Hey folks, I JUST got word that the flyers for the annual 2010 Moonlight Cruze have hit the shops. A reader was in Ozone yesterday and happened to give me the dirt on this years ride date:

I stopped by Ozone this afternoon and they had just received the flyer for the 2010 Moonlight Cruze. You probably know this already, but It's Sunday, September 26 @ 2AM.

That's right folks, it's Sunday, September 26th, 2AM, on ped bridge. For the chronologically challenged of you, that means you go out Saturday night (25th), end up around 6th street for last call, and when the bartender shouts those fateful words you slam your beverage and book it over to the bridge and get in on the ride.

I'll post the flyer as soon as I see one, but I wanted to get this info out as soon as I could. September 26th! Thanks for getting the word out Tom.

Oh and P.S. I figured out what was wrong with the bike stereo. Expect the noise to be motherfucking brought.

read more

I've been computerless for most of the past couple days, but I just noticed that those wacky Social Cycling folks are going to be running a ride to The Dropout release party! Meet at the bridge at 5pm today to get in on this:

Basically going to take a casual ride around town before the DROPOUT ISSUE #5 Release Party @ FastFolks ...

Time: Meet up @ 5:00pm leaving @ 5:30pm

location: The Pedestrian Bridge !!!
...
How We Do Things:
• Stay Behind The Leader. **Don't Chase The Rabbit!
• Social Cycling Austin rides as traffic, not against it.
• Be kind to you fellow riders and the cars that share the road.
• Don't Run Red Lights, stay in one lane, let cars pass.
• Do Not Cork/Block Intersections
• Have Fun.
• It's not a race, it's a social ride.
• Please remember pick up your trash @ starting & stopping points.

What you need to bring:
• lights(lights, lights, lights)
• a lock
• a valid ID if you are going to the after party and Tip Money.

See Everyone @ The Bridge!!!

-clarence
http://www.facebook.com/clarence.rivera

Cruise with these folks, or just show up to the party. Either way, it'll be a good time. Leanna mentioned picking up 30 CASES of Lonestar for the party the other day, so why not do your duty as a biker and help 'em drink it?

read more

Nearly upon us is yet another night of the award winning Thursday Night Social Ride, brought to you by Brooks, Keith, Clarence, Chris and the rest of the usual crew. Speaking of, if you'd like to join said crew, they're looking for a few more helpers to assist in shepherding cyclists from the park to the beer. Read on for deets, and for who to contact:

As most of you have probably noticed we are running short on helpers for the ride. If you would like to help out leading TNSR please contact me (there is a link at the bottom of the post or find me before the ride). Also if you are not wanting to "officially" help out but are willing to do what you can...

• for those of you at the front of the ride please stay behind the leader.

• If you see a light turn red please alert the gr...oup to "Stop!"

• the more communication we have out there the better.

• Do NOT cork/block intersections.
** if you see anyone corking/blocking intersections please ask them not to. If there are cars who have the right of way we need to let them pass. **

...we ride bikes

Fiesta Gardens- Just East Of I-35 Bridge, North of the River.

meet up at 7:30pm leave at 8:00pm

How We Do Things:
• Stay Behind The Leader. **Don't Chase The Rabbit!
• Social Cycling Austin rides as traffic, not against it.
• Be kind to you fellow riders and the cars that share the road.
• Don't Run Red Lights, stay in one lane, let cars pass.
• Do Not Cork/Block Intersections
• Have Fun.
• It's not a race, it's a social ride.
• Please remember pick up your trash @ starting & stopping points.

What you need to bring:
• lights(lights, lights, lights)
• a lock
• a valid ID if you are going to the after party and Tip Money.

** TNSR is Rain or Shine **

This week we are heading to Jackalope for the after party! $2 pints all night.

See Everyone Under The Bridge!

