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Vann Powell & Left Foot Cycles 

Greetings!  Vann Powell here.  Some of you may know me and have ridden with me back in Raleigh.  I grew up in Raleigh, I had been riding those streets for some time when I decided to leave for a different flavor of air elsewhere.  Now I’ve been living outside of the U.S.A. for about five years.  Over these past years I've traveled to many places and I always seem to find my way into the local bike scene, meeting rad and inspiring people along the way.

When I started this project I had just heard of The Overlap and the community that they are building in Raleigh.  So I reached out to Garret and Nathan to see if they were interested in this story and spreading the good word of hand built, steel bicycles.  So big ups and shout outs to the guys at the Overlap, Garret and Nathan for taking up this story! Im stoked they were amped as much as I was to share with you guys the rad stuff my friends and I have been getting up to out here in the orient!

Until recently I’ve been riding fixed but Ive been off the mend from a hip injury I got last year while cycling.  At the time I was riding a road bike, a bit of a change from what I usually ride.  Normally, I ride fixed gear, which does my arthritic hip no favors.  I know what you’re probably thinking… get a freewheel or get some gears you idiot, for christ sake.  That’s where my friend Brad comes in.

Brad’s been building steel frames for a little over a year now and is currently an apprentice under Jung Hoon at Rookey Bike Works here in Seoul, ROK. I’ve known Brad for a bit over three years now.  He is an old friend from when we both lived in Prague, CZ.  So when my conscience finally caught up with me about getting off the hip grinding fixed gear and onto some newer steel I asked brad if he wouldn’t mind building a frame for me.

Rookey Bike Works is run by Jung Hoon, who has been building bicycles for over three years.  All of Jung Hoon’s bicycles are hand built from columbus steel tubing.  Anything from a true tourer to a track bike, he's got you.  Rookey Bike Works is located in south Seoul right off one of the various bike trails that loop around the city and hug it’s various water ways.  

Brad was stoked to get started building this new frame.  He had just finished building himself an all road bike he had been stewing on for some time.  Having just finished something to grind gravel with, Brad talked me into a bigger clearance on the frame to throw on some tires that can chew stone. Im running 28s now with clearance for 32s incase I wanna get off road a bit more. Gotta say, I’m enjoying the versatility.

The original idea for the frame was to develop and build a proper all steel road frame. Though I changed my mind pretty quickly. Instead I opted for a single speed,  I wasn’t ready to end my masochism just yet.  Besides, now I've got breaks to take the stress and grinding off my hips and knees, right?!   So, I settled on the idea of a city/light gravel grinder with more aggressive geometry for sharper and quicker maneuvering (check those angels in the photos!)

Though Brad has only been building bicycle frames for one year, he has had the unique experience of hands on learning with a professional for an extended period of time.  Brad plans to take and build on this experience.  Brad has already turned this experience into the first phase of a true frame building business under the Left Foot Cycles name.  Who knows where and what country Brad will be living in over the next coming year (though I’d say watch out for Left Foot Cycles popping up in the US sometime in the future).

I hope you guys enjoy these photos as much as I’ve been enjoying riding this bike.

Enjoy and keep shredding

-Stay rad Raleigh!

If you have any questions about photography, bikes, or life abroad hit me up on my Instagram account: vannnotvan

Images by Vann Thomas Powell and Brad Hammonds IG: Bradhammondsphoto

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Richard O’Briant, or Dick as you may know him, put together a fun edit from last Monday. One go pro, one club banger, one fun night.  #mondaynightcross  

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A little water didint stop @ncstatecycling from #mondaynightcx

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Favorite #mondaynightcx picture so far. #theoverlap #crossiscoming

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Playing with the slow motion during #mondaynightcx. 📹 ----> @pblarz #crossiscoming #tallgrass #bhbnation

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Campout Roll out. Huge thanks to @oakcitycyclingproject for hosting & organizing. Great food & music and even better company. #swiftcampout

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Monday is here again #mondaynightcx #theoverlap #lightbro

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We rise early to ride early. This Sunday morning we'll be rolling out from @themorningtimes at 8:30am for our Sunday morning road ride. Mild tempo/no drop/road bikes/helmets. #theoverlapsundaystroll #bakeryride #itsthelastdayofthetour #theoverlap #bikefamilydinner #allthepasteries

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The very hot cool cats of #theoverlapsundaystroll. Great ride. Great turnout in spite of the blazing sun.

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#mondaynightcx #bikechurch #lightbro #theoverlap

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Mt. Mitchell & the Blue Ridge Parkway

On Monday 6/13 Scott Brandon and I rode 66 miles with 7,300 feet of climbing. The trip was well worth it; we stayed in a great Air B&B that Brandon found, started the day with coffee and breakfast at Battle Cat Coffee Bar, and made our way to the Folk art Center to start our ascent. 

We unloaded packed our jersey pockets full of snacks and saddled up. The turn out of the Folk Art Center parking lot was down hill and the only down hill we would see for a few miles. In less than three miles we had already reached our first thousand feet of climbing. Even our first water stop was a misleading extra few hundred feet of climbing. 

The climbs were long and taken easy, knowing there was always more to go. Every small decent along the way up was a refreshing break from the continuing climbs   We stopped to snack, stretch, and enjoy the views along the way.  The overlooks got better and better the higher we got and eventually we could see our final climb. We reached the top had a Coke, some M&M’s, and spoke to some people that passed us on the way up.

All that climbing was over (mostly) and the reward began. I have little to say about the decent. It was over before we knew it and i don’t have single picture. A max speed of 48 mph and the three of us spread by our gearing. Brandon and i chased Scott down the parkway. As we passed the sign for the Folk art Center we through up our hands as if we had won a race it just felt right. 

all and all it was a great time i cant wait to do it again 

-Garret T-

also Scott’s tire blew out a few minutes after the ride ended ha. 

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Monday nights just keep getting better. #tastycx #theoverlap #mondaynightcx

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The Overlap Sunday Ride: Faster than a social ride with far more pastries. From ex pro racers to brand spanking new road riders, we've been thrilled with turn out and the overall involvement of this ride. #theoverlapsundaystroll #bakeryride #willrideforpastries

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It seems like all of Raleigh turned out and took advantage of the nice weather.

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February's Cafe Alley Cat Spoke cards, raffle prizes, cyclocross hopscotch, and smiling faces. Our February Alley cat was a blast to put on. We appreciate all the brave riders who came out on that Chilly February Saturday. We hope everyone had as much fun as we did. It wouldn't have happened without the help of Raleigh's supportive and involved businesses. Huge thanks to Oak City Cycling Project, The Morning times, Drink Drank Drunk, Café de Los Muertos, Global Village, Brew Coffee, Boulted Bread, as well as New Belgium Brewery. All of their donations and involvement made it possible. -Garret-

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Riding bikes & eat doughnuts #theoverlap

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Fun was had. #cafealleycat