The Ghost Bike

I don't know if everyone is as interested in them as I am, maybe I'm a bit morbid, or I really like to remember those who led the way... Anyhow I've always been interested in ghost bikes. When I was living in San Diego last year, we got our first one for a guy named Atip, I never knew him, but I remember how the bike community came together to construct his ghost bike after he was killed by a truck on University Ave.

This is Atip's ghost bike.
I thought I would do a little research on the ghost bike from Wikipedia... and here is what I have found:

What is a Ghost Bike?
"A ghost bike or ghostcycle is a bicycle set up in a place where a cyclist has been hurt or killed by a motor vehicle, as a memorial and as a reminder to passing motorists to share the road. A junk bicycle is painted white, with a placard attached, and locked to a suitable object close to the scene of the accident. These memorials are mainly a political statement – aiming to make a wider point beyond personal loss – erected by pro-cycling organizations, unlike a typical roadside memorial, which is usually purely personal. Not all ghost bikes commemorate real casualties: some merely reflect indignation at near-misses by careless drivers, or even protest against a poor road surface."


History Behind the Ghost Bike:
"The ghost bike idea seems to have originated with a project by San Francisco artist Jo Sota. Slota began the original ghost bike project in April 2002. This was a distinct, purely artistic endeavor.[2] Slota was intrigued by the abandoned bicycles that he found around the city, locked up but stripped of useful parts. He began painting them white, and posted photographs on his website, ghostbike.net. As the idea was taken up for different purposes, Slota faced a dilemma. San Francisco is one of the safer U.S. cities for bicyclists, but memorial ghost bikes sprang up there as elsewhere, changing perceptions of his project.

One of Jo Sota's ghost bike.

The first ghost bike memorial project was in St. Louis, Missouri, United States in October 2003. After observing a motorist strike a bicyclist in a bike lane on Holly Hills Boulevard, Patrick Van Der Tuin placed a white-painted bicycle on the spot with a hand-painted sign reading "Cyclist Struck Here". Noticing the effect that this had on motorists in the area, Van Der Tuin then enlisted the help of friends to place 15 more "ghost bikes" in prominent spots in the St. Louis area where cyclists had recently been hit by automobiles. They used damaged bikes, in some cases deliberately damaged to create the desired mangled effect."

Here is the original ghost bike.

This site is dedicated to ghost bikes and has some interesting information on it.
Via.

Picture Post for Sunday

Came across this fantastic picture of a Lego like remake of a group a tour bike crew. Looks almost like a bridge out in Pasadena.

Chrome's Fall Shoes.

Chrome bags has dropped sneak preview images of their new fall collection of shoes. Using all the best materials these shoes were made with a ton of speciality bike features such as a Propulsion Plate stiffener in the sole, Cordura laces with steel aglets, a reflective heel (how cool is that?!), and a lip on the toe to help you flip into your pedals. They even look pretty neat. Kind of remind me of early Macbeth shoes.





These shoes will be available here in early September.

A Picture for Saturday Morning!

Here's a fun picture for the day, and a little bit inspirational too!

This is Alyson

It's Saturday. You better be going to the BFF tonight and definitely to the BBQ/Block Party tomorrow. A few of us will be there!!! Our last interview of the Bike Day LA folks is actually me, Alyson Michelle!

Q: What do you do for Bike Day LA?
A: I'm the brain. I run our website, blog, facebook, twitter, myspace.

Q: In your next life what will you be (either for bike day la or not)?
A: I want to come back as a leotard! (it's from a movie)

Q: What do you ride?
A: A wonderful 46 Swobo Sanchez with celeste cages and a back white wheel.

Q: What is your favorite thing about bicycling?
A: The sense of community.

Q: What do you hate when you ride?
A: Going up hill against the wind on a crack ridden road.

Q: Your favorite trick?
A: Going fast? I don't do tricks but I quite like watching them.

