Ray Hosler is the author of Bay Area Bike Rides, which has been in print by Chronicle books since 1990. He was the weekly bicycle columnist at the San Francisco Chronicle from 1987-89. Prior to that he was an editor at Runner's World magazine. A life-long cyclist, he rode his bike to work nearly daily for 45 years. His cycling reached new heights when he worked at Palo Alto Bicycles in 1979 and started riding with Jobst Brandt in the Santa Cruz Mountains. He has ridden in France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Thailand and the Philippines.

It gives me great pleasure to have Ray answer our Local Riders Q&A. Many thanks to Ray for taking the time and sending over these amazing images. 

What do you love the most about riding your bike? 

I was asked that same question by Dale Saso recently. He's a frame builder who built me a bike in 1987 and has repaired it several times. I think it's all about giving a person freedom, self-reliance. I've ridden my bike in places unimaginable to most people, experienced nature in all its glory while enjoying the outdoors. The bike is easily the most efficient form of human transportation, an engineering marvel. And I can maintain it.

Which are your favourite stretches of road to ride on locally and what is it that you like about them?

I put together a list a while back: 

https://rayhosler.wordpress.com/2009/02/16/lists-10-best-roads-to-ride-in-the-san-francisco-bay-area/

For day to day riding though, I can't get enough of Summit Road between Highway 17 and Black Road/Skyline Boulevard. As for off-road, my favorite is Loma Prieta Road between Summit Road and Mt. Umunhum. It's off-limits now, but one of these days it will be open to the public. Spectacular views of the ocean and Santa Clara Valley.

The same question for roads anywhere in the world?

I enjoyed the Dolomites in Italy and all of the foothills leading up to them. I like narrow, winding roads that climb and have no cars. I think you could spend a lifetime riding through Italy and not see all of those roads. Magical.

What is your most memorable moment on the bike or involved with cycling?

In my book Once Upon a Ride there's a two-page spread of Jobst Brandt looking from Butano Ridge Trail toward the ocean (pg 26-27). That pretty much sums up the experience of riding with Jobst over the years. He made the rides come alive, giving history lessons, calling out birds. It never grew tiresome. There were so many moments, I knew I had to capture them on paper after the rides so I wouldn't forget. Another fun time was when we rode through a swarm of lady bugs on Highland Way in the Santa Cruz Mountains. One with nature...

Do you approach riding, or ride your bike, differently now compared to when you first got into cycling?

I rode a bike before 1979, but that was the year I really learned how to ride, working at Palo Alto Bicycles. We hammered all the time. Riding with Jobst in 1980 the fast pace continued unabated. I couldn't ride every weekend. It was just too much. Jobst rode with the local racers and the rides were always 100 miles or more. Brutal. Now I'm old and I ride at a survival pace, always. I avoid traffic. Long rides are more difficult, but I still do 100-milers. Not so much dirt these days. The mind is willing, but the body is not. 

Do you enjoy a cafe stop or do you prefer to ride straight round?

I only stop to take photos or enjoy a view. Jobst always stopped at stores on his rides and we'd pass the time of day. As he got older he did that  more frequently. 

What is your favorite piece of cycling kit (either something you currently own or have in the past)?

Silca frame-fit pump with steel Campagnolo head. I still own one and use it. It's the best pump ever made. Nothing else compares. 

(I think I know the answer to this one!) Do you prefer to get your head down on main roads, keep a good tempo going on the ‘B’ roads or get onto the back-wacks? What about the rough stuff on your road bike?

These days I avoid all heavily trafficked roads. I have found side streets that take me through Silicon Valley way faster than the main roads. I pretty much do the same rides I've been doing for the past 35 years, only slower.

Do you have any cycling pet hates?

Car back.

Are there any cycling traditions that you think have been, or are being, lost as a result of changing attitudes and behaviour? And are we better off or worse off as a consequence?

Nobody rides off-road on a road bike. If you don't have a mountain bike, it can't be done, they say. 

Cotton cap or helmet?

Helmet. I always said, "People who wear helmets need them." That's me today. 

Frame pump or mini pump?

Silca frame-fit all the way.

What do you like to talk about when you are on a ride with friends/team/club mates? Do you prefer to keep the subjects lightweight or get your teeth into something contentious or controversial?

We talk about past rides with Jobst. Otherwise we talk about everything under the sun. We all have similar interests and values, so there isn't any contention.

You rode a lot with Jobst Brandt, he had a reputation for straight-talking on rec.bike. What was he like in person? 

