Some Pics From Last Week

Here's some pictures I took at last weeks Thursday Trick Night. Jeremy was getting some nice air over at the BOA Building. And Mickey likes to bar spin. Looking good guys. Keep it up!

Miami Critical Mass

Looks like the Miami Critical Mass just keeps getting bigger. I heard that they had around 170 this month. Freaking awesome. Here is a video Rydel posted.

Miami Critical Mass : September 25th, 2009 from rydel high on Vimeo.

For Sale

I am trying to help Brooklyn out. He is selling this really nice 55cm De Bernardi frame and fork. If anyone out there is interested. Email Brooklyn xbklynx@gmail.com. He has more pics, and can give you more info on price..

Q and A with Brad from Urban Velo

1. Names,Ages,Occupations?
Brad Quartuccio, 28, Editor of Urban Velo

2, Were does Urban Velo live and operate?
Urban Velo is operated out of my house in Pittsburgh PA. It's a short commute for me.

3. What are you riding these days?
I own and ride a number of bikes that are ever changing. That said, my bike collection hasn't seen much fresh blood in the past couple of years... Being that I've been playing a lot of polo, and that my Pake track bike doubles not only as my polo bike but as my around-town and post office runner I'd have to say that bike is seeing the most time right now. Fixed/fixed with a polo and street gear, I have a 5-rail CETMA rack that I'm in love with that pops on and off of this bike to facilitate merch deliveries and grocery getting. I have a Bianchi Pista Concept typically setup for long road rides with bullhorns and a front brake and a Vivalo Keirin bike that is remarkably my size that also sees a fair amount of use. My travel bike is a Surly Crosscheck that I've owned since I was 19 that can be setup any number of ways depending on the use or destination, but usually it finds itself in some sort of 'cross mode ready for racks and a weekend camping trip. There's a road bike and a couple of mountain bikes that don't see much use in the mix as well, and a bunch of freak bikes in the basement. It says a lot for the quality of modern bicycle equipment that out of all the bikes to ride I find myself on what amounts to a roughly $700 track bike with nothing particularly sexy about it most of the time.

4. Tell us about Urban Velo. When did it start. What was your main goal?
Urban Velo started as a side project zine for our friends and quickly took on a life of it's own. It is a reflection of the greater urban cycling culture that has coalesced and come into its own over the past few years, and is explicitly not an outlet strictly for product placement. Everyone likes nice stuff, but there is more to cycling than faster, lighter, better.

5. Urban Velo, reviews a lot of products. Out of all of them, what is the one thing(s) that has stood out more than the rest?
It's hard to say. I've been blessed over the years to ride countless bicycles in all sorts of places and with few exceptions they all end with a story worth telling. The aforementioned CETMA rack has been a game changer for me, though I was already a fan of front baskets and panniers. This year's SRAM Torpedo fixed/free convertible hub is one of the few things that is truly unique that has come through, and is a pretty crazy piece of niche componentry—I hope this next year gives me the opportunity to try to equally specialized Sturmey Archer 3-speed fixed hub. Having the opportunity to ride a borrowed Brompton folder throughout London isn't an experience I'll soon forget, and changed my views on how a folding bike can ultimately ride and integrate with urban living.

6. Your site is filled with a ton of great information. How do you stay up to date with everything that is popping up all over the place?
By virtue of running Urban Velo, Jeff and I receive piles of email from readers, fans, industry and other sources which turns us on to a number of the things on our site. We each keep track of our interests within the bike world on our own as well, constantly looking for new content and stuff we've not seen before.

7. How is it riding in Pittsburgh,PA. in the winter?
Cold and wet. Sometimes miserable. Occasionally beautiful. Completely do-able even if I'm sometimes not the best example.

