Thanks to Paul Halupka for the awesome poster! See you Saturday. Come throw some seedbombs and hang out with us. Oh, and beer and food included. WHAT?!
Bike Love
Showing posts with label bici. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bici. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Garden Party!
Thanks to Paul Halupka for the awesome poster! See you Saturday. Come throw some seedbombs and hang out with us. Oh, and beer and food included. WHAT?!
Bike Love
Friday, April 24, 2009
May Day!
From Bici
that's right kids. anna, elisa, and i have been working round the clock on getting the shop ready for our may 1st grand opening. special thanks to terry jacks at non stop art, the guys at cahaba cycles, banjo brothers, DTMT, and our good friends at primavera coffee roasters. Also thanks to all the folks who came in to help us finish build out.
the race format is a relay. each racer will circle a highland ave loop (starting and ending at the bici shop). we will probably have heats of three teams, timing each teams' time and the team with the best time wins. pretty simple. we will have some music inside the shop, as well as giving tours, taking donations, and sipping on brewskies. that being said this event is BYOB for those that are of age.
if you have any old bikes, tools, storage shelves, or money you don't really want we promise we will put them to use so bring 'em down.
** get your asses down here and support Bike Skirt and Bici!!**
that's right kids. anna, elisa, and i have been working round the clock on getting the shop ready for our may 1st grand opening. special thanks to terry jacks at non stop art, the guys at cahaba cycles, banjo brothers, DTMT, and our good friends at primavera coffee roasters. Also thanks to all the folks who came in to help us finish build out.
the race format is a relay. each racer will circle a highland ave loop (starting and ending at the bici shop). we will probably have heats of three teams, timing each teams' time and the team with the best time wins. pretty simple. we will have some music inside the shop, as well as giving tours, taking donations, and sipping on brewskies. that being said this event is BYOB for those that are of age.
if you have any old bikes, tools, storage shelves, or money you don't really want we promise we will put them to use so bring 'em down.
** get your asses down here and support Bike Skirt and Bici!!**
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Extreme Makeover: Bike Edition
Mick Jagger and I have had quite a week together. Here is the scoop on how Mick's makeover went down.
When I first got Mick, my friend (and bike mechanic) Heath fixed him up and told me that I would need to replace my cables soon. The first few months it was fine, just needed the occasional tightening and adjusting. Since then I have gotten a new chain, new pedals, new tires and new bar tape. Just the beginning...
Then I started commuting an extra 4 miles and over a mountain (photos to come, for those of you who have asked!). That was the straw that broke the cables back...literally. A week ago, I was having problems shifting gears. It got to where I couldn't change to the largest ring, so I tried to adjust it myself. Oops, I messed that up! I ended up adjusting the hi-low screws on the derailleur...much too much. Then I couldn't shift up OR down. Nothing like riding a Singlespeed over Red Mountain each day!
So, I called Heath again for some help, and brought Mick over for some TLC. Up in the stand he went and we tried to change gears...POP...the cable housing popped and the cable was a bent mess. He taught me how to check for the problem and I learned a TON. It was the best part of the entire situation, learning how to identify the issue and fix it. I learned how to tell if my problem was in the derailleur or the shifters and how to fix both.
The next day I learned how to change my cables and housing, but not without some drama...including realizing my wire cutters were shit. A trip to the store to cut some wires later, and we were good to go. I learned how to adjust the cables to make sure everything runs correctly. I can't believe the difference! My bike has never ridden as well as it does now. We also installed the new rear rack I bought and adjusted the headset so it was tighter.
It is so empowering to learn how to fix my own bike. At this point, I feel like I could change cables and housing myself and adjusting them, along with changing a tire, cleaning, checking brakes...the list goes on and on. Which is good, since I am trying to open a community bike shop!! We hope to do this exact thing, teach people how to fix their own bike and empower them. No more simply paying someone to fix Mick anymore. I sort of feel like a child "I do it myself!".
Oh, and I got a new saddle and I have one happy ass! My old seat was so uncomfortable and I tried shorts, tilting the seat, chamois butter (too much info?), and I am riding happy these days. I got a Bontrager inForm. I think it deserves it's own post, so stay tuned for that. I won't even tell you what my old seat was called at the bike shop, but it was not good...