Jobst was an extremely complex person. In general, you shouldn't pigeon hole people, especially Jobst. People have many sides to them that are not visible until you've spent time with them, and even then they may act differently depending on who they're with. I always got along well with Jobst. He could be harsh in his condemnations, but he was a loyal friend who would do anything to help you with a problem. You'll have to read my book, Once Upon a Ride, to get a better picture. 

http://www.magcloud.com/user/rayhosler

He was one in a million, the smartest person I ever knew as a friend.

I’d like to know more about your friendship and riding experiences with Jobst, his influence and legacy but I’m not sure of the best questions to ask. Do you have any suggestions? 

Nothing quite captured the essence of life and friendship as starting from Jobst's house on a Sunday ride. I met a lot of carefree riders with diverse personalities, united by a common love for cycling and heading off-road with Jobst. There was a camaraderie that can't be replicated. I know this is trite, but I suppose it's the same way military veterans feel about those who they served with.

Michael Barry is a former world-tour professional cyclist who rode for a number of world-class teams including T-Mobile, High Road/HTC-Columbia, U.S. Postal Service, Discovery Channel and Team Sky. He raced 5 Giro d’Italia and 5 Vuelta a Espanas and one Tour de France. He has supported Lance Armstrong, Mark Cavendish, Bradley Wiggins and many other top names over the years.

In 2004, he wrote his first book Inside the Postal Bus. He most recently wrote Shadows on the Road in 2015. Barry has also written two other books, one being the great; Le Metier: The Seasons of a Professional Cyclist. When I first got into the bike I found this book to be a real eye-opener of grit and pain behind the sport. It comes highly recommended from me. 

He was born in Toronto, Ontario and his father Mike Barry Sr. was a racer himself  in the 1950's and 60's. After immigrating to Canada, Mike opened a speciality bike store that manufactures hand-made class frames under his own Mariposa brand which is definitely worth checking out here - https://mariposabicycles.ca 

Michael, his wife Dede and his father continue to run the business and build frames in Toronto.

As a racing cyclist, which results are you most proud of and why?

I’m not one to focus too much on results. I had some good races, but am most proud of the work I did for the teams I rode for—I really enjoyed riding as a domestique, sitting on the front of the peloton all day and setting up the team leader for a victory. Also, the TTT victories were great moments. There is little better than flying along with teammates, crossing the line together, and stepping up on the podium as a victorious team. Cycling is a team sport but, other than the TTT, it is rare the team gets to share the moment, so those victories are special in many respects. 

Which are your favourite stretches of road to ride on locally and what is it that you like about them? 

My daily commute through the park system in Toronto is pretty good as it feels like I'm in the middle of nowhere despite being in the fourth largest city in North America. There are an abundance of routes, both technical dirt trails and bike paths, which run along a river in a ravine. I can ride to and from the shop all year, as long as there isn’t a foot of snow, in which case I’ll run. 

The same question for roads anywhere in the world? 

I still love the roads around Girona, especially the gravel roads and paths up into the Pyrenees. I could ride up there all day everyday. 

What is your most memorable moment on the bike or involved with cycling?

My life has been spent on a bike, so it is difficult  to pinpoint one moment. I’d say, the most memorable have been riding with family. This year my wife and I took two of our tandems and did a weekend trip with our boys (ages 11 and 9) north of Toronto on gravel roads. We saw some great countryside, rode all day, ate a feast mid-ride and went for a swim in a lake once we got to the hotel. To me, days don’t get much better than that.

Has racing affected your relationship with the bike? If so, how? 

Racing did affect it for a quite a while — when cycling felt like a job, as it did in the middle part of my career because I was singularly focused, had militant coaches and/or raced in a toxic environment, I wasn’t always having fun and riding was a chore. As time went on I learned that with balance and perspective everything is more enjoyable and that I needed to remove myself from negative environments to enjoy riding a bike. In the last third of my career I rediscovered the love for riding that I had as a schoolboy and still feel it today. 

Do you agree with Mickey Goldmill's advice to Rocky that 'women weaken legs’

No. They seem to make me stronger. 

We are in the midst of a well publicised boom, has it affected you? Do you see any negatives to the increase in popularity? 

A boom is good for everybody—the more people riding bikes the better. 

All cyclists, whether they race or not, seem to obsess over the weight of their bikes. Why do you think this is? 

Because you have to haul extra weight around which, of course, requires more effort. The irony is that most non-racers who obsess about the weight of their bike could lose far more off of their waistline and would feel a much greater difference in performance than if they spend it on lighter wheels or bottle cage. I stopped worrying about weight a while ago and care far more about comfort, functionality and durability. 