-clarence
http://www.facebook.com/clarence.rivera

Expect a big one tonight as everybody and their mothers picks up a copy of the Chronicle and see's Social Cycling ATX's name all over the awards pages...

read more

I'd like to welcome the Thursday Night Social Ride to the "Best of Austin" club:

Best Social Ride: Thursday Night Social Ride

It's said that in order for bikes and cars to coexist, cyclists need to increase their visibility, both in general and in numbers. In Austin, group rides happen almost every day, but one of the biggest is the Thursday night social ride. Around 250 bicyclists, including everyone from kids to seniors on fixies, cruisers, and what-have-you, meet up and ride "as traffic, not against it." This inclusive spirit and a relaxed pace with lots of stops not only helps novices gain confidence but also encourages drivers to acknowledge cyclists as fellow travelers, not adversaries. www.socialcyclingatx.com

Badass y'all! See everybody on the ride tonight. Lets have a beer and celebrate!

Update: Turns out they won TWO awards:

Best Use of a Puffy Water Slide: Social Cycling's Landing at the Scoot

You've just been on an hour-and-a-half ride through East Austin in the middle of summer. You're sweaty, stinky, and surrounded by fellow bicyclists in a similar predicament. What's the solution? Well, how about a giant inflatable water slide set amid East Fifth's Scoot Inn & Biergarten that looks part bouncing tent, part water park, and all fun? Welcome to Social Cycling Austin. Whether it's the Monday Night Heavy Metal Ride, the Thursday Night Social Ride – with trips to Barton Springs, water balloon fights, and lots of beer – or any of their other impromptu events, this group of two-wheeled crazies always puts on a good show.
The Scoot Inn, 1308 E. Fourth, 478-6200 www.socialcyclingatx.com; www.eastinns.com

DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMN!

read more

FRIDAY! FIXED ONLY! FIVE BUCKS!

Capitol. 6:30.

Last night was the last night of Jackelope's "Bike Month". Thank God, my head is killing me. Good to see all y'all die-hards out there.

Leana and Scott are releasing their latest issue of the Dropout THIS Sunday. Party time is 7pm and party place is Fast Folks:

Issue #5, our small bike/talk bike issue, drops this Sunday. Come out to get your own copy, support us as we prepare for interbike, and pretty much rage your socks off. If you've ever been to one before, you know it's always an event. If you've never been, you probably have heard. Don't miss this one.

I just read that Scott's wrangled 30 CASES of Lonestar for us thirsty bikers. What better way to herald cooler climes and a new issue of the Dropout than with a bunch of drunken scumbag cyclists partying it up at a bike shop? I know I'll be there...

read more

Tomorrow. Wednesday. Hump Day. Nooner. Ride.

Where do you want to ride this week? Please comment your suggestions below.

We meet on the ped. bridge at 11:45 am, get to know your fellow riders, ride out at 12:10 pm. Ride up a hill or two and head to get a refreshing beverage and ride to get lunch. Rides are between 5 and 10 miles. The route is determined on the fly.

This is a no-drop ride, with hills. All levels are welcome. I encourage the beginners to push themselves to k...eep up and the faster riders to wait up. If your having trouble with the pace please let me or the group know and we will try to adjust it.

Depart: 12:10 pm.

Bring: WATER, sunblock, a lock, a well tuned bike, also some spare tubes & tools wouldn't hurt.

Photo pulled from Doug http://cycling.frenzied.us/

Share your photos here http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=56122823659&v=photos or http://www.flickr.com/groups/socialcyclingatx/

That's the word.

read more

So I have this old buddy Ralph. Like me he used to be a big fat tattooed guy; then he got on a bike and it changed shit up. NOW he's one of the founders of the Leander/Cedar Park Social Cycling crew! Now all you way north Austinites don't have to come alllllllllll the way downtown to get in on the action. Speaking of, look what those wacky north siders are doing tomorrow night...

Leander / Cedar Park Social Cycling Block House ride!

Wednesday, September 1st 7pm
Park @ Crystal Falls and Bagdad (parking lot behind swimming pool)

And as always the route is subject to switch up a little once we get on it.

This is going to be a bit of a smaller ride, but as always the idea is to hang out while doing something we love. The pace is slow n go to moderate at times.

Nice! It sounds like this is going to be a weekly ride, so keep an eye on the Facebook group if you want to hear about future events.

read more

Not a lot to read around here the past few days. My fault. Fun time stuff with the good people of Austin happening in the real world = me not working on my website, and in fact not even noticing a couple hours of downtime due to a blown PDU or some such, which my partially-cybernetic and wholly silent computer machine administrator Ed was able to fix and get things back up and running.

