Kid's Holiday Bike Program in FULL Swing! Check us out.

It's that time of year again! Bicycle Longmont has launched our Kid's Holiday Bike Program in conjunction with the Ed & Ruth Lehman YMCA.

Bicycle Longmont is accepting gently used kid's bikes 20" bikes and smaller. You can drop your gently used bike off at any Fire Station in Longmont.

Longmont’s Craft Brewers are supporting the Kid’s Holiday Bike Program, too!

New this year, Bicycle Longmont has partnered with Oskar Blues & Lefthand Brewing. You can trade your kids' gently used bike for a free pint of beer at the Tasty Weasel, Homemade Liquids and Solids, or the Lefthand Tasting Room.

How can I help?

People often comment that they would like to help but they don't know anything about bike repair. Surprise! You don't need to know anything about bike repair to help.

The greatest need we have is getting all the bikes cleaned and polished. We have an air compressor that can be used to inflate tires. If you can only help with those small tasks, that will be huge!!!

Our bike repair has begun in the warehouse at Sun Construction, 1232 Boston Ave., across from Left Hand Brewery.

During the past 5 days we completely cleaned and repaired about 25 bikes. Ther

e are currently 40 bikes inside the warehouse waiting for some bike love. Never fear, though, we have an entire trailer full, waiting, too.

Charlie Daniels of the Chain Whip?

For those who can handle bike repair, we need your help again this year. Please bring your own tools and a repair stand, if possible. There are 3 repair stands at Sun but we could use several more. If you can leave one there with your name on it, we can make good use out of it during the week and we'll make sure it is returned to you.

Don’t wanna cart your tools around, and you don’t wanna lose ‘em either? We’ve got you covered!

New this year - we have a secure place to store any tools you would like to leave there so that you don't have to lug them back and forth each time you come. Check with Tom, Pati or myself for details.

The warehouse is generally open on weekends at about 10:00am both Saturday and Sunday. It will close mid-afternoon both days.

Monday thru Friday, it is open from dark:30 until about 4:00pm.

Just show up when it's convenient and stay as long as you like. There is plenty to be done. It is easy to see which bikes need cleaning and some work. Inside Santa's Bike Workshop you'll find cleaner, polish, rags, tubes, repair parts and lots of bikes needing some TLC. It is all organized better this year and all parts are separated by type.

To get into the warehouse, enter thru the chain link fence that is just east of Sun's office. Go into the building that is just northeast of the offices. Look for the "Santa's Bike Workshop" sign.

Please contact us with any questions.

Bicycle Longmont

www.bicyclelongmont.org

www.meetup.com/bicycle-longmont
www.facebook.com/BicycleLongmont
Education, Encouragement, Advocacy
303-709-6991

Movie Night October 12th, 2011 - 7pm

Thanks to everyone who helped make the Hops & Heifers cruiser ride a bucking success. We rode nearly 18 miles from Longmont to Hops & Heifers, ending at Homemade Liquid & Solids.

It was a great way for folks to see beautiful Boulder County and to experience farm-to-can-to-farm-to-table at its finest.

In other news Bicycle Longmont keeps the Autumn rockin' with our fall movie night at the Dickens Opera House. We're going to show Breaking Away! If you've never seen this favorite, come and see what you've been missing. This is a cult favorite among Cyclists. If you have seen it, bring a newbie.

We're excited to be working with the Dickens again. We had a lot of fun a few weeks ago when Runnin' with Scissors joined us for the next to last Bike Night. The Opera House is a great venue for live events and MOVIES.

Come hang out with us for a while and don't forget to wear your favorite jersey. Kudos for an Italian cycling jersey, higher kudos if you're a Cutter and can prove it!

See you on October 12th, 2011 - 7pm at the Dickens Opera House - 3rd & Main Street in beautiful Downtown Longmont.

Upcoming events for the Bike Night Nation

Hey all,

Don't forget this weekend is the Hops & Heifer's Bike Ride. We'll meet at the Tasty Weasel saturday October 1st at 10am.

Here's the details direct from the OB Website. Come join us.

Saturday, October 1st

Cruiser Ride- 10am-2:30pm

If you are in Denver for the GABF Great American Beer Festival then, catch the OB bus up to The Tasty Weasel from Denver (or you can meet us at the Tasty Weasel at 10am) for a cruiser bike ride out to Hops & Heifers farm.

The cost for this ride is $25 and covers all this below:

After a brewery tour and a fuel-up in the tasting room, we’ll head out on bikes. The ride to the farm is 8 miles. We’ll re-fuel with water, ice cold beer & snacks while touring the farm. Farmer Geoff will give the nitty-gritty about the benefits and importance of farm-to-table sustainable practices.

