The starter’s gun is very close to igniting the start of the 2012 Tour de France. This year’s edition, the 99th, will begin in the Belgian city of Liège with a 6.4km time trial. It’s the second time La Grande Boucle has embarked from Liège, the first being in 2004. Sleepstreet are two men who embody the passion Belgium has for cycling, coordinating the manufacture and assembly of some very stylish single speed and street track bikes.
Sleepstreet is the collaborative effort of Belgian designers Tim Helsen and Philip Bogaert, assisted by the graphic skills of the Gents Agency, who created the branding, online presence and typography.
At the core of the business, however is the work of Luc and his son Diel. Luc is one of Belgium’s finest custom frame builders, with a well-known reputation around the local scene. Each frames is brazed by hand before being painted by another associate, David and finally being assembled by Piet, a professional mechanic with over 20 years experience.
The Sleepstreet model featured here has been named after the iconic American actress Goldie Hawn — an oblique reference to the metallic detailing on the frame and components. Like its namesake, Hawn is a glamorous and classically styled beauty with modern practicality.
You can browse the rest of the Sleepstreet bikes on their website, each a colorful interpretation of Luc’s frames. See you in Belgium on Saturday June 30th!
