Style Over Speed.

I have spent the last few days helping a friend make the transition to a car-free life. The biggest part of that has been helping her in choosing which bike as her new source of transportation.

She currently owns a mountain bike but feels too stretched out and thinks it is not really suited for what she wants and needs for her daily travels. She has never been a fan of "that clingy lycra stuff" and is a little intimidated by road bikes. She doesn't see the sense in putting on special cycling clothes for a trip to the store or for her 3 mile commute to work and return trip home. She just wants a comfortable utilitarian bike for daily use without compromising her personal style.

What she wants is style over speed.

(photo by Zakkaliciousness)

The answer to which bike will suit her needs was a simple one once we figured out she what wanted. Or more to the point what she didn't want. The bike of choice for her has been around since the beginning of the 20th century and is still in use by hundreds of thousands of people today. Because we here in the States have a burning need to label and catorgise everything. You may know it as a "Dutch Bike". The Europeans, Asians, Africans and rest of the known world outside of the US refer to it simply as "a bike".

Now that we knew what she wanted. All that we had to do now was find it. Which wouldn't be much of a task in places like Portland, Chicago or New York. But here in Jacksonville it turned out to be a whole other experience. I found several makes and models online which she then narrowed down to 3. All of the 3 chosen bikes listed local dealers (2 of them multiple dealers) and off we went to see if we could find those bikes or something like them.

Knowing our local bike shops as well as I do. I already knew that none of them wouldn't have these bikes in stock. But what I wasn't ready for was the attitude combined with an udder lack of knowledge of anything outside of their staple line of bikes. We would have most likely received the same blank stares followed by the patented "umm, ah what?" if we had walked in and asked for a flux-capacitor.

But the thing that had me about ready to commit an act that would have surly resulted in my arrest and the phrase, "film at eleven". Was the number of times we heard, "you don't want that" right after they had just uttered the infamous, "umm, ah what?".

How do you know we "don't want that" was all the reply I could muster without also performing the aforementioned act above. I just could not comprehend how these very highly trained professional bike shops employees could form such an intelligent well informed response from the simple request for a certain make & model of bike they had no idea even existed.

I must admit that a couple of the shops did take the time to ask a few questions before letting us know what we don't want. It was truly amazing how hard they would try and push hybrids or mountain bikes on us. Which they would also be so kind as to sell us shorter stems and riser bars so she could sit more up right. How so very nice of them.

When queried as to what my friend should do when she was wearing pants or a dress. The shop sales people were quick to reach for that reflective Velcro strip for her to wrap around her pants leg and they always just found someway of ignoring the dress dilemma.

It just seems our local bike shops cannot grasp that someone would want to ride something with only 3 speeds and internal gears on top of that, fenders, racks and a dress screen all on a frame with a little style. They don't (or won't) grasp that joe & jane public are not going to be training for the Tour De France or screaming through the trails of Hanna Park. They just want a convenient utilitarian bike for getting to stores and work. They don't understand people don't want to spend a half an hour squeezing into clothes that look as if a clown took a crap on them and wearing shoes that cause the wearer to walk like a duck. They just want to throw a leg over a bike and ride. And do it with some style.

When will our local bike shops pull their collective heads out of their ass and start to understand that bicycles can be more than just a source of recreation. That many people in these current economic times are starting to rethink their transportation options. And that just maybe they are selling one of the greatest sources of transportation ever invented. And that also just maybe more people would be willing to make a bicycle that choice if they could have just a little style over speed.

My friend did find the exact bike she wanted. 180 miles south in Melbourne, FL.

If you would like to see what style over speed looks like. Check out Copenhagen Cycling Chic.



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Bikes in the News

With gas prices continuing an upward climb. More and more people are dusting off the bikes that have been sitting idly in the garage. Others are running out and purchasing news bikes. Either way the number of bike riders are up. Way up. This increase in cyclist has not escaped the notice the media. You can find some type of news article about bikes or bikes as transportation just about anyday.

NBC Today Show provided todays taste of cycling from a central Florida bike path.

Craigslist Stolen Bike

Here is yet another bike gone missing. This time in the Fleming Island area of Orange Park.

Click on the picture below for complete information.

Community Garden Festival & Gorilla Race Pictures

Some Picture from the Community Garden Fund Raiser and the Start of Gorilla Race. I didn't stay for the bands at the Pearl. I had to go watch the Phoenix Mars landing and the Jacksonville filmed HBO movie Recount.

Scenes From Around The Community Festival.

Picture Gallery

Communtiy Garden

The Gorilla Race

Picture Gallery

Communtiy Garden Gorilla Race

Note: Bike Jax does not endorse drinking and riding.

More pictures can found at JaxScene.

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Community, Community, Community Festival this Sunday

While not really a bike event. It is as the title says a community event and should be supported with any means of transport to get there. Bikes however will be aplenty throughout the days event as they are transportation of choice for the core. Plan a Sunday ride over to the Community Gardens and The Pearl for this event.

If you don't live in the urban core and don't know the location of either of The Pearl or The Community Garden. The Pearl is located on the Northeast corner of 1st St. and Main St.. The Community Garden is on Main St just past/behind The Pearl. Map



When: Sunday May 25, noon till 2am. 14 hours.

Where: The Pearl and the parking lot (so bike or carpool if possible)

What: A benefit show to raise money for The Springfield Community Food Garden located on north end of The Pearl's property, to collect cans and non perishable food item for Ultimate Picnic, a organization that feeds anyone that wants to eat. So come hungry for free food. There will be a bazaar/ tents/ booths set up in the parking lot for games, awareness, and workshops. There will also be tours of the community garden. Twelve bands will be playing inside The Pearl. The Pearl staff will be working serving with various drink specials.

Who: The people throwing the event are Jaxscene, Springfield Community Garden and Ultimate Picnic, with special thanks to The Pearl. The bands are Manatella, Tuffy, Wudun, Fruit Machine, Buffalo Tears, Heavy Flow, Tough Junkie, Lazerstar, Airport Factory, Helios Eye, Sharing Needles With Jesus, and America Del Sur.

Donate: Feeling charitable if you want to donate more to The Springfield Community Garden they need old or unneeded garden tools like rakes or shovels, trash cans, extra wood for building, nails, hammers, seeds and garden plants. Please don't buy anything new, the garden believes in being organic and reusing old unwanted items. I know Ultimate Picnic needs old plates, utensils, and cups. Your unwanted can goods and nonperishable food items. Once again nothing new.

Community, Community, Community, set list (second draft might change)
4:00pm wudun
4:50pm tuffy
5:40pm sharing needles with jesus
6:30pm helios eye
7:20pm airport factory
8:10pm manatella
9:00pm america del sur
9:50pm fruit machine
10:40pm buffalo tears
11:30pm heavy flow
12:20am tough junkie
1:10am lazerstar

Cost: $5 is the entry to get inside The Pearl to see the bands, all proceeds go to the community garden. You can also pay with can goods or non perishable food items. $1 off for every item. Bringing food items is encouraged. Bring extra if you feel charitable. The outside event is free.

Information provided by JaxScene

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Bicycling as Civic Symbolism

Times-Union columnist Mark Woods take on Jacksonville's Bike To Work Day last friday.

"It's one thing to issue proclamations. It's another to actually build a city with cyclists, runners and walkers in mind. And we could do better. Much better."

I don't know Mark Woods. But I like the way he thinks.

Read the full column.

Jacksonville Bike To Work Day Pictures

My apologies for the delay in getting these posted. The Jacksonville Film Festival has been Keeping me pretty busy. And to tell you the truth, I was pretty disappointed with the turn out for Bike To Work. I do want to thank Councilman Don Redman, Mayor Payton, Laura Hallam of Florida Bicycle Association and the members of The North Florida Bike Club for their attendance and support.




Picture album.

'08 Bike To Work

Friday Is Bike To Work Day

This is just a reminder that Friday, May 16th is National and Jackaonville Bike To Work Day. If you have not yet made plans to participate. Please check the list of meeting locations below and show your support for cycling in Jacksonville.

