Looks like Brisbane’s Global Gutz alleycat got shut down by the cops. It’s good to see the Brisbane police force is earning their way and properly allocating resources to crime prevention.
What a joke.
B’n’C Community Bicycle Workshop
It’s funny. Had you told me two years ago that the first B’n’C Community Bicycle Workshop would be held in a remote Aboriginal Coummnity I would not have believed you.
Spool the tape back 24mths.. Mischa and I were having a sunday morning coffee at a South Hobart cafe when the discussion turned to community bicycle workshops. We talked about renting a space, restoring discarded bicycles, creating a bicycle library of velo-loaners and offering a free labour to those needing assistance in getting their pushies running again. Due to all the usual bullshit we wade through daily in our lives (working long hours to pay for stuff we dont really need and booze mostly), Mischa and I let this beautiful plan slide into the realm of ‘one-day’.
So how did a section of Mischa and my dream come into fruition in the Northern Territory? I dunno really, it kinda just happened. Jacob from Mission Australia offered me a trailer filled with new tires, tubes and some basic kit. Some friends offered me their labour and I had some tools. Between us we could work out which way to turn a wrench.
We set up shop in the dirt in front the Rec Centre in Mutitjulu. No advertising, no fanfare, just us and 10 or so broken-down bicycles. It was amazing, within minutes about 20 kids were helping. Within the hour about 40 people had rocked-up with long forgotten frames and a willingness to learn. We worked all day. We worked hard. We shared our knowledge and the community shared theirs. One young fella showed me how to run a chain through a derailleur (I’m a pure-bred singlespeeder, derailleurs are alien to me) and I taught him how to use a chain breaker.
I dont know how many bikes we worked on, but it was lots. LOTS and LOTS. Kids were zooming around on bikes left, right and centre. The day was a total sucess. We’ll run another next month. B’n’C out.
NEW Leather riding vests coming soon . . .
Pure leather, three colours, one size fits all. get em while there hot.
Pure leather, three colours, one size fits all. get em while there hot.
Join The Army!
Limited edition shit, mutherfuckers!
Help us out and spread the word!
‘Jail threat for dangerous cyclists’
Courtesy of The Age…
Cyclists found to have killed or seriously injured a pedestrian will face penalties of up to five years in jail or a $68,000 fine, after tough new laws came into effect today.
“Cyclists need to recognise that, if they do occasion damage, they have responsibilities. They do need to stop,” said Roads Minister Tim Pallas said, launching the new laws this morning at a Bourke Street bicycle shop.
The new penalties, he said, would help police tackle reckless riding by cyclists, and reduce the likelihood of pedestrians, other cyclists or drivers suffering serious injury.
Probably true…
Thanks Dave.
Tassie MTB Plan ONLINE SURVEYS!
Begin dirty cross-post:
There’s an e-mail circulating at the moment in regards to the draft Tasmanian Mountain Bike Plan, with details for the online surveys which are now live. For those who haven’t received it, here’s the juice (copy and send it on to anyone who should know!).
Hi Everyone,
Sorry for the group e-mails in quick succession but I wanted to let you know that the on-line survey for the Tasmanian Mountain Bike Plan is now open and can be found at one of the two websites below.
All those who complete the survey can choose to go into the draw to win one of two National Parks Annual All Parks Passes.
Feel free to pass this e-mail on to anyone who may be interested, particularly those unable to attend the community forums next week.
Survey website (direct link):
http://survey.development.tas.gov.au/TasmanianMountainBikePlanSurvey/TasmanianMTBPlan.asp
Tasmanian mtb plan website:
www.development.tas.gov.au/sportrec/mtbplan
Thanks
Keith
There are also a series of community forums next week, which will be a chance for riders to provide feedback and input into the direction of this plan. It’s a very important step in the future of Tasmanian Mountain Biking, and you should attend if at all possible.
North West Community Forum
22 June (Monday)
7:00-9:00 pm
Ulverstone Surf Life Saving Club, Ulverstone
Northern Community Forum
23 June (Tuesday)
7:00-9:00 pm
West Tamar Council Chambers, Riverside
Southern Community Forum
24 June (Wednesday)
7:00-9:00 pm
Domain Athletics Centre, Hobart
Return to Mantaru
I decided to take a different tact this week. Instead to riding out to Mantaru, I thought accompany Mish in the 4WD, and start cycling from the campsite.. Continue reading “Return to Mantaru”
…And In And Out Of Weeks
In keeping with the continued excitement for the upcoming Where The Wild Things Are movie, here’s a sweet website that L-Dub came across. It’s a collection of Wild Things inspired artwork from some truly talented people. I’d love to see them all off the internet an onto gallery wall (in Hobart ideally).
IMPORTANT: The Future of Tasmanian Mountain Biking
Alright kids, this shit is important. The Sport and Recreation department of the Tasmanian state government is currently putting together the Tasmanian Mountain Bike Plan, which is effectively a plan for the future of MTB in Tasmania. It’s bloody important, and getting involved and having your say is vital for anyone who ever rides on any kind of dirt in Tasmania. You don’t have to be hardcore, you don’t even have to consider yourself a mountain biker, all you need to do it get involved. There are community forums coming up in a few weeks and they’ll be a vital chance for people to put forward their views on the direction of official MTB support in Tasmania.
You can get all the basics, and read the details of what the plan will cover over at the Sport and Rec website.
Here’s the meeting information:
Opportunities for Input
Land managers, mountain bike riders and other stakeholders will have the opportunity to provide input into the plan through a series of community and land manager forums to be held in June 2009. The community forums are open to mountain bike riders, other stakeholders and the general public. Three community forums, one in each region, will be held at the following dates, times and venues:
- North West Community Forum
22 June
7:00-9:00 pm
Ulverstone Surf Life Saving Club - Northern Community Forum
23 June
7:00-9:00 pm
West Tamar Council Chambers, Riverside - Southern Community Forum
24 June
7:00-9:00 pm
Domain Athletics Centre, Hobart
In addition to the forums, members of the public will have the opportunity to provide input through an online feedback form, which will be available on this website shortly.
Please, please come along and have your say. Trails in Hobart are currently under threat and we really need to show that MTB is a legitimate and popular activity down here!
On a somewhat related note, there’s also an opportunity to offer suggestions for the Conningham Recreation Area on the Parks & Wildlife website. If you ride this area (or know it), yous hould definitely get your voice heard.