This Week's Rad Event Round Up

Here are some of the coolest bike events in North America the internet had to offer. From Halloween races, memorial workshops, commuting with your co-workers to being proud to be plaid, there is a never ending supply of fun to be had for those who love bicycles and the people that ride them!


Cogzilla is throwing down a Blackcat Alleycat in Atlanta, Georgia on October 25th



On the flip-side of 'Murica in LA, Red 5 Yellow 7 is curating Ghost Bikes of LA



October 27th, you can put on your best and go on the Ottawa Plaid Parade



October 28th,Vancouver wants you to get your co-workers to commute with you all week



Cycle Toronto is throwing down a Ghost Bike Lane ride on October 29th

Murder of Couriers

Another courier movie you say?

Murder of Couriers is beautifully shot Doc by Tom MacLeod. It's been in production for a few years, and there was some flak about when it would actually come out... I think I had been asking that of Tom for at least two years.

Well it's here. I went to the premier in Vancouver. In a nutshell, It's a great movie, you should see it. I'm biased, there are some Vancouver characters in there that I adore, like Newf and Ottawa, but besides following some great characters it's an impressively shot piece of photographic imagery. Vancouver is an incredibly beautiful city, which makes the riding of the bikes that much more of a joy. The treatment and showcasing of the city of Vancouver, along with a incredibly honest story telling makes this doc stand out. It captures a golden area of sorts in the bike scene from what I am told, something I may have just missed when I was getting to know everyone in early 2011. Nuts.

In short- watch the movie when it comes to your town in whatever various film festival.



On another note- HEY- bike world. Yeah you. Someone out there needs to give Patrick his own show/podcast/column/something. Serious. The man makes you develop abs with the laughing, and he can like bike backwards in circles for hours.



On a same thread, a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to Jamie Cooper (Original Three Inches of Blood singer in the 2nd trailer, co-owner of Superchampion) for welcoming a wee one into the world this week! LOVE!  

NORTHERN STANDARD MAKES A DEAL!

A few of us Nightshades have caught the bike polo bug over the last few years. We travel all over the States and Canada to play our fav DIY sport and see all our good buds along the way. Its rough and tumble and full of fun, its also full of awesome people trying to improve the sport from the inside out. Our friends Max and Ken, owner's of Northern Standard have been making shafts and mallet heads for a few years now and decided they were passionate enough about their favourite sport to make it a full time job. They needed a little help first though, so they went to see "The Dragons"
Also play our favourite game "SPOT THE NIGHTSHADES". 3,2,1. POLO!

Nightshade Bike STOLEN- please share.

My worst nightmare happened. Ironically enough, while I was doing some errands before the Premium Rush movie/cat here in Vancouver, my bike Carebear was stolen from a front entrance- I was inside the glass doors 7 feet away to drop off my computer to be fixed. I shouldn't have left here there, I should have taken the minute to lock her up, I was stupid, and in 2 minutes the love of my life was gone...

If you are in the Vancouver area, or Portland or Seattle- PLEASE be on the lookout for her or her parts. 54 purple Mission track frame, pink vVelocity B43s, Sugino Messenger cranks, was outfitted with platforms and pink YNOT razzle straps. Covered in HMPL, Knog, Orontas, COG, Minorty and Dah Shop stickers, and Ironically a "Don't Steal Bikes Bro" Affinity sticker, although they probably stripped it. Please share this photo. Contact me on instagram or twitter @meglikesbikes or my gmail account by the same name. 


This is Carebear in her natural environment- at the beach with her fellow bike friends.

When you are rushing around thinking about superficial things like parties, the cute man who makes info graphics who is in line with you, and optimized bluetooth technology, you can neglect the most important things that bring the MOST value to your life.  I am taking this a personal life lesson. I am going to slow my life down and always think about the most important things to me and pay attention to that. I was rushing thinking I was getting the things done I thought I was important, I lost the thing that was the most important to me.

I wonder, if everyone was more conscious of this, we'd take much better care of our planet, the children and elders in our society, and talk to our neighbours more. Realizing that computers, things and celebrity gossip is not as important as clean air, nutritious food and community, would probably be a firm foundation for a better planet. I think this is a lesson everyone learns. I think I've had this lesson before, and will probably have again.

