Velo City: Bicycle Culture and City Life

Hufnagel Fire Road Racer

Hufnagel Fire Road Racer

There’s a very tangible spirit of adventure that exists along the nor’ west American coast, doubly characterized by the vast number of artists, surfers, riders, photographers and other creatives that contribute to it, document it and are inspired by the local environment.

Jesse Carmody is one of them, a photographer who expertly captures the regional light and colorful characters, and Jordan Hufnagel is another — one of Portland’s finest frame builders. Jesse has just taken possession of his dream bike, a Hufnagel Cycle that already looks at home on the trail.

Hufnagel Fire Road Racer

Jesse met Jordan in Portland a few years ago, “on a little photo assignment from our mutual friend Kyle ‘Trackosaurus Rex” Kelley. I wanted one of his frames right away, only those days I was big on track bikes. Anyway, at the time, I’d just brought back a custom built Kinfolk from Japan and a NOS Vivalo so the bicycle-money-well was all dried up.”

Hufnagel Fire Road Racer
Hufnagel Fire Road Racer

“I made a handful of trips to the Pacific Northwest over the years and always made it a point to stop by and see Jordan at the shop. Meanwhile, my interests, as far as bikes go, went back to road bikes and eventually cyclocross bikes.”

Hufnagel Fire Road Racer
Hufnagel Fire Road Racer

“My first and only road bike went to the back burner after I built up my first SSCX bike, though it never left my mind as I’d be itching for gears while out on my local trails in LA’s Santa Monica mountains.”

Hufnagel Fire Road Racer

“Unfortunately, early this year, my road bike had been stolen out of my garage along with a mountain bike and a butt-load of photography equipment. The blow was softened by an insurance claim and the next day I called Jordan to discuss building my ‘forever bike’ — the perfect multipurpose bicycle that I’d never need to replace.”

Hufnagel Fire Road Racer

“I’m now the proud owner and happy rider of my Hufnagel bike. With much thanks to the boys (Kyle, Ty and Woody) at Golden Saddle Cyclery here in LA, I was fortunate to have the bike complete and ridable within 6 hours of receiving the frame in the mail. Its maiden voyage was a hot, grueling 4 hour endeavor that brought me to a very happy place. There’s so much I could say about this bike but I could just as well keep it simple; I love this bike so much, it’s perfect!”

Hufnagel Fire Road Racer

Magic happens when a photographer like Jesse sets himself the task of documenting his own new Hufnagel: I received photos of the bike being built up at Golden Saddle Cyclery, as well as pre-ride and post-ride images. For a bike such as this, being covered in dust and the afterglow of a trail ride is the most apt description, which Jesse has skilfully captured. See more photography on his website, blog and Flickr. If you fancy a Hufnagel of your own, Jordan can be contacted through his website.

Hufnagel Fire Road Racer