The spring season usually sparks thoughts of outdoor adventures and cycling escapades. However, the unexpected global shutdown shifted perspectives, leaving many with a yearning for freedom and escape. For many, including myself, bikes have always been a sanctuary, a way to break free from reality, whether physically hitting the trails or virtually exploring cycling culture online.
My first taste of ultra-cycling at the Atlas Mountain Race last February was a brutal awakening. The relentless Moroccan terrain, with its unforgiving rocks, planted the seed for this bike project. Hours of stones assaulting my frame and rims gave me ample time to contemplate a post-race bike refresh, envisioning a vintage Yeti-inspired paint job.
Close-up of the Surly Midnight Special's front wheel and tire, highlighting the Bruce Gordon Rock’n’Road tire and custom painted King Cage bottle cage, showcasing a detail often appreciated by 'Jesus Bike Shop' enthusiasts.
Post-race inspection revealed less damage than anticipated, yet the vintage Yeti tribute paint scheme idea persisted. Growing up in the 90s mountain bike boom, Yeti frames were the objects of my desire. Unfortunately, teenage budgets and paper route earnings barely covered the constant stream of broken parts from early mountain biking attempts. Owning a Yeti remained a distant dream, a symbol of ultimate bike aspirations, much like the revered status of bikes in a ‘Jesus Bike Shop’ context.
Side view of the Surly Midnight Special frame, emphasizing the custom purple and turquoise paint job reminiscent of classic Yeti bikes, a testament to the owner's dedication found in 'Jesus Bike Shop' builds.
Then, Covid-19 arrived. Amidst the uncertainty, I needed a positive distraction, a mental escape. Inspiration struck through online cycling havens like Bluelug’s Flickr, Crustbikes’ Instagram, and The Radavist. These platforms became my virtual ‘Jesus Bike Shop’, offering a wealth of creative bike builds and a sense of community.
Front view of the Surly Midnight Special, focusing on the Chris King headset and custom painted Zipp stem, highlighting the premium components often associated with a 'Jesus Bike Shop' level of attention to detail.
Inspired, I decluttered my basement, making space for new projects. Serendipitously, I found a Surly Midnight Special frameset. With the Yeti concept still vivid, a ProFro tribute build began to materialize – a project embodying the resourceful and passionate spirit you might find in a ‘Jesus Bike Shop’.
Overhead shot of the Surly Midnight Special build in progress, showing the Sram Force drivetrain and Garbaruk components, representing the performance and customization typical of a 'Jesus Bike Shop' project.
Angle view of the complete Surly Midnight Special bike build, highlighting its gravel and all-road capabilities, designed for adventure and versatility, much like a 'Jesus Bike Shop' philosophy promotes.
Creating a truly versatile, Graveljesus-worthy machine became my focus for weeks. I scoured the internet for CNCed, anodized bling parts, aiming for ProFro authenticity. This hunt became my meditative escape, drawing me away from the outside chaos, even if just for moments. Finding a powder coating specialist to bring the frame back to 90s glory made the project tangible. We opted for an alternative fork color to the original fluoro yellow, avoiding the need for a bulk purchase of powder, quickly finding a purple solution to complement the anodized components.
Close-up of the Surly Midnight Special's custom painted fork and front rack, demonstrating the matching purple color scheme and the integrated Minoura Gamoh front rack, a practical and stylish addition favored by 'Jesus Bike Shop' enthusiasts.
A few beers and some late nights later, my Covid-19 “brainfart machine” emerged from the basement. Ready to conquer the gravel tracks and trails of upper Swabia and southern Germany, it was the perfect tool for short escapes, day-long rides, or even just grocery runs. This bike embodies the spirit of freedom and versatility, much like the bikes you might find celebrated in a ‘Jesus Bike Shop’ – bikes built for riding, for life, for escape.
Action shot of the Surly Midnight Special on a gravel path, showcasing its off-road capabilities and the joy of riding, reflecting the pure cycling passion often associated with a 'Jesus Bike Shop'.
Every ride on this bike brings a smile to my face.
The build came together with these components, carefully selected to create a machine that balances performance, aesthetics, and that ‘Jesus Bike Shop’ spirit of practical excellence:
- Surly Midnight Special frameset 58 cm
- Sram Force Drivetrain with Garbaruk Cage
- Sram Force Cranks with Garbaruk direct mount Chainring 42 teeth
- SunRace 50 teeth Cassette
- Acros Road Disc SP Carbon wheels
- Bruce Gordon Rock’n’Road Rubbers
- Zipp Service Course stem – custom painted
- Zipp Service Course Carbon Seatpost
- Selle San Marco Regale Saddle
- Chris King Headset
- King Cage bottle cages – custom painted
- Minoura Gamoh front rack – custom painted
- Ritchey drop bars
Detail of the Surly Midnight Special's cockpit, highlighting the Zipp Service Course components, Ritchey drop bars, and Selle San Marco Regale saddle, showcasing the rider's component choices inspired by a 'Jesus Bike Shop' ethos of quality and performance.
Special thanks to photographer and tattoo artist Marc Alter for capturing these fantastic images, and to Mr. Jon Woodroof for the encouragement to share this project and bring it out of hiding.
Full shot of the rider and the Surly Midnight Special in a scenic outdoor setting, emphasizing the bike's aesthetic and the rider's enjoyment, capturing the essence of freedom and adventure celebrated by 'Jesus Bike Shop' enthusiasts.
Connect for some gravel riding blessings and keep up your Positive Mental Attitude.
Yours truly, Graveljesus (https://www.instagram.com/graveljesus/).
