A parade of art. It starts with a common theme that can be replicated in a 3 dimensional sculpture such as a cow or a pig. Often to scale the idea is to modify the basic sculpture into different styles and sprinkle them around the city for tourists to find and marvel. Kind of like a legal and accepted form of urban street art, because God forbid Bansky or OBEY Shepard Fairey does it on the DL…that’s vandalism. Wether we, Joe Public, liked the idea or not…we first got stuck with it back in 2000.
That’s was the beginning of the Cow Parade, where life size cows were permanently installed and painted in all kinds of styles such as Pop-Art Warhol or more utilitarian like an MTA subway. Then the idea spread around the world and not just in the Bovine variety. There were rescue dogs after 911 and pigs
and even this year we had some kind of giant eggs all over the city for some kind of charitable Easter Egg hunt of corporate art.
Now it’s time for a bike parade…Oh don’t get scared and call the NYPD, this is an art version. I’m sure a permit was approved.
83 year old artist from Mexico City, Gilberto Aceves Navarro, an 84-year-old artist from Mexico City, is presenting his version called “Las Bicicletas.” 120 steel bicycle creations will be spread out in 10 spots around the city starting in June, to unite art and to promote a heathy lifestyle and environmental awareness.
Those Mexicans (artists) always taking our corporate art jobs…
Oh well, much better subject matter then those lethargic cows. So immobile.
Here is more from DNAinfo:
Bicycle Sculptures Unite Art and Healthy Living in Brooklyn Public Spots
By: Nikhita Venugopal
May 26th, 2014
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — A public art installation featuring more than 100 bicycle-like sculptures is rolling into Brooklyn and Manhattan this summer.
Gilberto Aceves Navarro, an 84-year-old artist from Mexico City, is debuting his work, “Las Bicicletas” in the United States this June as a way to unite art, a healthy lifestyle and environmental awareness.
The talk part features a guest I’m super psyched about, author and blogger Elly Blue. At the start of this year she released the book: Bikeconomics: How Bicycling Can Save The Economy. I was lucky enough to get a promo copy in advance. This is the Freakanomics (book by: Stephen Dubner and Steven D. Levitt) of the bike world that realistically breaks down the high costs of car ownership in the US. Elly’s book is a great compendium tool of information for engaging in dialogue when motorists like to drop myths such as: “Cyclists are just freeloaders of our roadways, who don’t contribute to the taxes needed for infrastructure.”
Here is more information about the Dinner and Bikes event:
Here’s what happens at a Dinner and Bikes event:
As the audience arrives, they serve themselves from chef Joshua Ploeg’s gourmet vegan and gluten-free buffet spread. While eating, Joe Biel plays a series of his short films about bicycle activism and culture—his newest shorts focus on the family bicycling movement. Then local advocates and sponsors have a chance to get up and talk about their work promoting cycling. Elly Blue takes the stage and gives a presentation about Bikenomics, showing the audience how to make a compelling economic case for bicycling, equity, and transportation activism. At the end there is a chance for questions, discussion, and browsing the Microcosm pop-up book and t-shirt store.
The tour kicks off with two back to back dates in Brooklyn.
June 2nd at the Old Stone House (5th Ave-between 4th and 5th St.)
and
June 3rd at the 3B bed and breakfast (136 Lawrence St.)
The 2013 TOD Memorial Day BBQ was probably one of the wildest BBQ’s the NYC cycling community has ever seen. You know we only know how to go bigger, faster and crazier. Come on out and bring your family to meet our family. The grill fires up at 12:00pm. Bring your favorite dish, food for the grill (last year we had Shark Meat) and or BEER! All bikes are welcome. Sprints begin at 3:00pm. It’s a chill day to meet some cool people. See you at the BBQ
Location : 116th & Morningside ave
Follow Us on Instagram @TrackOrDieNYC for photos of the BBQ
Brommie Yummie, No it’s not a new food truck making some sort of asian fusion taco. It does have to do with food though…Steve Haung is at it again, providing rides for Brompton foldup fans and great food.
You do have to have a Brompton FoldUp…but you can rent one from the experts at nycewheels.com on the UES.