Live too far out to make the ride in or are the meeting locations not convenient to you? Put your bike on a bus to downtown and meet at Hemming Plaza between 7:30 - 8:00 a.m. for a continental breakfast. I cannot stress how important it is for us fill Hemming Plaza with bikes this Friday. It is one of the very few times Jacksonville cyclists will have the full and undivided attention of the Mayor and City Council.

There is more information here.

The current departure schedule for Friday May 16 is as follows:

ARLINGTON 7:05a.m. departure
Ride leaves Food Lion Shopping Center on Arlington Road, north of the
Arlington Expressway across from Champion Cycling and Fitness

Route: West in Arlington Expressway Service Rd, south on Cesery Blvd.
merge onto University Blvd. Turn right [west ]on Atlantic Blvd: north on
Kings Ave: west on Prudential Dr: north on Hendricks Ave west on Gulf Life Dr:
over Acosta Bridge: east on Water st : north on Hogan to Hemming Plaza.

SOUTHSIDE 6:50 a.m. departure
Ride leaves Mandarin K Mart at the intersection of San Jose Boulevard
and Old St Augustine Road.

Route: North on San Jose Boulevard: north on Hendricks Ave: west on
Gulf Life Dr: over Acosta Bridge: east on Water St: north on Hogan to
Hemming Plaza.

WESTSIDE 7:10a.m. departure
Ride leaves Publix Shopping Center next to Roosevelt Mall.

Route: North on St Johns Ave: west on King St: north on Riverside Ave:
east on Water St: north on Hogan to Hemming Plaza.

Roxanne - Living Free. Car-Free In Jacksonville

Can you live Car-free in Jacksonville? The quick and easy answer is yes. Thousands of people do it everyday. But the majority of those that do, have no choice do to their economic constrains.

I would like to introduce you to Roxanne. A Riverside resident and graphic designer that has made the choice to live her life free of the burden automobile ownership. After 43 years of using a bicycle as transportation I would say she has the system pretty well perfected. By not being a slave to the automobile industry she is the master of her monthly income. She enjoys the extra income not spent on auto ownership with travel to other cities. Along with mastering how to not only get herself to the goods and services she needs and getting those same goods and services back home by bike. She has also mastered the transport of herself and her fold up Dahon bike whether it be by plane, train or bus to distant destinations. Oh, and one more thing about Roxanne. I have not ever seen her not sporting a big smile.

You live car free, How long have you been without a car?
All my adult life, I am 43.

Have you ever owned a car? No, I have never owned a car. I have borrowed cars from friends in the past. If I need a ride I have a good base of friends who own cars who are willing to give em a ride. But have never owned one. I don’t know how some people can afford them, the insurance, upkeep, and gas. I can’t see myself spending that kind of money. The money I save is used for travel and to own things and to save for the future.

Can you explain why you decided on the choice to live car free? I don’t think I have had a real desire to own one. When I moved down here from upstate New York I just made use of the bikes that I had to get around. This was way before bus racks and I made due with just biking about town and was willing to do long distance rides. I have been doing this for so long I can’t see myself owning a car. I can see myself owning yet another bike, but not a car. I have always liked bikes even when I was a little kid.

What would you say to convince someone who is considering commuting by bicycle to go for it?
Everyone knows how expensive owning a car is. I don’t need to convince or convert someone to using a bike. People know me and have seen my about town so I am convincing people by example. Course if I did have to try, I would simply say it saves you money at the end of the week. The end of the week when you want to go out and have fun. And to have fun you need money. Money is a good insentive.

What could the City of Jacksonville do to make biking better? More busses to different parts of town and frequent times. In defense of the city, I was biking before the bike racks. So the racks really do help in extending my distance and are very convenient when shopping. The downside is that the racks can now be used without a special pass and the racks are used more often which is good. However, I have run into the problem of having to wait on the next bus.(Bike Jax Note: Most JTA Buses run every hour. It's a pretty long wait if the bike rack is full) If I know the route is heavy with bike users I will use my Dahon folding bike to take on the bus.

