Happy Halloween

Posted on October 31, 2008 -- Edit Post
Filed Under Bike Kwak, Critical Mass, Events, Rides | Leave a Comment

Man – much is going on.

Tonight is Critical Mass of course.  Except it’s friggin Halloween Critical Mass which promises to be super awesome.  Unfortunately it conflicts with

Messquerade bicycle scavenger hunt halloween bike

Which starts at 7pm.  Our team is the Bad Monkeys.  This years team is:

It’s an epic costumed scavenger hunt / alleycat.  Very excited for this.

Then there’s the afterparty, and half a dozen other parties to go to too.

And then of course there’s the Greenlake Race at midnight.

Jebus.  So much to do!  Last year I stayed home and watched TV with a busted arm.

And Saturday morning my old old friend Steven Ross flies in from LA – first time I’ve seen him in about 6 years.  Super stoked about this.  Boy am I going to be hung over.

These are good problems to have.

Happy Halloween.  Bike safe tonight.

Onward!

For Sale: The Great Orange Monster

Posted on October 28, 2008 -- Edit Post
Filed Under Bike Kwak, Bikes, For Sale | 2 Comments

SOLD to Katiebird

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/bik/897362164.html

Yeppers, she’s on the chopping block. $450 and she’s all yours.

FULL GALLERY

Call me – 206.412.3055
buy@sweetbike.org

Slow Sunday – Autumn

Posted on October 20, 2008 -- Edit Post
Filed Under Bike Kwak, Slow Sunday | 9 Comments

Sunday, I just wasn’t into it for some reason.  It was a decent ride, good people, the whole bit.

Talking with Jessica at Cal Anderson about whether or not we actually wanted to go, the group took off. By the time I decided to go ahead and ride, I’d already lost them. So headed down to the Georgetown Liquor Company in Georgetown by myself, knowing that’s where they were going.

I took my time – rolled down 12th ave, down through Little Saigon, down Jackson through China Town, held a respectable but not breakneck pace around 18-20mph going down Airport Way, and somehow beat them there by far. I was 4/5ths the way through my beer and most of the way through reading Last Days in the Stranger when Nova finally rolled in.

Everyone got food and beer. I finished my paper. David Hiller showed up with his wife. David forgot to lock his bike up so we helped him. Speaking of, I need a new U-Lock now.

From Georgetown we rode back into Pike Place Market for fresh mini donuts, and then to Myrtle Edwards to drink beer in the park.

I took a few pictures from yesterdays ride but as I said, riding this thing… yeah I dunno. I can feel myself being somber and serious and I’m not paying attention to things like I should I guess. It was also probably the first truly cold autumn ride. Summer is officially gone I think. I think this must affect my mood some as well. Meh.

Onward

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Point 83 Thursday Ride

Posted on October 17, 2008 -- Edit Post
Filed Under .83, Bike Kwak | Leave a Comment

Jesus. It ended up over here anyhow. From my journal:

I’m not putting this into the bike blog because – I don’t know why. Trying to maintain some sort of journalistic integrity over there – or something. Thats not going to hold water, but whatever. Anyhow, last night was our Thursday .83 bike ride. Was a lot of fun.

Prefunk at Shortys with a pitcher of beer and the posse, over to Westlake Center for more drinks and the meetup, rode bikes down through Myrtle Edwards park, across the Ballard Locks, and over to Golden Gardens for a bonfire and more drinking. This old school guy named Scottie was visiting from Canada, so this was something of a celebratory ride.

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After stopping at the nearby 7-11, we got to Golden Gardens, started a bonfire and drank more beer. Joby produced cocktail mixings and made everyone who’d drink one, a Gibson – complete with little mini onion (boy those things are tasty!). There were many shennanegans to be had. The park was empty. We were in high spirits. It was a good time.