8. The last few years has brought on a giant increase in fixed gear/singlespeed. What is your take on it?
It's great, and not just because it's good for the bottom line. Anything that gets kids on bikes and bikes into mainstream consciousness is good. The chit-chat name calling that goes on about people discovering cycling for the first time now due to some critical mass of popularity, and somehow being inferior because of it, is absolutely ridiculous. More people on bikes is more better, I don't care if someones first bike is from Urban Outfitters with pink wheels to match their shoelaces, people turn on at different times through different means. My cycling button was pushed when I was 13 or so on a department store mountain bike, a consequence of the booming early 90's mountain bike business. Time and time again today's hipster fixie idiot is tomorrow's racer or touring cyclist. Fixed gears and singlespeeds being popular and cool for a key demographic is one of the best things to happen to the cycling community in a long time, hopefully hooking a new round of kids on riding bikes.

9. Between the two of you. Who does more work?
We have things split up pretty well between us for the hours that each are able to devote to the magazine.

10. Ever ridding in South Florida. If so were and when.
Nope, never been. At least not on my bike. Maybe someday? Preferably in the winter.

11. Is there anything that you would like to add? Upcoming ideas for the site or the next issues?
Thanking our readers, contributors and advertisers seems trite, but that's what immediately comes to mind. We couldn't do it without them.

This is cool!!!

FTL Fast Ride 10/16/09

Meet at The Bicycle Spot

Race/Ride will start at 9PM!

Ends at Grady's Bar.

No specials this time around. Grady's is already stupid cheap. They have french fries and an urn with Grady's ashes. You can have a drink with him if you like..

Weekend Happenings

Friday, September 25. Miami Critical Mass. Meet at the Government Center Downtown Miami. 6:30 PM. Last months ride was a record turnout. So head out and support!! Info.



If your up in Orlando this weekend. They will be having their monthly Critical Mass. Orlando is a cool town to ride around in. So check it out in your in the area. Info.


Sunday September 27, head down to Miami for The Miami Bike Days Ride. Starting from MiMo/Upper East Side Net Office at 8:30am. More Info HERE.


Meet Up at 5PM! Holiday Park Hockey Rinks. The ride will start at 6PM! Maybe? The ride will be around 11 miles. We will be ending at Mickeys 19th Hole Bar and Grill. Special for day? Mickey is gonna buy you your second drink! Here is a link to the route.

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/fl/fort-lauderdale/167125189085323646

Have fun! Ride SAFE!!!

Secrets of Track Racing

Carlos Clemente from Clemente Cycles, wrote this story on the secrets of track racing. Read through it and post your comments below on what you think. I feel that Carlos has a great attitude on cycling in general and this article has some great advice. Enjoy!

Secrets of Track Racing

There are many secrets in track racing; the basics are knowledge, attitude, and instinct. The first secret about Track Racing is Knowledge! You must know yourself, your equipment, your opponent, and your environment. Some questions to ask yourself are: What are your strengths and weaknesses? Are you a sprinter, a pursuiter, or a little of both? What gears can you spin forever, and what gears do you use for endurance events? When you are racing, you need to know what type of rider your opponent is. Does he like big gears? Does he have a good jump? Does he have a lot of endurance? You also need to know the track you will be racing on: 400m, 333m, 250m, and the specific characteristics of each track. The answers to these questions will ensure victory.

Secondly, you must possess the proper attitude. Everything must be focused on winning, especially your thoughts and attitude. Regardless of whether you think you are a sprinter or a pursuiter, you must practice on a daily basis. During your training session, focus on mind, body, and soul development. This is very important! During your race, focus on nothing but victory. Rehearse the perfect race in your mind on a daily basis. Do not allow any thoughts other than that individual victory to cloud your mind.

Racing is specific to official sanctioned races, not mock races held during training sessions. Everything should reflect that, especially your attitude. Remember, you do not have any adversaries when you are training and no allies when you are racing. It is you and the course. When racing, relax and focus on the task at hand. WINNING! You must dispose of your opponent as efficiently and quickly as possible.

The last and most important secret of Track Racing is Instinct! Instinct is the primal response that can be conditioned by practice. Instinct ignites the flight or fight stimulus within the body. This increase of adrenaline allows the muscles of the body to exert themselves to their full potential allowing you to get the most work from them. Of course, the only way to get racing instinct is to practice, practice, practice and then when you are done with that practice some more!

