Author: Mischa

Charity, Bitches!

A new computer always means I forget to check my e-mail for ages, so I’ve been doing some catching up this evening. Got this one from Dan, who’s doing some hefty miles for a decent cause, and on a decent sized wheel. It doesn’t take much to throw some money towards good stuff, so support a BnCer and flip your credit card towards the computer. You’ll feel good about it.

Freeway Penny Farthing Hike, 20 March, 2011

When I registered for the Freeway Bike Hike this week I noticed this “Everydayhero” link pop up and I got a little annoyed by it.  However, on reflection, I have had some close calls with asthma sufferers over the years including one young fellow in Esperance that I thought was gone forever (fortunately he lived to breath another day).  Therefore, in the interests of community spirit (and because some dude on a penny farthing in the Eastern States apparently raised $100,000 for asthma research), I thought “let’s give it a go.”

For the uninitiated, the ride starts at Kwinana and finishes at Joondalup, a distance of 60 kms.  Of course that leaves one 60 kms from one’s car, so the obvious solution is to ride back to Kwinana.  In my case, that’s 120 kms glued to the saddle on a 55” fixed-wheel, one speed, hi-wheel bike.

I welcome your donation so, if you feel so inclined, please go to http://www.everydayhero.com.au/daniel_talbot_9 and make a pledge.

Feel free to forward this onto anyone you please.  If, on the other hand, unsolicited emails requesting donations give you the shits, please disregard this short missive.

Have a nice day, Dan.

 

Shit’s Art, Son!

So I’m here at that museum of old and new art, which makes me some kind of special and priviledged person (because I live in Hobart). I think those years of failing subjects at art school must have paid off (though my HECS debt hasn’t), because a lot of it seems to make sense on some level. But really, the important and relevant thing on this website is the fact that there’s an artwork here featuribg a bike, there are heaps of hipsters, and I saw some guy with a Fyxomatosis mussette, which is common elsewhere but rare here. Exciting times…enjoy the update, suckers. Here’s a photo…

Oak

Oi, you sods all know Ryan and his merciless car revenge story. Apparently when he’s not trying to bust Dave out of jail for crimes against marsupial-kind, he’s building sweet frames. Who’da thunk it!? You should go look at his stuff at his website, cause it’s got some nice pictures and if you’re in London then maybe you can cross his palm with silver and he’ll make you something pretty.

Tales From The Crypt

People of the world, greetings from the vast expanses of the universe…or something like that.

Those amongst you with greater powers of observation may have noticed that this bumfuck of a site has been fairly quiet of late.  Apart from a few posts with content, it’s mostly been talk of things that were coming up or rumoured to be happening, and then very little follow up. This is due in (most) part to the fact that I am an incredibly lazy person who speaks often of doing things like updates, or making phone calls, or organising bike rides, and yet end up doing very little of any of that. Those of you who are regular readers (small in number and the subject of much pity, no doubt) would realise that this is a repeated theme around here. So let’s make an attempt to remedy that, shall we?

Firstly, go tell all the people you hate that the BnC website might start getting some more content a little more frequently. Also, let them know that I have been approached with offers of cold, hard cash in exchange for advertising ugg boots on this “fashion blog”. I shit you not. I want you all to know that I could have quite easily been sitting here in a brand new pair of delicious sheep feet whilst unashamedly linking to some random muppet’s skin boots. But no! The faint odour of integrity that sometimes wafts up from the BnC bed sheets is thickening to a musty stench once again, and damned if we’re gonna clean it out any time soon.

So anyway… late last year we once again held the annual BnC Grass Track Slalom event in Hobart. Boxing day saw a fine selection of old men and young children loitering around a tree in a park, supping on beverages and tittering nervously. After some friendly banter things eventually got under way. As per usual, the afternoon consisted of large numbers of people on bicycles kooking it on various levels and inevitably ending up on the ground in a pile of hurt and metal. Fun for all.

I honestly can’t say I remember who won, if anyone. I’m fairly sure that Kiwi retained the previous year’s Croc Cup simply by default, and probably because no one else wanted some aged plastic kid’s shoe strapped to their bike. As with most of these events, things got rather interesting after everyone packed up and headed to the pub. Memories are fairly hazy, and those of you so inclined can no doubt track down various photos involving inebriated BnC members out and about later that evening, usually making complete fools of themselves. I myself ended up awaking on a strange couch in a house filled with people I didn’t know, at 7:30am the next morning. Safe to say I made a swift exit.