We’ll have an option for those who want to take a van back to Homemade Liquids & Solids after the first leg of the ride. Once back in Longmont, we’ll have lunch at Homemade Liquids & Solids before heading back to Denver. We’ve partnered up with Bicycle Longmont to help out with bike rentals for the day– let us know if you’ll need a bike rental.

The Oskar Blues Ordeal- Saturday Cruiser Ride Schedule- 8:30am-4pm

8:30am: Pick up in Denver* (if you happen to already be, in Denver)

10am-11am: Drop off at Tasty Weasel. For those not taking the bus from Denver, arrive at the Tasty Weasel by 10am. Brewery tour and beer stop. Get geared up with bikes from a local shop.

11am-1:30pm: Bike to Hops & Heifers farm Cruiser Bike Ride (8miles one-way, 16 mile round trip. Half way option available)

1:30-2:30mp: Homemade Liquids & Solids for lunch

4pm: Arrive back in Denver*

To register go HERE

Smiles all around!

* PICK UP & DROP OFF: The Falling Rock Taphouse in Denver, 1919 Blake Street

Also ON OCTOBER 12 at the Dickens Opera House - THE ITALIANS ARE COMING!

End of the Season? So, What's Next?

I'll post a season recap tomorrow. Until then here is a graphic for you to munch on. We had agreat, great season - but, then, you already knew that, right?

I'll have some cool things to post about tomorrow. Until then....

Hang tight.

The Last Words on Bike Night: ONE MORE!

One more, last Bike Night.

The words for this Wednesday - Let's do it one more time!

Can we pack the streets with bikes? I think so. Join us at 6:30 PM at Roosevelt Park for one more tour of Old Town. The leaves are beginning to change and Old Town has never looked better.

Last Wednesday we had approximately 15 folks ride - I think we rounded it up to 21, but nevertheless we had fun. After riding in the rain we dried off and partied with Running with Scissors at the Dickens Opera House.

We hoped to reschedule but don't think that's gonna make sense. We'll connect with Runnin' again later in the year.

Help us send 2011 out with a bang THIS Wednesday night.

See you then!

Last Bike Night?

Wow. Tonight really was one for the ages. Rain, Rain, I wish it would have gone away. But, unfortunately, not so. I asked myself - "Is this how Bike Night's best season ends - with a drizzly, cold & nasty last ride??" What d'ya think?

I didn't think so either.

So next week we'll cue it up again. We'll have one more last Bike Night - maybe we'll call it the Lastest bike night. Or, whatever.

Anyway - we had a great time with Running with Scissors and we had a great time hanging at the Dickens Opera House. If you've never seen a show there or been to a concert you owe it to yourself to check it out. It ain't the nasty pool hall you might remember.

We'll pound out the details for next week. Stay tuned.

News for Wednesday = Rock STAR!

Hey all,

This Wednesday is the last Bike Night of the season. The theme will be "Rock Star!" Come to Bike Night dressed as your favorite Rockstar and we'll blast around Old Town. We'll end the ride just before 7:30pm at the Dickens Opera House.

At 7:30pm We'll head upstairs for a special concert from "Running with Scissors". If you attended the G'Knight Ride then you know how good they are. A lot of people asked us to bring Running with Scissors back so here you go!

There WILL be a $5 cover charge. We are just as cheap as you, so we're trying to keep the costs down by spreading it around.

Bring $5 and your favorite Rockstar outfit and we'll see you on Wednesday!

rjk

FINAL Bike Night : ROCK the Bike!

Next Wednesday we’re sending the season out with a bang. I know you look forward to Wednesday and especially Bike Night, RIGHT? Well get ready for me to blow, your, MIND.

All of us at Bicycle Longmont are teaming up to bring you the best end of season blow out in HISTORY! As a matter of fact you could call it “G’Knight Lite!” We’ve gotten together with the Dickens Opera House and the band Running with Scissors.

Running with Scissors is based in the area and they are a lot of fun. If you came to the G’Knight Ride then you’ve heard Running with Scissors. They play classic rock cover tunes, originals and they ROCK!

The ride is free as always but five bucks ($5) gets you in the door! The $5 cover helps to cover the costs of the band. Anything we raise over that will be donated to the Aspen Center for Child Development (formerly the Our Center Childcare Center). We’ve donated our end of the season blowout bash cash to these guys for quite sometime.

So get your party on, light up your ride, and join us next Wednesday September 14^th, 2011. We meet at 6:30pm at Roosevelt Park and roll around 6:40p. We will do a shortened trip around Old Town ending at the Dickens Opera House. Bring you bike lock.

