38 inches of snow on the ground
40 mph gusts
30 psi
21 degrees
5 guys making a snowboarding video dragged behind a landrover
3 hour ride
and 500 snowball fighters
If only I'd brought my camera. Memphis, you would love this.
Thinking of you,
Josh
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
blizzard ride
38 inches of snow on the ground
40 mph gusts
30 psi
21 degrees
5 guys making a snowboarding video dragged behind a landrover
3 hour ride
and 500 snowball fighters
If only I'd brought my camera. Memphis, you would love this.
Thinking of you,
Josh
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Some new blogs to check out
I've added a couple of blogs to our "The Latest" list. One is from Little Rock and the other 4 are local. Can you believe that? Four more Memphis cycling blogs. Give them a visit and make friends:
Little Rock Bike Polo - Just like it says.
Dirty South Racing - This blog from Clark Butcher, one of Memphis's most respected racers, is mostly about waffles, it seems. But there is some cycling and running thrown in for good measure.
Zach's Bicycle Commuting - Zach lives in the 'Burbs and tries to use his bike more than his car. He also helps with WalkBike Memphis.
Gotta Be Gritty - Brett rides a fixed gear, plays polo, and takes pictures of public art. And makes crazy spoke cards as well, then loses them. Help him find them!
Cyklopath - Jeremy has one of the prettiest cross bikes I've seen and being an alumnus of the University of Memphis, sponsors their Mountain Bike team.
Let me know if there are any other blogs out there that I should add.
Little Rock Bike Polo - Just like it says.
Dirty South Racing - This blog from Clark Butcher, one of Memphis's most respected racers, is mostly about waffles, it seems. But there is some cycling and running thrown in for good measure.
Zach's Bicycle Commuting - Zach lives in the 'Burbs and tries to use his bike more than his car. He also helps with WalkBike Memphis.
Gotta Be Gritty - Brett rides a fixed gear, plays polo, and takes pictures of public art. And makes crazy spoke cards as well, then loses them. Help him find them!
Cyklopath - Jeremy has one of the prettiest cross bikes I've seen and being an alumnus of the University of Memphis, sponsors their Mountain Bike team.
Let me know if there are any other blogs out there that I should add.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
2010 NAHBS in Richmond, VA Feb 26-28
Speaking of design genius, the 2010 North American Handmade Bicycle Show will be on the East Coast for the first time in Richmond, VA. You can purchase tickets through their website: www.handmadebicycleshow.com
It looks to be sponsored by Shimano... I wonder if anyone is going to throw some Di2 on a lugged steel frame?
It looks to be sponsored by Shimano... I wonder if anyone is going to throw some Di2 on a lugged steel frame?
Friday, January 29, 2010
Giving new meaning to the pub crawl
There's nothing like being cooped up in a tiny apartment to get my creative juices flowing. And as you saw in the previous post I'm super in the mood to build something. First the inspiration, then the idea.
The Hopworksfiets is feat of design genius.
Two Kegs, a pizza rack, and a sound system. See more photos at Elly Blue's flickr. Seriously, check them out. The Chris King and Shimano XTR taps make me light-headed.
So here's the idea. I have this pedal car:
(That's my friend Brian from Columbus, OH!) Seeing as how it's just kind of sitting around and is in need of a serious overhaul I think you all should help me turn it into something spectacular involving beer and barbecue (because I've been talking about making a grill bike AND this is Memphis, y'all!). Some of you have seen it in person and know that the gear system looks like a nightmare, so I'm all for taking this all apart and putting in a new shifting system and even new wheels. This will hopefully lighten the load tremendously. We might even put two wheels on the front. Really this thing has so much potential, I'm interested to hear what ideas you all conjure.
The Hopworksfiets is feat of design genius.
Two Kegs, a pizza rack, and a sound system. See more photos at Elly Blue's flickr. Seriously, check them out. The Chris King and Shimano XTR taps make me light-headed.
So here's the idea. I have this pedal car:
(That's my friend Brian from Columbus, OH!) Seeing as how it's just kind of sitting around and is in need of a serious overhaul I think you all should help me turn it into something spectacular involving beer and barbecue (because I've been talking about making a grill bike AND this is Memphis, y'all!). Some of you have seen it in person and know that the gear system looks like a nightmare, so I'm all for taking this all apart and putting in a new shifting system and even new wheels. This will hopefully lighten the load tremendously. We might even put two wheels on the front. Really this thing has so much potential, I'm interested to hear what ideas you all conjure.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
He-Man Trail Maintenance
So after riding the Old Forest Trail in Overton Park a couple of times I got tired of hopping off the bike to jump over one particular fallen tree:
I had planned on building a bridge over it with a pallet I had cut up and some chicken wire. I was ready, trailer packed even.
Then Emily and I decided to go for a ride and review the situation. Upon closer inspection the tree was cracked in several places.
Upon realizing that I wasn't going to be able to build the amazing bridge from my imagination I went into a Hulk-like rage and tore the tree apart. It actually happened so fast that Emily wasn't able to capture it with the camera. Here's the aftermath where I'm looking upon the tree with disdain, and also sorrow.
Then I cleared the other section of the fallen tree. Emily helped.
It was honestly more strenuous to cut the pallet than it was to move the tree. So now I have some sweet pallet halves and some chicken wire that I have no idea where I should put to use. I would love to do some kind of trail stuff in Overton Park but they might just be used for a bonfire Thursday night. If you have any ideas about where to use them please let me know. By the power of Grayskull we can build some stuff then go grab a pint.
I had planned on building a bridge over it with a pallet I had cut up and some chicken wire. I was ready, trailer packed even.
Then Emily and I decided to go for a ride and review the situation. Upon closer inspection the tree was cracked in several places.
Upon realizing that I wasn't going to be able to build the amazing bridge from my imagination I went into a Hulk-like rage and tore the tree apart. It actually happened so fast that Emily wasn't able to capture it with the camera. Here's the aftermath where I'm looking upon the tree with disdain, and also sorrow.
Then I cleared the other section of the fallen tree. Emily helped.
It was honestly more strenuous to cut the pallet than it was to move the tree. So now I have some sweet pallet halves and some chicken wire that I have no idea where I should put to use. I would love to do some kind of trail stuff in Overton Park but they might just be used for a bonfire Thursday night. If you have any ideas about where to use them please let me know. By the power of Grayskull we can build some stuff then go grab a pint.
The Return of Sean Quigley
Some of you might remember my friend Sean Quigley from last winter. He was passing through town on his way to the Left Coast to do some artwork and ride his many beautiful bikes. We kept in touch for a while and he called me one night wanting to do some collaboration and then I never heard from him again. No phone, no email, even his blog went down. It was all like he never existed.
Then last Saturday, I received a phone call from the man himself. Turns out he was doing some art in Mexico and his van and all of his bikes were stolen! He made it back to North Carolina and regrouped, got some new bikes, a dog and a girlfriend. There may have been a different order to that...
So Sean and Beth are on their way to Moab, Utah to work and guide and do tons of riding. They were able to stop in Memphis and hang out for a night drinking beers and contemplating careers as luchadores.
Beth seemed hesitant. We had a couple of pints and they had some nice leather koozies with custom badges. If you like them check them out at Oowee on Etsy. Oowee can also take old bicycle headbadges and put them on a leather pint koozie for you.
We made a beautiful 8-bike pile and had some tea and the next day they took off for some Arkansas trails.
Then last Saturday, I received a phone call from the man himself. Turns out he was doing some art in Mexico and his van and all of his bikes were stolen! He made it back to North Carolina and regrouped, got some new bikes, a dog and a girlfriend. There may have been a different order to that...
So Sean and Beth are on their way to Moab, Utah to work and guide and do tons of riding. They were able to stop in Memphis and hang out for a night drinking beers and contemplating careers as luchadores.
Beth seemed hesitant. We had a couple of pints and they had some nice leather koozies with custom badges. If you like them check them out at Oowee on Etsy. Oowee can also take old bicycle headbadges and put them on a leather pint koozie for you.
We made a beautiful 8-bike pile and had some tea and the next day they took off for some Arkansas trails.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Possible CX Race?
Since the cyclocat had such a huge turnout...
What are the chances you would show up on Sunday morning at 10am at Audubon Park for a cx race around the lake?
Would you be more inclined to wait for a warmer day?
What are the chances you would show up on Sunday morning at 10am at Audubon Park for a cx race around the lake?
Would you be more inclined to wait for a warmer day?
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Snow Day!!!
Em and I got out this morning with our singlespeeds and rode the Old Forest Trail in Overton Park.
More photos are on my flickr.