He has another food tour coming up this Sunday (5/18/14)
Here is more from Steve:
If you are in NYC this Sunday 05/18 from 12pm to 5pm, please consider
joining me for a brommie folding bike food adventure! Since May is
National Burger Month as well as Asian Pacific Islander Month, we will
attempt to find burgers and other yummies with East or West
inspirations as we eat, bike, fold… And yes, I will be back riding a
brommie folding bike because it is the proper thing to do for a
brommie yummy after all? If you have an un-brommie, then let’s ride
together at next fold foodie taking place on Sunday 06/08
Brommie Yummie is a “brompton only” leisurely paced folding bike food
ride (around 13-19 miles) with stops in between for food, fun and
interesting conversations. A guide fee of $10/$20 whichever amount you
would like to contribute will be collected at the ride to support the
designing & organizing of brommie yummy.
Most food spots have some sort of vegetarian/vegan options available.
Please let me know if you have any special dietary preferences or
needs so I can be mindful in planning. So come for the food, come for
the ride, but don’t let your dietary preference/restriction prevent
you from joining the fun!
Please reply to this email (creative.facilitatorATgmail.com) with your brommie colour to reserve your
spot for this Sunday 05/18 as soon as possible and I will reply with
ride details as the confirmation by Saturday once I get your
reservation email. Thank you! Continue reading Brommie Yummie, Brompton Fold Up Ride
Tomorrow (5/16/14) is Bike To Work day, part of Bike Month, Part of Bike every minute of your life…oh wait.
Celebrating the best way to get to work, or pretend work, or what ever you call it.
Although here in NYC, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or NOAA (like whatya they know…climate change…ha.) It may be a wet one:
But don’t let those geeky scientists sway you with their facts and nerdy figures…Come out and ride your bike.
Here are 5 products to think about for your commute:
1–
POC Sports presents the Octal helmet, preferred by those zippy dudes in spandex from Team Garmin-Sharp
Some technical specs:
TECHNICAL FEATURES
-High performance EPS liner, optimized in density
-Fully wrapping unibody shell construction
-Superior ventilation, using POC’s innovative ventilation design
-Size adjustment system, designed with low contact area
-Straps molded into liner
-Temperature regulating Coolbest padding
-Color combinations and reflective patches for enhanced visibility
-Eye garage to keep your sunglasses securely in position when placed on the helmet
-Scannable ICE tag
-Included Classic cycling cap with a clean design, made of cotton and polyester. Reflective stripes and logo for improved visibility. One size
-SIZES: Small (50-56 cm), Medium (54-60 cm), Large (56-62 cm)
2–
If the NSA can track your every move, why not your love ones too. Here is a product for finding out if people are OK on their bikes–or late for work, with a simple text message.
ICEdot:
Attaches to any helmet and will send out an emergency text with your GPS location to your predetermined contacts via your smartphone. Easy to use and if you wear the ICEdot band any first responder can pull up all your medical history as well as your emergency contacts.
3–
Outdoor Research makes great rain gear. (I’ve had one of their rain hats going strong for years) Here is great t-shirt as a base layer which wicks away moister and more: A versatile technical tee is a core component of every adventure kit. The Ignitor Tee™ is made from silky, wicking polyester and keeps you dry, comfortable and ready for anything. A small hip pocket holds a credit card, ID or energy gel, and Polygiene® anti-bacterial treatment fights stink on multi-day excursions.
4–
Gotta look good at work? * Technical softshell, Sphero™ LT gives this blazer stretch and durability and with its DWR finish will repel any weather that you might come across on your commute but still let you still dress up for the work day.
From their site: The Crester Blazer is a product of technical mountain intent meeting classic style. Constructed of Sphero™ LT stretch double weave the Crester is highly durable, has a DWR finish that repels weather, and four way stretch that will make this your most comfortable sportcoat. It’s wrinkle and spill resistant, has a zippered security passport pocket, and cool plaid interior detailing. A phenomenal dress up for work or travel partner – just roll it up, throw it in your gear bag or carry-on and hit the road.
5–
How about a backpack…a really good backpack, form the leaders of camping, outdoor gear:
Greogory-The Sketch 25 brings the style of European bike courier bags together with Gregory’s experience in modern pack design, and the result is a roll-top backpack that offers far more than just simple storage. An external-access laptop sleeve, internal device storage, and side accessory stash pockets give you room for both work and active gear without mixing things up.
Here is a last minute guide from the Washington Post (for those in the DC area-especially)
Your last-minute guide to Bike to Work Day
By: Shane Farthing
May 15th, 2014
For the past four months, we at the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) have been working to convince people to consider becoming two-wheeled commuters with us on Bike to Work Day on Friday. We’ve reached out on all media, stood (rain or shine) in the region’s bikeways, taught Learn to Ride and City Cycling classes, hosted Everyday Biking Seminars, and worked to get out the word.
Somehow, you missed all of that and are just reading about the event on the Washington Post’s Web site today. Can you participate in Bike to Work Day on a single day’s notice? YES. And with 79 pitstops spread throughout the region, it’s easier than ever to fit Bike to Work Day into your commute. Here’s how:
Step one: Look at the weather report, but don’t let it get you down. This is very important for Bike to Work Day 2014. WABA keeps a great deal of data about local cycling conditions and roadway incidents, but we have never, in our 40 years, received a report of a bicyclist melting in the rain. Bring a rain jacket or a change of clothes. If it rains, everyone else will be wet too. So will we. Nobody will care, and the celebration will go on. Click here for tips on biking in the rain and staying dry.
If there’s more serious weather, make your decisions in the interest of safety. If it is not safe to ride, hold off and ride another day.
Anthony “Tonky” Clune’s been making reflective decals for a while now. He was at this year’s bike jumble handing out free samples of his new reflective buttons.
Here is a nice video of a unicyclist heading back from work…all lit up!
His company is: RydeSafe and he has a new kickstarter campaign for his buttons:
Also from DC, Tony Pelton of Bicycle Space bike shop was asked for tips on commuting to work.
In honor of Friday’s Bike to Work Day, we asked Tony Pelton of BicycleSPACE – DC’s top-rated bike shop – for his tips on the best bikes, equipment, and paths for commuting in DC. Here’s what he had to say:
In your opinion, what are the five essentials every bike commuter should have?
Tony: There are 5 great things that can not only improve your commute, but keep your bike in much better condition. Chain lube is essential, as is a floor pump to keep your tires properly inflated. I advise pumping your tires at least once a week. You’ll also want a multitool – something that just has a variety of hex keys will do the trick – for any small adjustments. Tire levers are important so either you or a pal can fix any flats you may get. You’ll also want front and rear lights if you plan on riding at dawn, dusk, or night.
Like any public institution in America, they face a growing threat from the corporate mono-culture who seeks out the bottom line in it’s never ending race to the bottom. The model tends to be proclaim the institution is failing and can only be saved by modern technology and being run by some sort of a private corporation. This pertains to great services like schools, health services and the post office. The New York Public Library is no exception and recently faced a massive “revitalization” that threatened to eliminate books in their written form and possibly close branches which provide free resources to local communities.
One way you can get to know your local library and support this valuable organization is the 2nd annual bike the branches held on Saturday, May 17th. It’s also another great way to explore NYC by bicycle.
Here is more from their website:
Join us on Saturday, May 17 for the 2nd annual Bike the Branches, a fun one-day bike ride where you can discover our borough in an exciting way and support Brooklyn Public Library at the same time!
Set your own pace and follow one of our suggested routes, curated by the Brooklyn Collection. Or, create one yourself and make an adventure out of exploring our network of 60 neighborhood libraries. Sign up to bike solo or cruise along with family or friends. Walkers and runners welcome, too!
Last year, more than 400 cyclists participated—this year’s event is shaping up to be even bigger:
And a video:
find out more details and register by riding over here.
The spring version of Harry Schwartzman’s Brooklyn Bike Jumble , NYC’s only bicycle swap meet, was a resounding success. Held last weekend on a humid (and finally stormy) May 10th, this version seemed like the biggest yet with vendors and individual sellers spreading out far and wide around Park Slope’s JJ. Bryne Park. (4th St. and 5th Ave.)
Beyond the usual precious bike frames and parts for snobs out there was a huge inventory of complete used bicycles which made for some really good shopping for those looking for affordable deals.
I volunteered at the Time’s Up tent which had super cheap bikes for sale and a couple of their super friendly mechanics on hand offering free tune-ups and answering bike repair questions.
Plus handing out calendar’s and spreading the gospel of NYC’s oldest bicycle education and activist group, going strong for over 25 years.
Seems like a lot of those in attendance had no idea that Time’s Up has free bicycle workshops which have short tutorial on basic repairs and then allow time for people to work on their own bikes.
Next to Time’s Up was the Right-of-Way table, the direct action street justice organization that has been building a strong coalition of activists fighting for street safety including changing the speed limit in designated areas of NYC to 20 mph.
One crew I found pretty interesting went by the name: Michael Angelo Cycles (cyclecydal@gmail.com) Besides having a beautiful array of used bikes like this vintage pedicab from Thailand:
They were also set up as a mobile bicycle repair shop with an all-in-one trailer hooked off a pick-up truck.
Seems they operate out of New Jersey, so give them an email and they can probably come to you.
Then there was the usual vendors in attendance like Taliah Lempert and her awesome printed artwork at bicyclepaintings.com
My favorite mugs:
Crown Height’s Bicycle Roots Bike shop had gone to the dogs:
There was Shane Da Bikejack from the Brooklyn Flea banging out repairs and selling a ton of used bikes.
Brooklyn’s own (two locations) Ride Brooklyn, had a nice booth set up.
And tons of bikes:
I started going for the wallet when I saw this awesome Rasta paint scheme form new comers North Brooklyn Cycles (121 Knickerbocker Ave.-Brooklyn)
Around 2:30pm the dark clouds rolled in and the torrential down pour began pretty much wrapping up the event. Although Time’s Up managed to sell one more of their donated bikes while we all cowered under the pop-up tent. A woman came from Manhattan, determined to buy a bike and didn’t let the thunder and lighting storm deter her as she tested out and eventually bought a nice Bowery Lanes cruiser.
A totally successful event all around.
You can see my whole album of photos by riding over here.
Don’t worry if you missed out. There will be another Jumble on June 1st in Red Hook (near the IKEA)
May is bike month, chalked full of great events and opportunity abound for discovering the joys of riding bicycles in NYC.
Here is a round of videos to get you pumped for the biking season.
First off, I was sent this by Right-of-Way safe streets activist Keegan Stephan. Last week was the monthly critical mass ride in Manhattan (4/25/14) which has been plagued by an over abundance of NYPD presence for about ten years. Frustrated with this unwanted attention towards a small group of riders, while motorists constantly break the law and kill pedestrians and cyclists, some of the riders decided to flip the switch. They stood on a corner during the ride with a speed gun and captured New York drivers doing “there thing”…speeding. This was a bit of a stunt to try and draw attention to reckless driving instead of a full scale intervention to a positive spontaneous group ride.
Here is a pretty amazing product. A new lock with an innovative locking system, that will drive any bike theft into a frustrated madness not seen since the Rubik’s Cube. Not sure about it’s practicality especially at a price $ 140.00 and I’m not sure anyone picks locks anymore. It does have a great design though, perfect for bike nerds everywhere. Introducing the “unpickable” Forever Lock.
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Title: PedalBXL Rides Cargo Bikes On The Tour Of Flanders
Seen on:
Description: PedalBXL is a courier service in Brussels, Belgium, located relatively close to the famed Tour of Flanders spring classic. Epic roads out there, last year I had the opportunity to ride part of the Tour of Flanders course and it’s not something I will soon forget — steep climbs, serious cobbles, classic Belgian farmland views. Cobbled 22% slopes aren’t the easiest climbs I’ve ever done, and I’d certainly not want to do them on a loaded cargo bike or with a backpack full of gear. I like their style.
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Title: TURF “Word Is Bond” Fixed Gear Freestyle Full Length Video
Seen on:
Description: Riders are killing it in this full length video from Turf Bikes. Fixed gear freestyle isn’t dead.
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Title: Critical Mass- Istanbul
Seen on:
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Title: Greg Lemond Fixing A Flat For Real
Seen on:
Description: Greg Lemond doesn’t need as asterisk next to his Tour wins, and didn’t just learn to fix a flat.
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Title: 1930′s Paris Alleycat Film
Seen on:
Description: The first bike race probably happened just after the second bike was made — it just makes sense that people have been racing on open streets since cars first entered the picture. The text says that 150 riders race d a primarily uphill route 4 miles through traffic, changing clothes en route. It sure looks like an alleycat to me, some things never change. From britishpathe.com
It’s coming, next weekend. NYC’s premiere bike swap meet.
Saturday, May 10th, 2014
10:00am-4:00pm
From the site:
The New York Bike Jumble returns to Washington/JJ Byrne Park around the Old Stone House at Fifth Avenue and 4th street in Park Slope, Brooklyn. for the sixth year in a row. Fulfill all your cycling needs for the summer! Get yourself a new or used bike, new and used accessories, clothing, collectibles, artwork, overstocks, and bargains galore.
That’s was the beginning of the Cow Parade, where life size cows were permanently installed and painted in all kinds of styles such as Pop-Art Warhol or more utilitarian like an MTA subway. Then the idea spread around the world and not just in the Bovine variety. There were rescue dogs after 911 and pigs 
and even this year we had some kind of giant eggs all over the city for some kind of charitable Easter Egg hunt of corporate art. 
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