Hey all you AV nerds, RTF students and wannabe filmmakers, want to do something incredibly badass for the city? Read on for a great opportunity to not only use your skills to better the local cycling scene, but to do it with CITY APPROVAL:

Are you a filmmaker interested in making movies about cycling safety? Do you have creative/fun ideas about how to promote safe cycling via film? Please check out the Request for Information regarding the production of a bicycle safety film for Austin here:

http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/publicworks/downloads/safe_cycling_%20film_rf...

Submit a statement of interest before 5PM February 12th.

Please help me to spread the word to anyone you know who may be interested and let me know if you have any questions.

thanks!
Nadia Barrera

Thanks for the heads-up Nadia! Y'all only have until Friday to submit an RFI so don't procrastinate, fill it out NOW!

I received the following email about an hour ago from the City Staff regarding a UTC meeting tomorrow night that includes some city feedback on the Nueces Bike Boulevard project:

The Urban Transportation Commission is meeting tomorrow, February 9, 2010 at 6:00 p.m at the Austin City Hall, 301 West 2nd Street, Boards and Commissions Room, #1101

The agenda includes an update on the Nueces Bicycle Boulevard. Please see the attached for more information.

You are receiving this email because you have attended one of the Nueces Bicycle Boulevard Public Meetings.

And as to the aforementioned agenda item:

B. Nueces Bicycle Boulevard – Update and Possible Action
Presentation by: Public Works Department Staff

That's all I know about this item, and I'm not sure how it's going to be presented, so if you want to find out bike on down to Town Hall tomorrow night around 6ish and see what's up.

Just saw a little sneak peek at a shot from the up-coming Dropout 'Zine pinup issue:

Damn Ruthie, you're making me think impure thoughts and I kinda like it. Ok I really like it.

I love life in Austin, TX.

Update: Just found the story! Statesman talked about this a little over a week ago, citing the increased attendance for the free hours in 2009 and the cost of staffing being a concern. A couple article snippets follow:

But attendance numbers from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m., when the pool closes, now swell into the hundreds some nights, Jay said. The Save Our Springs Alliance hosts live music at the pool on full-moon summer nights, which has become a big draw. Many visitors on those nights join together to howl at the moon. The parks department is not looking to change that event, Jay said.

There have also been concerns about alcohol and drug use at the pool on crowded nights, Jay said.

Weed and beer? At a swimming hole? In Austin?!? I'm shocked, my friends, SHOCKED at this accusation. There are going to be two public meetings to discuss this on Feb. 10 and March 2 at 6 p.m. at 400 Deep Eddy Ave. Be there if you want to make your voice heard.

I read a story about this recently, but a reader wrote me and reminded me of something I wanted to share with y'all. It looks like the city is fed up with the large crowds that occasionally descend on the late night 9pm-10pm free swim at Barton Springs, and so rather than hire staff to cover it or just deal with an hour of a crowd at the pool, they're planning on REMOVING the free swim at the end of the day. Here's what Jimmy has to say about the move, plus information on a public meeting regarding the issue:

You may not have heard that the City is killing off the evening free swim. Now I've seen many a ride end up there, and I think the two are related. The COA is apparently concerned about (and over-reacting to) the numbers of people showing up. I'm there as much as five to six times a week, always after 9 p.m., pretty much 8 or 9 months of the year. I've never seen anyone drinking. Never seen anyone fighting. Never seen any horseplay, just people using the diving board, howling at the moon when it's full, and just generally enjoying themselves.

This is a very bad deal for those of modest means, like yours truly. Honestly, I guess I'll be headed to the doggie pool at the far end unless the Parks & Rec folks see fit to come to their senses. FWIW: there is a public hearing scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 10 at 6 p.m. at 400 Deep Eddy Ave. Anyone who enjoys cooling off at the Springs after a fun ride should be aware of what's going down.

Thanks for reminding me Jimmy. I'll link the news story with more detyails as soon as I can find it.

Aw shit, Harry's back at it with a vengeance. His latest treatise is something I identify with wholly, and that's the ridiculousness of the pursuit of the cutting edge with regards to bikes. Whether it's going to 11 on your $5,000 road bike, riding a 7-lb fixed gear, or wearing attire designed to increase your circulation, this race for the lightest and techie-ist bike gear is kinda insane. As far as my case is concerned, I must face the fact that I'm incredibly hard on my shit and clock in at over two bills, so saving grams or weakening components to get tighter shifting jumps is just not in the cards. Never mind my curmudgeon ways, read on and if you want to get in on a ride with a bunch of cats that don't care what components you run, check this ride out:

AS USUAL, I JUST DON’T GET IT

I’m not the sharpest tack in the drawer. I’ll freely admit that there are a lot of times when I just don’t get it.

