2009 summary and velo love

Molly Turnbull — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:29:53 +0000

Theoretically, bike month is done. We like to laugh and giggle at the phrase ‘bike month’, because every month is bike month for us, not just June. There are lots of events put on by Edmonton organizations throughout the year that celebrate cycling. Keep posted with some of the links we offer on this website. I’m hearing rumors about some fun business that’s still not posted such as polo velo (yes, that’s polo played on bikes), a winter bikie breakie, and a perogie ride to the Ukrainian Village.
I think the most obvious celebration of cycling happens when we just get on our bikes. At the mechanical fascinations discussion, we talked with a fellow from the United Cycle race team who was going to race in the criterion the next day, Canada Day. Rigged out in full spandex with a bike that I could lift with two fingers, he happily told us “I ride all year. I don’t see the point of owning a car.” Training is everyday and velo love is everyday. As I watched the racers mash up the hill at the race the next day, I wondered if there are many racers who share the same sentiment. Perhaps we can explore that for a Bikeology Salon night next year.
The Canada Day parade was so fantastic. The Edmonton Bicycle Commuters had a float that consisted of about 30 cyclists, all of whom I think are year-round cyclists. We put on a great show with some fantastic attention-grabbers: a bouncy bike called ‘the slug’ that has a 12′ fork that juts the front wheel waaay out; a long bike made from a frame and a half with a skateboard rack pulling an 8′ loaded trailer; a bike with no seat and cranks that are level that you jump up and down on instead of spin ’round; a couple of families with kids cycling and in trailers; a tandem decked out like a whale, with a shiny plume of pretend water sticking out of one of the riders’ helmets; a recumbent tadpole electric assist bike (tadpole= two wheels up front, one in the back); a mini bike with 14″ wheels – 3 wheels in a row; a tall bike with one frame on top of the other; a trailer with a bike on a repair stand; and another trailer with the bicycle and generator and blender set up facing opposite the rider with a person happily blending a drink sitting high on the saddle.
If you can’t imagine all this bicycle joy, stay tuned as we’ll have pics posted pdq.
We cycled in funny circles, weaving in and out with skills gained from daily rides. As commuters we cycle predictably and safely day in and day out. It was a delightful change of pace to provide a visual feast of bazaar bicycle flavour. On one of the trailers we hung our “Edmonton Bicycle Commuters” sign on each side, proudly acknowledging that cycling isn’t just what we do to look fun, it’s what we do daily with passion. “Bike Lots” says Eddy Merckx. Join us.
Ride On!

Bikeology Festival » 2009 » July

2009 summary and velo love