Bitchslap..

There are some great magazines around these days. A generation that has been spawned by the crossing paths of cult titles such as Vice, Sidewalk and Transworld… Whoever is at the forefront of this hell-child rebellion I wouldn’t like to hazard at, but what I know is that magazines such as Huck and Cooler really float my boat.

Last week I was in Copenhagen rigging up a new Kingdom Foia hardtail, cycling around in the sunshine and burning witches (etc) when I made an important discovery that I will get to in a minute, but first I’ll tell you about my visit:

I have been to the city now on quite a few occasions and this was certainly the best yet – the place was buzzing with happy, healthy frolickers, nearly all of whom were using bicycles to get to the next café, to work or to the pub. Now I have heard Copenhagen described as a “not very nice” place by one grumpster, how on earth they got that impression I will never know. There truly aren’t many, or any, cities that have the same mellow, vibrant and welcoming feel as Copenhagen, nor that are as healthy, hip or trendy – all testimony, I suppose, to the Scandinavians and their warm ways.

I was slightly too taken in by the atmosphere, I have to say, and when I rolled in at 8am on Friday morning I was truly regretting my Irish drinking companions’ beer habit. If you don’t drink, you don’t know, though, so I won’t moan about the hangover. Instead, I’ll rejoice at discovery #1 – that of finding the grimiest bar in Denmark, which my dirtbag soul really quite enjoyed, and move swiftly on to the more important of two findings:

Bitchslap magazine, produced by Dick and Nanny, is my new Bible. Not that I’m religious, thank God, as if I were then my decision to follow the teachings of such legends as Possibly Paul, Yum Yum Saint Hamilton and Klaus Boss might just wind me up in some rather Hellish bother. Bitchslap represents artists, skaters and rockers who have a point to make, and they make it very well indeed.

Pick up Bitchslap in the better Copenhagen stores and spread the word, for the lord hath commeth, and he’s got one hell of a story to tell all you sinners.

www.bitchslapmag.com

Jimmy Bodean

So while I’ve been floating around Wales and Spain most of the winter, photographer and all round legend James Bowden has been literally floating somewhere off Tasmania on an epic surf trip. Inspiring isn’t the word for James’ photography – have a look yourself you’ll be stunned.

www.latitudinaltales.co.uk

[Non-]Daily Photo Update


Well here’s a nice surprise – new looking Kingdom website is suddenly upon us and I like what I am seeing! Not as much as I like these mountains though – I went to the Picos de Europa with Chris a couple of weeks ago to search out some of Europe’s lost riding ground, oooh boy did I like what I saw there! Incredible peaks, valleys and rivers inspired me so much that I’ve already booked to go back..
James