Recently, Vita.MN did an article (linked with the vita.mn deal) on Minneapolis bike culture. Pretty bad ass, eh?
I think the article scratches the surface pretty well, but they don't even get into the half of it. While the current trend in the local bike scene is fixies, I don't really care. I ride a fixed speed, love 'em and everything, but I don't get the animosity everyone is showing against them. First it was freewheels, then they singled out brands, and now its entire types again. Some people just need to get over themselves.
I think its a form of racism. Bikecism, if you will. For some reason, like racism, folks look down on these fixed speed creatures because they are common. The bikecists rip folks apart, based on what they're wearing, what parts they have on their bikes, etc. Christ, even they judge folks who rude Surly! In Minneapolis, they shouldn't even make that mistake. Half of the Surly riding population works for QBP.
I can't stand it, this is how cultures break up. The elitest motherfuckers did this to the original punk rock scene, and almost every anti-war movement there's been. People need to just say 'fuck it and roll on' to stuff that just doesn't matter.

I'm completely with this

Seen this a few other places today, but I just want to get it even more out there. Personally, I'm for it, of course. I mean, like they say in the article, everybody does it anyway, and at least we'll have one less way to make bikers look bad.


A green light for bikers, when traffic allows

By Steve Brandt, Star Tribune
May 28, 2008

Are Minnesotans willing to grant bicyclists limited immunity from stop signs and red lights?

That question is posed by a legislative proposal introduced during Bike/Walk to Work Week earlier this month by Rep. Phyllis Kahn, DFL-Minneapolis, and Sen. Jim Carlson, DFL-Eagan, both bikers.

Their proposal is based on an Idaho statute that allows bikers to proceed though stops in certain circumstances. It would require bikers approaching a stop signal or sign to slow to a speed that allows them to stop.

They'd be required to stop if a vehicle is in the vicinity. But they could proceed through a stop sign without stopping if there's no traffic close enough to pose a hazard while they'd be moving through the intersection. At a red light, they could also make a right turn, or a left turn onto a one-way street, without stopping. And if there's no vehicle nearby, they could proceed through the intersection after a full stop without waiting for a green light.

"It's how most people behave anyway," said Kahn.

Dateline Minneapolis touched on the issue two weeks ago. We continue to believe there's no excuse for blowing through a congested intersection on a bike against a stop. But this proposal recognizes that the physics of accelerating a bike from a standstill are different from pressing an accelerator. It also recognizes that bikes don't trip the pressure plates that trigger a signal change for cars.

The Kahn/Carlson proposal will be reintroduced for next session. It may be read
here.

Steve Brandt • 612-673-4438

© 2008 Star Tribune. All rights reserved.

Senioritis?

This year, as a senior in High School, I took a class called 'Senior Project.' Today, there's something called the 'Exhibit of DOOM' going on, and as a student, I'm going to be in it. Nothing major, hardly worth posting about on the world wide web. On a bulletin board, facebook forum or something like that yeah, but I like to overdo things.

For my project, I built bikes. All types of 'em. Things from single speeds with free coasters to more complex mountain bikey things. Not a bad way to spend a quarter, if you ask me. My question was, "Can I build every kind of bike?" and, for the most part it was answered with an overwhelming 'YES!' from my abilities.

Below is an example of one of my first bikes, which I completely redid. Painted, re cabled, all of that which I hadn't done too much of before.


Sadly, not everyone was as reliable as dear Lizzie. Aside from the bikes I'll be showing at the exhibit today, I made Alex, Crotch (Jakob), and Nat one. But, they all 'forgot' to take pictures! So, I'll show you a little bit of the painting process from before:

Just sanded, threw a layer or two of some hardcore rust primer on..
I miss that beard. That is the final product, obviously, of the first female, really, really old Raleigh that I fixed up, and completely rebuilt.

Other than that, I built up a Surly Steamroller (since I work at QBP, I had to build it up myself anyway), Completely rehauled my BMX, so it is only 24lbs now, and the rest (aside from my unreliable friends'!) will be at the exhibit! See you there.

The Hub Owns My Soul

It's not often that you really, really like a store. Or, for me, that is. Especially because of my situation at Quality Bicycle Products (plug: North America's #1 Bicycle Distributer!). Since I work at the place that indeed sells to the Hub. Actually, good way to get sidetracked. Almost every time they've placed an order within the past month, I've been the one to pick all the parts for those orders and label them. Huge orders, those guys get, but always some good stuff that I get jealous of.

But, closer to what I was originally going to say; the Hub is a great place. Not only are they a co-op (big points!), they've also got some crazy stuff going on. From crazy awesome trailers for store-to store transportation (see picture below) to a bicycle powered blender. Shows how awesome a lot of their owners are!

So, if you need some sweet stuff, check out one of The Hub's locations! Hell, half of their guys even have beards, which gives them about a hundred more cool points.

Your mother, indeed, rides a surly.

Your Mother Rides A Surly has launched. Over the next few hours, I will be uploading reviews, rants, and general love for all things (not trek, giant, or specialized--note the lack of capitalization) bike.

On the docket is;
- Surly Steamroller praise
- Old bike love
- QBP love
- Various Penn Cycle putdowns
- Other elitest babble.

Until then, rubber side down.