This is a really long post to say that I HEART MY BIKE. I can't believe how awesome it is.
In other news, I rode to church tonight and discovered another bike in my usual parking spot (inside the doors)! We have nowhere to lock our bikes, so I think it is time to ask for a bike rack. I have been waiting for this day. Oh, and I had someone come up to me and tell me my legs looked great! Woot woot, it is working!!
Bike love
When I first got Mick, my friend (and bike mechanic) Heath fixed him up and told me that I would need to replace my cables soon. The first few months it was fine, just needed the occasional tightening and adjusting. Since then I have gotten a new chain, new pedals, new tires and new bar tape. Just the beginning...
Then I started commuting an extra 4 miles and over a mountain (photos to come, for those of you who have asked!). That was the straw that broke the cables back...literally. A week ago, I was having problems shifting gears. It got to where I couldn't change to the largest ring, so I tried to adjust it myself. Oops, I messed that up! I ended up adjusting the hi-low screws on the derailleur...much too much. Then I couldn't shift up OR down. Nothing like riding a Singlespeed over Red Mountain each day!
So, I called Heath again for some help, and brought Mick over for some TLC. Up in the stand he went and we tried to change gears...POP...the cable housing popped and the cable was a bent mess. He taught me how to check for the problem and I learned a TON. It was the best part of the entire situation, learning how to identify the issue and fix it. I learned how to tell if my problem was in the derailleur or the shifters and how to fix both.
The next day I learned how to change my cables and housing, but not without some drama...including realizing my wire cutters were shit. A trip to the store to cut some wires later, and we were good to go. I learned how to adjust the cables to make sure everything runs correctly. I can't believe the difference! My bike has never ridden as well as it does now. We also installed the new rear rack I bought and adjusted the headset so it was tighter.
It is so empowering to learn how to fix my own bike. At this point, I feel like I could change cables and housing myself and adjusting them, along with changing a tire, cleaning, checking brakes...the list goes on and on. Which is good, since I am trying to open a community bike shop!! We hope to do this exact thing, teach people how to fix their own bike and empower them. No more simply paying someone to fix Mick anymore. I sort of feel like a child "I do it myself!".
Oh, and I got a new saddle and I have one happy ass! My old seat was so uncomfortable and I tried shorts, tilting the seat, chamois butter (too much info?), and I am riding happy these days. I got a Bontrager inForm. I think it deserves it's own post, so stay tuned for that. I won't even tell you what my old seat was called at the bike shop, but it was not good...
This is a really long post to say that I HEART MY BIKE. I can't believe how awesome it is.
In other news, I rode to church tonight and discovered another bike in my usual parking spot (inside the doors)! We have nowhere to lock our bikes, so I think it is time to ask for a bike rack. I have been waiting for this day. Oh, and I had someone come up to me and tell me my legs looked great! Woot woot, it is working!!
Bike love
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Dirrty, Dirrty
We know your bike must be dirty dirty, so bring it on down to Bici's HQ and we'll have the tools you need to clean your love and make it look as good as new!
A great way to get out into the nice spring weather, hang with your homies, and donate to a good cause.
$5 suggested donation.
Friday, February 27, 2009
I love Riding in the City
Guess who is in this month's Urban Velo? That's right-me! You can check it out here. I contributed to their "I love Riding in the City" column. You should too! The folks at Urban Velo are awesome and have a really great thing going on. In addition to my little page, they also sponsored our Heartbrakes Alleycat Benefit.
You can get a paper subscription OR they offer it up for free on itunes.
So, thanks to Urban Velo. You guys are awesome.
(Seriously, go and contribute to the column. You won't regret it!)
Also-thanks to everyone who came out to the Bici Community Interest Meeting. It went really well and was really fun to sit around talking about bikes and bike shops with like minded peeps. Cyclists Rock!!
You can get a paper subscription OR they offer it up for free on itunes.
So, thanks to Urban Velo. You guys are awesome.
(Seriously, go and contribute to the column. You won't regret it!)
Also-thanks to everyone who came out to the Bici Community Interest Meeting. It went really well and was really fun to sit around talking about bikes and bike shops with like minded peeps. Cyclists Rock!!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Bike Saturday and car free weekend!