Consider, for example, the Academy Awards. I don’t get what’s so special about a bunch of rich Hollywood swells throwing a big party for themselves so that the whole world can see how beautiful and important they are. Does the self-perceived importance of this invented event really justify the relentless barrage of media pimpery that precedes it for weeks? Are the promoters (or even the participants, for that matter) aware that a vast portion of the world’s population doesn’t even watch motion pictures? But I digress.

In a recent rant I mentioned the fact that the Bicycling Magazine web site encouraged me to read reviews of items “you didn’t even know you wanted”. Since then I’ve noted a proliferation of retailers purveying a multitude of items I can’t imagine ever wanting. Maybe BM’s exhortation to acquire has sensitized me to the phenomenon, but I’m wondering if there are people out there who actually want to buy this stuff, or if anyone can even afford it. Perhaps, as is often the case, I’m just not getting it.

Lots of people ride Brooks saddles, and I know quite a few folks who swear by them. Most of the specimens I’m familiar with were obtained via CL, many as part of a “Brooks-with-a-bike-attached” deal. But are you ready for a $328 saddle? Velofred.com can accommodate you with the genuine Brooks B17 Titanium. The $239 premium for titanium rails (as compared to the standard B17 at $89) buys you a weight savings of a whopping 115 grams, sure to be significant in the context of your 60 pounds of fully-loaded touring bike. Be assured that this is a full-featured saddle, including loops for a “traditional English-style touring bag”, which is still manufactured by…who else? Brooks, of course. That worthy manufacturer offers a dizzying array of said item, all within a stone’s throw of a thrifty $100. (Remember, it’s “stylish”.) But if you’re a bit short on cash after popping more than three Cs for the saddle, you could opt for the more economical Carradice cotton duck saddle bag at a mere $60. Note also that the purchase of that item would afford you the ritual delight of regularly “reproofing”, i.e., massaging the bag with wax and then heating it with a hair dryer. Seriously. And if you opt for the cheaper bag, you might have enough shekels left for a genuine Brooks trouser strap for only $40. Yep, that’s right, only 40 bones for a leather strap, and it matches your saddle. Wait’ll the girls see you in this rig. I’m already brushing up my tweeds.

But maybe you’re more of a Serious Cyclist. If so, you probably already own a Serious Bicycle with an appropriately serious price tag. If you’re looking for a more subtle way to assert your seriousness, one that your equally-serious peers will appreciate, what better way than by attiring yourself in some expensive cycling clothes? Consider the Castelli Superleggera Vantage jersey, available for only $120 from SBRshop.com. The description informs us that the jersey utilizes SG0.6 fabric, which “absorbs virtually no moisture – sweat dries before it even enters the fabric.” We assume that the miracle fabric must exude some kind of mystical aura that causes sweat to simply evaporate in despair at the thought of attempting to permeate its impenetrable perimeter. Of course, you’ll want some appropriately serious shorts to complement your advanced technology jersey, and SBRshop.com has you covered there as well with the Assos FI Mille bib shorts with the new, improved S5 chamois. According to the ad copy, “Assos cycling shorts are not apparel, but equipment which enables you to free your mind, go further, longer and faster.” Holy smokes! No wonder they cost $260. If they’d make me look like the model on the web page, they might just be worth it. (http://www.sbrshop.com/bike/apparel/bottoms/cycle-bibshort/assos-men-s-s...) But nothing screams “really expensive” as subtly as a pair of high end cycling glasses. Once again, SBRshop.com to the rescue with Rudy Project’s Rydon specs. These glasses feature frames made of carbonium and temples made of Kynetium (a combination of magnesium, silicium and titanium). Apparently the copy-writer forgot to include the ingredient “expensium”, as reflected in the $255 price tag. DOH!!!!! Dammit! Out of stock! And I was just about to click on the “Add to Cart”!

We’ll be rolling from Clown Dog as usual at 10:20 this Sunday morning, and, as always, everyone is welcome, regardless of equipment or attire. Last week’s ride was well-attended in spite of the chilly weather (I contracted a mild case of frostbite on my fingertips.) This Sunday’s forecast is more moderate; looks like temperatures in the low to mid 40s by ride time. As usual, our route will be decided at the last minute.

