February 12th, 2010 · Erin - Vancouver · No Comments
I’m part of a group called the B:C:Clettes. We are an all-lady bicycle-inspired performance collective based in wonderful Vancouver.
Every week, throughout the year, we get together to dance, talk, dream, and have a great time together. Over the winter we choreograph new performance pieces and refine our collective process, by assessing our goals and making new plans. In the summer we are either preparing, participating or recovering from performing on tour or at a slew of shows around town.
We have traveled our show to LA and back, run a cabaret featuring the B:C:Clettes and other amazing local acts, filmed a music video/public service announcement, presented workshops and talks, and completed two bike-powered summer performance tours. And all while dressed in red, black and shiny!
As a way of highlighting not just our performances, but our process and the wonderful people involved, I thought it worthwhile, and perhaps even interesting to do a few posts about the group. For a more fleshed-out description and history of the group, plus links to photos, videos and press coverage, please visit the B:C:Clettes website.
I recently photo-documented an average winter practice for the B:C:Clettes. On Thursday nights we trickle in to our winter practice space, chat while we peel off layers of rain and bike gear, and then get right into the fun. Each week a different B:C:Clette acts as the facilitator to keep us on track, take notes during our discussions and ensure that we have a great time. As far as moving around, we do a warm-up followed by dancing in the form of learning new choreography, reviewing old numbers and brainstorming new moves.
Pre-practice meeting of our website team.
Deep into one of our discussion sessions.
Our beautiful indoor winter practice space. The B:C:Clettes practice outside over the spring, summer and fall.
Dance-off to warm up those leg muscles.
Working in pairs to go over the moves for one of our numbers
Mini-rims makes great props!
Working in front of the mirror to perfect our moves.
Blocking our starting pose for our robot-inspired bike dance.
Experimenting with new choreography.
Gliding across the floor in pairs.
Learning choreography for a new dance for the 2010 season.
February 9th, 2010 · Nimzi - Honolulu · 2 Comments
Every first Friday of the month, Honolulu’s downtown and Chinatown districts attract connoisseurs of art, food and music festivities. Of course, parking is always a hassle, so to encourage more transportation to this event via bicycle, a friend Vincent decided to establish a Bicycle Valet service, free of charge.
Cute boys and lovely ladies dressed in their finest vests and cutoff jeans to watch over bicycles while their owners enjoyed the evening out.
Vincent, the mastermind behind the bike valet:
The cyclist turnout was high, and future expectations of increasing attendance via bicycle is extremely positive!
Interesting design, not sure I’d trust it though if I came off landed on my head.
The Tatoo Helmet, designed by Julien Bergignat and Patrice Mouille, is meant to be an easily stored, totally recyclable bike helmet.
“Tatoo” is derived from tatou, the French word for “armadillo.” And that’s what the design evokes. Rather than a single carapace, it comprises several polypropylene strips, which come into shape after the joints are clicked together. The entire helmet is made of polypropylene, so that it’s readily recyclable. When you’re not wearing it, it can be packed flat for storage:
Another awesome all girl bike crew with a twist based out of Portland - Irondelles.
If you’ve ever ridden a tall bike, you can understand the attraction: Finally, for the first time in your bike-riding life, you’re not just traffic, you’re above traffic.
There’s something exciting and fun about pedaling at such heights. Do it with a few friends and it’s even better. That was the basic inspiration that led southeast Portlander Skye Blue to create Portland’s newest bike gang, The Irondelles.
Blue fondly remembers her time riding around NE Alberta Street with friends from the (now defunct) Alberta Street Clown House and she wanted to share that experience with other ladies. But The Irondelles are more than just riding partners, Blue has offered up her shop (she’s a seamstress by day) and driveway as a dedicated workshop.
The goal? Teach women how to build their own tall-bikes, without the usual, male-ego-laden testosterone flare-ups that can sometimes creep into other bike-building sessions she’s been around.
Blue describes The Irondelles as, “A tall-bike gang and a group of women who empower each other and have fun riding tall bikes.” They meet once a week to teach each other bike building and welding skills.
So far there are eight members. Blue says five of them just recently learned how to ride. “We taught them one-by-one, in a parking lot. It took a while, but now that they’ve all got the bug they want to build their own bike.” Blue says building their own bike is “stage two” in the process of becoming an Irondelle.
According to member Emily O’Connor, The name Irondelles comes from the French word, Hirondelle. The inspiration comes from France-native and friend Carole Giraud-Sevigny (who happens to be married to one of Portland’s veteran and highly-decorated tall-bike jousters, Corey Sevigny). Hirondelle means “swallow” in English and it’s the name of a rare type of bicycle used at the turn of the 20th century.
“The Anger Release Machine created by artists Katja Kublitz and Ronnie Yarisal. The pair has converted a snack vending machine into a dispenser of cheap psychological therapy, filling the rows with various breakable tschotskes that invite passersby to vent their frustrations for a few coins each. Simply insert money into the slot, make a selection and wait for the sound of the satisfying crash as the vase or ceramic cat hits the deck.”
I like! I’d prefer to be able to smack them with a hammer or big mallet, more satisfying.
Mine’s not a world
Of princesses or strapless dresses;
When it comes to the gender divide
I spend my time around the edges,
Weaving through bike trails
Or sliding down metal ledges.
I forfeit trips to the day spa
In the name of progression.
Perhaps,
you’re just like me
A bit alone,
But super keen
To conquer jumps,
Or cut lines through trees
Half tomboy, half goddess,
You’re stuck in between.
We need more people like you
To mix up the scene.
But don’t take this
as some anti-male position
I’m just point out
A glaring omission:
We’re outnumbered -
It doesn’t take a statistician.
And I’d like to take focus
Of speed and competition
And create some space
For female recognition
And no, naked photos in bike ads, isn’t what I envisioned.
And while I am wishing…
I wouldn’t mind some bike clothes
Designed with girls in mind.
Not racks full of jerseys
with only guys in mind.
“You want elbow pads?”
Sorry, they don’t come in your size.”
And a word to the wise:
I’m not here to pick up
So don’t even try.
This may be a surprise,
But I don’t ride to impress
Or to loose weight of my thighs
I’m out on the trails
Cuz this shit keeps me alive.
You better believe it
When I pedal,
I become the goddess of Venus.
Look around you,
This scene’s heterogeneous.
Sure,
I don’t have a penis,
But I’ve consulted my bike
And we agree I don’t need it.
Call me a maverick,
But I like to think
Riding’s not just about doing tricks
Or going big
Sure, chicks can’t go as quick
But who gives a shit?
I’m all about riding for the love of it.
But this rhyme wasn’t designed
As a forum to whine
So I’ll put my cynicism aside.
Besides,
We’re already turning the tide
With forums like candy cranks
And the hope they provide.
You can’t do it alone,
Believe me, I’ve tried.
It’s time to put your isolation aside;
Chicks spin around the globe,
This shit is worldwide.
This isn’t shameless promotion,
I say it with pride:
Candy cranks is more
Than just another bike blog
Or a place to flog
The latest pink knog.
If bike riding’s the main act,
Candy cranks is the prologue.
And correct me if I’m wrong
But we’ve waited to long
For something like candy cranks to come along.
Fuck people that think girl’s don’t belong
or should just tag along…
Instead of leading the bunch,
And this may be a hunch
But I think female bike riding is gaining some grunt.
This is a cause for celebration!
And can I express my appreciation
To candy cranks
For bringing together this constellation
Of female riders
Engaged in a global conversation.
And how about the site’s easy navigation?
Candy cranks is the ‘campag’ of website creation.
Thanks meg, for your endless inspiration
Candy cranks has my vote and utmost admiration.
Thanks Ms Emily May! Another piece of amazing work, I wish I had half of your ability to write so well!
It’s Xmas Eve again, another year almost gone. I’d like to wish everyone a fantastic Christmas and New Years. Thanks so much to everyone who has supported Candy Cranks and all our super authors. I’m always hearing really positive feedback and it’s great to see so many girls getting out there and doing their thing on bikes! I’m looking forward to an exciting new year and wish you all the best!
Please enjoy this Punjabi Jingle Bells rendition, it’s freaking awesome.
December 15th, 2009 · Nimzi - Honolulu · 1 Comment
Aloha! So for my 21st birthday, a bar hop was an obvious necessity in the night’s plans, so what better way than make it into a bicycle ride?! We started off on a nice 3 mile ride out to La Mariana Sailing Club, a funky original tiki bar.
There were so many bikes!
And most of the ever expanding Punani Pedal Club!
As we moved on to more bars there was bike parking madness!
So it was an amazingly fun night and ride, thanks to all who rode and partied!
I’m loving these beard heads, they probably need some eyebrows as well. They could be a good cycling hat for all you Northern Hemispherians coming into winter now
Get your beard head here.
The first time I saw Bikedance was via Rie from Nagoya. I had no idea there are bicycle dance teams all over, here are just a few I’ve come across recently.
November 7th, 2009 · Marie - New York City · 5 Comments
Interesting minimalist bike from the Michigan-based designer J. Ruiter. According to J’s web site:
Our project, simplicity in inner city bicycling, was at first glance a fun aesthetic opportunity in new trends, color, and materials. Our target lived / worked in an inner city environment with minimal space. Bicycling at this level can be more about fashion and culture than speed and performance.
After the first few brainstorm sessions we knew there where bigger opportunities. The project ended up rethinking what a “frame” meant, getting ride of basic key components, and creating a new type of compact bicycling. Inspired by the first the “hobby horse” from it’s simplicity and secondly the cafe race scene. Each is an exercise in stripping something down to its core.
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