When Art Meets Cycling
This is a story about art, cycling, and when those two worlds collide...
Years ago, while admiring my friend Adrian's incredible art collection, one piece in particular caught my eye—an artwork by none other than Michael Reeder. Known for his intricate skull-themed pieces, Reeder's style blends elements of surrealism and cartoons, creating visually striking compositions. (You can read more about him here.)
As a cyclist, you might be more familiar with his work through his collaboration with Specialized and the Red Hook Crit team, where he painted one of their most iconic frames. That connection between his art and the cycling world, combined with my immediate fascination with his work, sparked a passion in me. From that day forward, I started collecting his pieces, and now, years later, I’m proud to have many hanging on my walls.
But what does this story about Michael Reeder have to do with Rachel Strum?
As it turns out, I follow Reeder on social media, and time and again, I noticed him sharing the work of another artist—Rachel Strum. Her bold, vibrant, and sometimes fluorescent color palettes stood out immediately. The more I saw her work, the more I couldn’t shake the thought: these designs would look incredible on a cycling jersey.
So, I reached out. I sent her a message asking if she’d be open to collaborating with a cycling kit brand. A few conversa
tions and meetings later, the Givelo x Rachel Strum collection was born. Somewhere along the way, during one of our calls, I learned that Rachel and Michael are actually married—a fact that caught me completely off guard. I was a little starstruck, realizing that two artists whose work I admired so much were not only connected professionally but personally as well.
Seeing the final designs come to life has been surreal—what started as a simple admiration for art turned into a full-circle moment where two of my passions, cycling and art, came together. Now, every time I put on the jersey, it’s not just about the ride; it’s about the creative journey that got it there.
As for the photos, Givelo asked me to create some images that meld with the kit launch, connecting art, cycling and curiosity. Enjoy!
Get your Rachel Strum x Givelo kit while supplies last! SHOP HERE
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