I got this info through the grapevine, but if you are looking for somebody to take that picture so you can send it to your sweetheart, this might be a good opportunity.  The important thing is that the photos won’t be used for stock photography, won’t be sold, and you’ll get a hi-res copy.

Info from Jose:

Here are the details: I’m looking for 2 types of cyclists -

ROAD
1. looking for cyclists of any level, gender, age. in shape or not - doesn’t matter
2. the main thing is that you have full out cycling attire - please bring helmet, accessories (shades, gloves, etc.), alternate jerseys, shorts (spandex of course!) and pants (or leggings), cycling shoes, water bottles (no need for bikes)
3. if you have a racing full get up, great! wear it. if not, everything is cool for this shoot. color is awesome for what i’m going for, but if you are into all black, that’s fine too.

BIKE MESSENGER/COMMUTER
1. you fall into this category if you don’t wear spandex
2. maybe you ride a fixed gear, maybe not - but style is important to you

This project is for personal use only. Each subject will be given a copy of their image (sent hi-res via email).

Studio is located at: 116 Elliott Ave W Seattle, WA 98119

Date: Sunday June 14 from 12-8pm. Show up at whatever time fits your day - will only take 10-15minutes..

Please email me at jose@josemandojana.com to let me know you are coming and approx what time. If this date doesn’t work for you, let me know when you can stop by - or I may set up a second shoot day as the key is to get as many portraits done as possible.

You can view my work at: http://josemandojana.com Thanks! Jose

Saturday June 20th marks Summer Solstice, making the darkness spanning June 20th and June 21st the shortest night of the year.  The sun officially sets at 9:11pm, and rises again at 5:11am. What better to do than to ride all night!  Open to all bikes, and starting at Gasworks Park.

The cost is $10, and with it, receive breakfast and goodies.

It will be a scavenger hunt.  More info over at gomeansgo.org

Hey Seattle Bike riders… It’s Westside Invite time. An event bringing together riders from around the world (Canada does count as international) to get to know each other, celebrate the community that is cycling, and most importantly, to have a good time. We get to show off Seattle to all these visiting riders. It’s going to be an action packed weekend. Stay safe, and let’s party!

More information can be found at the Westside webpage

As for fliers, they got fliers:

As for schedules, they got Schedules

There has been a statement made in response to the attack that took place at the WSI benefit on 5/2. It can be found on the Westside homepage.

And finally, because I can have the last word if I want it, here’s a little editor’s note:

Editor’s note:

The cycling community (nationwide) has been a welcoming place, and a big part of my life since I got involved in the mid 90’s. I was a teenager in the East Bay, listening to political punk, with an interest in communal living and utopian societies. I have met many great people through bikes, and have been involved with political actions, protests, critical mass rides, reclaim the streets parties, as well as many drunken, and even sober adventures. I have strong feelings for the cycling community. Some are or were messengers. Some ride daily to work (some in jeans, some in spandex.) Some race. Some got DUI’s and can’t legally drive. Some have been car free for years out of principle, or simply because they don’t feel it’s necessary. It’s a diverse bunch. Most have other hobbies besides bicycles. Music, other sports, writing, camping, flying kites, shopping, fucking origami… whatever it is people can think to do besides ride; the point is, folks are different. I will be the first to admit that I don’t like everybody. I think some people are assholes. But I do try and respect their opinions, and I feel that they should be free to do what they do, as long as it doesn’t hurt others. I may not join in all their reindeer games, but like they tell you in grade school “it’s a free country.”

I love it when people that like bikes get to know each other, perhaps realizing that we all ride the same roads and face the same dangers. We are all looked at as though we don’t belong in the street. These disadvantages we all face, I hope open each others minds and hearts. One of the biggest things I like about the cycling community is that I, or you, can show up in a town, talk to some people on bikes, and know that they aren’t going to tell us to get to Georgetown by taking Aurora or I-5. We’ve got a connection that doesn’t even need to be stated. We’re in the same boat. You can feel it when you nod to another rider going in the opposite direction. Try it. Just make eye contact, and give a friendly nod to another cyclist. It’s not a nod of “approval”, it’s a nod of “Hey, how’s it going? It’s good to see you out here. Keep the rubber side down.” I just love the cycling community. I’m not going to give you a sage cleanse, or ask to borrow your bootleg “Dead” tapes, but I love the way that bikes make me feel like a bit of a hippie.

Now I may read this tomorrow, after the cold medicine that I’m on right now wears off, but for right now I will say it loud: RIDE BIKES, LOVE EACH OTHER, AND DON’T BE AN ASSHOLE. Apparently the only way to say things loud on the internet is to type them in all caps.

love and pedal wrenches,

Ryan.

Good Night.

Niki at Mobius is putting together what I’m sure is going to be a bad ass event for the ladies. Friday Night, the opening of the West Side Invite. At each stop you will roll the dice to determine how many Core Whore dollars you will receive and how difficult your next stop will be. Ride Hard or Roll Lucky. Meet at Mobius. Race at 7pm. It’s open to all ladies.

• If you are registered for the WSI, it is free. If not, it’s $5 for messengers, $10 for civilians
• If you work on your bike- Mobius considers you a messenger. Jimmy John’s gals, Snoose Junction ladies, that’s you too.
• What is a “Core Whore” you may ask? Well, the Messenger’s (Cannot Give Legal Advice) Dictionary says: Hoarder of core (central downtown) work. The quick and the dirty, try it out without the elevators to slow you down.
• Dudes, you can’t race. Though the pink Phil Wood “Core Whore” hubs would look sweet on your ride, you aren’t going to win them. There might be a concession made for any fellow that would like to insert his pee pee into his boom boom and ride the entire race like that. At least I would allow that.

This is a shout out to the ladies. It’s about having fun, riding your bike, building community and supporting other women. The women’s race that took place last August that Laila put together went really well, and I hope that these gals come out to do it again. For whatever it’s worth, I don’t think lake jumping will be a part of this one.

The map can be found here

Check out the West Side Invite page here

And here is a little edit by Jace of things to come for the Core Whore:

Do you have an old bicycle trailer that you want out of your sight?  I (Ryan) have a project I’m working on that requires said trailer.  It doesn’t matter if it’s in disrepair, or if the fabric is disintegrated.  And I’ll give you a hint.  I like bikes, and I like fun.  I may be able to give you a few bucks for it, but in these difficult economic times, I’m hoping that you are willing to donate said trailer, in an effort to stimulate future bike events.  We’ll just call this a little Awesome-nomic Stimulus Package.

Please contact me if you have something like this.  Let’s Celebrate.

-Ryan

Of course a cable lock securing your wheels is always a good idea. And not having your saddle locked to your frame, you are running a risk in having an uncomfortable ride home if someone decides to steal it while you are getting your drink on at the bar.

The fact is: Locks keep honest people honest, but they are our main defense against would be thieves and hooligans.

I don’t know if Seattle has a growing crime problem, but it sure seems like there is much more bike theft within the last year. Bikes, now wheels. It’s far easier than we’d like to admit to strip down the average bike in 5 minutes or less with nothing more than an allen wrench and a 15mm wrench.

• Please lock your bike securely, make note of it’s serial number, and get accurate pics of it. You can post those pics up on the Seattle Bicycle Directory as a reference.
• If you buy things used and don’t know the person, be aware. There are many good people on Craigslist, and also some people that traffic in stolen goods on Craigslist. Use common sense, and if you think it’s stolen, don’t buy it. Sometimes deals are too good to be true (if you have a conscience that is)
• Shit happens. Outside of keeping your bike with you at all times, there is a chance that some asshole will take or break something off of your bike if you have it parked in an unguarded area.

On that note, a few emails I received about stolen goods:

Geoff had his rear wheel stolen Tuesday night/Wed morning in the U District between 1 & 2am near the Galway Arms- an Alex R500 rim to a Formula hub. It had a blue Schwalbe Lugano tire. If you see it, call him at 805.679.1720

Matt S. passed on some info regarding his buddie’s stolen wheelset last week, he posted on CL:

Be on the lookout for a rear copper phil wood track hub (fix/fix) laced to white deep v and a pair of EA 50 handlebars with a white spray paint spot on them with clear oury grips on them. Stolen tonight (5/10) from the garage at Seattle University. Please any info would help. Thanks a million.

And as a final touch- here is Hal, breaking it down, on how to lock your bike.

Protect yourself, your bike, and be on the lookout for suspicious activity. It may sound a bit like some homeland security bullshit, but if people keep their eyes out for theirs and other peoples rides; we help each other and not support thieves by buying their stuff, we might be able to keep the stealing to things like cars.

Ride.

Can be found HERE.

Thanks for playing.

There will be a benefit for the West Side Invite put on by the Emerald Sprints folks. If you came out to 88 Keys last month you know it was a hoot.

There will be a $7 door fee for everyone, and with that you get a ticket to race one match, with the top 16 times going into a bracket. Grudge matches will be $1 per person (my calculator tells me that’s $2 per grudge)

The West Side Invite organizers will be there, and you can sign up for the West Side that night if you haven’t already. You can also do it online by visiting the WEBPAGE

Another stellar flier design by the one and only Christauf Wright