn because I ride it. When I left for college I sold my Jeep and since then have used this guy as my primary means of transportation.

This Fizik Arione Wing Flex saddle has received a lot of love from my bony ass including a seventy mile jaunt from Portland to the Oregon Coast. The wheel set, Velocity Deep V laced to Miche Primato Hubs, were the only parts I purchased new, the rest are used, including my Miche Pista Supertype Seat Post.

My Micha Primato Track Cranks make me move.

This summer my De Bernardi will be back on well cared-for avenues and busy intersections mobbing around the streets of NYC. I'm excited.

Here are some more photos,
My Debernardi (Picasa),

Brian and His Yale Sweater

Behind Brian Kupke's preppy and seemingly conservative appearance lies one of the most dynamic and interesting people I have ever met. A close friend first introduced me to Brian in the fall of my freshmen year as the boyfriend of her older sister, Austin Philips, a tenacious, All-American Rower two years his senior. Brian's origins in Leesburg Florida, and rumors of an NRA card in his wallet, a rarity at Colby, only added to his mystique. Over the last three years Brian and I have grown close and I thought it would only be fitting to write about this interesting character before he graduates next month.

Although not visible through his vintage Yale sweater and the case of 12 gauge rounds, both of Brian's nipples are scarred from two years of housing stainless steal studs and a brass chain.

Upon arriving at Colby in the Fall of 2005, Brian switched from playing Defensive End to rowing four seat on Colby's Varsity Crew Team. However, Brian's extensive resume of athletic feats fails to translate into mano y mano ability, and yours truly trouncedhim in a spandex wrestling match last week despite his thirty pound weight advantage, 2-0.

Some of you may know Brian as Kuppykakes, a level 80 fury warrior on the Alexstrasza Server. Brian sacrificed many a cold Maine Night to achieve this prowess, and has recently retired from his account, ending a two year love affair with the World of Warcraft. Over winter break, Austin's next door neighbor, a Yale Alum, gave Brian this Whalerknits Yale Sweater from the mid 80's. Made in the USA, damn right!

I love the details of this sweater, like the length of the cuff.

Brian being Brian.

After Graduating in May, Brian wants to apply his quirky creativeness to a career in interior design. I am sure Brian and his Yale Sweater will have an interesting and fruitful journey. I look forward to hearing about his exploits and am ready for a wrestling rematch whenever.

Here are some more links, Brian Kupke and His Yale Sweater (Picasa), Brian Kupke Shooting From the Hip (Vimeo),

Barns From Maine

I love Maine barns. Here is a collection of some of my favorite from the last three weeks. All are available in 21-megapixel downloads on my Picasa page. Have a nice weekend and try to find a barn.

Here are some more links,
More from Route 137 (Picasa),
Houses Down East (Picasa),
New England Barns (ART),
Red, White and Blue (Picasa).

Red, White and Blue

Melting snow in central Maine exposes a new set of colors. No longer do whites and grays dominate the landscape. Red, white and blue are back.

I spotted this barn on the side of Route 137, and was captivated the by the contrasts between the tan of the recently exposed grass, the rich red of the barn and seemingly endless blues and whites of the sky.

Central Maine farmland.

The full spectrum of colors; tan grass, red barn, silver roof and blue sky.

Here are some more links,
Red, White, and Blue (Picasa).