What reaction do you get from co-workers? They are used to it. When the discussion turns to the price of gas they know that the gas price does not impact me directly. Indirectly the high price of gas is prevalent. Higher food bills and the rate of traveling by train, grey dog and airline has gone up drastically so this mess hurts us all.

What’s the best thing about commuting by bicycle? Zipping through traffic, always getting a parking space. I guess knowing for myself that I am self sufficient without a car. Sometimes knowing that I can get to a place in the same amount of time as someone who is in a car. As for venturing to say the St. Johns Town Center. I can jet from one side of the Center to another with great parking.

Can you give a brief description of your route to work? Right now it is really short. I mean short, less that 10 minutes. But, I use my bike to do everything else. Trips to the post office, mall, beach, libraries, adventuring in other cities, via my Dahon. I have perfected in using my bike to carry odd items such as plants and the odd piece of furniture.

Where are your favorite places to bike in Jacksonville? Riverside is my favorite. San Jose is nice road. Some parts of Arlington and I do like to ride about downtown and San Marco. Least favorite? Blanding Blvd. Before the racks I have had to ride Blanding once in a while and I hate it. Argyle Forest is not fun, it is an annoying incline and when heading down the incline toward Blanding there is always a wind i your face.

What do you like about biking in Jacksonville? Well the tempature is in a cyclists favor. And dislike? The weather. The rain in the summer. The heat. I always pack a spare set of clothes. Always pack an extra pair of socks during the summer.

Have you ever combined transit and biking or used a bus bike rack? Yes see above. When ever I travel to another city I check there transit website to make sure they have racks on their busses as well. Funny enough, Orlando and Tampa busses and bikes are great for traveling around their cities.

What are the positives and negatives for you when using the bus with a bike in Jacksonville? I think that the mentality of a bike is for recreation hinders any progress in getting more bike lanes and respect for cyclists.

What’s your favorite piece of cycling clothing? I really do not wear cycling clothes for cycling. I have them but usually when I need to bike somewhere such as trip to Home Depot and I have already dressed to do yard work or some such thing. I use my bike in a very utilitarian way. I certanly do not want sit in a movie theatre dressed in cycling gear. Funny, I do have great shoes for rainy weather. I wear a pair of Simple® Clogs and the strange thing is that my feet do not get as soaked as if I wore another pair.

Any bike gadget/gear cyclists should not go out without? A rear rack and saddle bags for carting things. Good lighting. Toe clips I never go without.

Are you a member of any cycling organizations/clubs? No, and it was not out of lack of trying. I have belong to one in the past and it was fine. I guess I just did not gel and I was committed to doing other things so I did not have a lot of time to focus on a club.

Favorite bike stories? Well since I bought a folding bike last year I have had fun traveling to other cities and using my bike to get around. I see myself as an urban cyclist and really do not see myself venturing country roads that much. I love city riding, being able to stop at a bookstore, restaurant, coffee shop. I really do not have any that stand out. I just love the idea of biking in a city I have not been in.

Scary bike stories? I would rather not say since someone from my family might read this.

Anything else you would like to add? There really are not that many cyclists who use their bikes the way that I do, I know one woman who runs a B&B and she bikes to Publix with a little trailor hitch to get groceries. She makes utilitatrian cycling look good, she has a wicker basket that is usually full of flowers. I also get ideas on how to cart things from some of the utilitarian cyclists that you see. These are the folks you know who can’t afford a car and make due with what they have. Some do a really good job at using their bike to cart some really odd things about.

Most people still see a bike as a recreational vehicle, I see the most ardent road cyclist pack their bikes on to their car to go somewhere to do a ride. For me, I just don’t get it.

DIY Bike Info Card or How To Cover Your Butt

I have done a number of posts here on Bike Jax recently relating to stolen bikes and or locking your bike. And they have had pretty widespread responses not just locally but also nationally and internationally. In each of those posts I suggest writing down your bikes serial number not once but twice. One for your wallet or purse and one for your home records.

