It’s been a while since I’ve done a Brew Review, but the Hop Sun by Southern Tier definitely warrants some praise. Summer beers aren’t always my first choice, but the fact this one’s called Hop Sun caught my attention. The first one went down easy with a light feel and a slight bite.  The beer is brewed with 3 varieties of malts and a single strain of hops, making for a more interesting summertime beer and a nice alternative to other offerings. While I sip on my second, I’m noticing a variety of subtle pine, lemon and citrus flavors…still a nice, light feel but the flavor proves to be pretty complex.

Highly recommended.

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photos: Niki Hurley

Bet you didn’t think this was a Surly Cross Check..but it is. We all know how versatile the Cross Check can be, but throw some bling at it, a 14 speed internal Rohloff Speedhub, some gorgeos Honjo fenders and put it infront of the Mobius‘s lens and you’ve got a recipe for a both gorgeous and functional commuter bicycle. Get real close to this beautiful machine below.

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I’ve always admired Kestrel bicycles, and at one point almost bought 2003 Evoke. Anyway, Kestrel was one of the first to pioneer carbon frames back in the late 80s, and this MXZ is a perfect example what level these guys were on. This bike definitely fits the 80s aesthetic, though not in the mountain bike sense; most bikes then were constructed with chromoly steel tubing. See a few more shots below, and read up on the full build at MOMBAT: Muesum of Mountain Bike Art & Technology.

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I’ll admit it, I full geeked out when I first saw this 1990 Roy Cottingham Record Lo-pro. I don’t think I’d ever want to ride such a bike, but Columbus Record tubing, the Corima carbon 4-spoke, Mavic SSC rear derailleur, and drilled frame/lugs surely make for a killer lo-pro. I mean, look at that fork crown! The paint is rad too, reminds me of a bruised banana.

See some more shots from Rookilo below, and read up on the full build on RetroBike.

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What an awesome illustration from the 1946 Giro. Here’s a group of riders reaching a closed section of the course, ducking or jumping to avoid being dropped. That guy on the left in full-crouch has the right idea.

via Officine 99

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Out of everything needed for bike touring, food is one of those items that can take the most planning. I haven’t done any real touring just yet, but when I do I’ll be well-versed with Bicycle Tourist’s Cookbook (PDF download). Thanks to Tracko for sharing this via Pearl Velo. The cookbook was published back in ’79 and will guide you through everything from budgeting to whipping up a quick salmon chowder; plus the illustrations are great.

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Keith Anderson Cycles is the destination for your precious restoration or custom paint. Just look at the color matching here.

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Adam of Cycle EXIF posted a link to this amazing blog on Facebook earlier, and I’ve literally spent the last 45 minutes reading about the epic bikepacking adventures on While Out Riding. The site features some stunning photography, and documents personal bike journeys from Prudoe Bay, Alaska and bike adventures throughout the American back roads. If you’ve got the time, I suggest reading about their most recent 250-mile Coco-di-loco mountain bike / bikepacking adventure in 4 days.

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Featuring Szymon Godziek via Pink Bike.

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This is surely a CashMoney certified city bike. There sure are some lovely details on this Raty Ning’s Signal Cycles custom commuter bike; especially the seat tube detail. This bike’s been built up with a 2×10 drivetrain with Dura Ace downtube shifters, a custom rear rack for a rolltop bag, Schmidt Edelux light, and topped off with cherry paint by Spectrum Powderworks.

Get into it below.

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Leave it to CollectVelo for amazing classic and antique bicycles like this 1925 Dürkopp. I don’t know much about it, other than it being German…and RAD. Anyone got anymore info on this beast?

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This bike – soon to be for sale at Eroica Cicli, was once owned by the Italian Cycling Federation. It needed some new paint, so they fully restored it with red Saronni, white panels and a fully chrome fork & rear triangle and built it up with a complete Campagnolo Record Pista group. See a few more below, and be sure to keep an eye out for the sale.

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About a week and a half ago, I finished building up my Soma Saga touring bike and since then have been toolin’ around on it with an ear-to-ear smile. I’ve yet to secure a set of racks and fenders, but should have those sorted out by the end of the month. So far I’m very happy with the fit, ride and build…For those curious on the specs, check out the quick Instagram snap I took of the Saga last weekend, and visit Soma‘s site for the full breakdown on geometry. I cleaned it up the other day and decided to shoot some photos of it bare, before its first camping mission.

More below.

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The Harpoon Brewery’s Point to Point ride is coming up! Mark those calendars for August 11, 2012 and come join us for the 10th annual ride / benefit for The Vermont Foodbank. There are 25, 50, and 115 mile rides which will take you along some of Vermont’s beautiful, quaint roads and all end at the Harpoon Brewery in Windsor, VT.

You like beer too right? Well there’s gonna be plenty at the finish. Thinking of riding but have friends calling you crazy?  Join us, we’ve started a team for all those looking for some good company and bad jokes. Wanna give us money instead? There’s a $150 fundraising minimum for all riders “doing” the century. Be sure to read up more on the Point To Point site and if you’ve got anymore questions shoot me an email: culturecycles@gmail.com

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Thing Ahearne 26″ Touring Bike is really getting me excited to get some proper racks & fenders for my own touring rig. This Ahearne is gorgeous; and features a fillet brazed frame and superb components (and is currently for sale). The custom low rider racks are just as impressive and built to fit the front-roller Ortlieb panniers.

More shots below.

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