Frame, Fork, Rider: Jonathon R. Wish X Tonic Fabrication
A Note:
Abe here! When I first met Jon, and heard the story behind his bike, it started a conversation within me and with others about the connection between some riders and their bikes. I'm so happy to have come full circle with this conversation from an idea to a published piece for you to enjoy and hopefully get inspired to start that conversation with yourself and those around you.
The Rider:
Tell us about yourself, Jon, and what drew you to cycling.
Cycling has been a significant way that I have moved through the world for the past 10 years or so. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the long days as a child pedaling around my neighborhood. In fact, I remember telling my Mom about the sense of freedom I got when riding to and from school in the third grade. I loved being able to get from point A to point B under my own volition. My friends and I would pedal to school on our BMX bikes. We would find the little cutty sections making sure to drop off curbs and sprint for green lights. Not much has changed in my 31 years of age :)
Around 19 I didn’t want to buy a car as it seemed unnecessarily expensive. I wanted a means of transportation that would be quick and not break the bank. I dusted off my Dad's old Bianchi with suicide shifters and rode everywhere. Not much water and definitely no snacks, I fell back in love with the feeling of freedom. What I thought then still holds true to this day. Why drive a car when riding a bike is not only great for my overall health, but it’s fun, and most importantly, it puts my mind at ease.
What keeps you going? What’s your go-to riding snack? You know, all the important stuff.
It’s not too challenging to find motivation for me to keep the pedals turning. The connection that I feel not only to the world around me, but to my body is second to none. Like most of us, I can be in my head a lot overthinking. The bike helps to smooth the edges of life - so to speak.
Rides snacks!!! Don’t we all ride to eat burritos?? That is my go-to for long rides anything over 60ish miles. I’ll also carry dates, mangos, sour patch kids, you name it i’ll eat it. I’m one of those people that eats often, not sure if that is a good or bad thing but it keeps a smile on when the going gets tough. Also, you can find me with electrolyte packets! Always thought the headaches and muscle aches were normal cycling woes. Come to find out, those darn electrolytes are a necessity for me!
You moved to Portland, OR, from the East Coast. Why Portland? Did cycling have anything to do with that? Did your cycling experience in other places you lived differ from here (Portland)?
I’m originally from Rhode Island. The extent of my riding was commuting and general exploring. At that time, I was on that Bianchi I referred to before. I wasn’t riding too much with anyone else as most people I knew drove. I always liked being the odd ball that didn’t drive. I realized that everything in Rhode Island, as I’m sure you can imagine, is remarkably close. Westerly, the town I lived in, is like any other small New England town. The furthest I had to ride was 10 miles. People rode, but not many commuted. Utilizing the bike as a means of transportation is what makes cycling a “lifestyle” as opposed to simply a sport.
I moved to Portland in 2013. The move was predicated on prior visits to the city as a half of my family lives in the greater Portland area. However, the main reason was to move to a city that supported bike infrastructure. One of my biggest frustrations about American cities is that they don’t prioritize pedestrians or cyclists. Portland is actively working on this issue annually. Riding on the East Coast had its charm, but feeling unsafe on the roads is a feeling that all of us cyclists know all too well. I am biased, but riding in Portland I feel safer. Green ways are the cyclist's best friend for commuting :)
To be honest, Jon, the story of what this bike means to you inspired me to think about the connection between the rider and their bike, and eventually, inspired me to create this project! What makes that connection? Is there something specific about that bike that does it for you?
I’ve always felt a sense of connection emotionally when pushing the pedals. As mentioned before, it allows me to smooth out the edges of my life and peer through a different lens. This connection between my bike and my emotions began when my Mom was diagnosed with cancer. I would take to the bike and have no idea where I was going or how long I would be out for and just ride. Her diagnosis was terminal, so my grieving process began to unfold quite early on. What I learned was that if I leaned into my grief by way of the bike, I would not only be able to look at the pain, I would be able to sit with it and not feel so overwhelmed. This finding was a monumental shift in how I coped.
