Great Streets - Healthy Communities 2012

Tomorrow morning there is a very exciting lecture at the University of Memphis. If you ever have felt like you live on a nice street but there were things that could be made nicer, or that you have hesitations about biking across major streets or even that Memphis just isn't living up to it's potential, you need to attend this event.

"Great Streets - Healthy Communities 2012 is about designing and building active community environments. Guest Speakers are:
Adetokunbo "Toks" Omishakin, Assistant Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Transportation
Barbara McCann, Executive Director, National Complete Streets Coalition
About Great Streets-Healthy communities 2012:
Explore the impact of the built environment on sense of community, livability, physical activity and public health;
Consider the design and policy influences on the choices we make about how we build activity friendly environments;
Engage in discussion and dialogue about policy change and implementation to re-think how we design and build active community environments."

Register here. Now.

Meditations on Two Wheels

My friend Elizabeth sent this to me. I don't think I know this guy Robert Rowan. I may have met him once or twice but you know what? I love the fact that I don't really know him.

Memphis Bicycle - Live From Memphis Rooftop

Coming Soon!

T-shirts are being printed and will be available at Bike To Work Day and Bikesploitation.

Tiger Lane Tonight

It's pretty windy out today. Better leave those deep dish wheels at home. To see more photos from last weeks race check out Nathan W. Berry's website.

Bicycle Shaker!

Cort has been looking for a new shaker for weeks now! I know this isn't really what he wants, but I had to post it!

Available at Chic Shop.

No Wheels Left Behind

I saw these on the street while I was walking the puppy that we are watching. I'm pretty sure the city has plans to ADA Code every sidewalk curb, but it's still nice that people are looking out for everyone.

Hard Day's Bike

My Nashvillain friend Clayton posted up a movie he made about the trials of life messengering in Nashville. And that lion looking dude is none other than ex-Memphian Chase Hardin! I know these dudes are super busy at Green Fleet Messengers so it's awesome for them to take the time and do something like this.

Keep in mind that this video is a work of fiction. View it here on Vimeo. Password: skumlife

Pedicabbies Wanted for Memphis In May

Want to make some quick money pedaling beautiful people around downtown Memphis?

While we stopped for provisions (beer) on the Thursday Night Ride we chatted with Evan And Chris from Memphis Pedicab Company. They were getting candy. Quick energy. Chris mentioned that they have another Pedicab that is getting wrapped and are looking for a driver to handle the Memphis In May traffic. You know you won't be able to park anywhere near Tom Lee Park so when the Trolleys get all crowded these are going to be the go-to form of transportation. Cash in on it by contacting Chris via their facebook or phone: 901-832-7386.

Electric Rentals Downtown - Soon!

While finishing up the Thursday Night Ride we cruised by Madison and Main. Live From Memphis was projecting a film onto the side of the WellWorx building and as we stopped we noticed the several electric assist bikes in the window.


Sorry for the crappy pics.

Speaking of Bike Art

We have a lot of super talented artists and graphic designers in Memphis and I would love to see them get together and do a poster show similar to Art Crank. If anybody feels inclined to organize one I would throw a little bit of energy behind it.

The Incomplete Guide To Bicycle Tailgating

So I cleaned out the cooler and then, well, then we decided to pack light and not bring chairs or anything. So the tailgating checklist is still waiting to be checked. Em's red bike has a basket on the front so we put a coupla beers in there and rode over to Tiger Lane. The races went by so fast that there was really no need to even sit down. We may have to wait on the Bicycle Race Tailgating checklist for a while. As for the race, several photographers were taking photographs so I'm sure there will be some pics up on the web soon-like. Congratulations to all the guys and gals who placed tonight!

And Two More Missed Connections

Bike rider on Madison - w4m - 27 (Midtown)

Date: 2012-03-29, 9:36PM CDT
Reply to: ghptz-2930065469@pers.craigslist.org

You were riding your bike down Madison tonight. We both turned onto Mclean. Then you appeared again while I was standing in the road helping my friend with her bike. If you are that sexy bike rider...tell me what I was wearing..
Location: Midtown
it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
PostingID: 2930065469


Sexy Bicycle - w4m - 29 (Harbert Ave.)