Q: Its your last meal, what are you eating?
A: One of every piece of sushi on the San Shi Go menu, potato pesto pizza from Escape from NY pizza on Haight, a pear and candied walnut salad, a strawberry & nutella crepe, faux canadian style sticky chicken and saffron rice, a dr pepper, a grilled cheese from in & out, all the appetizers at Green Leaves on Hillhurst, and cookies & cream yogurt land. YUM.

Q: Where can you be found?
A: Behind a computer screen, biking around, or on a big orange couch with the boyfriend & a cat named Larry.

Q: And last but not least, what is your dream bike?
A: Celeste Bianchi Concept with celeste deep v's and white components & white tires.

Here's a Bunch of Pictures

I'm too busy at work to write a bunch. But here's some nice look bikes for you too drool about!








And this one just made me laugh:

This is Trout

TGIF!!! Here's our interview of the last gentleman of Bike Day LA, Andrew "Trout". Everyone make sure you make it out for the Bicycle Film Festival & BFF block party this weekend!

Q: What do you do for Bike Day LA?
A: I contact sponsors, handle all relations with the venue, plan, organize, setup and tear down the event.

Q: In your next life what will you be (either for bike day la or not)?
A: I will be myself, but in Heaven. I'm one of the few young adults who still believes in God.

Q: What do you ride?
A: 2009 Fuji Track Comp

Q: What is your favorite thing about bicycling?
A: The freedom of going on long rides and seeing all of the things that you wouldn't see if you were stuck in a rolling box with windows.

Q: What do you hate when you ride?
A: I hate a lot of things. Wind, the sun, assholes who drive around you really fast, just so they can then stop at a stop light and you catch right back up to them, pot holes/cracks, stop lights, the road dust that buses kick up, car exhaust.

Q: Your favorite trick?
A: uhh backwards circles I guess...it's the only thing I can do.

Q: Its your last meal, what are you eating?
A: Tacos with Morning Star "Grillers" fake meat, corn on the cob, Velveeta Shells n' Cheese, smores Pop Tarts, Cookie Crisp, water, sprite, Cherry Coke (I don't drink caffeine, but what the hell...it's my last meal right?), Double Stuffed Oreos, Samoas (girl scout cookies), chocolate shake from Johnny Rockets, corn tamales from Pink Taco, Fussili pasta with no sauce and lots of parmesan cheese from Redd Rocketts Pizza Port at Disneyland, and a 16oz Orange Dream Machine from Jamba Juice with a parmesan pretzel.

Q: Where can you be found?
A: Either at home with my girl and my dogs, on my bike around L.A. or at work.

Q: And last but not least, what is your dream bike?
A: I have two dream bikes... First is a Yamaguchi Team USA Track bike frame and fork, Mavic Ellipse wheels with Black Phil Wood Track hubs, Sugino 75 cranks, Phil Wood BB, Chris King headset, Cinelli quill stem, Nitto B123 track drops, Selle Italia SLR saddle. Second would be a Cervelo P3 TT Bike.

This is What We Look Forward to in, 2010

2010 BIANCHI D2 Pista Track Frames
Can we say want?!

Space Saver Idea

So not sure what kind of bracket or holding system this is (or if its even something branded). But I love the way this bike looks being held against the wall like this. Such a great space saver and not at all bulky... I'm going to have to run down to Home Depot and learn how to make one of these!

Helmet Hair? I think not!

Now, I don't wear a helmet, which is stupid of me, I know. For many who ride bikes, they don't want to look uncool or look as though they are a total poser, but let's be honest, wearing a helmet could save your life. And frankly if you aren't alive then you can't ride, so what's really more important?

These helmets were designed by Yves Béhar, Josh Morenstein, Nick Cronan, Matt Swinton, & Giuseppe Della Salle of Fuse Project and were commissioned by the state of New York. The outside covers are totally customizable and also comes off easy for cleaning. Now you can look hip and be safe!


Personally I think the added feature of being able to lock them up with your U-lock is the best and the ear flaps cause wind in the ears is quite unpleasant.

Yet another...

funny thing from a fixed gear blog. This conversation just cracked me up and I thought it worth sharing. Enjoy!