Do you approach riding, or ride your bike, differently now to when you first got into cycling? 

I ride for enjoyment more than anything else. I don’t  have performance goals like I once did. So, there has certainly been in a change in mentality in that respect. But, I still like to ride all day and to push myself a bit in the hills or the town sign sprints. 

Who has been your favourite pro riders over the years and why? 

Tough question. When I was a boy my heroes were Merckx, Fignon, Bauer, Mottet and Kelly. As an adult, I respect those who were good teammates, respectful of others who are dedicated and hard working.

What was your favourite era of professional bike racing? 

The late 70’s, 80’s and early 90’s—when I was a boy I absorbed everything I could find from this period. The racing was also dynamic and less controlled than it is today.

Mudguards, mudguards and mudflaps or racing bike with clip on guards through winter? 

I most like a proper winter bike with aluminum mudguards, flaps and neatly fitting stays. Clip on mudguards look terrible and don’t do much in the way of keeping the spray off. Also, if riding in a group in the rain, proper mudguards keep the spray off of the others while clip ons don’t. 

Do you enjoy a cafe stop or do you prefer to ride straight round? 

Stop. Always. When I was a pro we’d stop for a coffee or coke and pastry. Now, I often stop for a proper breakfast or lunch. 

Assos, Rapha or neither? 

Better not to get overly caught up in brands. Look neat and tidy, wear clothing that fits and don’t wear clothing with holes. 

What is your favorite piece of cycling kit (either something you currently own or have in the past)? 

I like our Mariposa cotton caps and wear one everyday. 

Do you prefer to get your head down on main roads, keep a good tempo going on the ‘B’ roads or get onto the back-wacks? What about the rough stuff on your road bike? 

I stay off the main roads as much as possible to get away from the traffic and see some nice countryside. A good ride becomes great when I can discover some new places/roads. And, yes, I'll ride the rough stuff on a road bike. 

What do you think about Strava? 

I don’t use it while riding. I can see the training benefits but I don’t like how it has negatively affected group rides. Since retiring from the professional peloton, I ride without a computer. For me, a big part of riding is being out in the environment, sensing it, being connected to it, feeling how my body is moving and letting my mind wander. I find computers take most of that away. 

What do you think about Sportive rides? 

They’re great for building community, raising money for charity and getting more people on bikes. I ride several throughout the season—all fundraisers for differing charities—and we organize a gravel road fundraiser called the Growling Beaver which benefits the Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s.  

Do you have any cycling pet hates? 

Pretentious riders who think they know-it-all, follow all the bloody rules that have been written all over the internet, but don’t have any real etiquette or understanding of the fact that cycling is about sharing knowledge and experience not who has the fanciest bike or jersey or who can sprint the fastest.  

Are there any cycling traditions that you think have been, or are being, lost as a result of changing attitudes and behaviour? And are we better off or worse off as a consequence? 

As I mentioned, computer technology has changed cycling, racing and the group ride negatively in many respects. But, I do think there is a large and growing sector of the cycling population, especially among the younger generations, who are coming to understand, and appreciate, the true qualities of cycling: the adventure, the shared effort, and the community. The growth in gravel riding, bike packing, touring is encouraging. 

Cotton cap or helmet? 

As a boy I had quite a collection of pros' caps (some autographed). Then, when I became a pro I would almost always ride to the sign-in/startline with a cap on. Before starting the race, I would find a kid amongst the spectators to give it to as I remembered how special those caps were to me and how much it meant to me when professionals had tossed me their caps. I didn’t keep any of the helmets I wore as a professional but have a cap or two from every team that I rode for. Helmets tend to mask a rider’s face and expressions whereas a cap can accentuate them as everybody wears a cap in their own way. 

The benefits of spinning a low gear compared to mashing a high gear is often discussed. Putting aside the serious, physiological and mechanical aspects, what cadence you think looks right? 

About 90 rpm. 

White, black or coloured socks? 

When it comes to socks nothing looks better than crisp white socks just above the ankle contrasting a dark tan. 

Frame pump or mini pump? 

I prefer a frame pump on the seattube but do use a mini pump at times. On a touring bike a a frame pump mounted on a peg behind the seat tube looks good. Never Co2 cartridges. 

What do you like to talk about when you are on a ride with friends/team/club mates? Do you prefer to keep the subjects lightweight or get your teeth into something contentious or controversial? 

Riding can make conversations come alive so I just let it flow and start chatting. Deep conversations can be good as they are often therapeutic—cycling allows people to get things off of their minds and can put them in a good place. The best riding partners are those who are well read, can keep a good conversation going for hours, are humorous and easy going.  

