Seriously after watching that who doesn’t want to ride to work? Plus that mustache (HOLY CRAP AWESOME!)
Anyone got a video camera and some time? I want to make a couple of these. for Boston
A very elderly man (had to be post 70’s) smoking a corn cob pipe (no foolin!) while riding his mountain bike down Hampshire street. Still hope for this state yet! Go bikers go!
What are some of the things you see on your daily ride?
Today it really struck me, our numbers are growing! I saw 30-40 cyclists today on my way to work. It is the middle of January, barely above freezing, and the streets are chock full of people ridding bikes! Two years ago during my winter commutes I would see MAYBE one other cyclist, maybe. The winter used to be such a lonely time, but not anymore! Both Boston and Cambridge report increases in ridership, the Household Survey (done by the Census) shows an increase in ridership, and my eyeballs show an increase in ridership.
The best part is, I am increasingly seeing a lot of women out there riding. This tells me that we have reached some sort of tipping point. Women are usually far more sensible and level headed than men (sorry guys, it’s true), so seeing a large number of them riding bikes indicated to me that the level of infrastructure/law/whatever has reached a point where riding a bike is no longer seen as simply a daredevil thing to do. We still have a long way to go, but we have made great strides. I actually think the number one way to keep cyclists safer, is to get more people out of cars, and onto bikes, so this increase in ridership makes me very happy.
notice that little hook downward at the end...lets hope that continues.
I can’t tell you why exactly so many more people our out riding, but I have some ideas. Gas prices have been creeping up, while wages are creeping down. Driving a car in Boston sucks. Bikes are cheep. Bikes are FUN! I think the last part is the real reason.
You see all these folk out there riding bikes every day while you are stuck in traffic and you say to yourself “they look like they are having a good time, why don’t I give it a go.” Once you try cycling you will be hooked. The freedom (both literally and figuratively from things like gas prices, parking, traffic), the way it makes your body feel and look (lets not downplay that bikers have sexy bodies) and the general sense of friendliness make biking a fantastic mode of transportation. I am not sure if it is because you are not in a little metal box, but I regularly talk to other cyclists, get waves, get howdys, and in general have much more interaction with my fellow human beings. It is actually a very pleasing way to interact. (contrast with the way motorists usually talk to each other, a series of finger gestures, and horn honks)
Stopping at red lights with 3,4, even 5 other cyclists makes me think that we might actually be changing the way people get around in this town. I see only good things in the future if this trend continues. A huge “HI!” to everyone I saw on a bike this morning, keep up the good work, and happy cycling.
Sick of not being seen? Strike back with 1680 Lumens of crazy! I mean, umm… “get noticed…” Or, of course, you could just make onlookers vomit. Now with a disco mode (!) for those who didn’t react to the other settings.
Boston Bike Polo from Boston Bike Polo on Vimeo.
These guys are awesome, go check out their new home on the net here.
You don’t want to go to this, you need to go to this. Bring your wallets, support this amazing team, do it!
I have done this a couple of times and let me tell you it is a LOT of fun. Hundreds of people dressed up in costumes riding around Boston with music pumping and lights flashing. I HIGHLY recommend you check this out.
This year’s Halloween Bike Ride is going to be bigger and better than ever!
Come out and join us for a spookily ghoulish evening of cycling around Boston.
Here are the details:
9th Annual Halloween Bike Ride
*Saturday, October 31st
Green Street T Station (Orange Line), Jamaica Plain 8:00 pm Gather 8:30 pm Ride starts
Hear the amazing Stereo Bike with its fully danceable soundtrack!
Ride in costume! Dress up your bike! Be creative!
Everyone welcome!
All ages! Free!
Helmets, lights, and noisemakers encouraged.
*Rain date Sunday, November 1st.
Take a look at the website www.halloweenbikeride.net for more info.
See http://www.truthserum.org/halloweenbikeride for some more pictures and posters.
I have the worst luck in the world. I will manage to leave just when it starts to pour and arrive at my destination as it starts to clear up, usually end up with the worst exam schedule on the face of the planet, and will consistently get thrown under the bus for things I have absolutely nothing to do with.
Yeah, it’s totally awesome.
The most recent episode of incredibly shitty luck involved an incident which occurred on a weekend I was away. That’s right; I was about 200 miles away from Boston and somehow the whole thing twisted around to bite me – a completely uninvolved, neutral party – in the ass. The pressure of throwing around the unpinned hand grenade that is my law journal only exacerbated things. And given the luxury of a warning this time around, I was bracing myself for the damn thing to explode in my face.
Surprisingly, it didn’t. Which is a good thing, if only for the fact that I can continue to keep my bike in our law journal lounge.
But of course, the weather never wanted to stop screwing with me. Clad in underarmour, wool socks, and a raincoat, I left my apartment yesterday in legitimate rain. Water found its way between the vents of my helmet, soaked the Mengoni hat I’m ridiculously proud of, and dripped down the back of my neck. Drops of rain clung to my socks and seeped into my Sidis while gloves got soaked. And just when I rolled up to the front of the law school, the sun peeked out. The rain stopped. I was still drenched. Awesome.
I secretly hoped that it would rain more later in the afternoon, mostly because I brought my raincoat. I felt more and more cheated as the sun shone increasingly brightly outside, and save for a 5 minute downpour that I gleefully watched and took pictures of, the rain vanished.
The road was mostly dry by the time I got home.
Just my luck that, when sticky social situations seem to be easing up a bit, the weather manages to royally fuck me. Actually, it didn’t fuck me, it essentially built up some hype and left me high and dry, so to speak. Which feels somehow worse.
And yes, those are going to be famous last words.
So how cool is this:
Massachusetts bicycle club circa 1888
Sweet tweed riders circa 2009 (aught 9 to those in the know)
For those interested in the route it was:
View Tweed Ride Boston in a larger map
Really this was a smashing good time, and will be attended next year, most definitely.
Another Embrocation Cycling Journal Monday…
Apologies for the lack of a drawing…next time, I promise!
Now go read my real post…
Wow, something like 100+ people showed up in their very finest attire for what was one of the most successful and fun rides I have done in a long time. Prizes, contests, fine tweed riding, and so much more. Bravo chaps, and ladies, capital ride!
If you didn’t get a chance to make it see below.
What do you do if you go through all the trouble of planning a race, getting prizes, getting cp workers, and all the rest and mother nature delivers a crap ton of rain…you race anyway! As the immortal Danny Rocks said “good luck y’all! Race it damnit, even if it is damp. wet racing builds character!” Boy was he right, a lot of character was built last Sunday.
A group of 20 or so damp (it hadn’t started pouring yet) riders assembled at the Chestnut Hill Reservoir, ready to get racing. As soon as the manifests were handed out, the sky opened up in a show of anger. About an hour later and 25 miles later my manifest was a sloppy damp rag, with vague ink spots on it that were once signatures. But boy was it fun.
Drafting behind anyone without full fenders meant you got a face full of road water (with bonus road grit!), I nearly ate shit on several utility hole covers, and there was more than one frantic skid as the brakes failed to stop in the rain….but boy was it fun. I don’t think I have ever had so much fun riding around in the rain, and the fact that everyone was suffering together meant that everyone was having a good time.
After the race we went back to someones house, and a mass striping down to skivys followed by a mad dash for whatever dry cloths we could find. All of our shoes went into the dryer, along with all of our wet cloths (which by the way means that nothing got dry). When the dryer was turned on it sounded like a rock tumbler. As we sat drying off the room soon filled with a jungle like atmosphere as a bunch of very warm and very wet rider started to create a lot of water vapor.
The awards party was at The Otherside Cafe on the patio (in the rain) and a good time was had by all. You can find pictures of the after after after party here.
Overall this was a great event, no one got hurt, everyone got drenched, and it all ended in smiles! A+ would do again.
Metrotuned: Geekhouse x Igleheart from metrotuned on Vimeo.
Could it be Marty Walsh from Geekhouse. If you haven’t checked them out yet, you so should.
We covered the first bike cages in Alewife (here here here and here) but now they are putting in more!!! Huzzah. Anything that makes taking public transportation easier to do with a bike is A-OK in my book. Way to go MassBike, MBTA and the other groups that had a hand in making this happen. Press release below.
Anyone get pictures of this yet? If so send me the link in the contact form.
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Date: Tuesday, September 29
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: Forest Hills Station (rear busway)
The MBTA has been working to implement bike related enhancements throughout the system. To accommodate the increasing number of MBTA customers cycling to and from T stations, a pilot program was developed to introduce the T’s first ever bike cages. Following the success of Cambridge’s first bike cages at Alewife Station in 2008, Forest Hills station has been identified as Boston’s first station to be equipped with a bike cage. This station location was selected based on bike parking demand, and also from an environmental justice perspective.
The Bike Cage built to accommodate up to 100 bikes consists of a chain link fence enclosure with a security gate and a canopy. Features include lighting, security cameras and an emergency call box. The secured bike cages, accessible with a swipe of a Bike CharlieCard, will provide a higher level of security with the camera surveillance system.
DotBike Rules! They have been really busy, check it below!
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Lot’s of great stuff going on this month. As always check out www.dotbike.org for more info and updates.
Advocacy – see below for details
Rides and Events – more info below
Save the Date for these events in early October
Making Franklin Park Officially Bike Friendly
We had a nice turnout and made a good start on mapping the numerous paths in Franklin Park as the first part in the effort to get the ‘no bikes allowed in the park’ regulation removed from the city’s book. We need your help Sunday to finish the job! Even though this is not enforced, both the Franklin Park Coalition and Boston Bikes consider this a very imp[ortant effort in enabling all kinds of improvements to paths and biking in the park.
Join us to finish the job this Sunday September 13th at noon. Help measure paths and mix and mingle with fellow bike riders. Meet in front of the Franklin Park golf clubhouse. We’ll head out to measure, then meet back at the club house to socialize and snack.
Help Boston Bikes with traffic counts
Boston Bikes urgently needs volunteers to help count rush hour bike traffic into Boston. Every year Boston Bikes collects traffic counts of cyclists and vehicles at 20 locations throughout Boston. This data helps us track ridership and ultimately evaluate the effectiveness of our bike programs. Dorchester count locations include Blue Hill Ave. at Glenway and Dot Ave. and Columbia. Volunteer to count (or ride and be counted!)
This volunteer opportunity is very flexible! The counts have already started, and will finish up by the end of September. Counts take place during weekday rush hours (7-9am, 4-6pm), and a few on weekend afternoons (1-3pm). Please go to the online signup sheet to volunteer for specific dates and locations.
The direct link to sign up is here:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=tv9Uf0f_2fBg9AzJ6s14XvOw_3d_3d.
Bike lanes in Dorchester
Recently we’ve been focused on advocating for a bike lane the length of Talbot Ave. Well we’ve recently heard some positive news. Repaving Talbot is going to happen as part of the stimulus money going to Mass Highway. The city is pushing to adding a lane to Talbot going so far as to submit the design for a lane as part of the overall plan for this street. While the state controls the project Boston Bikes is working hard to ensure that the lane is included as part of the implementation. A promising step forward.
However, it’s also come to our attention that Boston Bikes would really love to get bike lanes on Blue Hill Ave. as part of road redesign resulting from the new 28X bus service. But so far input from the community around bike accommodations has been lacking. If you’d like to see a bike friendlier Blue Hill Ave. you can contact the MBTA, Transportation Secretary Alosi directly, or contact Dot Bike. We’ll be organizing and effort to collect comments to submit to the relevant people and groups.
So I wasn’t really sure how this race was going to go. My expectations were that it would involve carrying stuff, perhaps even a lot of stuff. With that in mind I emptied my bag of all but the essentials, threw in a couple old tubes to use as tie downs, and even went so far as to attach a rack to the back of my bike. I was so not prepared for the epic amount of sheer awesome this race would turn into.
Let me say that again…EPIC. I know that people on the internet like to use terms like epic and awesome casually, but boy howdy this was a fantastic race.
Just ridding over to the starting point I was a dripping sweaty mess, it was about 90 degrees outside with about the same humidity, riding was more akin to swimming through hot water covered in a wool blanket. Before the race started I stopped at a gas station, got two frozen snickers bar ice cream things, and a giant Gatorade, the ice cream didn’t make it past the end of the parking lot, and the Gatorade disappeared shortly after…it was hot.
I got to the starting point early, and was disappointed to see so few actual racers (mostly check point workers), but that soon changed as I sat under a tree and though cool thoughts about 50 other racers showed up! A fantastic turnout for such a geeky themed alleycat, on such a devils nut sack kind of day.
Once everyone was collected we were given the following manifest:
(this is going to be a long post, click below to read the rest)
(more…)
I have to admit this kind of thing makes me very happy. If you have seen pictures of the one they did in London, then you know whats up! Bust out your knickers, and high socks, tweed jackets, Victorian finery, and pipes, this is going to be awesome.
Main contact
Stephie Buller and
Menotomy Vintage Bicycle, Inc.
Phone number and/ or Email address
BostonTweed@gmail.com
Website: http://bostontweed.blogspot.com/
Event logistics
Saturday October 4 As things are changing on this ride check the website above for current updates.
EDIT: LOCATION HAS CHANGED DUE TO HIGH INTEREST!
Departing 2:00pm from the Charles River Reservation Park space behind the patio of Restaurant Dante in Cambridge.
Event description
This is not a race. It’s a cheeky ride winding through Beacon Hill, Back Bay and looping back along Memorial Drive in Cambridge. With a stop for Tea at 4:00.
All bicyclists are welcome, helmets should be worn but please NO LYCRA.
My love of bike shops is no secret; I’ll stubbornly stand in cleats around bike stands, even with a knee that’s throbbing and begging me to sit down, to kill time with the best mechanics around, whether in NYC or Boston.
I never thought, though, that I’d have the opportunity to watch a new bike shop develop from gutted out space to awesome concept shop. But every few weeks since early July, that’s exactly what I’ve been doing at a particular spot on Beacon Street.
Yup, that’s right. It’s open. Superb, that is.
I’ve hinted at it. I’ve posted a few vague pictures. I even designed a t-shirt for the shop! But renovations were still going underway at that point, and despite my itchy fingers desperately seeking to post about the shop, I had to resist until it was officially open.
And yeah, it was totally worth the wait.
Back in March when Jason first told me about the new shop, I got excited. But it was that vague kind of excitement where you don’t really know what you’re getting excited about, just that the person talking to you has some awesome ideas and is actually going to follow through on them. I had no idea what to expect, really, except that the shop colors were going to be gray, teal, and purple.
That drastically changed in July when the real work started in the space formerly known as Boston Bicycle. And as damask was painted onto the walls, new cabinets build, chandeliers installed [possibly my favorite part of the shop], and a fainting chair assembled, my constant exclamations of “oh my God, this is AWESOME!” started sounding almost lame.
Because honestly, it’s such an understatement. “Awesome” doesn’t do justice to a shop that’s clearly been well thought out, and executed with even more care. Stocked with cassette and Gage & Desoto t-shirts [I'm not biased, I promise], vintage jerseys, narifuri bags [possibly the only place you can get these babies in Boston], Phil Wood deliciousness, and Campy peanut butter wrenches, Superb is living up to its name. Add to that a bike inventory that is limited to steel frames [geared and otherwise] and you have a concept shop that has really good taste.
But that doesn’t mean that it’s inaccessible. Like its brainparent, Jason, Superb is – while almost intimidatingly hip – quietly confident, courteous, and perhaps most importantly [for a bike shop], non-judgmental. Everything from hybrids to track frames walk through the door; drawn to the velodrome display window or just to get a flat fix. And on one recent visit to Superb, a customer paused before heading out with a properly inflated tire:
“You guys did a little rearranging, huh?”
We all blinked. Yeah, you could say that.
You ever come up with ideas that run around in your head? The kind that don’t seem to leave? A while ago I got one, and it has been stewing for a bit. What would it be like to ride my bike out to Provincetown, what would it be like to do it all at once, and what would it be like to do it on a fixed gear? Yesterday I got up at 6am and strapped on my bike bag and road my bike out to P-town.
Before I tell you about the trip a bit of background. The longest ride I have ever taken on a bike was 70 miles. I didn’t train for this ride. I was actually kind of nervous, and didn’t sleep very well the night before. So before you go thinking I do this sort of thing all the time…I don’t. I am a strong cyclist, but no Lance Armstrong. The idea of this trip both excited me and scared me a bit.
I started north of Boston in fair Sumerville. Following roughly this route (with some additions and some backtracking).
I made good time through the city, I was familiar with the roads and didn’t have to check any maps. The city was just waking up. I was relaxed and not in any particular rush. The sky was overcast, and the air was cool. Absolutely perfect weather for biking. I had forgone any real cycling for the two days prior and my legs felt alive and strong under me, they were excited and I had to remind them that this was a long ride and that we couldn’t do our usual mad dash through town.
Handsome men and beautiful women ran through the street getting their morning exercise before the rest of us even wake up (if you ever meet one of these people and you wonder why they have such nice bodies…it’s cause they work at it harder than we do). The few people already on the road driving to work did so at a leisurely pace, when you are heading to work at 6am there is far less traffic to contend with.
I don’t know about you but I can’t go to JP without getting lost. I already have a very poor sense of direction and for some reason JP does it to me every time. After spending 10 minutes trying to find out how you get from Brookline to the Jamaica way (I have no idea why this is so hard…JP my direction nemesis!) I gave up, backtracked to a route I do know (South Huntington to Centre) and was on my way.
After saying goodbye to JP I went perhaps a little faster than I had planned and soon found myself flying down some lovely hills around Turtle pond. This was when I first started noticing little painted marks on the road. Seems some intrepid bikers had been down this route before and had left small almost hidden signs of the way to go. I came to be friends with these marks over the long journey, thanks teal triangle with line through it, and yellow arrow with two dots, and double P with an L in the middle, you kept me company and helped me find my way all the way to the end. When I was running out of juice in the last couple miles, every teal triangle with a line through it would squeeze just a little more go out of me…strange but true.
a typically wonderful road south of Boston
I made excellent time down 138 and around the bottom of the Blue Hills reservation. Which incidentally is when I first started to perhaps consider doing this on a road bike next time…did you know the Blue Hills are umm kind of hilly? I was feeling really good at this point and the constant climb (mash mash mash) and decline (pedal pedal pedal!) was really fun. I saw not a single other cyclist until I hit Cape Cod, and it felt strange to have these roads to myself (so to speak, cars were still there). The roads of the route (linked above) are smooth, and there are very few red lights or stop signs. You can go for a long time before anything interrupts your rhythm and it is glorious.
Riding long distance on a fixed gear gets you into a rhythm pretty quickly. Up down, up down, go go go, thump thump thump, after a while it becomes internalized and you just feel amazing, like you could go forever. The bottom half of your body disappears and it is like you are riding around on a magic carpet. Before I knew it I had gone through Randolph, Avon, Brockton, and East Bridgewater. Fine little towns, full of nice views and a smattering of CVS’s and other stores that can serve as water stations and candy pickups.