I just want my baby back.

HMPL- Spot the Nightshade

Hey behb; introducing the No 15 Saddle Bag by HMPL.

HMPL No.15 Saddle Bag spot #1 from Matthew on Vimeo.

My friends here in VanCity can make some really rad beach appropriate bags! I mean, we own the lifestyle. Riding to the beach fully prepared sans bag on your back is massively awesome if you have the kind of frame/lifestyle that doesn't support panniers. I'm in their video 'cause they offered to buy me ciders. This spot is also a prime example of the most excellent quality of lifestyle I am leading out here in Vancouver. It's is pretty much a documentary, not an ad.

Follow: #beachlife #thirdbeach #hmpl

The Right to Cycle

From June 26th to the 30th I was fortunate enough to attend the keynote sessions of Velo-City 2012 held here in Vancouver, BC.

For three days I was truly blew me away. There is a steep hill to climb and a lot of work to be done to make the rest of the world like Copenhagen, but with such brilliant and hard working professionals dedicated to this task, it's going to happen and it's going to be amazing.

I love Notable Quoteables, so took some of the best from the international speakers and submitted them Toronto's lovely Biking Toronto and Australia's Treadlie.  Broken down into four parts, (seriously so much good came out of those presenters) they are meant to inspire and inform. Follow the links wiki-styles and dive deep into the world of cycling politics and infrastructure.

“Creating cycle friendly cities. It’s child’s play.”
Dr. Paul Tranter- Associate Professor in Geography, University of New South Wales

This year the European Cycling Federation and Velo-City presented The Charter of Vancouver, which is a call to the UN and all nations to acknowledge the right for children to cycle. Biking improves so many aspects of a child's life; their health, independence, personal mobility, cleaner enviornment, and the list goes on and on.... You can read the notes from the Children's Keynote in Part 4 of the Biking TO segment. 



The closing of the conference called for all to sign the charter in suport. I was a privileged to ad my name, and signed on behalf of the Deadly Nightshades. It's not just NGO's who are working to make this world a better place to live and bike, us #girlbikegangs have a role too.

1Love.

xo

The internets r awesome!

Here is a recap of some fancy things the internet is offering us this week...

First we have this neato party concept by GOOD Magazine, where you can win money having fun with friends.

To celebrate our latest print issue, “Beg, Borrow, or Steal,” we invite you to propose a plan for a magazine launch party that creatively reflects this theme. Submit here for a chance to win $300 and 50 copies of our latest issue to share at your event.

If you win send me a copy, mkay?

Have you heard about Girl Bike Love? It's an well done website dedicated to getting women on bikes, edited by the dedicated and funny Sarai Snyder. It's an excellent resource to get you more into your bike through tool introductions, product reviews, and cycle industry interviews. Sarai was just at NAHBS (I'm totally jealous) and snapped some great shots and is promising a few good interviews as well! GBL are also a blast to follow on the twitter.

In MORE money money money news, VanCity Credit Union here in Vancouver is offering up some serious start-up funds

The Good Money™ Impact Venture Challenge is for students and recent graduates building businesses that create positive change. We’ve got expertise, advice and financial support up for grabs. Three prizes - $50,000, $25,000 and $15,000 - will be awarded. Deadline to apply is Friday, March 16, 2012.

So if you are a new social entrepreneur, get on that!

Good luck. 1<3

Wolfpack Hustle

There are about 5 bazillion street race videos out there, not many make you stop, stare and feel like this one about last year's Wolfpack Hustle in LA. Cinematographer Warren Kommers used both basic elements of dramatic cinema and some very fancy modern editing to create this documentary about "Racing to the End".



I got my fast bike only a little over a year ago. I had never been a speed fanatic until I went and played with a loaner fixed gear bike in San Francisco in fall 2010. I showed up and that was the bike I got to borrow. I got hooked, after previously saying no for years in Toronto. I've been riding around a bit here in Vancouver, where the air is clean and there are a lot of "hipster highways" (aka underused straight roads) that you can break away on. I like to do the seawall on a weekly basis. I have friends who have promised to take me to some pretty cool places. Going to ride to America fixed this summer, maybe all the way to Portland. It's harder to do that in old polluted, congested Toronto. When I was back in Toronto the CNE grounds were one of the only places in Toronto you could break a sweat in.

