Falling Timber

So happy new year folks and we don't know about you, but here at BCW 2014 began with a crash...

Or more precisely, the sound of falling timber as one of the undoubtedly ancient trees that surround the workshop and - at certain more summery times of the year (honestly) - suggest the atmosphere of a scenic rural idyll, a green tranquillity, even right in the heart of post-industrial Olney - anyway, to get to the point, when the storms hit the tree fell. On us.

Seriously, right onto the workshop. Luckily no one was inside at the time, though according to Ferdinand it made quite a noise and seriously disrupted that day's maneourvres in his ongoing campaign against the ever rising rodent armies of Northern Philadelphia. Never mind, big guy.

And even luckier - perhaps using up so much luck that we're worried how much we have left for the rest of the year - the building was not damaged either. No bikes got flattened.

The electricity company arrived on scene and cut part of it away from the wires. Then it snowed, and thawed, and froze, in quick succession. Meaning we still haven't quite got round to clearing the entrance. (If we had a good old wood-burning stove this would be helping tremendously with our heating bill - but we don't.)

Advisory warning to visitors: be prepared to hack your way through the undergrowth to get in the door. Machete optional.

And if that wasn't all enough, the power went off, and then we get a once-in-20-years record temperature low - the Arctic Vortex in media-event-speak - as recorded here on the PECO tower in Center City Philly:

Yep, that's 4 fahrenheit - or -15.5 for those of you who work in centigrade. First time most of us here have seen single digit temps on this thing. Does it even have a minus figure capacity? (Can anyone tell us?) Thankfully we didn't find out this time... We feel for everyone in the Midwest and Canada shivering in even colder climes.

Luckily there's always a brazing torch or two running inside to keep us warm, as the work goes on:

So here's to a good 2014 for everyone. Now it's back to building all those custom dream bikes...

-BCW

Season of Goodwill and All That

Dear Everyone:

With only a few days left of 2013 (OK, actually about a week or so), it seems only right and natural that our thoughts turn back to what a year it's been here at BCW...

Our production level has stepped up, as we've continued to push beautiful custom bikes out the front door several times a week. We've created some pretty incredible titanium tandems. Staff beards have reached unprecedented lengths. Ferdinand the cat is on his way to being an internet star... And we continue to be amazed and humbled by the incredible support we get from all the friends of BCW. So here is a seasonal shout-out to all of you. 
 
PHILLY BIKE EXPO 2013

We got a bigger space this year and you rocked it. The Expo continues to grow into something we never imagined. Yes, we're already planning 2014. So thanks to everyone - exhibitors, volunteers, guests - and in particular...

• Steve Taylor and Skidmore at PhillyPedals - for distribution, design and promo
• Fairmount Bicycles - for the city tours
• Firth and Wilson Cargo Bikes - for selling tickets and promo
• Bicycle Revolutions - for the Knog Ride
• Jorge Brito - for getting the word out in the city
• BCGP - for presentations, promo and ongoing support
• Suburban Cyclists Unlimited - for great volunteers
• Eastern Mountain Sports - for selling tickets and sponsorship
• Neighbourhood Bike Works - for valet bike parking
• Peter Dalkner - for organizing the Bike Polo party 
• Mel Kornbluth and Jed Kornbuth for their ongoing support
• Pennsylvania Convention Center - for hosting the event

...and of course thanks to Bina Bilenky for making it all come together for one awesome event.


JUNKYARD CROSS 2013

For making it the best all-round single-speed-junkyard-craziness we've had yet... Big thanks to:

• Dave Pryor and Mattie Bee and Topher and the whole crew at SSCXWC
• Our sponsors: Stan's No Tubes, Red Bull and Chrome
• Chewy's food truck for keeping us all well fed
• Pat at Big Guys for closing the junkyard for Saturday's race
• Pat Gaffney for good video presence and historic continuity
• Anthony Skorochod for flawless EMT service

And to the daredevil rider who went to hospital after hitting the deck pretty hard - hey, we're glad you're okay, see you next year.

Thanks go as always to the BCW crew for their hard work and inspiration all year, and to all the participants and attendees who make these events so worthwhile... Happy Christmas. We couldn't do it without you. Now go ride your bikes!

