Mike Dinh for Burro

Going hard in the paint for Burro Straps (and VelocityUSA and CSK)

Dinh Getting Loose

Sounds like he's finished up with a new edit, keep your eyes peeled for it to drop. Another solid capture from Tony K.

*CSK STICKERS IN STOCK*

Just received a fresh batch of stickers. They are on sale now in our web store

Pack of 3 stickers for $2.50

By purchasing / sticking these stickers on your things you agree to abide by the following 3 pillars on which the Collared Shirt Krew is rooted in:

1. Courage - Choosing to do the right thing in an adverse situation.
2. Stay open to change - It's inevitable, move with the cheese.
3. Keep a "to-learn" list - Leveraging Life Long Learning opportunities.

He Works Out: Justin Congo Mitchell

Stellar photos from Matt Lingo at RECFAIL

Garfield Flat Ground: May 2008

Chris Clappe, Tyler Johnson, and Justin Av. CSK got their skids on in 2008.



Photos by Phototay

Jumped In: Tyler Johnson

Let me set the scene for the first time that I met my great friend Tyler Johnson.

It was the June 2009 Future Tense event at the I-90 Tunnel, the first that I had ever attended. There were some sprint events and if I recall, best wheelie trick and maybe pogos? All the excitement though, at least for me, was building for the trick competition. I had some serious anticipation jitters. This was the second time that I had really ridden in front of other like minded bike people as well. Zach called my name and up and away I rolled. After a few full cab attempts I hear this:

Tyler: What kind of frame is that?
Me: A Volume.
Tyler: A what?
Me: A Volume!
Tyler: Oh, maybe you should speak with more volume.

That was it. What a jerk. Can't you tell from the photo above taken by Mike Carosello

Now this is a first for us at CSK, here is an exclusive look at the second time that I talked with Tyler.

Fast forward one month to the July Future Tense under I5 at Ravenna Boulevard. This was the premiere event of the summer. A ton of sponsors, a huge crowd, even ramps. At some point during the evening I rolled up next to Tyler. This is what unfolded:

Me (extending hand for handshake): Hey, I wanted to introduce myself, my name is Jacob.
Tyler: I know who you are.

That was it. Again. Somewhere between then and now, we broke through the awkward introductions and worked our way into a solid friendship.


Right: July 2009 Future Tense. Bunny Hop Contest Finals. By Jordan Nicholson

Alright, enough of the joking around. We here at CSK are very excited to introduce Tyler and initiate him in to the family. He has been with us from the start, so it would only be right. Tyler excels at everything he sets his sights on, both on and off the bike. His determination and confidence to succeed is something that can only be experienced. Even more so, he shares this enthusiasm with those around him and encourages and challenges them to achieve to their potential. Tyler is detail oriented but always manages to keep his sights set on the big picture. It seems that every Friday we meet up he's got exciting news to share, be it travel plans with work, or the next bike project about to take off. He is passionate and believes in what he does.

If it's true that we are the average of the 5 people we spend the most time with, I can only hope that these traits are ones that I can adopt. Don't let his handsome looks (or a first impression) sway you otherwise. Please take the time to get to know Tyler Johnson. Welcome to CSK.


Tyler "I've yet to receive a nickname" Johnson, and I would like to mention I am half of the originating CSK crew!

CSK: I wanted to get this out of the way first. Are you really putting a freewheel and disc brakes on your bike or was that just a nasty rumor someone started?
TYLER: I definitely want to build up a freewheel rear wheel for my SKYLMT so that I can do dirt jumping in the summer time. Brakes are just annoying though!

Is model life really as glamorous as it looks?
I wish it was, but no it's not really that special. It's surprisingly tiring as well, but it's a lot of fun and good for making connections.

How have you been spending your time recently? Traveling? Working?
I have been traveling a ton this year already. So far in 2012 I have been gone a month... I have only ridden maybe 4 times this year, which sucks, but each time I ride I have a blast so that is great. Also working a ton each day, similar to you, so the weekends are becoming the only time I can ride. Which means that when it rains on the weekend, we ride a parking garage.



Any chance we could get a CSK x Blackbird collabo? Maybe a one off?
I'll hook you up with something. Maybe we get a nice lil screen print instead of embroidery? We'll figure it out. Blackbird button down shirts will be coming in this week, and they are amazing. It is the grey shirt that I wore basically everyday while filming my SKYLMT part.

Top three highlights from your last trip to Europe.
GIRLS, ICELAND, and French people calling me a skinhead.

What’s on the 2012 agenda for SKY LMT? Do you have a mantra for the year?
Frames will be available soon. Introducing new frame model. Version 2 of the bars. There will be loads of soft goods, and a few new parts. Mantra is GO. Go for it, be pro-active, and be continually bettering oneself.

On a rainy day, Hot Mammas or P6 parking garage? Why?
I would normally say P6 because I love the parking blocks, but when we road there last Saturday it was not that fun. Also there was poop water overflowing out of the pipes, and that is a huge negative for that spot. Hot Mammas it is.


Right: Tyler boosting off the Hot Mamma's Bank (RIP), by Zach Hoffner

Presta or Schrader?
Whatever tube you are carrying because I never bring my bag? :)

To you, what does CSK represent?
Collared Shirt Krew= friends, dressing up to ride our bikes, punks, sheenanigans, and F U N.

Do you have any questions for me?
Yes, when can we expect a book from you?
It's in the works, I'm just looking for a publisher.

Why are your hobbies the same things that grandmas like to do?
What else besides the cross stitch is something that grammas do? Go to bed when it's still light out?

What is it going to take for me to push you to barspin a 5 stair?
Give me until the end of June. And I'll pick the 5 stair. deal?


