Another East Coast artifact

     If you were a messenger in NYC in you know the patch on this bag. This is an original De Martini messenger bag. De Martini is the original messenger bag. It was started as Globe Canvas by sailmaker Frank DeMartini in the 1950’s. For many years DeMartini was the only messenger bag maker in the world and he supplied most messenger companies in New York. He passed away in 2000 but the bags live on and original ones from when he was still alive are very tough to come by. Here is a link to the modern day website where they are still being made.  De Martini  We used to sell these bags here at Via back in the early 1990's.

The Dick Power story: A Dark Day in Sunnyside, now on display in Brooklyn!

     This exhibit was put together by a collector friend of ours, Mr. Edward Albert. He is an invaluable asset to NYC cycling history, if you can, definately go check out this exhibit at the City Reliquary Museum in Brooklyn, NY. Check out below for all the details!

THE CITY RELIQUARY PRESENTS:

THE DICK POWER STORY

A Dark Day in Sunnyside

a bike obsessed life of damage and redemption

Exhibit at the City Reliquary through August

Brooklyn, June 11, 2014:  The fixie riding hipster  is  just as  common today  in the  urban landscape of New York as an  awkwardly  helmeted tourist browsing the rows of CitiBikes. But long before every hip Brooklyn neighborhood had at least one  or two bike boutiques, Dick Power was crafting fine artisan bicycle frames in Sunnyside, Queens.  A  Dark  Day  in Sunnyside  is the newest exhibit by The City Reliquary Museum, and it examines the life and times of this man, whose obsession with racing bicycles led to consequences inspiring, but also dark.

Unlike the worthy but workmanlike frame building of the 20s, Power used expensive  silver to braze the tubes of the  frames  to  lugs,  knowing  that  the  lower  melting  point  of  the  precious metal  would leave the tubing  unbowed  and  the  bike  straighter. This sort of care became the hallmark of the American frame builder, different from the “good enough” work of old-world craftsmen.

Power was also a  patriot, intent on being an All-American even though he had to navigate a world that ultimately crushed his family and took away a son,  leaving him, and ultimately us, only the bicycles that he built as a lasting monument. A Dark Day  in Sunnyside,  is a tribute to this pivotal bicycle artisan, and displays many of those bicycles which stand as a monument to Power's life, story, and place in the annals of bicycle history.

Catch  a  glimpse, reflected  in  the  silver  braze,  of  a  most  remarkable  life. The bikes on display come from the collection  of  Edward  H  Albert,  a  former  road  racer,  avid  vintage  bicycle  collector,  and dedicated  chronicler  of bicycle  history.  The  City  Reliquary  Museum  is  thrilled  to  present  these  priceless  examples  of  early American bicycle artistry to the public in this brand new Exhibit.

Located at 370 Metropolitan Avenue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, The City Reliquary Museum & Civic Organization provides a wide array of services to the community. As a certified 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, we are committed to serving the people of New York City – natives, newcomers, and passersby. Originally established as a window-front display only museum in 2002 at the corner of Grand and Havemeyer Sts, it moved into its present location in 2006 and became dedicated to planning and hosting public events, which provide neighbors and visitors with a place to meet, exchange ideas, and celebrate the diversity of our community.

The City Reliquary’s hours are: Thursday through Sunday: 12pm – 6pm.

Admission to the museum is $5-10 suggested donation. For general information, please visit the Museum’s website

Contact:

The City Reliquary

370 Metropolitan Ave

Brooklyn, NY, 11211

www.cityreliquary.org

Phone: (718)-RU-CIVIC

cityreliquary@gmail.com

###

a lesson in cycling history from Edward Albert:" Gangs of New York" bike exhibition at Rapha Cycling Club NYC this weekend.

This weekend is the opening of Edward Albert's "Gangs of New York" cycling exhibition. it is about early cycling clubs in NYC and builders. Mr. Albert is extremely knowledgable about the subject and is a friend of the shop. If you are in the area I highly recommend going to see this, IT LOOKS AWESOME! Check out the link for photos and a lot more info including times and date. Also, a tip of the hat to Isaac Schell for taking some amazing photos of the exhibition. Link Here!

Track bike racing shirt

Very nice image of an early track racer. Found in a trendy store during my trip to New York.
Take note of the vintage toe-clips. No straps. We occasionally get those toeclips in for sale, email if you are looking for a pair.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

New York City bike riding

New York City streets are comparably more bike friendly than philadelphia, with more dedicated bike lanes, but Philadelphia has recently been making the effort to catch up. NYC also has an amazing bike path that runs along the west side of Manhattan, that allows you to ride along the Hudson River from the lower east side, all the way past the George Washington Bridge.
(I should add I know nothing of the actual bicycle advocacy groups or how many bike lanes there are, I just know they are clearly marked and numerous signs directing you to for bike friendly street. And most of my riding is in manhattan)







- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone