Morvelo Official Tour de France T-Shirts

Another save the date for ya: July 2nd. The Tour starts.



Grab it, and several other styles, here.

Sekisui Bicycle Rack

This is what I'm talking about: parking right next to the front door. Seven bike capability with a smoker's post curiously placed right next to it. That won't deter me from enjoying some miso soup, though.

Here's how it racks up:

Form - 7 Bike Wave
Function - Pass
Environment - Doesn't work
Points of Interest - Sekisui

Save The Date - Midnight Classic August 27th

I don't know if we'll be bringing out the pedal car this year or if we'll just be cruising out in flip-flops Dennis-style, but it will be fun either way.

Pei Wei Bicycle Rack

I think the planners of this shopping center stuck this bike rack out next to Union (a busy thoroughfare) to entice people driving in their cars, like, "Go home, get on your bike and come get some asian food!" Otherwise the planners would have put the rack either closer to the building (one of the perks of riding a bike is being able to park next to the entrance) or on the Belvedere (which sees a bit of bike traffic) side of the center. That being said I haven't actually seen people use this rack. They tend to lock up to the parking signs near the doors. But kudos to the planners for their spirit.

Here's how it racks up:

Form - 5 bike Wave
Function - Pass
Environment - Doesn't Blend
Points of Interest - Pei Wei Asian Diner, Baskin Robbins

My Perfect Summer Bike Riding Dress, Racerback Included

This dress is ideal for Memphis summers because of its light tee-shirt material. It's even better for bike rides since I can wear a sports bra. Just bought it in 2 colors last night here for 10 bux a pop-enjoy!

Shelby Farms and Greenline Benefit

I saw Karen from Otherlands out today and she gave me a poster for the June 18th membership drive fundraiser for Shelby Farms and the Greenline at Otherlands. The Earnestine & Hazel's Band, The Dan Montgomery Band and The Magic Kids have lent their talents to the event. It's $5 for park members and $10 for non-members, and you will be able to sign up for a membership there. the event starts at 8PM and remember: Otherlands has plenty of bike parking!

YoLo Bicycle Rack

In contrast to Bari's bicycle rack, YoLo's bicycle rack is positioned correctly, maximizing the available spaces and not restricting sidewalk usage. Having only eaten there twice I have to admit that I like it. Em and I were talking and decided that YoLo really needs a shaded deck. When they were building out the space we thought they were going to put a deck to the side but it's just a few parking spaces now.

Here's how it racks up;

Form - Double-sided six bike portable (they bring it in and out)
Function - Pass
Environment - No ice cream shapes here.
Points of Interest - Yolo, Lenny's Sub Shop

CourierCX - Teaser

Alleycats with a little bit of 'cross thrown in are becoming more popular. We tried our tires at it a few winters ago with the Cyclocxt on one of the coldest days of the year. Needless to say there wasn't much race action. But other cities have done it: Pittsburgh, PA with "A Frozen Hell" and "A Balmy Heaven", Oakland, CA has the Rally Cat, Minneapolis, MN brings it monthly(?) with the Bandit Cross, and Washington, DC just recently had their CourierCX:

CourierCX Teaser from In The Crosshairs on Vimeo.

Now is not the time for a race like this in Memphis. But maybe when it cools down a little bit. I have some ideas in mind for a course.

Bari Ristorante Bicycle Rack

One of the nuances of bicycle racks that I've picked up on (as I'm sure you have as well) is orientation with their surroundings. What we saw with the Art Center bicycle rack, as well as several others, is that you can inadvertently limit the number of bicycle spaces available depending upon how the rack is positioned. With the Bari bicycle rack, not only are they cutting the available spaces in half but are also (when bicycles are appropriately placed) limiting the amount of sidewalk traffic that can pass safely. Notice that with my rear wheel touching the building and even with my front wheel askew there is not enough room for two people, or even one wheelchair to pass.

What should they have done? Placed the rack on an east-west line. The available spaces are not diminished, the bicycles do not stick out further than the middle crack (more or less), and the rack is then visible to Cooper Street's vehicular traffic.

Regardless, I'm glad to see that a local restaurant is inviting cyclists to their tables. The food at Bari is great and I hear the owner rides a bit as well.

Here's how it racks up:

Form - Wave
Function - Fail
Environment - Doesn't blend
Points of Interest - Bari Ristorante

Memphis CVB Bicycle Rack

This is like the bicycle rack breeding ground. And what a perfect place: the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau. When people stop there to get info it's like, "POWHN!, we are a cycling city." You know what I call this? Foresight. Over the next few years Memphis will become the premiere place to cross the Mississippi River via bicycle with the construction and completion of the Harahan Bridge Project. Now I know that cycle tourists are often very frugal, utilizing websites such as warmshowers.org to find like-minded people to stay with. When I see tourers come through they are usually here for a few days, checking out the record studios and museums and eating barbecue then pedaling off for Chicago, Portland, California, etc. But with so much planned bicycle (and electric car) infrastructure Memphis has the potential to be the destination instead of a checkpoint. It's time to leverage what we already have and entice cycling companies to headquater here. You want year-round cycling? Done. You want local breweries. Here's a pint glass. Direct flight to Amsterdam? Here's your ticket.

Of course there is more to this than bikes, beer, and babes... wait. No there isn't.

Here's how the rack racks up:

Form - Wave
Function - Pass with 50+ potential
Environment - Not really
Points of Interest - Mississippi River, Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau