Bicycles and Art

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Monday, September 17, 2007

Jake's Bike Commuter Tips

Love your bike!

Get yourself a bike that's not so cheap that you have to keep fixing it all the time.

Get yourself a bike that's not so expensive that you can't leave it chained up outside the pub.

Where ever possible take your bike inside with you.

Add racks, panniers or a milk crate to your bike so that you can easily transport stuff. Milk crates are great because you can just throw your bag in and take off without strapping it down. Panniers are good too but they cost money.

Keep your bike inside at home so it doesn't get all rusty.

Invest in some steel pedals, they have less give in them than the usual plastic ones so every ounce of pushing power goes onto your chain.

Lube your chain every now and then.

If a motorist behind honks at you just smile and go a bit slower.

Buy some slick tires, they have better grip than the knobbly ones when you are riding on paved surfaces and you go faster!

Keep your tires pumped up nice and hard. If your bike feels a bit sluggish or harder to pedal you probably need to pump your tires.

Carry a plastic bag to put things in in case of rain.

Get yourself some flashing lights. Don't be stingy with the batteries.

Even if you have lights and a reflective vest, ride like you're invisible to motorists, they often don't look where they are going.

Ride free and assert yourself on the road but don't be reckless. If you do crash it will probably be your fault so choose not to.

If you meet a policeman while riding on the footpath, slow right down, smile and nod.

Don't ride fast on footpaths.

Don't wear headphones.

Try and pick a route that runs along a train line. Not only will it be flatter but if something goes wrong with your bike you can just jump on a train.

When you see another cyclist ring your bell or give them a wave.

Try to stay out of the door zone, ride about half a meter out from parked cars.

If the road is narrow, take the lane. It's much safer than letting cars try to squeeze past you.

Get yourself some bicycle gloves.

Mud guards are great when it rains, the full length metal ones are the best.

Don't get angry at motorists. They're not worth it. A tap on the window and a polite request for a little consideration is more than enough. That alone scares the pants off them when they are sitting there cocooned in their little cage.

Acknowledge the nice motorists, give them a wave and a smile.

When you see a cyclist in trouble stop and offer assistance.

Make sure your seat is properly positioned, you should be standing on your toes when you are sitting on the seat.

Keep some spare socks and undies at work in case you get really soaked.

Carry a water bottle and keep yourself hydrated.

Don't ride the same route every day.

Don't be scared of riding in the rain.

Don't be scared of riding in the dark.

Don't feel that you have to dress up in spandex tights to ride your bike, just wear your normal clothes.

In summer carry your work clothes on your bike and wear shorts and a T-shirt while you're riding. Have a quick splash in the sink on arrival and then change into your work gear.

Recruit more cyclists, every person not driving a car makes the road less dangerous. Every person cycling makes the road safer.

Let your friends and colleagues feel your muscular legs.

Go to Critical Mass and other community rides. Sydney Body Art Ride especially!

Form a relationship with a good bike shop. I like Cheeky Transport in Newtown.

Thursday, September 13, 2007

They Hate Freedom

They hate us because we are free.

They hate us because we question the beliefs they hold so fervently.

They hate us because they think we don't belong in their country.

Assuming that their way of life is the one true path, they deem us infidels, lesser beings who deserve to be destroyed.

They can't stand freedom. Having given it up themselves, it irks them to see anyone else have it and use it.

They create a whole value system based on the necessity to be like them and deprive ourselves as they do.

They don't really want to see anyone reduce their dependence on foreign oil. Real freedom is too much work. Slaving like a dog to pay car payments, insurance, upkeep and fuel costs is deemed freedom, worth the price of lives lost at home and abroad.

Putting forth one's own wholesome effort to get from place to place is subversive, annoying, despicable self-indulgence.

Posted by Citizen Rider via Cycle-Licious

Friday, September 07, 2007

dan le sac VS scroobius pip

Saturday, September 01, 2007

Political Poster Exhibition

Art plays a crucial role in social struggle - illustrating and inspiring the power of social movements.

While the APEC politicians discuss how best to silence dissent, prolong the oil wars and profit from environmental devastation, come and feast your eyes on the alternative Art that inspires and demands Action!

Some of the most stunning posters are from the artist collectives which operated in the 1980s out of the (then squatted) Sydney Uni Tin Sheds. Powerful, eloquent and moving, these full colour posters use silk screening craft and artistic techniques unique to Australia which have rarely been used since.

Let the walls speak!