For years, especially when I was more into fashion in Toronto, being slim and skinny was the the idea, or soft and Maryln like. I found pride in NOT breaking a sweat while riding around the city, and granted, showing up to a more cerebral and styled event sweating is not socially acceptable. I remember being proud of being a member of the "slow bike movement" and I still kinda am.

The past sweaty, athletic summer in Vancouver changed my mind, and the crew I ride with here is getting excited to do it all over again.... I can't help but love sweat, fitness, and just how sexy being strong is.



Today the sun is shinning here in Vancouver, I think this calls for a pedal to somewhere unknown. Fast.

My Bloody Valentine Video!

:)

Leap Year Closet Detox

Save the date! Feb 26th at Che Baba Cantina!



Che Baba is Namtron and I's favourite new brunch spot. It's got a supper cozy and beautiful interior design with a really tasty menu. It's co-owend and operated by my friend Allison, a fellow Ryerson Fashion Commi who I met doing the Wildlife Show, and then we collaborated on the Flourish Fashion Show for the first Green Living Show back in 2007. Now she's around the corner from me in Vancouver, making my tummy happy and curating a beautiful space to do yoga. Life is good!

But- back to the swap! We are trying to recreate the swaptastic magic that happened at Fountain Bar in Toronto! In case you missed it, the swap was supper fun, welll attended by stylish people, and everyone got a new wardrobe for 5 bucks. #WINNING.

Details for Vancouver go like this:

Details go like this:

February 26th- 1pm-4pm. Come for as long or as little as you like.

Che Baba Cantina, 603 Kingsway, just east of Fraser Street.

$5 to participate. (Funds towards a shinny, new, state of the art DNS camcorder.)

Minimum 3 good pieces to swap, bring more if you got it! You can bring clothing, accessories, shoes, rain gear, small house items, craft and sewing supplies. Stylish men highly encouraged!

We suggest coming hungry and thirsty! Che Baba has a amazing brunch menu, espresso bar and wine list. Swap, have some poached organic eggs on pan-seared polenta, go back and swap some more, then finish off with a desert of macaroons and a glass of Riesling. BLISS!

We are bringing in rolling racks and big mirrors so you'll have an organized, swanky swap experience.

All left over clothing will be donated to the Salvation Army nearby on 12th.

Go here for the Facebook event!

Oh Yeah...

I forgot to tell y'all, but I was in the Canadian Huffington Post for their Citizen Style Contest Thing! My photographer friend Jesse Winter snapped this shot down by the water at the Vancouver Athlete's Village.




I put together an outfit that met three criteria: Made/Designed in Canada, bike friendly, and some shade of green. (Take note, my tip and my tail were DNS. xo)

Hat, Salvation Army,$0.99. Infinity scarf and hair wrap- DIY from The Make Den. Made in Canada bamboo viscose Thieves top. preloved jacket from repurposed vintage sweaters and pants. Modrobes recycled poly riding jacket. Made in Canada Second Denim organic cotton high waisted jeans. Designed in Canada, vegan, single injection molding, non-toxic Paddintong boots by Native Shoes. Made in Canada Mari Cla Ro bag out repurposed car parts, swaped at the Clothing Swap Detox. Canadian trapped silver fox tail, Chatton Rouge.



Her is my my full "rationale" behind my style choices and view of the Canadian Fashion industry and urban cycling:

I would like to highlight the best of Canadian forward-thinking fashion.

In Canada, we have a lot of weather. I am from the city of Toronto, where the temperature goes from -20 degrees Celsius to above 30. it snows a lot. This differentiates us from comparably weatherless fashion cities of Paris, London or LA. Personally, I live in the world class city of Vancouver, which is situated in a temperate rainforest climate. Instead of fighting against these factors, or wishing I lived somewhere else, I embrace the weather. Snow? Sure! Rain? Bring it on. A stylish Canadian is not a fair weather fashion lover. Successful fashion companies out of Canada embrace rather then reject the weather.

