Wow. I guess this is my first collaborative one of one joint.

The boys at OPEN dropped this on me last week. It’s a custom top tube protector handmade by Boston’s own 3RRR - fabricators of all things bullet proof including their now world famous “Bling Ring” 1/8 chainring.

Nau at 3RRR is one of those guys who has can take a tired and true bike product and make it all his own. From the handbrushed 6061 aluminum top tube protector to his ridiculously strong chainrings, he’s part of a new class of bicycle parts fabricators who are developing goods in small runs that can compete with the big manufacturers out there.

Credit as well to the OPEN boys for turning me onto 3RRR and a variety of other small niche parts makers. Visit their store in person in Somerville, MA or online to check out goods they carry - including some excellent wears (and bicycles) by my friend Ben at Freeman Transport. These kind of business go a long way in establishing themselves not only in a community but also with the goods suppliers they build relationships with.

Shit, looks like Ben got the top tube treatment too. That puts me in good company then.

Speaking of Ben, anyone else catch Lance Amstrong giving his Giro Di Montana shirt from love last week? Makes me proud.

And you thought sailing was a fun day out on the water? The Volvo Ocean Race took off for it’s next leg from Boston to Galway, Ireland. It is a full on non-stop race. Seven sail boats with crews of 11 are bombing across the Atlantic at this moment. No support team. Just them, water, wind, and a little help from above.

Many thanks to the good people of Helly Hansen for inviting Karen and I on board for the chase boat view. Absolutely killer.

More on this soon. I’ve never experienced anything like it.

How about this - Boston says goodbye like no other city. We let a massive freighter right onto your race course for the fun of it.

Ben Harper covering Bowie’s “Pressure” at the Paradise Rock Club in Boston.

I spent last week in Los Angeles to celebrate the launch of Stefan Janoski’s signature shoe for Nike SB. New friends and old were in attendance. Many thanks to the SB team for the hospitality, Stefan, James, Kevin, and Mr. Leon for the access, and Blake for driving me around all week.

What’s got Bradley making funny faces?

I think this shit. More on that soon!