The opening night is onWednesday 5th September from 6pm, with talks by some of the originalartists at 6.30pm, food and drinks available. After that it will be open 10am till 7pm weekdays, and 10am to 4pm weekends,except closed the 7th, 8th and 9th.

5th to 19th of September.

Sydney Uni, Holme Building, The Bevery. (Near the footbridge over Parramatta Rd)

Entry is by donation. And all proceeds will go to preserving the posters, which may not survive for another thirty years otherwise.

Friday, August 31, 2007

Tips for Happy Riding

Learn right away that the front brake is the most effective one, and to never lock the front wheel in dirt.

Learn how far you can lean over without scraping a pedal.

Learn to keep the inside pedal UP when you corner, and learn to ride safely in all conditions.

Signal your approach to pedestrians, especially if they're old, and a bell is better than a shout. If no bell, try clacking your brake levers. If all you've got is your voice then that's fine.

At least one ride in 10, go without your sunglasses and gloves.

Sometime next month, put some double-sided cheap-style pedals on a good bike and ride in non-cycling garb.

Carry an extra tube you can donate to somebody with a flat tire and just a repair kit.

Don't try to be a mentor to every cyclist you meet.

Don't ride in shoes you can't walk through an antique shop in.

Don't wear clothing that makes your sweat stink even more.

Don't think you'll go faster in a significant way if you and your bike become more aerodynamic.

Put a $20 note inside your seat post or handlebar and hold it there, somehow.

Don't ride until you're confident you can fix a flat.

If you ride more than one bike, have a set of bring-along tools for each one. Learn how to remove your rear wheel (put the chain onto the small cog, etc.).

If you ride in a group, bring food for you and somebody who forgot to.

Go for a one-hour ride underdressed sometime, because it's good to be really cold on a bike every now and then.

Never blame your bike or your health or anything else if you're the last one up the hill or in to the rest stop.

If your brake hoods are black, wrap your bars with a different color tape.

Never let your chain squeak.

If you pass another rider going up a hill, say more than "Hi."

If you see another rider approaching you from the rear, trying to catch you, let it happen. Fun is more important than fast.

Sometimes, bring normal food on your ride.

Shoot photos on your rides and give them away.

Feel comfortable mixing high tech and low tech, old and new parts and technologies, and don't apologize to anybody for it.

Compliment other people's bikes, especially if they're new.

Buy the cheapest helmet that fits well.

Don't always shop by price and never ask for discounts at your local bike shop. Every time you go into a bike shop, spend at least $2, and if you ask a question and get good advice, spend $5 (get a cable).

If you buy a rack, don't ask for free installation.

Don't assume your bike shop is making money.

Ride only when you feel like it.

Have at least one bike you feel comfortable riding in a downpour.

Ride in weather that keeps other cyclists indoors.

Never keep track of your pedaling cadence.

If you have a normal loop or ride, count the number of times you shift on it; then the next time you ride it, cut that in half and see if it makes any difference.

Learn to ride no-hands and to hop over obstacles, but not simultaneously.

Never hit a pedestrian. In traffic, be visible and predictable.

If you have several bikes, set them up with different equipment but always ride the saddle you like best.

Don't try to keep up with faster descenders if you're not comfortable descending.

Never apologize for buying something that's not quite pro quality by saying, "I'm not going to race or anything."

If you buy a stock bike, do something to it that makes it the only one exactly like it in the world.

Don't think it's important to match front and rear hubs or rims.

If you borrow somebody else's bike, for a short test or a long ride, say something nice about it.

Always bring a pump.

Build at least one wheel.

Wear out something.

Don't ever describe any bike, no matter how inexpensive or dilapidated, as "a piece of crap."

If you get a fancy bike assembled by somebody else, allow them a scrape or two, especially if the bike is really expensive.

These tips (slightly edited) are from Rivendell Bicycle Works

And I would add "Love your Bike!"

APEC Critical Mass

After all the media hype and the threats from our Premier I was a little bit concerned that there might be some sort of confrontation at Mass tonight. Instead it was one of the friendliest rides I've been on.

The Police were going out of their way to be friendly and helpful. This guy told me how much he was enjoying the ride and the music. He'd come in from Burwood for it. At the end of the ride the Police hung around to chat and have their photos taken with the riders.

It seems to me that the media and the politicians are the only people who want to see violent protests at APEC. The media are hungry for a sensational story and the pollies get the chance to flex their muscles and strut about being strong men. The Police and the People just want a peaceful protest.

Compare this to what happened in Minneapolis where the Police attacked people with Tasers and Mace without any provocation.