Something big that has come up in the past several days are a couple interesting petitions being circulated around the local (and beyond) bike community. The first one I head about was a petition from the incredibly hard-working folks at BikeTexas concerning a potential bicycle ban in a town just north of the DFW area called Bartonville. You can read more about the issue on BikeTexas' site.

One of the things I LOVE about the BikeTexas folks is their unflagging support of the rights of cyclists from smaller cities around Texas, as well as some of the larger Red counties that don't necessarily prioritize their bicycling infrastructure as much as Austin does (heh). These guys also do a lot of state-wide advocacy and education, which can be a pretty thankless job a lot of the time. Please take a few moments to read about and if you agree with it sign their petition. I have so many friends touring, returning from tours, or planning tours, and I hate the idea that in the near future towns in Texas on major thoroughfares could deny access, ticket and harass them simply because they choose to ride through rather than drive.

The next petition is a local one that's being spearheaded by Luke Iseman, an outspoken and politically active member of Austin's pedicabbing community. Under the header of "Legalize Pedicab", this petition is trying to bring recognition to pedicabbing and cycling in general as "Austin's only safe, carbon-free, and rock-hard-thighed form of transportation", as well as call attention to the unprecedented number of citations recently for performing job tasks that were until now accepted and approved by the APD.

According to Luke the Austin Police Department will be implementing new rules September 7th on how they deal with pedicabbers and bicyclists in the downtown area, with no public discussion or input from pedicabbers, cyclists or anyone else for that matter. The Department of Ground Transportation has also been discussing changing the rules that regulate pedicabs in Austin, which could potentially put many pedicabbers out of business.

Finally, he's asking for a grocery list of rights and (dare I say) extended privileges for cyclists:

1. Bikes everywhere: Allow pedicabs and all other pedal-powered vehicles to operate in every area of Austin with speed limits up to 35 mph, within areas barricaded to cars, and on all roadways up to special events.

2. Stop as yield: Allow bicycles to treat stop signs as yield signs.

3. Red as stop: Allow bicycles to treat red lights as stop signs.

4. 3-foot passing enforcement: Require Austin Police to enforce and file monthly reports on the 3-foot passing ordinance, which requires motorized vehicles to give bikes at least 3 feet of room when passing.

Honestly I don't like the 35mph wording in that first point, as many of the roads I ride on have higher speed limits than that and this could potentially be used as a loophole to ban cyclists from those roads. The ability to ride on those roads (pretty much every FM/RR in town) is what gets in and out of the cities on bikes. Aside from picking that one nit, I like the other points and totally agree that the APD SHOULD actually enforce the 3-foot passing rule, especially in cases where a motorist strikes a cyclist (who is behaving legally) in a traffic collision. If you want to read more or sign the petition, you can do so right here.

And now back to your regularly scheduled slacking...

read more

Critical Mass. 5pm on the UT West Mall. Tomorrow. It's the beginning of a new semester so welcome the students back in style and wear something snappy. Or just bring water balloons. ;)

read more

I just added a link on the right to a local business called Bicycle Truck. They make and sell cargo trailers that attach to just about any 2-wheeled contraption out there out of a variety of materials. I know a bunch of y'all have mentioned seeing someone down in South Austin cruising around with an upright bass on a cargo trailer, well these guys look like they build just the trailer for it. Check out their blog for pictures and prices.

read more

Y'all know what time it is folks, Thursday Night Social Ride time! Tonight the ride is heading to a YBP Benefit Show at Red 7, but here's everything you need to know about the in-between bits:

...we ride bikes

meet up at 7:30pm leave at 8:00pm

...How?: Social Cycling Austin rides as traffic, not against it. Be kind to you fellow riders and the cars that share the road. Don't Run Red Lights, stay in one lane, let cars pass (Do Not Cork/Block Intersections) and Have Fun. It's not a race, it's a social ride.
......
Please remember pick up your trash @ starting & stopping points.

What you need to bring: lights(lights, lights, lights), a lock, a valid ID if you are going to the after party and Tip Money.