From: Carlos Clemente of Clemente Cycles

Ft Lauderdale Urban Ride

So, last night Angel and I attended the Ft. Lauderdale Urban Ride. The ride takes place every Tuesday night at 6:30pm, and departs from the baseball fields at Holiday Park. Overall. Myself and Angel had a good time. The ride was moderate pace with some breaks here and there to wait for others to catch up. A quick roll through Victoria Park, Riverwalk, Rio Vista, over the 17th ST Causeway, then up to Sunrise. This is were it got weird. We rode through Birch State Park. Which to our surprise was still open at 8:30pm at night. So we ride through and what do we come up to? A Pagan Drum Circle? Weird right? We stood around for a couple minutes and rode off. After 50 bug bites, Angel and I did what we do best. We headed off to Crown Liquors.

If you plan on attending this ride in the weeks to come. Please head on over to the South Florida Bike Club site and register as a member. There you can RSVP to any ride. And it will give a breakdown of the night they have in store. Check it out. We met a lot of nice people. All with the same idea. Ride your bike!!

Q and A with Mike Zeegerman

1. Name, age, occupation?
Michael "zeegerman" Scholz, 25 years old, full time student.

2. Were do you live?

Miramar, FL.

3. What are you riding these days?

As a track bike I have an old Eddy Merckx Pista with a variety of parts ranging from Phil Wood to Campagnolo to Dura Ace, my road bike is a Marin with full Dura Ace and other bits and pieces.

4. What do you like better. Riding 1 mile from Holiday Park to the Poorhouse? OR. Riding the velodrome for 6 hours straight?

This is a tough one, kind of a toss up to be honest. Velodromes are a really fun and safe place to be competitive, but the poorhouse involves lots of beer and always a good time. I personally love both. I'd say it would depend on the company.

5. Were is your favorite place to ride? Why?

I think I like riding along the beach the most, even though I don't do it often enough. There is something about racing up along the beach with your buddies trying to outrun each other.

6. Tell us what you would like see change in the South Florida cycling scene?

Bike awareness needs to be improved. I know there are bike lanes but people still love to cut us cyclists off when they make turns. I don't know what it is. Maybe its a south Florida thing where a lot of people themselves would not consider riding a bike as a mode of transportation and therefore assume that no one else would either. Whatever it may be, something needs to be done.

7. You and Davie Dave are almost always together. Who's faster?

Currently, I think I'm faster. It used to be the other way around and it will probably go back and forth between us depending on training and possible injuries.

8. What is your favorite part about the Velodrome?

I think it's the speed and lack of traffic.

9. Beer of choice?
Right now my favorite is Franziskaner Hefe Weizen, German wheat beer. But I tend to venture and love to drink all kinds of beers, mainly imports though.

10. Is there anything that you would like to see happen at the Velodrome. Like maybe more riders showing face on the weekends?

I wish there were more people out there racing so that we could separate between the CAT 1's and CAT 5's. It's awesome to ride with the fast guys and you definitely learn a lot but sometimes it would feel nice I think to win a race or two.

11. You won some bling at the River Rat Alley Cat. Tell us what the best part of the race was. And what else did you win?

Haha, yes I managed to collect the most packages. I got this cool miniature Trispoke necklace, a couple t-shirts, knogs, and a bunch of stickers. The best part of the race to me was the fact that it was local and the overall length of it. Shame that we had to cancel two of the fifteen check points, but it was still an insanely fun race including my inability to read a map and get really lost.

Good Weekend!

Went up to Orlando with Ben the Baptist and Karly. Raced in the Endless Summer Alley Cat. Had a great time. Hungout with cool people. I won an AWESOME! Meta Bag, some All City Toe Clips, Knog Hat and a Mishka Hat. I will be doing a full review on the bag in the near future. Lets just say, 4 twelve packs are fitting into this bag!!! Thanks 407 for a good time and a fun race!