Those of you who have ridden with us before know how we roll. For those who haven’t, please read the blah-blah below. It’s important. Really.

• Some of us are down with the fixed gear deal, but mostly we’re just about riding. Bring whatcha got and ride with us.

• Every cyclist is responsible for his or her own safety and well-being. We assume that everyone is familiar with basic rules of cycling safety and has enough hours in the saddle to feel comfortable with his or her ride. Use of helmets is optional (but highly recommended). Use of headphones, earbuds, Blue Tooth headsets or any other form of electronic distraction is discouraged. (It’s a SOCIAL ride, dammit!) All traffic laws and rules of right-of-way will be observed. Here’s the deal:

SAFETY FIRST!!!!!

If someone gets killed, it ruins the ride for everybody.

• This ride is 25-30 miles long through mostly urban and suburban areas. We do a convenience

store stop at about the halfway point for anyone who needs snacks or drinks.

• There is no SAG support on this ride. Bring a spare tube and something that will inflate it.

• The purpose of this ride is for everyone to have a good time and (we hope) to become better cyclists. We ride at a variable pace, according to the group on any given ride, and all skill levels are welcome. This is a 25-30 mile ride over typical Central Texas terrain. If this is consistent with your riding experience, or is perhaps slightly more challenging than what you’re accustomed to, you should have no problem going the distance.

There must be another whole level to this thing of spending lots of money on bicycle accessories that I just don’t get. Maybe being wealthy opens a person’s consciousness to a whole new galaxy of alternate realities. But my inescapably middle-class perspective tells me that buying this crap isn’t going to make me any faster, more stylish, or freer of mind. I guess the only way I’ll ever find out is if I get affluent enough to buy it. And that ain’t likely.

It’s time to ride.

Get down to Clown dog a little after 10, as these cats leave at 10:20AM. Damn I need to fix my pedal.

The local chapter of the Black Label Bike Club has been hosting regular bike-in movies this year, every Sunday evening with a bike ride precluding the screening:

7:00pm on the Lamar Pedestrian Bridge. Look for the freak bikes.

First to press was the Austin Chronicle with their article entitled "Bicycle Dreams". They preface the story by stating that there is "no confirmed plan for creating a 'bicycle boulevard' on Nueces Street", and that the city insists "nothing is set in stone" with regards to the whens and hows of the Bike Boulevard. Past that, the story is very good look into the pros and cons of Nueces as a Bike Boulevard, as well as exploring some of the alternate routes such as Rio Grande one block to the west. The story also looks at the LOBV's proposed Bike Boulevard plan, which strongly identified Nueces as the best possible option and calls for a series of traffic diverters, traffic calming devices and bicycle-oriented signage to increase ridership on the street. The story takes a fairly balanced look at the issue, and talks to people on both sides of the fence.

This morning News 8 Austin ran another Nueces Bike Boulevard story with the headline "Bike Boulevard gets vocal opposition on Nueces Street". With a title like that you can guess who they interviewed first. I think the most telling quote as to what the business owners think of the plan has to be "I think what we're going to end up with - if there was a bicycle boulevard - is a very fancy nice street for bikes that's used by a very very small minority of Austinites". In my opinion it seems like it's an INCREDIBLY small minority of Austinites (a mere handful of property owners) who are wanting to hold up a project that could have a much broader benefit than what they see at their front door or bottom line.

So far the opposition has been intense. Of the many property owners, stakeholders and business heads that have been showing up for the meetings, Greg Copp (Copp CPA), Susan Harris (Site Solutions Inc), and Trey Bueche (Bat City Awards) are the most vocal property/business owners opposing this initiative, and from the sound of things one of them (not saying whom) is putting direct political pressure on Annick Beaudet personally, through their contacts within the city. What an asshole. Going after a public official on a personal level because you don't happen to agree with them or the City's vision of the future is a total scumbag move, and completely uncalled for. Speaking of uncalled for, I'm typically a pretty live and let live kinda guy but in this case I'll go straight for the bottom of the barrel and hope the offending party's genitals rot off and their offspring grow up to despise them.

One of the aforementioned business owners has actually engaged the bicycle community in discussion over the issue, which gives us another great insight into their line of thinking. It seems to Mr. Bueche that lowering speed limits downtown and adding more bike lanes would solve whatever problem we have and keep that pesky bike boulevard from passing by the side of his business (which actually faces 18th St). Bean Wear of the Statesman spoke with Annick Beaudet earlier this week and wrote that we aren't expected to see a plan from the city until April, which means there's still a lot of time for business owners OR bikers to give their input.

I hope these stories highlight why it's of UTMOST IMPORTANCE that y'all show up to the upcoming public input meeting on February 24th. The time and location is still 6 to 8 p.m. at Pease Elementary School. The turnout for the last two meetings was OK, but it wasn't at all what I was expecting from y'all. Lets see some bikers this time around! Show the City how important having a functioning bicycle infrastructure is to you. Even if you don't ever plan on using Nueces, show up because this fight reaches FAR beyond the dozen blocks between 15th and 3rd street. This boulevard is going to be the cornerstone of a robust and modern transportation system that INCLUDES bicycles, rather than shuffling them off to the dirt trails and sidewalks. With the rate our city is growing we're going to need it sooner than many people think.

I'm not really posting this as an opportunity to do something, but to recognize some of the things that are happening out of the spotlight of the typical Critical Mass/Social Cycling/Pub Crawling/Allycatting crowd. This afternoon marks the launch of Austin's first Freiker program. The word is an amalgam of the words "frequent" and "biker", and is aimed at increasing ridership amongst school children by counting trips, awarding prizes and encouraging safe and regular cycling as a valid form of transportation. Leslie Luciano of Bicycle Sport Shop is the main person behind this initiative, and I'm excited to see how it works out. Read on for more details on the bike rodeo:

Ok everyone. Here is a great opportunity for you to do something fun and help out with a great biking event FOR KIDS. We are going to provide volunteers for the Patsy Sommer Elementary School Bike Rodeo that kicks off a program to promote biking to school.

WHERE AND WHEN: Friday, February 5th around noon. We will meet at Bicycle Sport Shop's central location and carpool up to Patsy Sommer Elementary School.

WHAT: We are going to help over 1000 kids get fitted with helmets, make sure their bikes are in good working order and run a few safety courses to teach the kids how to safely bike to school. The whole event is going down to kick off the Freiker program at the school. It's a high tech version of the commuter challenge that will track each kid's trips to school and let them see their results on the internet. More here: http://www.freiker.org/bp/How_It_Works

HOW: The school is pretty far north (http://tinyurl.com/yeng3lc) so we are going to carpool from the Bicycle Sport Shop's central location (http://tinyurl.com/ycrznw9). We will meet at noon and be back around 7 on friday. After we are done we are heading to A LITTLE PARTY I have arranged for the volunteers.

IMPORTANT!!! RSVP for this event as well as EMAIL ME AT:

keith@socialcyclingatx.com

with your contact information so that we can arrange a carpool.

Everyone, this is a great opportunity to give your time to help kids become as excited about cycling as you are. It's going to be a blast!

-Keith http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1610994666&ref=name

Keith and the Social Cycling ATX crew organized the volunteers for this event, who have been trained on basic bike tuneups and fit, as well a how to properly adjust a helmet and bicycle safety procedures. I work a square job during the day so I can't check this event out but I wanted to mention that all y'all volunteers who are doing this are BADASSES! Thanks for imparting something good in the next generation of cyclists.

It's these kids that make the fight for the Nueces Bike Boulevard and increased infrastructure so important. I'll ride whether they give me incentives or not, but someday I want to see families and their kids riding to the Children's Museum downtown from their Hyde Park houses without fear of cars or buses. The current system does not support this, and I think the current system needs changed. Thanks again volunteers for being an implement for that change.

Thursday night is nearly upon us once again, and with it comes your regularly scheduled pick-up games of Bike Polo out at Eastwoods Park, beginning at 5:30pm. This time things might be a little different from the sound of things, as Tina (one of the regulars) found a secondary location for play with better rain cover in case the main spot doesn't work out:

If the weather sucks, take Dean Keaton East till it hits Manor, and make your 1st right on Alamo St. We'll be playing polo 1 block up under a nice pretty awning on the corner of Alamo and 22nd: HERE

Doesn't look like too bad a spot. Everybody ready? 3, 2, 1, POLO!

6pm tomorrow at The Capitol. Bring that bike that doesn't move when the pedals are stopped:

$5 entry, with an art show and after party at Fast Folks. Check it.