Sunday, July 31, 2011

Daily Book Graphics #831

©1963 / Design: Rudolph deHarak / As always, check out my deHarak group on Flickr.

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Daily Book Graphics #830

©1973

Daily Book Graphics #829

©1979

Daily Book Graphics #828

©1977

To Toronto and Back by Bicycle

I biked from Buffalo to Toronto on Wednesday. It was 112 miles door to door. That's the longest I have ridden in one day by far. It took 8 hours and 40 minutes of actual riding and 11.5 hours overall (I spent an hour swimming in the lake). I rode back yesterday (Friday), taking a partially different route that was 105 miles in 8 hours, 11 overall. I found that the first third of each ride was the worst, both physically and psychologically, after that you get into a rhythm that feels normal. Unfortunately because I was spending a whole day in Toronto (I had a friend's art opening to go to), I had to bring a lot of stuff, heavy lock and cable, another pair of shoes, a change of clothes, a small messenger bag, etc. It would have been nice to travel a little lighter.


Port Colborne, Ontario, on Lake Erie

Swimming near Hamilton, on the way to Toronto

View from Missasauga

CN Tower, toy lens, Lumix GF2

Swimming near Hamilton on the way back to Buffalo

Lake Ontario, Oakville

Monday, July 25, 2011

Monday, July 11, 2011

My New Bike






I know this blog is mostly about books but, bikes also take up a big chunk of my brain. And right now I can't stop riding and thinking about riding my new bike. Three weeks ago I bought a complete Surly Cross Check in robin's egg blue. I switched out a number of parts immediately, including the handlebars, tires and saddle, and added long fenders, a rack, bell, etc. I also scratched off all of the Surly logos which, thankfully, Surly makes easy to do (it's a great company but their graphic design is not the best). Down the road there are all sorts of ways I could improve the components, but for the moment I'm very happy with this set up. Aesthetically I would love to have a Brooks saddle on the bike, but unfortunately my body seems to demand an "ergonomic" seat.

This is the bike I intend to use for long day rides and light touring, most of my around town riding is done on my Raleigh One-Way. The longest ride I have been on with this bike is 83 miles, I'm planning a ride to Toronto and back in a couple weeks, and that will be 108 miles each way.

Front Derailleur: Shimano Tiagra, FD-4500 Double
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Tiagra , RD-4500-GS Mid-cage
Crankset:Andel, Forged arms, Silver aluminum, granny ring compatible. 110mm BCD rings, 36 & 48t, ramped & pinned, Black
Bottom Bracket: Shimano , BB-UN54 68 x 113mm
CassetteShimano Tiagra , HG-50 9-speed 12-13-14-15-17-19-21-23-25t
Chain: SRAM PC-971 , 9-speed
Headset: Ritchey Logic Comp, 1-1/8" threadless
Handlebar: Grand Cru Course Handlebar- Classic Round Bend
Brake Levers: Tektro, RL340 standard levers on 52–62cm sizes, RL341 small hand levers on 42–50cm
Brakes: Tektro 992A, Black
Cable Hanger front: Tektro, 1271A
Cable Hanger rear:Surly, Stainless w/adjuster. Silver
Shift Levers: Shimano Bar-end type , SL-BS77. 9-speed
Pedals: MKS Sylvan Touring Pedals
Toe-clips: MKS Deep Steel Toe Clips
Seatpost:Kalloy SP-342 , 27.2 x 300mm. Black
Hubs: Shimano Deore , HB/FH590 32h, 100mm OLD front, 135mm OLD rear
Spokes: DT Swiss , Stainless Steel, 14g/2.0mm w/12mm silver brass nipples
Rims: Alex, DA16. 32h x 700c. Black
Tires: Schwalbe Delta Cruiser HS 392 Bicycle Tire (700x35, SBC Wire Beaded, Cream)
Fenders: Velo Orange Hammered 45mm Fenders 700c
Trunk Bag: Sackville Trunk Sack

Daily Book Graphics #811

©1961 / Design: J. Cinamon / I wonder if this is the same guy credited as Gerald Cinamon in DBG #465.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Friday, July 1, 2011

I finally got to design a (full length) album cover



Mark Norris from The Backpeddlers just dropped off several copies of their new vinyl release. I designed the cover, it is pretty satisfying to see the final product. The only other record cover I did was a 12" for Odiorne back in 2009, and that was limited to one color on the cover.