Who would be/is your perfect tandem partner? Would you ride captain or stoker? 

I’ve been riding with our boys who quite a lot. They’ve got good little engines and we have a lot of fun together. The rides I’ve done with them this year have been some of my best days on a bike. 

Which three words best describe you? 

This is a question I won’t even try to answer. 

When where/are you most happy? 

Now, with my family. 

Who would be your guests at your perfect dinner party (dead or alive)? 

I’d love for my children to meet their great grandparents as they ask about them often. 

If you could go back in time, where would you go? 

I’d go back to see how my parents grew up—Wimbledon in the 40-50’s when my Dad was a kid and to Brooks, Alberta, Canada where my mom grew up. My father has many great stories of his time growing up in  post-war London, and more specifically the bike shops and the club cycling scene. I’d love to see and experience that, to go for a long rough stuff ride with him with a couple of stops in the pubs along the way. My mother had a much different growing up experience in ranch land in central Alberta. It would be intriguing for me to spend time with her, my uncle and grandparents and to see the life they had out there as kids. Maybe, going back would give me a better understanding of our lives, my grandparents, my parents and myself. 

When was the last time you cried? 

As I get older I seem to cry at sad scenes in movies. So, most likely, it was the last time I watched a movie with a heart wrenching scene, which was probably a month or two ago. 

When did you laugh the hardest? 

We laugh a lot as a family as the kids have a good sense of humour and we just do silly things together. Most recently, we were riding the tandems and my son was explaining pronunciations of street names and how he like to change the pronunciations of the names he thought sounded “terrible.” He started rhyming off all sorts of names as we were climbing a hill in central Toronto. It was just silly stuff, but in the end it was extremely funny, because of the circumstance, his conviction and thought process, and the inanity of it. We came to a standstill as I couldn’t pedal I was laughing so hard. 

Are you the type of person who likes to have a plan? Or do you prefer to wing it? 

Loose plan and then wing it. Due to bad planning, I’ve learned a good adventures becomes a great adventure with a little of the unexpected. Aren’t we all happiest when we introduce novel experiences into our lives? 

If you could edit your past, what would you change? 

Life is full of ups and downs. We learn and grow. I’ve made mistakes but through them I’ve learned a lot about myself. Overall, I try not to look backwards but forward. 

What single thing would improve the quality of your life? 

Gloves that keep your hands warm while riding on the coldest days. Growing up in Canada, I’ve tried everything and other than bulky leather and wool mitts nothing seems to do the job.

Big thanks to Dede Barry for providing me with the images. The photo of Michael alone in the mountains is by Kristoff Ramon. The image of Michael in Sky Gear with the boys is by Ian Austen. 

Jay McCarthy is an Australian racing cyclist who is currently riding for Bora-Hansgrohe. He has completed both the Giro and Vuelta as well as finishing 3rd place at the Tour of Turkey in 2015. 

I met Jay when I was cycling with a friend in Lucca (Italy) a over a year ago. That is where Jay lives. He was kind of enough to ride at my pace over the rolling hills and quiet roads of Tuscany in the sun, a memorable moment for me on the bike. I asked him a lot of the questions during that ride and followed up the conversation with an email exchange which lead to him agreeing to answer the Local Riders Q&A. 

It is also worth mentioning the way he bolted up the side of a mountain on that same ride, probably the most impressive display of climbing I'd ever seen in real-life on a bike. 

Jay has been really supportive regarding Mamnick too and he sported the Sheffield made stainless steel bracelet at this years Tour Down Under, where he wore it on the podium whilst wearing the leaders jersey. I thought that was pretty cool. 

As a racing cyclist, which results are you most proud of and why?

2nd in the world championships when I was a junior is always a proud moment, as that's when I realised that I had some sort or a future in professional cycling. 

Which are your favourite stretches of road to ride on locally and what is it that you like about them?

Home being Lucca, I love Pizzione. It's a hard, steep climb and its just in my backyard. Great hard start or finish of a ride. 

The same question for roads anywhere in the world?

I love doing my training camps in Livigno, Italy using all of the passes - Gavia, Posso Motorolo and of course the infamous Stelvio. 

What is your most memorable moment on the bike or involved with cycling?

There's so many! But the one that tops it is in the Giro 2014 - getting the chance to go in the breakaway in stage 17 and grabbing a 3rd.

Has racing affected your relationship with the bike? If so, how?