Lately, it seems like Anna and I have bi-weekly Bike Saturday. Two weeks ago was a lovely Saturday involving bike shops and sunny rides.
Well...this Saturday was equally lovely. Ok, maybe not equally, but pretty close.
Once again, we headed over to Homewood Cycles for a Bike class. This time was level 2, bike tune-ups. Once again, it was awesome! The entire Bici crew came and we learned all sorts of stuff, including how to change a chain...which we practiced on Mick Jagger, as his chain was stretched and needed replacing. :) Nothing like a few hours at the Bike shop to make you excited about riding. I was reminded AGAIN of how much I love my bike shop. Walked out with a new chain and new gloves, not to mention knowledge and warm fuzzies (man, I am so cheesy!).
On to Primavera Coffee for a Bici meeting. With Prom behind us and our Community Interest meeting coming, it is time to get serious. Which we did, over delicious coffee. Starting a Non-Profit is hard work, ya'll. 2.5 hours later, we had accomplished so much and were feeling good. Overwhelmed (maybe that was just me?), but good. Are you coming to the meeting Thursday? Because you should be. go put it on your calendar now. I'll wait...
...Ok, now back to my story:
After the meeting, I decided to bike over to another local coffee shop to pick up something from a friend and indulge in my 4th cup of coffee. It was a nice ride, one that I had never done before. After spending an hour chit chatting and visiting, it was now 4:30 and the sun was waning. Time to try my new route home, the one I was hoping would allow me to get to work without having to drive part of the way. (Again, thanks to Homewood cycles for the route advice). I pulled on my gloves, slapped on my helmet and set off.
20 minutes later I was home, feeling triumphant!! (Then I collapsed and didn't leave the house again for the night...)
Sunday I got up late, really late. Decided to try the new work route round trip, since I had to go into the office for a few hours. I did it! Got over the mountain and all the way to Irondale. Took 45 minutes, which adds quite a bit of time to the morning commute, but well worth it. I. am. awesome. Only had to rest once along the way! Worked and rode home. Mapped it later and it is 18 miles round trip, which is not a bad workout if I do it 3-4 times per week.
I parked my car Friday after work and did not get back into it until 10:30 last night to pick a friend up from the airport. This, despite a busy weekend of dinners, concerts, bike classes, work and coffee shops. It felt like a turning point in my 'car-lite' life. All in all, a great weekend.
Was your weekend lovely, internets?
Well...this Saturday was equally lovely. Ok, maybe not equally, but pretty close.
Once again, we headed over to Homewood Cycles for a Bike class. This time was level 2, bike tune-ups. Once again, it was awesome! The entire Bici crew came and we learned all sorts of stuff, including how to change a chain...which we practiced on Mick Jagger, as his chain was stretched and needed replacing. :) Nothing like a few hours at the Bike shop to make you excited about riding. I was reminded AGAIN of how much I love my bike shop. Walked out with a new chain and new gloves, not to mention knowledge and warm fuzzies (man, I am so cheesy!).
On to Primavera Coffee for a Bici meeting. With Prom behind us and our Community Interest meeting coming, it is time to get serious. Which we did, over delicious coffee. Starting a Non-Profit is hard work, ya'll. 2.5 hours later, we had accomplished so much and were feeling good. Overwhelmed (maybe that was just me?), but good. Are you coming to the meeting Thursday? Because you should be. go put it on your calendar now. I'll wait...
...Ok, now back to my story:
After the meeting, I decided to bike over to another local coffee shop to pick up something from a friend and indulge in my 4th cup of coffee. It was a nice ride, one that I had never done before. After spending an hour chit chatting and visiting, it was now 4:30 and the sun was waning. Time to try my new route home, the one I was hoping would allow me to get to work without having to drive part of the way. (Again, thanks to Homewood cycles for the route advice). I pulled on my gloves, slapped on my helmet and set off.
20 minutes later I was home, feeling triumphant!! (Then I collapsed and didn't leave the house again for the night...)
Sunday I got up late, really late. Decided to try the new work route round trip, since I had to go into the office for a few hours. I did it! Got over the mountain and all the way to Irondale. Took 45 minutes, which adds quite a bit of time to the morning commute, but well worth it. I. am. awesome. Only had to rest once along the way! Worked and rode home. Mapped it later and it is 18 miles round trip, which is not a bad workout if I do it 3-4 times per week.
I parked my car Friday after work and did not get back into it until 10:30 last night to pick a friend up from the airport. This, despite a busy weekend of dinners, concerts, bike classes, work and coffee shops. It felt like a turning point in my 'car-lite' life. All in all, a great weekend.
Was your weekend lovely, internets?
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Bici Community Interest Meeting
Reposted from the Bici page.
Mark your Calendars! FEEL FREE TO REPOST!
Thursday Feb. 26 7pm
Nomad Supply Shop
916 23rd Street South
Birmingham, AL
Shop phone (205)252-9359
If you want to know more about what we are, how to help, or have ideas to share, PLEASE come! This is your opportunity to get involved and get to know us. Spread the word, invite your friends.
Nomad is kind enough to give us use of their space, afterhours, AND provide coffee and tea. If you haven't been to their shop, go and check it out. What they are doing is really wonderful and unique. We are excited about partnering with them. They are in Bici's community footprint and have similar philosphies, so we think this is the start of a beautiful relationship! :)
if you know you will be attending and want to shoot us email, that would be great...nice to know how much coffee we will need. But either way, please come out. We are going to be working hard until then on our vision for the future and our mission in the community...but we can't do that without your input. We want to be for the Community and made up of it's citizens.
Any questions, send an email to info(at)bicicoop(dot)com.
Bike Love!
Mark your Calendars! FEEL FREE TO REPOST!
Thursday Feb. 26 7pm
Nomad Supply Shop
916 23rd Street South
Birmingham, AL
Shop phone (205)252-9359
If you want to know more about what we are, how to help, or have ideas to share, PLEASE come! This is your opportunity to get involved and get to know us. Spread the word, invite your friends.
Nomad is kind enough to give us use of their space, afterhours, AND provide coffee and tea. If you haven't been to their shop, go and check it out. What they are doing is really wonderful and unique. We are excited about partnering with them. They are in Bici's community footprint and have similar philosphies, so we think this is the start of a beautiful relationship! :)
if you know you will be attending and want to shoot us email, that would be great...nice to know how much coffee we will need. But either way, please come out. We are going to be working hard until then on our vision for the future and our mission in the community...but we can't do that without your input. We want to be for the Community and made up of it's citizens.
Any questions, send an email to info(at)bicicoop(dot)com.
Bike Love!
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Got Canned Heat in my heels tonight
No Valentine this year?
No Valentines Plans? Live close to Birmingham? well, then come out to The Heartbrakes Alleycat Prom Benefit!! you still have time...
details at Bicicoop.org. quick rundown:
Greencup books (richard Arrington Drive)
race at 7, party at 8
Andy's Tea Party (with our own Anna!) playing
DJ Nastique spinning some mad crazy tunes
Prom photo booth
$10 to party, $15 to race and party
ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT BICI BIKE CO-OP!
See you there. I'll be dressed up, fancy like.
I leave you with this photo of my day spent running Prom errands on the bike. It was a lovely Valentines Day spent with my love, Mick Jagger!
No Valentines Plans? Live close to Birmingham? well, then come out to The Heartbrakes Alleycat Prom Benefit!! you still have time...
details at Bicicoop.org. quick rundown:
Greencup books (richard Arrington Drive)
race at 7, party at 8
Andy's Tea Party (with our own Anna!) playing
DJ Nastique spinning some mad crazy tunes
Prom photo booth
$10 to party, $15 to race and party
ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT BICI BIKE CO-OP!
See you there. I'll be dressed up, fancy like.
I leave you with this photo of my day spent running Prom errands on the bike. It was a lovely Valentines Day spent with my love, Mick Jagger!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Spring Fever
The weather has been so nice here! High 60's and sunny. wonderful weather to ride.
Yet, I have only ridden once this week!! arg. Here are my stupid excuses:
Monday: was housesitting at a house that is actually closer to work, but farther from my safe route. So I drove to work instead of driving twice the distance to get somewhere safe enough to ride.