More photos are on my flickr.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Bike-To-Work Day Brainstorming Session
Hey everyone, I received this email from Dawn Vinson of the Center City Commission in regards to the upcoming Bike to Work Day. May is going to be a huge month for bicycles in Memphis. In addition to Bike to Work day on May 21st, the Bicycle Film Festival will be returning to Memphis that very weekend! Here's your oppurtunity to become part of the action:
Good morning!
One of the Center City Commission’s goals is to ensure that Downtown is safe, attractive, and livable. Encouraging the use of alternate forms of transportation is one strategy toward that objective. For a variety of reasons, an increasing number of people are rediscovering the bicycle as a means of transportation for work commutes, errands, and social activities. The CCC wants to support this trend for Downtown Memphis and make the bicycle a reasonable, safe, and enjoyable option for Downtown residents, employees, and tourists. The bicycle is ideally suited for getting around the 6.5-square-mile radius of the CBID, and its use contributes to desired street-level animation and community.
The American Bicycle League (http://www.bikeleague.org/) has established the month of May as National Bike Month and promotes a Bike-to-Work Week and a Bike-to-Work Day each year. The CCC plans to promote Downtown Bike-to-Work (or School) Day on Friday, May 21, 2010, in conjunction with this national initiative. In order to make this campaign successful, we need your help. We would like to hear your ideas about collaborative activities, programs, and events that would make participation fun and as effortless as possible, as well as ideas about how we can assist you and/or your organization in any activities you may already be planning. We also want to talk about ways to encourage people to continue to ride their bikes Downtown after Bike-to-Work Day is over. As national attention is focused on issues such as urban sprawl and the revitalization of urban centers, it is becoming clear that the cities that will thrive in the future are the ones that not only accommodate but encourage a variety of transportation modes – public and personal, motorized and human-powered.
Please join us for a brainstorming session on Thursday, January 21, 2010, at noon here in the CCC conference room at 114 North Main Street (Main and Adams, across from City Hall). Lunch will be provided. Please contact me to confirm your attendance by Tuesday, January 19. We look forward to hearing your ideas and working with you on this initiative.
Dawn Vinson
Development Project Manager
Center City Commission
114 North Main Street
Memphis, Tennessee 38103
(901) 575-0555
(901) 575-0541 (fax)
vinson@downtownmemphis.com
See you there!
Good morning!
One of the Center City Commission’s goals is to ensure that Downtown is safe, attractive, and livable. Encouraging the use of alternate forms of transportation is one strategy toward that objective. For a variety of reasons, an increasing number of people are rediscovering the bicycle as a means of transportation for work commutes, errands, and social activities. The CCC wants to support this trend for Downtown Memphis and make the bicycle a reasonable, safe, and enjoyable option for Downtown residents, employees, and tourists. The bicycle is ideally suited for getting around the 6.5-square-mile radius of the CBID, and its use contributes to desired street-level animation and community.
The American Bicycle League (http://www.bikeleague.org/) has established the month of May as National Bike Month and promotes a Bike-to-Work Week and a Bike-to-Work Day each year. The CCC plans to promote Downtown Bike-to-Work (or School) Day on Friday, May 21, 2010, in conjunction with this national initiative. In order to make this campaign successful, we need your help. We would like to hear your ideas about collaborative activities, programs, and events that would make participation fun and as effortless as possible, as well as ideas about how we can assist you and/or your organization in any activities you may already be planning. We also want to talk about ways to encourage people to continue to ride their bikes Downtown after Bike-to-Work Day is over. As national attention is focused on issues such as urban sprawl and the revitalization of urban centers, it is becoming clear that the cities that will thrive in the future are the ones that not only accommodate but encourage a variety of transportation modes – public and personal, motorized and human-powered.
Please join us for a brainstorming session on Thursday, January 21, 2010, at noon here in the CCC conference room at 114 North Main Street (Main and Adams, across from City Hall). Lunch will be provided. Please contact me to confirm your attendance by Tuesday, January 19. We look forward to hearing your ideas and working with you on this initiative.
Dawn Vinson
Development Project Manager
Center City Commission
114 North Main Street
Memphis, Tennessee 38103
(901) 575-0555
(901) 575-0541 (fax)
vinson@downtownmemphis.com
See you there!
Monday, January 4, 2010
What kind of rollers do you have?
Clark Butcher is putting together a little competition and looking for a set of matching rollers. Shoot me an email at fixmemphis@yahoo.com and let me know what you've got.
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