And today coming back from the beach I passed Mona Caron's new mural in progress in Noe Valley and saw this cool little detail:

In it, a gym currently at the corner of 24th and Church is replaced by a Pedal Power center, which people pedaling away on energy-harnessing bikes. On the roof of the Pedal Power center, a band jams away, using the power from below. Caron painted her favorite musicians into the mural. You can clearly make out stiltwalkers from La Malamana,

Sustainable Rock 'n Rollers are back in Utah, touring by bicycle and using their Human Powered P/A system sponsored by Rock the Bike.

Above, Sonya Cotton and SHAKE YOUR PEACE! front man Gabe Dominguez sing a duet on Park City TV.

It helps if you can read, but you won't need to.

We put a lot of thought into the new manual, so that you wouldn't have to. Our old manual had snapshots, that, while accurate, were hard to read and had to be photocopied just so. There's almost no way we can screw up the printing on this new manual. The pen and ink drawings include only the information you need to quickly and securely install the Down Low Glow on your bike.

Illustrator Nathan Welch first met the Rock the Bike crew while visiting the bay in 2006. Now rolling with the DLG in D.C., he teaches drawing, and loves to ride his bike and his Vespa.

Had a great time performing with Ken the mad scientist, Joel, Zori, Mafi, and Daniel last night at the KFOG Kaboom. We had completely sustainable sound -- solar charged keyboard amp, and human powered vocals. We performed about 2 hours in an area filled with tailgaters, for tips, food, and fun.

You said it, not me.

Originally uploaded by Rock The Bike

Seen on my way to work yesterday.

Excerpt:

(Online sustainable-living resource Lime.com picked up our piece about customizing human powered party bikes.)

Mundo waiting faithfully at the parking.
Originally uploaded by Rock The Bike

All I got to say is it's been a long time since I've had a bright red bicycle and it rocks! This Mundo is a cheerful little guy. Kind of a cross between a monarch butterfly, a gazelle, and a hippo.

The single speed is great. On Wednesday I carried 100 pounds 1.4 miles up a gradual hill to town, and the ratio felt good to me. Not too hard, not too easy.

Then I rode to town today with about 60 pounds. Same solid feeling. Gear felt right. Then after dropping off the goods at FEDEX I was riding it down the hill unloaded, and it feels basically just as stiff and solid as when it was loaded down. The frame doesn't budge. It's kind of like riding a tree trunk. But as much as this bike doesn't feel zippy, due to its weight, it's reassuringly strong. Today I sprinted for a yellow light with the 60-pound load, and it felt really good. It had pickup. And the drivetrain is so positive that I know I can put 100% into each pedal stroke.

It's our new townie. And we invite you to take a test ride. We'll be at the Maker's Faire this weekend running the Pedal Powered stage. Come take a ride, and pedal power a few songs while you're at it!