Date: 2012-03-16, 7:05PM CDT
Reply to: z9jzb-2906278300@pers.craigslist.org

You told me you liked my bike. I like yours too. I'll let you take it for a spin sometime. Can I ride yours?
Location: Harbert Ave.
it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
PostingID: 2906278300

If you ladies start putting in descriptions of the bikes these dudes were riding I'm positive we could help you find them!

The Trails of Love

Shelby Farms on Tour da Wolf Trail - m4w - 29 (SHELBY FARMS)

Date: 2012-04-01, 5:00PM CDT
Reply to: rzvq8-2934809256@pers.craigslist.org

Hello. This is my first time doing this and I feel that it will lead nowhere, but I will give it a try. I was riding my Mt. bike today on tour the wolf trail when I ran in to you. I had to stop to let you pass and I felt such strong chemistry between us. I wore black Adidas shorts and I had a white Italy jersey on. You wore a red shirt, and dark pants. There was a sweet puppy with you. I think that he was some kind of a blood hound but he was medium to small size. I can not stop thinking about you, and in case you read this please respond. I would love to take you out on a date and get to know you :) I have a good feeling about it.
P.S. you have dark complexion.
Location: SHELBY FARMS
it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
PostingID: 2934809256

Thursday Night Ride - The Return

Meet at Revolutions (Cooper side) at 8:30. Ride leaves shortly thereafter. No cruisers. No trailers. Bring your own flat kits. Fixed gear if you got it. I promise to bring the ugliest mash up of a fixed gear I can part together.

And make sure your crank arms, bottom brackets, pedals, etc... are securely attached.

Bikesploitation II - Moved to May 19th

You still have 2 days to submit your film!

Art Bike Parade

I love to see other people making stuff happen in Memphis. Aimee is coordinating an Art Bike Parade and if I didn't have other obligations I would be there in force. So if you go please take lots of pictures.

Get more info and stay up-to-date via the Facebook event page.

Be In A Commercial

From Kyle Wagenschutz:

"I need some volunteers to help with a video shoot tomorrow for some upcoming bike safety PSA's. I just need folks to ride their bikes (with helmets) along the new facilities and smile while doing it! PM me if you are interested in helping out - Otherwise, I'll have to be the star in each video....

We'll be at the following locations at the indicated times to start shooting:

1:30pm - Front St @ MLK, Jr. Ave. (Downtown)

3:30pm - McLean Blvd. @ Tutwiler Ave. (Midtown)"

That's tomorrow, as in Tuesday, the 17th of April. Go and make it look busy!

Volunteers Wanted

So the Revolutions 10 Year Anniversary and mixed terrain alleycat is coming up and while it would be amazing to be at every checkpoint and take pictures and high five everyone, it's physically impossible. So I'm asking for your help. Please contact me if you are available on Monday, May 28th, 2012 from 10AM to 12PM. That's Memorial Day, so make sure you don't have any family plans. fixmemphis@yahoo.com Awesome.

Fixed Gear Memphis

The majority of the "track" bikes that I see in the shop are set up single speed and on the Cycle Memphis ride I think there were but a few people actually riding fixed. So does anyone in Memphis still ride fixed gear?

I'm actually thinking about a new frame. Maybe someone will let me borrow a bike so I can remind myself why I started riding and perhaps, why I stopped. 56cm, y'all.

Shortcuts

Passover limits options for food. Even though we're doing a "Passover Light" kind of thing where we're just not eating leavened bread (because technically you can't have rice or beans or tons of other stuff like beer [as if...]) it is still difficult to find good things to eat. I can only order so many sandwiches without the bread! So Em and I wanted to ride over to The Cove for sardines. The Cove's sardines are not the canned kind you eat with crackers and mustard but they also aren't the huge ones that you get in tapas in Spain:


Yes, that is a for real Spanish tapas, that you get FOR FREE when you order a beer. Oh you thought tapas bars were cool in the USA?

Anyways, the fun part of getting over to Broad is cutting through the Old Forest.



So we get over there and The Cove is closed. Not open yet. So we pedaled down to 3 Angels and had a super good lunch.

