the law, and other necessities...

In case you missed the legal teach-in on Thursday, Mr. Jim Freeman has provided us with the link to his Law Blog.
I'm so thankful that this kind of thing is here for us, but I was too swamped with homework to get over there on Thursday. However, I heard from Mr. Jerry Boyle that the turn out was good and what he described as "key people" were there. This is encouraging because the more experts we have out there the easier information will spread.
In the interest of spreading info:
http://chicagobikelaw.blogspot.com/
Please check it out and arm yourself...its like your helmet, you won't test its limits every day, but you should always have it on! And thanks again, Jim, for the linkage!

Glorious Sunday Brunch!

(thanks Alexis for letting us post this!)

PANKKKKKAKKKKES!
(and eggs, and bacon, and coffee, and any other breakfast treats)

i have a giant coffee urn now that needs to be utilized much and often
i also have plans for some drunken pankakakake toppings

the rest, well . . . im not so good at making carb based goods
but i do make some mean cheesy scramby eggs
and have plenty of pans and bowls to facilitate the cooking

SO
Sunday 16th
10am - 2pm BREAKFAST FEAST!
at: 2438 N. Lawndale
(off fullerton, west of Logan Sq.)

and to any psychos who think to crash my tasty morning party
beware . . .

.alexis.


ps. this will double as another plot and plan for the upcoming
Milwaukee Express Commuter Ride: PART II

Rights For Bikes! WE HAVE A LOCATION!

Know Your Rights!
Legal "Teach-In"
September 13th at 7pm
2418 W. Bloomingdale Ave. Community Room

Kevin Monahan is hosting this Thursday's presentation by the National
Lawyer's Guild. Attorneys Jerry Boyle and Nikolas
Stein have extensive backgrounds in defending activists.
national: http://www.nlg.org/ local: http://www.nlgchicago.org/

Wouldn't it be nice to quote a statute if you are either hit, roughed up, harrased, etc? I'd definitely have some choice words for the jerk with the motorcycle in the bike lane this morning. I'm bringing my camera on my commute from now on. I'm gonna journalize this turkey, as I always say, if you can't beat 'em, vilify 'em in the media.

Lets put all the road rage into healthy legal study.

Once again, RSVP to Steven Lane at thestevenlane@gmail.com

Post any questions you want me to ask, and I'll be posting a full report on the seminar.

A week later...

It seems that the arrest of the "Critical Mass Dozen" has not sparked a cascading citywide bike-rights movement. (You can read about the arrests here)

Now, a week later, Critical Mass was a 200 biker strong mini-mass in Wicker Park.
Seems like a great thing, smaller means faster, less dust up with authorities, etc.
Not so much.

Apparently the cops were all over our tiny Mass.

What we're watching is a process of re-revolution.

I'm excited to see what's going to happen next, and happy to be in a city where its hard to bike.
Maybe its because I love a fight, a cause to rally around.
Maybe I'm just too much like this guy.

Anyway, enjoy these beautiful photographs via the steady shutter of Don Sorsa (whom I believe was overhauling his bike at the same clinic as me yesterday). Really, Don, these shots are fantastic! Thanks!

Happy Sunday to everyone who did the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation Boulevard Tour today. I tried, honest I did, but no volunteer slots were when I could make it...and I definitely don't have the money to register for these kinds of things.

Off to the laundry--hope the grease stains from the bike clinic yesterday either come out, or at lest mellow to a look more artsy and less disgusting.

Bike Broke? Fix it your own damn self!

Today! Good people, its the Chicago Community Bike Project's Collaborative Bike Clinic.

They have got the tools, basics like cable and grease, and experts on duty to help.

Plus they're really promoting that social atmosphere. I think there's a kind of poetry anywhere a group of folks who don't know each other can meet while covered in grease and road grit.

Its starting at 12:00pm at West Town Bikes and it ends at 7:00 this evening.

but BEWARE! You cannot leave your ride there! You either have to get it back rideable or walk it home, but bear that in mind when you're thinking about the project you want to do.

West Town is at 2418 W. North Ave, enter around back from the alley.

See you there.

Bike Shopping

Glory be, it is a lovely feeling to have so many people inquiring about where to go for a bike purchase!

It is a great reminder that there is a lot of quality riding left to be done before it gets either too chilly or too snowy for you. Or maybe its time to find a deal on a fat frame for winter riding, check out http://bikewinter.org/ for some great info on this.

