U R B A N · P E O P L E · F I X E D · R I D E R S · H U B

4342

t h e m a n B e h i n d P e d a l C o n s u m P t i o n

4544

Who is Patrick Thames?This has to be one of the toughest questions I get asked all the time. I suppose if there was a Wikipedia on myself this question would be much easier to answer. Basically, I’m the author of PEDAL Consumption and designer of the Kagero. I’m also team manager and consultant for /HDGHU���,�ULGH�)L[HG�*HDU�ELNHV�DQG�ZRXOGQCW�KDYH�LW�DQ\�other way. I live a vegan lifestyle and I love Chihuahuas!

When did you start Pedal Consumption?I started PEDAL Consumption in the summer of 2007. I originally started this blog as a way to consume time when I was bored at night. As the harsh winters in Portland became unbearable...where you didn’t even want to go outside, I found myself indulging in the blog much more than I thought I would. Eventually, PEDAL Consumption’s popularity prompted me to take the blog to a higher level and make it one of the world’s PRVW�SRSXODU�)L[HG�*HDU�VLWHV��,YH�EHHQ�GRLQJ�WKLV�passionately for almost 5 years now, but sometimes I feel the urge to disconnect and do what I enjoy most...riding. I’m doing a lot more traveling these days, so it’s uplifting that I can ride and blog about my adventures at the same time.

What are the main differences between WKH�86$�o[HG�JHDU�VFHQH�DQG�WKH�,WDOLDQ�o[HG�JHDU�VFHQH"Well, I’ve never been to Italy... so I can’t honestly FRPSDUH�WKH�WZR���,�FDQ�RQO\�LPDJLQH�WKH�,WDOLDQ�)L[HG�*HDU�VFHQH�WR�EH�VLPLODU�WR�WKH�86$�)L[HG�*HDU�VFHQH���,�could be wrong, but viewing various media from Italy... I see a lot of similarities. One thing I admire about the Italian scene is the accessibility of some of the most sought out Italian frames and components. The heritage alone makes the average cyclist drool with envy. I’ll most likely be heading to Italy on my Europe trip in June of ������VR�,�ORRN�IRUZDUG�WR�VHHLQJ�ZKDW�WKH�,WDOLDQ�)L[HG�Gear scene has to offer.

4746

I’ve seen that you are also a photographer; do you recognize \RXUVHOI�DV�D�o[HG�JHDU�EORJJHU�RU�D�o[HG�JHDU�SKRWRJUDSKHU":HOO��,P�GHoQLWHO\�QRW�D�SKRWRJUDSKHU�E\�DQ\�PHDQV���,�do often dabble in photography, but since my closest friends (Brenton Salo and Jason Finn) are photographers, I let them do their thing to help contribute material for PEDAL Consumption. I’m currently learning photography in a more professional manner as we speak, so I see it being something I will dedicate more time to in the near future. Personally, photos have a big impact on the way I layout my entries on PEDAL Consumption. I don’t see any reason why someone would need to write a huge summary on what the photo is depicting. As they say... a picture is worth a thousand words.

When did you start the Kagero project? 7KH�.DJHUR�SURMHFW�RIoFLDOO\�VWDUWHG�LQ������ZKHQ�6DO�(Leader) and I began discussing the idea of doing a collaboration frameset together. After a few weeks of throwing around some concrete ideas, I began laying out the design, color, and logos for the Kagero Lo-Pro. ,�ZRUNHG�FORVHO\�ZLWK�/HDGHU�RYHU�WKH�QH[W�IHZ�\HDUV�in order to make the concept of the Kagero become a reality. I’ll admit, we hit some bumpy roads along the way, but it paid off in the end. One of the hardest things about designing a frame is waiting to receive a prototype. Then, once you make adjustments on the prototype, you have to wait again for another prototype... and so on. It’s very time consuming and this was the main reason why it WRRN�VR�ORQJ�IRU�WKH�.DJHUR�WR�PDNH�LWV�RIoFLDO�GHEXW�

Tell us more about the Leader Kagero, about the project, the tubes. The Kagero was created because of my love for Lo-Pro frames. I’ve actually owned more Lo-Pro frames than any other frame style. The inspiration for the Kagero came from the Cannondale Track with its robust round tubing, Pista Concept with its staple carbon fork, and the KHS Aero Track for its timeless Lo-Pro appearance. Rather than make an aggressive sloping top tube, like other EUDQGV��,�WKRXJKW�LW�ZRXOG�EH�PRUH�EHQHoFLDO�WR�KDYH�D�less aggressive sloping top tube; that way the rider would be able to enjoy long distance rides. The round tubing

4948

on the Kagero is one of my favorite features. The current market is heavily saturated with Aero style tubing, so we wanted to do something slightly different, yet classic. Another outstanding feature about the Kagero is the rear dropouts. They’re seamless and a bit more oversized WKDQ�PRVW�RI�WKH�DYHUDJH�GURSRXWV�\RX�ZLOO�oQG�RQ�aluminum track bikes. All in all, I truly believe we created a stiff, responsive, and streamlined frameset.

What do you think about the Italian tradition has as frame builders and did you take some inspiration from our country? When I think of traditional Italian frame builders, I think of originality, beauty, and solid craftsmanship. Thus, inspiration from Italian frame building clearly went into designing the Kagero.

In which projects are you involved with right now? Some anticipation for Cykeln?Currently, we are pursuing new frame styles for the Kagero line. As you may know, we have an updated Kagero Lo-Pro in the works, which will feature two new colors along with logos designed by WOOF. Additionally, the frame will feature a crimped driveside chainstay and lesser rake in the fork. Lastly, we will be releasing a Kagero Pista model based off of the Kagero design, but with a leveled top tube. I can’t say much about this new model, but it will be showcased at Interbike 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Some advice for the young riders?Stay away from the politics and drama that suffocate the )L[HG�*HDU�FRPPXQLW\���'RQW�JHW�FDXJKW�XS�LQ�DOO�WKH�negative, biased chitter-chatter that serves no merit to what WE are actually trying to achieve... which is simply RIDING bikes. Don’t look up to role models... become your own role model. Ride safe and have FUN!

if you find interest in PatriCK thames:

intervista di: claudio di santofoto: jason finn

www.pedalconsumption.com

49