(I learned of a new route to work directly from my house that I plan to test run this weekend to make srue I know how to get there and the time it takes, etc)
Tuesday: RODE!!
Wednesday: Rain and storms predicted. Which did happen, but only in the middle of the day. So frustrating.
Thursday (today): woke up 10 minutes before i had to leave for work. Oops. So I had to drive like a bat out of hell only to get to work 10 minutes late. I also have to go somewhere immediately after work, which is when I really feel the pain of living in a cycling un-friendly city. There is no way to get to where I need to go on my bike. At all. All day today I have been sad that I didn't ride.
Friday: I.AM.RIDING. no matter what.
The guilt and remorse has been too much! Do you feel this way, or have weeks like this? In the back of my mind I know that there is only a small window of time between freezing cold and stupidly hot and humid, so every day that I drive feels like a waste and a shame.
To sunny days and Spring Fever and getting back on the saddle!
(oh, are you coming to the Bici Prom??...I hope to see you there)
Yet, I have only ridden once this week!! arg. Here are my stupid excuses:
Monday: was housesitting at a house that is actually closer to work, but farther from my safe route. So I drove to work instead of driving twice the distance to get somewhere safe enough to ride.
(I learned of a new route to work directly from my house that I plan to test run this weekend to make srue I know how to get there and the time it takes, etc)
Tuesday: RODE!!
Wednesday: Rain and storms predicted. Which did happen, but only in the middle of the day. So frustrating.
Thursday (today): woke up 10 minutes before i had to leave for work. Oops. So I had to drive like a bat out of hell only to get to work 10 minutes late. I also have to go somewhere immediately after work, which is when I really feel the pain of living in a cycling un-friendly city. There is no way to get to where I need to go on my bike. At all. All day today I have been sad that I didn't ride.
Friday: I.AM.RIDING. no matter what.
The guilt and remorse has been too much! Do you feel this way, or have weeks like this? In the back of my mind I know that there is only a small window of time between freezing cold and stupidly hot and humid, so every day that I drive feels like a waste and a shame.
To sunny days and Spring Fever and getting back on the saddle!
(oh, are you coming to the Bici Prom??...I hope to see you there)
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Heartbrakes!
Since I never went to prom (can you believe that no one even asked me?!), this is going to make up for lost time! I am thinking about screenprinting the Bici logo onto an old formal.
Come out and dance your socks off. All while benefitting a great cause! Want to know more about the Bici Co-op? Click the link to the left and read all about it.
See you on Valentines Day!
(feel free to repost this...we want to get the word out!)
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Want to spend Valentines Day with the Bikeskirt Ladies??
Hey kids,
Want to register early for the Valentines Heartbrakes Prom alleycat and save the hassle of late registation? Shoot an email to info{at}bicicoop{dot}com and we will get you all signed up. Details to come, but trust us...you want in. Alan has been working his ass off to get some SICK prizes.
We also need volunteers. What better way to spend your Valentines Day than hanging out with a bunch of awesome folks, listening to good music and helping get the Bici Co-op started? Let us know if you can volunteer by sending us an email or commenting here. we need you!
Remember, this is a team event. Sign up with your Prom 'date'. No date, no problem...there will be a stag category where we will set you up.
Two words: Prom Pictures.
Have I told you about The Bici coop? If not, check it out by clicking the sweet logo to the left. Tell 'em I sent you (oh wait...they are me...and the Brocycler).
Want to register early for the Valentines Heartbrakes Prom alleycat and save the hassle of late registation? Shoot an email to info{at}bicicoop{dot}com and we will get you all signed up. Details to come, but trust us...you want in. Alan has been working his ass off to get some SICK prizes.
We also need volunteers. What better way to spend your Valentines Day than hanging out with a bunch of awesome folks, listening to good music and helping get the Bici Co-op started? Let us know if you can volunteer by sending us an email or commenting here. we need you!
Remember, this is a team event. Sign up with your Prom 'date'. No date, no problem...there will be a stag category where we will set you up.
Two words: Prom Pictures.
Have I told you about The Bici coop? If not, check it out by clicking the sweet logo to the left. Tell 'em I sent you (oh wait...they are me...and the Brocycler).
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