I only looked at my watch twice on this journey, once when I got to Cape Cod, and once when I got to Wellfleet, it helped produce a sense of timeless floating that I enjoyed a lot. After another while Robbins pond, and Robbins Reservoir (both very nice) floated by. Plympton and then Plymoth were next. This is when things started to get interesting (from a bike choice point of view) till this point there had been relatively few hills most of them were long climbs and long descents (except for a couple in the Blue Hills). Once you “make the turn” through the middle of Plymouth the hills start. Lots of them, some steep, some not so steep, but ohhh my you will be going up and down a lot. My strategy was to try and maintain a nice steady cadence going up and just BOMB down. This strategy was two fold, one it is really fun to go really FAST, and also the gained momentum lessened the grind going up the next one. Some place around Long Pond I had to walk up my first hill. Not because it was super steep (it was) but because there had been a series of simply brutal tiny hills and declines before it and well…I was just not having that last one. If you have never ridden a fixed gear this might not make sense to you (going down hill can be as energy intensive as going up), but trust me after like 20 hills you get a little pooped.
There are very few cars that travel the Clair Saltonstall Bikeway (which I was following), so I didn’t have to think much about them. In fact I only got harassed by one single car the whole way, and that was a couple of punk ass kids in the Mid cape area of all places. Overall people gave me lots of room and were so nice that I actually stopped thinking about cars after a while (a potentially dangerous move, but I was at mile 60-70 or something at this point and my brain was trying to deal with the fact that this was now the longest I had ever ridden any bike). I got into a routine. I had taken a road atlas and traced the route I was taking, then tore the pages out that were relevant to my trip. I put the wad of 25 or so pages in my bag and would take one out and put it in my crumpler cellphone chest strap, taking it out once in a while for a little no hand riding map reading. I would say to myself “when you get to Long Pond road take a right then change maps.” At each map change I would rehydrate, eat if I was hungry (or even sometimes if I wasn’t), stretch and then review the next map. This led to several stopping about ever 10 miles or so. A nice system that kept me well hydrated and well fed.
I used to live on Cape Cod, for four years I enjoyed it very much. Cape Cod is a strange and wonderful place, filled with some of the most beautiful places you have ever pointed your eyes at, and also home to some brutal poverty, and the most ironic wealth on the planet (Cape wind anyone…jebus I grew to loath the rich people who opposed that project). I loved living there, but this trip was not a sight seeing trip this was a journey of testing my physical limits, and having fun on a bike. The journey was the reason, The Cape served as a beautiful backdrop to have my adventure on.
Since I last lived there the Sagamore flyover had been completed, it was no longer a simple matter of going around the rotary and over the bridge. So in my naivete I simply followed the same signs the cars followed…an almost good idea. There is a perfectly ride-able shoulder riiiiight up till you get to the top of the bridge…doh! I ended up having to do a mad dash across two lanes of INSANE traffic to get to the sidewalk on the other side (and I mean go as fast as you can “oh shit I’m gonna die!” dash). Live and learn I guess. The view from the top of the bridge is awesome, and when you are walking your bike over it you actually have time to stop and enjoy it.
I know the Cape pretty well, I know how to get around so the map reading happened less often and I started to get into a pretty good grove. I was well past the longest I had ever ridden a bike and I was feeling very good. I was starting to notice a very slight twinge behind my knees, but the rest of me felt like a machine. The miles dropped by and I was very much enjoying the feeling of being alive and moving under my own power. I got down onto the service road next to route 6 a simply FANTASTIC road to ride your bike on. Lots of gradual climbs and long awesome downhills. I used my previous strategy of mash up bomb down to great effect and before I knew it I was approaching exit 6 (the sort of unofficial “middle” of Cape Cod). I took a slight detour up to visit the place I used to work and give very sweaty hugs to some good friends. After a bathroom break and some more Cliff bars I was off.
The absolute worst part of this entire journey was the stretch of 6a between Barnstable and Dennis, holy shit… No shoulders, octogenarian drivers, tourists in such a hurry they don’t care if they hit you, and in general some fantastically bad drivers. Get over, get way over, get onto the very edge of the pavement. Seriously I am usually all “take the lane” but they will straight up murder you. I turned my rear light on for this and made sure to hold my line. Luckily this part was only for about 10 miles, and was quickly over. If I did it again I would be willing to go pretty far around to avoid this, but upon looking at a map I see that there is almost no easy way to avoid this.
Once in Dennis, I jumped off 6a and after a bit of lefts and rights got to the Cape Cod Rail Trail. A magnificent thing the CCRT. Even on an overcast Wednesday this thing was FULL of people. All on bikes, all having a great time. As I rode down this very smooth, mostly flat path I saw that an entire bike ecosystem had sprung up around the path. bike rental places, stores with their menus out on the path, real estate companies advertising houses for sale near the path, in short it gave me a small taste of what bike utopia could be like. Plus at this point I was entering that sort of loopy “you done pedaled all the thinkin outa yer noggin” realm of physicality. It was awesome. I was the only one on a fixy, and one of maybe 5 people not on a mountain bike/hybrid, I was also the only one interested in going faster than a crawl. I was sort of a shark in a school of fish but people moved over, smiled and didn’t seem to mind that some crazy dude was hauling ass down a bike lane clearly designed for recreation and not speed. I really can’t describe how nice it was to take a 25 mile break from cars and roads. This trail was butter smooth, and with the recent connections, goes all the way to Wellfleet. There is a couple nice general stores along the way that provided me with more Gatorade and fists full of candy, they had embraced the bike culture and actually had bike racks and signs directing people to bathrooms. I am going to guess that judging from the massive number of people stopping to buy stuff from the bike lane that the local business people LOVE the CCRT. It would seem however that not all the local residents do, as several signs had been posted on trees urging people that this was a “quiet zone” and the like. But that’s Cape Cod for you.
I left the CCRT around Nauset road and headed to 6/6a traveling north. Back to the rolling gentle hills. The only difference was that this time the road was packed with traffic. Stand still traffic. I actually felt bad for these people entombed in their vacation mobiles. SUV’s packed with so much shit that the the kids had to rest the back of their heads on moms giant suitcase jammed into the back. Most of the cars had several bikes or a kayak strapped to them. Several boats were in tow. I passed literally hundreds of cars that were stuck in the traffic. At one point I pulled a Boston and moved into the middle of two lanes and, whistling a tune to myself, headed north through the parking lot on wheels at a surprisingly fast pace. The traffic and the sounds of cars made me feel comfortable (I ride in this city a lot) and this somehow fed speed into my legs. Wellfleet here I come!
I had driven the 6/6a route up to Wellfleet about a million times, and as is most often the case in places that have too many cars and not enough road to hold them, it was WAY FASTER on bike. Even after pushing my little bike 100+ miles I was still going way faster than all the people stuck in bumper to bumper traffic. As anyone who has lived on/visited Cape Cod bumper to bumper traffic is just a fact of life on the Cape in the summer. I was glad I didn’t have to suffer it this time.
Before long the “Entering Truro” sign greeted me (incidentally they are celebrating their 300th birthday). I took a look at my watch, I had been on my bike for a bit over 9 hours, and it was showing. I was a sweaty mess, my legs had started to complain pretty loudly, and my shoulders were also letting me know that the road buzz had been getting to them. My hands were stiff and my neck hurt. All of these were low level pains, and none of them were screaming, more just a symphony of murmuring. I would occasionally feel my arms to make sure they were still damp (dry arms is a good sign you are really dehydrated, something I hoped to avoid). I had slowed down a lot from my starting pace in Boston, but was still moving at a good clip.
Cape Cod is an “end of the road” kind of place. Literally and figuratively. P-town is the “end of the road”, at the end of the road. It is sort of like going out to the very edge of the world. When I first moved out East I would have bouts of claustrophobia from all the hills and trees (I grew up in the very flat of the Midwest don’t judge) and I would go out and stare at the ocean to make myself feel better. People are more accepting of difference as you get out to the end of the world. Perhaps this is why P-town has attracted so many gay and lesbian people. When you live at the end of the road you are more open to greeting anyone who might wander by as a friend. I felt like P-town was welcoming me after my long bike ride.
As you head to the end of the world the climate starts to change. The trees thin out and start to get shorter. The weather here is too rough on them to allow them to get very tall. Sand dune start to pop up, and the ocean starts to encircle you. After a while…there is no more road. You are at the end, this is it, from here on out thar be dragons. It is a great feeling, a scary feeling and after all that biking, a welcoming chance to stop. I once thought that mercy was the ability to stop, now I felt it first hand. I sat down and took stock of myself. All limbs attached and in mostly working order (my knees were sore, but feel much better today), my shoulders stopped hurting and my hands regained feeling in about 30 minutes, and then the hunger started. I was really really hungry. I got some onion rings, and some cheese pizza. It tasted like cardboard, but taste wasn’t what I wanted; grease, fat, oil, calories, these are what I wanted. The food disappeared in short order and then I drank some water. I sat peacefully for a while till the fast ferry came.
I felt kind of bad for the people next to me on the boat as I stunk to high hell. You know when you can smell yourself kind of stink? Yea that bad. I guess I didn’t care that much because I promptly passed out, when I awoke Boston, home sweet home was there to greet me. It was a nice little bike ride.
Some stats:
Living things I saw:
Trees
Birds
Horseys
Sheepys
Goatys
Chikin’s
People
Dead things I saw:
mice (2)
snake
deer (almost ran it over…yuk)
fisher cat
squirrel (3)
birds (2)
unidentified pile of bones and gross (3)
this dirt came off my face with nothing but a dry rag...
dirt off my legs at the end...seriously I was filthy
Places I pee’d:
CVS
Half constructed home (thanks guys for leaving the portajohn unlocked!)
My old office
Public Bathroom in P-town
Food I ate:
Mini Cliff Bars (6)
King Size M&M’s (1)
Snickers (2)
Chunky crunch bar (1)
Onion Rings (plate)
Cheese Pizza (1 slice)
Taza Chocolate bar (1)
Banana (1)
Things I drank (my water bottle is one of them big metal ones):
Water bottles full of water (3)
Water bottle full of Gatorade (3)
Orange juice (1 small bottle from store)
Distance:
168 miles
Time:
11 hours (6:30am to 5:30pm)
Average speed:
~15 mph (woot!)
Calories Burned:
~5400 (according to various internet websites could be wrong)
Gear:
Bailyworks messenger bag (large)
Vans (1 pair)
fixed gear bike (46×16 gearing)
Sylvan pedals with toe cages
Pearl Izumi Bike shorts (first time I had ever ridden with bike shorts with a Chamois in them)
Paceline Chamois Butt’r (was a little reluctant to use this, but turned out to be a very good idea)
Bike pump
Tubes (3)
tire levers
adjustable wrench
maps
journal
camera
bike hat
bike gloves
pair of jean shorts (worn at the end to stay warm)
wallet
cell phone
keys
mini u-lock
water bottle
small amount of toilet paper (just in case not used)
We here at BostonBiker.org have been bitching calling for on street bike parking for a long time. The idea being that some brave, and forward looking business would trade in one car parking space for 10 or more on street bike parking spaces. I have long thought that the first to go would be a cafe. Take out the car, gets the cafe a better view, less exhaust, and bike riders eat a lot of food…so it is no surprise that local bike mecca The Other Side Cafe was the first to take the plunge!
The Other Side Cafe on Newbury Street gets a new on-street bike rack this morning. Removing one metered parking space, has made room for 12 bikes. Special thanks to Richard and Sarra Lederman of Lederman Engineering, Boston Transportation Department, Boston Public Works for the work this morning.
At first I was a little confused by the design, but then I started to get it. I guess it is supposed to be a “school” of bikes, hence the fish head. I was wondering why they had the high back and the fish stuff on the sides is actually there to protect the parked bikes from cars. My only criticism of this amazing structure is that when bikes are parked on the fish head (cause admit it you know they will be) you will have to access the parking from the sidewalk, a minor quibble. Overall I see this as an AMAZING first step and can’t wait to see other businesses follow!
(hat tip to BUbikes for once again being on top of the game, be sure to check out their awesome site)
From ABBikes:
AN ORDINANCE PROHIBITING PARKING IN A MARKED BIKE LANE
OR MARKED SHARED LANE
WHEREAS: The City of Boston is lacking an effective method to ensure public safety as members of the public not only travel in motor vehicles in marked bike lanes and shared lanes but also park in said lanes; and
WHEREAS: This Ordinance shall establish the following guidelines for parking motor vehicles in marked bike lanes and shared bike lanes; and
Ordained by the City Council as follows:
1. Purpose. The purpose of this ordinance is to establish guidelines for parking motor vehicles in marked bike lanes and shared bike lanes.
2. Prohibition from Marked Bike Lanes and Shared Lanes. No driver shall stand or park any motor vehicle in a marked bike or shared bike lane in the City of Boston.
3. Penalties. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be subject to a fine of one hundred dollars and no cents ($100.00) for each offense. This fine shall increase by thirty-three dollars ($33.00) if it remains unpaid at least twenty-one (21) days after issuance of a notice of the violation.
4. Exceptions. Nothing in these sections shall prevent standing or parking a motor vehicle in a marked bike lane or shared bike lane: (i) when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or pedestrians; (ii) in compliance with the lawful direction of a police officer or official traffic sign; or (iii) unless authorized to do so under existing regulations (including but not limited to designated residential parking lanes or parking meters).
5. Enforcement. The Boston Transportation Department and the Boston Police Department shall have the authority to enforce this section. The provisions of Massachusetts General Laws c. 90, s. 20A1/2 may be used to enforce these sections, and the adjudication provisions of this chapter and of Chapter 190 of the Acts of 1982 shall apply to this section. The Boston Police Department and Boston Transportation Department shall have the authority to impound any motor vehicle in violation of these sections.
6. Regulatory Authority. The Commissioner of the Boston Transportation Department and the Commissioner of the Boston Police Department shall have the authority to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement and enforce these sections.
7. Severability. If any provision of these sections is held as invalid, then such provision shall be considered separately and apart from the remaining provisions, which shall remain in full force and effect.
8. Implementation. The provisions of this section shall be effective immediately after passage.
Woo! Now if only they actually enforce it…and get more bike lanes.
Just read this on the internets…the guys from Open Bicycle are doing a spins series…looks like a lot of fun. If you are not familiar with the sport see video below.
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We somehow ended up agreeing to put on some sprint races for Bacardi/42Below Vodka at some not-so-cycling-type venues for the next 6 weeks. There will be some free booze and probably copious flipped collars and “party tops” – come on out and beat some “brahs” on the rollers and give us some company!
There will be raffles for free track bikes- 25 in total- they’re essentially repainted IRO’s, I think, with decent parts. The 42Below people will be handing out other free schwag, as well…worth coming out if you have the time.
here’s the schedule:
July 9 & 30 : Hennessey’s, 25 Union Street. 8p-10p
July 10 & 17 : Saint, 90 Exeter Street. 11p-1a
July 11 & 18 : Market, 21 Broad Street. 10p-12a
July 20 & 27 : White Horse Tavern. 9p-11p
July 24 & 31 : Sanctuary, 189 State Street. 10p-12a
July 25 & Aug 15 : The Place, 2 Broad Street. 8p-10p
Aug 7 & 14 : Beer Garden, 734 E. Broadway, South Boston. 8p-10p
Aug 8 & 13 : The Point, 147 Hanover, 9:30p-11:30p
Tonight’s event is at Hennessey’s- its a Irish joint over by Faneuil Hall. Pop in if you’re free for some spinning and what will be, we think, an entertaining evening if nothing else!
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This sounds like a lot of fun, I encourage everyone to go out and try/see this.
Really do I have to say why?!
This looks AWESOME, go there and tell them YES WE WANT THIS!
Looks like someone is trying to get a home town velodrome started
The Boston Velodrome & Fitness Center is surveying New England cyclists and needs your input. Your 5 minutes could help bring indoor cycling and a world-class facility to Boston. Click here for the survey.
Boston Velodrome & Fitness Center will become the first modern indoor velodrome in New England, bringing track cycling indoors serving all cyclists from beginners to Olympians. In addition to the track, the facility will include a fitness center and host thrilling events for spectators. Look here for updates and get ready to ride the track!
If you are interested in sponsorship or investment opportunities, please email info@bostonvelodrome.com
Harvard Square to Boston Medical from Ron Adams on Vimeo.
Ron here does some pretty fancy riding. Once again if you want to get around quickly….get on your bike!
You all know you have seen him, he is an icon, a tradition, a force. I have seen this guy plowing through some steep hills on that tricycle.
Louie from Brian Moore on Vimeo.
I for one want him to be around for a long long time. When you hear the “move” get out this guys way, cause well he seems to have earned his place on the road.
So I just got back from a great 70+ mile ride. Did the old out and back route for the marathon, and boy howdy was it fun. I highly recommend everyone do this with me next year. For those of you not in the know, you get up at the butt crack of dawn, meet some place in Boston, ride out, turn around and sprint back!
Basically the elite wheelchair men are fast as hell, and you have to stay ahead of them or you get kicked off the course, easy enough to do if you leave Boston around 6:30. Heartbreak hill is still full of heartbreak cause by that point your are like 50 miles in and it sucks…but you know thats what the gear shifter is for…unless you did it fixed like some of my friends did…insane.
So I am pretty tired, I am going to go eat some ice cream, happy marathon day everyone!
From Legit Bike Polo, this looks epic! Show up, there are a lot of very cool people putting this together, you will not be disappointed!
————-
Boston will be hosting the 4th annual East Side Polo Invite in Spring 2009. The ESPI’s will begin on Friday May 1st with final registration and pickup games. Tournament play will be held on May 2nd and 3rd.
HOUSING – Contact nckregan@gmail.com and he’ll get you hooked up. Sooner the better!
Any other questions – gus@legitbikepolo.com
We will be running two separate courts a couple miles apart the first day in a round robin fashion. The goal here is to get as many games as possible played in order to determine the 16 most worthy teams for Sunday’s single-court double elimination bracket. Unfortunately, many teams will get dropped after Saturday’s play. BRING A KILLER TEAM!!! That said, there will be a pickup court within sight of the tournament court.
Both tournament courts are street hockey style with tall wooden boards topped by cushy chain link fence. The main location has fenced in basketball courts for all day pickup games.
NOTE – Expect to play upwards of 5 tournament games on Saturday.
SCHEDULE
More details here.
Found this amazing bit of info thought I would share…Jacob has a reputation for throwing great events, I highly recommend checking it out.
——-
mark your calenders!
race format details coming soon – until then check out the sponsors:
cambridge bicycle
freight baggage
jacobs bicycles
the bbma
plus a few guests that like to stay unnamed!
the party/finish will be out of hand, promise!
this is a fundraiser for the 2009 NORTH AMERICAN CYCLE COURIER CHAMPIONSHIPS, which we’re throwing july 31st through august 2nd, this year. get amped!
Got a reminder for this awesome party:
—–
When: Apr 20th, 8:30pm onwards
Where: Washington Sq Tavern (714 Washington St, Brookline)
Come help celebrate the release of the Beer.Cupcake.Mustache. book.
In my whirlpool of projects I have absolutely forgotten about the Marathon, so the Tavern may have a few people chilling after that race.
The bottom line – if want your free beer (did I really say Chimay? Damn… No, it’s true.), you would probably want to get there sooner rather than later.
Another highlight of the event – cupcakes! Mo (Maureen Bruno-Roy) is making a small batch of 48 delicious chocolate vegan cupcakes. Only 48, and they won’t last long, I’ ve seen that happening before, like at MMRacing launch party. Here they are, you’re looking at them, then you turn away, turn around, they’re gone. It almost looks like an illusionist trick.
Now that I have mentioned free beer and free cupcakes….somebody’s got to bring some free (as in “establishing their freedom”) mustache.
If you want to own the book for $5 less than it will be after the party, then bring $25 to the party. The books will be there. You will be there. Perfect time and place (as well as price).
Until then,
I remain yours truly,
Natasha
www.pedalpowerphotography.com
They just keep pumping out the awesome! Check it out.
You may also remember their other sweet bags here.
Got this in the mail today from a friend, looks like it is going to be AWESOME! Check this out people.
The Cyclocross Book of Who’s Who in New England is finally done.
Meet “Beer. Cupcake. Mustache.”
The book contains interviews and b/w photographs of 50 cyclocross racers categories 4-Elite; featuring interview with Richard Fries, Hannah Kirshner and the North Star of the Cyclocross Style – Yash Katsumi.
An illustrated glossary of basic cyclocross phenomenae is included to make sure that non-racing audience feels comfortable flipping through the book.
Please come to the presentation/release party on April 20th, 8:30pm onwards; Washington Square Tavern (714 Washington Street, Brookline).
The presentation is officially sponsored by Chimay Brewery, so there will be FREE CHIMAY as long as it lasts. First come-first serve. Coupons are available at Cambrdige Bicycle Shop (and will be in other bike shops, too – I will update accordingly) or you can request it by e-mail: magic@pedalpowerphotography.com and I will hand it to you at the party.
DotBike has just recently turned one year old! Come and celebrate!
They’re kicking off the 2009 bicycling season with a get together at the Dot2Dot cafe on Thursday April 9th from 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Reconnect with old friends and make new ones. Hear what’s been going on over the looong winter. Find out about rides and activities for the upcoming bicycling season.
Meet Nicole Freedman director of Mayor Menino’s Boston Bikes program.
Most importantly, bring your ideas to share to help DotBike continue to grow and make Dorchester a better place to bike! Where would you like to see DotBike’s efforts directed? In what ways would you enjoy being more involved with DotBike? Do you have ideas for rides, advocacy efforts, community events?
Friends and family are welcome.
The Dot2Dot is located at 1739 Dorchester Avenue, a short walk or ride from the Shawmut and Ashmont MBTA Stations.
To help plan for tasty snacks and refreshments from the Dot2Dot your RSVPs is very much appreciated.
email dotbike@bostonbiker.org or call Andy at 781-367-9200
Myself and some friends did a bike move this weekend. Worked like a charm. Moved all the stuff, even the big stuff, didn’t use a single drop of gas. Had a great great time too. Special thanks to Metro Pedal Power for helping with the cargo trike, and the Dutch Bicycle Company for letting us borrow two big cargo bikes! You guys rocked!
Lots and lots of pictures below.
Ohhhh man….this was epic. Great job to all the organizers, I went faster than I thought I could go, didn’t get hit by any cars, had a fantastic time, and saw a bunch of great people. A+ would do again.
Basic recap: Go to all the local elm streets as fast and as hard as you can…at each check point you had to do something. At one they made us run around the block (run around the f-ing block!). But it was still a blast. See below.
More amazing pictures from Natasha at Pedal Powered Photography here.
This sounds like a fantastic idea…If this works out (stores don’t lose money, maybe even make more money), it would be a great bit of data to support the idea that removing cars from certain areas can actually help business not hurt it. On street parking has long been a holy icon of Boston, and it is nice to see that someone has the stones to challenge the theology of the on street parking.
As the weather gets warmer, Newbury Street shoppers may get the right of way if the mayor gets his way.
Mayor Thomas Menino is proposing that the popular shopping spot be shut down to cars and open only to pedestrian traffic on weekends in July and August.
His hope: to make the area more people friendly and allow them more room to wander freely.
It is an announcement the Martin Lawrence Gallery has been waiting for.
“People don’t have to be frustrated with motor vehicle traffic. It opens up the sidewalks, we’ve got a good crowd down here, people biding for space. Take the cars out, people have more freedom,” said Mitch Rutt, of the Martin Lawrence Gallery.
Pedestrians think it’s a great idea.(via)
I was in tip top temper tantrum form yesterday. And although I knew I didn’t have any right to be, I was angry at myself for sounding so lame in my apology.
I was biting back a cocktail of anger, stress, and general exhaustion combined with a knee that felt like it was splitting in half as I rode back home. UPS told me my pink, front rim was waiting for me at home and I managed to drag it into my apartment, totally beat. I wasn’t even that excited about it.
And just for shits and giggles, I decided to check my normally-empty-save-for-the-rent-check mailbox. And found this:
Sent from Georgia from an old college boyfriend, just when I was starting to despair that the only person who gave a shit about my day was the homeless disabled guy that calls me sweetheart and hangs out outside the liquor store, it made me sit on the floor and cry. The card told me it was for White Day, a holiday totally made up by a bunch of Asian people who figured out that they could sell twice as much chocolate if, on March 14th, they instituted a reverse Valentine’s Day where the men have to give the women chocolate/presents/whatever [in Japan, only women are supposed to give stuff to the men on Valentine's Day]. Unexpected and utterly sweet, it lifted most of the black vortex of depressing that was swirling over my head.
A few hours later, I got an email from Erich at IBC and my jaw dropped. And then I almost screamed:
It’s so fucking pretty. The decals were coming off from the start but Erich found out that they were over the clear coat but under the matte. He managed to peel them off, sand it down, then spray on a layer of matte to even out the ugliness left by the decals. Vinyl transfer were made, stuck on, and now…just look at her!!!
I knew Erich was awesome but now he is super-duper-omg-are-you-serious?! AWESOME. Looking at that picture nearly made me start panting in anticipation. I got flushed and my heart started beating faster. It got me giggling at my screen.
Sure, she won’t be done in time for the Freddy v. Jason alleycat tonight, but in a way, that’s for the best. If I’m going to ride a bike this hot, I’m going to have to do some catching up…[but I'll see you all at the afterparty!]
[Good luck to all of those racing!!!]
do it, do it, DO IT, you know this will be a fun time. I hear tell of a special after party as welllllll……
JOB OPENING at Bikes Not Bombs: YOUTH PROGRAMMING DIRECTOR
Please submit a cover letter and résumé to hiring@bikesnotbombs.org before March 23rd. Target start date is May 4th.
MISSION
Lasting peace and social justice require equitable and sustainable use of resources. BNB provides community-based education and assists development projects with recycled bicycles, related technologies and technical assistance, as concrete alternatives to the militarism, over-consumption & inequality that breed war and environmental destruction. Our organization is part of a worldwide movement for peace and responsible stewardship of the earth.
HISTORY
BNB began in 1984 as an environmentally conscious campaign in support of social change in favor of the poor in Nicaragua. In 1990, BNB began to pursue its mission in Boston’s most impover ished neigh bor hoods. Today, we operate a thriving Bicycle Recycling and Youth Train ing Center where we offer six unique, high-quality programs that empower and orga nize youth and their families to work towards long-term change. Our programs create real com mun ity, with long-term, positive relationships built across lines of age, race, and class.
POSITION
Bikes Not Bombs (BNB) seeks to hire a Youth Programming Director to oversee our youth programs. This is a full-time, salaried position with benefits. Salary range is $30,000 – 32,000. The Youth Programming Director reports to the Executive Director.
RESPONSIBILITIES
* Manage ongoing development of youth program curricula to ensure programs are best fulfilling and strengthening the organization’s mission of youth development, environmental stewardship, and social justice.
* In collaboration with Youth Program Team, develop annual goals and objectives for youth programs, and develop and implement tools for effective program evaluation.
* Supervise, evaluate, and support the professional development and growth of adult youth program staff (currently one full-time staff member).
* Identify volunteer and intern staffing needs for youth programs. Manage volunteers and interns.
* Oversee Youth Instructor Program: recruit, hire, supervise, evaluate and support the professional development and growth of youth staff (6-10 during the school year, 12-20 during the summer).
* Design, implement, and evaluate Youth Instructor training and leadership opportunities: implement three weeklong training sessions per year.
* Oversee recruitment of youth for Vocational Education program; support retention of youth in the program.
* Connect teen leaders and program participants to service, opportunity, and support resources inside and outside of BNB.
* Oversee use and maintenance of BNB equipment, space, tools, and parts for program activities.
* Plan and facilitate regular team meetings.
* Build collaborations with fellow youth workers and community organizations in order to maximize programming resources and impact.
* Build BNB’s collaborations with Boston area schools and community centers, connecting cycling and mechanics to students’ academic success, physical and emotional fitness, and sense of civic engagement.
* Work with fellow community organizations to host events that further youth empowerment and overall BNB mission.
* Plan and coordinate periodic Youth Programs events to further youth development and build the BNB youth community.
* Facilitate exchange and interaction between Youth Programs and other BNB departments.
* Develop annual budget for youth programs and monitor expenses.
* With the Executive Director and other development staff, identify, draft, and report on grants. Help to develop strategies for new revenue streams (e.g., fee for service activities).
* Represent Bikes Not Bombs to funders, allied organizations, parents, and the general public in collaboration with development and youth program staff.
* Report regularly to Executive Director on program results and needs.
The ideal candidate will have the following characteristics and experience:
* Ability to be both a creative, strategic visionary and a practical thinker
* Self-motivated, highly organized, systems oriented
* Strong written and verbal communication skills
* Excellent interpersonal skills (one-on-one and in a group format), cultural competency, strong listening skills
* Experience in program management and staff/volunteer supervision, with the ability to mentor, motivate, prioritize, and set clear expectations
* Experience with and interest in developing youth organizing component of programming.
* 2+ years experience working directly with 10-18 year olds
* Deep knowledge of Boston neighborhoods, schools, and resources, including the dynamics of the neighborhoods surrounding BNB
* Understanding of and commitment to positive youth development
* Strong bike mechanics skills and knowledge of safe urban riding
* Demonstrated commitment to inspiring environmental stewardship and social justice
* Ability to be a compelling advocate for youth both within and outside BNB
* Facility with Macintosh computers, and experience using MS Word and Excel
* Experience developing and managing budgets
* Strong collaborator, able to work with a team and adapt quickly to changing situations
* Skills in program evaluation and curriculum development
* Must be willing and able to work after-school program schedule and some Saturdays
* Multilingual/Bilingual (Spanish, English, Haitian Creole and/or Cape Verdean Creole) candidates highly preferred
* Must love bikes!
Please submit a cover letter and résumé to hiring@bikesnotbombs.org before March 23rd. Target start date is May 4th.
Bikes Not Bombs encourages applicants of diverse age, ethnicity, gender, nationality, physical ability, religion, and sexuality. Women and people of color highly encouraged to apply.
Local riders OctoPIST and SKquID have created these amazing hand painted bags! (they have a cool blog too, check it out).
Very nice!
Our buddies over at Metro Ped. (Holla!) just scored a sweet deal with Harvard books to truck books around.
Next time you want a good read but don’t feel like venturing into the cold, Harvard Book Store will deliver right to your door—by bicycle.
The bookstore’s new green delivery service that started last week offers faster delivery than regular shipping, said Heather Gain, marketing manager at the store. Harvard Book Store guarantees next-day delivery to Cambridge residents in seven zip codes and one-to-three-day delivery to Boston, although deliveries might be even faster, she said.
The bicycle service is provided by Somerville-based Metro Pedal Power, a local business that delivers agricultural products, Gain said. Delivery rates are $5 for the first book and $1 for each additional book, not only for the green service but now for anywhere in the U.S. by traditional mail.(via)
Awesome! Way to go. So in the future you might see Dan pull up to your place with a bike full of books, be nice to him, books are heavy.
So this morning it was a bit cold, but the sun was out, the feeling was right, and the gears were moving. I had a great ride, and saw a lot of people on bikes! I thought to myself “self it is such a nice day, why not say good morning to every biker you see/pass/stop next to” I think in forward slashes…
So thats what I did. I said “good morning!” or “Morning!” or “Nice day for a ride!” or “Hi!” to every single biker. And almost all of them looked at me funny then smiled. So I think it worked…
So bikers, here is your home work. From now on, whenever you see another biker you should try and give them some small token of acknowledgment. Be it a head nod, a smile, a “howdy”, a “good morning” or a “nice bike!” Anything that lets them know they are part of a very awesome club (that being, people on bikes).
We ride bikes for a whole host of reasons, one of mine is because I don’t want to be trapped in a car completely separated from my fellow human beings. I want to see and hear nature, and I want to not have to wait in a long line of cars stopped at red lights (to the front and stop). If we all start saying hi to each other only good things can happen. Who knows maybe all the people in cars will start to feel jealous of our bike party and get out of their cars and ride with us.
Boston Bikers Unite! Or at least head nod!
Oh my goodness it is nice outside today. The morning ride (which for the last couple months has been an exercise in endurance) was AWESOME! Nice breeze, sunshine, lots of people on bikes, completely amazing from tires to helmet.
I also saw a million more people outside on bike than I have for the last three months. This is not surprising as (have I mentioned this) it was freaking stellar outside this morning.
I did however see some things that made me a bit worried.
1. Get fenders, seriously I saw so many skunk stripes this morning that I thought it was a new fashion statement.
2. Red lights mean stop… I have run red lights in my day, but not when a big ass truck is about to hit me… If you must run the red lights at least slow down and LOOK BOTH WAYS before running out into traffic. Do you know what kind of therapy bills I will have to pay after I see you dismembered by a Volvo in the middle of an intersection.
3. Cops are not ninjas. Seriously why would you run a red light in Cambridge (known for this sort of thing) when their are TWO COPS in full uniform on the other side of the intersection with TICKET BOOKS in their hands WAITING TO GIVE OUT TICKETS to bikers running red lights… I saw them a block away, they were standing almost in the road watching all the bikers go by. How did you two people in front of me miss them?
So in short, enjoy the ride, but remember this is not like riding your car, you have to pay attention!
If you know Croth you will know the awesomeness of this product and you will get one right now!
From the creators…
“Croth aka Craig Roth aka Jackson aka Junkernaut has won it to get on the T.
Amercian Apparel softies come in HOTT PINK!, dahk rad, vanilla yellow, black (mens) and for women: lavender, “umakemeblush” red, and black.
Women are in luck – Mens size S will fit most ladies. Hurry up while the stock lasts.”
Get one here.
Got this mega update in the mail today, Bikes Not Bombs knows how to party! Check out all the sweet events below, or on the event calendar over on the right.
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ENRIQUE PEÑALOSA SPEAKS ON ECONOMIC JUSTICE AND URBAN TRANSPORTATION
Saturday February 7th
3:30 – 5:00
At the BNB Hub, 284 Amory St, Jamaica Plain, MA
Full info here.
Did you ever wonder how the urban space could be redesigned to be equitable and accessible for all people, whether walking, biking, using public transportation, or driving? Come see an inspiring presentation by Enrique Peñalosa, an internationally reknowned speaker who transformed Bogotá, Colombia into a model of transportation justice during his term as mayor.
Livable Streets and the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) are bringing Peñalosa (an avid biker!) to Boston for four days of activities. Bikes Not Bombs is proud to host his presentation on transforming cities into more equitable and happier places to live. You are invited to come hear the talk and ask questions afterwards! This event is free and open to the public. RSVP is encouraged but not required. (To RSVP, drop a line to mail_at_bikesnotbombs.org). Make sure you see Peñalosa, either here or at other venues!
Also see PEÑALOSA at the BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY, COPLEY
Thursday February 5th, 6:30pm
Full info here.
Enrique Peñalosa completed his three-year term as Mayor of Bogotá, Colombia on December 31, 2000. While mayor, he promoted a city model giving priority to children and public spaces and restricting private car use, building hundreds of kilometers of sidewalks, bicycle paths, pedestrian streets, greenways, and parks. After organizing a Car-Free Day in 2000, he was awarded the Stockholm Challenge Award and rewarded by a referendum vote endorsing an annual car-free day. Peñalosa also led efforts to improve Bogotá’s marginal neighborhoods through citizen involvement; planted more than 100,000 trees; created a new, highly successful bus-based transit system; and turned a deteriorated downtown avenue into a dynamic pedestrian public space. He helped transform the city’s attitude from one of negative hopelessness to one of pride and hope, developing a model for urban improvement based on the equal rights of all people to transportation, education, and public spaces.
Watch StreetFilms of Enrique Peñalosa and Bogotá here.
PHOTOGRAPHER & VIDEOGRAPHER WANTED
Let us know if you can help document this event!
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BNB DANCE PARTY FUNDRAISER at the MILKY WAY
Sunday Feb 15th
starting at 8pm at the Milky Way Lounge and Lanes
http://www.milkywayjp.com for directions
DANCING! DJs! RAFFLE! POOL & CANDLEPIN! BOLDSPRINTS!
Come dance the night away! Have fun raising money to support an awesome organization (and your great local bike shop!) Buy some raffle tickets and win some fabulous prizes!
DJs Patrick & Stella of Gross Anatomy
DJ D’Hana of The Neighborhood
DJ Lonewolf of Todo Mundo
The raffle will include great prizes by local businesses, as well as Baileyworks, Swerv Cycling Apparel, the BNB retail shop, and more!
Boldsprints means head-to-head bike racing on rollers, making that solitary winter training into a social event.
$5-20+ sliding scale – cover charges raised go entirely to BNB. All Milky Way events are 21+.
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SPECIAL DISCOUNTS ON BIKE REPAIRS
The Bike Shop is offering BNB members a 20% discount and non-members a 15% discount on parts involved in a Major Tune-up or Complete Overhaul repair package.
A Major Tune-Up includes the installation of cables, chain, brake pads and other external parts you might need. A lot of people need this service at least once a year, but put it off longer than they should! A Complete Overhaul is a major tune-up that includes labor for overhauling all rotational systems on the bike. This is a good idea to think about every two years, depending on what conditions your bike endures.
Whether you’ve been riding all winter or you’re waiting for spring, consider getting that much-needed repair done now at a discount. Call the bike shop at 617-522-0226 or bring your bike in for a free estimate. This offer is good until February 28.
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ADULT MECHANICS COURSE
Learn to repair your own bike! This is a “basic” mechanics courses that gives you the skills to do a full tune-up, plus more advanced work overhauling rotational systems. Classes cover bike fit, flats, brakes, gears, and adjustments and overhauls of hubs. The final session will allow you to pick more topics to cover (wheel truing, etc) depending on the needs of your bike.
