Today's the Day!

(Carrying all the prizes to the end, Velo City Bags doing what they do best)

In order to not insult your intelligence, I'm not going to mention the event today that we've been spamming, cajoling, and begging you to come to for the last month. However I'm going to show you more pictures:

We got the final shipment of prizees in from Discrete, MER, and Velo City Bags. I've got my eye on that suave motorcyclist shirt, and I also am glad to have some of these tool pouches from MER in the mix.

In the course of a week I switch stuff between my home bag and work bag 6-10 times, and every day between my bag, panniers and camelback, depending on what's going on. Having all your tools together nice and neat is just one of those things that keeps one from completely losing it and moving into a yurt (note maniacal grin).

So big to small, there's some fun stuff to be had. The race is in 4 hours, and should prove to be a really great time. Jess and I are here at home flipping coins on whether we ride our fixed gears or roadbikes or motorcycles, and everyone I've talked to is psyched! Yes!

In other news, I set up a Salt Lake Alleycat Flickr group that anyone can join and add pictures to the pile, so if you have any good shots from alleycats 'round these parts send 'em on in!

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Why can't we bike like they do?

Streetfilms makes great little movies about moving towards livable cities. I like this one, because it reminds me of when I first saw the way things worked for bikes in north-west european countries.



I used to think grade-separated bikeways were impossible to attain in America, I used to kind of sniff at them, thinking it was more fun to zip along through traffic than cruise on a path. But most people don't like going fast everywhere all the time, so I've since come to recognise I'm in the minority there. It makes more sense to have bikes omnipresent but with their own roadways, the presence of bikes would 'tame' cars as a guy puts it in the video. Thoughts? Would you put down your speedy track bike or cross-commuter in favor of a cruiser if it meant thousands more people biking on the road? Or would that destroy some of what you love about being a biker in America?

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The Darkness, this Saturday!

Just a friendly PSA: 5 days until we rock your freakin' socks off!!!


The race is ready to go, are YOU? Be sure to bring water and a friend of two, it's gonna be great!



Almost all the prizes are in, take a moment to choose your target. So far we've got 3 out of 4 bags from the good folks at Timbuk2, 3 sets of hassle-free commuter-worthy lights from Reelight, some indestructible Marathon Plusses from Schwalbe, a Kurt Boone Signature from Seagull Bags, a grip of cool hats from Octopus Caps, Hold Fast Straps, and all kinds of stuff from Knog, the kings of schwag. Yet to appear, but on their way, are things from MER Bags, Discrete Headwear, and Velo City Bags.

Up in the corner of the photo you'll notice a little bag from Chrome as well. That's a pair of the Coveted Chrome Jerseys, can't be bought, borrowed or stolen, only won by the most victorious man and woman of the day. Go to it!

And speaking of winners, someone gets to take home this bad boy:

Size large Karate Monkey Frame, courtesy of Chase Studios. Thanks Andrew!!

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Midsummer Crit!

POSTPONED!!!

This crit will be postponed until the following weekend... The night of August 7 at MIDNIGHT! GO!

Welcome to crit racing, in downtown SLC! This race will consist of multiple races including mass start, half field, semi-finals, and finals. Depending on how many of you show up there will be a loser bracket as well. Each heat consists of four laps around a set course which is just under three and a half miles. GO!

The rundown:
Singlespeed (fixed/free) ONLY!
Lights are required, NO EXCEPTIONS!
Helmets recommended
Winner will ride about 14 miles by end of night
Five dollars

(photo credit: Meredith "ConcreteWaffer" Flickr)

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Several Alleycatty Things

Lots of things. Firstly, The time for the Heart of Darkness 3 has been changed to 5:00 PM. We decided sending the race through the middle of the marathon course in the heat of the day was a little disingenuous. Now it's ending at FRESH, too, where Ian's setting up a roller sprints party sponsored by OBEY. Neat-o!


Also, the Emigration Hustle Race will be postponed, as Dima and I are out of town for the Rad Massaker. Wish us luck!

Thirdly, the I hate my life alleycat was a rip-roarin' success. More info below.
After lugging a full backpack of PBR down to the start point, I hung out with (read: got spit and yelled at by) homeless people for a little while as I waited for the racers. Joergen and I kinda dropped the ball when we advertised for this race like 3 days in advance. Whatever. Like yall have anything better to do! Seriously though, I'd love to do a race like this with a little more forewarning, because though only about 8 people showed up, it was a ton of fun, and I imagine it'd be crazy cool with about 30 racers. It was great despite the turnout partially because everyone who showed up was freaky fast. It seemed more like a race of yesteryear, where each messenger company or corner of the bike community was represented by a few fast people, and everyone was pretty into being speedy. Joergen and I gummed things up even further by not telling everyone where exactly the first pickup was. Oops. Luckily I caught some of them and got ahold of Dima on the phone, who was nice enough not to keep it a secret.

