CROSS VEGAS USAC MEN’S AND WOMEN’S RACES 2016

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It’s no surprise that San Franciscans are weather wimps. With the fog moisturizers, vitamin D, and temporal temps, I/we are a little soft in the Southwest deserthellscape that is Las Vegas. In traditional MASH fashion, all the team support came together just in time for Cross Vegas 2016. Last year our energy was focused on the 10 Year Anniversary, so the Cross team did not get the care they deserved, and had their best season to date. To make up for it, this year they signed up with friends at Santa Cruz, ENVE, Chris King, Sell Italia, and Ritchey, along with  powerhouses that have cheered with us forever, Oakley, Giro, Clif, and Castelli. The collective stepped up the quality of bikes and soft goods, so the athlete could focus on racing bikes.

The desert Breeze sports complex offers up a large piece of grass real estate, banked on 4 sides shaped like a drainage ditch. It allows for some elevation changes, and off-camber switches, mixed with some wood obstacles, and endless course tape to cross the state of Nevada.

Derek Yarra was on course for the USAC Men’s race.

A storm kept the 4:00PM race a little cooler, and breezy.

Rainier started on the back row of a 100 person field.

No shortage of vibes from the racers and the crowd.

Chelsea took the holeshot in the Women’s USAC race.


Rainier caught in the sandpit. It took 5 hours of racing to clear a center line that was rideable.





2 to go!
Chelsea wishing we had Tri skinsuits for Septembers.

You dudes recover? See you next weekend!

CROSS VEGAS WORLD CUP CX 2016

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Another summer is brought to a close, and for West Coast Cyclocross, we see Cross Vegas as the kickoff for the race season. The event has grown over the years, becoming the staple for the bike industry on a Wednesday night in Las Vegas. The UCI World Cup took it to another level, with pros traveling from around the world to get in on the action. Our shop team races at the USAC level (more on those races in a future post) and as fans of the sport, we love being able to see an event of this magnitude piggyback an industry event, Interbike. For a few decades of my life I worked as a “professional” photographer. It was my career and I have spoken about how the art process that I fell in love with was then tarnished when it became a job. MASH saved me in that way. Just shooting what/when I wanted, and sharing with a community that I am really stoked to be a part of. I don’t get a press pass at these events and wander as I please, oftentimes getting yelled at along the way. This is fun to me, and because I’m happy, I enjoy shooting photos of shit that I am way into. I did not get the name of the shooter pictured above, seeing him, with his 12 shot rolls, and waistlevel finder got me stoked. It’s bike racing, what’s the hurry? Enclosed are some photos of the Women’s and Men’s UCI races for the night.

The call ups included many national champions from Europe.
Ellen Noble (USA) in the Rapha kit would later pull on the under-23 women leader’s jersey.
No doping. No handups.
Powerbraid by the night’s Elite women winner, Sophie De Boer.
The intensity during staging is incredible.

Would anyone ride the long uphill sand?

The American women are contenders in this Euro-dominated discipline. Katie Compton is a big reason why and finished third.
Broadcast (or more likely streaming) live worldwide.



Laurens Sweeck has a rep for pushing the pace early but not quite to the end. In this race he finished on the podium.

Roost

Cross Vegas started as a nighttime alternative to gambling, strips clubs and bars during Interbike. After a string of successful events it was upgraded to World Cup status. Putting the US on the muddy cyclocross map, even though its in the middle of the desert.
The world champ made his move in the sand and left the pack in his cloud.

Superman

22 and still growing.
Jpow finished sixth at last year’s event, the highest USA World Cup finish ever.
This year he was the top placing American at 18th.
After stumbling on the stairs, breaking his toe, chasing back and winning solo. Cross is here!“McTubbin” Tobin Ortenblad is someone we’ve raced with in NorCal for years. So stoked to see him riding strong at the highest level.