Weekend Happenings

Meet up at The Bicycle Spot 8PM. Then at 9PM!!!! Ride/Race to Downtown Brew. No prizes for the winner. Just a fast ride to downtown. Brew will have a happy hour style special for all those on bikes. 2 for 6 Rouge's!!! After that we will venture over to this:


Keirin Cycles will be having their weekly 42 Below Gold Sprints at Off The Hookah. Starts at 9pm and runs till 11pm. 21 over. But I do believe that Off The Hookah, lets under 21 sit outside and chill. Either way. It is right around the corner form Downtown Brew. So Fort Lauderdale Friday night is were its at for fun stuff...


Saturday in Orlando. The Endless Summer Alley Cat. Tons of prizes, B43's, Bags, and Fun!

Have Fun and Ride Safe!!!

Magic Wheel?

Jet Powered Bike

I like!

My favorite part is at 1:00 Enjoy!!!

VéLOrue Trailer from Bill Bottriell on Vimeo.

Q and A with Clemente Cycles

1.Name, Age, Occupation
Carlos Clemente Cruz, 39, Mechanical Engineer/ Framebuilder

2.Were do you live?
Miami, Florida 33014

3.What do you ride?
Currently riding lugged steel with Campy on the road and Suntour on the track.

4.Lets talk about Clemente Cycles. How did it all begin?
About 15 years ago, as a young engineer and was grossly out of shape, I found an engineering mentor that was also a cyclist like myself. So, with enthusiasm I pursued engineering and racing. During my life I kept having this need to display my imagination and craftsmanship, and as they say the rest is history. When I decided to teach myself how to weld and I married my passions … CLEMENTE CYCLES was born.

5. What are you building more of these days? Track or Road frames?
These days I’m mostly building custom lugged frames for the track, but I do have a few road frames out there. Racing steel frames are NOT DEAD!

6. Over the last few years track/fixed gear has become very mainstream. Being a devoted Velodrome rider do you see more people riding the track?
Well I haven’t ridden the track in a while, but I will be going out more often now that the crit. season is ending. But I have heard that more people are becoming interested in the track, and I think its fantastic. Some guys get a little intimidated but it’s all part of the experience.

7. What is your favorite city to ride in?
My favorite city to ride in is Miami! There’s no place like home!

8. Is there anything that you would like to see more of in the South Florida cycling scene?
I would like to see more guys out at the track racing!

9. Whats your opinion on carbon?
I think it’s a great material! I guess I can say that riding a carbon bike is like wearing head phones at a rock concert and riding steel is like being serenaded by a beautiful girl while naked, where all of your senses are totally committed to the experience.

10. Do you see a change in your business. With all the overseas companies building cookie cutter track frame's and selling them for super cheap prices?
Actually, I have some relatively unique ideas and most of my frames are geared toward the racing customer. These guys don’t really go after cookie cutter frames, and are more interested in performance. With that said, my business has declined a little, but it’s all good more people riding bikes is good for everyone.

11. Anything else that you would like to had?
Yeah, I wanted let your readers a little peak into my life and what part frame building plays in it. During my life I’ve had ups and downs like everyone a lot of folks. And like a lot of folks I sometimes like to eat when I’m down. Well during one of those low periods I really wanted to race, but I was a hefty 225 lbs. So I designed a fantastic frame “Phat Boy” using Super Over sized Tubes, you can see a beautiful blonde posing with it on my site. Now, even though the economy isn’t doing so well I’ve been riding high, I lost a little weight and will be rolling out a new model for next season “Slim Gym” using Over sized tubes. So, stay tuned, she’s going to be hot!

Ugh, Monday...

Weekend Happenings

Keirin Cycles, decided to let out the event location and time of one of the secret sprints. SANDBAR 3426 Main Highway 305-444-5270 Friday, September 11, 2009 9pm-11pm. We might need to get Brooklyn, Billy, and some other Ft. Lauderdale kids to run security just in case the frat jocks that normally hang out at this place try and body slam one of the sprint bikes.



Emerge Meet Up/Critical Mass Saturday September 12, 10am. Meet at 3501 NW 12th Ave. The ride will meet at the Allapattah Metrorail Station and riding through Allapattah, Brownsville, Hialeah and Miami Springs. We will stop in Miami Springs at the mid point. More info HERE!

