Random Stuff For The Weekend

No Bike Valet This Weekend!

Bike Jax is heading out of town for the Memorial weekend and a well deserved break. I'm sorry to say that there will not be Bike Valet this Saturday for the Riverside Arts Market. Please spread the word and let others you know who are planning on attending RAM to bring their locks.

The Best Friends Ride

Hey friends, Let's ride bikes, play laser tag, race go-karts and play some arcade games all in one day. From Birdies to Adventure Landing the ride is roughly 6 miles and will take about 35 minutes to get there, so prepare yourself with water, sunscreen, etc. We will stop somewhere along the way for a short water/bathroom break. After Adventure Landing, we will be stopping at La Nopalera on the way home for food and bevs. For ticket prices and more info about the park visit their website. You can also pre-purchase tickets there to save $3.http://www.adventurelanding.com/jacksonville

Invite all your best friends, and we will see you there!

The Bicycle Clinic Offering Custom Painting

I got an email from Alex at The Bicycle Clinic let me know he is now offer custom framing painting. "The Bicycle Clinic is offering custom framing painting. We will work with you from concept to completion to insure your total satisfaction. We also handle all the pre and post painting details from tear down of your frame cleaning and deegreasing to rebuilding with your original parts."

He offers everything including; teardown, frame prep, custom painting and build up for $100

Cargo Picnic Ride Sunday

Join us for the Cargo Bike Picnic Ride this Sunday

Location: Five Points Coffee & Spice - 820 Lomax st. 32204

Time: 2pm

Description:
What's a cargo bike? According to Wikipedia, "Freight bicycles, carrier cycles, freight tricycles, cargo bikes, or bakfietsen, are human powered vehicles designed and constructed specifically for transporting large loads." But the reality is any bike you use to transport you and personal items is a cargo bike.

The Cargo Bike Ride is an afternoon of merriment to celebrate the utilitarian and versatility side of the bicycle. Everyone from backpacks to bakfietsen are welcome. don't matter how you get it there as long as it's on a bike.

When Is A Bike Rack Not A Bike Rack?

The answer my friends is when it is installed as a barrier. I found myself by St. Augustine Rd. and University Blvd. the other day needing to swing into a Publix to pick some stuff up. Luckily there was a big brand new one right there on the corner. I parked and smiled as I noticed the new shiny potato-masher style bike rack right up front close to the entrance of the store. I noted in my head that I thought it was placed a tad to close to curb however.

It wasn't until I returned outside that it hit me why the bike rack was placed where it is. It was never meant to used as bike rack. It's sole purpose is to act as barrier for the propane gas canisters located behind it.

Looking at the two pictures above you can see what I am talking about. If a cyclist were to use the rack as designed, part of the bike would overhang into the roadway, which could lead to damage of the bike. If a cyclist were to lock his/her bike so as not to overhang the curb, it would then completely block the sidewalk while also preventing access to the propane canisters. As you can see from the 2nd picture there are only two items located along this sidewalk, the propane display and the bike rack. I might also point out it is a very long sidewalk by storefront standards as there was another 25-30 feet of it behind me and not pictured here.

So why does Publix place a bike rack right in front of a propane display in an unusable state if not solely to act as a barrier and protection from automobiles?

Blessing of The Bikes Pictures

This past Sunday was witness to the 1st annual Blessing of the Bikes. It was hosted at the stunningly beautiful St. Johns Cathedral (which sits atop the highest point in downtown) and the service was performed by Reverend Deborah M. Jackson. I am not a man of faith, but I have to admit along with everyone else in attendance that the service was a wonderful experience and one I will look forward to next years bike to work week.

Bicycle Flash Mob

A 150-girl choir, trial bikers and beatboxers do Queens 'Bicycle Race' at the Brussels Central Station, to promote 11.11.11, a charity bicycle tour.

Blessing of the Bikes This Sunday

Don't forget that this Sunday is the kickoff to National Bike Week with the Blessing of the Bikes. Get all the info Here and Here.

Commutes: Night and Day

*Photo is via Metro Jacksonville

Above is what the typical commute that thousands of people face in Jacksonville each and everyday. But what if there was a way to remove a third of that traffic? Would you dear jacksonville driver support a program that not only allowed your travel time both to and from work to be substantially reduced. But also raised your property values along with the quality of life for you, your children and every other person in this city?

There is a way. The video below is a film I found on David Hembrow's site by Mark Wagenbuur. It is of rush hour in Utrecht, Netherlands where 33% of all trips are taken by bike. During the 2 minutes it takes view this video, notice the total lack of automobiles versus the abundance of busses, trains and bikes. It's no wonder the people of this country are considered the happiest on the planet.

It's National Bike Month Ya'll

If you've got an appetite for some bicycle goodness and are seeking some sweet and juciy bicycle calories. You are in luck for this entire month. May is National Bike Month and unlike March which is Florida's Bike Month there's a lot going on in the way of yummy bicycle nourishment.

Here is a list of what I know is happening for this month. Keep checking back as I will be up dating this post as I hear about more events.

Wednesday May 5th:

Art in Motion MOCA

Location: Jacksonville Museum of Contemporary Art

Time: 5:00pm - 9:00pm

Description:
Cinco De MOCA!

