A few weeks ago, David Heinemeier Hansson (who loves to make hot takes lol), made the point that executives shouldn't have slammed agendas. I hardly see my self as an executive but I am, and I say this humbly, a boss.
"If your executive calendar is packed back to back, you have no room for fires, customers, or serendipities. You've traded all your availability for efficiency. That's a bad deal." – David Heinemeier Hansson
To accomplish this at Twotone I keep certain days blocked; namely Monday, Thursday afternoons & Friday. The hack? My Calendly looks jammed but for seredipity, imperative required action, deadlines or simply spinning around town spotting spots to hide caps I keep those 3 days at lease partially clear and I join client meetings only monthly. This means when people randomly visit Workspace Six, typically I have time for a coffee & to show them around.
What do you think? Presenteeism & performative busyness are still staples of most workplaces but how to make sure you're getting the work done but still ensure there is time for unexpected challenges and/or fun? I say block some chunks of your calendar and rely on other metrics (1:1's, quatifiable goals & deliverables) to track progress instead of simply looking busy with no time to actually think (or ride!).
Thank you for reading & wishing you a great week ahead,
Jon
p.s.
This week's intro was almost inspired by Tom Garland's notion of wellness anarchy. The naming is corny but I get what he's saying and, frankly, if I had carved more time (apropos my above intro) I'd have been able to comment on it more articulately. TL;DR? In his words: "Their flex isn't needing perfect conditions to perform, it's performing despite imperfect conditions: 'I don't need to optimise everything to beat you' becomes the ultimate status signal." I love the notion, the trend & think he nails it. He's also got a good blog post on it. Worth a read!
p.p.s.
This week, my beloved CopyClip clipboard manager on my Mac stopped working. Not sure why but honestly, I'm kinda glad it died. I did some googling and landed on Maccy. It rules. Check it out. : )
p.p.p.s.
I showcase Escape Collective's MADE coverage below but wanted to give the Radavist a nod too! Here's their coverage from Day 1 & from Day 2! Plus, great features from James Huang & Bikepacking dot com as well!
August
- 🇳🇱 29 This Friday! Dox Under The Tracks Nº12
- 🇩🇪 30 Bootshaus Gravel
September
- 🇳🇱 4 Bike Gear Swap at Patagonia Amsterdam
- 🇳🇱 11 The Mechanics of Joy Live on Echobox
- 🇧🇪 11 Finding Nessie Premiere at CLASSIFIED HQ
- 🇨🇿 12-14 6th Annual Bohemian Border Bash Camp
- 🇪🇸 19-21 Sea Otter Europe w/ Gravaa & Old Man Mountain
October
- 🇳🇱 3 Dox Under The Tracks Nº13
- 🇳🇱 9 10 Bike Messenger Film Festival at Workspace 6 (film screening, bike games, raffle & contests!)
- 🇩🇪 10-12 Bespoked Dresden
- 🇳🇱 13-14 International Cargo Bike Festival, Utrecht
- 🇩🇰 25 Finding Nessie Screening at OMNIUM HQ in Copenhagen
Bikes
Gravaa Demo Ride at JEDI Sports 05.09
SILCA Ultimate Shock Pump & Ultimate Sealant Tests + SuperPista Ultimate x Pegoretti Ciavete Launch
10 Cutty Caps Hidden Around Amsterdam
Ideas
Luis Mendo: Grow Your Own Private Garden
Luis Mendo
"There are enough cases of companies (Instagram, WeTransfer, Behance, Adobe Stock etc) offering users space to showcase/upload work and they all end up profiteering from it, on one way or another. While many creators choose to build their audience on someone else’s turf, it was important for me to have full control of who is to gain from where I publish my work ." Luis also built his website on Ghost like Twotone & Escape Collective.
How Social Media Shortens Your Life
Gurwinder
Ok, not literally but kinda? I really try to stick to my own self-imposed screen limits but reading bits like this are the proverbial posture improvements reminding you to sit up straight and make healthier choices in your own interest like YOLO is a reason to be responsible & not reckless. Especially with your time!
"Seneca once wrote, “Life is short and anxious for those who forget the past, neglect the present, and fear the future.” Social media makes you do all three. But you have the choice to do the opposite, and to expand time, for living long is not just about maximising the days in your life, but also the life in your days." - Gurwinder Bhogal
Doomprompting is the New Doomscrolling
Anu
"Each new technology asks us again: Convenience or cognition? Comfort or capacity for change? This time, we should see the trade-offs coming." Unsurprisingly, I'm a bit of a curmudgeon regarding AI. Though not in an anti-progress kinda way, in an anti-doomprompting kinda way. What I'm trying to say is in this essay.
Friends
Petor's Eurobike Recaps – Parts 1 & 2 on The Radavist
spencer harding
At first glance I was also perturbed at the flippant tone but you know what? Petor does run his own show, has his own interpretation of what works in the cycling industry and ultimately appreciates DIY innovation & earnest community building more that the relentless 'launches' and proprietary component proliferation that all too often steal the spotlight at Eurobike.
spencer harding
Again, Petor's critique may be tongue-in-cheek, but that doesn't make his points less weak. I'm always defensive of Eurobike because ultimately tradeshows are the sum of the energy that attendees bring. I certainly do my part, and I know the weird stuff is fun to point at, but we're all out here trying to keep the dream alive. Let's make next year's the raddest yet!
In Giro con Bonanno 30.08.2025
Josh Weinberg & Rob English's MADE Coverage
Josh Weinberg
Escape Collective's coverage of MADE has been awesome this year. Someday I'll make it over but August just isn't a month that I ever typically travel to the States. My bad, I know. Make sure to check Part Two too!
Radness
Bespoked will head to Osaka, Japan, in September 2026
Thank you very much for reading!
Here's to getting the work done, but ensuring time for fires & fun this week!