The course meets at the Bikes Not Bombs Bike Shop once a week for 5 weeks, and you bring your own bike to work on and improve. The cost for a full course is $120. For this tuition, you get the knowledge AND your bike gets work that would cost nearly $100 in most shops.
There are only six spots per class, so you must enroll in advance. Call the bike shop at 617-522-0226 to pay by credit card over the phone, or stop by the shop. You can send a check, but note that we’ll reserve a space for you only AFTER we receive payment, and classes fill quickly.
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WHEEL BUILDING COURSE
February 17th – March 17th
each Tuesday 8-10 pm (5 sessions)
The first session is a consultation where we’ll help you pick out and purchase hubs, rims, and spokes for your new wheelset ($60-80 for rims, $64 for spokes and $50-100 for hubs; all students receive a 10% discount on all parts bought for the class, including any tools you want for home). We’ll also cover some wheelbuilding theory and time permitting do spoke length calculations. The second session will focus on lacing both wheels. The third and fourth sessions will focus on tensioning the spokes, and lacing the second wheel. The final session will give students time to focus on finishing their wheels and to discuss other aspects of wheelbuilding.
Building a bicycle wheel is like tuning a piano – it takes care and patience and a little art to balance the tensions, and when it is in tune it is a beautiful thing! For a wheel to be perfectly round, the tension on each spoke must be adjusted and balanced, each slightly different to account for the flex response of the rim. These days most wheels are built by machines, which do a fine job, but don’t have nearly the sophistication of a human set of hands and eyes. A hand-built wheel is substantially more durable and will last longer, ride smoother, and need truing less often, but they get expensive when you pay a mechanic for the labor time involved. When you can build your own wheels, you can choose the quality and type of each component (hub, spokes, and rim) and you get high-quality technology for cheap because you don’t have to pay for labor! Learning to build wheels will also give you the skills to understand problems in used wheels and to true them by adjusting spoke tensions.
The cost for the full course is $120, and you must enroll in advance. Call the bike shop at 617-522-0226 to pay by credit card over the phone, or stop by the shop. You can send a check, but note that we’ll reserve a space for you only AFTER we receive payment, and classes fill quickly. Questions? Contact charlie@bikesnotbombs.org or talk to Charlie Schubert, our Bike Shop Service Manager.
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NEWS FROM GHANA, TANZANIA, and NEVIS KOFORIDUA
GHANA: ABILITY BIKES
The Ability Bike shop is up and running! This project sponsored by Bikes Not Bombs and Emmanuel’s Educational Foundation and Sports Academy (EEFSA) was begun in early 2008 and has faced many financial challenges throughout the year. The success story has been documented by David Branigan, the BNB trainer in his blog http://bikesnotbombs-eefsa.blogspot.com/ – the story of 6 physically challenged individuals becoming Ghana’s first cooperatively owned and operated bike enterprise. David, the Ability Bikes staff, and EEFSA were all intensively engaged in clearing the customs and raising the needed funds to pay fees and trucking on the second donated 40’ container of bicycle aid from Bikes Not Bombs and a solidarity committee based in Brattelboro VT. The clearing process, finalized on Jan 23rd was made much more difficult by the recent change in government and changing administrative posts. With this second container, Ability Bikes is now assured financial security for the first half of 2009 as they proceed to becoming an officially registered cooperative enterprise in April 2009.
ARUSHA, TANZANIA: GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR AFRICA’S VIJANA CENTER
After a long and arduous process the Vijana Vocational Training Center’s administrative director Boniface Kimboka was able to clear the customs on our container that was shipped back in October! This was the second container BNB shipped to this project. After BNB International Programs Director, Carl Kurz, made his visit in late Sept, he and Boniface have been in constant email contact and are looking forward to shipping two containers of bicycle aid in 2009. Vijana is going through an expansion of its vocational services; expanding the welding skills program and adding courses in computer repair and the bike progam. These additions will also provide sellable items for the school to generate more income – items like door and window frames, craft items and furniture made from bike parts, and more repair services for bikes and computers. This is great news for the more than 200 orphans that attend the school.
NEVIS, ST. KITTS: NEVIS BIKES NOT BOMBS
Two individuals from the expanding Nevis Bikes Not Bombs Earn-A-Bike program will be coming to Boston in March to participate in a skills development workshop. To make this program even more effective a BNB trainer will be traveling to Nevis to witness first-hand the conditions on the ground for Earn-A-Bike programs and view the proposed sites and engage in discussions around expansion of this successful program to more communities on the island.
BNB will commit to a bike aid shipment in April of 2009 and will be working closely with Nevis BNB to procure tools and items needed for their expansion. Program manager Kristina Stoney reports, “Don and Bass have worked hard and beautifully on the Earn-A-Bike program here, liaising with Ms. Maynard for regular meetings, creating more support in communities and running classes for New Castle and Gingerland areas.“
This travel exchange is being funded by John Rowse, one of the founders of the Boston Building Materials Cooperative (BBMC), as a memorial to Don Malloy, a long term employee of the BBMC who was also an avid cyclist and BNB supporter. Don was killed in and auto accident while volunteering in an effort to rebuild houses destroyed by hurricane Katrina in Mobile, Alabama. Being able to carry out this project in honor of Don adds deeper meaning to this important act of international solidarity.
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CARLOS SASTRE DONATES YELLOW JERSEY TO BNB
Carlos Sastre, winner of the 2008 Tour de France, is donating one of his yellow jerseys to Bikes Not Bombs!!! The Maillot Jaune (yellow jersey) is the most coveted prize in all of professional bicycle racing. At each stage of the 2,300 mile long Tour de France, the racer who is in the overall lead on time classification wears a yellow jersey while racing. Carlos was contacted by his brother and BNB supporter Eduardo Sastre, and was inspired to make the generous donation to Bikes Not Bombs to sell as a fundraiser. We will be honoring the Maillot Jaune at the BNB shop for a few months before selling it in conjunction with our BNB 25th anniversary, so be sure to come by and see this amazing piece of cycling history! Thanks Carlos and good luck for your bid in 2009.
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VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION PARTY
Wed March 4th
7-10 pm
This will be a special party to appreciate the volunteers who together put in thousands of hours of crucial work at Bikes Not Bombs. All who have volunteered for BNB are invited to this party. More details coming soon, but save the date!
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WANT LIST: LAPTOPS & more
- laptops!
- a regular supply of rags
- digital video camera
- and more
Full info at http://www.bikesnotbombs.org/donate#stuff
Contact Arik at arik@bikesnotbombs.org or 617-522-0222 if you have things to donate. Please check in before donating, thanks!
Tristan over at BostonFixed has created this amazing guide to turning an old carbon trispoke into a work of art! The below guide was written by him, and reprinted with permission.
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So I painted my trispoke and made it look all mad phat dope shitzzle, and made a little guide in a bunch of images/how to guide.
Your materials are as follows:
One can of Spray primer
One can of preferred paint (I ended up using Duplicolor Metal Specks, after the can of Metal Effects shown completely fucked up and was sputtering)
Clear coat (Not shown, use an Acrylic)
Multi pack sandpaper (for sanding stuff down)
Cleaning wipe that clears all the shit off
A good x-acto knife for cutting the tape/stickers (also not shown)
Newspapers for spraying
A sponge for wiping
A pail for wet sanding
Stickers
A weekend worth of time.
So yeah, my HED trispoke was about 10 years old and in rough shape, I highly recommend if you want it to look really pretty, to reprime/fill any knicks in the surface, as they’re quite common on the older wheels. Give it a good cloth wipe to prepare the surface for roughing up.
Note: I did this with the tire on, but it’s better to take the tubular off, I just didn’t feel like dismounting and remounting a tubular.
This is how the wheel should look after roughing it up with some 400 grit wet sand paper. THERE IS NO CLEAR COAT on HED/Specialized trispoke wheels. It’s the actual epoxy so DO NOT GO TOO FAR OR USE BELOW 400 GRIT!! You will eat the carbon!
Wipe it down with a slightly damp sponge, then wipe off the water/dust with an old clean t-shirt.
Mask off everything and then start to hate yourself if you want to use the braking surface as it’s a very unfun job coming up…
Taking your knife, follow the brake surface all around the wheel and carefully not fuck up like this. This will make your wheel look like shit. Put more tape on and then recut.
This is a (blurry) shot of how it SHOULD look.
After you do all that, rewipe the wheel down with the prep cloth, and we can start spraying primer.
Go with a few light coats of primer until it looks solid enough. What blows is you now will know exactly how bad the surface of your wheel is pitted (if used). You can use some filler but I didn’t bother. L A Z Y. The primer dries quickly (within an hour).
Wet sand the primer with 400 grit sandpaper. Get it nice and smooooth. Dry it off again and paint some more.
Now I fucked up on this part and there’s no pictures after my spray can decided to fuck up on me and made me resurface and redo everything. That green tape helps out so much as its very waterproof. Just spray maybe two or three coats of your base color, let that dry properly, wipe it down again with the clean t-shirt, and then spray two or three coats of clear on it. It won’t take very long for everything to cure/dry if you’re light enough with your coats.
Applying vinyl graphics. You will learn how much of a pain in the ass lattice work like this is.
Some windex, luck, a credit card, and patience lets you apply the graphics well. Cutting around the braking surface again.
Awrite! All done! Simple enough, but most people can’t/aren’t willing to put in the effort. It’s all about prep time/effort….
He also did this bit of amazing art work.
Governor Deval Patrick yesterday signed the Bicyclist Safety Bill into law, recognizing the importance of bicycling to the people of Massachusetts, particularly the growing role of bicycling in our transportation system. Coming on the heels of a year that saw gas prices soar to over $4 a gallon, huge increases in ridership on public transportation, and a surge in interest in bicycle commuting, the law will help more people, particularly new and less experienced bicyclists, take advantage of bicycling as an affordable transportation option.
The new law adds police training on bicycle law and dangerous behavior by bicyclists and motorists; explains how a motorist should safely pass a bicycle; explains how a motorist should safely make a turn in front of a bicycle; makes “dooring” (opening a car door into the path of a bicycle or other vehicle) subject to ticket and fine; permits bicyclists to ride two abreast when it does not impede cars from passing; and adds legal protections for bicyclists who choose to ride to the right of other traffic.
“The new law will encourage more people to ride bicycles by enhancing bicyclist safety and comfort level on Massachusetts roads,” said David Watson, Executive Director of MassBike, the bicycling advocacy group that shepherded the bill forward for eight years. “On behalf of all Massachusetts bicyclists, MassBike thanks our many supporters in the House and Senate for their persistence, and thanks Governor Patrick for recognizing that this law will help make Massachusetts a healthier, greener, more sustainable state.”
“Traveling by bicycle is a smart choice, for the environment, for your body, and for your wallet,” said Representative William Brownsberger, who assumed a leading role in moving the bill forward immediately upon taking office two years ago. “As a frequent bicycle commuter from Belmont to the State House, I have personally experienced the challenges faced by bicyclists on the road, and I am pleased that this law will make it easier and safer for more people to use their bikes to get around.”
“It is rare to see a law that directly addresses so many of the most challenging issues we face today: climate change; the health impacts of decreasing physical activity; and the rising cost of transportation,” said Representative Kay Khan of Newton, the House sponsor of the bill, who was instrumental in garnering the support of dozens of like-minded colleagues in the House and Senate – including Representative Robert DeLeo, Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, and Representative Frank Smizik, Chairman of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture – to urge the Governor to sign the bill. “By making bicycling safer, and encouraging more people to ride bikes, we make progress on all these problems,” added Khan.
The Bicyclist Safety Bill was originally introduced in 2001 by now-retired Representative Anne Paulsen of Belmont, who worked closely with MassBike to draft a bill designed to modernize Massachusetts’ bicycle laws and improve bicyclist safety. Paulsen championed the bill until her retirement in December 2006, when the bill passed the House and Senate only to be vetoed by the outgoing Romney administration. Following Representative Paulsen’s retirement, Senator Pamela Resor of Acton (who herself just retired) took up leadership on the bill, filing the version that was ultimately signed into law by the Governor.
The Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition (MassBike) is a nonprofit bicycling advocacy group. Founded in 1977, the group has thousands of members statewide. MassBike promotes a bicycle-friendly environment, and encourages bicycling for fun, fitness, and transportation. MassBike’s programs focus on five key areas: promoting bicycle-friendly legislation; improving access and safety on roads and public transportation; educating adults, children, police, and the public about bicycling; encouraging bicycle commuting; and creating opportunities for people to ride together. For more information about MassBike, visit www.massbike.org.
For the full text of the law click here.
Member this?
Here is some new knowledge to drop on yall! Got this from someone named Ray.
Please note the exhibit has change the name to “The Wheelman’s
Machine”
and that local historian and author David Herlihy (Bicycle: The History) is
now credited for
his work used in the exhibit.
www.crmi.org
and the updated PDF
www.crmi.org/bicycletakesoff.pdfPlease feel free to update your post about the opening reception.
Thanks!
Ray – no affiliation with the museum -
Now you know, and knowing is half the battle. I have to admit “The Wheelman’s Machine” sounds awesome, and slightly dirty…perfect for high art.
That’s right, our very own hat artist and general all around awesome person has her hats for sale at Cambridge Bicycle. Go get one now cause these things are going to move FAST!
People often think I might have a few screws loose when I tell them that I ride my bike everywhere, everyday. They ask about how I get food, how I get my laundry done, but mostly they ask what I do when it is cold. My answer, I bundle up and keep riding! Here are some fun pictures from the last couple of days here in Boston. The salt trucks are working overtime, and as such I come home a bit dirty…but boy is it fun!
(Apologies for the blurry picture…)
I lost my [riding fixed in the snow] virginity yesterday.
And like most good things, I’m totally hooked on biking in this snow. Sure, I did it last year on a freewheel but this is a whole new level of awesome.
To make today even better, Open is having another Boldsprints & party event.
I can’t wait – the perfect event to let me stay up all night before I fly home to Tokyo. Which is why the store will be closed for a while; but I’m coming back with more hats and a few more tricks…stay tuned!
I will be going back to the Midwest for the holidays (wish me luck), but while I am gone you should check out this amazin’ bidness here!
From the Open Bicycle Website
YES, we’re going to throw another epic event….BOLDSPRINTS & OPEN PARTY!
When: December 21, 2008 / Doors at 7p, Sprints at 8p
Where: Middlesex Lounge
Who: Come with or without a bike and at least 1 leg! Ages 18 and above.
Expect: prizes, giveaways, drink specials & the best DJ in town – BREK.ONE
This looks like it is going to be a great time, if you are in town CHECK THIS OUT. Support the open guys, they are awesome!
One of my friends (who also happens to be an amazing photographer) has a sweet ass website, Pedal Powered Photography, and in an effort to raise the level of awesome one more notch (if that is even possible!) she has started offering sweet t-shirts!
I am totally digging the safety pin one, be sure to buy yours now because I hear they are going fast!
Royal Flush PokerCat – December 7, 2008
5 Stops, 5 Cards– beer, pizza, and prizes, prizes, prizes for best hands.
BoldSprints, After-Party with Free Beer & DJ’s at Middlesex Lounge
more info here
Ohh my goodness. This was a blast. My poor stomach is still recovering from the amount of pure sugary crap I stuffed into it. Fun check points, powdered sugar, smacking Twinkies into the Charles…epic fun. Goodness it was cold, and going back down drydock was like climbing up hill that damn wind was BRUTAL. We all ended snotty and red faced, but it was so worth it.
Race results:
(The race started at approx. 1:50 PM.)
Eric S 3:20PM
Shane 3:20
Tom E 3:20
Julia K 3:40
Denny K 3:40
Ian S 4:00
Dan K 4:01
Matt W 4:02?
Brad 4:02?
Dan C 4:18
Jeff O 4:18
Matt F 4:18
Chicago Karl 4:21
Evan C 4:22
Claudine C 4:22
Greg N 4:23
Pete M 4:35
Jordan A 4:35
Carl F 4:43
Aaron 5:30
Jenny T 5:30
Kim 5:30
Matt 5:30 DFL!
Blammo. Good job everyone. And special thanks to Tammy, Jeff L, and Kevin for CP assistance. Did you notice that umm a certain someone (me) was FIRST along with Tom and Eric. Good job team first!
Ohh yes my friends, the good people over at BoldSprints have now integrated video into their bag of tricks.
Could this be me getting beaten by a good 2 seconds…yes it could be.
Could this be me rocking the pants of Greg from Suffolk bikes…I think it could be.
Is this me whoopin his ass a second time? Snap!
Whats this? Jacob nearly falls over on that tiny little bike he is riding, watch the end, he makes a hard right…on rollers. Amazing considering these guys had already had a good amount to drink before they got up to do this.
More videos here.
more awesome pictures here (Natasha is the best photog ever!)
You so need to come check the next one of these out. Next Sunday the 29th at the All Asia bar on Mass Ave near Central Square T-stop. Come race, come watch, just come!
This years Annual Meeting, a fun open to the public event, will be held at Coogan’s Pub.. Come out and join us Wednesday November 19th
at 6:30pm.
The annual meeting will start at 6:30pm, this will be a 15 minute talk by Executive Director David Watson. Learn what MassBike has been up to, hear about our future plans, and in general stay up to
date on all MassBike related activities. Once David is done the real fun starts!
The first 100 people through the door get a free beer (generously provided by Harpoon), and snacks donated by Coogan’s. After the free hooch runs out
there will be reasonably priced fair at the bar.
If that wasn’t enough to bring you downtown on a Wednesday night, from 7pm to 10pm we are going to have BoldSprints!
If you have never experienced the fun and excitement of indoor roller racing, now is your chance! Picture two bicycles side by side on rollers (don’t worry they use a fork stand, you don’t need to
balance) the crowd counts down 3,2,1 and they are off! The first person to pedal two simulated laps around the track wins! High drama, loads of fun, and thrilling to watch!
Come out, challenge your friends, challenge yourself, or maybe just watch other people go for the win! Bring your own bicycle if you want to race. This is a great time, and something you don’t want
to miss.
The Details:
When: Wednesday November 19th 6:30pm to 10pm
Where: Coogan’s Pub 171 Milk Street (map)
What: MassBikes Annual Meeting
Why: Free beer from Harpoon, free snacks, Boldsprints!
Awww will you look at those smiling faces! How could you not want to buy a bicycle from this man. Marty is an amazing guy, and I suggest you all start saving up your money and get one of these bad ass bikes from him asap!
Read all about him and other cool local bike biz in the most recent article in the Globe.
It was late at night and I was riding home, tired. The mild slope of the Boston University Bridge seemed like a pothole-strewn mountain, and the curve of Putnam Street to Harvard Square, with nary an inch to spare for cyclists, took forever. Then at Mount Auburn and Massachusetts Avenue, I saw a flash. A cyclist flew by, and I got a jolt of adrenaline.
