We Made a Limited Edition Letterpress Print.
*UPDATE* There are small number of prints still available. You should buy one because they are awesome!
Ptborides.com teamed up with our good friends at Jacksoncreekpress.ca to bring you a limited edition print featuring the names of our 5 favourite Canadian cyclists.
In 2010, Jeff at Jackson Creek Press had made a series of three prints; Limited edition runs featuring the names of 5 Canadian graphic designers, 5 Canadian authors, and 5 Canadian musicians. When we launched ptborides.com it seemed automatic we should make a cycling themed print. Since Jeff is into riding bicycles, he was eager to make it happen as well.
Last week, on a cold Canadian evening, three of us met up in the Jackson Creek Letterpress shop. With frozen toes and toques and parka’s worn in earnest. We set type, thawed ink, listened to the CBC, talked about Greg Curnoe and Mariposa bicycles and cranked out — literally, by hand — prints.
We did so on a 1940′s Proofing Press using wood and lead type, handset in the bed of the press. The print features two colours, Pantone Warm Red, and a Custom Grey. I am biased, to be sure, but these prints look very nice. We couldn’t be happier with the end result.
Of course, with a project like this, the first problem you run into is thinking about all the names not included in our list . . . There is no way around that. However, in case you missed it, Kieran wrote some words about why these names are important to him.
To purchase one of these prints: Click here
Also, a special thanks goes out to @paulcalebpaul from Shoot Your Take, for shooting/editing the above video.
About the Author
I do a bunch of things, riding bicycles is one of those things. I am officially positioned in the number two spot of washed up bmx'ers who write for this site. I don't need to tell you who number one is.
These prints looks so sweet,i’d love to get my hands on one of them. Hesjedal is the favourite hands down
Hey Sean
Thanks for your comment.
Could you send me your address, as i’d love to post a copy of this print to you!
Be well
Jeff
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by jeffrey macklin, jeffrey macklin, Paul Caleb and others. Paul Caleb said: New short vid: http://www.ptborides.com/?p=784 and with it, a chance for free prints. #art #giveaway #offer [...]
Good choice of Canada’s Elite Riders but you left out one the best ever and my personal favorite, Jocelyn Lovell.His carrer was cut short by a very unfortunate accident while he was riding involving a dump truck that left him a quadraplegic.He definitley had the right stuff and without any doubt would have been a shining star in the European Pro Peleton had he not been so badly injured.He remains the only Canadian cyclist to win both the road and track nationals in the same year.His list of international amateur palmares is very long and impressive. He was most likely an inspiration to to Steve Bauer who Inspired most of us now 40 something dudes who can’t stop riding.
Hey Brent
Thanks for your comment.
Could you send me your address, as i’d love to post a copy of this print to you!
Be well
Jeff
Definitely Ryder Hesjedal, this print looks awesome too.
Hey Eric
Thanks for your comment.
Could you send me your address, as i’d love to post a copy of this print to you!
Be well
Jeff
Alison Sydor. Best Canadian cyclist ever?
I’m going with Ryder Hesjedal. Props to a local rider!
Wow looks awesome and couldn’t agree more with the choices. Its definitely close between Tuft and Hesjedal, but I think Ryder wins my vote in the end. It was great last year to see him ride through the mist on the Col du Tourmalet when some big names were dropping back behind him. Hope Garmin-Cervelo really backs him up this season and help him win some titles. Wouldn’t mind getting my hands on this print either!
Love the print, excellent idea well executed.
I’d say Alison Sydor has to be my long running favourite Canadian cyclist. I grew up following her racing exploits, and she always struck me as a really well grounded PRO. Always strong and technically masterful, she was an inspiration, and she’s still riding strong today.
My favourite cyclist in the thick of the action these days has to be Michael Barry. Another consumate PRO, Barry somehow finds time and energy to keep his mind sharp and active on the intellectual end of things. His writing is always a hit with me (particularly when he talks about sensible road bikes!).
The name left out is the guy that every cyclist community and every generation has. He’s in Junior High, has a part-time job and is quickly realizing he’s got to take on more responsibility and get a degree/trade/diploma. Yet, he can’t let go of the freedom he felt when riding his bike…you know the one, the steel Bianchi with downtube shifters he got from his Italian Uncle. With the saved up cash from the part-time job he’s bought some spandex, shoes and a helmet but still rides in a cotton Tshirt. He comes out to every ride. He rides his bike as hard as he’ll go. He often attacks when it makes no sense to, but to him – he just wants to feel the breeze, the rush and the freedom. He surprises us all; with no formal training, our expensive equipment, he somehow gets faster every week and by the end of the year, the group is ruminating over his talent. But it’s not just his skill, it’s his want…want to be a kid on his coaster bike careening downhill, across a dirt road or through an “S” bend at full tilt. Fully committed to being in the moment, not a worry in the world. That is what we see when he rides and that is why we all ride, to be just like him…free. His name…Jared, or maybe Mike, or Scott, or …
Excellent post Greg!
Marie-Hélène Prémont!
When I worked at Hardwood Hills I was lucky enough to be on the doping control team and got to wait patiently while she peed in a cup for me. Fun!
Also, she’s won a lot of medals : )
Wade Simmons did more to get me on a bike than all the rest.
Not one woman? Hughes? Palmer? Slamponius? Strong? Willock? Hobson?
Hey, Chloe. The lack of women was not meant as a slight. The collection was whimsically determined by me alone based on high profile riders that had a profound impact on me personally. As I said, these riders were at the top of their form at times when I was riding passionately and therefore taking notice. Again, I am sure there are many more deserving riders out there ..whole generations and genders!
Thanks for your thoughts. Your comments might just be inspiration for another print run!
Cheers,
Kieran
Excellent point.
Next run should be all women.
Collect the whole set!
Definitely. A woman’s version and/or mixed version would be a good to see.
[...] of the prints will be given away through the ptborides.com website HERE and the rest are available through Jackson Creek Press [...]
Bauer Power!
I was really inspired by Ryder Hesjedal this summer. It was great to see a Canadian place so well in the Tour de France,and then get to watch him race in the Queen’s Park Grand Prix at the end of the summer.
All five of the riders whose names are on this print are great champion cyclists. The best part is that there are so many great Canadian cyclists that it’s impossible to pare it down to five indisputable favourites. Our country has more cycling history than many are aware of and our legacy is only getting stronger.
My personal favourite would have to be Michael Barry. He’s a selfless rider, a great writer, a super nice guy and a great ambassador. He’s helped establish a reputation of Canadians as classy professional riders.
Fav kanuck rider is steve bauer…..bauer power
Great looking art work and very lovely website. We are truly blessed with some great roads, beautiful scenery and wonderful riding companions.
Gotta love when a mountainbiker can cross the line and do great things on a road bike as well…Kudos to Ryder.
[...] Win a Limited Edition Letterpress Print. [...]
Awesome! I have to say, seeing Tuft in action a few times this year was amazing. Though I have to give props to my own team mates Nick Berry and Shane Savage here in Vancouver for being the tangible heroes I see every weekend.
The past couple of years Ryder Hesjedal has been a big inspiration, winning a stage at the Vuelta, and surprising everyone at last summers TdF. I’m excited to tune in this year and see how deep he can digg and what he comes up with.
My favourite Canadian cyclist is Alison Sydor. She kicked some major ass!
Bauer. Great guy to talk too, and has done awesome things for Canada’s cycling status in internationally from is racing days to his present management role at SpiderTech.
Just got my print in the mail. I am so happy that i stumbled upon this website. I cannot wait for spring to come so that I can return to the cottage and challenge some of these epic rides. Keep up the amazing work