For those who missed it, here are some photos. For those who made it, maybe this will bring back some memories. For those who we may have crossed paths with…sorry.

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The Taste and MONA Valet Bike Parking

Summer is coming and it is chock full of festivals and events, big and small. Two of the most notable are the long established Taste of Tasmania and the opening of the new and intriguing Museum of New and Old at Moorilla.
If you are considering attending either or both events then it is very worthwhile cycling there as Bicycle Tasmania is providing free valet bike parking.

For a even better and very social day out please consider helping out for a few hours as a valet bike parking attendant, as well as participating in these two great events.

The Taste valet bike parking runs from December 28th to 3rd
Jan, 11am – 11pm daily, (except New Year’s Eve, which finishes at 4 pm).
If you can help out with The Taste valet bike parking please contact Patsy Jones Email – patsycj@ozemail.com.au Phone – 0409 950 327

The MONA Opening Weekend valet bike parking will be in operation Friday January 21 4.00pm – 12.00pm, Saturday 22nd 9.30am – 12.00pm, Sunday 9.30am – 11.30pm.
If you can help with the valet bike parking this weekend please contact Tim Stredwick Email – tstredwick@velosmith.com.au Phone 0458 214 776

Best Anti Cycling Rant Ever?

“Gee what a suprise, ALL the bicycle lycra louts and senior citizens on 2wheels are mobilised in a military fashion by bicycle tasmania again. Great media saturation. BUT what about the real ratepayers and majority of voters in Hobart who are sick of Slobart and agressive bicycle riders blocking our progress just getting to work ” when required ” how much work productivity is lost travelling at kids bicycle speeds on the way to work. For those voters in Hobart who require paid employment to feed their families and pay their car/motorcycle registration fees etc. ( bicycles free and don’t need to obey traffic rules apparently ) this feel good utopia is on par with solar power for our homes ( more ” FREE” government money. Gee who really pays”

Feel free to join the discussion here http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=147200221975378&ref=mf

Critical Mass – Support The Sandy Bay Road Cyclelanes.

I know the weather may be against us but please come along to Franklin Sq at 5.15pm this afternoon as a show of support for the Sandy Bay Road Cycle Lanes.
Ald Damon Thomas submitted a petition to Council this week with approx 500 signatures against the proposal.
I have never seen the Hobart cycling community so unanimous in support of anything before. We have to show that support to overwhelm the relatively small minority who want to see Sandy Bay Road continue being a motor vehicle sewer.
Come along to Critical Mass today and ensure you and everyone you know makes a submission to Hobart City Council in support before Friday 3rd September. The online feedback form on the HCC website takes only a minute to complete.

“It has to start somewhere
It has to start sometime
What better place than here
What better time than now
All hell cant stop us now”

THIS IS IMPORTANT

Listen up! The Greater Hobart Mountain Bike Plan is on the go. It’s the plan that will guide the future of mountain biking in and around Hobart for a good long time. We’re all in a position to have a big say in what we want to happen, and to really make a lot of noise and offer heaps of feedback in order to get a plan that truly reflects what the riders want. An expansive network of quality singletrack that caters to all levels and all disciplines of riders, and will sit Tasmania at the top end of the world mountain biking scene? HELP MAKE IT HAPPEN!

Go to the Wellington Parks website (click the image below), download the info and send in an expression of interest. If you want to get in deep, apply to be a part of the working group. If you just want to add your voice and make sure we get the best plan possible, sign up for the consultation group. This is an opportunity that cannot be missed.

Spread the word to all your friends, family and fellow riders. Spread it far and wide. Get involved!

http://www.wellingtonpark.org.au/greater-hobart-mtb-masterplan/

Critical Mass This Friday

If you have never bothered, never had the time or just not heard of it before, well now you have so you have to be there.
This is important, lets show the naysayers that the whole of the Hobart bike community roadie, mtb, hipster, you know who you are support the Hobart City Council proposal. It’s not a show of hands it’s a show of wheels and lets make it impressive.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=124376284276567&ref=mf