The bike was like a greyhound, narrow and forward-leaning, the essence of motion. Its rider had a U-lock stuck in his back pocket and a black T-shirt over his shoulders. He sat straight up in the saddle, easily smoking a cigarette. Though I’d stayed back, he’d sensed my presence, and the cranks started to churn. His bike – unencumbered by derailleurs, levers, or even conventional brakes – leapt forward. In a moment he was gone, and I was on my own again.
I’d just met a member of the fixed-gear tribe.
Hey I had no idea I was part of a tribe! Fellow tribal members, lets go ride bikes!
They also have some purty bikes in a gallery.
Here is a small taste.
This looks like a good time…I might even race in this.
This is an alleycat/scavenger hunt that is open to cyclists of all
abilities. The race is pastry-themed and pageantry is encouraged. November
22. 1pm. MIT Stata Center (outdoor theater structure). No registration fee,
but be ready to spend around 5-7 dollars on baked goods. (You may have to
force down a Chinese bun.)Thanks for your attention,
William Garre
So you know all them cool kids with their Iphones, this has got to be the best possible use I have seen yet for one.
Using a simple ap, and a custom bag addition (more info to come soon), this intrepid biker has created what has to be one of the slickest safety lights yet.
The best part is, the ap is customizable, want it to look like a fire truck, how about a police light, maybe you just want to the light to come on while you move (it can do that as well).
I asked how it is on battery life, and apparently it is not bad. I have seen this working in real life and can tell you it is highly visible from a long ways away.
Got this in the email today, looks like a cool movie. Plus BNB rocks my freaking socks off, so you should support them.
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GHANA FILM: EMMANUEL’S GIFT, with BIKES NOT BOMBS Thursday November 6 6:30-8:30
Screening at the City Year Headquarters
287 Columbus Ave
Boston, MA 02116Full info and a map at http://www.bikesnotbombs.org/node/419
With donated bicycles from Boston and the support of hundreds of local volunteers and donors, Bikes Not Bombs is co-sponsoring the development of a retail shop to be collectively managed by physically challenged people in Koforidua, Ghana. Join us for an inspiring film and discussion about this endeavor.
BNB is undertaking this project in partnership with a foundation in Ghana created by an extraordinary man, Emmanuel Yeboah. The First Look Pictures documentary, Emmanuel’s Gift (trailer and photos here:
www.emmanuelsgift.com) by Lisa Lax and Nancy Stern, is narrated by Oprah Winfrey. Following Emmanuel’s struggles and achievements, it gives a background for this new project.For insightful updates and beautiful photos, please check out the blog of David Branigan, BNB staff in Ghana: http://bikesnotbombs-eefsa.blogspot.com/ and his photos page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/bnbghana
A five minute documentary on BNB, One Peace at a Time by Allegra Anderson, will open the evening, and a discussion with Carl Kurz, BNB’s founder and International Programs Director, will follow the screening of Emmanuel’s Gift.
Special thanks to City Year for generously allowing BNB to take advantage of their hi-tech, new, green media space.
Please spread the word. Please contact arik@bikesnotbombs.org or
617-522-0222 x100 if you are available to help distribute flyers!Tickets are $7-$15, sliding scale and available for purchase online at http://www.bikesnotbombs.org/node/419, or by phone: 617-522-0222, or at the door.
MORE INFO:
Bikes Not Bombs is working with Emmanuel’s Education Foundation and Sports Academy for the Physically Challenged (EEFSA) to establish a bicycle workshop that will employ physically-challenged people in the city of Koforidua. Our trainer/mechanic David Branigan has been in Koforidua since May 2008 getting the shop setup and training the new mechanics. The micro-enterprise model plans for the eventual cooperative ownership of the business by the mechanics. We sent our first container of aid on April 26th 2008 with the tools, parts and bikes necessary for the establishment of the workshop. Included were workbenches custom-built by volunteer Paul Martin to be accessible from wheelchair height.The film Emmanuel’s Gift tell the story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, a physically challenged athlete who rode a bicycle across Ghana with one leg in his campaign advocating for the rights and abilities of the physically disabled in Ghana. Emmanuel’s campaign influenced the Government of Ghana to pass a Disability Rights Law that protects the rights of the physically disabled. Emmanuel went on to establish the Emmanuel Education Foundation and Sports Academy for the Physically Challenged with the financial support he received from the international community. He has been the winner of numerous awards including the Arthur Ashe Courage Award and the prestigious Casey Martin Award offered each year by Nike corporation. His leadership in bringing dignity and inspiration to the growing international movement for the rights of the disabled has led his people on to a new paradigm in Africa, one that challenges the stigma of poverty and self-deprecation that has pushed disabled individuals into the destitution of begging and marginalization on the fringes of society.
Ohh yea, the Nov. schedule for Bold Sprints is out!
Nov 2, 16, 30 at the All Asia bar 334 Mass Ave. Cambridge.
This Sunday 7pm at the All Asia Bar on Mass Ave. in Cambridge.
BE THERE!
Dear everyone,
You MUST do this, for it is a great time.
Love
Me
8th Annual Halloween Bike Ride
*Friday, October 31st
Green Street T Station (Orange Line), Jamaica Plain
8:00 pm Gather
8:30 pm Ride starts
Hear the amazing Stereo Bike with its fully danceable soundtrack!
Ride in costume! Dress up your bike! Be creative!
Everyone welcome!
All ages! Free!
Helmets, lights, and noisemakers encouraged.
*Rain date Saturday, November 1st.
Go to www.halloweenbikeride.net for more info.
Ohh this looks like it is going to be a lot of fun!
Are you man or monster, woman or wendigo? Or are you just fucking fast? Tap your inner demons this Halloween night. Cash to play, and cash for pay. Prizes for first overall, first lady, and first fat kid. Costumes get head start. I will not be announcing the course ahead of time, so don’t ask. Registration and start is at WM Eustis Playground, at Mass and Shirley. $5. Spread the word, yo, and come race! (via)
October 31st, 5$, bring your costume for a head start
(click for larger image)
Ohh yea Boldsprints is coming back!
Sunday October 19th 7pm, at the All Asia Bar (334 Cambridge St Cambridge MA)
Marty Over at Geekhouse has really outdone himself this time! The 2008 U.S. presidential election is less than three weeks away, but nothing is sewn up yet. To keep the momentum moving forward for Barack Obama, the candidate offering a better energy plan for the future than a cacophony of “Drill, baby, drill,” ANIMALNewYork.com’s Bucky Turco united the bike building expertise of Geekhouse founder Marty Walsh and the ‘wallpaper design’ talents of Dan Funderburgh to create this ONE OF A KIND track bike for auction. The exclusive fixed gear cycle is being offered on eBay beginning today and proceeds will be donated to the Barack Obama victory fund.
The hand built, Geekhouse Custom ‘Rockcity’ Frame measures 55cm, comes race ready with a nice array of parts, and sports a highly designed, curved seat tube. Walsh described his motivation to build the bike as a way to combat the country’s junkie-like addiction to petrol. “I think our country needs some serious change to get away from our dependency on foreign oil and oil in general. But more important than offshore drilling, we need to invest in ourselves and renewable energy sources. A small start to this is to simply ride a bike more. So I’d like to start our own chant: ‘Ride baby, ride!””
The distinctive bike also features custom sublimated graphics on the frame and Veolcity Deep V wheel set, as well as an exclusive ‘Obama chainring’ logo on the front. Funderburgh’s attributes his inspiration for the design to the fiery unity speech Obama delivered at the 2004 DNC when he was still a candidate for the U.S. Senate that emphasized the need for the country to come together and abandon the ‘Red’ and ‘Blue ‘ state labels. “This speech was the first time in my life that I’ve been moved by the words of a living politician. I feel like the people I know are bored to death of cynicism and are willing to do everything in their power to see this momentary flicker of hope extend beyond November.” To emphasize this political ideal, the artist created the design with colors to representing our electoral spectrum using a blue to red gradient.
LINKS: The eBay auction can be found here and more press photos available here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220295559818
Official parts list:
-Thomson Stem and Post
-SDG Saddle
-Tioga Headset
-Sugino Messenger Cranks/Ring
-MKS Sylvan Track Pedals/Clips
-Continental Tires
About Geekhouse Bikes
Geekhouse Bikes is an independent bicycle manufacturer that hand crafts its custom frames in Boston, Massachusetts.
www.geekhousebikes.com
About Dan Funderburgh
Dan Funderburgh is a Brooklyn-based graphic designer that specializes in creating elaborate patterns and what he describes as “wallpaper design.”
www.danfunderburgh.com
About ANIMAL
ANIMAL is a magazine/website that is best described as a mix of underground culture, city-centric musings, and cultural epithets updated daily, providing compulsory reading for artists, writers, curators, creative peoples, (as well as editors, reporters, and brand people). www.animalnewyork.com
For more info contact ANIMAL founder Bucky Turco. 917-847-8281
Annual ANT Bike Party
(Bike Rides and Open House)
When: Saturday, October 18, 2008
Where: Holliston Mill Building
24 Water Street
Holliston, MA
Click here for directions.
Time: Bike Rides, 11am to 1pm
~20 mile scenic foliage ride with Mike
~5 mile kid friendly ride around Holliston with Betsy, with stops
at playgrounds (at least one parent/adult should accompany their children)
~Please bring water bottle and helmet for each rider
~You don’t have to have an ANT bike, any bike will do!
Food, 1pm to 3pm
~Catered by Dosa Temple (vegetarian Indian)
~We’ll also have peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the kids
~Feel free to bring your own picnic lunch if you want
Open House, 2pm to 5pm
~Tours of the shop
~Scavenger Hunt in the shop
~Tricycle Races
~Track Stand competition
More info here.
On Saturday September 27th Bikes Not Bombs volunteers will load a 40′ shipping container full of bicycle aid for the Maya Pedal organization in Guatemala. Start at 10:30 am and work until finish, which is expected to be 3:30 or 4:00pm. Thanks to City Feed and Supply for donating coffee. We’ll take a break around 1pm for a pizza lunch (provided) and a short talk about the project. Volunteers can come for any part of this time that works for you. Experience not required. We’ll be moving, sorting, and loading bikes, wheels, and spare parts. You may wish to bring work gloves.
This shipment is a joint effort with Working Bikes in Chicago (see http://workingbikes.org/), who will be financing the shipping costs, while we provide the bikes. In addition to full bikes, we will be including many bicycle frames for Maya Pedal’s production of bicimaquinas (pedal-powered machines). These bicycle-based machines are used mostly for agriculture and food production: the grain grinder, blender, and water pump remain popular models. Their newest machines are a peanut and nut sheller, and a masa mill (which turns soaked corn into tortilla dough). Some of you were lucky enough to meet Carlos Marroquin, the lead designer and engineer at Maya Pedal, when he visited BNB at the end of July along with other engineers attending the MIT International Development Design Summit.
See http://mayapedal.org. For more information on appropriate technology designs and projects, see http://www.bikesnotbombs.org/app_tech
Bikes Not Bombs has shipped 6 containers totaling 2,670 bikes so far this year. This shipment to Guatemala is one of 4 more shipments planned for 2008 with a projected total of over 4,250 bikes. The bikes sent so far were received and distributed by 5 different organizations working in 4 different countries: Guatemala, Ghana, Tanzania, and South Africa.
DIRECTIONS:
This event does NOT happen at Bikes Not Bombs, but is just around the corner. We will be loading from a big parking lot at 179 Boylston St., Jamaica Plain, 2 blocks from the StonyBrook T stop on the Orange Line. Exiting the StonyBrook stop, turn left, you are on Boylston, cross Amory, and you’ll see our 40 foot container parked on the righthand side.
These things are awesome! Instead of go on and on about them I will let the pictures and video do the talking.
OMG this is such a good time, I suggest everyone give it a go!
Sep 19 2008 – 9:00am – 3:00pm
Details:
PARK(ING) DAY 2008
Friday, September 19, 9 – 3pm
@ Boston City Hall, near Government T stop
What is this? PARK(ing) Day is a one-day, global event where artists, activists, and citizens collaborate to temporarily transform metered parking spots into “PARK(ing)” spaces: temporary public parks. This will be Boston’s first ever Park(ing) Day spot! Click here to view a short StreetFILM about Park(ing) Day 2007 in NYC.
Visit us! Visit the event between 11 am and 2 pm and chat with the new LivableStreets Staff Advocate Jackie Douglass. Look for our new orange T-shirt.
Click here to watch a film from Park(ing) Day 2007 in NYC
Click here for more information
via the always great LivableStreets Alliance.
The good folks over at That Hotness have produced this fantastic video.
Boldcrits Bike Racing – Boston from thathottness on Vimeo.
More info here.
It is a damn shame that I missed this…maybe next Monday.
It happened – I have officially sold my first hat!
Greg of SuffolkBikes contacted me about purchasing the “Attention, Please” hat and I was only too happy to drop it off in a brown paper bag in front of the Otherside Cafe.
So here’s Greg (and his bunny!) with his hat – you can chase after him on his enormous black fixed-gear Fuji if you want to take a closer look at the first s-class hat ever sold!
Starting Sept. 15th Every Monday at 6:30pm, William E Smith Field, behind the bike polo court, 250 western Ave, the best part it’s FREE BITCHES!
Come race, come watch some races, and have a good time.
These guys are absolutely nuts, certifiable.
Grocery delivery just got a whole lot greener. Harvest Co-op, a local Boston produce provider has teamed up with New Amsterdam Project, a human-powered delivery company, to offer a convenient, affordable new service for it’s customers. Now you can walk, ride a bike or take the train, buzz in any-time, do some shopping and not have to worry about lugging all those bags home. Your order will be delivered to your front door safe and sound -with zero carbon footprint! No longer will you need a car to get food from the store to your home, and no longer will you have to worry about how much gas is being used if you choose home delivery.
At Harvest, nothing is more important than its community. So when customers expressed interest in a grocery delivery service, Harvest responded… thoughtfully, of course. “Harvest is committed to providing quality products and outstanding service to our members and customers, so a home delivery program to our local patrons made a lot of sense. The last thing we wanted to do, however, was to add more cost, carbon and congestion to the local environment,” said Mike St. Clair, General Manager at Harvest.
Hiring New Amsterdam Project, an exclusively pedal-powered delivery company, was the obvious choice. ”They were the perfect partners” says St. Clair, “A like-minded company with a great idea
and a lot of energy”.
Customers can shop anytime during the week and schedule a delivery to be made between the hours of 6 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday. Charges for delivery are based on distance from the co-op: $7.50 for locations within about a one-mile radius or $10 between one and two miles. Additional delivery areas such as Allston, Boston, Arlington and Belmont are also being considered. Customers will also be able to take advantage of a NAP’s personal shopping service for an additional $20.
While Harvest has added a valuable service for its customers, the benefits to the community don’t stop there. Chris Durkin, Harvest’s Director of Membership and Community Relations: “Our commitment to the environment, to providing healthy food alternatives and to promoting locally owned businesses are not new. It has been our mission as a community owned cooperative since 1971” The deal also helps the upstart Cambridge-based company, New Amsterdam Project, expand its operations while keeping additional gas-powered vehicles off of Cambridge and Somerville streets.
That’s good for the environment and makes for a healthier, more vibrant community. Part of the mission of New Amsterdam Project’s owner, Andrew Brown, is to promote utilitarian cycling in the greater Boston area. “We want to take many of the delivery jobs that are out there and make them healthier” says owner Andrew Brown “We can transform the work experience.”
New Amsterdam Project is quickly proving that cycle-power is a sustainable, profitable approach to transporting commercial goods. As its services grow, the public can look forward to more Project initiatives to create a greener, healthier future for communities. One day I hope to see nothing but these bicycle powered deliver trucks doing all the local deliveries in every city, not just Boston. This is a great idea’s who’s time has most certainly come.
WOW! So this weekend was the bicycle film fest. In a word, AWESOME! Great time, great people, great movies. It was a fantastic time, and if you missed it, SHAME ON YOU.
The whole thing kicked off with a sweet party at Underground video/Revolution Cycles in JP. BoldSprints, over 200 PBR’s (mostly tall boys, all free) veggy dogs, food from veggie planet, and a whole lot of fun. Natasha took some great pictures of the event, here is a taste.
Here is some guy betting five bucks that I wont beat Phil (who is a really nice guy) at bold sprints…too bad for phil, and that guy, I ROCKED HIS ASS.
Faster Phil…faster.
The next Friday was the first round of movies at the Somerville theater, in Davis Square. It rained…a lot, but that didn’t stop a huge number of people from showing up to watch some awesome movies.
Saturday was a blast, much nicer, much sunnier, more awesome movies, there was tricks out front, valet bike parking from MassBike, and a whole host of great bike people around all day. I got to see Lucas Brunelle, got to be at the finish line as Peter Bradshaw WHOOPED everyone (he was in like a couple minutes faster than the person in second place) at the fastforward alley cat, and got to see a lot of nice bikes and meet a lot of nice people.
This was followed up by even more fun at Great Scott for the after party, and if that wasn’t enough a sweet brunch/ride on Sunday. Wow…
Like I said this was a really fun event, thanks to Seth, Dorothy, Brent and everyone else who made this a fantastic event. You guys ROCK. Also be sure to check out a lot more of Natasha’s sweet pictures here.
If you missed it this year be sure to check it out next year.
DotBike is really doing a lot of great things in Dorchester, be sure to check it all out. Below is an email I got today.
—-
RIDE TO THE BEACH WITH DOTBIKE SATURDAY AUGUST 16TH at 10:30 AM.
The Dorchester Beach Festival is happening on Saturday August 16th from 11-4 at Malibu Beach in Savin Hill. Check out their web site for all the fun things to do and see: www.dorchesterbeachfestival.com
DotBike is leading a family friendly ride to the festival along the Neponset River and Harbor Trails. The ride is primarily on dedicated bike paths and low traffic streets. If you’ve never been on these paths you’re in for a treat.
There are two distance options.
* For a 4.5 mile ride meet us at 10:30 at the southern end of the Neponset River Trail near the intersection of Central Ave. and River St. in Milton.
* For a 3 mile ride meet us at 10:45 in Pope John Paul II park near the Hallet St. parking area.
At the festival DotBike will provide free valet parking for your bike, bike safety checks, giveaways and information on our efforts to close the gaps in the Harbor Trail. We will also be providing escorts by bike back to where you started.
And if you can’t make it to our ride at 10:30 but still want to ride to the festival we will have someone to meet you at Pope John Paul II park every hour on the half hour from 11:30 to 2:30 to provide an escort. Or you can check out our recommended routes on the map on our Beach festival page http://dotbike.bostonbiker.org/dotbike-dorchester-beach-festival/ or at the ‘Directions’ page of the beach festival site.
If you would like to volunteer to help us out or for more information on this event check out: http://dotbike.bostonbiker.org/dotbike-dorchester-beach-festival/, email dotbike@bostonbiker.org or call Andy at 781-367-9200.