The Deadly Nightshades is my crew, a bi-coastal design collective by day, mischievous bicycle gang by night. Our style is rocking up to Fashion Week and art parties on our bikes, hence a slogan "High Heels on Wheels". Therefor our style must be forward thinking, beautiful but a tad practical. Bicycles also make it easier to wear high heels, as there is little pressure put on the front foot, and heels can act as cleats to hold onto your pedals. We are part of a growing movement that embraces European style of everyday cycling. (We also have a OUT OF THIS WORLD style sense garnished from decades of awesomness.) Successful fashion companies out of Canada cater too rather then reject the active lifestyles.

The Nightshades met at fashion school, and in part bonded over working on fashion shows, art shows and eco-fashion events and the subsequent good times after. Sustainable design is the next progression in design for us, and producing fashions that are conscious of the planet is our passion. In Canada we have amazing natural beauty, that inspires design and art. Vancouver hosts Eco Fashion Week to great success. Successful fashion companies out of Canada preserve rather then destroy the Canadian environment.

I am trying to exemplify authentic Canadian style embraces the weather, progressive design, my choice of transportation, supports those I love, and protects the beauty of the country I live in.

xo

~MegO!

Yeah! Fun bikey events in Vancouver!!!!

Next week is going to be rad!

On Wednesday the 8th of February, my friend Linnea is throwing a Beer, Bikes and Babes Gastown Sprint at Kissing Crows! (4562 Main St.) By the name of this event I am assuming she is throwing it in honour of me being back in VanCity. Yeah. Let's do this.

THEN on Saturday the 11th our loveliest of friend Gena is throwing a 2 on 2 My Bloody Valentine Polo Tournament!



Weee!!! It's already spring here, just went for my second sea wall ride of 2012. Are you ready for me this year 3rd beach?

LEESIDE MAYHEM.

One of many reasons to love Vancouver (the others obviously being west coast shades & mountains). But, I only feel okay on missing out on this, cause we were running around Brooklyn dressed at David Bowies (plural) that night. For some reason this video makes me super happy. Good job Zenga pals.

OMG GLITTER!!!!

All That Glitters: The History of Shiny Things from Etsy on Vimeo.

So glitter was created as a way to re-purpose waste? Let's get back on that trend shall we!

So DNS has some interesting Glitter stories...

The first Nuit Blanche DNS (The Deadly Nightshades) set out to have some fun. It was the night I was officially initiated into the gang in a series of trials and feats of strength and wit. Shortly after the photo bellow was taken somewhere around 7am, Namtron, Big Red and I came across a drag-queen on Queen Street West giving palm readings. She told us we'd be famous and influence the world, then COVERED us in magenta sparkles. For years afterwards we'd find sparkles in our houses... for me they were always reminders to stay focused on STEP #3.



Namtron and I found this shirt in an open arts-fair in San Fransisco when we visited for SF Bike Expo in 2010. It's funny 'cause it's true on so many levels. Remember to practice safe crafting kids.



Then last spring my friends Emily and Linnea threw this fun alley cat scavenger hunt, called ChinaTown Hustle! So Namtron and our awesome bike-polo killing it friend Gena joined us and we became three Ninjas biking around Vancouver in glitter paint faces, golden glitter bombing unsuspecting commuters on the sea-wall, whilst drinking a saved-for-a-special occasion original Four Loco Gena had saved from her stint in NYC. We improvised the game by adding "do a tequila shot at a dive bar in Gastown" and "hey other team, you get extra points if you lick this glitter off the ground."




Photobucket lets you do some pretty awful things to photos. I may be addicted.

So Etsy, thank you for doing this video that made me squeal for joy, and take a trip down memory lane.

Hey, maybe DNS should have an Etsy? What do you think Internet?

VANCOUVER GOES WILD

A: The Canucks and bikes.

Q: What does Vancouver love?

The next fortnight promises to be a poop-storm of both. If you didn't see the epic of epic goals last night play-off game, Vancouver tucked away the only goal of the night on the Bruins with 20 seconds left in the 3rd. I didn't even watch the game OR read the news but I know this, that is how insane this city is going with Hockey fever. It seeps into your minds whilst you sleep. This is because Vancouver's love for their team is intense. (Don't click on that link if you are my mother/anybody's mother.) I look forward to the giant street parties/riots for the next 6 games. I've been dinging my bell on the streets but it gets drowned out when every dude with their mom's car keys and a jersey is out honking non-stop when the Canucks score/almost score/win/get mentioned on the radio.