Bike Night: Tonight we take a trip to Margaritaville!

That's right bring the Hawaiian shirts and probably long johns as we set sail for margaritaville. See you tonight at 6:30, Roosevelt Park. 910 Longs Peak Avenue - Next week is our LAST Bike Night of the season.

Ryan

Great American Beer Festival - BL & Oskar Blues - Hops & Heifers

!!!!! Registration info added at the bottom of this post !!!!!

Oskar Blues & Bicycle Longmont are wicked excited to announce our first ever Fall Cruise - Hops & Heifers on October 1 begining at the Tasty Weasel. We will begin our fun filled cruise to the Oskar Blues Hops & Heifers farm west of Longmont at 10am.

Have you ever wondered what hops look like? How they are grown and what it takes to turn these green beauties into a pale ale? Come a long on October 1st and find out. We will ride from the brewery to Hops & Heifers farm. Once there we will hear all about the operation that brings takes it from farm to pint!

This is going to be great!

After the farm tour Oskar Blues will have the Blues Bus & trailer available as a bail out. The rest of us will ride back to Longmont. We will all meet up at Homemade Liquids & Solids for eats and liquid treats.

In addition to all the cool kids from Longmont we'll get to brush elbows with GABF goers, too! We're gonna have fun.

As promised here is your opportunity to register! Registration is $25 it includes food and eats and, if you need it a bail out at Hops & Heifers to Homemade Liquids & Solids. To register: Go here.

No bike? No problem: If you're coming in from out of town we'll have bike rentals, too!

1 2 3 - BIKEMONT!

Tomorrow night - Elvis!

We will ride Old Town tomorrow night - no confusing greenway adventures, just good ole Old Town. We'll meet at 6:30 and roll around 6:40. We're winding down the biggest Bike Night Season, ever! Thanks.

Remember to get your Elvis on!

rjk

Wednesday - Jersey Night - St. Vrain Greenway & Lefthand Brewing

Hey all,

So here's the "situation" - Wednesday's theme will be "Jersey Night" no, not THAT Jersey rather, we will honor the USA Pro Cycling Challenge by wearing your favorite jersey.

What, you don't have a bike jersey? No worries wear your favorite sports team jersey -Bronco's, Rockies, Minnesota Vikings, Blue Sky Velo, Nuggets, North Stars, Lefhand, Oskar Blues etc. Or if you don't have a single jersey take a white t-shirt and make one.

Our route will be Roosevelt leaving between 6:30 & 6:40, going almost directly to the Greenway out to Golden Ponds and back along the St. Vrain Greenway. Most likely there will be a contingency of folks stopping at Lefthand either on the way out or on the way back from Golden Ponds.

Next week (August 31st) the theme will be "Elvis".

Followed on September 7th with Margaritaville possibly with an after ride at Santiago's on Main Street.

September 14th will be the "Last" Bike Night for the season. There will be an after party for sure, somewhere....

Put those dates in your calendar and we'll see you Wednesday.

Bike Night Kids NIght: Late Breaking News

There are a lot of things going on tomorrow night. First I understand many schools have their "Back to School" nights tomorrow and Art In Public Places has their bike rack dedication at Sunset Pool, plus we're having Kids Night at Bike Night.

NORMALLY, this would be the run down for tomorrow night:

5:30 - 6:30 Kids Bike Night: Game Night @ Lincoln School located at Bowen Street & Lincoln School

6:45 Bike Rack Dedication ride begining at Roosevelt Park.

7pm - regular start

to Bike Night (tomorrow night is the 3rd Wednesday and that means late start)

So here's what we're going to do: We want to support Art in Public Places and those who need to start Bike Night Later.

If you'd like to ride to the

bike rack dedication meet at Roosevelt Park prior to 6:45. There will be someone there to lead the group to Sunset Pool. Following the dedication there will be a fun cruise around Old Town. (If you'd like to be the person leading the dedication ride send me a message on Facebook or comment here).

The kids will meet at 5:30pm and do their Game Night between 5:30 & 6:30, followed by a mini- cruise. The mini-cruise will go from Lincoln School to Roosevelt Park via 6th Avenue to Bross Street south to 5th Avenue by Thompson Park then over to Roosevelt Park via Pratt Street.

We will then circle Roosevelt Park to 8th Avenue, Bross Street, 6th Avenue and back to Lincoln School. During that time we will most likely meet the "Dedication Group". Feel free to jump into that group and continue your ride through Old Town.