My Mom ended up passing on October 25th, 2016. This was the most challenging experience I have dealt with. Within weeks of her passing, I was riding around thinking of something to do to honor her. No single event can encapsulate one's life. Not for an amazing, loving, strong person as she. However, it clicked! I toyed with the idea of riding across the country and had conversations about this with my Mom before she passed. She rode, so she was not only in full support, she told me I needed to do that at some point in my life. She was always in support of my explorative nature. I decided I would ride my bike across the country in her honor and raise money for the hospice service that helped in her end of life. Long story very short, I completed that ride that summer. I cried, laughed, and made lifelong friends on what I call “The 3-month grief journey”. The bike moved me through those difficult spaces and still does today.
The Bike:
Now tell us about the bikes; what's the story?
I wanted to build a bike in honor of my Mom. For all the reasons mentioned before, it just felt like the right thing to do. For me, grief is an ongoing process. I wanted a rig that was intentional around this. It's a grief machine - so to speak. I found peace in my cross-country long rides, and I still do. Therefore, building a purpose-built rig around this discipline seemed perfect. The thoughts are the build stemmed from a “big tire - road-ish” bike. Something that is capable no matter what I throw at it. It generally lives in winter mode with 700x38 filet tread tires (with fenders of course!) for the rainy winter months here in Portland. I wanted a bike that I was comfortable on for long rides. Kevin, at PedalPT got me squared away with a fit so it fits like a glove. Every time I ride, it brings joy. Though, building a bike with such intention makes it that much more special. The bike is aptly named F.J.W, which are my Mom’s initials (Francesca Jean Wish).
Tony (from Tonic Fab) did an amazing job with the build, first of all! Not only is this build a true head-turner, but it's also an homage to your mother, who clearly meant the world to you. How did Tonic help solidify the vision of this build?
I spent some time on the phone with builders explaining what I was looking for and the hopes for the bike. I ended up chatting with Tony, and his calm demeanor and general stoke for the project was what solidified it for me. We spoke about the bike and the sentiment around my mom. Tony assured me we could do something a little extra special. As seen in the photos, he painstakingly whittled the heart with my Mom’s initials F.J.W (Francesca Jean Wish) which sits beautifully on the headtube. There is something about a builder going over the top for a project that is so sentimental. Tony just got it. We formed a relationship around the project and I consider Tony a friend.
What & how has this build helped you in ways that your other builds couldn't?
Everything they say about custom is real. The details are what does it for me. Us bike nerds go crazy for details, at least I do! Having the rear dynamo light mounted internally to the seat stay!? The beautifully crafted wishbone stays?! I wouldn't say any of this “helps” but it's rad! Finally, having the custom fit process really changed my perception of riding. I thought back pain was normal, but it’s not. Riding pain-free on a bike that fits is a dream.
Any last thoughts?
Abe, you’re awesome, and I appreciate your friendship and letting me express my story. Much love :)
Full Build Specs:
Frame: Tonic FAB (F.J.W)
Fork: ENVE Adventure Fork
Shifters: GRX 810
Brakes/Levers: GRX 810
Rotors: SHIMANO CENTER LOCK Disc Brake Rotor ICE TECHNOLOGIES
Rear Derailleur: GRX 810
Crankset: GRX 810 172.5
Chain Ring: 48X31
Cassette: Sram Force 11-Speed 11-36
Chain: Shimano Ultegra
Headset: Chris King In Set 7 Black
Bottom Bracket: T47 Chris King Black
Stem: ENVE Gravel 90 mm custom paint
Handlebar: WCS Carbon VentureMax Handlebar 44cm
Seatpost: Thomson Masterpiece Black
Seat Clamp: Thomson
Saddle: Brooks c 15 cut out
Pedals: Shimano XTR
Hoops: Sapim Brass Black 12mm Polyax 14ga Nipple, Sapim CX-Ray Black J-Bend Spoke, Astral Wanderlust, black, 28 hole, 700c, Disc CARBON.
Front Hub: Schmidt Son28 28h Black Centerlock Disc Dynamo Hub 12x100
Rear Hub: Chris King R45D Rear Hub - 12 x 142mm, Center-Lock, HG 11 Road, Black, 28H Tires: Rene Herse 700x44 Manastash Ridge
Bar tape: Lizard skin black
Frame and Saddle Bag: Frame bag (Rogue Panda)
You can follow Jon @jonrwish