- Stephen Bilenky

PS. Ferdinand has just reminded us that no Christmas BCW blog-post is allowed to omit the mandatory cute cat picture. So here's one from the feline fender selection:

So that was the 2103 Bilenky Junkyard Cross SSCXWC...

... and holy crap was that some race. You are all crazy. We lost count of just how many of you showed up to take yourself and your bike into places that bikes and people are clearly not meant to go. We are in awe of you. Seriously, thanks folks for making it the best Junkyard Cross yet.

Special thanks go to Dave Prior of SSCXWC who did such a great job of making it happen. Bilenky + SSCXWC was even better than we thought it would be (and we knew it would be pretty good). Competitors, sponsors, volunteers, drinkers, crazy nude guy -- we salute you all.

Pix? Results? More write-up? Limited edition 2013 race t-shirts (still available)? Yep, all here.

Seen this? Check out Red Bull's video of the race and Urban Velo's gallery.

And last but not least, here's another set of pictures we like.

See you all next year!

Bilenky Junkyard 'Cross, Protected by Stan's No Tubes

The masses have spoken, and they are tired of shifting. Over 100 riders are in the SSCX class so that's moving up on the agenda … especially since the ones that make the finals are also qualified to race for the Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships on Sunday. Things might get serious this Saturday. But probably not.

SCHEDULE

9:30am: Gates open for registration, number pickup, general hanging out.

10am-Noon: SSCX Qualifier Heats

Noon-1pm: Men's B Qualifier Heats, Women's Qualifier Heats

1-3pm: Championship Races (Freak, Men's B, Women's, Men's A, SSCX)

If you've been to Bilenky Junkyard 'Cross before, you know times are loose. But be aware that we'll have over 200 racers for the first time ever. So it will be run tighter than a fresh set of windshield wipers. Get there early to get your paperwork done and into costume.

Day of Registration is allowed. $20 per race, cash.

Beer tent will be open, $1 each (racers will get a few for free). 

Chewy's will be back to feed us, too.

And a super-special limited edition T is fresh off the presses, too.

IMPORTANT: This year you'll enter through the driveway to Big Guy's Used Auto Parts, NOT Bilenky Cycle Works. That door will be locked. Go around on Mascher Ave. If you're driving and parking at the Olney Train Station (which would be smart) then it's easy to get into the Junkyard from there.

If you're riding from town, a group will be leaving Love Park, JFK Plaza at 9am. LEAVING is the important word there. And you want to be in a pack on the parts of town we have to ride through. Safety in numbers, kids.

REMINDER: This isn't actually a "Junkyard" it's a store. Big Guy's sells all the stuff we'll be racing around and through. So don't smash stuff. Don't jump up on stuff. Don't climb up on stuff. Don't make your own barrier. Don't owe them money you don't got.

(Words above brought to you so eloquently by Dave Pryor and posted by Bina)

http://sscxwc13philly.com

Made in the USA...

Labor Day weekend in Philly was the Made in the USA festival, a corporate bonanza of Budwieser and flags on the Parkway... Which seems like a good excuse to go all dang patriotic on y'all and show off a Bilenky that rolled out of the shop recently, built to a very specific set of customer requirements... (And why the heck not?)

This is a Signature Bilenky Monster Cross, a lightweight gravel-grinder / cyclocross / multi-surface tourer, with the specification that (within reason) as much of the bike and its componentry as possible should be USA-made.

Well, OK. You probably know by now that Bilenky is always up for a challenge, so here's what we came up with...

• Frame - True Temper OX - light, strong, we like it
• Wheels - Velocity, originally from Australia and now built in Florida
• Hubs, BB and crankset - White Industries, of course
• Brakes and cross levers - from Chico's finest, Paul Components
• Shifters - courtesy of the friendly goats at Retroshift and a great product that's now officially Woodchuck (TM) recommended. Note: These are really good for touring as well as 'cross.
• Headset - Chris King (ah, that one was easy)
• Saddle - Selle Anatomica Titanico - made in Wisconsin, nice leather, a good alternative to Brooks
• Odds and ends - Salsa bars, Thomson stem and seatpost
• And the frame color - Ford light blue (what else?).

All of which shows you don't have to go (too) far to find great bike stuff. So, to all the other US frame builders and component manufacturers - have a great holiday and we salute you all!

- BCW