Of course there's parts of the year when you've raced a lot and you feel like your not getting anywhere and you hate it, but when you look back they are the moments that make you stronger.

Do you agree with Mickey Goldmill's advice to Rocky that 'women weaken legs'?

No, I've been with my girlfriend for 8 years and she's been a part of getting to me where I am today. 

We are in the midst of a well publicised boom in cycling in the UK atthe moment. Has it affected you? Do you have any thoughts about why it has happened and whether it will continue? Do you see any negatives to the increase in popularity?

Defiantly no negatives to the popularity, it's great as an athlete to meet people with the same passion for the sport from all different ways of life. I think Team Sky has given the UK a good insight into cycling too. It’s always great to see a Glen Country team doing well. 

All cyclists, whether they race or not, seem to obsess over the weight of their bikes. Why do you think this is?

I think sometimes people forget that it's not about the bike, it's about the shoes and the sock height!

Do you approach riding, or ride your bike, differently now to when you first got into cycling?

No, I've always wanted to be the best and I'm still on that journey. I never got onto the bike to only improve fitness but to kick arse. 

Who has been your favourite pro riders over the years and why?

I look up to Mick Rogers because he's an extremely professional athlete that doesn't have his head up his arse.

What was you favourite era of professional bike racing?

Mine because I'm apart of it!

 What is your favorite piece of cycling kit (either something you currently own or have in the past)?

I just like sunglasses and brand new socks!

What do you think about Strava?

Not against it, great motivation for up and coming cyclists all over the world! 

Do you have any cycling pet hates?

Couch pro’s! People who think they know about professional cycling and cycling in general when they just don't. #keyboardwarriers

Cotton cap or helmet?

Cotton cap, although a helmet has saved my life a time or two. However always have a cotton cap in the jersey ready for my cafe Doppio stop. 

The benefits of spinning a low gear compared to mashing a high gear is often discussed. Putting aside the serious, physiological and mechanical aspects, what cadence you think looks right?

85-90  - although I am a spinner. 

What do you like to talk about when you are on a ride with friends/team/club mates? Do you prefer to keep the subjects lightweight or get your teeth into something contentious or controversial?

We just talk smack. 

Which three words best describe you?

'Up' 'and' 'coming’.

Did you used to listen to music before a race? If so, did you have a

favourite tune or playlist?

I don't have anything particular but Spotify always finds sometime to suit the mood. 

When were/are you most happy?

When I finish a monster ride that feeling of hitting the numbers and floating on the pedals. 

Are you the type of person who likes to have a plan? Or do you prefer to wing it? 

I like to have base plan. But can make decisions quickly if needed. 

If you could edit your past, what would you change?

No regrets, it's all been a journey, I have learnt from any decision or mistake I’ve made.

What single thing would improve the quality of your life?

Learning Italian. I'm on the way but I need to focus a bit more on it. It would make life in Italy so much easy.

This is a long overdue entry to the Local Rides Q&A as me and Jonathan exchanged these email nearly a year ago, so my apologies to Jon for the wait on completing this. There are also a few more Q&A's to go up on this journal over the next couple of weeks too so keep your eyes-peeled. 

Jonathan Tiernan-Locke's major breakthrough as a professtional cyclist came from winning four stages during the 2012 UCI Europe Tour, including the Tour of Britain while riding for Endura Racing. He has also rode for Rapha-Condor Sharp (2011) and Team Sky (2013-2014). 

Now JTL is riding for a team he co-founded, inspired by the patron saint of tin-miners and Cornwall - Saint Piran. ( http://saintpiran.cc )

Saint Piran was apparently tied to a mill-stone by the heathen Irish and pushed over a cliff into rough seas. The sea then became calm and the saint floated back to the beach in Perranzabuloe, the place where is was buried. 

As a racing cyclist, which results are you most proud of and why?

Pride comes before a fall and I’ve always felt more relief than anything else when I’ve won.  It’s funny but I see guys screaming when they’ve won a race and I’ve just never felt like that. It’s more like, “Thank fuck that’s over, and I won… And didn’t crash!”.

Which are your favourite stretches of road to ride on locally and what is it that you like about them?

Anything on Dartmoor or the South Devon coast line.  It’s all so incredibly beautiful at any time of year. I love the contrast of stringing together the moonscape of the moor with the picturesque scenes of Salcombe and Dartmouth.

The same question for roads anywhere in the world?

The Pyrenees, without doubt.

What is your most memorable moment on the bike or involved with cycling?

Getting drunk under the table in a Korean nightclub by Estonian hardman and cycling legend Jaan Kirsipuu.

