Candy Cranks

downtown airport/skyline

This past Tuesday, David J, Tylor, Bryce, and I crossed the Missouri River and headed north to the Downtown Airport. There’s a lap around the airport that’s roughly 3.7 miles. Our goal was to ride for an hour and see how far we could get.

A history lesson for those who are unfamiliar. Frank Dodd’s for the first person to ride for a conservative hour and record his distance. This was in 1876 and he rode for 16.47 miles. In 1972, Eddy Merckx set a record of 30.715 mi which stood for 12 years. The current record stands at 30.9 mi which was set in 2005 by Ondrej Sosenka.  Due to advancements in equipment and other technologies between the Merckx record and present day, the Union Cycliste International [UCI] has established to classes of records.  There’s the UCI Hour Record [which requires competitors to use the same equiment as Merckx. They can not use time trial helmets, disc or tri-spoke wheels, aerodynamic bars, or monocoque frames] and the Best Human Effort aka the UCI “Absolute” Record.

Merckx Hour Record Bike

Our hour ride went pretty okayyy for the first attempt. We probably should have rode the opposite direction, the head wind was so strong if I would have stopped peddling my bike would have come to a hault. Also, none of us drank enough water before hand. I would not recommend racing against yourself slightly dehydrated in 103 degree sunny weather.  ha! Our final results were as follows.  David J and Tylor both rode about 18.9 miles. I rode for 15-ish, I stopped with five minutes left to vomit [so shocking, I know!] Bryce gave in half-way through so his distance is unknown.  Despite the vomit, the ride was exactly what I needed. I’m convinced I could sustain on endorphins and vitamin d alone. We’ll be repeating this ride next Tuesday as well. Meet us at Broadway Cafe around 4 if you want to ride with us!

Tylor and Bryce waiting for the train on the way back to midtown.

One of my biffs, Mk, who resides in Brooklyn sent me a directed my attention to this guerrilla art/bike gang of gals.

Art that’s delivered on two wheels…
Coming soon to NYC: free art, distributed by a roving troupe of bikers
Posted on BroadwayWorld.com, August 16, 2010
Soon New Yorkers will be surprised to find a troupe of bikers, armed with noisy horns and bright flags, handing out rolls of free and original art, fresh out of a gallery. This guerilla-distribution of art will mark the end of this year’s PaperGirl-NY. The art will be distributed after hanging in galleries in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Albany from August 24 to September 6. PaperGirl was started by Aisha Roniger in Berlin in 2006 as a way to bring art to all walks of life, and New York got its first PaperGirl in 2009 in Albany. The art must be rollable, original, and can be of any size, material, or medium. Anyone can help organize or distribute the art. The show is not curated, none of the art is for sale, and after the showings the art is randomly distributed to unsuspecting strangers. By distributing art in Albany and New York City neighborhoods ranging from rich to poor, commercial to residential, gentrified to recent immigrant, PaperGirl aims to expose new audiences to different arts and artists. PaperGirl 2010 will include at least [100] artists from [12] countries. More information at http://www.papergirl-ny.com/

Considering a large handful of my biking friends are students or grads of KCAI, I wonder if something like this could be successful in Kansas City?

This week is crammed with bike events. Definitely saved the best for last. The annual 816 Bike Collective Benefit is on Sunday [read more below]!!!! Hope to see you kids at some if not all of these events!

Starting point for Belles, Bikes, and Giggles

Wednesday: Belles, Bikes, & Giggles.

Our first ladies only ride was a success. We explored [swam] around the Discovery Center at the Kaufmann Foundation then headed north to the Union Hill Cemetery. Quite the late night adventure. These rides will be happening weekly.  Starting from Eagle Scout Fountain [39th and Gilham]. We’ll meet around 10:30.

Thursday: Third Thursday Alleycat @ Volker Velowerx.

Free to ride. Meet at 6 pm. Corner of 18th and Wyandotte. Due to this alleycat, Bike Polo is canceled. Stephen moved it from Sundays to Thursdays. Usually, We’ll play at 6 pm on the Holmes court. There’s an extra bike, so even if you don’t have beater you can try it out!!!!!!!!!!!

“]

First Third Thursday Alleycat [the suckers who brought Coke!

Friday: Mocktail Hour and BBQ RIDE

Mocktail Hour: 5-7 @ Bum Island in Westport. Come get your bike repaired from the Missouri Bike Federation. Even if you don’t need to work on your bike, stop by and chat.

BBQ Ride: 7:30 pm. Meet at Sunfresh Market in Westport. We’re heading to Oklahoma Joe’s [As seen on Man vs Food]! Here are the photos from last month’s ride to Earl Quick’s. We got there in the knick of time. Also, they had a slab special!

the gang.

July's Bikes, BBQ, & Good times.

OK Joe's!

Sunday: 816 Bike Collective Benefit.

The collective is a community supported bike shop. They work with volunteers passing on knowledge about bike mechanics and maintence. They donate bicycles to kids and adults in need of a mode of transportation and empowerment. Their current building at the corner of 31st and Troost was without electricity throughout the winter. They are looking to relocated to a space that will be more supportive of their efforts. Also, bearings need grease and grease costs money. This is their major benefit of the year. Come out and support bicycle awareness and empowerment in the 816!!

5 PM-Alleycat! $10 to enter, free admission into the benefit show. Starting point: Firefighter’s Fountain @ 31st and Washington. Tons of fun and prizes.

7 PM- Benefit Show at Californos [4124 Pennsylvania Avenue]. Silent Auction, Bands, DJs, and KCSprints! $7 at the door!

This week is going to be busy! Hopefully I’ll be able to squeeze a nap in poolside. ha!

-Caitlin

I recently caught wind of this event from my friend the organizer, Crystal. Obviously since it’s an event surrounding the oil spill, there’s a big emphasis placed on walking and biking there. Bikers get a free beer and some other doors prizes. I’m pretty excited to see the aerial fabric artists, those broads are tough! -Caitlin

KCSPRINTS sticker response!

Doin' the Fonz.

As I mentioned in my last post, the boys and I have been riding around scouting out new spots. Since these boys all have ladies that ride, just not with us on these rides, Jenna Jerkface and I decided to get a weekly ladies only late nite ride going. It’s not a strictly fixed gear only ride, however we would like to collaborate and work on tricks together as well as explore the city. I created a dorky facebook group: Belles, Bikes, & Giggles join it if you would like to stay connected that way as well. Our first ride is Wednesday, August, 11th. We’re meeting at the fountain on the northeast corner of 39th and Gilman around 10:30. Bring water, lights, energy.
Wooot. Woot!

Since the heat index has been maxing out at 110 recently, the boys and I have been hitting up late nite rides around the city.  We’ve been exploring new spots and trying not to get kicked out of every space we scoop out. ha! In the exploration we’ve been messing around with some edits, hopefully we’re have some done of the late nite stuff soon. Until then, here’s an edit of Matt doing some hop bars that he just put out.

As much as I love riding fast and tricking downtown and back with the boys, it makes me miss my boo, Hannah. While I have some ladies to ride with, Nikky I loovveee you, not too many chicks in KC like to attempt tricks. Hannah’s been out of commish due to breaking her leg in three places earlier this summer, our kickball is intense here!

f broken bones

I can’t imagine being out all summer, so I wanted to publicly let her know I think she’s a TROOPER. I can’t wait for her to get back on the saddle, literally. I love you, lady. Feel better. You are the best.

nohands hannah

Between heartbreak, summer school, and the new job, I have neglected updating the going ons in Kansas City. Sorry kids.

gang @ sunfresh

Last month’s BBQ ride was the most successful thus far. We had around twenty riders. Exploring the Bottoms on our way across the State Line was eye opening for a lot of the riders. Upon entering into KCK we were transported to OZ, the drivers and pedestrians  alike enthusiastically welcomed us to their side of the border with cheers and fireworks.

When we reached the Gates & Sons BBQ joint off State Ave, we noticed the pond across the way. Grabbing our grub to go, we enjoyed our bbq while watching the sunset.

Parking the bikes at Gates

Gates off State Ave

Enjoying the food and the view.

A trip to KCK would not be complete without encountering one of the eccentric locals. [he's in the above image wearing a cream shirt in the background.] Not only were were encouraged to race this lovely gentleman across the pond to be initiated into his purple people gang [ha!], we also got a free strip tease. Luckily we were finished eating before he finished his dance routine.

The route home lead us to the Lewis and Clark Bike/Ped Trail back through the bottoms. However, we exited the bottoms Northeast from where we began our ride. It was a route I had never taken before due to the perceived notation it was extremely hilly. To the contrary it was a slow grade hill that was easily dominated. Thanks to all the riders for coming out, eating ‘q, and exploring the city with me!

If this intrigues you to eat some Kansas City’s most beloved cuisine and see a bit of the city, come out tomorrow night. July’s BBQ Ride is Wednesday, July 28th. We’re meeting at Sunfresh Market [4001 Mill Street]  around 6:30 pm. We’ll leave by 7:00 and head to Quick’s BBQ in Merriam, KS. [1007 Merriam Ln Kansas City, KS 66103]. Hope to see you there!

Quick's BBQ

Since variety’s the spice of life and my newly employed self can’t be so willy nilly these days, I’m switching up the day/time for this month’s ride. It’s being held this Wednesday [June 30th] at 6:30 pm. We’ll hit the road from Sunfresh Market [4001 Mill Street] by 7 pm.

This month’s joint is Gates & Son’s Bar-B-Q!

Not only is this my favorite spot [hell. my family does our christmas eve dinner here!], but they can  trace their roots back to the man-myth-legend Henry Perry, who invented the “KC style barbecue”.

In order to keep things interesting, we’re going to head to the Kansas City, Kansas location, 1026 State Avenue.  [It's confusing I realize, but I usually stay content on the Missouri side of the state line]

Hope to see you there!

From Bmore Fixed, here’s a rad edit/profile of Christina. I love this video! The wreck footage made me realize it’s been a minute since I seriously ate it attempting new tricks. On that note, I’m going to suck it up and find some stairs to jump this week.

HellKat 3: Tire Checkpoint

HellKat Hustle 4!

Meet at 29th and Forest at noon. Race starts at 1 pm!!

BRING:

* A bag to carry a twelve pack of your favorite carbonated beverage
* An intact twelve pack of your favorite carbonated beverage or cash to buy it
* Water, do not get dehydrated. There will not be water provided at checkpoints
* $10 for registration the day of the race unless you pre-register.

In addition to crazy, art school hazing challenges [ie "golden necklaces"] there will be a capture the flag aspect to the race.

There will be a bonus point advantage throughout this race. There will be two flags located across the city. These flags will count for 8 additional points to the racer’s score if they reach the finish with the flag. The flag will be secured to waist only by a Velcro belt.

Great prizes! Mccoy’s Kegs at the after party!!

ps I heard three ladies have already signed up….step in the right direction!!