Please join us May 5th from 5:00-9:00 PM during first Wednesday Artwalk. This month’s theme is “Art on Wheels” and MOCA will be joining in the fun with a very special night that will include:

• ZenCog bike shop from Riverside will be showing off some custom bikes that they have dubbed “art in motion” in the MOCA lobby.
• It’s a Girl Thing models will be sporting their line of women’s bicycle clothing
• Urban inspired photography by Ashley Schaffer
• Free tickets will be handed out to the Artwalk crowd for an 8:30 raffle in the MOCA lobby that will include a free MOCA membership, Café Nola gift certificate and some goodies from ZenCog.
• $5 Margaritas at the MOCA bar
• All Mexican beers are $3!
• Café Nola will feature Mexican inspired dinner specials

Burro Grand Opening Party

Location: 228 E Forsyth St.
Time: 5:00pm - 9:00pm

Description:
Grand Opening. Free Beer. New Murals from Shaun Thurston. Music by Triclops I

Saturday May 8th:

Springfield HIstoric Bike Tour

Location: Three Layers Coffee House - 1602 Walnut Street. 32206
Time: 10:00am
Cost: Free

Description:
Join Ready 2 Ride Bike Tours and SPAR as we leisurely make our way through the historic district, enjoying the interesting history, unique architecture, and beautiful tree canopy along the way.
Bring your own bike and ride for free, or rent one for $25.

Sunday May 16th:

Blessing of the Bikes:

Location: St. John's Cathedral - 256 E. Church St.

Time: 2:00pm

Description:
See Website

Start Of Bike To Work Week

Monday May 17th:

Bicycle Commuting Workshops:

Locations: See Below
Time: 6 pm

Description:
Three free bicycle commuting workshops will be held Monday May 17 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM at local bike shop locations. Champion Cycling will host work shops in Arlington, 904-724-4922, and Mandarin 904-262-5744. Lakeshore Bicycles & Fitness, 904-388-0612, will host a Westside clinic. All bicycle commuter workshops are free and open to the public.

Wednesday May 19th:

Ride of Silence:

Location: LakeShore Bicycles & Fitness - 2108 Blanding Blvd.

Time: 7:00pm - 8:30pm

Description:
Join cyclists worldwide in a silent, slow paced ride (max.12 m.p.h.) in honor of those who have been injured or killed while cycling in public roadways.
Cyclists wil take to the roads in a silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured. Although cyclists have the legal right to share the road with motorists, the motoring public often isn't aware of these rights, and sometimes not aware of cyclists themselves.
The Ride of Silence is a free ride that asks it's cyclists to ride no faster than 12 m.p.h. and remain silent during the ride. There are no sponsors and no registration fees. The ride, which is held during National Bike month, aims to raise the awareness of motorists, police, and city officials that cyclists have a legal right to the public roadways. The ride is also to show respect for those who have been injured and killed.

Friday May 21st:

Bike To Work Day
Location - See Below

Description:
Give it a try! Biking to work and school takes some planning and effort, but once you get the hang of it you’ll like it. Organized group rides to downtown will depart from 3 locations in Jacksonville; Arlington, Mandarin, and Westside. Group rides will depart at 7:00 AM and arrive downtown at Hemming Plaza for a 7:30 – 8:00 AM continental breakfast. Each group will be accompanied by members of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, and will include a bicycle shop van to transport riders’ belongings. No assistance is provided for return home trip.

ARLINGTON: 7:05 AM Contact person: Jim McDonald 904-724-4922
Food Lion Shopping Center on Arlington Rd, north of the Arlington Expressway across from Champion Cycling
Route: West on Arlington Expressway Service Rd: south on Cesery Blvd; merging to University Blvd: 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 AM Contact person: Phil Foreman 904-982-4380
Mandarin K-Mart at the intersection of San Jose Blvd and Old St Augustine Rd
Route: North on San Jose Blvd: north on Hendricks Ave: west on Gulf Life Dr: over Acosta Bridge: east on Water St: north on Hogan to Hemming Plaza.

WESTSIDE: 7:10 AM Contact person: Charlie Fetzer from LakeShore Bicycles & Fitness: 904-716-7364
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.


Breakfast on the Bank:

Location: Riverwalk

Join Bike Jax on Bike To Work Day for a breakfast on the Riverwalk.
Complete detail are still forthcoming. Check back for updates.

Sunday May 23rd:

Cargo Bike Ride:

Location: Five Points Coffee & Spice - 820 Lomax st. 32204

Time: 2pm

Description:
What's a cargo bike? According to Wikipedia, "Freight bicycles, carrier cycles, freight tricycles, cargo bikes, or bakfietsen, are human powered vehicles designed and constructed specifically for transporting large loads." But the reality is any bike you use to transport you and personal items is a cargo bike.

The Cargo Bike Ride is an afternoon of merriment to celebrate the utilitarian and versatility side of the bicycle. Everyone from backpacks to bakfietsen are welcome. don't matter how you get it there as long as it's on a bike.


If you are hosting or know of any other National Bike Month events please email me with information.