Has racing affected your relationship with the bike? If so, how?

For a time it did: when I starved myself, stared at a power meter and dreaded training camps and shit races. I was trying to change the sort of rider I was, chasing something else. But now it’s back how it used to be; just going out and enjoying cycling for the sake of it. Taking an interest in the equipment again and training how I want.

Do you agree with Mickey Goldmill's advice to Rocky that 'women weaken legs'?

Sorry Mick, you’re wrong!

We are in the midst of a well publicised boom in cycling in the UK at the moment. Has it affected you? Do you have any thoughts about why it has happened and whether it will continue? Do you see any negatives to the increase in popularity?

We are, but I see it as cycling just growing up. The friction between disciplines has all but disappeared and it has become a more mainstream sport.  The anglicisation of the sport at World Tour level has attracted proper sponsors and the guys at the top are household names. Participation is higher at grassroots level and a UK based pro can now earn a reasonable living if he’s handy.  Women’s cycling is going in the right direction too, albeit more slowly. Perhaps we’re on the crest of a wave and there will be some tailing off, but I see no negatives from cycling’s new found popularity.

All cyclists, whether they race or not, seem to obsess over the weight of their bikes. Why do you think this is?

In the past I’ve been guilty of this. It’s easy to get caught up in a numbers game, and some will find it easier to shave weight off their bike than to lay off the cakes.

Do you approach riding, or ride your bike, differently now to when you first got into cycling? 

Of course. As a kid I wasn’t a cyclist! I was a mountain biker who did rad jumps!  There was no training, no SPD pedals or helmets. We’d watch MTB videos to get all fired up before going out and taking lumps out of our shins with bear-trap pedals.  Now it’s much more gentile - with training rides - although I like to get out to the local DH centre on the MTB when I can.  

Who has been your favourite pro riders over the years and why?

In my early days it was guys like Martin Ashton, riding trials.  Racing XC as a junior it was Nick Craig and Roland Green.  Then Lance came back and he was the coolest guy ever. I even started pedaling faster! Despite what has happened with the guy I still think he was the best. It was the era, and no amount of PC bullshit will change that.  In the classics Bettini was the man!

What was you favourite era of professional bike racing?

The 90’s and early 2000’s without doubt.  So many characters.  I started learning about the sport in about 2003, watching old VHS tapes that Colin Lewis lent me and reading some books. I was both enchanted and inspired.

What is your favorite piece of cycling kit (either something you currently own or have in the past)?

A Castelli Gabba jacket…so versatile.  

What do you think about Strava?

I actually like it.  I mean sometimes it pisses me off seeing these downhill segments through a local town or whatever, where some guy has basically been a menace without regard for anyone’s safety…just to put his time out of reach.  But as a harmless bit of competition I think it’s good fun. I’ll push myself harder in training to beat my own times as well, so it has a benefit.

What do you think about Sportive rides?

I used to think they were a bit pointless: to the anti social guys who are basically time trialling, I say go and do a real race.  But as a social thing, with the camaraderie of riding with a huge group, and a big event feel, I think they’re great.  It’s a date in the diary that gives people a training focus and is helping the cycling trade no end.

Do you have any cycling pet hates?

Half wheeling, poorly maintained bikes, scabby kit. 

Are there any cycling traditions that you think have been, or are being, lost as a result of changing attitudes and behaviour? And are we better off or worse off as a consequence?

There are many, but one of the most lamentable is the decline of the cycling club and the culture that went with that.  As a young rider getting into the sport I was helped immeasurably by the Mid Devon cycling club.  Getting a kicking on the club run a few times gave me something to aim for and taught me cycling etiquette and how to ride safely in a bunch.  Things I took for granted until I first rode with a newer generation of cyclist. They’ll happily half wheel you, totally oblivious.  Also the sense of entitlement that many very average cyclists have when it comes to getting support or sponsorship, expecting to be given free kit for getting round a premier calendar in the bunch.

Cotton cap or helmet?

Until about two years ago I would never dream of training in a helmet.  I guess I started feeling the pressure and was taking so much sh*t for riding without that I wore one for an easy life.  I can’t stand pro-helmet crusaders though.

The benefits of spinning a low gear compared to mashing a high gear is often discussed. Putting aside the serious, physiological and mechanical aspects, what cadence you think looks right?

90rpm

What do you like to talk about when you are on a ride with friends/team/club mates? Do you prefer to keep the subjects lightweight or get your teeth into something contentious or controversial?

Totally depends on who I’m with, but it’s mostly piss-taking and stories!

Which three words best describe you?