Have Fun, RIDE SAFE!!!!

Trick Night

Every 2,3,4 Thursday!! Trick Night. Everyone welcome. Come out and do some tricks, skids, spins, and things!! Group will meet at the Jeremy's House at 9PM. Ride out to a bunch of local spots and get tricky. More info on HERE.

FTL Fast Ride!!

OK, so lets try something new and exciting. This is the way it will work. We will meet up at the Bicycle Spot. Maybe Payton will stay open till 9pm for us but maybe not. Either way that's were we will be meeting. It will then be a ball's to the wall race to Downtown Brew. No prize for the winner. Just bragging rights. BUT. I got Brew to extend their Happy Hour for everyone on a bike till closing. And were else can you get 2 Dead Guy Ales for $6 bucks???

I would like to get this happening on a monthly basis. The reason I want to do this on the 3rd Friday of every month? What a great way to start the weekend off, but with a early race Friday and then we can continue to hang around FTL for the night. Please comment your thoughts...

Staisha Headset Interview

Head on over to Ladylike and checkout Staisha's interview by BetseyJ. She talks about fashion, riding, and being awesome. See it HERE!!!

Cars vs Bicycles

 

If there is a large group of cyclist. My opinion is that traffic should have to wait. No one seems to care that we have to wait for retards on scooters riding in the bike lanes one minute then in traffic lanes?

What do YOU ALL think of this video??? Leave your feedback!!

Full Story HERE.

River Rat Alley Cat Photos

Here is a link to Crystal Ruiz's Flickr page. She and her husband Andrew took some really nice photos at the River Rat Alley Cat. Click on the link below and checkem out...

Crystal Ruiz Photgraphy

http://www.flickr.com/photos/crysalynnphotos/sets/72157622297628346/show/

954 Fixed Gear
www.954fixedgear.com

Some photos by me and Davie Dave
http://s703.photobucket.com/albums/ww31/jburneth/River%20Rat%20Alley%20Cat/?albumview=slideshow

Enjoy!!!

Q and A with Meg from Candy Cranks

1.Name, Age, Occupation?
Meg Lofts, 32, Website Designer/Developer

2.Were do you live?
Sydney, Australia

3.What are you riding these days?
Currently riding a beautiful old lugged frame that was found out the back of a manufacturing workshop. I had all the hangers and fittings removed then had it re-sprayed. It has no brand name, but it’s made from Columbus tubing and has gorgeous lugs. Colnago steel road forks, Deep V rims, red anodized Phil Wood hubs, Thomson post and stem, Pro bars and saddle, leather bar tape, Shimano 600 series cranks (re-sprayed along with the frame) Chris King headset, Dura – ace brake, pedals and cages MKS, ratio 44/16.

4.Tell us about Candy Cranks? How and when did it all start?
Candy Cranks came about as I couldn’t really find other girls to cycle with in Sydney. There are plenty of female roadies, but that’s not really what I’m into. I’ve been fortunate enough to live in Europe and The States and the cycling culture is so different there compared to Sydney. Having girls around the world post about their cycling experiences and how they use their bikes to commute, have fun, go off road or just cruise around with their mates seemed like a good way to show Sydney girls how cool riding can be.

5.What is your favorite city to ride in?
My all time favorite city to ride is New York, I love everything about it. I’d heard so many horror stories about how aggressive and terrifying it could be to ride but in my experience nothing could be further from the truth. The motorist are way less aggressive compared to Sydney. I found New Yorkers and Americans in general super friendly and I met loads of people when I was out on my bike.

6.I see that Candy Cranks recently got new hats and chainrings. Can we expect to see more cool stuff in the future? What else are you working on?
I just received the first Candy Cranks prototype frame this week. I’m so excited! They’re handmade here in Sydney by Primate Frames Lugged, made from Dedacciai tubing, Cinelli lugs, custom tips and they’re available on their own or as a frameset. Painted black with white stays and forks or in the reverse, white frame with black stays and forks. I can’t wait to get one built up and rolling. I’ve also got some t-shirts just about ready to go.

