'Hand-Built for the Long Haul' Poster Release Party

Longtime cyclist Geoffrey Franklin personally designs, makes and tests every leather bike accessory he crafts by hand. And from the looks of this video, there's a whole lot of tender loving care.To celebrate the art of handmade craft, Franklin teamed up with Portland photographer Jim Golden. The pair carefully arranged every product Franklin created and every tool he used over the last five years into a giant collage. Golden snapped a photo of the final display, capturing the image for their new "Hand-Built for the Long Haul" poster.But the photo is more than just a collection of random pretty stuff. It's a tribute to family, craftsmanship and the lifelong love of biking.The bike in the center once belonged to Franklin's father. After his dad passed down the bike, Franklin took apart, powder-coated and rebuilt the 1978 Bianchi road bike. He rode the bike to work for a few years. While commuting, Franklin discovered that he needed more accessories to improve his bike rides. He couldn't find anything on the market, so he began making his own, and Walnut Studiolo was born.Five years later, Franklin has a whole line of stylish solutions to urban cycling, from leather knuckle grips to barrel bags and cinches that attach a six-pack of beer to your bike.Meanwhile, Golden, also a cyclist, had been thinking about photographing the story of the bicycle. So when the opportunity came to work with Franklin's soft leather goods, he seized the chance. Golden wanted to showcase the passion behind Franklin's leatherworking, so the two carefully placed the products near where they might be placed on a bike. (See before and after photos of the final layout.)Join Franklin and Golden this Saturday, Sept. 7, for their poster release party. The event starts at 5 p.m. inside Golden's studio, 4114 N. Vancouver Ave.Written by: Dominique FongFollow @dominiquefong