fifocycle

Philadelphia Bike Expo #2

2011-10-27T12:16:00.004-04:00

It's that time of year again! We're looking forward to this year's expo and seeing some old friends. We have new hats, tool bags and some one of a kind samples that we'll be raffling off so come by the booth and say hi!

What Winter Blues?

2011-02-03T13:25:00.002-05:00

It occurred to me last weekend that instead of moaning about the black snow-hills lining the streets of Brooklyn these days I should go somewhere where I could marvel at some untouched whiteness. I didn't see a soul as I trekked through my local cemetery last Sunday and it was breathtaking.

The Degenerate Craft Fair

2010-12-09T18:56:00.003-05:00

For those of you who have been wanting to see my hats in person I will be at the Degenerate Craft Fair at the DCTV Firehouse this weekend. There'll be lots to see and we'll be having the usual good times at our booth. Also there'll be free beer courtesy of Brooklyn Brewery on Saturday evening 6-9pm. Come hang out with us and try on hats! More details here.

New Hats for Icy Winds

2010-12-09T18:41:00.004-05:00

Louis Blériot, the French aviator, inventor and great moustache wearer was the first to cross the English Channel in what was essentially a bicycle with wings. In the spirit of this daredevil adventurer, we've come up with a new hat for winter which should allow most of you to handle the icy winds that hamper your winter commute!

Le Blériot Winter Cycling Hat is 100% Wool with a wooden toggle button attached with leather.
Available here.

We're Back!

2010-11-17T21:17:00.003-05:00

After a nice break on the other side of the Atlantic we are back on Brooklyn asphalt and getting ready for Christmas. New hats are on the way and we might even do a craft fair for the holidays. We'll keep you posted. We also got a mention by my friend John on http://prollyisnotprobably.com
Above is a picture of my grandmother's kitchen.

Gone Fishing!!!

2010-11-08T09:51:00.002-05:00

We will be in Europe until Nov 16th visiting friends and family so please be advised that any orders placed before then will not ship until Wed 17th. Thanks for your patience!

The Philadelphia Bike Expo

2010-11-02T16:48:00.002-04:00

This Halloween weekend Fifo Cycle took off to Philly to sell our wares and preview our new Backgammon Panniers (available Spring 2011). We had a great time and met lots of cycling enthusiasts from all walks of life. We even managed to play some bike polo while we were in town (Philadelphia Bike Polo hits the court at 9am on Sundays!). Our thanks to the Bilenky's and everyone who supported us over the weekend. We'll see you all again next year!

Fall Hat #002

2010-10-18T23:48:00.005-04:00

Round 2 for Fall 2010. 100% Wool in Stormy Blue and Holmes Plaid. It's reversible and will keep you warm even when wet.

The Philadelphia Bike Expo

2010-09-28T00:33:00.002-04:00

Fifo Cycle is going to be in Philly this October 30th & 31st for what should be an amazing weekend of all things bicycle. There's a full schedule of lectures and workshops as well as a fashion show, a swap meet and a Halloween party. Come stop by my booth if you're in the area...I'll have lot's of new hats and a preview of my Spring 2011 collection.

Fall Hat #001

2010-09-16T14:42:00.004-04:00

Last winter I ran completely out of hats right before Christmas. This year I want to make sure nobody sheds tears so I'm making lots more. This is the first of the series... It's The Janus so it's reversible and I found some really soft bright wool for it. Let me know what you think!

Bike Shorts

2010-09-16T14:29:00.004-04:00

Last Sunday my friends Ken and Sarah hosted their Bike Short Film Series at The Old Stone House in Park Slope, Brooklyn. There was a fantastic array of movies including a couple of really strange ones and it was hard to land on the winner. So hard that it became a tie between My Commuted Commute by Rachel Brown and Jase's Bike by Taliah Lempert. See Rachel's movie below.

Fifo Hats stir up Fashion Week!

2010-09-11T17:24:00.002-04:00

A bike polo friend of mine showed up at Number Lab the other day to play for the opening of their first New York Fashion Week show and was wearing one of the Fifo Cycle NYC Bike Polo hats. The designer liked them so much that he asked for more for the show. I'd like to thank Factory PR for getting the hats in there and Tommy, Johnny and Patrick for looking so good in them! See more on Esquire.

Bikes on the Street

2010-09-11T17:16:00.005-04:00

Whenever I'm in the city running errands I keep an eye out for striking bicycles and I'm never disappointed. This piece of work is in the window of the Camper store on Prince street. It looks like it works, even if it would be heavy to ride.

Before it get's cold....

2010-09-06T18:45:00.004-04:00

September is always a mad dash to get the last of the summer fun in before the weather changes. Governor's Island is cheap ($4 - free on Weekends) on the ferry from Pier 6 in Brooklyn, there are no cars and you can rent bikes for free on Fridays. There's a mini-golf course designed by New York artists and a sculpture garden and there are plenty of quiet picnic spots under big shady trees around the Island. Loved it!