Wilful. Thoughtful. Youthful.

Did you used to listen to music before a race? If so, did you have a favourite tune or playlist?

I often did, but it would always change and depend on my mood. My music taste is all over the place, so it could be something uplifting, or something like Joy Division.  Either way, it wouldn’t affect the outcome.

When were/are you most happy?

Goes without saying really, but when I have no stress and a goal to work at. Now is a pretty good example of such a time.

Who would be your guests at your perfect dinner party (dead or alive)?

Churchill, Ali G, Michael McIntyre, Di Nero. They could bring their other halves to even out the gender ratio.

If you could go back in time, where would you go?

On the assumption I could return to present day? It would have to achieve something, so maybe I’d avert some great tragedy, but that wouldn’t be fair on all the others.  Perhaps I’d go back to a couple of years before Facebook came out. 

When was the last time you cried?

Probably watching some sad film, wildlife documentary or at a funeral last year.

When did you laugh the hardest?

Impossible to say!  I laugh a lot every day.

Are you the type of person who likes to have a plan? Or do you prefer to wing it?

A bit of both: I like to have the outline of a plan there and ‘wing’ the detail!

If you could edit your past, what would you change? 

I don’t believe in changing the past as it would have as yet unknown future consequences.  I’m totally happy with my life’s trajectory and wouldn’t want to alter that.

What single thing would improve the quality of your life? 

Right now?  Fish and chips and a few beers.

Note the name: for it signifies something that is to be handled. This brings us to the principle that the arrangement of the hank/pocketsquare in the breast pocket must be done in such a way that that it gives the appearance of being there for use, and not decoration, although this latter function is fundamentally important if you are in favor of 'peacocking' (always an opinion at weddings, if one should need such an excuse). Any use of a second handkerchief other than that of display is a gesture inelegant in the extreme (although, I do not deter you from purchasing all designs available, please do not wear all at once). 

As decoration I would suggest the lighter tone of the pocketsquare to relieve the sobriety of the a darker jacket or suit. Examples of this 'styling' of the pocket can be see on the product pages of each hank and in the images below. The use of coloured pocketsquares has increased as colour and patterns of shirts have become more popular and commonplace.

Silk is not a fabric suitable for frequent washing, so it's important to look after this, I believe this adds an extra value to a pocket-square made from pure-silk (especially made to limited numbers, screen-printed by hand and here in the UK). There is unfortunately no way of making by machine any satisfactory hem reproduces the narrow rolled hem by hand. This is important, because a handkerchief placed casually, as it should be, in the breast pocket is bound to display some of it's hem. There is an excuse for extravagance here should you need one. 

All our pocketsquares have been made to limited numbers by hand in England with design and illustration coming from Hannah Waldron, Mick Marston and Sara Boccacini-Meadows. 

To view each product click on the links below. 

La Casquette by Mick Marston 

Kinder by Hannah Waldron 

Foliage by Sara Boccacini-Meadows

I've always enjoyed a good conversation, in fact, I value it over most things. Having your ideas challenged, listening to others about subjects you know little about and asking (sometimes awkward) questions have always been part of my character. I've got a very inquisitive nature and I find conversations are a fun way of educating myself, challenging my own (and others) opinions and most importantly - having a laugh! I like to think most of my friends like that about me (as frustrating as I can sometimes be). 

When I started Mamnick just over four years ago, I wanted this 'love of conversation' to feed into my brand. Coming from a fairly humble background, I'd always aspired to own nice things and I think it was (and maybe still is) a part of being a young growing up around working-class culture in the North. I'd say it's this part of our culture that has brought me close to people many people. 

Today is no different, many of my conversations with good friends revolve around clothing details, fabrics, the bike and culture. We never really take ourselves too seriously and we're always looking to have a laugh at each others expense. 

I feel like I've been lucky to extend these conversations into Mamnick. Firstly, I learnt a lot from my first collaboration with Kenneth Mackenzie (6876) when we produced the ventile Eyam smock back in 2015. Since then I've working with a spectrum of brands and artists, from big ones such as Rapha and Clarks Originals, to other similar-minded boutique brands like INSTRMNT and recently Banton Frameworks. 

I'm always looking for a synergy when it comes to collaboration, it might be a shared love for the bike (Rapha), working on limited runs and beautiful fabrics (6876) but always focusing on the finer details that make a product more appealing for our customer.  

I think conversations are important for things to progress, not just for my brand but in life generally and now seems like a great time to write this down and to thank the people who I've had conversation with so far. Friends on the bike, people down the pub or online via social media.