OTHER PLACES TO FIND DOTBIKE IN AUGUST
* Representative Marie St.-Fleur Community Hot Dog nights;
Tuesday August 12th 6-7:30 p.m. at St. Peter’s Teen Center 294 Bowdoin St.
Wednesday August 13th 6-7:30 p.m. at Project Hope 555 Dudley St.
DotBike will have demos, safety checks and giveaways at these events.
* Our monthly DotBike commute ride home Wednesday August 13th at 5:30 p.m. from the Boston Common down Dot Ave to Dorchester.
see http://dotbike.bostonbiker.org/dot-bike-ride-home/ for more info
* Boston Bike Friday August 22nd at 7:00 a.m.
Ride with DotBike and others with a police escort up Dorchester Ave. to City Hall Plaza for free breakfast and bike expo. See http://www.cityofboston.gov/bikes/bikefridays.asp to sign up or for more info.
For more information on all these and other upcoming events check out our event calendar at www.dotbike.org or email us at dotbike@bostonbiker.org
So what do you do if you want a low geared drive train for bike polo (with a free wheel) but you want a larger geared drive train (fixed) to get to the game. Well you could buy two bike and strap one to your back, but if you are Gus you build yourself a double drive train bike with two sets of cog/free wheel and double chain rings. This thing is pretty freaking sweet.
More info here.
Here is what Gus Has to say.
This bike was thrown together primarily as an experiment to see if it was possible, much because I had all of the parts sitting around. It is not without purpose however, since a 4 mile ride to the Allston (Boston) polo court on a 34-18 gear ratio leaves something to be desired. This bike will make it possible to ride a street gear to the court and then play on polo gearing after a quick switch of chains.
8th Annual Bicycle Film Festival
A Celebration of the bicycle as art and the diverse sub-cultures associated with cycling
BOSTON DATES: Thursday August 14th through Sunday August 17th
The Bicycle Film Festival is a celebration of all things BIKE! We guarantee that if you can name it, our bike-savvy team has tested it, rode it…experienced it. Tall-Bike Jousting, Mountain Biking, Track Riding, BMX, Recumbent cruising, Critical Mass-ing, Bike Polo-ing, Track Bikes, Alleycats, intense road racing; ….clearly cycling speaks to many “walks of life”. We invite you to join us as we celebrate these diverse lifestyles through art, film, music and performance at the 8th Annual, Bicycle Film Festival.
On Thursday, August 14th, ride on over to the official “kick-off” party hosted by Jamaica Plain based bike shop Revolution Bicycle Repair and Indie film connoisseurs, Video Underground in their outdoor courtyard. Expect BoldSprints Roller racing, DJ’s, food and fun. Then on Friday, August 15th we are rolling the party on over to Davis Square, Somerville with screenings at the Somerville Theater and an after party with bike-happy Redbones. Films continue at Boston’s Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) on Saturday, August 16th and conclude with the “Bikes Rock”, after party hosted by our friends at the The Weekly DIG and Allston’s finest, Great Scott’s.
Then, join us as we wrap up party-central weekend with a late morning bike ride and brunch hosted by contemporary home furnishings and apparel mavens, Union Square’s own Grand.
Tickets for all screenings of the Bicycle Film Festival in Boston are available for purchase on the website; Full Festival Passes are only $27.00!!
Visit the Bicycle Film Festival online for trailers, complete events & screening information.
Bicycle parking provided by MassBike at all film screenings.
If you are interested in volunteering, contact Boston Producer, Seth Davis seth@bicyclefilmfestival.com
I have been having all these fun video’s clutter up my video in-box. So without further adu here they are in no apparent order (except the best one is first).
Sprint Night from Panda Face on Vimeo.
much much more below…try not to wast an hour watching these all at work…
In another world far far away from the internet (the “real” world), I played a small part in helping to organize Boston’s first Bike Friday. It was a smashing success, with hundreds of people showing up to city hall (which I might add is completely deserted at 5am when you are trying to put a tent up). It was wonderful to see so many people riding in from all over town (see map below). The goal of this event was to show people just how easy it is to ride your bike to work. Hopefully this kind of thing can grow and spread and we can be doing our own little bike Fridays all over the city, all year round, every Friday!
Here is a bit of video one participant made (from the excellent VeloFellow blog)
If this looks like it would be fun, be sure to check out the next one in August 22 (for this and other events take a look at the event calendar over there on the right) . For more info see the Boston City website for Bike Fridays here. Also be sure to check out the nice picture gallery that Boston.com put on here.
This years International Bicycle Film Fest will be coming to Boston! This looks like a fantastic event. I don’t think I need to tell you that this is going to be EPIC..a must not miss event. Here is the schedule (pdf).
Where
BOSTON
FILM SCREENINGS at SOMERVILLE THEATRE 55 Davis Square, Somerville
INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY ART 100 Northern Ave, BOSTON
THURSDAY AUGUST 14
BFF OPENING NIGHT PARTY!!
7pm till late
383 Centre St, Jamaica Plain
HOSTED BY REVOLUTION BICYCLE RE PAIR AND VIDEO UNDERGROUND
BoldSprints Roller Racing, Music, Food and Beer
After Party
Alchemist Lounge
435 S Huntington Ave, Jamaica Plain
FRIDAY AUGUST 15
Film Screenings at SOMERVILLE THEATER
55 Davis Square, Somerville
BICYCLE VALET PARKING PROVIDED by MASSBIKE
Program 1 7:00 PM
DAO & THE ART OF BICYCLE INVENTION
UK 2006 | Various Mediums 3 min.
Dir. Danny Beck
BRIT DOCS Selection.
KEIST PARK
USA 2005 | 16mm 5 min.
Dir. John Ayala
A seven year old leaves his parents and his block for the first time to explore, observe and destroy in a vast new world.
GASOLINE VS YOGURT
USA 2006 | DV 5min.
Dir. Neistat Brothers
The Neistat Brothers have made another short for the BFF. This time Van and his yogurt powered bike take on Casey and his gasoline powered Ducati. You know who wins?
KO MASUDA: LIFE AND PROCESS
Japan 2006 | DV 3min.
Dir. Marc Blake
A short video that captures the unique life and process of Ko Masuda: artist, designer, and Buddhist monk.
ON TIME
USA 1985 | 16mm 7min.
Dir. Ari Taub
This comedy classic short, shown worldwide, marked the debut of director/screenwriter AriTaub and captured the spirit of low budget filmmaking in New York City. Jimmy a bicycle messenger from the Albatross Courier Company, takes us through the streets and boroughs of New York to deliver a package “on time”. Braving the perilous city streets, there’s nothing Jimmy can’t handle, or is there?
TRUNK BOIZ SCRAPER BIKE
USA 2007 | Video 4min.
Dir. Spencer Fortin
Music Video
INES BRUNN – KUNSTRADSHOW
Germany 2000 | Video 5min.
Dir. Masc Coenen & Ines Brunn
Dance, acrobatics, gymnastics—all on a fixed gear. Ines Brunn introduces us to her style of riding called “Artistic Cycling”.
BMX DIVERSION IN BRAZIL
USA/BR AZIL 2002 | 16mm/DV 5min.
Dir. Bobb y Carter
Take a journey to the neighborhoods of Sao Paulo and discover Brazil’s freestyle underground featuring: Balu, Daniel Molina, Leonardo Claro, and Marcos Paulo De Jesus.
BOMB BAY WITH TED SHRED
USA 2005 | DV 5min.
Dir. Matt Goldm an
Legendary ex-skater and DJ, Ted Shred bombs the hills and bustling streets of San Francisco with no brakes… (Seriously, NO BRAKES!!!) Filmmaker Matt Goldman mixes the kamikaze ride with Ted’s own visionary DJ-ing style to create this adrenalized scratch poem.
SKI BOYS
Ca nada 2006 | Sup er-8 8 min.
Dir. Benny Zenga
The lost reels of the Ski Boys document their inventive exploits in rural Ontario during the early ‘70s.
THE RECYCLE A BICYCLE FILM
USA 2007 | DV 22min.
Dir. Marcus Burnett
Recycle a Bicycle offers training and environmental education to youth in NY’s public schools.
TRACK KAIJU
USA 2007 | DV 20min.
Dir. Michael Green
World Champion Fixie King Shino and his travel companion journey from Tokyo to do battle in N.Y.C.’s most legendary, intense alleycat: Monster Track.
LUCAS BRUNELLE WORLDWIDE BROADCAST
USA 2007 | DV 10 min.
Dir. Lucas Brunelle
The famous Lucas Brunelle travels the world from London to Mexico City to New York. In this year’s update of his worldwide adventures, you see the emerging bike movement through his helmet cam.
Program 2 9:00 Pm
BICYCLE SAMBA
UK 2005 | DV 2min.
Dir. Sophie Clements
Samba on bicycles! All sounds directly from the bikes – no added or altered sounds.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
USA 2007 | DV 7min.
Dir. Luke Stiles & Araby Will iams
For the first time in New York City, BIKE POLO made it through the winter, culminating at Spring 2007 Second East Side Polo Invite.
MONSTER TRACK VI
USA 2005 | Video 7min.
Dir. Lucas Brunelle
This alleycat is fixed-gear only. It was set on one of the coldest days of the year in New York City. Catch the intensity of riding in New York with some of the world’s most-skilled city riders.
BIKECAR
USA 2006 | DV 65 min.
Dir. J.T. Fountain
Travis Parker, Louie Fountain and Scotty Wittlake approached travel differently last winter. Putting snowmobiles and 4×4’s to shame, the crew traveled across the great Northwest in a bikecar: a four-person, pedal powered vehicle that was the vessel of the adventure – part bike, part car. Pulling a trailer with snowboards and gear, the crew pedaled in search of snow for one month. “Bikecar” is a one-of-a-kind documentary that brings a new perspective to travel, adventure and snowboarding.
AFTER PARTY TBA
Film Screenings at
INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY ART
100 Northern Ave, BOSTON
BICYCLE VALET PARKING PROVIDED by MASSBIKE
Program 3 1:00 PM
STANDING START
UK 2007 | DV 12min.
Dir. Adrian McDowall & Finlay
What does it take to be the fastest track starter in the world? Standing Start gives insight into Olympian and World Champion Track Sprinter Craig MacLean’s life, his unflinching focus and preparation to battle it out on the world stage – portrayed like a gladiator.
MILLAR’S TALE
USA 2007 | DV 11min.
Dir. Nigel Dick
David Millar, one time prologue winner of the Tour de France, talks about his fight against doping and his future with Slipstream Sports.
ROAD TO ROUBAIX
USA 2008 | Video 75min.
Dir. David Deal and David Cooper
This film features the most difficult and prestigious one-day cycling race in the world: Paris-Roubaix. First held in 1896, now more than a century later the race is still a grueling contest over 160 miles of narrow, cobbled farm roads in Northern France with a finish in the historic Roubaix velodrome. Long known as the “Hell of the North”, this film is a visual narrative of an old school clash of the finest athletes in the world. The filmmakers tell the story of the riders, the fans, the mechanics, and the unpredictable landscape that is the setting for the Paris-Roubaix.
Program 4 4:00 Pm
MONSTER TRACK VI
USA 2005 | Video 7min.
DIR. Lucas Brunell e
This alleycat is fixed-gear only. It was set on one of the coldest days of the year in New York City. Catch the intensity of riding in New York with some of the world’s most-skilled city riders.
BIKE KILL
USA 2005 | DV 5min.
Dir. Rachel Meyrick
The Black Label Bicycle Club puts on the most amazing bicycle events—that is, if you live to tell.
RIDE ON
USA 2006 | DV 12min.
Dir. Kim Jensen
Kim Jensen the founder of MIDNIGHT RIDAZZ has given us a peek into the monthly ride that began as a fun Friday night amongst a few friends. These creative, celebratory rides have gone on to attract up to a thousand riders from around the Greater LA area. This has definitely left an impact on the way many live in LA. The mostly woman production team was lead by Elizabeth Ai.
PEDAL
USA 2001 | DV 52min.
Dir. Peter Sutherland
Acclaimed NYC filmmaker and photographer, Sutherland is known for his work as Director of Photography on the skateboarding film “Stoked: The Rise and Fall of Gator” which played to audiences nationwide, as well as the photography book AUTOGRAF. Pedal is a fast-paced documentary film about surviving in the streets of New York City as a bicycle messenger. It features messengers from all walks of life as they battle traffic in a race to make their next delivery on time. It premiered in 2001 at the South by Southwest film festival and in New York at the Bicycle Film Festival, and later was acquired by the Sundance channel, where it aired until 2004.
Program 5 6:30 Pm
fun bike Shorts
GOD’S LESSON
Czech Repu blic 2004 | 16mm/Digital Beta 4min
Dir. Petr Bednar
Sometimes bike lessons can be divine.
THERES A FLOWER IN MY PEDAL
Ca nada 2004 | DV/16mm/Sup er 8mm 4min.
Dir. Andrea Dorfman
A rhythm of mixed media reminds us to dust off the old bike and go for a ride.
BIKE RIDE
USA 2000 | 16mm 6 min.
Dir. Tom Schroeder
James rides his bike 50 miles to see his girlfriend, who dumps him. He rides home.
BAREND JAM
UK 2006 | DV 3 min.
Dir. Al ex Rankin
Two fun BMX shorts from the UK
The Bicycle : Beryl the Champion of the World
UK 2006 | Various Mediums 3 min.
Dir. Kate Siney
BRIT DOCS Selection.
ORANGE BIKES TAKE MANHATTAN
USA 2008 | HD 6min.
Dir. Kalim Armstrong
Captures the response to DKNY placing orange-branded bikes throughout New York.
PTERoDACTYL “Polio ”
USA 2007 | DV 3min.
Dir. Matt Marlin
Music Video
D.I.Y. Emancipation 101
USA 2007 | Animation-Xerograph y 1min.
Dir. Lynn Robinson
Bicycling brought freedom to women!
KEIRIN
Japa n/Italy 2008 | HD 5min.
Dir Giovanni Giomm i
A beautifully shot portrait of Japanese Track Racers directed by the director of LES NINJA
DU JAPON. GOODBYE TOMORROW
CANADA / AFRIC A 2008 | HD 8min.
Dir. Benny Zenga & Brian Vernor
This year BFF alumni, Brian Vernor and the Zenga Bros., rode with cameras in hand across Africa. Back in America just in time for the 2008 NYC BFF, they’ve compiled this special presentation, a glimpse into the footage gathered over the last four months and 12,000 kms covered by bicycle.
JIM’S LINES
USA 2008 | HD 5min.
Dir. Patrick Trefz
Artist and chef, Jim Denevan, creates land
art by bicycle.
“WHAT’S A GIRL TO DO”
UK 2007 | 35mm 3min.
BAT FOR LASHES
Dir. Dougal Wilson
Music video
SOME THINGS RIDE A BICYCLE
USA 2006 | Video 45 sec.
Dir. Chris Joll y
This is a series of chalkboard animations of various funny objects riding bicycles.
BICYCLE STORIES
USA 2008 | HD 14min.
Dir. Daniel Leeb
Three different portraits: Matthew McGuiness, George Bliss and Matthew Modine discussing their passions, inspirations and obstacles as they work to build the bike movement.
SKI BOYS
Canada 2006 | Sup er-8 8 min.
Dir. Benny Zenga
The lost reels of the Ski Boys document their inventive exploits in rural Ontario during the early ‘70s.
LUCAS BRUNELLE WORLDWIDE ADVENTURE
USA 2008 | DV 11min.
Dir. Lucas Brunelle
Lucas gives us a look at riding like no one else. London’s underground, the English Countryside, LA’s palm tree lined streets and Tokyo’s freeways are some of the backdrops for alleycats seen through the helmet cam.
Program 6 9:00 PM
URBAN BIKE SHORTS
KING OF SKITCH
USA 2008 | HD 2min.
Dir. Daniel Leeb
The King of New York, Felipe Robayo, will always find the fastest way on a bike to get from A to B.
BIKE THIEF
USA 2004 | DV 4min.
Dir. Neistat Brothers
This is a study of stealing bikes in New York City.
MYSTIK MOOD
USA 1988 | Sup er 8 4min.
Dir. Dieter Runge
A day in the life of a NY bike messenger in the 80’s edited to the song Mystik Mood by the New York band East of Eden.
BALORDA
Italy 2007 | DV 8min.
Dir. Luca Bedini & Marco Brandoli
In Northern Italy, 3000 people come together for a slow orgiastic 3-mile ride feasting on Lambrusco, pasta, and song.
THE MAKING OF BOOTLEG SESSIONS V.2
USA 2008 | DV 5min.
Dir. Burd Phill ips
A short on the efforts of wayward cyclists proving there’s infinite ways to have fun on bicycles.
AN APOLOGY
USA 2007 | DV 3min.
Dir. Neistat Brothers
The Neistat Brothers make a movie for the BFF every year. Here is an apology.
BELLE EPOCH
Italy / USA 2008 | Video 3min.
Dir. Robert Chynoweth
Italian cyclist Giuliano Calore (aka “Cyclist of the Impossible) rides on Europe’s steepest mountain roads playing different musical instruments along the way.
WAFFLE BIKE
USA 2008 | DV 7min.
Dir. Neistat Brothers and Tom Sachs
Tom Sach’s rides his Waffle Bike to Brooklyn.
MACAFRAMA
USA 2007 | HD 11min.
Dir. Colb y El rick
& Colin Arlen
Beautifully shot video showcasing some of the most talented street track riders on the west coast.
Lucas Brunele ’s Greatest Hits
USA 2006 | DV 12min.
Dir. Lucas Brunelle
Over two million people have downloaded his videos. Lucas takes a bike and a camera where no
woman or man has biked before.
WARRIORS: THE BIKE RACE
USA 2004 | Video 21min.
Dir. Christopher Ryan, Michael
Green, Jesse Ep stein
In August of 2002, over 800 bicycle riders descended upon New York City in the form of 89 gangs. Their goal: to live out the epic gang warfare movie known as THE WARRIORS. During the all night race from the Bronx to Coney Island, riders got lost, blood was shed, police outwitted, and countless brain cells destroyed. Most of what took place that night was thankfully never to be discussed again until…WARRIORS: THE BIKE RACE.
BIKES ROCK! Afterparty
9:00 pm
Great Scott
1222 Commonwealth Ave. Allston
Presented by THE WEEKLY DIG FREE Admission for BFF ticket holders Till 11:30PM
TEAM ROBES PIERRE (Brooklyn)
Truman Peyote
DJ Etan (Ninja Tune)
DJ Mark Pearson (Neptune)
SUNDAY AUGUST 17
BIKE-IN BRUNCH 11:30 AM
Urban Bike Ride 11:30 AM
Christian Science Center Plaza 175 Huntington Ave., Boston
BRUNCH 1:30 PM
Hosted by Grand
374 Somerville Ave, Somerville
For the most up to date information about the Bicycle Film Festival and related events
go to: www.bicyclefilmfestival.com
Admission price per program is $10.00 Order your tickets online before they sell out!! Presented by Brendt Barbur and Friends , and dedicated to the loving memory of his mother Toneta.
