My entire extended family is cursed with the whole “unable to see clearly” thing. Literally. Family dinners will easily result in every single person wearing a pair of glasses. Once that fact sinks in, it’s up to the ones who can sort of see to take one for the team and self-consciously take off their specs. Then we all pretend that we’re not all blind.

It’s a little embarrassing for all involved when caught in those situations. But Tuesday night, I was with a group of pretty cool people and we were all wearing glasses. And it was awesome.

To be honest, I’m still not sure what Jeremy Dunn and Slate were doing in town, but they were in Boston and suggested meeting up at Superb. Not one to say no to anything bike-related, I jumped on the track bike and made my way to my favorite Boston shop. It’s been too long since I’ve actually just hung out; I was like hey, how do I do this again…?

But of course, not to worry, as the company took any self-imposed obligation to entertain off my shoulders. We hung out in Superb until closing, “covered” for Jason when he had to make some repairs by standing around and chatting, took pictures of each other, and shared tidbits of our respective lives.

I’d like to say that our collective awesome resulted in some mind-blowing stuff. Like we started making fashionable bikes out of our bare hands or something. But like the Clark Kent/Superman dichotomy, the superhero can only come out every so often, and we have events to save that up for. So we Clark Kent-ed by opting for chill beers, Kobe beef hotdogs [for the omnis], and fun times at Aubudon. There was iPhone-age and mucho twittering involved. And with a cell phone that can only 1. make phone calls, 2. take grainy pictures, and 3. text, I had some serious phone envy. And then PVB showed up, raising the IQ level of the table by about 100.

It was getting late too fast and with a 8.30am class for which I hadn’t quite done the work, we went our separate ways after a few beers [for the guys; fear of riding my track bike drunk had me sticking to Diet Coke...I AM SUCH A VEGAN TEETOTALER, I KNOW]. It was getting cold, and without a hat, my ears were freezing. The sensation seemed almost surreal.

Talking bikes – even though it was only for 2 hours – makes it seem like spring is just around the corner…

It’s Friday night, and there’s a hand sneaking in between my legs. Fingers brush my inner thigh as I squeal and giggle.

I wasn’t tipsy at all. Just a little drunk off adrenaline from the Superb Grand Opening party.

I had cleared my schedule weeks in advance for this party [and not only because cassette was a sponsor]. With a Fuji Feather being given away, who wouldn’t? But there was also the promise of “fraternaliz[ing] with Boston’s cycling elite.” And knowing Superb was going to fully deliver on that promise, it’s a party I wasn’t going to miss.

Arriving close to an hour after the doors opened, the place was already packed. Bikes lined both sides of the new shop, and people had spilled out onto the sidewalk. Squeezing our bikes into a narrow open space and locking them up, M1 and I ran into none other than Mr. Igleheart, the awesomely friendly framebuilder behind those delicious bikes that “ride like butter” [I wasn't kidding when I told him that I was saving up for one of his frames]. And as I turned around, ready to elbow my way into the shop, I waved hello to Marty of Geekhouse. This was going to be a really good party.

Inside, people swirled around the central display of bikes underneath the chandelier. There was a wave and thumbs up exchange between myself and Tyler of IF, an introduction to James of Revolution Bicycle Repair [he and M1 worked downtown together back in the day], and quick hellos to Croth and Kip. Lucas Brunelle was sighted, as was Joe of Sugar Coat and Geekhouse, and of course, all the hot Asian girls of Cambridge Bikes. Jason, the mastermind behind Superb, clearly delivered on his promise, and more.

Good beats streamed from the speakers as people moved around the room. Stepping outside to check on our bikes and cool off, another Boston cycling persona, Natasha of Pedal Power Photography, rolled up. In great company, we checked out the array of bicycles entered into the “Hot Bike Contest.” The contestants varied from a slick Specialized to a swoon-worthy vintage Pinarello pursuit frame with a tri-color, glittery paint job. While I regretted not riding the Dolan in, even with its new fall/winter 2009 look [coming soon!], a part of me knew that it probably wouldn’t have stood a chance with this kind of competition.

But I did take part in another kind of contest: $3 got Team Cassette 5 tickets into the raffle. With fingers crossed that we’d win something a Fuji Feather, we checked out the rest of the prizes and ate up some of Jason’s time before we reluctantly headed out the door for a friend’s birthday party. It was early, the party was still in full swing, but I didn’t feel lame leaving. Superb tends to have that effect; there’s no insecure pre-judgment of those who walk in the door, but you better be prepared to walk out feeling not only cooler but also like you’ve just managed to infiltrate Boston’s decidedly unpretentious cycling elite.

Which would explain the big smile on my face as I rolled away from 842 Beacon Street, despite my early departure. Thighs even pumped harder as we sped around taxis in Friday night traffic, spinning wheels and pedals to the next scheduled event of the night. And on the way, that hand. My palms seared with cold nervous sweat in response.

“Got it,” M1 said as he drew up next to me.

I relaxed as we surged up a hill – no longer needing to hold a motionless line – mashing en danseuse on the pedals, secure in the knowledge that the Knog Beetle on my seatpost was now diligently blinking red.

[More pictures of the event here.]

It is always nice when new bike shop opens in town. Especially one as nice looking as Superb. I have been following it’s progress for a while now and have been very impressed with what they have been doing with the space, and with the product line. If you want some fancy bike bling…look no further. They are having a big ole grand opening Friday, October 23rd. Stop by the store to check out the amazing bikes, the sweet gear, food drinks, a “hot bike contest” with prizes and much more! The cd they send me had all sorts of fun pictures on it, I have selected the most relevant below.

Press release below.

