— By Kevin Montgomery (@kevinmonty) |
Terry B. has been posting up photos all week from last weekend's festivities and, from the looks of it, I had picked the wrong weekend to hang out in Nevada.
— By Kevin Montgomery (@kevinmonty) |
The Capp Street block party got shut down by SFPD a few years back for a lack of permits, but it's back in its former full glory for the 2011 edition of BFF. Here're the details:
And here's more of what you can expect:
— By Kevin Montgomery (@kevinmonty) |
Bobby the Bike Thief, likely unrelated.
If you're not already reading SFPD's Ingleside Station newsletter, you're missing out on some seriously passionate crime reportage. From their blotter, they were able to bust a bike thief operating outside of the 3300 Club on Mission:
Officers Morgante and Reserve Officer Martinez were sent to investigate a theft case. The officers spoke to the victim that told them that on September 8th her bike was stolen and that she had just seen the suspect who stole it. The officers broadcast the information and numerous Ingleside units responded to assist. The victim then led the officers to the location where she had seen her bike and the suspect. The officers quickly located the suspect and detained him. The officers asked the suspect if the bike was his which he replied “yes, I bought it four months ago at the San Jose Flee market”. The officers had an ace up their sleeves! The victim saw the suspect that stole the bike and could identify him as well. The officers conducted a “Cold Show” where the victim identified the suspect 100%! The victim was armed with photos of her bike and the serial number too. To make things worse for the suspect, forgot to change his clothing! The suspect should have done his laundry this week! He was wearing the same clothes on the day of the theft. Because of an attentive victim (and prepared), and fast response from the police, this suspect was arrested. Report number 110721326. This is the *****BEST ARREST of the DAY*****
On a somewhat related note, SFPD is stepping up enforcement at the 7th and Market stolen bike market.
(Thanks, Todd!)
— By Kevin Montgomery (@kevinmonty) |
One can only assume that this monster bike pile is the result of burners abandoning thousands of bikes in Black Rock Desert after a week of drug abuse and dusty sex. And while I'm sure Burning Man's corporate overlords will flip these wasted rides Yahoo! Auctions or whatever, they should just do SF a favor and zip-tie them around the city, giving crackheads bikes that are relatively easy to steal, flooding the thieved-bike market and driving down demand.
— By Alan Fineberg |
Before its gutting by opportunistic scavengers, this bike was useful and wanted. It had a drivetrain and wheels and it was free.
But the bicycle exists in a hostile world, and at some point it became necessary for it to seek security. Unfortunately for the bicycle, it was not true security; only the illusion of such. And not so temporary.
While technically the bicycle remains, it is only bones. And they are not secured so much as shackled.
This bicycle did emerge victorious against the attack of the desperate: the screwdriver. But it was no match for the other forces which otherwise eroded its worth and dignity.
A captive of its own short-sightedness, it bears a stamp of shame and lies naked beside refuse in an indifferent universe.
— By Kevin Montgomery (@kevinmonty) |
Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed a bill this week that would have made it illegal to text while biking, because it apparently wasn't already illegal to do that. From KQED:
It was a veto message that, if not for the famous signature at the bottom, sounded like the guiding principle of a conservative Republican governor.
“Not every human problem deserves a law,” it said.
And the law we didn't deserve?
“Section 21213.5 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:
(a) A person shall not ride a bicycle while using an electronic wireless communications device to write, send, or read a text-based communication.
(b) As used in this section, “write, send, or read a text-based
communication” means using an electronic wireless communications device to manually communicate with any person using a text-based communication, including, but not limited to, communications referred to as a text message, instant message, or electronic mail.
See y'all on gchat.
— By Kevin Montgomery (@kevinmonty) |
— By Kevin Montgomery (@kevinmonty) |
This tip comes to us by way of a trustworthy bike messenger, who can reliably identify a fixie when he sees one. “Black frame, bullhorns, no brakes.” Seems like a reckless ride for our closer, but considering Coolstandings.com says the Giants only have a 7.7% chance of making the playoffs this year, perhaps Brian just said “fuck it” and decided to offload his collection of devalued Giants' memorabilia after 'crushing it' around town on 20 pounds of brakeless steal.
But was it really Brian? I can't count the times I've seen some jacked, black bearded kid rocking a pair of bitchin' shades and shit my pants thinking Brian was in the same late-night burrito queue as me, only to learn it was an imposter and an evening's worth of booze had blurred my vision. Which begs the question: why hasn't anyone started a “Brian Wilson or Hipster?” meme tumblr yet?
There's a book deal in there somewhere.
(Thanks John!)
— By Kevin Montgomery (@kevinmonty) |
I know everyone's getting tired of hearing about how Kreayshawn has inspired an entire generation of horrifying white chicks to rap about random ass objects, but this track is seriously wicked.
And don't forget to read her blog about boning Pop's patrons, Mission Boyfriends.
— By Kevin Montgomery (@kevinmonty) |
It's been three years since the last Tour de Cupcake, the Bike Kitchen fundraiser famous for combining the mania of alleycat racing and the tranquility of mass cupcake consumption. Despite gushing tales of glory, trying weather, and acute stomach cramps from race veterans, the Bike Kitchen hasn't put on another edition of the race since its infamous inauguration in the fall of 2008.
Well, after all the wait, Tour de Cupcake is making a comeback October 8th:
In 2008 the first TDC was held in San Francisco, CA. The race was organized as a small fundraising event, with the hope that perhaps 75 of SF's bike messengers & alleycat enthusiasts would attend. We were blown away when nearly 400 cyclists, including families and riders of all types showed up at the starting line. Thanks to cupcake and cycling bloggers alike, we had a bona fide cupcake “happening”! Despite the wind and the cold, racers zipped all over the city racking up points, eating cupcakes and even taking frosting shots [shudder] when the cupcakes ran out. The event raised over $2,00 for the Bike Kitchen, and some even say it was unofficially the largest alleycat race to have occurred in North America!
You've been asking us for three years, and the Bike Kitchen has decided to hold the race again. We've planned for the masses and we're pulling out all the stops. We've planned one heck of a race weekend with kickoff parties, after parties, and plenty of prized and cupcakes for everyone.
Registration is open now for 15 bucks, or you can opt to volunteer and save yourself some coin.
Photo by Den Dowling