Mountain Man Rendezvous

2010-08-30T13:06:00.003-04:00

Just when I thought my quest for the perfect cowhide for my pannier bags was a waste of time I came across this tent at the Mountain Man fest in West Yellowstone and found exactly what I needed. I'm working on the prototypes now and they look good so far. It's also great to know exactly where the hide came from and that Fifo is supporting a small traditional business.

Time for Juice

2010-08-27T17:09:00.000-04:00

Ian from Richmond Virginia takes a juice break during a polo tournament wearing the "Time's Up!" clear visor hat.

And here Rory wears a "Time's Up!" clear visor.

Just Some Junk

2010-08-25T19:17:00.000-04:00

There's something about the way functional objects used to be made that tells a story about design and technology. Proof that somebody realized the importance of making a cheap little desk fan look beautiful while keeping you cool. And guess what...it still works! And if it breaks, you can fix it!

Portside NY in Red Hook

2010-08-20T14:37:00.000-04:00

As a New yorker with limited means I'm always looking for free activities to inspire my work. The sea is a huge influence and living in Red Hook Brooklyn protects me from the hustle of the city.

On Pier 9B near the cruise terminal I found this old tanker that has been refurbished for a free summer program as part of Portside NY

Boats and bikes! Never too far apart...

And this rope...faded to my new favorite color...I could eat it!

This cat was special...very curious and happy to be on a boat. Took this photo with my old busted duct-taped Holga - it still works!

The Brownie Hawkeye

2010-08-17T15:25:00.000-04:00

I found this little box of tricks in an Antiques warehouse called Grandma's Attic in Billings Montana. I loaded it up with 120 film and had great results first time. Of course it helped that I was in one of the most beautiful parts of the country at the time.

The geysers at Yellowstone National Park display vibrant blues and greens contrasted with rusty oranges...a definite inspiration for Fifo Cycle for Spring 2011.

This is a herd of Bison on the horizon about 15 minutes before they came down to the road and crossed on front of our car. They have huge staring eyes and are very forlorn looking, which sometimes fools people into getting too close to them. I had the shocking realization as one male trotted by the car that he could quite easily send us rolling into the valley if he felt so inclined.

We got caught in a thunderstorm while hiking down from Phelps Lake in Jackson Wyoming. Once the rain subsided I caught this little rainbow on the Hawkeye.

I think this is my favorite picture from the roll. The Tetons are in the background and the Hawkeye picked up every color among the wild flowers in the foreground. Just like I hoped it would!

NYCBP Hats in action at ESPI V

2010-07-14T21:05:00.001-04:00

Amber updates the brackets above in the Maroon & Cream NYCBP Hat

Dave in the Navy & Lemon colorway.

Chandel announces the teams on deck in the Brown & Blue.

Tina from Austin Texas sports the Navy & Lemon as she spectates.

Hats to benefit New York Bike Polo

2010-07-14T20:53:00.000-04:00

When asked to come up with fund raising ideas for the East Side Polo Invite V to be held in Brooklyn in June I decided to do what I do best and make some hats.

I screen printed the fabric on the outside with polo mallets and balls and tagged the brim with the club name.

I found some corresponding prints for the flip-side to vary them a little.

The Janus in Indian fabric for Summer 2010

2010-05-06T13:37:00.000-04:00

We loved working with this "Ikat Streak" fabric from India. Two colorways that reverse to show an iridescent solid on the other side.

New Hats for Spring/Summer 2010!

2010-04-28T20:13:00.000-04:00

Hot off the sewing machine, "The Janus" in four new colors. We found some sweet prints in 100% Cotton from Japan, India and the US. Flip them around and there's another print on the inside!

For the Gentlemen of Zurich, Who Ride Bicycles...

2010-03-30T21:26:00.000-04:00

Fifo Friends in Zurich, The Pedal Gents just got their new hats! Can't wait to see them on the street!

See more here: http://www.pedalgents.com/

Bench Minor #1

2010-03-30T19:59:00.000-04:00

The fine weather the weekend of March 20th saw the first Bench Minor Polo Tournament in NYC. A great concept for a tournament which saw the ranks shake a little among some of the world's better players. The Green Team aka The Feasting Peacocks took the trophy from The Black Team in the final.

Birds of a Feather...

2009-06-29T22:00:00.000-04:00

Y'all can decide what's going on here...Alexis looks like a lost child captured by a pack of hyenas. Good luck boy!

Post Polo Shennanigans at the BFF closing party

2009-06-29T21:56:00.000-04:00

R-L: Alexis, Doug, Zak, Chombo
Robbie and Chombo, scheming I'm sure...
Aw Cecileeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey!!! My partner in polo!
Chombo(again!), Katie, Adrienne, Cecily...

Robbie you're an animal!

2009-06-29T21:53:00.000-04:00

It's true that Robbie plays hard but I have no idea how he ate this whole heifer. From now on he's Robbie Boar!

Not just a Bird's Eye!

2009-06-29T21:51:00.000-04:00

Chris and Birdseye celebrate after the tournament. I think what's going on in the background of this picture is much more interesting that these two hooligans! We love you guys!

More fifo hats!

2009-06-29T21:50:00.000-04:00

Alexis is a champ!

