Video: The Stories Behind Dylan Forbes' Hand-Painted Helmets in 'Memories in Paint'
Most of us can agree that the riding season passes by too quickly. After a couple of road trips with your friends you can chalk up the season as a success, but there’s always more to ride. As mountain bikers, we think back on our rides and often associate it with the bike we were riding at the time. Dylan Forbes takes that line of thinking a step further and thinks, “what helmet design was that?”
In 2012, while visiting family in Newfoundland, Dylan was given an opportunity by a friend in the form of a deal. His lifelong friend, Mark Squires, pitched to Dylan that if he did a custom paint job on his welding mask, he’d cover the costs of Dylan’s compressor, paints, and airbrush.
Fast forward to current day and Dylan’s memories are jogged by looking back at his personalized helmets. From the welding mask that reminds him of his lifelong friend, to his first custom bike helmet that caused endless frustrations when dealing with vents and curves of the outer shell. To him, each helmet means something different and is filled with fond memories.
This year, his helmet was dedicated to Taylor, Dylan's first dog. Like all pets, she was incredibly important to him and would go on bike rides, come to work - they were nearly inseparable. Taylor passed away in 2018 which inspired Dylan to apply a portrait he’d done of Taylor to a new medium. A fresh helmet for the season was the perfect way to carry the spirit of his dog, Taylor, with him on every ride.
Taylor the dog
Dylan with his new dog, Moe
Presented by Rocky Mountain
Video by: One Antler Productions
Still photography: Mitch Gulliver and Mark Mackay
Author Info:
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I think everyone that has ever had a dog can relate with you, hang in there bro it gets easier, don’t ever think that if you get another dog it’s a replacement they are all different and fantastic in their own way!
After some time, I had a shift. I realized, I gave him all of my years since he was a puppy. We were lucky that we found each other and we spent those short 14 years together and those years were full of adventures,smiles and good times. I still miss him to this day,I always will, but now I know, that we can´t change how long we´ll be here, all we can is that we can give our days meaning. I believe Thomas died as a happy dog who had a happy life, even when he saw me crying in his last moments. That´s what helps me to get over it when I miss him. I ´ll always miss him. After this Christmass, my girlfriend and I went to a shelter and took this little husky puppy and we named him Archie. I guess this summer he´ll be disciplined enough to go with me for a ride and I hope he´ll enjoy to watch the sunsets with me as much as Thomas did..
(sorry for my english
Only way I could tick that dog off was to shave his horrible, infernal masses of hair that coated my very existence.
I didn't take the wisdom seriously regarding:
"If you ask God for patience, realize he simply gives you the opportunities to exhibit patience"
Drexel, you psycho jerk face mutt...I miss you bud!!!