Words: Mike Martin and Brandon Reif
Photos: Mike Martin

All City Championships 11

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All City Championships in its 11th year is the bread and butter of the Minneapolis alleycats. This year the championships were scored as an omnium. There was four days of events – Sk Afterdark, Bandit Cx, Match Sprints, and the Main alleycat. Minneapolis gets down in all the right ways during the summer and Jeff Frane does a fantastic job putting together this event. I Took home first out of town which freakin’ rules because last time I came to this event i ended up in the hospital. Thanks for all the love, brunch, and hospitality. Stay Spicy my friends. – Sean

CHAS + LEGOR + ERIK OTTO

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Ran into Chas on his new Legor road bike this morning.  While in route to the bridge, he showed me a spot of native plants where he chose colors for the frames paint work.  Was loving how Erik Otto’s warm and cold tones where looking with the summer greens.

Kosuke Masuda

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We met Kosuke Masuda – or simply, Ko – in 2006 during an art show in Tokyo. Ko engages in multiple art mediums, from painting, to engraving, to writing. He is a Buddhist monk and his personal philosophy is apparent in his work.

Enclosed are a few photographs of his work. The details are mind blowing.

We recently sent Ko our Cinelli MASH drop bars and stem. Ko hand engraved them with a dremel and the results are jaw dropping. The bars, stem and top cap were supposed to be it, but a black anodized Campagnolo record pista track crank set and chain ring seemed like a must. Would be nice to build a complete bike with him one day!

I highly recommend checking out Ko’s website as well. His intention with his artwork is so advanced. It can be easy to get caught up with the modern busy life, but I could sit with these pieces for hours, continuing to find new hidden details. Honored to have them here on display at our shop.

• Photos: Martin Bustamante

WESTSIDE INVITE 2016

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Chas and Sean traveled to San Diego for the 2016 West Side Invite. This West Coast Messenger event is a timeless tradition for these guys. We are hyped to see Chas win the main event this year. Matt Lingo shot some really fun images from the weekend. Check in!

ERIK OTTO FOR MASH

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We are excited to share the work of San Francisco artist Erik Otto. We have known Erik through bikes, and love what he is creating as an artist. Working with Castelli, and Specialized, we have created a cycling kit and bottles with Erik, and love the finished pieces. Enclosed are some thoughts from Erik.

And that’s just it. Biking has always been something I turned to for enjoyment. I would work a full day in the studio and scheduled tasks that required me to break up my day to ride across town to pick up or drop something off. Riding bikes and making art initially were very separate, but over time, the lifestyle from experiencing the world on two wheels became a major influence to the more serious work I began creating. I was making work that captured motion and energy and through the process itself I would find a sense of peace amidst forces that I felt were beyond my control. Similarly, the self-sufficient act of riding a bike became empowering and my continual place of refuge, while my interest in flow increased both in and out of the studio. I would make the work then process it later while on a bike and it didn’t take long to see that the two outlets were becoming one.

This still holds true today, and while the themes of my work have evolved, the ability to survive with an alternative career path in an expensive city hasn’t become any easier. It takes an insane amount of dedication and perseverance to overcome the moments where nothing seems to be working. I consciously chose this life of struggle and every day I do my best to keep things moving forward. Meanwhile, every single day I hop on a bike which serves as a reminder to power through the pain and endure the most difficult of times because you never know what’s possible unless you keep on going.

We created 22oz Purist Bottles with Erik’s print. We love how these turned out.

Short Sleeve Jersey shown with Arm Warmers.Arm WarmersWind Stopper Jacket with pass through rear zip.

We have a new black bib, with the Castelli  Team bib with Kiss Air Pad, as well as new knee and leg warmers. Available now!

Crit Month

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MISSION CRIT – SAN FRANCISCO, CA

RED HOOK CRIT 9 – NEW YORK CITY, NY

SHORT LINE CRIT – LONG BEACH, CA

-Sean

Shred N Out

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Matt Reyes shot some really beautiful moments between heats at the TCB Shred N Out CX elimination race last week. Check his full post HERE!

STUPOR BOWL 2016

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Stupor Bowl in its 19th year is the longest running and largest alley cat in North America. Taking place in Minneapolis during the coldest part of winter, 300+ messengers / bike nerds make their way to race and prove their drinking capibilities in either one of two race categories- Speed or Stupor.


It Was really rad to see everyone and super hyped to have finished top 15 in the stupor category, I really lucked out with the weather this year but none the less it proved to be one hell of a time. The midwest always shows me a good time. Shoutout to all the race organizers and sponsors for making this jammer happen every year. 10/10 would go again. -SEAN