2009-06-29T21:46:00.000-04:00

Alexis shows off his winnings after the final showdown on Sunday. He won a fifo hat and a shirt among other things. Alexis also made prizes for us - a set of 3 sweet top-tube pads with Maple leaves all over them. He's a true patriot!

Noah! You're my top model!

2009-06-29T21:43:00.000-04:00

Richard Kim was the coordinator for the BFF street party and his sister Leslie and her son Noah very kindly helped me out at my table. The least I could do was give little Noah a fifo hat for all their hard work standing in the rain. If this little face doesn't sell hats I give up!

"Where the F is the other F?"

2009-06-29T21:40:00.000-04:00

As I turned onto 2nd St at 2nd ave on Saturday I noticed some Bicycle Film Buddies were missing their third. Eventually we found the other F and I headed on the the street party where Fifocycle had a table and some hats to sell...

Barbeque at 2nd Chance!

2009-06-29T21:36:00.000-04:00

We had a little registration gathering at Second Chance on Grand St on Friday evening. Cecily scored some great organic burgers from her work and we went and put some cheese on them...they were pretty yummy!

You can take a Canadian out of Canada...

2009-06-29T21:31:00.000-04:00

...and you can give him a polo bike and mallet, but you can't guarantee that he'll play polo. Both Robbie and Alexis made use of some hockey sticks on Saturday while we waited for the rain to stop. It didn't. But they look funny when they run!

I POLO NY: Yes we did!

2009-06-29T21:26:00.000-04:00

Thanks to all who turned up for the first I Polo NY jam!! I'm a little late in posting the incriminating photos but please pass them on to everyone and their mother. We had a lot of fun and got the whole tournament done on Sunday with time left over for the final Bicycle Film Festival Screening. I hope we can do it again next year!

I POLO NY t-shirt

2009-05-29T14:36:00.000-04:00

Yep we're making a shirt for the tournament. Here's the mock-up! Start saving your pennies kids 'cos you'll need one of these when the shirt you brought with you gets ripped to shreds on the court!
Also, check out updates to the tournament info over here:
http://www.bikepolo.ca/i-polo-ny-bike-polo-tournament

Bicycle Film Festival is our BFF!!

2009-05-18T17:18:00.000-04:00

The Bicycle Film Festival takes New York from June 17th. If you're already planning to come for our I POLO NY tournament then get off work early and come check out the festival...
www.bicyclefilmfestival.org

I POLO NY: Bike Polo Tournament!!

2009-05-11T11:44:00.001-04:00

Some of you mentioned to Cecily and I at the last couple of tournies that a mid-summer polo round-up in New York would be simply delightful. So we're organizing for the weekend of Jun 20th and you can bring either delight or terror to NYC!! We're ready...

...All day Grudge Matches/Team Pick-Up on Saturday. Double elimination, battle to the bones, on Sunday. Come with a team, or don't. Maybe you'll get to play with them, maybe you won't. Everyone must bring a prize: make a disc wheel; write a polo anthem; bake cookies!!! Bonus points awarded for most creative prizes. Friday night BBQ, Saturday night Bicycle Film Fest Party. Get your crayons out kids!

ESPI IV

2009-05-06T00:25:00.000-04:00

Leon Love Fifo Too!

2009-05-06T00:22:00.000-04:00

Leon from Seattle plays one of his less exciting games.

Gus: The Host With the Most

2009-05-06T00:21:00.000-04:00

Viva!

2009-05-06T00:20:00.001-04:00

Survived Another Tournie!

2009-05-06T00:19:00.000-04:00

Drew from Seattle Haggles

2009-05-06T00:16:00.000-04:00

Polo is heart-wrenching!

2009-05-06T00:11:00.000-04:00

Ryan from D.C can't hold it together in a hat from the Spring Collection. Cecily has one of my earlier hats and is determined to laugh it into the ground.

Yeah West Coast!

2009-05-06T00:08:00.001-04:00

Nano and Amanda of Seattle have Fifo hats too! Drew is pretendin' to be a Londonna.

Fifo at the East Side polo Invite IV

2009-05-06T00:03:00.000-04:00

Well I guess it was worth it spending most of last week sewing hats to bring to the ESPI in Boston this past weekend. The new Vinyl brims were a hit...I sold every one! Thanks to everyone who helped soften the blow of my polo defeats by buying a Fifo hat!

Two Punctures this week!

2009-02-24T00:17:00.001-05:00

I could go on a little rant about my series of unfortunate punctures in the last week but instead I'm going to look forward to what can only be a few weeks away now...Springtime! To get me in the spirit I've put this picture of our Audrey on my "Inspiration for Spring" board and am looking out for a lovely lady bike to float around on in the approaching warmer months. Then all I need is a pup and a handkerchief and I'm set!

2009-02-12T17:01:00.000-05:00

Fifo Launch and Time's Up Valentine's Party

2009-02-12T16:38:00.000-05:00

That's right! All of you who have waited so long for a fifo hat will finally be able to get some (hats that is!) online on Saturday, February 14th 2009! And if getting some in the form of a hat just doesn't cut it for you this V-Day then you can join me and my Time's Up buds as we ride in a love parade through Manhattan and on to Greenpoint, Brooklyn.