I can't tell you how many times since those posts that people have come up to and me told what a great idea that is. And do you know how may of them had done it? That's right, zero. And when I queried them as to why they had not taken what amounts to less than minute of their time to write down a serial number. They had the audacity to turn the tables on me and proceeded to asked to see my serial numbers. It was while I was removing that tattered barely legible folded up scrap of paper from my wallet for what amounted to something like to 20th time. That it finally dawned on me that there had to be a better way.

I now give you the Bike Jax DIY Bike Info Card. Whether you own one bike or a dozen you now have no excuse not to record your bike or bikes serial number. The Info Card is a simple PDF that can be printed out on plain paper or any standard business card stock.

Bike Jax Bike Info Card

The instructions are pretty simple. Just click on the image above and you will go to 4share.com where you will be able download the Bike Info Card in as a PDF. If you have any problems downloading or printing the Info card please let me know.

Don't limit yourself to just filling in the spaces of the basic information. Use the back of the card to record other features of your bike. Take a picture of your bike and glue it to the back. Laminate it if you feel the need. If the unfortunate does ever happen and your bike is lost or stolen. All you need to do now is whip this card out and you'll have all the vital information you need for authorities.


Folks the serial number of your bike is your golden ticket on recovery of your bike. It ends any confusion about who the rightful owners is. Without this information you have very little legal recourse in the event of dispute. Law enforcement has no way to confirm that the bike is your or not if it should be recovered 6 months down the road. Take a few minutes of your time and write it down.

Happy Update on Stolen 08 Giant STP Single-Speed

I just received the following email from Matt the owner of a stolen bike we posted here.

"Fantastic news. Yesterday me and two of my good friends rode out fixed
gears down to St. Augustine. It was an excellent ride and a beautiful
day. When we had arrived we sat down for lunch when I recieved a call
on my cell phone from a number I didn't recognize. I decided not to
answer as I had already received one wrong number call that day.
However, my friend Alex insisted I pick up because it could be someone
about my bike. I somewhat reluctantly answered only to find myself
talking to an Officer Smith of Jacksonville Sheriff's office. He told
me he had recovered a Giant STP on 16th and Main street earlier that
day. He had said the bike was just leaning up against a wall and
looked too out of place to be there. He asked a few people around if
it was theirs, but no one claimed it. So out of a gut feeling he
hauled it in. I'm not sure how exactly he found out it was mine or
found my number, as he wasn't aware of my previous police report, but
somehow he did. He did an excellent job of verifying the bike was
mine, even without the serial number by calling up Champion. I went
and picked up today, the seat was incredibly high and the brakes were
a little off, but otherwise it is in great shape. I can't thank
Officer Smith enough on this, he followed his gut on and was able to
notice that my bike was out of place. All in all a rather sucessful
story and once again, many lessons learned."

Congrats to Matt for getting his bike back. And lets give big kudos to Officer Smith of JSO. Officer Smith, I think Matt is buying the beer.

May 16th is Jacksonville Bike To Work Day

Even though our esteemed Governor decreed March as Bike Month in Florida. The rest of the nation celebrates bike month in May. And May 16th is the holy day of Bike Month. It's known as National Bike To Work Day. If you are reading this blog chances are good that you're already a member of the faith. So I won't waste time preaching to the choir about health benefits or fuel savings. If however you are new to Bike Jax or bike commuting or are just itching for some of that good ol' time religion. Check out this short and sweet little video from Mat Barlow, special projects coordinator for Bikes Belong.


Mat's Commute from Mat Barlow on Vimeo.

I know the vast majority of you are no longer working downtown. And if you are one of those that don't work downtown it would be great to see you participate. This is one of those rare opportunities when we cyclists have the attention of not just members of the city council, but also the mayor. And brothers and sisters I'm here to tell you that numbers speak volumes with these people. Would you like to live in a jacksonville with safe and secure bike lanes and segregated bike paths? Would you like to see your commutes made more convenient with companies and businesses providing better bike facilitates in the way of lockers, showers, and secure bike parking? 

The only way to make these things happen is to make yourself count and get involved. If you don't work downtown, let your employer know you'll be an hour or two late on Friday May 16th. Find the starting location nearest you listed below and get your butt in the saddle. Really, what better way than to start your Friday than to miss a couple hours of work, get to ride your bike and then munch on free food. That's gotta beat sitting in a cubical cussing at your computer.

