CX Practice Sessions

The cyclocross season is fast approaching as evidenced from Tracko and Hipster Nascar. Adding to the list of reasons why we call it "The Dirty South," cyclocross practice sessions have started early this year in anticipation of a longer, fuller race schedule. The practice sessions are taking place in Tobey Park early Wednesday mornings. I'm not sure what the course looks like since the new dog park went in. Speaking of which: the dog park is wonderful. I see more people each time I ride past. Thank you Memphis for making the city better. Although, onaccounta the dog park, the rumors ringing from the cowbell point to a new course/location? for Cyclocrunk.

Other Events: Returning to Olive Branch is the Tour de Cross CX Series. I also heard rumor of another series but can't find any info right now. If you've seen it let me know. Given that last years cyclocxt was such an epic fail (except for the people who actually showed up) I don't think I'll be resurrecting that race. Unless I move the date. In which case it will be renamed to one of the following:

Cross My Heart (to be held around February 14th)
Cyclo Cross-dressing (self-explanatory)
Kris-Cross (do your bibs work as well backwards?)
Crossmas (or CXmas)
Cross Town Traffic (the hippies will like this one)
Cross Pollinate (throw seeds as you ride!)
Crosseyed (lots of beer!)

Stranded on Highland

So after the beer ran out, stores packed all of their supplies and everyone rode in their own direction, Cort and I rode the pedal car back to the shop to get the car. Exhausted and in very good moods from the HILL-a-rious ride back, we stopped pedaling, looked into eachothers eyes and i said, "Do you have the keys"?

Let me back up. Hal and Co. were so nice to make sure no one stole my purse, and when i realized it was packed up in a miscellaneous box, i was relieved. That is until we didn't have car keys. We called and woke up Hal and he brought us the keys as were just falling asleep on the infamous Peddler Couch. At least we had a box of dohnuts.

1 month, ya'll!

No computer for a month. Now we're back.

Polo Tonight

Brett says Polo has moved to the Bluff City Sports parking lot on Cooper, starts at 6pm tonight!

Fresh Food by Fresh Bikes

I hope that in my absence you all have been following Taco and Gorman's endeavors over at Community Powered Cycling. They've been putting up some great posts about the recent activity among City Council, City Engineers and The Mayor. Check it out and get up to date.

A little while ago they also made a post about Farmers Markets and described ways to make them more accomadating towards bicycles. I have a confession to make: I've never been to a Farmers Market. At least, not in the sense of a 'weekly gathering of local farmers who sell their product to the public' type of Farmers Market. I've been to a food co-op in Knoxville and I've been to the Trolley Stop Market on Madison but my weekends are usually devoted to work.

Em and I have considered a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture - one purchases a "subscription" from a local farm early in the season which will guarantee a weekly supply on seasonal fresh veggies delivered to a drop-off location) but we're hesitant because of our schedules. What if we can't make it to the drop-off?

A gentleman in Minneapolis has solved this problem for his city. (Ah, Minneapolis, with your bike lanes and light rail...) Randall has started VeloVeggies. The idea is simple:

"1. We go the farm's drop site.

2. We put your share on our bicycle trailer.

3. We pedal your veggies to your home."


This genius idea combines several of my favorite things: bicycles, hauling stuff by bicycles, and food. Maybe for an extra couple of bucks he'll stop at the beer store, too.

Holla Memphis - you're going big-time

In case you missed it on your blog roll today, Padraig over at Red Kite Prayer (formerly of Belgian Knee Warmers) gave a little shout-out to Memphis.

The greater mystery is composed of hundreds of riders, riders I meet everywhere I go. And by everywhere I mean not just LA, but Chicago, Memphis, Boston and beyond. There are those riders who will happily sacrifice any sort of peak, any shot of ever seeing the front—except in the event of a complete mistake by them or others—in exchange for being able to ride comfortably in the pack year-round.

Nothing huge, but RKP is the big-time for all things PRO and Memphis's inclusion is nothing to blush at.

Happy to see it, y'all.

Anyway, I also wanted to announce a new venture that Anthony "Taco Rocky Horror" Siracusa and I are working on, Community Powered Cycling. Our focus is on the ways in which people use bikes and build communities and sustainable lifestyles from that common passion. I hope you'll take a look. Let us know what you think and participate in the conversation. Memphis, like a lot of other places around the country, is making this moment count, and we're really hoping to acknowledge and promote that.

What's Your Season? I Mean, What Type of Bike are You?

Dear ladies,

If you're starting to think about riding bikes more, or simply pulling that cute one you found three years ago and never rode out from behind your house, then read on.



I signed up for Fitness Mag's weekly 'fit tips' about a year ago because i'm a girl. Turns out, i get lots of good tips on random things like great short hair cuts and how to cook healthy barbecue. These things really come in handy. My favorite tip: love handle elimination. it looked hard so i never did it, but alas, the bike article appeared- so there.


sorry about the hipster appeal here, but the dress is great for riding:)

Upon scanning the article about which bike type I am, i thought about all the other pockets of bike spotting i've encountered in the media, fashion, and general people watching. i've especially noticed in my gazillion fashion magazine subscriptions and endless online shopping, a new emphasis on cycling. i'm sure you've noticed this too, and with the obvious influx of riders we see in the street of whom which we are not acquainted, cuter workout wear, and a general interest from the public in two wheels.

For instance, Forever 21, our favorite budget-friendly trend outlet, is now featuring a whole new line of workout clothing. Victoria's Secret has jumped on board as well and they actually fit curvier figures! You already know that Urban Outfitters sells bikes no less, but they also have very stylish cycle shorts and great cotton dresses/minis that breath when you ride. Now, we can show up at a party or BBQ via a bicycle in humid hot-ass weather and not feel like a sweaty freak, but rather a healthy-glow wearing chick.

Cookout at jasons on harbert at 1:30 then party at charles' on carruthers tonight

Memphis adopts brakeless fixed gear law

After reading about Cara's debacle I remembered that I've been so busy that I haven't posted about the amendments to the City of Memphis bicycle laws. In particular I wanted to draw your attention to one section alone that makes Memphis have some of the most progressive bicycle laws in the country:

Section 21-200. Equipment - Brake
Every bicycle operated upon streets in the city shall be equipped with a brake or brakes which will enable its driver to stop the bicycle within twenty five feet (25') from a speed of ten miles per hour (10mph) on dry, level, clean pavement. Such brake(s) shall be maintained in good working order at all times. For the purposes of this section, the drivetrain of a fixed gear bike is considered a brake provided the rider can demonstrate compliance with the braking requirement stated herein.

The rest of the amendments an be found here, pg. 9-14: http://www.cityofmemphis.org/pdf_forms/documents_041310.pdf

Thanks to everyone at Walk Bike! Memphis who spent time rewriting the old laws.

Links to the previous laws can be found here: http://fixmemphis.blogspot.com/2008/09/cycling-laws-again.html

Stinky Stanky

I can't find any info available online but this Sunday, May 30th is The Stinky Stanky Bike Jam & Jumping Contest to be held all day at Bartlett Park. I'm sure a lot of our BMX friends will be there as they've invested a lot of time building the dirt jumps and rails that are out there. Not a whole lot of info on the flyer, just that cash prizes will be awarded. Here's a map of Bartlett Park:


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