After that I headed to my route, and proceeded to bike in an L shape between Main and South Temple and 3rd South, 2nd West for 20+ laps. That crap was tiring, and I can only imagine the pain the racers went through trying to find me and the 2 scooters going back and forth. A side benefit of my route was its effect on people along Main, who probably found themselves feeling like the stars of the Truman Show.

Gary returned to me super-quick each time, I thought for sure the race was his, with Dima, Sky, and Morgan in hot pursuit. I was surprised (but not that surprised) to find Dima won, he and Gary had a sprint-out from Jace's scooter on about 5th east and South Temple to Joergen in Memory grove park. Gary decided to try and take a 'shortcut' over the avenues hills and bomb down 3rd ave to the finish, which would have been awesome, but his quick-release was looser than he expected and he pulled his wheel into his frame, throwing the race. Long live fixed gears, or vertical dropouts! :)
Final standings:
1. Dima (geared)
2. Gary (Ryan breezed along with him, as usual.) (geared)
3. Sky (fixed)
4. Morgan (fixed)
5.Jessica G (fixed)
6.JT DNF (fixed)
7.Aerie DNF (mullet mtb!)
8. JJ (Decided the race sounded too complicated and bounced :))

Fun stuff! Thanks to Jace, Jake, Joergen, and myself for putting it on :).

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Get a real job!

So the deadline's already passed, but I'm pretty sure they'd make an exception for the right candidate, if you're interested give 'em a call!

Executive Director Wanted

Utah Bicycle Coalition

The Utah Bicycle Coalition seeks a proven leader, entrepreneurial fundraiser, visionary manager, knowledgeable advocate, and a powerful communicator with a deep commitment to our mission to serve as executive director. The initial employment term will be for a period of four months. We anticipate compensation for this period to be $3,000 per month. Future compensation is dependent upon the success of the candidate in fundraising efforts.
Utah Bicycle Coalition Mission Statement
The mission of the Utah Bicycle Coalition is to promote and preserve the safety, opportunities, and responsibilities of cyclists and pedestrians through legislation, education, and facilities development.
• To work for good laws and legislation which promote safe cycling and walking.
• To participate in transportation planning and construction providing accommodations for safe cycling and walking.
• To educate cyclists and motorists about safe cycling, sharing the road, and obeying the law.
• To assist in the development, growth, and effectiveness of local cycling advocacy groups.
• To develop a network of safe cycling routes throughout Utah.
• To promote sustainable, healthy lifestyles.
• To support Utah’s cycling industry.
The Utah Bicycle Coalition advocates for increased bicycle use by promoting the bicycle as an everyday means of transportation and recreation. Cycling is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, maintain good health, and travel around town.
There are risks to cycling that can be mitigated by educating both our fellow cyclists and motorists in how to properly share the road

Qualifications for Executive Director Position

• Commitment to the mission
Must have a deep personal commitment to Utah Bicycle Coalition’s mission and goals. An everyday bicyclist who is passionate about bicycling’s vital roles in transportation is strongly preferred. The executive director should be committed to long-term employment with Utah Bicycle Coalition (minimum three years).

• Fundraising
Experience in fundraising for public interest or advocacy work from a diverse range of funding sources including private foundations, non-profit services, government services, individual donations, membership sales, and events. Fundraise to sustain the Executive Director position. Experience with writing and managing grants is preferred.

• Communication
Must have the ability to convey the Utah Bicycle Coalition’s mission and ideas effectively to government, civic, business leaders, and the public. Must be media savvy and a skilled written and verbal communicator in individual and group contexts.

• Technical Expertise
Must have sophisticated understanding of bicycling and non-motorized transportation issues. Ideally, has professional experience managing bicycle and related transportation advocacy and planning projects as well as knowledge of regional, national, and global trends in bicycle policy, advocacy, and community planning.
• Strategic Planning
Must be able to work with the Board of Directors to develop and implement key organization goals and strategies.

• Leadership
Must be able to manage and lead staff, volunteers, and Board to assure the mission and goals are met.

Applications must include a cover letter explaining the candidate’s interest in the job, qualifications, references (minimum of three), and a resume.

Applications will be accepted until July 1, 2010
Recruiting for this position has begun.
Executive Director Search
C/O Utah Bicycle Coalition
P. O. Box 58504
Salt Lake City, UT 84158-0504

Email: jobs@utahbikes.org
No phone calls or faxes please.
See www.utahbikes.org for more about the organization and its programs.

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