Now, you can always go to any of the quality retailers who sell brand new bikes and get a reliable ride for a pretty penny. Retailers like Rapid Transit, Oscar Waystn, or Kozy's will do right by you at least most of the time. I always recommend Rapid Transit because they are Critical Mass friendly and really saved my butt when my chain snapped mid-ride last night!

One thing is for sure, NEVER buy a bike from a big box wholesaler. They frequently sell sub-par bikes, and they generally are not put together by an experienced mechanic. Even though it seems simple, putting together a bike out of the box requires an eye for potential problems that I daresay few Wal-Mart employees have. Even if they do, they are often rushed and simple things like chain tension, shifter adjustment, and proper brake compression will become dangerous if not done properly.

For those who want to save cash and get something with a little more unique flavor, there are lots of great options in Chicagoland.

Craig's List
I know, its crazy, but I've seen some great rides come from craig's list postings around Chicagoland. Take 1 part middle aged guy w/ midlife crisis, 1 part suburbs being too trafficy and difficult for a lot of folks to ride around in everyday, and 1 part Lance Armstrong and road biking getting fashionable again. This makes for an abundance of well preserved rides. Patience is a virtue, just keep checking back and you never know what you might find.

Working Bikes Co-Op
Much has been written about the mythical finds people have run across at Working Bikes. Though most of the week they exist to fix up bikes for communities of need from right here in Chicago to Tanzania. On Wednesdays and Saturdays though, they try to sell as many bikes as possible to keep their workshop running. This means rides are priced to go, but don't expect a lot of personal service. Its best to know a bit about what you want, how to size it up yourself, and how to check for good break compression. If you want a fixer upper, though, you can run across some amazing old Reynolds aluminum frames from the 70's.

Ron's Nearly New
Ron is the man for restored vintage Schwinns, but he has lots of other reconditioned bikes for sale. Considering the great pricing, friendly service, and the fact that I've NEVER heard anything bad about them it might be the best damn bike shop in Chicago.

Kevin and Riley at 3036 N Lincoln
Call to set up an appointment to look though some neat old frames and enjoy friendly, personal service. They're busy guys though, and sometimes stock is low. They'll talk you through everything you want to know in the warm confines of the Heart of Gold loft venue. email bikearazzi@gmail.com for more info.

I know I'm forgetting someone! Let us know your latest bikeshop experience, good, bad, pretentious, ugly, cute, etc.

Blago Breaks the Teeth off SB 314's Cog

Just got word from the CCM listserv...Gov. Blago has used what is essentially a line item veto (amendatory veto, like a gubernatorial signing statement) to hamstring meaningful legislation yet again. Just when we thought bike legislation could get a boost with SB 314; Rob Sadowsky of the CBF Blog has this to say about it.

Between this and the Senate Bill 572 stalling today, there are dark days ahead for those who travel beyond autos.
Its even worse for the totally carless, infirm, and disabled citizens who are now paying for the mistakes of past administrations with money that should be for food, rent, or medicine.

BIKE LAW--KNOW IT AND HOW TO USE IT!

I can't confirm this yet date-wise, but two lawyers are willing to do an
information session, whether you've been arrested or just hoping not to, look to join us for a Know Your Rights Teach-In from the National Lawyers Guild Chicago.

Its tentatively set for Thursday the 13th at 7pm, still looking for a venue.

We'll let you know as soon as we know more.

RSVP to Steven Lane at thestevenlane@gmail.com

History and Bikes

COMRADES!

Come and commemorate Chicago's storied labor history and monumental struggles that set an example for the world!

BEGINNING AT 11:00 AT HARRISON PARK---18th and Wood
ENDING AT THE HAYMARKET SQUARE--151 N. Des Plaines

We'll be picnicking, so bring some packable food to share, its only 5 miles, one for each Haymarket martyr--We'll probably take a longer ride after we visit the monument...

COME ON OUT ITS GONNA BE AWESOME!

resources for the struggle

Happened upon Gordon Mayer's comprehensive summation of Chicago's community organizing tradition today. A great reminder of Saul Alinsky's old lesson; organized money and organized people are the only two bases of power in American society.
Wikipedia, Saul Alinsky
1973 Playboy interview
Why Saul is Satanic <--this is way out there...
Buy Rules for Radicals, by S. Alinsky here

the mass strikes back...