7.Being a lady, what are some of the challenges that you face when cycling around?
I don’t think I have any particular challenges due to my gender, apart from not being able to keep up with the guys on the Wednesday night rides and always coming near enough to last at Alley Cats J

8.Explain how the riding in Sydney is. What are some of the changes that you would like see happen?
The riding in Sydney is not perfect, a lot of work needs to be done to improve safety for cyclists. There also seems to be a lot of animosity between motorists and cyclists. Drivers can be aggressive and impatient which increases the danger for riders. I would love to see a massive advertising campaign directed at both cyclists and drivers to make everyone aware of what cyclists rights are and how we can share the roads in harmony. Sydney is being improved, we’re a long way off European cities but hopefully one day we will be comparable.

9.In the last few years, fixed gear and single speed as seen an enormous jump in interest. Is this also happening in Australia?
Yes absolutely, I see them all the time, it’s great people are getting out and riding, whatever they’re on!

10. You have authors from all over the world. Were do you see the most information coming from?
Well I guess for me personally I see the most information coming from the States. Looking back it seems every new bike trend has emerged from the US initially.

11. Do you like beer? Fosters?
No. Yuck!!!

12. You did a write up awhile back on Headset Clothing. When we gonna see a collaboration between Candy Cranks and Headset?
Ah that reminds me, Staisha and I were going to do a hat swap, I’ll have to get in touch. I’d love to do collaboration, her hats are awesome!

River Rat Recap

So. We would like to thank everyone that came out. We had 43 registered riders! And very little rain! We all had a great time. And thank you to The Pirates Republic and Garo and The Bubble for hosting us. And an extra giant THANK YOU to Angel Franco and Staisha Headset, without these two people. I would never have been able to put this together and make it happen. Angel, Staisha
I love you!!!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ALL THE SPONSORS!
Payton and The Bicycle Spot
Josh and Atlantic Bikes
Nick and Thomas from Keirin Cycles
BJ and Colorfast Studios
Mikey from Pikey Bags
The Pirates Republic
Knog
Headset Clothing
Heart of Gold
66 Fixed
Clif Bar
Tyson
Betsey J
Ku Jewelry
Radioactive Records
Rydel and MIA Fixed
Jeremy Thriller Crew

Final:
1. Dan Franklin Fort Lauderdale, 1:15.40
2 John Owens, Fort Lauderdale, 1:26.32
3. Dan Nelson, Fort Lauderdale, 1:34.58
4. Alex Grace, Miami, 1:37.56
5. Chris Carmargo, Miami, 1:37.59
6. Bruce Hedges, Fort Lauderdale, 1:39.05
7. Sam Fritz, Fort Lauderdale, 1:39.12
8. Billy Mowery, Fort Lauderdale, 1:41.12
9. Rob Toast, Fort Lauderdale, 1:41.13
10. Kayden Moore, Miami, 1:42.01
11. Johnathon R, Miami, 1:42.09
12. Eric, ?, 1:44.03
13. Jesse Grace, Fort Lauderdale, 1:44.10
14. Ivan Castillo, Hialeah, 1:44.19
15. Jen Whalen, Southwest Ranches, 1:45.00
16. James Ingram, Fort Lauderdale, 1:45.13
17. Kate Mazza, Fort Lauderdale, 1:45.28
18. Karly, Deerfield Beach, 1:50.32
19. Michael Scholz, Fort Lauderdale, 1:58.04
20. Noemi, Fort Lauderdale, 1:59.01
21. Ben The Baptist, Fort Lauderdale, 2:01.05
22. Stephane, Jenson Beach, 2:02.09
22. Karla Quinones, Orlando, 2:02.12
23. Hobi, Jenson Beach, 2:02.15
24. Cynthia Sanchez, Boca Raton, 2:02.29
25. Rose, Deerfield Beach, 2:06.00
26. Collette Grace, Fort Lauderdale, 2:08.05
27. Crystal Ruiz, Fort Lauderdale, 2:08.09
28. Lindsay Brown, Fort Lauderdale, 2:08.10
29. January, West Palm Beach, 2:27.08
30. Chris Dag, West Palm Beach, 2:27.19
31. Banjo, West Palm Beach, 2:27.23

1st Place - Dan Franklin
1st Girl - Jen Whalen
Most Packages (9) - Michael Scholz
First Out Of Towner - Stephanie, Jenson Beach
First Newbie - Sam Fritz
Farthest Traveled - Karla Quinones, Orlando

If I spelled any names wrong or overlooked anything. Please email the corrections and I will update the list.