Below is the information and Schedule on Bike To Work Day as provided by Miriam Gallet, General Director of the North Florida Bicycle Club.

"Greetings to All,

Great news. After my conversations with the Jax City Council president
and Councilman Don Redman, we are going to have our own Bicycle Day in
Jacksonville in conjunction with the National Bike to Work Day on May
16.
Spearheaded by Councilman Don Redman, the council passed a resolution
proclaiming May 16 Jacksonville Bike to Work Day. The attached document
explains the three planned ride, all leading to Hemming Plaza, where
there will be an official ceremony attended by Mayor John Peyton and
other city officials and a continental breakfast. I sincerely encourage
all of you to participate in one of the three rides or at least, wear
your NFBC jersey at meet the rest of us at Hemming Plaza, directly
across from City Hall on May 16."

"Biking to work and school takes some planning and effort,
but once you get the hang of it you'll like it. On Friday May 16 an
organized group ride downtown will depart from 3 locations in
Jacksonville, Arlington, Mandarin, and Westside. Group rides will depart
at 7:00a.m. and arrive downtown at Hemming Plaza between 7:30 - 8:00
a.m. for a continental breakfast. Each group will be accompanied by
members of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, and will include a bicycle
shop van to transport rider's belongings. There will be no assistance
provided for return home trip.

There are three free bicycle commuting workshops being held Wednesday
May 14th from 6:00 to 7:00p.m at local bike shops. Champion Cycling will
host workshops in Arlington, [phone 724-4922], and Mandarin [phone
262-5744].
Lakeshore Schwinn, 000-0000 will host a Westside clinic. All bicycle
commuter workshops are free and open to the public.
Riders interested in acquiring their (BOB) Bicycles on Buses permit may
be interested in knowing that they are no longer required. However,
please visit JTA website for video instructions on how to use Bicycles
on Buses."

The current departure schedule for Friday May 16 is as follows:

ARLINGTON 7:05a.m. departure
Ride leaves Food Lion Shopping Center on Arlington Road, north of the
Arlington Expressway across from Champion Cycling and Fitness

Route: West in Arlington Expressway Service Rd, south on Cesery Blvd.
merge onto University Blvd. Turn right [west ]on Atlantic Blvd: north on
Kings Ave: west on Prudential Dr: north on Hendricks Ave west on Gulf Life Dr:
over Acosta Bridge: east on Water st : north on Hogan to Hemming Plaza.

SOUTHSIDE 6:50 a.m. departure
Ride leaves Mandarin K Mart at the intersection of San Jose Boulevard
and Old St Augustine Road.

Route: North on San Jose Boulevard: north on Hendricks Ave: west on
Gulf Life Dr: over Acosta Bridge: east on Water St: north on Hogan to
Hemming Plaza.

WESTSIDE 7:10a.m. departure
Ride leaves Publix Shopping Center next to Roosevelt Mall.

Route: North on St Johns Ave: west on King St: north on Riverside Ave:
east on Water St: north on Hogan to Hemming Plaza.

It would be great to see Springfield represent. Anyone want to step up and rep the core with place and time to meet?

Bury Your Bike Allycat

The Bury Your BIke Allycat wrapped the up the 3 days of festivities of Zombie Bikes Co-Op opening. I think it's safe to say that a good time was had each and everyday and and way into each night.

I stationed myself at Cycledelic Fixity the seventh of ten check points for the allycat. This wasn't your typical allycat. This allycat wasn't just long at 22 miles in length. It was down right abusive to the riders. Riders were arriving at the check point I was at covered in flour and other miscellaneous colored fluids after being pelted during their travels. Then there were the bike riding zombies that were chasing and ambushing the riders. If a rider was chased down and tagged by a zombie you had to turn around return the previous check point making that 22 miles just that much longer.

I have no idea the total number of participants. I do know that groups of cyclists made the drive from Gainesville, Orlando and as far away as New Orleans to name a few. Every rider that came through the check point seemed to be having great time.