If you would like to download this whole thing and take it with you hit up this schedule (pdf)
Sure BostonBiker.org wants to be your one stop shop for all things bike in Boston, sure I spend way too much time scouring the nets/streets/email lists to keep the event calendar up to date and brimming with the latest and greatest goodies, and sure I am fantastically handsome, but the real stars of BostonBiker.org are the bloggers.
In case you didn’t know ANYONE is able to sign up for a fully featured, FREE, website though BostonBiker.org. If you look over there on the right you can see a list of all the people who already have, in order of when they last updated their sites.
We have an amazing array of people who have chosen BostonBiker.org as there platform of expression. We have bicycle retailers, advocacy groups (two!), personal bloggers, indoor racers, outdoor racers, you name it, if it has to do with bikes in Boston it’s here.
With that in mind I thought I would highlight some of our more active bloggers, I read there stuff every day, you should too! In no particular order here they are.
Allston-Brighton Bikes
This new, but growing fast, bicycle advocacy group sprung up in the Allston/Brighton area this year. They are already off to a good start, with monthly meetings, a planned helmet giveaway, and other events in the works. Keep an eye on these people, they are doing good work in AB. If you live in that area be sure to check out their site and get in contact with them.
DotBike
Dotbike…one word “WOW!” These people came out of nowhere to take Dorchester by storm this year. Monthly meetings, monthly rides, amazing website, great events, T-shirts, stickers, working with the city to improve bike facilities, working with the T, they even got mentioned in Bicycling magazine! If you live in Dorchester, bike through Dorchester, or have ever heard of Dorchester you need to check these people out. DotBike is a force, and anyone thinking of starting their own group would do well to check them out.
What I think
Everyone has their opinion, and What I Think is no different. Their fun sense of humor, and sometimes raw emotion make for excellent reading. Throw in a mix of bicycle racing humor, and bike industry insider gossip and you have a very excellent read. What I Think actually used our “import” feature to take a previous blog and import it wholesale to BostonBiker. If you want to import your blog simply sign up for a site, export your old blog (or use the tool we have) then import it into our system. All your old posts, pictures, everything will magic themselves into our system. If you blog with BostonBiker for a while and find that you don’t like it here, you can also use our Export feature to move your entire blog to a new home.
Right On Ride On
Another personal blog, Right On Ride On is a great at finding interesting tid bits from all over the web and sharing them with the readers. I always like checking out this site for the latest in bicycle related goodness the whole net over. Recently Right On has also been posting some interesting rides, and cool DIY projects.
Boston Bold Sprints
This winter there was a fun new racing activity in town. Two people, two bikes, and 1 minute of vomit inducing indoor sprinting fun. Bold Sprints was so much fun, and promises to be again, from what I have heard they have plans of brining it back this winter for more indoor racing action! Do you have a racing event and need a central repository for all your results, pictures, news, and events? Give Bostonbiker.org a try!
s-class
Wow, this one surprised me a bit. This mysterious person is making and giving away AMAZING bike hats. Something you would expect to pay $25+ for, he/she/them are giving away FOR FREE. I have been hoping and looking for one of those cool paper bags hanging on my bicycle. So far no luck. Give it a look, it looks like the project is just getting started. These hats are CHERRY, see a sampling below. If you like them perhaps you can beg whoever is behind s-class to send you one. Dear s-class if you read this, my head is without hat, perhaps you can send me one? You know just saying…
This is just a sampling of the people on this site, If you want to join the growing community of Boston area cyclists sign up now! It’s free, we offer lots of fun features, and I have been known to build custom themes for people who ask nicely. So what are you waiting for? Join now.
I’m still on that cheating high where you feel totally awesome because at least one person is sweating you hard enough not to care that you might actually be dating someone else.
Like when you get compliments and looks because of your shiny new bike and you totally forget about your trusty old beater and how you’re not even going to look at that new ride once it starts snowing.
Or like when the cute bike mechanic abandons the bike s/he’s fixing to look at yours. (But come on, like some dude’s mountain bike can really compete with your carbon frame, brakeless, fixed gear with 52/12 gearing, 650 on the front and 700 on the back?)
So I sent this hat out – to a (yet) undisclosed location. Via mail.
My bike probably hates me. But USPS is loving me…right?
You know you love watching these crazy people do amazing things…Enjoy.
(suck on that stupid!)
(watch close at the end, is that guy with the camera helmet someone we know?)
(I saw the fellows in wrestling masks playing this Saturday)
More below
The City of Boston is going to extend Bay State Bike Week all summer long. In this first of a kind event the city is going to be actually escorting people from all over the city to downtown. If you missed the very fun and very cool bay state bike week bike to work day you really should check this out.
Bike to City Hall Plaza with DotBike and others on Friday July 25th and again on Friday August 22.
City of Boston Bike Fridays
WHAT: SAFE, GUIDED CONVOYS WITH POLICE ESCORT Lead by experienced cyclists and escorted by Boston Police, convoys follow a fixed schedule and route and originate at locations throughout metro-Boston. All convoys finish at City Hall Plaza Boston.
FREE BREAKFAST, BIKE EXPO AND MUSIC Whether you ride in with a convoy or ride along, join us at Boston City Hall for free food and fun, courtesy of 100.7 WZLX, Mass Commute, Mass Bike, and all our sponsors.
SCHEDULE:
| 6:45 AM | Meet at convoy start. | See locations below. |
| 7:00 AM | Convoys depart. | See locations below. |
| 7:30-8:30 AM | Convoys arrive | City Hall Plz, Boston. |
| 8:00-10:00 AM | Free breakfast & fun. | City Hall Plz, Boston. |
WHERE: Rides start from various locations in metro-Boston. Cyclists can join the convoy at start location, or at any point along the route. See map for locations and times. Police escorts only available within Boston.
See the link above to register for free and more information including route maps.
Thanks for the heads up DotBike.
Barney’s Bicycle and the Seven Hills Wheelmen present:
The seventh annual
GEORGE STREET BIKE CHALLENGE for MAJOR TAYLOR … an uphill time trial …
Sunday, July 27, 2008
10:00 a.m.
Main & George streets
downtown Worcester, Mass.
See how fast you can pedal up one of Worcester’s steepest hills, a 500-foot quad-buster where “the Worcester Whirlwind,” 1899 world cycling champion Major Taylor, used to train. The average grade is 18 percent.
Open to ages 12 and up.
Entry fee $15.
Helmets required.
One rider at a time against the clock.
Got a minute? Check it out on video! (The video is only a few seconds longer than it takes to actually bike up the hill.)
Race-day registration: 8:30-9:45 a.m.
First rider starts at 10:00 sharp.
Medals will be awarded in various age categories for males and females, plus a tandem category.
Proceeds benefit the Major Taylor Association, Inc., which put up a statue of Taylor in May 2008 at the Worcester Public Library in Salem Square — the city’s first monument to an African-American. Proceeds will help MTA continue to educate people about Major Taylor’s life and legacy and to support the library’s statue maintenance fund.
BIKE RAFFLE! $5 per chance.
Win a 24-speed Giant OCR3 road bike from Barney’s, or a custom, limited-edition Major Taylor cycling jersey, or other cool stuff. Prize list and raffle tickets (click here)
You can order raffle tickets online or by mail: $5 per chance, or three for $12, or six for $20. Or get them at Barney’s Bicycle, 165 Chandler St., Worcester. Prize drawing will be approximately 1:00 p.m. July 27, at the conclusion of the George Street Bike Challenge. You do NOT have to be present to win.
Major Taylor cycling jerseys ($79):
WHO WAS MAJOR TAYLOR? Marshall W. “Major” Taylor (1878-1932) of Worcester was the world’s first black sports superstar. Known as “the Worcester Whirlwind” and “the colored cyclone,” he was world cycling champion in 1899, American sprint champion in 1900, and broke numerous track cycling records, at a time when cycling was more popular than baseball. He was the second black world champion in any sport (after bantamweight boxer George Dixon in 1891). He had to fight Jim Crow prejudice just to get on the starting line, and he faced closed doors and open hostility with dignity.
The Major Taylor Association is dedicated to honoring his athletic achievements and strength of character — sportsmanship, devotion to God, caring for those less fortunate, and personal struggle for equality.
More information, including last year’s results:
Barney’s Bicycle, 508-799-BIKE (799-2453)
Whirlwind Sponsor: Puma
Pacesetter Sponsors: Standard Auto; AdventureCORPS Media sponsors: Worcester Telegram & Gazette; Charter Communications
New this year:
Garden Fresh Courthouse Cafe is open at the foot of the hill. (menu)
I recommend their performance-enhancing muffins and cookies.
Got this great email today. I helped to start DotBike (and BostonBiker.org provides them with their website) so I am pretty proud to see them in Bicycling Magazine!
Got this email today.
Hi all,
We knew that Steve Madden, the editor of Bicycling magazine,
is from Dorchester and that the magazine had routinely ranked Boston as
one of the worst cycling cities in the country, so Debbie said “let’s
send Steve a shirt to let him know that we’re trying and besides he’ll
love the shirt”. So she did.We came home yesterday to the new issue of Bicycling magazine in our mailbox
and in a sidebar of Steve’s editorial there was this – and I quote:“There was a time when to ride a bike in Dorchester,
Massachusetts, my hometown, was to take your life into your hands. Not
anymore, thanks to the hardworking advocates at dotbike.org, who are
making the streets of Boston’s coolest neighborhood safe for things
besides hockey and loitering. Cool T-shirts, too.”
Steve Madden August Issue Bicycling MagazineSo thanks Steve and Bicycling magazine for the shout out, Andrew and
Urban Adventours for helping us with the shirts and Debbie for the
fantastic idea to send Steve a shirt.And for those of you who aren’t bike geeks like us this magazine is by far the most popular bicycing magazine around with a circulation of 410000 (according to their site).
And by the way, a couple of issues ago in their annual Best Biking Cities piece Boston
was no longer grouped with the worst but instead was given an “Heading in the right direction – future best” designation. We don’t think that the t-shirt had anything to do with this but you never know.cheers,
Andy
I have certainly seen a whole lot more bikes on the road since gas hit 4 dollars a gallon.
Instead of posting these one at a time I figure you all need a big dump of awesome. Enjoy.
Unfinished from Tony West on Vimeo.
Many More below the fold
The Mass BikePike Tour: August 14-17, 2008 Be part of this celebration of cycling in Massachusetts. This year, the bike tour travels from Sudbury to Northampton, with daily riding options ranging from 30 to 65 miles. Overnight camping (alternate options available), luggage transfer, transportation back to the start, breakfasts, catered dinners and a farewell lunch are all included.
Riders will receive maps, cue sheets, event SAG support, a commemorative T-shirt, and the camaraderie of friendly folks having a good time. And the final day will feature a parade of bikes along Main Street in Northampton.
Registration is limited to 100 and there are already over 70 people registered. So if you are interested, sign up soon. And best of all, proceeds go to support MassBike.
For more information and registration details, visit the web site at www.MassBikePike.org or call Bruce Lederer at 617-710-1832.
Nice work BNB, your bike-a-thon was AWESOME. To all the riders that braved the near 100 degree heat and suffocating humidity to ride your little fannies off for a good cause here is a message from the good folks at Bikes Not Bombs for you. With your help they raised over 100,000 dollars!
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU BIKE-A-THON RIDERS AND VOLUNTEERS! Over three hundred of you riders braved the sweltering heat on Sunday June 8th and made heroic rides. What a day! At 8:30 in the morning people were already sweating and looking for shade from the punishing sun as the line to check in for the 62 miler stretched across the field (we had about double the riders this year than last). Heat and humidity made the hard pedaling on the rides all the more challenging for all you 15, 25, and 62 riders, but reports are pouring in from riders who had a great day, who kept cool with fun and camaraderie.
You all accomplished an amazing thing for Bikes Not Bombs with your fundraising – $95,000 has come in so far and when the remaining pledges come in we’re looking at $105,000! Our most successful Bike-A-Thon before this raised $42,000, so we’ve more than doubled that record. This is an unbelievable success for Bikes Not Bombs! With your help, BNB is keeping up with its expansions in youth leadership and international work.
* Top fundraising riders were: JON McCURDY, JIM CAMPEN, VINCA JARRETT, JOHN-PAUL FERGUSON, and ESTHER CERVANTES
* A special thanks to BNB supporter STAN CHEN, who matched all BNB youth fundraising!
* Top fundraising team: ARON BOROS, ESTHER CERVANTES, JOHN-PAUL FERGUSON, RICHARD GRIJALVA, WILLIAM HUTCHINSON, PAULIE PENA IV, RACHEL TABAK, & SCOTT THOMSON as BIKES OVER BAGHDAD.A great big thanks also to the VOLUNTEERS who made June 8th possible: and there were a lot of you, every one so vital to pulling off such a large event!
We still want to hear from more of you on your experience – what went well and what we need to improve, and thanks to you who had to deal with the problem spots. Email Jasmine, Carl, and/or Arik. OR just fill out an online survey for Bike-A-Thon riders here.
The Green Roots Festival afterparty was fabulous, Elijah Evans, David McDonald, Nzhinga Webster, and Darren Fenty of BNB’s youth programs were amazing with the 30+ piece Branches Pan Groove Steel Orchestra (Dave and Elijah even rode the Bike-A-Thon before they played), and the keynote speakers: Bill McKibben, Khalida Smalls, City Councilor Chuck Turner, and BNB Director Kim Foltz made inspiring speeches – tying together the workshops’ themes. The Green Roots Festival was a great sharing place for folks of all different walks of urban life to explore ways to deepen their environmental knowledge and action, and it made some true connections for BNB to work with other environmental organizations more closely in the future.
Thanks to all of you who helped lead an environmental workshop, and to groups who came out to spread the word from info tables.
(see a list of workshops and organizations involved at http://www.bikesnotbombs.org/greenroots)Have a look at some of the some of the first photos to hit the web! These were taken by the photographer Silke Hase (of creativemomentz.com). Let us know if you have more to share.
An edited overview of Bill McKibben’s speech at Green Roots can be seen here:
Laurie Dougherty, Bike-A-Thon rider, posted a video and information about the Green Roots Festival on Dot Earth, a blog at the New York Times online run by NY Times science reporter Andrew Revkin. Dot Earth is about sustainability, energy, population, and environmental impacts of human behavior. Laurie’s great video covers some of the history of the SW corridor park (where the festival was held) which was saved from plans to put the interstate through Roxbury and Jamaica Plain, and instead became the park with bike paths, walking paths, green space, and submerged public transit and regional rail. Here’s the link to her blog post.
Amazing camera work on this one.
SF Track/Fixed Night Edit from Fonsecafilms on Vimeo.
This man is not un-small, his wheels are impressive in their toughness.
A Slow Wednesday Jam from Bootleg Sessions on Vimeo.
I have been getting lots of reports that the “death trap” tracks on Centre street in JP have been paved under! Hurray! No longer will you have to worry about your bike being snatched out from under you by vicious train tracks.
While I am not a big fan of removing public transport, it is clear that the trolleys in JP were not coming back, better to make the area more bike friendly by paving over them.
…crap this guy is fast.
Come on out, bring your best mallet, and your shittiest bike cause thing are gonna get awesome real fast!
July 12: Standard double-elimination tournament with prizes and trophies and glory!
July 13: GRUDGE MATCHES! Pick up games! Other events to be determined! More prizes!
Sponsors so far include Revolution, Geekhouse, Trimount Iron Works, and BostonBiker.org (thats us!). More to come!
So usually when people do stuff like this they have a special bike…that looks like a Cross or a Road bike…holy crap.
To give you an idea of what NORMAL people use for this sort of sport…
(note the much larger tiers, beefy frame, lack of seat, now you can appreciate how much harder the guy up top had it)
Could this be the great great gran’pappy of boldsprints? I love how the logs are not even smooth so it really simulates the track feel.
That’s right kids, May is national bike month, and starting tomorrow, Bay State Bike Week kicks off. This is going to be a week of bike related awesomeness. Things kick off Monday with a press conference/mini bike ride at government center. Menino will be holding it down at 2pm SHARP, come throw down for bicycles with the mayor, myself, and a bunch of other bikers. Hit up Government Center (that brick wasteland in front of city hall) at exactly 2pm, it promises to be a good time.
Also if you haven’t already you should register for the 50,000 mile commuter challenge. I think the total is already over 90k and they are trying to push it to 100k! Register the amount of miles you are going to ride your bike next week. Find more details here.
I will also be posting a list of events below..