Another neat picture

Amazing what one can accomplish with two slices of an orange and some peel.

Essay: Characteristics of a Fixed Gear

While wandering around on various blog sites (I do it for work, I swear) I came across this cute little "essay" by Craig Runyon from Eugene, Oregon about fixed gear bikes on this cycle shop blog. Some are very clever, some not so much. But fun none the less!

Essay: Characteristics of a Fixed Gear
A fixed gear bike is never broken. It’s fixed.

A fixed gear coined the term “The new black.”

If a fixed gear was old enough to run for president, it’d win.

A fixed gear has enough love for everyone.

When a fixed gear speaks, people listen.

A fixed gear always puts the toilet seat down.

A fixed gear invented the internet.

Fixed gears could solve global warming.

On a fixed gear, your wheels don’t roll. You stay still and the earth spins below you.

A fixed gear never calls for a fair catch.

A fixed gear taught Yoda how to fight.

A fixed gear can fit a square peg into a round hole.

A fixed gear don’t take no lip.

A fixed gear will break your heart.

If Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris and Mr. T got in a fight with a fixed gear, the fixed gear would be the last man standing.

Cain is to Able as a fixed gear is to a single speed.

A fixed gear will love you and leave you.

A fixed gear can bend it like Beckham.

A fixed gear isn’t afraid to wear pink.

“Where’s the beef?” A fixed gear knows.

Look up fixed gear in the dictionary. Its definition: totally awesome!

Miles Davis’s album “The Birth of Cool” is said to be about a fixed gear.

Tonight in Los Angeles

For more information check out the BFF website.

This is Mackeyos

Here's another one of dear boys from Bike Day LA. Sean "Mackeyos". Happy Thursday everyone, hope you will all be going out to the Bicycle Film Festival art show tonight (more on that later).

Q: What do you do for Bike Day LA?
A: I make sure everyone who shows up has fun. Gifts and goodies.

Q: In your next life what will you be (either for bike day la or not)?
A: Dead, I belive in heaven

Q: What do you ride?
A: I ride a poorly striped rusted kilo courtesy of bikes direct

Q: What is your favorite thing about bicycling?
A: 1986, a hbo film, rad.

Q: What do you hate when you ride?
A: I hate the 3 c's cars cracks and cops

Q: Your favorite trick?
A: Any variation of a keo spin, or a truck driver depending on the bike

Q: Its your last meal, what are you eating?
A: All you can eat anywhere that while I'm thinking about what I should eat next I can skate, sleep, watch a movie, bike, and hang with my gf not in that order.

Q: Where can you be found?
A: I'm everywhere in LA

Q: And last but not least, what is your dream bike?
A: Cinelli Mash bike with pursuit bars.

New Woodgrain Reload Bags

Reload bags has got a super cool new print out! Called their woodgrain print it comes in three different colors, tan, coyote, and white. The bag shapes include their standard civillian, small civillian, as well as their softpack.

Tonight in Los Angeles

Just a Neat Picture

via.

Fixed Gear Death Trap

While wandering around on Craigslist I came across this wonderfully funny bike for sale in the best of section. Maybe you won't laugh as much as I did, but here it goes.

"Fixed Gear Death Trap

I'm selling a complete fixed gear. It is totally ready to ride and will probably kill you.

I pushed it into a bike shop recently to have the rear wheel trued. At the bottom of my receipt it read, 'My advice, get a new bike.' So, I am. And maybe you are too! He was reserved enough not to use the words 'death' or 'trap,' but I'm not!

The frame is probably an old Raleigh that could have been worth something. It's rattlecanned and chipping rapidly. The paint is almost completely gone where my car's bike rack grips. There are, however, parts of the bike that are still entirely painted.

Looking a little deeper, the headset is completely fucked. Unless you can ride a unicycle, you can't ride this bike with no hands. I'm expecting something terrible to happen in the headset in the next few rides that will pitch me onto the pavement. For the right price, this could be you!