There will be a break between the games ending ant the Kid's Cruiser Ride beginning. At that time if you'd like bail and go to the dedication, feel free to do so. The Dedication Riders should be passing about the time we finish with the game portion of the night. The dedication will be a lot of fun and I hear there maybe snacks.

Make sense?

So, Short update:

Kids = 5:30, Lincoln School

Dedication Ride to Sunset Pool= 6:45, Roosevelt Park

Kids Cruiser Ride = Following the game night at Lincoln School, Longs Peak & Bowen Street.

Thank You, for a successful "Thankful RIde".

Lastnight nearly 100 riders joined us in our first ever "Thankful Ride". I'll send a note to 3M letting them know we've rebranded their blue 2inch painter tape "Thankful Tape".

Thanks for making that ride so great.

Next week will be the first ever Bike Night Game Night. Currently we're planning this to be in the parking lot at Lincoln School. Thursday is the start of the 2011/12 school year so we're begining the kids Game Night at 5:30pm. The Cruiser ride will start at 7pm at the usual place - Roosevelt Park at 7pm. We'll do a kids cruiser ride from Lincoln to Roosevelt and back to Lincoln.

Art In Public Places will dedicate a new bike rack at Sunset Pool that night, too. We'll ride from Roosevelt directly to Lincoln then, Sunset Pool. I suggest if your little one isn't good with hills, ascending or descending, you have him or her on a tag-a-long or trailer during the cruiser ride to/from Sunset Pool.

I'll post the games in a few days. All I can say is they will be fun.

Thanks for a great Bike Night. Don't forget to put your tape on your bike or car window.

rjk

Bike Night Wednesday - "Thankful Ride"

Saturday we had between 35 & 40 people join us on our first cruise to Niwot. We began & ended in Prospect. Our route took us down Plateau Road through the Water Song Neighborhood and southwest on the LoBo trail.

We grabbed a bite and a brew at the Niwot Tavern and then cruised "downtown" Niwot. It was a lot of fun.

We're thinking about doing this again on another Saturday in September. Stars, maybe?

Wednesday is fast approaching, the theme this week will be "The Thankful Ride". This is in direct response to the tragic events that occurred in NE Longmont over the weekend.

On Saturday or Sunday a 38 yr old father killed himself after killing his 3 yr old daughter. Initial reports stated he had been divorced and in financial trouble. Evidently he found killing himself and his 3 yr old was the only way out.

Reading this story made me think about all the things I was thankful for, and, while we all struggle from time to time, suicide is never the answer. That night I posted to facebook my feelings on this subject. Following that post I walked into my daughter's room and hugged her and told her I was so thankful for her and that I loved her.

Holding her I came up with this week's theme. I know it's not super goofy, or kitchy. No, Instead of wild costumes and craziness, I'm going to bring with me a roll of masking tape and a few sharpies. I invite you to attend the ride and write what you're most thankful for on the tape then display it somewhere on yourself your bike etc. After the ride maybe it will find its way to your rear car window or bumper. Who knows.

I just think with all the tragedy around us and with this global financial mess we're all in maybe we should take one night, one Bike Night, and just proclaim for ourselves what matters most.

I'm Thankful for my daughter, my wife, and even our crazy-ass dog.

Following our Thankful Ride here's something to look forward to!

The first ever - Longmont Bike Night - GAME NIGHT!

August 17th will be a really fun end to a great summer. The 18th, the kids must report to school. Parents will sigh with relief, I on the other hand will be filled with tears as Anna begins her Kindergarten year..... Yeah Class of 2024! Yikes ah hootay.

Anyway, because the 17th is a school night. - we will begin with the kid games early, at 5:30pm. I'm hoping to use the parking lot at Lincoln School on the corner of Lincoln Street and Longs Peak Avenue. If you'd like to drive there is ample parking on 6th Avenue and Lincoln Street. Please don't park in the parking lot.

We will have lots of fun games to play on our bikes. And, we may have prizes.

Also that night the Art In Public Places program will dedicate a new artful bike rack at Sunset Pool. We will ride over to Roosevelt at 7pm to pick up any stragglers and then to Sunset Pool for the dedication.

Following the dedication we will go on a cruise around old town.

5:30p to 6:30p - Bike Night Game Night for the kids

6:30p - 7p - break for a snack and dinner on your own

7p ride from Lincoln to Roosevelt to get folks starting at 7pm (it's the third Wednesday of the month - late start night).

7:05ish - Ride to Sunset Pool for the dedication.

7:30ish - Continue the cruise.

8:00 wrap up near 5th & Kimbark.

So I hope you can join us for both rides - tomorrow and next week.