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At one point we looked over and a couple cars pulled up and probably 20 guys got out and stood shoulder to shoulder under the streetlights, like they were sizing us up or something.
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So us, being drunken rowdy bike jerks went over there and are like, sup guys? Who us? Nothin. Oh yeah? Cause, yano, it kinda looks like you want to kick our ass. Nah man, not us. Oh? Well thats good to hear. Cause that’s the feeling we’re gettin over here. And yano – we’re cool with that. So…

Other people talked, calmer heads prevailed, and these guys do a right face and walk away in single file like they’re in a cafeteria line, off to some other firepit presumably, off into the dark. Totally a Greasers/Soches moment. Apparently it turns out they were some SPU frat? I don’t know. I was shitfaced and missed that part. It was a strange moment in time to be sure, one way or the other.  It’s not like we get into a lot of fights – we’re a pretty amicable crew, the lot of us.  Happier to share our beer and talk a bunch of shit more than anything.  But you never know.  And in the face of that…  imagine looking over to see that staring you down.  What sort of conclusions would you draw?  Very strange indeed.

Somehow I got this – probably from wrestling with Bob Hall and Sketchy if I had to guess. Both my legs are messed up actually – but this is the most picture worthy. Also, my calves are fucking awesome from bicycling.

After Golden Gardens we headed over for food – but ended up at the Nickerson, and their kitchen was closed. We drank more beer and most of the group broke up at that point. Myself, Lee, Chunter, Suzanne, Scottie, and a couple others ended up in the U District eating slices of pizza before saying goodnight and finally pedaling home.

Here are some pictures (click the picture!)


Meg-Ha! (picture by Joeball)

Times gang. Tellin you, it’s not all doom and gloom.

Campfire pics by Dan Schultz

Onward.

Manifest Hand Built Bike Show – Pics!

Posted on October 13, 2008 -- Edit Post
Filed Under Bike Kwak, Events | 2 Comments

The verdict – wow.

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But let’s start at the beginning shall we? This whole weekend in review: Read more

REPOST: Oregon Manifest Portland Handmade Bike Show This Weekend

Posted on October 10, 2008 -- Edit Post
Filed Under Bike Kwak, Events | Leave a Comment

http://www.oregonmanifest.com/

Oregon Manifest Handmade Bike Show

T minus 1 hour – Myself, Kav and Ashley are boarding Amtrak Cascades 509 leaving at 5:30 from Seattle and arriving in Portland  at 9pm – so STOKED.

By the time we get there the opening afterparty should be in full swing- and turns out the Midnight Mystery Ride leaves from the afterparty show.

This weekend is going to rule.

Opening Night Blowout at Wieden +Kennedy

Ladies and Gentlemen, this is where we get down!

Wieden + Kennedy, the global ad agency behind Teams of Portland and some of the finest creative work in the world, is taking the concept of an opening party and blowing it up beyond imagination. In the works is a special multi-media bike builder exhibition featuring their personal rides. Expect beer, music, and blaring spectacle the likes of which you have never seen.

Location:
Wieden + Kennedy
224 NW 13th Avenue
Portland, Oregon

Hours:
7:01 PM to Midnight

Entry Fee:
FREE

Parking:
Bike parking will be provided. Street parking available for cars on nearby streets.

OREGON MANIFEST will feature an unconquerable mix of custom framebuilders, bike-centric vendors, bike culture squads, and blowout parties, crowned with a Sunday cross race to bring home the glory.

OREGON MANIFEST is the collective vision of Portland, Oregon’s cycling and creative communities, who’ve come together to dream up and develop the most original, spirited and spectacle-laden boutique bike show in the nation.

See you after the weekend.  Call me if you show up in Portland and want to do something.  This is an open offer for anyone.

 206.412.3055

Asta!

 

SHELLAC!

Posted on October 9, 2008 -- Edit Post
Filed Under Bike Kwak, How-To | 6 Comments

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Bicycles and bands. I’m listening to Shellac as I write this. Excellent Italian Greyhound is a great album and I’m glad they released it, but I still like 1000 Hurts. I’ve got history with that album, ya know?

/sigh

Shellac. Well, it’s messy. I’ll start there. The good news is you finish with “it looks badass and is indestructable”. (Much like the band actually.)

You cut it with a little denatured alcohol. This thins it but theoretically decreases dry times meaning you can put more layers on in a shorter period of time. I never did find a recipe I liked online or even messing around so I sorta guessed. I couldn’t tell a difference cut or uncut, that’s about all I can say. Give it enough time to setup and it becomes a moot point anyhow.

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I put plastic under the bike and was glad I did. This stuff is pretty thin, even uncut. Spillage onto the frame was easily contained with denatured alcohol on a paper towel. I used a crappy chip brush from Home Depot. Worked fine.

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Other than that – not much to say. I gave it 45 minutes between coats. I think I got 4 or 5 on there last night. Personally I was excited to see the results and was impatient. Should have waited longer between coats. It was also not warm in my little makeshift paint booth. I can only assume you get better results if you wait longer and it’s warmer.

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I started with cork tape and white cloth tape which as you can see, blends together into the same color which is interesting. I thought the tape was going to get darker than the cork. Next time I’m going with red fabric tape.

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(see where I smudged it with my finger when only half setup? DAMMIT!)

Once dry it feels like a coat of rubber. That’s it. It’s a bit tacky like rubber, but not sticky in the least. Actually feels pretty great. And it looks sexy as hell.

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I’m not done. I’ll put a couple more coats on tonight, but basically I’m considering this a successful experiment.

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Onward!

I’m playing with shellac tonight

Posted on October 8, 2008 -- Edit Post
Filed Under Bike Kwak, How-To | Leave a Comment

Paint, dry, paint, dry, paint dry. Pictures when I have them.

Xtracycles banned in California

Posted on October 8, 2008 -- Edit Post
Filed Under Bike Kwak, In-the-news | 1 Comment

http://www.bikecommuters.com/2008/10/07/xtracycles-banned-in-california/

You can’t make this shit up.

Prop 65 and How It Affects You Today

What Is Proposition 65?
In 1986, California voters approved an initiative to address their growing concerns about exposure to toxic chemicals. That initiative became the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, better known by its original name of Proposition 65. Proposition 65 requires the State to publish a list of chemicals known to cause cancer or birth defects or other reproductive harm. This list, which must be updated at least once a year, has grown to include approximately 775 chemicals since it was first published in 1987.

What types of chemicals are on the Proposition 65 list?
The list contains a wide range of naturally occurring and synthetic chemicals that are known to cause cancer or birth defects or other reproductive harm. These chemicals include additives or ingredients in pesticides, common household products, food, drugs, dyes, or solvents. Listed chemicals may also be used in manufacturing and construction, or they may be byproducts of chemical processes, such as motor vehicle exhaust.

This all sounds pretty good right? Keep chemicals out of our water and soil can’t be a bad thing, right?

For several months Xtracycles have been Out of Stock, and many folks have been patiently waiting (thanks folks). After 5 months they are finally available… but NOT IN CALIFORNIA. Apparently this product (which can effectively help replace thousands of car trips a year) contains a wee bit too much lead. You can buy one directly from the manufacturer, but not from a supplier. Who knows why. I’m sure it has something to do with red colored tape.

Proposition 65 also limits certain bicycle dynamos (generators), lights and even a few bottom brackets.

In case you are unsure of which state California is, it is the state that also has an emissions law that prohibits 75mpg two-stroke scooters, but allows more Hummers and bus-like SUVs than anyone would know what to do with.

Strangeness abounds I tell you.

Slow Sunday on, er, Sunday

Posted on October 7, 2008 -- Edit Post
Filed Under Bike Kwak, Slow Sunday | 2 Comments

Not much to write about. Went to Ruby’s for omelets and bloody marys, but apparently we didn’t want to ride together because everyone splintered after that. It was that sort of day. Wandered over to Recycled Cycles for a quick second, and then over to Browers Cafe for some of their epic beer before going home.

We ran into this guy. Dude on a running bike, with a bluetooth headset, following this little old guy in the motorized wheelchair asking if we wanted to smoke up with him. I don’t want to say much beyond it was awkward and funny.

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Beau was looking dapper from the night before.

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On his beautiful Sekai – thing is so uber, even his mud flaps are Campy.

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Out at Browers, we did lock up to this beautiful Swobo. I’d never seen one before. Actually what caught my eye was the horizontal track drops – and eyelets for both fenders and racks.

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More behind the cut – and CETMA Racks! Read more

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