Bikeway/Pedestrian Coordinator for Memphis!

The City of Memphis today announced that they're lookin' to hire a Bikeway/Pedestrian Coordinator! According to the job posting on the city website, the bike/ped coordinator will "serve as the Spokesperson/Advocate while promoting bicycle and pedestrian projects, programs, and policies." The entire job description can be found here.

This is great news! Just one more step towards making Memphis an awesome(r) place to bike! Obviously, this isn't gonna solve all of the problems facing Memphis cyclists, but if nothing else, it's a token from the city that they really do take these issues seriously. You can apply online here, just type bicycle in the search box and it should pop up.

According to the description, they would prefer someone with "knowledge of bicycle facilities in other areas of the country or world". Hmmm, who do I know who has just gotten back from a worldwide trip to study different bicycle cultures? Just sayin'...

The Flyer has an article about the job posting in their new issue; it also mentions that plans for the much-bandied-about bike lanes on Cooper are starting to materialize, though not for like a year. Not to bitch, because bike lanes are pretty cool in and of themselves, but Cooper's pretty ride-able as is. Maybe a lane on Central, sure - cars go pretty fast and there's not really much shoulder. But then, I dunno if we're at the point that people would give up more room for cars on such an often-traveled street.

Polo Wheel Covers

So, after a few busted spokes and some crazy out of true wheels, I decided it was time to make some wheel covers. There are numerous sources out there if you're looking how to do it yourself, but I mostly used this one. They recommend using corrugated plastic, which is exactly what campaign signs are made out of. So if you don't mind waiting 'til right after a race is over, they're pretty much yours for the taking. Just make sure you wait until the race is over. Unless it's a candidate you don't like. Kidding! (mostly)

Here's how mine turned out:



First I spray painted them a nice base blue and then went over with acrylic paint. I have yet to zip-tie 'em to my wheels, but I hope to be rockin' 'em by this Sunday. Come on down and play, this Sunday at 8 pm! First Baptist Church, East Parkway and Poplar.

Back it up and dump it

Polo on Sunday is gonna hafta be moved back a bit. I've got a store meeting at work that starts at 8:30, and I really doubt I'll make it outta there before ten. If six people want to/can get together at eight, they're welcome to use my equipment; just let me know.

But, unless this thing lasts way longer than I can stand, there should still be polo around 10:30 pm.

Midnight Classic!

That's right, it's time for the Midnight Classic! Booyaka! Well, ok, it's not really time yet, but you can register now. Definitely the most bikes you will see on Memphis streets all year. DO IT. Check out all the info on their site.

Last year, we were able to register as part of the Harrah's team so we got in free - score! We even got a trophy for being part of the largest group to register. In fact, if you check out the Midnight classic website, you might even see a couple people you recognize in the group photo. Yeah, that's right, rockin' the green converses that I ended up trading for some Chromes.

But anyways, Midnight Classic is super fun, if for no other reason than it's a 1400-strong ride through Memphis. Just don't fall off of a tall bike like I did and end up hobbling around on an ankle the size of a grapefruit.

GRIME GEAR

Charles and Catherine went to New York and returned with Grime gifts. WOOO!!

Need I remind you?

You know the drill. Polo, 8 pm, tonight, 1st Baptist.

WE PLAY HARD

Or at least Jason runs into people hard. Sorry about the wheel, Nic.

*Edited by Brett to add: Sorry 'bout the thumb, Kermit.

POLO.

Just a reminder! Bicycle Polo on Sunday at 8 pm. First Baptist Church Parking lot at East Parkway and Poplar. We got the tools, you got the talent. We've also got brand new balls, so no more Mr. Blowfish. These new guys are that high density shit so they don't squish when you run 'em over.

First barspins success...!

So, I know this is of interest to like two people, one of them myself, but here it is anyway, one of my first barspins. Cara's been doing them for months now, but I've just now been able to try since I got my new fork.