Mellow Johnny's

The fine, friendly, politically-minded folks at the League of Bicycling Voters have put together a BIG event for this Saturday, known in meteorological circles as the "Hottest Day of the Year". I guess Tom, Rob and the rest of the crew decided what better way to test their constituencies mettle than to host the aptly-named Hottest Day of The Year Ride, and have it meet at 1PM so we can ride through the hottest hours of the hottest day of what is apparently the hottest year on record. Thanks guys. Really.

But in all seriousness, the LOBV is an AMAZING organization, and for years now have been responsible for a lot of the behind the scenes (and in your face) political workings around town as they pertain to bicycles and alternative transportation. It's in EVERYONE'S best interest that they continue to survive, thrive, and work on our behalf for improved bicycle infrastructure, fairness in local laws, and even treatment from the law enforcement community. Even if you don't stay for the whole event, show up at one point or another and throw a few bones their way.

There's more information about the ride specifics on the LOBV event page, but here's the message Tom sent out summarizing things:

The hottest day of the year in Austin is, on average, August 7th, with an average high of 97°F.

We'll ride around Austin from water hole to watering hole because, yes, we can ride on the hottest day of the year and we can have fun doing it!

http://lobv.org/hot/

We start the ride when the sun is at its highest. We will load up on water along the way at various stops, including The Peddler Bike Shop at Duval & 51 Sts. We will make swimming and splashing stops along the way. We will stop for lunch on South 1st St., followed by cool refreshment from Tart Organic Frozen Yogurt on W. 2nd & Lavaca Sts. There'll be more splashing, then....

The evening will arrive while we're at Mellow Johnny's socializing, drinking beer, getting an update on Austin bicycling advocacy, and signing up to be members of the LOBV! Be there for the best and worst summer bicycling fashion contest, with prizes!

The final stop will be the frigid waters of Barton Springs Pool for the free swim from 9-10pm.

And then every day for the rest of the year will be a little cooler, perhaps with a few exceptions.

Take a look at the Facebook event page for more details, including more details on the schedule. You can also fine info at our website, http://lobv.org/hot/

See you this Saturday August 7th!

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=133511656690847
The Hottest Day of The Year Ride: A Benefit for The LOBV
Location: Starts at Mellow Johnny's Bike Shop
Time:1-10pm Saturday, August 7th

For those of you looking for a rough outline or itinerary of the days festivities, here you go:

Ride Departs . 1:30pm . Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop, 4th & Nueces Sts.
Water Stop . 3:00pm . The Peddler Bike Shop, 51st & Duval Sts.
Food Refill . 4:30pm . Food trailers, S. 1st & Gibson Sts.
Cool Refreshment . 5:30pm . Tart Organic Frozen Yogurt, W. 2nd & Lavaca Sts.
Free Beer . 6:30pm . Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop, 4th & Nueces Sts.
Free Swim . 9:00pm . Barton Springs Pool

Sounds like a hell of a good time, and a chance to meet many of the movers and shakers of Austin's bicycle advocacy community, if you haven't done so already. Bring some bucks to help the LOBV out, and make sure you've got your swim trunks on because from the sound of things you're gonna get WET!

What are YOU doing this Mother's Day? How about getting your mom to ride a bike with you at Mellow Johnny's own Yo Mama's Ride!

This is the Mother's Day ride that you have been waiting for! Bring the whole family for a short and safe ride from Mellow Johnny's Bike Shop to Butler District Park (next to the Parmer Events Center), where we will picnic and play in the fountains. We leave at 11am, so get here early to gather the troops. We will have you back by 1pm to enjoy the rest of your special day.

RSVP to suni@mellowjohnnys.com and to order an optional sack lunch.

What to take:
bicycles - trailers, trikes, tandems, baby seats
a sack lunch if you choose not to purchase one
your loved ones

what we will take:
you with us at no charge
tents and tables
friendly and safe mothers of MJ's to guide the way
bike tools in case of any troubles
lemonade and rice krispy treats

Bikes rentals are available if you need a ride, sorry we don't have any child carrying devices!

