June is within reach, and the calendar is bursting at the seams with everything from trade shows & to rock shows to rides, trips, and shoots. Somehow, I'll pull it off!

On our 16hr drive from Fenderfest (about 130km NW of Berlin) to Girona, Hahn, Jana & I collectively chuckled at the madness of making trips like these work.

I had originally expected to carpool to Spain with my friends Nils and Bregan, but Nils had a death in his family (thinking of you, Nils!) and coincidentally (unsurprisingly?) Hahn & Jana were not only at Fenderfest but also had a spare seat for me to get to Spain. They graciously offered it, and I humbly accepted to sit in the middle seat the whole way.

My itineraries are typically stitched together by more than half a dozen modes of transport (cycling, walking, buses, subways, cars, planes, trains, etc.). Finding a way to join the various loosely work-related events scattered all over, visit my kids in Florida 5x annually, and regularly host events at Workspace 6 is no easy feat.

Not one trip, despite delays, cancellations, or other setbacks, has been bad. As Erik Binggeser says in his SILCA interview below, he's had some tough days but never a bad day. I dunno if I can go that far, but like Hahn said during the drive to Spain:

"If You Have The Chance, Go To The Dance" – Hahn Rossman

That is to say, if you have an opportunity for a new experience, adventure, or unknown road; give it a go because you'll be grateful for the memories, friendships and beauty that you'll be bestowed.

thank you for reading & wishing you a blast at your next 'dance',

Jon

p.s.

🎵 Tunes on deck this past week: ok, not the whole week but the ~16 hour drive from Brandenburg to the Costa Brava: Chances With Wolves (if you're on your phone, go straight to Soundcloud) ...listened to Episode to nº593 while writing this issue!

May

• 🇳🇱 21 Gregario Gossip Club Thursday AM Ride (7:15am)
• 🇳🇱 21 The Mechanics of Joy with Monica Manarino
• 🇳🇱 19 MAAP Amsterdam PRIME Early Ride (6:45)
• 🇳🇱 19 False Flat Tuesday After Work Ride (5pm)
• 🇳🇱 20 Wheelrunner Wednesday AM Ride (6:30am)
• 🇮🇹 23-24 Mental Athletic presents Spirito Rosa
• 🇮🇹 27.5 - 1.6 Cycle Messenger World Championships
• 🇩🇪 30 Mini Bike Fest

June

• 🇮🇹 4-7 Bicycle Adventure Meetup
• 🇳🇱 18 The Mechanics of Joy with Mira Woodroof
• 🇩🇪 24-26 Eurobike
• 🇮🇹 27-28 Mogast
• 🇳🇱 27-28 Damn 24

Bikes

SILCA & Remco Tools at Mental Athletic's Spirito Rosa

The Life You Find on a Bicycle: Josh Poertner talks with Erik Binggeser

Super 73 Upgrades Connectivity with Comodule – A partnership that began at Twotone

Staying close to your community My first real impression of SUPER73, Inc. was in Amsterdam three years ago, meeting their European team and local community. I did not know anyone there at first… | Timo Saabas

Staying close to your community My first real impression of SUPER73, Inc. was in Amsterdam three years ago, meeting their European team and local community. I did not know anyone there at first. Not really anyone in the city. Still, I was welcomed with hospitality and energy I have rarely felt at any cycling event. They gave “a stranger” a bike to explore Amsterdam, then handed me a beer at a party at Twotone Amsterdam’s office later that night. No questions asked. It felt like they had known me for years - it was great fun. But not everything felt natural. Imagine visiting one of the world’s biggest cycling cities, also known for serious bike theft problems. Now imagine being trusted with a 40 kg bike and trying to find a safe place to park it overnight. Three years later, I’m happy to contribute to the launch of SUPER73’s connectivity upgrade, which is a direct response to theft concerns of thousands of riders from their community (including a bloke like me). Respect for staying true to your values.

LinkedInTimo Saabas

"They gave 'a stranger' a bike to explore Amsterdam, then handed me a beer at a party at Twotone Amsterdam’s office later that night. No questions asked. It felt like they had known me for years - it was great fun." – Timo Saabas

Ideas

The Mechanics of Joy Nº56 with Monica Manarino

Why Can't The Bike Industry Get Itself Out of Trouble

Cycling Art Research May Newsletter

Friends

The DotComms Podcast asks: How Hard Is Too Hard?

Gramm Tourpacking Launched The Diamond Back Pack

Custom Diamond Back Pack — gramm tourpacking | bikepacking bags

A versatile 12-liter bag for bikepacking and long-distance riding that mounts behind the saddle to the Allygn Diamond Back Rack.

gramm tourpacking | bikepacking bagsCart 0

SOUR: Our Steel, Our Rules

Radness

Rooted in skateboarding. Lost in Amsterdam. Vans x Ben G. x POP

Thank you for reading!
Here's to going to the dance if you get the chance this week!