Superb is a concept bicycle boutique poised to supply the growing Boston cycling community with excellence in service and products. A bicycle boutique focused on new & classic road, track, and urban cycling; Superb is a full service shop offering repairs and sales in an environment designed to stylize bicycle shopping. Expanding on the shop’s original 1900’s motif, the retail store is a marriage of Victorian aesthetic and minimalist design. By Taking inspiration from the curving forms of a Velodrome, the design of the shop blends the dynamics of cycling to surfaces that highlight the uniqueness of the product. As the need for alternative methods of transport become an ever-growing reality, Superb responds to the consumer’s desire and simple ways to get around town, while offering tailored components and frames to fit individual personalities. We live in a world where we define ourselves by what we wear, what we use, and today, also by what we ride.

Located in the Fenway area, we are pleased to invite you to our grand opening Friday, October 23rd for a chance to meet the artists, designers, and minds behind Boston’s latest outpost of high design and retail experience. Join us as we celebrate Superb’s opening for a night of interaction with Boston’s cycling community. Food and Drinks will be served while Boston’s top DJ’s provide the soundtrack to the event. If you want to show off your ride, the “Hot Bike contest” registration starts
@ 9pm. Celebrity Judging @ 10:30pm for awesome store giveaways.

Superb Bicycle: Provisions for Cycling Address: 842 Beacon Street Boston 02215
Store Hours: Monday-Saturday 11am-7pm, Sunday 12-6pm Grand Opening Party: Friday, October 23rd 8pm-11pm Visit our website for more info on the shop and what we do: www.superbbicycle.com e-mail any questions to jason@superbbicycle.com or call the shop: 617.236.0752
Hope to see you there!!!

more pictures below.

(more…)

Sharing is caring, I know. But sometimes, I’m tempted to keep certain things to myself. Like those gems of whatever that you discover, and then hide away, at least for a little while, while you weigh who you’ll let in on your little secret, and in what order.

The irony being that I don’t really consider myself good at keeping secrets. Especially when they’re good secrets.

Like the addicting soul of Eli Paperboy Reed & The True Loves that’s been streaming out of my speakers for the past few days [not clicking on those links is your loss, so I'm not even going to demand you check them out]. Sure they’ve been around for a while…but with music like this coming from homey little Boston, and the NACCCs starting today, I feel just a little bit obligated to share this little gem.

And there’s something else, too. And it’s called Superb.

Conceived by Jason, it’s the stunningly hip extension of Cambridge Bicycle’s track bike boutique. The website went live earlier this summer, but it’s the space that I want to talk about. The plans for it are unbelievable, and I’ve had the good fortune of peeking into the space [formerly that of Boston Bicycle] every few weeks and watching the whirlwind transformation. Gold and teal ceilings, custom damask, plans for a display that will blow your mind, and chandeliers.

I’ll let you in on another secret, too. Jason was one of the first to know about cassette before her official launch, and when I dragged M1 to the space a few weeks back, it ended in a few iced americanos…and an idea.

A collaboration t-shirt between Superb and cassette, the idea was sketched out within 24 hours of that meeting, delivered to M1 and the concept finalized between 2 to 3am on a Sunday night and the hour before I boarded a bus back to Boston on Monday morning. The shirts were printed, cured, and mailed within 48 hours [did I mention we work fast?]. And just in time, too. Because with couriers from all across North America flooding the city, Superb is a destination spot, and then some.

Which is probably why I can’t keep the fact that it’s amazing and going to be totally awesome a secret. All exacerbated by the fact that late Tuesday night, M1 sent me an iphone shot of a test Superb shirt. I nearly screamed in excitement before reaching for the phone, the only words I could form being “dude…dude…that shirt…oh my god…”

“Yeah,” he replied, “I want to sort of steal one.”

And there you have it. Proof that it’s a good one. And therefore a secret I am incapable of keeping. Want one? Stop by Superb…and make sure you say hi, too!

[And yes, it's Rapha Scarf Friday again...]

I’m really good at making faces.

You might not think it if you just met me. Or maybe you would. In any case, my Mom hates it. Which makes me just do it more, until, finally unable to hold in her laughter, she’ll watch me contort my face with a mixture of disgust and amazement and say:

“You keep doing that and your face is permanently going to stay that way.”

She might be right. At least about crinkling my nose too much.

But I have friends who are looking out for me, clearly. Because while I never tend to wear my own cycling caps, I’m building up an interesting collection via friends. And they’re shielding my face and eyes from sun, wind, and crows feet. And for someone who habitually forgets to slather on the sunscreen, that’s love.

So when yesterday turned out to be one of the sunniest in weeks [Jason apparently schemed with the weather for months to make that happen - thanks!], I was grateful that I was wearing one. Well, I’ve been wearing this one for a few days now, and for good reason.

It’s the new Superb cycling cap.

Designed by both Jason and Croth, this hat is all about the details. The wallpaper background, when viewed from a few feet back, looks like innocent damask. But when you get close enough [to check out the person wearing it], you notice the bicycles and the subtle curves and flicks in the logo.

And then you get a little bit closer [because, please, anyone wearing this is guaranteed to be hot], and you see the underside of the brim. Teal or purple, it’s a hidden sort of hip; the kind you don’t need to flaunt for people to know you have it. But if you’re the one doing the attracting, well, it wouldn’t hurt to turn it up a notch and flip up that brim.

But no analysis of a potential mate is ever complete without a view from the back. And that’s when this hat really works to your advantage. With “Boston” emblazoned on the back, you’ll know where to find this hottie [or at least where to hang out to find such hotties]. And if you’re the one wearing it, even better. You can still give the sexy look over your shoulder and saunter away into the crowd; because, come on, anyone with decent game can take a hint and at least try to break the ice with banter about the Bosox.

Lucky for you, this hat dropped yesterday. Check it – and the rest of Superb – out.