I think it adds richness and value to my life, gives me fresh perspectives and hopefully this shows through in the Mamnick brand. 

Thom

Today, we proudly launch our first full sunglasses frame in collaboration with Banton Frameworks, UK. 

Each frame has been carefully handmade in their studio workshop sporting customary Banton Frameworks components;

Robust stainless steel rivets permanently fasten 5 barrel stainless steel hinges resulting in a timeless and sturdy feel. Titanium nose pads poise the frame perfectly on your nose without the frame edge resting on your face. Curved ‘hockey-end’ temples curl effortlessly behind the ear, offering a secure and comfortable fit. Due to the varying transparency of the Amber acetate, the solid brass temple core inside the temples is visible both inside and outside of the frame. 

In keeping with our minimal ethos, also shared by BF, the frame bears no outer branding.

Precision machined from premium Italian acetate, each frame is completely unique to its positioning from the sheet. Each frame has it’s own unique markings made from a mixture of ambers and browns. Further still, we only had access to just one section of this lustrous acetate resulting in a small stock of this collaborative model. 

With only 50 frames produced, this is a limited edition frame.

When designing for the collaboration, the application for a neutral palette became clear. Neutral tones were selected for the packaging and presentation to enhance the vibrancy and qualities of the Amber acetate.

Made in Somerset in conjunction with a premium leather specialist, the specifications for the sunglasses case were implemented. Simple interaction was at the forefront, using a manually riveted stainless steel ‘Sam Brown’ button. The case itself is made from two pieces of black calf leather, expertly stitched back to back. Between the layers in the bottom right of the case are the representative hem tags for each brand. The Mamnick championship bands that also appear on the Foul Weather wallet. 

Sourced from Hull, the papers used for the presentation box are produced by the renowned paper specialists; GF.Smith. As part of their ‘colourplan’ collection, the outer skin dons a ‘Chord Emboss’ texture creating a matt finish. Centre to the box lid, the collaboration icon was applied via a fully bespoke foil blocking die in gloss black. The black on black contrast provided a dark and subtle finish. On opening the box, the vibrancy of the frame is revealed, contrasting the previous stage of the dark exterior.

After first identifying a synergy between Mamnick and Banton Frameworks, I approached them any proposed the idea of producing a limited pair of sunglasses manufactured in their workshop near Glasgow. After numerous conversations via email and phone, the dimensional drawings (seen below) outline their very first ‘full acetate frame’ which I am happy Mamnick can be a part of.

Produced from premium acetate, the cotton based bio-polymer is sourced from a globally renowned Italian supplier. The tones of the acetate are warm with hints of orange and red. During design development the acetate board produced an amber glow across the numerous dimensional drawings and wire frame elevations. Comparatively unusual beside their current range of acetates, the honey-like qualities of this acetate has lustre similar to that of marble or horn.

The Mamnick x Banton Frameworks icon; featured across all literature and branding relative to the project throughout. This icon will also feature on the packaging which will revealed later. Collectively we opted to implement both our minimal logos, positioned alongside each other, this layout yielded geometric contrast, joined by the collaborative diagonal line. A nod towards Modernism.

These frames will come fitted with polarised Polaroid lenses (non-prescription) at the  pre-order price of £190.00. Limited in number. More details specification can also be read here. 

All enquires please to - thom@mamnick.com

Thom

After long and overdue input on this journal, it gives me great pleasure to announce a collaboration with Scottish based brand Banton Frameworks. 

As part of our collaboration we have created a full acetate sunglasses frame. Produced completely in the BF workshop, just outside Glasgow. The combination of precision processes and handmade craftsmanship were used to create this bespoke design, created under Mamnick’s mantra of  doing ”One thing at a time, as beautiful as possible”.

These frames will come with sun lenses included within the pre-order price of £190.00. We are also able to offer prescription sun lenses or prescription spectacle lenses upon request too, please email me if this is something you would require (thom@mamnick.com). 

The design is a bold frame sporting a lowered bridge and sharp rectangular styling - This is a carefully handmade frame for those who want a rectangular frame for their sunglasses or specs.

• Handmade in Glasgow, UK.
• Over 40 processes involved in making one frame.
• Fine Italian acetate
• Polished for 36 hours.
• Stainless steel rivets.
• Manually formed bridge (for comfort).
• Aviation grade aluminium temples (lightweight and adjustable).
• Acetate temple tips provide for smooth on/off comfort.

We will continue to post images of the development of this fine product as it happens via twitter and instagram (@mamnick). 

Thank you for your continued support and interest in Mamnick.

Thom