Here's a link to some pictures I took. The Velodrome pics are from Davie Dave HERE!!

Also you can see more over at 954 fixed gear.

Weekend Happenings

Tonight up in Lake Worth. Call the number on the flyer and get more info. Chances of getting a buzz very high!!

River Rat Alley Cat.

Saturday September 5

Registration:
Pirates Republic
400 SW 3rd Ave.
Ft. Lauderdale,FL.33315

2PM Sign Up!!
4PM RACE!!!

BRING A BAG!!!

$10 Bucks. With proceeds going towards Pedals 4 Progress


AFTER PARTY!

Garo has invited all of us to his show/party that he is throwing at The Bubble.

Free for Riders with Spoke Card

$5 Bucks for a cup!!

Sunday September 6

Brain Piccolo Velodrome

11AM Meet UP

2PM BBQ

More info on park fees here.

HAVE FUN AND RIDE SAFE!!!!

River Rat Alley Cat Update

OK so here's the deal:

Saturday September 5
2PM! Registration
4PM!!! Race

Registration Address:
Pirates Republic
400 SW 3rd Avenue
Ft. Lauderdale,FL.33315

Map

BRING A BAG!!!

$10 Entry Fee. Pedals 4 Progress

Checkpoint style race.
Wear a helmet get an advantage!

Prizes for First Overall-Volume Cutter Frame
First Girl-Fuji Obey Frame and Fork
Weinman Whellset
Keirin Cycles
Knog
Pikey Bags
Colorfast Tattoos and Body Piercing
Custom Art work from BJ
66 Fixed

Headset

Ku Jewelry

Heart of Gold

Radioactive Records

After Party!!


Garo, had a scheduled show. And has opened his doors to us. So lets go and show support for a really cool space and have a bunch of fun!!

Free admission with Alley Cat Spoke Card.
$5 Bucks for a cup and drink off the kegger!!


Sunday September 6
Brain Piccolo Velodrome Day!
11AM meet up
2PM BBQ out in the park!

$1.50 per person admission into park
Click HERE for Velodrome fees and more information

Map

Helmets, Drops, Bug Spray, Radness!!

Loose Cannons TONIGHT!!!

Tonight!!! Meet up at MIA Skate Shop. 10PM Start!! Finish at News Lounge!! Be there!!!! Me and Jeremy[TC] will be heading down. Parking at News Room and riding over to the start. Get your legs ready for this weekend!!

Also:
This Friday Night!!

Bryan is putting this last minute event on. Friday night. 8pm meet up 10pm race!!! No checkpoints just beers and bikes. For every beer you drink, you're starting line will be an extra two feet ahead than normal. Call or text the number on the flyer for directions and more info. Good way to start the awesome weekend!!!

FTL Monthly Ride 09/27/09

September's Fort Lauderdale Monthly Ride will take place on 9/27/09. Meet up Holiday Park 5PM!!! Ride out at 6PM!!! We will be ending at Mickey's 19th Hole Bar and Grill. As always there will be some sort of special. Here's the route:
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/fl/fort-lauderdale/167125189085323646

GOD DAMM!!

Here is a video that Rydel posted on Miami Bike Scene. And like he said " its only gonna get bigger!!"

Q and A with Prolly!!