Since this is a semi-serious bike event, when they say 11am roll-out they don't mean 11:15-11:30. They mean 11 in the freaking AM. That is all. Have fun y'all, and say hi to your mom for me!

Nadia Barrera just sent out a reminder that TONIGHT there's going to be a Bike Month planning meeting at Mellow Johnny's, and here's what's on the plate:

Hope to see y’all at the Bike Month meeting tonight; Mellow Johnny’s @ 6:30PM

We will discuss:

· April 29th Proclamation
· April 30th Kick-off event
· May 1st Bike-In Book Swap & Yellow Bike Party
· May 3rd Bike to ACC and UT Day
· May 14th Bike Tune-up at OTC & Political Pedal
· May 15th Library Bike Tour
· May 19th Bike to School Day
· May 21st Bike to Work Day
· May 6th – June 5th Austin Bike Poster Show

And anything else you’d like to discuss.

Want to take part in the planning process? Be at MJs at 6:30pm TONIGHT!

Like yoga? Like bikes? Like free? Then you're IN LUCK! Check out what Mellow Johnny's is doing starting tonight with the help of a few killer Yoga instructors:

Cyclists, Come in for Restorative Yoga at Mellow Johnny's Every Wednesday from April 14 - May 26. Lengthen and loosen muscles while preventing injury with John Trujillo and Anne Haskett.

Join us after a ride, run, or a long day at work.

Mats are provided by MJ's.

7:30pm - 8:15pm

FREE MAT! Well, not for keeping, but at least you don't have to carry your own...

This is happening every Wednesday through May, so if you miss it tonight just check back in a week!

Update: Sorry folks, looks like wires got crossed, signals were misinterpreted, and the auspices got it wrong, because Lance Armstrong WILL NOT be there tomorrow morning. I JUST got this correction from the MJ staff. Thanks for keeping me honest y'all.

I just received the following press release about this week's BIG 13th Annual JB and Sandy's Bikes for Kids Giveaway being sponsored by Mellow Johnny's and everyone's favorite top-40 station Mix 94.7. I don't care if you're the the unholy lovechild of Ebenezer Scrooge and The Grinch, the following event is going to warm your icy black heart, I guarantee it (for you Billy!):

**MEDIA ADVISORY**

“BIKES FOR KIDS” TO DONATE OVER 800 BIKES TO UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN IN AUSTIN AREA

Local Charity Provides Bikes and Gear with the Help of Lance Armstrong and Mix 94.7’s JB & Sandy

WHAT: JB & Sandy's 13th Annual "Bikes for Kids"

Thanks to generous donors and supporters of the 13th Annual "Bikes for Kids" drive, over 800 Trek bikes will be presented to selected underprivileged youth in the Austin area this Friday. Selected nominees will also receive bike helmets and other bike accessories.

JB & Sandy will be broadcasting live on-site to give listeners the opportunity to witness the holiday spirit of giving in its purest form.

WHO: Along with JB & Sandy from Mix 94.7's JB & Sandy Morning Show, Lance Armstrong, a long-time supporter of the drive, is also slated to make an appearance on Distribution Day to meet the recipients and to sign autographs. LIES!

WHERE: Mellow Johnny's Bike Shop

400 Nueces St.
Austin, TX 78701
512.473.0222

WHEN: Friday, December 18, 2009

6:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

ON-SITE CONTACT: Elaine Garza/GIANT NOISE/512.382.9017/elaine@giantnoise.com

###

ABOUT BIKES FOR KIDS:
For the past 12 years, the "Bikes for Kids" drive has given over 11,000 bikes, bike helmets and bike accessories to Austin's very own children in need.

"Bikes for Kids" donation locations will be set up throughout the Austin area leading up to Distribution Day. For more information on these locations or how to donate, please visit www.mix94.7.com.

