April Fool’s update + someone buy me this

A couple people have asked me about the R.E.Load April Fool’s Ride because I posted about it earlier. Now, I have no connection to R.E.Load aside from owning a pretty embroidered hip pack (OK, it’s kind of a fanny pack) won in one of their races. But I do know where their website is, so here’s an update in the interest of spreading the word around:

We’re working hard as usual…yes, we’re still working on securing a location for the annual April/May/June Fool’s Ride. Right now it looks like its going to have to be in early-mid June. Trust us, you will have ample time for preregistration and such. We plan on having at least 3-4 weeks of prior notice and registration before the event. We actually have the shirts designed already, if that makes you feel better.

In the meantime, check out R.E.Load’s custom stock, which is always both ridiculously awesome and way out of my price range. My heart belongs to the orange/plaid Philly skyline one at the top of the post, but I’ve put a few more of other favorites behind the jump:

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R.E.Load flagship bag for sale

R.E.Load Pedal civilian bag, now for sale!

So until recently, custom messenger-bag maker R.E.Load used to have a storefront in Northern Liberties that was always fun to look around in, even though I could never afford a $250 messenger bag, no matter how pretty.

I’d always stop by when I was in the area for a gawk at what new thing they’d embroidered this time, and the first thing I’d see walking in was the bag to the right, which was displayed in the store window for three years and is probably quite familiar to anyone who’s been there.

Well, now that R.E.Load has consolidated its retail and production halves into one Center City location and given up the Northern Liberties storefront, they’ve decided to sell the bag, which was made by Roland Burns (co-founder and the ‘R’ in ‘R.E.Load’) in 2006 for a Seattle art show. It’s halfway down the custom stock page and it’s… $400. Gosh darn it.

They say they’re finally selling it because “we’ve moved, and our styles have developed as well…” Here’s hoping it goes to a good home.

R.E.Load’s new HQ: