social rides

This was the sound system at the mc3 performance ride

Flickr images originally uploaded by kendra the wild

Many people use bike trailers to bring the beat at large group rides like Critical Mass. Trailers make it easy to get started, since you can use a simple box rather than having to engineer a cabinet that surrounds your rear wheel.

But trailer-based systems put the beat much further from your ears, meaning that you have to turn up the volume much louder to feel like you are 'in the music'.

Kipchoge and Wild Johnny kept inviting me to the Pleasant Revolution tour stop in Redondo Beach.

I really wanted to cruise and perform with my friends, not to mention take part in a huge Xtracycle / Down Low Glow rally, but I didn't have a way to get there. I haven't had significant-other access to a vehicle since February, there wasn't a carpool option, and the idea of flying or renting an SUV to get to a bike ride didn't ziggle with my zooglea, as we say in the Kombucha business.

So ended I staying up all night Friday, making them a special Fossil Fool cruising mix in Ableton Live, complete with shoutouts, DJ beatmatching, and crossfades. We're talking crossfades, people! Apparently it went over really well. See google chat transcript below with Kipchoge.

It's hard to capture on video the feeling of a good cruiser ride, but these two come pretty close. The first video, made by ultradistance rider Paul McKensie, was used on the tourbus of Clif Bar's excellent 2-Mile Challenge. It was shot with a handful of friends and Clif folks at my place in the Mission. It's got a beautiful shot of Mafiosa and I cruising in front of Mona Caron's Bikeway Mural.

full moon ride austin

Originally uploaded by brian birzer

Amanda pedals the Choprical Fish at one of the stops on last night's sweet moonlight cruise, which began at 2AM on a local pedestrian bridge. This annual ride was up there with the best social rides I've experienced. More pictures to come. Thanks Austin!

Noticed a couple videos on www.midnightridazz.com of what appears to be a recumbent rider with an Ice Down Low Glow at a recent ride. It's about 1 minute in. Check ' out!

This bike ride was a transforming experience that forever changed my life and you should go to every one from now on. Diverse throngs of people cheered us on as we paraded through the city streets with Fossil Fool the Bike Rapper leading the way, and Gabe and JoJo providing the amplification of the jams. we danced with families to uplifting house-funk from an outlook in the golden gate park whilst delivering a message of true freedom and independence through bikes and music.

Take to the woods with your favorite mountain bike, a high intensity headlight, and the Down Low Glow.

The Down Low Glow adds an otherworldly ambience to night-time trail rides.
Your friends will appreciate the additional light when they're chasing you down a gully.

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