This program is beyond awesome. I went down there a couple years back to watch the giveaway and let me tell you, the place is a MADHOUSE and I mean that in the best possible way! Radio DJs doing their thing, Lance smiling, Mellow Johnny's employees scurrying around to make sure the right bikes get to the right people, lines of folks from all sorts of organizations picking up bikes for kids (who'll no doubt flip over this shit), it's chaos at it's finest.

If you're in the downtown area friday morning swing by and get an autograph, listen to JB and Sandy work their magic, take some pics of ENTIRELY too many smiling people, or just chill for a while with a cup of joe and enjoy some holiday cheer. I don't expect them to be serving booze at this event or anything, but it'll still be a great time nonetheless. Thanks JB, Sandy, Lance, Mellow Johnny's, and all y'all donors who've made this possible. I'm looking forward to seeing the 800+ young bikers you're adding to our ranks on the streets. THAT'S how we win their hearts and minds...

Just saw this on the Facebooks:

Hey Austin, Lance will be in the shop tomorrow with photographer Elizabeth Kreutz at 5:30pm signing his new book Comeback 2.0. Limit one book per person so bring a friend and come early!

Ever wanted to say hey to Lance in his store, or call him on some douche-y behavior? Tomorrow's your chance! Yes there's a story behind the title.

Update: Sounds like all the vendor spots have SOLD, so expect the place to be crawling with good deals. To help get everyone amped, the MJs folks have published a list of bike/frame deals to look out for tomorrow:

Santa Cruz Heckler Med Blue D AM Kit $1,999.99 (orig) $1,299.99Sale
Santa Cruz Heckler Large OrangeD AM Kit $1,999.99 (orig) $1,299.99 Sale
Santa Cruz Heckler Xlarge Sand D AM Kit $1,999.99 (orig) $1,299.99 Sale
Santa Cruz Superlight Xlarge Sand $1,699.99 (orig) $1,199.99 Sale
Fisher Cobia 21" Used/Return $1,199.99 (orig) $650.00 Sale
Trek Fuel EX 9.5 2008 19.5 $6,159.99 (orig) $3,600 Sale

Fixed/SS

2009 Masi Speciale Nekkid 53 Bottle Dent $899 (orig) $525 Sale
2009 Masi Speciale Nekkid 53 Stay Dent $899 (orig) $475 Sale
2009 Masi Speciale Nekkid 56cm $899 (orig) $575 Sale
2009 Masi Speciale Nekkid 58cm $899 (orig) $575 Sale
Bianchi San Jose Flat Bar 55cm $799 (orig) $525 Sale
Bianchi San Jose Flat Bar 58cm $799 (orig) $525 Sale
Mellow Johnnys Fixie Black 52 $799 (orig) $500 Sale
Mellow Johnnys Fixie Black 58 $799 (orig) $500 Sale
Swobo Del Norte $799 (orig) $500 Sale
Swobo Sanchez Silver $739 (orig) $480 Sale

Frames
Swobo Sanchez Frame and Fork 57cm $380 (orig) $150 Sale
IRO Mark V (no Fork) Black 50Cm $270 (orig) $100 Sale

One of you shorties NEEDS to pick up that Mark V frame. I own 3 IRO frames and I swear by them. 9am-5pm @ Mellow Johnny's. Get there EARLY for the good stuff. Roadies wake up at the crack of dawn and have deep pockets. Don't let them snag all the good gear before you've awoken from your PBR and schwag-induced haze to ride your fixie down to the swap. Just go without sleep and be there first.

The fine people at Mellow Johnny's hosted a "Mellow Swap" around this time last year and it was GREAT SUCCESS, so they figured they'd really do it up this time around, with ads in the paper, musical guests, food and beer:

Saturday November 14 we'll be hosting Mellow Swap again. For those that made it last year thanks. It was a huge success last year. We're going a bit bigger this year and will be running ads in Chron and Statesmen so for sellers it should improve traffic even more.

