anybody still checking this blog?

the weather is nice and i want to go for rides again. anybody interested in participating in another ladies' ride sometime in the next week or so?

girly event at outback bikes (i got this email today)

We are hosting our first ever Women's event at Outback Bikes! This free event is being held by the Designs for Women team from Specialized Bicycle Components, One of our largest vendors. The event is open to all women riders, from recreational to pro's. If you are brand new and interested in just starting out, this is also ideal for you as well. Bring a friend! All Women's Apparel & Accessories will be on sale this evening for all who attend!


Where:
Outback Bikes
1125 Euclid Ave NE
Atlanta, Ga 30307
404-688-4878


When:
Wednesday March 19th 2008 7:00pm


Please RSVP to Kate: rockettmail@mac.com so we can get an idea of how many friends & guests to expect. We will be serving wine & cheese.


The topics covered at our women’s event can include, but are certainly not limited to:

1) Fit- Why do women who ride need gear of their own? This is an important message and one I will always try to address. I’ll talk about the differences between men and women in the scientific development of our products.

2) Fit problems and solutions- “I already have a bike. How can I improve my riding experience with accessories or other equipment?” – saddles, gloves, handlebars, shoes, etc.

3) How to dress- warm or cold climates and everything in between

4) What to bring on a ride- mountain or road

5) How-to: maintenance demo- how to change a flat, clean and lube a chain, etc.

6) Nutrition- I’ll discuss some of my favorite preride meals.
What do I eat on my ride? When?

7) Training- very basic schedule.

8) Q&A

If you have any ideas or topics you would like to discuss, please do forward those along. We will not usually talk about all of the topics listed above as it can be too much. Ideally, we would pick two, maybe three.

Thankyou,
We are looking forward to your attendance!


Pete, Kate & the Outback Crew
Outback Bikes

sopo volunteer and local families need your help!

Sopo youth volunteer, yonatan araya (who made the Sopo documentary), and his family are a-okay, but part of his apartment complex (Brannon Hill) burned down the other day. 8 families have lost everything, and an entire community of refugees and immigrants has been impacted. most of the people affected are kids.

we can help with the basics while community leaders figure out longterm solutions.

folks need blankets, clothes, toiletries, baby items, and other very basic things. as for food, gift cards are best because the families are of a variety of cultural backgrounds.

tito's warehouse is our collection site:
858 dekalb ave suite c (located about a block west of delta place, halfway between moreland and krog, next to the neon company and across the parking lot from ifo graphics. you can call ahead: 847-373-7155.).

for more information, contact Just Cause.


------------------------------
UPDATE FROM JUST CAUSE:

*No one was hurt.

*If people want to make an impact today, the best thing are gift cards galore, like target, publix, gasoline, etc. because alleviating these needs will allow the families to be able to focus on the larger stuff like securing a new place to live, filing insurance claims (if they have insurance....this is a whole other Oprah....), and getting new copies of their ID, immigration documents, social security cards, etc.

*Families displaced, but 5 are in extended case management with Refugee Family Services. Most were Somali, two families have been here a decade or more, one family was African-American. One woman was not home when the fire broke out, because she was in the hospital--in a coma. Bad news.

*The families got some assistance from Red Cross, but are now mostly staying with friends while waiting for the smoke to clear--no pun intended.

*In-Kind donations of clothing/furniture are graciously being accepted.

*The taskforce team will be meeting with members of the Brannon Hill community at large at 3:30 today to address concerns, make social service referrals, and coordinate efforts with other agencies.

critical mass friday

don't forget about critical mass, folks!

this friday, at 6:30 in woodruff park downtown.

the great bike rack hunt

This is from the Atlanta Bicycle Campaign...
Let's get some all-ladies teams out there!

Want to do something to make biking better in Atlanta?

Help the Atlanta Bicycle Campaign hunt down bike racks.

On Saturday, November 17th, teams will assemble at the Five Points MARTA station to get maps and instructions. Teams of two will get a detailed map of the area to be covered and a chart to list the location and type of bike racks they find.

An after-party at Slice Pizza (Fairlie-Poplar) will follow, with prizes for the team that finds the most bike racks and the team that covers their section of the city first.

How can I help?

Show up with a friend!

Location: Upper Plaza, Five Points MARTA station downtown
Date: Saturday, November 17th
Time: 12 noon for maps and instructions

Volunteer Afterparty: 4 pm - until?
Slice Pizza, 85 Poplar Street, Fairlie-Poplar district

What good will this do?

City planners need to know where the bike racks already are and what shape they're in order to plan for better bike parking. The bike rack hunt will help guide the Atlanta's new comprehensive transportation plan.

Locations will also be added to the A-Train Trip Planner so cyclists can find out whether a bike rack awaits them at the end of their trip.

Where do I sign up?

Sign up for this volunteer-led effort by emailing info@atlantabike.org

coasting contest?!

i want to have a coasting contest. it's like a race, but more fun. you start at the top of a hill, then coast to the bottom, no pedaling allowed. (or, maybe you pedal a little bit then stop after a certain point.)

thoughts? would any of you folks be interested? here is what a bunch of dudes have to say about it. i want more ladies involved though!

DIY bicycle lighting demo

Tonight at Sopo, 7:00pm:

With the seasonal decrease of daylight hours, more of us are riding at night. Good lights are an important component in order to be seen and to also see the road.

Come see a range of bike lights, both good and bad, and some DIY systems. Please bring your lights to compare in an urban/evening/distracting environment.