TNSR is a Rain or Shine ride

See everyone under the bridge!

This week we are ending @ Red7 for the
YELLOW BIKE BENEFIT SHOW
. The Sour Notes
. The Boxing Lesson
. She Sir
. White Rhino
. Searching For Signal

There will be a $7 cover...

-clarence
http://www.facebook.com/clarence.rivera

Bring your bike, yourself, and at least 7 bucks cash money. 7:30 at Festival Beach is where you want to be to start your weekend early with the Thursday Night Social Ride. See y'all there!

read more

I hope you've got your fast legs on for the weekend, because this Saturday the fastest folks in Austin are going to line up to take part in the 6th Street HEAT Alleycat!

Ride bikes, win prizes, go swim, & wet your tongues...

It's the 6TH STREET HEAT!

Registration @ Fast Folks Cyclery
...August 28th, 2-3:45pm
$5.00 (portion benefits local, low-cost animal clinic Emancipet)
or
$2.00 + 3 can goods (to go to Capital Area Food Bank)

Race & Ride @ 4pm
Pedal your two-wheels down Austin's most happening streets to the Walsh Boat Landing (1600 Scenic Dr) to cool-off with a swim and see who wins.

Prizes for males and females in categories for overall 1st, overall last, geared, fixed, and freewheel. Everyone who registers to go the distance enters in raffle drawing at finish line plus track stand competition for more sweet goods.

Then it's a nice cruise back into town where the good people at the Jackalope are offering up free beer (while it lasts), happy hour prices, and $1.00 Lonestars to all participants who beat the 6TH STEET HEAT!

Current Sponsors:
Bike Farm, Birds Barbershop, Chrome (courtesy of the Genesis Agency), the Dropout Magazine, Empire BMX, Fast Folks Cyclery, Freewheelin' Bicycles, the Jackalope, Maine Root Handcrafted Beverages, RTL Enterprises, Snap Kitchen, Spokiz, Wahoo's Fish Taco, Waterloo Records, the Yogurt Spot

Helmets, swimsuits, i.d.'s/tip money, and lights RECOMMENDED

STICK IT TO THE SUN!!!

Be at Fast Folks on 6th (near Pedernales) around 2pm THIS Saturday to register for the race. It's either five bucks or preferably two bucks and three canned goods, which will be donated to the Capital Area Food Bank. I fucking love it.

Their sponsor list is out of this world and includes a who's who's of local bike businesses, resturants, bike shops, bars and even a barber shop! The race is a balls (or ball in Lance's case) out end-run down 6th Street, pretty much all the way to the lake. It's going to be fast and frantic, and I suggest bringing an extra set of eyes to keep the cops off your back. This year they've implemented a ZERO TOLERANCE stance on cyclist red light running, and if the numbers of tickets they've given out in the first half of the year (122 from Jan-June) is any indication, they're not fooling around.

Have fun, kick some ass, and watch your backs.

read more

So I had something odd happen this morning. I was chilling at work, drinking my coffee and all the sudden my phone beeped. I look down, and I've got a facebook message saying "James Clayton added you as a friend". I cruise on over to the books of face to see that, lo and behold, I actually have a friend request from one James Clayton. How interesting! I click on the profile and the picture used is the one we're using over on the Wall of Shame, so I'm a bit suspect as to if it's actually Mr. Clayton or not.

Anybody else get a friend request from the Bicycle Supervillain this morning? According to the Travis County Sheriff Inmate Population Reporting System, he's no longer a ward of the county. Has he moved on, is this a hoax account, or is Mr. Clayton actually re-settling in the sleepy burbs of Austin? All I know is that I'm going to be locking my bikes extra securely from now on, and I suggest y'all do the same.

read more

Bigtime local blog Republic of Austin ran a story this morning on a few simple ways to "prepare the mob for Tom DeLay’s money laundering trial in Austin", and Social Cycling was mentioned as #3! Here's the text from that point:

3. Assemble the mob.

I’m not exactly sure how this is traditionally done. I do know, however, that it’s kinda hard to get people in Austin to do anything that doesn’t involve music or booze. Maybe folks will come out if we can give away free Titos, Treaty Oak or Lonestar? Hmmm…the Thursday Night Bike Social gets about 500 people or so on each ride–maybe we can talk to them!