Sunday, May 11
“Driving Your Bicycle” class, sponsored by Northampton Cycling Club, 9:30-11am or 1:30-3pm, 301 Seelye Hall, Smith College, Northampton
Mother Earth Community Bike Ride, 1-2pm, Pulaski Park, Northampton (potluck picnic to follow)
Mary Serreze, Live Radio Discussion: “Cycling Advocacy in Northampton”, 8-9pm, Valley Free Radio 103.3 FM
Monday, May 12
Highland Bike/Hardware Breakfast, 7-9am, 917 Hampden St, Holyoke
University Park Bike Breakfast, 7:30-9am, Cambridge
Community Bike Ride, sponsored by UMASS Cycling Club, 1pm, Haigis Mall, UMASS Amherst
Film Fest, 1:30-5pm, Jones Library, 43 Amity St, Amherst
1:30-2 “Enjoy the Ride”
2-3 “Contested Streets”
3-5 “The Day I Became a Woman” & assorted short films
12th Annual Redbones Bike Party & Benefit
RESCHEDULED DUE TO RAIN, RAIN DATE MAY 19
“Share the Road” Clinic and Bike Ride, 6pm, New Horizons, 55 Franklin St, Westfield
Film: “Middle of the World”, sponsored by Smith College, 7pm, Stoddard Hall, Smith College, Northampton
Films: “Return of the Scorcher” and “We Are Traffic!”, 7pm, Pelham Public Libary, Pelham (followed by talk with filmmaker Ted White)
Tuesday, May 13
Breakfast & Events, Holyoke Community College
Breakfast, sponsored by Baystate Health, Springfield Business Improvement District,, Greater Springfield YMCA, Partners for a Healthier Community, and Fit to Ride, 7-9am, Springfield YMCA, 275 Chestnut St
Breakfast, 7-9am, Flye Cycles, 22 Amherst Rd (Rt 116), Sunderland
Breakfast, 7-10am, New Horizon Sports, 55 Franklin St, Westfield
Breakfast, 7-8:30am, Dotbike, 1739 Dorchester Ave. Dorchester
Alewife Bike Breakfast, 7:30-9am, Cambridge
Broadway Bicycle School Pancake Breakfast, 7:30-9:30am, 351 Broadway, Cambridge
Film Fest: “Beijing Bicycle” and two short films, 3-5pm, Jones Library, 43 Amity St, Amherst
MassBike Volunteer Night, 5-8pm, 171 Milk St., Boston
Wednesday, May 14
Breakfast, 7-10am, Court House Lawn, Northampton
Harvard Square Bike Breakfast, 7:30-9:30am, Cambridge
Breakfast, 8-10am, Mickey’s Bike Shop, 520 East St, Chicopee
Community Bike Ride, sponsored by UMASS Cycling Club, 4pm, Haigis Mall, UMASS Amherst
Dotbike’s Monthly Ride home event. 5:30pm Boston Common, Boston
Film: “A Sunday in Hell”, 7pm, Forbes Library, Northampton
Thursday, May 15
Breakfast, sponsored by Baystate Health, Springfield Business Improvement District,, Greater Springfield YMCA, Partners for a Healthier Community, and Fit to Ride, 7-9am, Court Square, 1277 Main St, Springfield
Breakfast, 7-10am, Trailside Bicycles, 8 Railroad St, Hadley
Kendall Square Bike Breakfast, 7:30-9am, Cambridge
Bike Tour: “At Risk Farmland”, sponsored by Kestrel Trust, 4:30pm, Norwottock Rail Trail entrance at Whole Foods, Hadley
Free Bike Fit Analysis, 5-7pm, New Horizons, 55 Franklin St, Westfield
Framingham Ride Of Silence, 6pm click here for more details (pdf)
Film: The Collective’s “Seasons”, presented by Cycle Loft, 7pm, Regent Theatre, Arlington
Lecture: “Rail Trail Development: Southern New England/Mass Central Rail Trail”, 7-9pm, Jones Library, 43 Amity St, Northampton
Friday, May 16
National Bike to Work Day/Bay State Bike Day
Bike Convoys, 6:45-9am, locations in Boston and Cambridge
Bike Buddies, 6:45-9am, self-scheduled
Breakfast Pit Stop, 7-10am, City Hall Plaza, Boston
Goodie Zones, 7-10am, locations in Boston
Breakfast & Events, 7-10:30am, Town Common, Amherst
Lunch, sponsored by The People’s Pint, 12-2pm, Bicycle World, 104 Federal St, Greenfield
Film Fest, 4-9pm, 101 Bangs Center, 70 Boltwood Walk, Amherst
4-6:45 Assorted Short Films
7-9 “The Bicycle Thief”
Roadside Repair Clinic, 6pm, New Horizons, 55 Franklin St, Westfield
Cambridge Bicycle Commuter Appreciation Day, 7:30-9, Kendall Square, Central Square, Harvard Square, and Alewife/Minuteman Bikeway
Saturday, May 17
Berkshire Brevet Bash Bish 300K Ride, 3am, New Horizons, 55 Franklin St, Westfield (yes, 300K – this is a 20 hour ride!)
Northampton Community Bike Ride, sponsored by Northampton Cycling Club, 10am, Pulaski Park
Ride: ‘Trails, Sails, Rails and Wheels -
Cambridge Transportation History’, presented by Cambridge Bicycle Committee, 10:15am, Cambridge
Common
Community Bike Ride, sponsored by UMASS Cycling Club, 1:30pm, Town Common, Amherst
Sunday, May 18
Breakfast Fundraiser for Manhan Rail Trail, 8-11am, American Legion Post, 190 Pleasant St, Easthampton
BIKE-Arlington Tour, 9:30am,
behind the Jefferson Cutter House, Arlington Center
Bike Newton Event, 12-2:30pm, City Hall, Newton
Brookline Bikes Beacon Bicycle Parade, 12:30pm, Amory Playground, Brookline
Community Bike Ride, 1pm, Look Park, Northampton (potluck picnic to follow)
Geekhouse Bikes Open House, 2-8pm, 15 West Sorrento St, Allston
Monday, May 19
12th Annual Redbones Bike Party & Benefit, 5-9pm, 55 Chester St., Somerville
THE RESCHEDULED, BUT STILL NOT-TO-BE-MISSED KICKOFF OF METRO BOSTON BIKE WEEK!
Wednesday, May 21
Major Taylor Statue Dedication, 12pm, Worcester Public Libary
Ride of Silence, 7:00pm, East Longmeadow
Ride of Silence, 6:45pm, Pulaski Park, Northampton
Ride of Silence, 6:45pm, Seven Hills Park, Davis Sq., Somerville
Friday, May 30
Walk Ride Day, All day! Cambridge, Boston, Somerville
Geekhouse bikes front man Marty (thats their logo down in the right hand corner check them out) put together this sweet as hell tall bike. I am digging the green/yellow spray job, as well as the clean lines. Nothing says “man about town” than a bright green/yellow tall bike.
So I built a pursuit tall bike… I literally built the whole bike from start to finish in about two days. Thanks to Mark B, Buckley, Dan StG, Logan, and Pete S for helping me with everything this past Sat. We were literally on a mission to get frame and parts all rattle-canned and ready to go. It was kind of crazy because the weather Sat was beautiful, then crazy thunderstorms rolled in and there were lightening flashes going on in the background while we were trying to paint it. I decided to call the bike Frankendork, and I really felt like a mad scientist welding this thing together. A lot of the tubing was from scrap or extra lying around the shop, but the front is double butted deddacchi, meaning it’s probably one of the nicest build tall bikes I’ve ever seen. Anyway, I hope everyone gets a kick out of it. Thanks!
-Marty
STREET TALK! (This coming TUESDAY)
The New Amsterdam Project: Human powered cargo trikes; paving the way for sustainable delivery services
Tue. Apr. 29, 7 – 8:30 pm
by Andrew Brown, founder and CEO of the New Amsterdam Project @ LivableStreets office space, 100 Sidney Street, Central Square, Cambridge
free and open to the public, donation suggested, beer/sodas provided compliments of Harpoon Brewery!
Attend, learn & be inspired by the recently launched, Cambridge-based bicycle delivery service, the New Amsterdam Project (NAP). NAP provides human-powered pick-up and delivery services for local businesses, organizations and universities. Founder and CEO, Andrew Brown will be discussing the inspiration behind the cargo-trike fleet and how the company will transform the Boston metro area.
When it comes to urban delivery services, the New Amsterdam Project’s fleet of human-powered trikes is quickly becoming a strong competitor to conventional vans and trucks. Thanks to their compact design, these cargo vehicles –which accommodate up to 600 lbs.– can easily navigate urban congestion and require a fraction of the space otherwise needed for parking/ delivery by a car, van or truck. And, as a zero-emissions transportation service; the NAP is able to offer clients and their communities an environmentally sound alternative for their transportation needs. Their clients include: Boston Organics, Taza Chocolate, Petsi Pies, and many others.
The New Amsterdam project was recently featured in a Christian Science monitor article: “Cargo trikes nudge delivery trucks in Cambridge, Mass.; A Cambridge, Mass., delivery company is using industrial tricycles to deliver goods in efforts to curb global emissions.”
This event is sponsored by LivableStreets Alliance
Below are a list of some great Volunteer opportunities that you can jump on. I have it on good account that there is always free pizza AND BEER at these things (at least the ones put on by MassBike I am pretty sure that the other ones don’t BUMMER!). The below text was send to me in an Email. Get back to Dorothy at MassBike if you are interested in any of these (dorothy@massbike.org)
—
1) BayState Bike Week- we need your extra hands for all sorts of jobs
Bay State Bike Week is just a few weeks away and at the MassBike office we are entering the home stretch. We have the following task to take care of, when you respond please let me know which one you are available for.
1. Stuffing the Bay State Bike Week “Goody” Water Bottles
On Tuesday, May 6th (the regular MassBike Volunteer time 5pm-8pm) we will be assembling the Bay State Bike Week “Goody” Water Bottles. The Water Bottles will include bike related schwag that will be distributed to Bike Week participants; make sure you register: you, your friends, your neighbor’s cat, etc….
You can register for Bay State Bike Week HERE
2. Assembling the Bay State Bike Week Spoke Cards
Also on Tuesday, May 6th at the MassBike office we aim to be assembling the Spoke Cards for Bay State Bike Week. In the
event that you are not familiar with Spoke Cards, think of when you were a kid and use to stick baseball cards in your spokes.
3. Leading/ assisting with the Bicycle Convoys that begin at points outside of Boston and end at Government Center
On the morning of Friday, May 16th, there will be a number of Bicycle Convoys that will be making their way from points outside of Boston in to government center. Think of this as a “bicycle train”; the ride makes pre-determined stops along a mapped out route where cyclists can either join or break away from the group.
We need assistance with the routes: handing out waivers, keeping riders together, etc.. And the routes are as follows:
Dorchester, Allston, JP, West Roxbury/ Roslindale. We are also specifically looking for two-three volunteers to lead the Cambridge convoy. The route will begin on the Min. Man path right beyond Alewife and depart around 7:15/ 7:30am.
All other departure times will be around the same time. Please note that the convoys will be traveling at a easy pace so as to accommodate all levels of cyclists.
4. Signing up to be a “Bike Buddy”
We are looking for experienced cyclists (read: you are comfortable leading another person on bike) to be “Bike Buddies”. Veterans like yourself are encouraged to take the lead by finding a non-cyclists friend and volunteer to be his/her personal cycling guide and mentor for one day, or if you are both up for it, the entire Bay State Bike Week. All that is required is door-to-door service and lots of encouragement!
Flexibility is key with this job. It might mean you go 20 mins out of your way to accommodate your “buddy’s” schedule. But, keep in mind, that extra attention might be just the thing that gets your buddy from thinking about bicycle commuting to actually bicycle commuting. So, please budget the extra time needed to help your “buddies” feel comfortable.
5. Government Center, MassBike Tent, Friday May 16th
MassBike will be managing the final destination point –Government Center– for all the bicycle convoys. We will need assistance from 7am-10am on handing out “goody bottles”, food, etc….
2) Counting Bicyclists with the Central Transportation Planning Staff (CTPS)
On Saturday May 3rd & Tuesday May 6th, The CTPS will be conducting users (cyclists, walkers, skaters, etc..) counts on the the below listed trails and MassBike is lending a hand to find volunteers. We need your help! These counts will not only indicate existing usage but also help to predict volumes on future facilities. The CTPS will provide all of the necessary equipment; if it rains, no worries, there will be a rain date!
Please be in touch as to what date you are available and which path (if any works best for you)
1. Dr. Paul Dudley White Path (Charles River)
2. Minuteman Bikeway
3. Cape Cod Rail Trail
4. Norwottuck
5. Upper Charles Trail
6. Nashua River Rail Trail
7. Assabet River Rail Trail
8. Shining Sea Trail
9. Cape Cod Canal
10. Mass Central
11. Ashuwillticook River Trail
3) Counting Bicyclists on the Somerville Community Path
Steve Winslow with the City of Somerville is looking for volunteers to do bike counts on Saturday, May 3rd. The counts will focus on the Community Path but also on other streets around the city. If you’re interested in helping, please contact Steve directly. His e-mail address is SWinslow@somervillema.gov.
Monday, May 12 from 5 to 9pm
Raffle drawing @ 7:30 pm
Raffle prizes will include T-shirts, Gift Certificates & lots of swag plus some sweet bikes:
* ANT Bike:
Custom Cargo Bike, value $3,000
* Landry’s:
Felt Curbside single-speed bike, donated by Landry’s Bicycles. Value $700.
* Urban AdvenTours:
Bike tour for 4, value $200
“No other event amasses such a range of cycling flavors: the fixed gear messenger crowd, the mountain bikers, the commuters, the three-speeders, the chopper element, the road racers, the freeriders. All gathered together for some fun, some BBQ, some brew, some music and some mayhem…”
– Phil Keyes, Executive Director of NEMBA.
Rain Date: May 19
Come for the party, come for the cause…
come for the prizes!
$15 gets you food & drink, bicycle valet parking, music, and 2 raffle tickets. Additional raffle tickets are $2.00 each or three for $5.00 – and you’ll want extras because our sponsors are donating some awesome prizes including the Grand Prize – a cargo bike from Alernative Needs Transportation! Also maps, swag, t-shirts, gift certificates & more swag.
Live music by The SAPS – 2nd Line Social Aid & Pleasure Society Brass Band: we aim to please if the cause is true and the time is right.
Party proceeds go to NEMBA & MassBike
This looks like a pretty awesome event, I know I will be there.
More info here.
Only in Japan, land of wonder, and giant monsters. This thing looks like it could eat your bike alive and not even notice, but it sure as hell is cooler than any way we have figured out how to park bikes here.
Not that you would ever want to leave Boston, but you know if the mob was after you and you had to move to California here is a pretty sweet job you could have.
If you are interested in making a difference in San Francisco, while also making an exciting career move, check out our announcement of several open and newly created SFBC staff positions:
http://www.sfbike.org/?jobs . The SFBC is looking to hire dynamic, committed individuals for the following positions:* Development Director, a full-time position leading the SFBC’s fundraising programs, including events, major donor outreach, grant writing, and sponsorship development
* Membership and Development Assistant, a new full-time position supporting the SFBC’s growing membership and development programs; and
* Bookkeeper, a new part-time position supporting the SFBC’s Operations Director in ongoing bookkeeping needs.
Boston will be participating in the 8th annual Global Gutz alleycatthis year. Our race is starting at 10PM SHARP at St. Stephens church on Hanover St. 10PM means 10PM, so don’t be late, and please don’t get there before 9:45. No registration, racing for bragging rights. Top global time for male and female contestants wins a ticket to the CMWC in Toronto! The format and race rules are available at the Global Gutz site. Party to follow with the BBMA’s favorite host DJ Ghostdad, with all refreshment sales benefiting the BBMA.
(be sure to check out the BBMA for more awesome events)
If you thought bike polo was hard, take a peek at this…
(be sure to check out the awesome diving front wheel save by the umm goalie at 45 seconds in, pure awesome)
Combining track stand mastery with crazy ass bikes these guys have some serious balance and must spend a fortune in wheels. Cycle ball or Radball is basically two on two soccer with a bikes. I imagine that the first couple times you try it you are just trying to avoid impalling yourself on the bars, and the rest of the time you spend trying not to run into the other players. I am digging the low rider seat configuration, and wicked snaps they seem to be able to get with the front bars.
More below.
Seems like some people over at Suffolk are on to something. Check out this very nice video they have made.
I can’t wait to see what else they come up with
It’s a real shame the cops in Toronto didn’t like this sweet sweet machine, don chya know? I mean dey jus wanted to go for a ride, eh? Shame. I don’t know what all the trouble is aboot.
But it seems they won the court battle! Hurray for great justice!
Despite an absence of floorboards, windows, a license plate or driving lights, Mr. De Broin said his car breaks no laws and is not dangerous.
“The car is not efficient as a transport vehicle, and it is too ambivalent to serve any cause except one: The right to go slow,” said Mr. de Broin. “The problem for the court will be to argue that the Shared Propulsion Car can be dangerous while we all know the danger remains in the use of petrol cars.”
I have been informed by good sources that MassBike’s Bike night and Silent Auction now features more awesome! They are allowing new membersto sign up for a membership and get in FOR FREE! (you still got to pay for the membership)
More info on their website MassBike.org (click the link under the picture)
I worked up this little video from some footage I had taken at the second Boldsprints (I know the video is dark, but hey it was a very dark bar!). Find out more about this great event here. These guys and gals could really get the pedals moving. The stage would vibrate with the sheer force of it. All the while surrounded by cheering screaming fans. It is a fantastic event and even if you don’t race you should show up 4/7 to check out the next one. Check the event calendar (over there on the right) for more details.
Highlights:
I know for a fact that puking does and has happened after this sort of event, so you know, thats one more reason to show up!
Do you recognize yourself in this video? Drop me a comment to let me know when (time) and who you are (red/yellow).
I have it on good account that MassBike is going to have a big ass Bike Night this year.
Monday, March 31, 2008
6-9pm
Ryles Jazz Club
212 Hampshire Street, Inman Square, Cambridge
ADVANCE TICKETS RECOMMENDED: Tickets may not be available at the door!
$30 members/$45 non-members
I am not going to lie, its kind of pricey to get in the door but the silent auction this year promises to kick some serious ass. They have over 6000 dollars in schwag right now, with more rolling in every day. Everything from a $900 Pedros tool kit, to a bunch of messenger bags, gift certificates, posters, stickers, serious bike security chains (these things are very heavy duty), wool jerseys, normal jerseys, hubs, bike parts, coffee, beer, chocolate, yoga stuff, restaurant gift certificates, etc. It is a freaking mountain of stuff, and the stuff at the silent auction rarely goes for more than 50% retail cost, so its a great place to find a good deal and support MassBike, plus your $30/$45 gets you dinner.
Their will be valet bike parking, and a cash bar.
It might not be for everyone, but the schwag mountain this year seems really aimed at a younger crowd, and they seem to be f packaging everything into “gift mounds” so you can pick and choose between various awesome prize packs.
more info here, (including a ever growing list of donations for the auction)
I just wanted to say that BoldSprints is turning out to be one of the most fun things I have done in a long time. Sweaty faced competitors surrounded by a sea of insane screams pushed out past smiling faces. Amazing. See results here. If you look close you will see that I have not gotten much faster. But in my defense, the resistance was much more brutal even so it was harder to get really fast times.
The next races are on the following days, bring your bike and race till you puke!
4/7 6:00
4/20 6:30
5/11 6:30
These are all going down at the All Asia Bar in Cambridge. If you raced at Bold Sprints 3 you are into the Omnium Series and as such you are building up points so be sure to race in the next three as well.
For a much more eloquent and well written review be sure to check out Embrocations very nice writeup of the event.
I long ago gave up doing the whole bended arm for right, straight out for left, or was it the other way around…no matter, the reason I gave it up was cause no one else knows what they mean either. I now simply point in the direction I want to go, most often repeatedly, like a meat and bone turn signal. Even then people only pay attention half the time. I quick turn of the head, followed by a ginger and swift taking of the lane seems to be the most effective method.
But I had one of these bad boys, well things would be different.
From here, using this to build it.
I might actually try and make this, as I have had good luck with other DIY electronic projects, which I will have to show off in a further post.
When: March 16th 6pm
Where: All Asia Bar Cambridge (334 Mass Ave)
What: Freaking awesome!
Who: You, be there!
How: The power of your own two legs, and the desire to go faster than anyone else.
Check out pictures from the last event here.
This is just great. All of 5 inches big, and complete down to the bike chain, amazing!
It will go great with your super tight pants, and your mini u-lock.
(via <- click for more pictures of this little marvel)
Seriously this is awesome.
These people know what they are doing, this is perfect. Dear Boston, we need this kind of advertising. Boston of course would need to customize it for our special needs (their might need to be swearing and horn honking), but you know we could pull this off.
Sunday March 2nd 6 to 9:30
BE THERE!
If you missed it the first time, be sure to get out and race at this one!
This is great.
Does the snow/rain mega mix got you down? Tired of pushing your tires through mounds of slush and salt? Forgot what the sun looks like? We have the perfect remedy for your winter blues. INDOOR SPRINTS!
Sunday Feb 17th 5-8pm
All Asia Bar
334 Mass Ave. Cambridge
Go fast, race, win, puke!
This promises to be epic, you know you don’t want to miss it.