1. Name, age, occupation?
John Watson, 28, Architect

2. Were do you live?
Brooklyn, NY

3. What are you riding these days?
I’m gonna list all my bikes, because I ride them all equally:

Milwaukee Bruiser Large– Profile Cranks, Hubs. Velocity Chukkers. Ribmo Tires. 31.8 bars. Thomson Post, New Turbo Saddle 42:15-

Eddy Merckx SLX Stuttgart Pista – Mix of Corsa Record and Super Record 48:17

Eddy Merckx MXL ASLK-CGER Team bike - Full Dura Ace 7400 with STi

Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra – Mix of Super and Nuovo Record

4. Explain your site Prolly Is Not Probably. How and when did it start?
It began about 5 years ago as a “Collective Collection”. I wanted to catalog my life in NYC and the things that influenced me. As bikes became more prominent in my life, the blog became a bike blog of sorts. I still post a lot of art / architecture / fashion and music too. It’s still a one-man show and I have some things in the works regarding growth and reader-interactivity. I still work the hours of an Architect, so I try to make my posts at night and schedule them to publish throughout the day.

5. Over the last few years track/fixed gear has seen a big jump in the public eye. Where and what would you like to see more of?
Better city planning. With cycling being more popular, partially due to the popularity of track bikes, cities need to address that for the first time in history, a bicycle has not only become something trendy, but it's become people's transportation!

With regards to the track bike explosion, I’d love to see companies produce affordable and quality bikes. It’s getting there, but there’s still a ways to go. I’d also love to see more re-issues of vintage components and steel frames. Selle Italia finally re-issued the Turbo Saddle and Colnago has their Master Pista line in full swing. I’d love for more companies to follow suit.

6. What do you recommend to riders that are looking to get into doing tricks? What are some things that they need to be aware of as far as bike parts go? Like beefy forks, or fatter tires?
The appropriate bike first of all. 1 1/8” steerer 4130 bikes. I get a ton of emails from people saying they want to get a unicrown fork for their 1” steerer bike. Bad idea. Stick with a big, beefy fork and a frame that can take the increased weight and leverage of such a big fork. You’ll also want some over-sized clamp bars or steel 25.4 bars. 25.4 alloy bars break. Wider tires are a must too, 32c at least if you want your wheels to last. I’ve had great luck with 36h 4x double butted wheels.

7. Do you like beer? What kinds?
I love beer. Personally, an icy-cold Budweiser tallboy hits the spot. I’m also a big fan of wheat beer. When I have some extra cash, I like to spring for Hitachino or Duvel.

8. I see you ride in a lot of different cities. Were is you favorite place to ride?
NYC. No other city in the US has the density or terrain as NYC. I’d like to ride SF and bomb some hills too, partially so I can relate to the hype and all. I’d imagine you’d get the same rush as catching block after block of green lights and heavy traffic here in NY. Nothing’s more exhilarating than hauling ass through Manhattan in the midst of all the cars, congestion, pedestrians and potholes. NYC is just gully as hell.

9. Does John Prolly ever hit the Velodrome?
I have a few times. With my work schedule it makes it hard to make it out to Kissena, our local track. Anytime there’s a weekend event, I make sure to make it out to it.

10. What is the one thing that makes your skin cringe regarding the fixed scene? What do you hate seeing?
People hating on other people for riding their bikes. It also kinda bothers me when people were into doing "tricks" on their fixed gears one minute, then the next they're over it and all they can talk about is "going fast" and how tricks are "lame". Just ride your bike. Who cares if you're not into something anymore. Let people do what they want.

Luckily this scene is so small it hasn't be flooded with the e-haters like BMX. I hope it never gets to that point.

11. When is Prolly gonna roll up to South Florida and roll with the Thriller Crew?
Thriller Crew? MJ’s dead man! haha I have a few cities on my list. Tokyo is in September and I’d like to hit up Texas this winter and SF as well. If I haven’t exhausted my vacation time, maybe Florida is on the list!

12. Were and how do you get a lot of your information for your site? Are people constantly sending you stuff?
I’m tuned into the right resources. People occasionally send me things. Mostly races and events, but I try to keep a lot of my content original. I usually don’t post the mass-emailed content. I want people to come to my site for the content and if it’s all the same across the Fixed blogs, it loses its impact. I also ride with great people and have a few friends that are excellent photographers, so it helps showcase the riding we’re doing.

13. Anything else that you would like to add?
Ride your bike. Who cares what other people think. Ride/Relax and Get Pitted.