Left: Boat Park Barspin. Zach Hoffner













Hugs and Kisses,

Tyler

Honorable Member: Justin Av

Don't know where in the world he is, but he is one of us for sure.
The one and only, Justin Av.

Photo by Z Hoffner Circa Nov 2008

Sean Coats, Balhogs

The Balhogs group just upped this video of Sean with a handful of clips from his NorCal adventure a few weeks back. Really pumped on all of it!

Make sure to support the family and get your slip and slide on here: BALHOGS

Dinh Smith

Photo by cole RUFFing

Blowing Smoke

Life Long Learning: Clean Your Input and Follow Your Intuition

Some forms of learning are easy to digest, but often lack substance. Every few months, purify your input to save time and focus on what counts.

Lifelong learning is like wandering through the wilderness. You can’t be sure what to expect and there isn’t always an end goal in mind. Letting your intuition guide you can make self-education more enjoyable. Most of our lives have been broken down to completely logical decisions, that making choices on a whim has been stamped out.

Itching for some new terrain, I set out in search of some new spots in south Seattle.

I grabbed a 6mm and a pen and some scratch paper to document any goodies that I happened upon. I don't know how many times i've left somewhere and only later realized I couldn't remember where it was. That bugs me.



Today's adventure was 4 hours of success. With an agenda of pure exploration I came up on some fresh spots. It was about the spontaneity of just cruising and enjoying the inbetweens.

Jumped In: Chris Clappé

The infamous “The Butcher” video was released almost 3 years ago (March 2009, where did the time go?). At the time I was still in New York at school and was desperate to get back to Seattle to hopefully catch a ride on the wave of progress excitement going on. Can you tell what a fan I was? (see first comment and second "like" right after Nasty, haha). First thing I did was try to wear out my shoes just like his to that custom pattern that only comes from doing hundreds of toe slides.

I first met Chris in May of 2009 in front of the Whole Foods in downtown Seattle. Needless to say, I was star struck. I think he was out on a break but I distinctly remember him being stoked on my bike (maybe even jealous because not even 2 months later we had twin setups). He pulled some big spins on it and I was content. Doesn’t someone say that copying is the greatest form of flattery?

Any ways. that was the REVIVAL summer and we spent a lot of hours in the streets, riding and getting to know each other. I remember the routine pretty much went like this: get a call at 2:00, ride to the city, ride out to the current spot of choice, and repeat the following day.

Since then, the schedule, the riding, the bikes, and friendship have evolved together. Chris is the real deal. His creative and fluid riding speaks for itself. In lieu of getting too sentimental, he has been a huge supporter and promoter for life progress both on and off the bike over the past few years. He is content with just cruising, on the hunt for new spots, or riding the same old parking lot each consecutive rainy Sunday. I truly value his friendship. I am proud to have him officially among the ranks.

Take a look at what he had to say in response to the welcome to the gang interview.


My name is Chris Clappe' and I ride bikes for Holdfast, Balhogs, and Zlog (and now CSK)

CSK: So we’ve all be dying to know, are you actually a butcher?
CHRIS: haha, whos we? and yes im a butcher by day

When was the last time you threw a barpsin?
3 bikes ago

*This may very well be one of his last 180 bars*


You’re still holding down those Big Boy tires, right? You’re currently riding one of the few 700c specific frames with negative bottom bracket drop. Can you tell us about it or have you been sworn to secrecy?
im definitely the happiest ive ever been with this bike. Its the first time I dont wanna change anything. If your tryin to stay on 29ers, negative bb is the way to go.

If you could only pick 1 spot within a 5 block radius of you apartment to ride, which would it be and why? (if you have a photo, even a cell phone picture that would be good)
Boat park for sure. I've been riding there for a few years now and I can still go there and find new stuff to mess around on. Its one of the only places in the city where I can ride during the work week and not have to worry about crowds of people or security. (*see the newest edition to the park here*)

Favorite part on your bike?
I really like the sidepull Tree hub I got from the homie Sam at Holdfast.

What’s on the horizon for you, what do we all need to be on the look out for?
I've been working on a Holdfast edit that I hope I can finish within a month or so. And just hoping to stay healthy, stay riding and having a good time with buds.

Favorite Vegetable?
pizza (hint...it's a link)

When is your next solo edit going to be out, and are you going to pull the double handlebar grind?
haha, within a month or so and i've gotta find the perfect spot first.

Presta or Schrader?
Schrader

To you, what does CSK represent?
Crazy Sexy Kool

Do you have any questions for me?

Can you believe that Whitney Houston was seeing Brandys little brother Ray J before she died?
I don't know much about that kind of pop culture.

How many grams of sugar in a Dr. Skipper can?
That's a trade secret. Plus, it's now Dr Dynamite.

Strawberry Letter 23: The Brothers Johnson

Song from a recent Cinema Wheel Co Edit. Good background for a Sunday Morning

Long Beach Edit

Ramon took a quick trip to SoCal and crashed with the FF. Here is 1 of the many edits he's released with footage he collected from the trip. Some second angles and a ton of other riding as well.

Thieth with the heads up.

Regulators

Life Long Learning: Start a Project

Start a Project

Set out to do something you don’t know how. Forced learning in this way can be fun and challenging. If you don’t know anything about computers, try building one. If you consider yourself a horrible artist, try a painting.

Coats and Dinh: Wheeltalk

Wheeltalk put up a quick article of the bash brothers after their recent trip to the bay area.

Take a peak: here

Mr Dinh on a Charmer

I just sent Mike a Breakbrake17 Charmer frame and already one week later he is cruising on it. Tony K with the photo support.

KVLT KLIPS X

Really stoked on the new edition. Spencer, Coats, Dinh, and half of Long Beach in the mix as well. Too many goodies to count.

Can't wait to get back down there.