The guys and gals of Zombies Bikes did good job of putting things together for the weekends evnets. I also think that thanks needs to go out the guys at Burro Bags and Cycledelic Fixity for sponsoring the weekend events.

Bury Your Bike Allycat Pics

Bury You Bike Pics

Here are a few pictures from the Zombie Bike Bury Your Bike events. I was only able to grap a couple of pictures from Fridays Critical Mass. There is still plenty of fun and games left for Sunday if you have not made it over yet.

Sunday's Events.
2 PM Food Not Bombs at The Community Garden (Located behind The Pearl on 1st and Main)
3 PM Alley Cat
5 PM Closing

Bury Your Bike Photos

Bike Stolen - 08 Giant STP Single-Speed

Ok gang here is an all points bulletin for an 08 Giant STP Single-Speed that went missing from in front of Zombie Bikes/Burro Bags yesterday (Wednesday).

Here is the email I received in part;
It happened yesterday,
April 30th, at Zombie Bikes. I leaned it up on the wall outside, as we
usually do, was gone for like 15 minutes and it was stolen. Horrible
decision on my part, but the boys at Burro were sitting inside, with
the door open probably no more than 20 feet away through the whole
ordeal. This guy was sneaky evidently. The second I got back and
noticed my bike was gone me and everyone there hoped on our bikes (I
had my fixed in the shop) and fanned out. Unfortunately, no luck. I
checked the pawn shops and Matt Bort notified local bike shops. The
second I got home I filed a police report. I live in Southside, but
I'm gonna try and head downtown once a day just to cruise around and
see if I see anyone on it. Now the worst part of it. I have no serial
number for it, I bought the bike from Bort like a month ago when he
still worked at Champion. Regardless of whether I get my bike back,
many lessons have been learned.

(Click On Images For Larger View)

This bike is less than month old. It should be pretty apparent if you see a homeless guy riding it through the urban core. If you have any information about the where about of this bike you can email that information to [email protected]

And once again: Lock'em up and take a few minutes and write down the serial numbers.

BIKE RECOVERED! UPDATE HERE.

Zombie Bikes CO-OP Celebrates Grand Opening with 3 Day Event

Zombie bike Jacksonvilles first Bike Co-Op celebrates it's grand opening this weekend with a 3 day event aptly named Bury Your Bike.

Zombie Bike website description reads; "We are a group devoted to the advocacy of bikes. We believe that bike riding will save the world and that giving people a place in the community to learn to maintain there bikes will provide individuals a stronger connection to their bikes and allow them to have a sense of independence from cars."

This is a fantastic thing for the bike scene in Jax. The guys and gals over Zombie have been working their collective tails off to get this Co-Op up and running. As far as how everything runs at Zombie. I must admit that I have dropped the ball on getting that information. I have been swamped with my own work and have not had the time to get the information needed to answer questions about shop costs and structure.

Zombie Bikes is located at 1520 N Main St. in the heart of Springfield. Located in the same building as Burro Bags. In theory, you could walk into Zombie Bikes and build yourself a bike and ride out sporting your custom made Burro Bag.

I hope everyone of will makes plans to come out and support Zombie Bikes and the grand opening events this weekend. There is something for everyone. If you don't want to participate you can still drop by and enjoy watching the carnage.

Bury Your Bike kicks off Friday with registration at 5 PM at Zombie Bikes.

6 PM Tandem Relay
7 PM Critical Mass
8 PM BBQ & Ceremonies
9 PM Music at Shanty Town Pub

Saturday:

12 PM First Round Polo
1 PM BMX Dirt Jam
1 PM Tall Bike Build
3 PM Scavenger Hunt
5 PM Pizza Dance Party
8 PM Bands and Bike Games at Wild Bills Tavern (1746 Talleyrand Ave. (904) 355-4552)

Sunday:

2 PM Food Not Bombs at The Community Garden (Located behind The Pearl on 1st and Main)
3 PM Alley Cat
5 PM Closing

If you want to help out and are not sure how you can. You can start by donating any old bikes or parts you having laying around. Bike Jax will all the pictures you can handle of the weekends events.