Broad Avenue is having their Spring Art Walk today from 5-10PM. Perhaps you can go to The cove and grab some of those sardines.

Hot Balls

The polo guys got some new balls tonight. I've got some more pics but I'm gonna save them and let Brett or Memphis Polo "break" the news.

(Single) Speeding Through Midtown

As if coffee on the porch in the late morning wasn't awesome enough, it just turned out to be an amazing afternoon for riding around, Frisbee, bouldering, then gelato.

Cycle Memphis - April 14th

(flyer date correction forthcoming?)
Toxic Morning + Cycle Memphis Evening? Maybe Half-Toxic? Maybe? Wanna go?

Bicycle Race Tailgating

So much stuff has been happening lately (filming, Passover(s), Paris Roubaix, working like crazy busy) that it will be nice to take a minute and relax. Last year's Tiger Lane Crit Series was incredibly fun, filled with awesome bicycles and great beer; not to mention Trek LiveSTRONG U23 rider Nathan Brown putting the hurt on the 1,2,3's!

This year I'm going to finalize a comprehensive plan for bicycle race tailgating consisting of six main elements (this list actually started with 4, so if I add elements as the race draws closer don't be surprised.):

1. Bicycle
2. Trailer
3. Cooler
4. Beer
5. Water
6. Chairs

Those are the essentials. There may be another element: grill. (See, I'm already starting to add stuff) That would open up several options for food but I'm kinda thinking a 1/2 and 1/2 slab from Central BBQ, a wholly Memphis way to enjoy a race.

Memphis Cycle Track

By now you've heard the announcement that Memphis was selected as one of six cities to receive technical assistance from Bikes Belong in developing a cycle track. A cycle track is a kind of hybrid bike path. Imagine the Shelby Farms Greenline if it ran parallel to a road, separated by a curb or other partition.

What really helped Memphis get selected is that we already have some working plans for a cycle track: the Overton-Broad Connector. Livable Memphis has done an incredible job giving the Connector project legs to stand on and I look forward to seeing what everyone comes up with that will make biking safer for Memphis. Here's a nice video that gives a few more details:

V&E Artwalk!!! Free Fun and for a Great Cause!!

Saturday, April 21
10:30 am to 6:00 pm
(rain date April 22)

The V&E Greenline is jumping on board with an art walk! There will be art vendors (from students to students-turned-professionals), food,and music! All of these ingredients are known event pleasers so come on down and bring your crew to support your blossoming city. Visit http://veca.org/ve-art-walk/ for more ( and updated) info.

If you know of an interested artist or would like to contribute in any way, please contact Alex Smythe of the V&E Greenline Committee at 901.461.4387 or via email at thealexsmythe@gmail.com.

Volunteers Wanted For Bike To Work Day

Some of you probably have the idea that Em and I just sit around talking about bicycles and ways to make people more aware of bicycles. Let me assure you, that is almost completely true. In a recent conversation we had a nice idea that seemed easy to do and sounds like it will be quite effective. Part of having a good idea is getting it in the hands of someone who can implement that idea. We worked with Dawn Vinson of the Downtown Memphis Commission and now we want your help to make this idea a reality.

We want you to ride your bicycle around downtown. Easy! We want you to ride in business or business casual attire (bizness attire is, unfortunately, not what we're after). Super easy! We want you to do so with a piece of paper on which a QR code is printed. Can this get any easier! You can do it anytime between April 30th and May 17th at any time you choose (preferably during the day but nighttime works as well). Flexibility! If you are interested contact Dawn at 901-575-0555 or vinson@downtownmemphis.com.

Tour De Grizz

Yes, I took this image directly from their website. (Why don't you guys spread this image around so I can steal a better one?)

Tour De Grizz is always a great ride: valet inside parking and escorted round trip, not to mention the free t-shirt! And New Belgium is a sponsor this year! Click here to buy your tickets.

Also, because this falls on the first Saturday of the month, Cycle Memphis has rescheduled their monthly ride for the 14th of April.

Stolen Bike Alert!

John Gemmill's custom Magnolia was stolen. This is a custom steel frame and as such, I don't think it has a serial number. Brooks saddle, Campagnolo components. John's phone number is 901-833-2315.