Also, the pedals were never supposed to house toe cages. So, the cages are kind of ruined and inoperable. Sometimes when I'm skidding, my front foot will almost slip out and I'll get all wobbly before righting myself. During these moments, my eyes are usually plate-wide with terror. This could be your terror!

There are still front and rear brakes installed, because it was always kind of a half-assed conversion. These could definitely be removed, though. The bike shop guy even tightened up the rear brakes for me. You could be the only fixie rider in SF with fully functional rear brakes.

But the brake cables are also completely shot, so I wouldn't count on it.

The handlebar tape is falling off and one of the plugs is missing.

Also, I don't remember what kind of cranks are on it but the pedals are super long. Every now and then when you're riding they slam off the ground and get more ruined. Again, there's some aspect of terror here.

The gear ratio is 52/20. The rear tire is flat and the Presta valve is broken off.

This bike is what my brother affectionately refers to as a 'time bomb.' Why? Because there's no track hub or cog. Actually, there's a freewheel with loctite in it. So far, I've been able to learn how to ride fixed on this setup without it falling apart. But someday it will. And when it does, someone is going to get fucking screwed.

I paid $80 for it 8 months ago in Buffalo. Considering we're in San Francisco, the asking price is $350. I think that's only fair."

No this isn't the the picture that came with the posting, but I think it would have worked well!

This Is Old Man Miller.

So we thought it would be fun to tell you guys a little bit about who we are who run and do Bike Day LA. For your smokey Wednesday morning (if you live in L.A.) we interviewed Nick "Old Man Miller".

Q: What do you do for Bike Day LA?
A: I am the element of wilderness.

Q: In your next life what will you be (either for bike day la or not)?
A: The bike day la promotions guy

Q: What do you ride?
A: So far a slew of converted road bikes all on the same green weinman wheel.

Q: What is your favorite thing about bicycling?
A: That's tough. Having a hobby that is also exercise and is also efficient transportation.

Q: What do you hate when you ride?
A: Exploding forks.

Q: Your favorite trick?
A: I like backwards circles. I also like the no hands one foot backward circle.

Q: Its your last meal, what are you eating?
A: A breakfast sandwhich from snackbar wrapped in a pepperoni pizza from village covered in tabasco with a side of fish tacos, some mac n cheese,some beans, a half chicken, some hummus, iced coffee, dr pepper, water and new castle.

Q: Where can you be found?
A: Lately I'm either chillin at home,working and hanging out at 15-20, riding my bike or out and about drinking beer and seeking out amazing food with my gf.

Q: And last but not least, what is your dream bike?
A: At this point any proper track bike that is my size and not too heavy. I'll fantasize more extravagantly later.

Keeping in Unground... Literally.

Many fixed gear riders get slack for riding the style that they do. Being called hipsters or being told they are just jumping on the bandwagon. There are very few fixed gear specialty shops that are able to make a profit while keep their integrity about the sport. In Paris this is one and only shop dedicated to promote and repair these bikes. Called Cyclope it can be found underground literally. With the price of retail space and the cost this shop can be found through a gate down and alley, then down steps into the basement of a building in a courtyard. Phew! The specialize in repairing, building, and selling fixed gear bikes. Although nearly impossible to find, once you are there, you have truly found a hidden gem!

Like Nike Id...

But for bikes instead. Now want to talk about a fun way to kill time at the job that you don't really want to be at... Pedal Mafia has a section called Pedal ID.

I just played around on there. And you can design your dream bike with custom frames, colors, any wheel from Aerospokes to B43s... Great color selections and more or less just a super fun idea. Take a screen shot and hang it on your ffridge so you can work towards that dream bike. They even have options for BMX bikes!
Here's what I made...simple but me through and through!

Teague has come out with a new concept for an urban bike called, the Pulse. The bike is everything that would be needed for a standard bike commute including electric turn signals, a luminescent frame, and specialized bike pedals that have weights in them so they always stay right side up.

The frame lights up only when you need it, making you much more visible on the road.


More information here.

"Bicycle Lane".....a love story

Bicycle Lane Trailer - Extended Version!