Tonight starts the festivities of VELOPALOOZA, Vancouver's amazing grass-roots inspired 14 day festival of all things bike. There is a bike ride for everyone, from the amazing Bike Rave 2.0 hosted by my friend Mr. Eric Stall to a Sandwich Nazi Ride hosted by my friend Cy Eaton. Tonight it starts at the Waldorf Hotel (Vancouver's answer to the Drake, in fact Namtron and I often find ourselves calling it that) and ends with car-free day on Commercial Drive. (Kensignton P.S. anyone?). See, Toronto and Vancouver aren't so different, except the Canucks are a real NHL team.

My must have bike accessory for these two weeks? The Oopsmark Bike Wine Rack.


via the Toronto Standard

Of course a Montrealer would create something so beautiful....

VOTE 4 PIZZA

From the kids who bring you BAD PARTY and PROHAB in Vancouver. A great documentation of the various young hip types around here.

Tonight! Riding4Ridings... I'm helping pedal people to the poles on a pedi-cab! Details to follow...

HOT BABES VOTE VIA BIKES

My friend Adrian Sinclair is a babe on a bike. He does many rad events and projects, and this one is just blowing me away.



So I am going to sign up to volunteer to help people exercise their right to vote!.

You can learn more about this project and many more at Transformation Project's website.

And if you haven't been a young Canadian on the internet in the past week, here is the massive viral video of my friend Ajay from BEE Vancity not being Mr. Dressup.



And they are having a dance party. Maybe they'll host a Dance-Off?



I'm not a DJ but I was offended. But you know me, I'm just a part of that left wing fringe group known as being a woman....

NOW GO AND VOTE. A lot of people just recently died for the right to do so. Not jut in Federal elections, provincial and municipal. Care about the streets you live in and the air you breathe. Participate in creating the world you live in, or live by Plato's famous quote:

"Those who do not participate in politics are doomed to be governed by their inferiors."

EastVan Takes Bike Polo VERY SERIOUSLY

I live in EastVan, a neighbourhood that could be the equivalent to Parkdale for all you Torontonians. EastVan is hardcore, known for general sketchiness and drugs. Like Parkdale, it's where all the cool, young not-so-rich peeps congregate to live together in 1950's rambling houses, practice yoga, make 'zines, talk global politics, work in cafes, have massive yard gardens, home-brew, form bike collectives, learn how to clown, bake vegan and do other fun things with your own two hands. It's kinda like like the 90's according to Portlandia.

Rawbie Boards is probably one of the most interesting/lovable characters I have met so far, and is a big part of the EastVan bike polo scene. He now has in own show. Check it out to see why I think this about Mr. Boards, who constantly makes fun of my pretty new bike.



On a cool note, EastVan is going to be the first community in THE WORLD to have it's own Bike Polo specific court!

Rad, eh? Welcome to EastVan.

Speaking of Seafoam....

Leader's new frame colour for 2011 is Seafoam Green, I just read about it over at Pristine Fixed Gear Blog.



Speaking of Rad and pretty bikes, tomorrow in Vancouver there is the 17th Annual St Valentines Day Massacre Alleycat to balance out the amazing freezing bikeness that will be ICYCLE in Toronto. It gives me the warm fuzzies to know that there will be gatherings of amazing cyclists on both coasts.

xoxoxo

In Memory

Today I was really saddened to hear that Terry Lowe, Momentum's Vancouver/Victoria Editor, has passed away. Terry was one of the founders of Velopalooza, Van's awesome celebration of all things bike. I didn't know Terry very well, but I do know the impact he had at Momentum and the greater cycling community of Vancouver. Thank you Terry! It's passionate cyclists like you who help make it a friendlier world for all of us to bike in.

Tomorrow's Velopaloza "Freeze Your Bike Off Ride" is in his memory.

You will be missed Terry. See you at the big Critical Mass in the sky. xo