Mission Mission

Is this a picture from a new bike shop? Reader Olivia explains:

…this deserves some public recognition! a bike rack that my two friends built in their mission dolores apartment.

I know at least two apartments (you know who you are!) that would benefit greatly from this sort of arrangement. The commonly-used doorway bike pile is not a scalable system. It’s designed for quick deposit, not retrieval.

Got a better way? Send us a picture or explain in the comments.

I’m pretty sure SFist editor Brock Keeling said all that needs to be said:

Exactly what is S.F. Bike Party, you ask? Let’s see: SFBP is new and meant “for all riders of different ages, types, and skill levels to enjoy.” They “encourage people to bring positivity and contribute to good times while being respectful to others.” They “follow planned routes along the way.” And, best of all, they urge you to “dance and socialize along the way.”

What fun. Think of it as Critical Mass’ younger, more controlled sister who likes to karaoke after a glass of Chardonnay. She’s a total stitch, but won’t get you into too much trouble. The perfect way to start your commitment to cycling more in 2011.

Perfecto! See you there!

RSVP on Facebook here.

[Spoke card by Bikes and the City]

Well, crew, you’re in luck. Beginning this month and continuing through March, Box Dog Bikes will teach you. Here are descriptions all the classes they’ll be offering:

Know Your Bike:  Learn all the names of the parts of your bike; learn how to replace an inner tube (fix a flat); learn the wonders of the rag, cleaning your bike keeps your brakes working better, and your chain shifting more reliably.

Brakes:  Learn the basics of your braking system.  We learn how to replace cables and housing, replace brake pads, and conduct the various adjustments necessary to get a strong and centered brake.

Shifting: Learn the basics of your gear shifting system.  We learn how to replace cables and housing.  We learn about what is necessary to maintain clean/crisp shifting in both front and rear derailleurs.

The Bicycle Wheel: Adjusting hubs and truing rims.  We learn how to keep your hubs spinning smoothly without wobble, and how to straighten and round your rims.

Bearing Systems: The only advanced class, if there is one here.  We take apart hubs, bottom brackets and headsets; repack them; and adjust the bearings.  Time permitting, and interest level, you will get the opportunity to overhaul one or two of these bicycle components.

Click here for schedules and pricing.

Yeah we get it, snow is a magical gift of nature that looks pretty, makes passable forts, and can be sledded upon. Then you live in it and within days you realize it’s a pain in the ass. It’s cold. It gets slushy. Your face hurts and you start ducking into random stores on the street just so you can warm up enough to walk further.

Need further convincing?  Check out these luxuries we get to enjoy in our temperate neighborhood microclimate.

Riding bikes

I don’t care how “connected to the road” you feel on a fixed gear ride, nothing is “connecting” you to a thick layer of ice. Check out what those less fortunate cyclists in Seattle have to do:

Yup, those are zip tie tire chains. The innovator Fritz Rice says:

I can accelerate, brake, and corner with aplomb, even on the vile snowpack/sheet ice mix the plows leave in the bike lanes. The zip ties dig nicely into the hardest packed surfaces, but they’re thin enough not to bounce the bike around at low speed or on short pavement sections.

Bragging about being able to accelerate, brake, and corner in the winter? And here we are complaining that our butts get wet because of some puddles. By the way, if you don’t have a fender, we have our own little innovation. Bungee a folded up copy of the Examiner to your rear rack. Works great.

[Dutch Bike Co. via lifehacker]

Native Burritos

If we want a burrito, the process is simple: walk a block (or two if you want the better one), buy a burrito, and enjoy.

Apparently, this is not so easy in ski towns like Mammoth Mountain. Burritos must be imported to you on monstrosities such as this:

Think of the carbon footprint on that sucker. I feel like if I don’t comply with a valid order within 20 seconds, a machine gun turret will open up on the side and lay me to waste. I’ll bet the burritos stink, too.

[Thrillist via Laughing Squid]

While not everyone has been in favor of the new parklets and in-street bicycle parking going up in recent months around Valencia, furious that treasured automobile parking spaces are lost as a result, this is the first case of bicycle rack rage that I’ve seen so far.  Obviously, any bike parked here would have been obliterated.  Hopefully this violence won’t begin to extend towards cyclists as well!

Oh, too late.

When Critical Mass made its way into the parking garage under the Safeway on 16th Street, those on tall bikes had to duck or risk head trauma. The ceilings were low, and some low-hanging pipes were even lower. But those came in handy:

Also of note (perhaps), a female tall biker, amid throngs of dude tall bikers:

Oh, and here’s some video:

I caught this brave commuter on Mission and 20th. No sticking to the safer, less bumpy Valencia for this tall rider, no sir.

Imagine enjoying an Improved Whiskey Cocktail along with a Margherita with Burrata at Beretta when your pal informs you that your motorcycle parked out front was just knocked over by a car.  That’s what happened to this fellow on the right, who immediately came outside to inspect the damage.  The woman on the left had been attempting to exit the above parking spot when she backed into the bike, and wouldn’t have noticed had it not been for the protestations of those waiting outside for a table at the popular establishment.  The following exchange ensued:

Biker: “Oh shit.  Oh shit shit shit.  Ahmm, I’m going to need your information, ma’am.”

Driver: “And I’m going to need your information too.”

Biker: “What?”

Driver:  ”Well, you were parked illegally behind me, and I didn’t see your motorcycle when I tried to back out of this space.”

Biker: “What?”

I didn’t stick around to witness the resolution of the conflict, but I’m certain that you dear readers can weigh in with regard to the logistics of this operation.  You’ve already told us why it’s really bad for scooters to get knocked over, so I can only hope this ended well.

Come on, Eileen, you’re gonna kill somebody. Get with the program.

I don’t mean to poke fun. Stolen Pakes is serious business.

[via Box Dog Bikes]