Because of two Dirt Quakes in two months (in two continents) and going from three to four issues per year, the bigger features I used to put on the blog have taken a back seat, but the blog is still updated at least every day (4600 posts and counting).
I've been meaning to post this since the middle of April! But you all get enough instant gratification nowadays, so it hardly matters.
Anyway, I had to visit London for day job stuff and took the opportunity to visit some of Sideburn's supporters.
Bolt London
First up is
Bolt London. Based under a railway arch in the London Fields (out East) and the idea of Andrew Almond, Bolt sells Biltwell lids, Eat Dust, La Rocka, Black Skulls, The Real Intellectuals, their own Bolt T-shirts, old leather jackets, artwork, books and 'accessories'.
You sane? Bolt.
The boss, Andrew Almond.
Bolt work with artists including the most excellent
Dry British (who painted the helmets below and at the top, and the Lambretta sidepanel)
Kingdom of Kicks
Next it was the short ride to Hackney Wick to visit
Kingdom of Kicks. The bossman, James was away, but Rory was in working and let me snoop about. The space is one-third retail, two-thirds workshop.
They flog Blitz x Edwin; Eat Dust; Black Skulls; Chester Belter; Kingdom of Kicks, some Laborataire Bon Zorro... They build bikes too.
Check opening times before visiting, the mainly have weekend openings...
Lurking at K/K was the mighty Maxwell Paternoster and his CR250.
Muff Customs
Just around the corner, two minutes walk from K/K, is
Muff Customs. A cafe, with bike workshop. A nice place to hang-out just over the canal from the Olympic stadium.
They sell food, great coffee, local beer; hold events; stock Sideburn and a range of Deus Ex Machina clothes...
Me on my faithful old Speed Triple (still on its Dirt Quake II Conti TKC80s. They're taking some wearing out). Just realised I'm flying the (black) flag for some of our advertisers -
Edwin trousers,
Icon 1000 Beltway jacket,
Kriega R35 rucksack. G