Nice! The rest of the article mentions tar-and-feathering, torches, pitchforks, zombies, the new commuter rail line, and even storming Governor Hairdo's $10k/month taxpayer-funded rental mansion, so this actually sounds like a good time to me. LET'S GET 'EM!

read more

Hey folks, the excellent people at Brizm Nation are throwing a ride THIS Saturday, and true to form it's not just any ol' ride, it's the BP Protest Ride and EPIC Water Balloon fight! Read on for the goods:

Hey Kids!
Do you like to ride bikes?! Oh yeah!
Do you like to have Fun?! Damn Right!
Do you enjoy cooling off after a long hot day?! Zaaaang!
Hey, remember that whole oil spill thing? That was pretty fucked up. Oh wait, it still is!
...
Here's the deal:
-Meet at the Pedestrian Bridge at 8 on your bikes. Bring banners, paint your hot bod, wear your best oily scrimp and charred sea turtle costumes.
-We leave for a bike ride at 8:30.
-We'll hit up one of the LAST FREE SWIMS at Barton Springs, so bring your swimmy trunks and/or jorts.
-and then... an EPIC WATER BALLOON FIGHT!! At a secret, yet poignant location!
-And then, we BOUNCE to the Big Butts and Beach Sluts Beach Party!
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=103603506365289&ref=ts

We're going to ride bikes, have fun, and stay wet, all while reminding people that the corporate greed and gross negligence perpetrated by BP is still relevant!

Remember kids, They took the beaches, WE TAKE THE STREETS!

p.s. we still need some people with bike trailers to haul water balloons. Let us know if you can help out!

Though we sorely lack beaches, you can still make the best of it and come to the BP Protest Ride! Get wet! 8pm on the ped bridge. S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y!

read more

Today is Wednesday, which means it's time for a mid-day Hump Day Nooner Ride!

I'm back and my cracked/bruised ribs won't hold me down! And neither will this heat. We may shorten this already short ride do to the 100°+ but we won't let it make us weak! WHO'S WITH ME?! Sorry still working on my motivational speaking skills.

We meet on the ped. bridge at 11:45 am, get to know your fellow riders, ride out at 12:10 pm. Ride up a hill or two and head to get a refreshing beverage and ride to get lunch. Rides are ...between 5 and 10 miles. The route is determined on the fly.

This is a no-drop ride, with hills. All levels are welcome. I encourage the beginners to push themselves to keep up and the faster riders to wait up. If your having trouble with the pace please let me or the group know and we will try to adjust it.

Depart: 12:10 pm.

Bring: WATER, sunblock, a lock, a well tuned bike, swim suit, also some spare tubes & tools wouldn't hurt.

Weather Report: High of HOT°F. Perfect ;)

Share your photos here http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=56122823659&v=photos or http://www.flickr.com/groups/socialcyclingatx/

Imaged crabbed from a shirt designer http://www.triathlontshirts.com/all_sport/cycling_riding.htm

- Brooks http://www.facebook.com/brooksgoldsmith

New and up coming group:
Social Cycling On The Dirt
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=106786769355533
Right now a lead a 10 am Thursday ride. Tell your friends.

Meet on the Pfluger Ped Bridge around 11:45am to get in on the action. Bring some bucks for coffee/snacks, and a swimsuit if you want to take a dip.

read more

This month's Frankenbike is happening THIS Saturday at Crown and Anchor:

FrankenBike # 61 ~ August 28, 2010 ~ 10am-4pm @ The Crown & Anchor Pub ~ 2911 San Jacinto Blvd ~ Austin, Texas 78705

Have some crap you need to get rid of? Bring it! Need some new gear? Show up! Have a spare Scott SE Composite rear cantilever brake? LET ME KNOW! See y'all there.

read more

I marginally maintain a list of discounts for cyclists around town, and just had someone let me in on another one in the area:

Flipnotics on Barton Springs Rd. offers 15% off for cyclists!

Thanks Flipnotics!

read more