It was a dark moment...i'd never seen the mass get so hobbled by so many cops.
Is this what I was negotiating with angry drivers for? Am I out on my bike for the opportunity to ride where we're told, go where we're allowed?
We were confused, angry, and a little bored. Way in back, we had no idea that folks were being locked up. The tone of the evening changed...things seemed weirdly somber as we turned back up Halsted.
Then, the call came back--"right on Lake, right on Lake." I couldn't believe it, why were we heading back downtown? As I corked Lake, I realized there were many more of us left than I thought, the mass had come back together, smaller but feistier. We trucked down Lake street eastbound, and I realized what was different. We had reclaimed our self-determination. The only flashing blue lights around us now were the neon of the theatre district and the cameras of the tourists. I couldn't help myself, and as I sang the National Anthem as loud as I could the sound reflecting off of the El tracks above me made me feel like the city itself was singing along.
Then of course, we sang some Misfits songs, just for kicks.
North on Michigan Avenue...I almost forgot how illegal and scorned we were earlier in the evening as folks waved and laughed with us. Thats when I got the first sneaking suspicion that we were going to kick things up a notch. Lake Shore Drive was coming up fast, it was time for a decision. I must admit, the hill leading to the on ramp was pretty fun-I would've enjoyed it more if I hadn't been freaking out in my mind, "fuck, fuck fuck,-lsd? holy shit, fuck, fuck, fuck."
We massed at the merge lane, and then it was on...first one lane, then two, then three, honks cascading from the rear. In my periphery, I see driver's hands shaking at the wheel with consternation. People unloaded, spread their wings, pedaled hard and fast, soaking up the night air, the beautiful freedom. We halted...massed at the top of a hill and full force across the highway, I lifted my bike in salute. We knew it wouldn't last, and soon we were passed by another paddy wagon--cutting off the front. It was time to ditch, throw your bike over the barricade--off to the domesticated strip of lakefront trial and further nighttime madness...

I'll never forget those glorious few miles...and humbly thank the riders who spent the night in jail in protest. We love you and honor you. They wouldn't let us have a silly side street--so we took the Drive.

the Mass and me...

The "Mass" has a kind of spiritual significance for me now. I'll never forget my first mass, shaking with excitement, I struggled to comprehend the glory of so many different people brought together by bikes.

Looking into grill of the Semi I was corking, flashes of realization hitting me like a schizophrenic slide show. The bike I rode around the block when I was 6, the car I ran into when I was 12, getting my first bike with multiple gears, long rides through the woods with my first girlfriend....
HOOOOONNNNNKKK!
Back to reality--the semi driver, laughing loud at the spectacle, blows the air horn at the behest of hundreds of pumped fists. I realize biking in the city gave me the same joyful mobility that I felt when I was twelve and Mom finally let me bike to Grandma's house, one simple joy. I was officially hooked.

This is the long winded explanation of why the following video makes me a little misty...
check it out and thanks to christopher and abrie at aypicaltrip.com
Spindle Ride

CCM CHICAGO THIS FRIDAY

Don't forget, friends!

The Chicago Critical Mass is THIS FRIDAY

You should know the drill by now...but 5:30ish, Daley Plaza--bring all your friends, neighbors, dogs, cats, etc.

If you've never been, time to do it while you still can. There has been a lot of coverage of it already, but the future of Critical Mass Chicago is still up in the air.

Whatever happens, if you love your bike, this is the place to be.

The Chicago Bikearazzi will be there looking for folks to interview, too.

See you downtown...word.

the site for hot rides in the chi

Welcome everyone to Chicago Bikearazzi!

Lets get right to the point:
Our crazy town is full of creative people and the bikes they ride. We're here to start collecting and celebrating the hottest, craziest, most interesting, and most fun examples of folks w/ their rides.

Its what you make it, and we do our part by scouring the city doing interviews and taking snapshots. We want the scoop on that bad ass purple Gitane w/ the bullhorns you've been staring at every day on your way into work. Who rides that mean machine, anyway? Thats the question we're here to answer.

Gearheads, post your latest creation

Fashionista velo-enthusiasts? Show us your latest bike friendly pants design

Did going from 4 wheels to 2 wheels change your life? Tell us about it, we want your stories.

Email bikearazzi@gmail.com and schedule a photo shoot with us! We promise a new profile weekly, so look out, you might be next.

Stay tuned, and tuned up.