Sadly, due to our MTB race and Thanksgiving scheduling we're on the same date as Frankenbike, so we're encouraging everyone to spread the love and visit both events. We're running 9-5, free to attend for shoppers, booth space costs vary and you can split.

Contact Erin@mellowjohnnys.com to book. Price will include chairs and table, you can bring you own pop-up.

What is different about Mellow Swap is that we bring in as many of our retail partners as possible that have samples, demo's, and great deals on great stuff. Names like Mavic, Pearl Izumi, Timbuk, Sugoi, RVCA and many teams selling off product.

After a year of sponsorship and gathering items we'll also be selling closeout and team demo bikes, goods, and new stuff at cost or below cost in some cases.

Our friends at Fat Tire are kicking in with some tasty beverages and we'll be grilling. Hope you make it out.

If you want to sell stuff you can pay them $50 and they'll set you up with a table and chairs. Contact Erin if you want to make that happen, but do it quick because space is limited. It's free to attend however, so if you just want to get your shop on show up from 9-5 and spend that skrilla.

If you're operating on a budget and want to sell stuff for free, Frankenbike is happening on the same day and all you gotta do is show up with your gear and start making deals. Not trying to steal Mellow Swap's thunder, but times are tough for all of us.

Update: Due to the inclement weather, this ride has been canceled:

Sadly this fine weather we are having isn't going to stop....sooo the ride is off. I'll be at mellow johnny's via car though from 630-8. Come on by if u feel brave and have great brakes.

Maybe next week...

I'm probably going to be tearing around in the rain on my fixed gear tonight because riding in the rain is AWESOME, so if you're out and about and see me on the streets, holla!

My friend Jessica let me know about an upcoming event at Mellow Johnny's. Sounds like this one is especially for the ladies:

09-11-2009 7pm-10pm: Women's Cycling Magazine Launch Party!

Mellow Johnny’s and the new Women’s Cycling Magazine are proud to announce a publication launch party on Friday September 11, 2009! The event will be from 7pm-10pm at Mellow Johnny’s and is a celebration of athletic women of all kinds. The magazine is the first of its kind and is considered to be a milestone in the evolution of the women cycling industry. Join us for FREE Sophia’s sparkling wine, hor'deourves, cycling photography, and lively music. Mingle with your lady cycling friends, meet new ones, be inspired.

Category:
Parties

Venue:
Mellow Johnny's Bike Shop
400 Nueces

Nice! Jessica also talked about having an ATX Babes on Bikes ladies ride meet at the bridge tomorrow and cruise over to the party, before having more fun elsewhere:

I propose we meet at Lamar Ped bridge at 6:30pm and ride out around 7pm to the shop. Then, let’s check out the party for a little while and depart to parts unknown! Maybe a house party, coffee house, art show, Barton Springs? Bring your swimsuit, lock, lights, water and helmet. AND Invite your lady bike friends!

See ya’ll there!

-Jessica

There you have it y'all. I won't see you on this ride for obvious reasons, but it sounds like a blast!

Check this AWESOME Little 500 300 video from last month's Breaking Away event, sponsored by Rapha and Mellow Johnnys:

I made it out in time to catch the aftermath of the accident and the end of the race, which was badass. Great job everyone, and congratulations Team 420 for taking the gold! Who said stoners were all slackers?

Mellow Johnny's is hosting another Tour watch party tomorrow morning in the EARLY A.M., so show up around 6 for free continental breakfast and mimosas. Here's all the official information from their site:

tour watch Breakfast

wednesday, july 22 6 am-10 am

AT THE SHOP

Join us for a Tour Watching breakfast at the shop with JB & Sandy from 94.7, free mimosas, continental breakfast, and a chance to win entry to the Livestrong Challenge. It's one of the most famous finishes of many Tours, including the 2004 edition, when Lance pipped now-teammate Andreas Kloden at the line at Le Grand-Bornand. It's a grand Alpen finale, and we'll watch it live.

Thanks for hosting so many excellent events all y'all MJ folks, and thanks for the freebies!