Several months ago, an idea was born in the mind of Mariusz Lickiewicz, a Bolesławiec resident who organizes local, regional and even cross-border cycling events: customizing (decorating/repainting/personalizing) a bicycle frame with an ornament associated with Bolesławiec ceramics.
Preparations began, along with a search for companies willing to join the project. Thanks to his numerous industry contacts, one of the largest manufacturers of modern bicycles—the German company Canyon—became interested in the idea. Mariusz Lickiewicz: “The brand needs no introduction to cycling enthusiasts, as among those who ride these bicycles are, among others, Katarzyna Niewiadoma, world champion in gravel racing, and Matthieu van der Poel, world champion in cyclocross and road cycling.
Bolesławiec’s United Colours od Cycling and Canyon were joined by Bolesławiec’s Manufaktura and the Wrocław-based company Dream Workers, which customizes bicycle frames for the biggest stars of various cycling disciplines.
A bicycle was selected to be painted with stamp patterns: the Canyon Grail CF SLX.
Mariusz Lickiewicz: “Since a bicycle cannot be painted with the paints used to decorate ceramics, identical acrylic paint colors were selected. The Wrocław-based Dream Workers removed the original paint from the frame and prepared it for the final decoration with stamp patterns inspired by Bolesławiec ceramics.
At the same time, design work and trials began at Manufaktura under the supervision of Magda Gazur, the lead designer. Their aim was to transfer the ceramic decorations as effectively as possible onto something materially and functionally entirely different from functional ceramics.
The result will be presented on April 6 at BIKEEXPO, Poland’s largest bicycle fair, at the National Stadium in Warsaw. It will also be possible to see it during this year’s Bolesławiec Ceramic Festival—of course, at the Manufaktura stand.
The initiator: “It is possible that you will be able to show the moment of the premiere at the fair in Warsaw live.