Prospect to Niwot Cruiser Ride tomorrow evening - 6pm

Tomorrow night we will cruise from Prospect to Niwot. Our destination will be the Niwot Tavern. Bicycle Longmont will set up ahead of our ride and we will have a cooler of water with snacks waiting for us. If you'd like something else the Niwot Tavern is at your disposal.

The return trip will take us through Historic Downtown Niwot and back to the LoBo Trail. From there we will make our way back to Prospect. Help us save money by following this link to download and print your own route map.

See you tomorrow night.

Wendesday, August 3rd is Wacky Wednesday!!

Our theme this week is delightfully ambiguous - Wacky Wednesday!

Get wacktacular this week and join us! We'll meet at the usual time - 6:30pm and start rolling about 6:40p. We'll keep it in Old Town and probably mix it up a little bit.

There will be a gift certificate for a free massage up for grabs, too.

Last week we shot back over 100 riders with 136 people joining us on Wild West Wednesday. We rolled down to the greenway in time for an incredible burst of thunder - lightening and rain. Lots of rain.

Apologies to anyone who may have gotten turned around or generally lost. We'll do better the next time we venture down that way.

Here's to the Wacky.

rjk

Saturday July 30th - ColoRODan - Cruise In - Bike Night will be there

Hey there,

I forgot to mention on Wednesday about a couple of cool Saturday rides.

The first is tomorrow night at 7pm. We'll take to the Street under the steady guidance of Randy Burgess. We'll cruise Main Street with over 400 custom hot rods. We will meet at Roosevelt Park in front of the Senior Center, 910 Longs Peak Avenue, same place Bike Night meets.

Longmont's own custom & antique car club "the ColoRODans" will hold their "cruise in". We're going to join them - unofficially. We have plenty of custom and antique looking bikes out there so bring yours or whatever you ride. We'd like to put the custom bikes up front and on the back end of the cruise.

If you've ever wanted to cruise Main Street this is gonna be the time.

Next Weekend August 6th - Will be another chance to cruise. This time between Prospect & Niwot. Race Across AMerica (RAAM) is hold their first Race Across America Challenge in Longmont. There will be races leaving on Friday night August 5th from Prospect and will return on Saturday August 6th. This new Challenge series will be the next "Rock N Roll" style series for cycling. If you are into running then you might be familiar with the Rock N Roll Marathon series.

RAAM has partnered with Bicycle Longmont to do the Cruiser Ride between Prospect and Niwot. This ride will be a lot of fun. We're hoping the families of the RAAM event will join us and as awesome Longmont cycling enthusiasts we'll show them a good time.

The Cruiser Ride is free and will begin at 6pm in Prospect. We'll leave from Prospect Park near Tenacity and 100 Year Party. Our Route will take us through Prospect and adjacent neighborhoods to the new LOBO trail. Expect a 10.5 mile round trip cruise. Lights would be a good idea.

Have a great weekend!

rjk

YEEEHAW! Wild West Wednesday & Your Weekly Run Down!

HAAh-dee!

This week is Wild West Wednesday! Come in yer best duds, chaps, boots & hats, life is good. It's also the kick off to the Boulder County Fair this week. So - I guess - Wild West Wednesday is appropriate. I couldn't have planned it better if I tried.

Last week we dipped under 100 riders for the first time since May 25th. Depending on how you count it that was either the first or the second Bike Night of the 2011 Season. We had 96 people join us last week. Lets see if we can bump it back up over 100.

We will make our way to the greenway for the first time this season. Usually by now we would have been there several times. However, with the worlds longest run off ending and the heavy rains giving way to the Dog Days of August, the Mighty St. Vrain is finally within its banks.

Wednesday we'll meet at 6:30pm at the Senior Center make our way to Bowen Street then south to the St. Vrain Greenway. We'll head west to Golden Ponds Park and then back east to Martin Street and into Old Town ending somewhere on Kimbark Street.

We will pass by the Lefthand Brewery so I'm sure there will be a contingent of Bike Nighters stopping off there. For the rest of us we'll continue on to Martin Street. This will be a fairly easy out and back ride.

So - This week is crazy busy in Longmont here's your weekly run-down.

The LAST Concert at Roosevelt Park for the season .
Tuesday, July 26 6:30 -8pm, Roosevelt Park
Rebecca Folsom Band – I’ve been looking forward to this Concert all summer. Hope for hot temps and lots of wind to keep the Mosquitoes at bay.

Wednesday July 27th – BIKE NIGHT – Theme – Wild West
Howdy Partners & Mams, we’re heading to the greenway for the first time this season. Git yer giddy-up and come on along. We’ll go west to Golden Ponds then east to Martin Street. The Lefthand Brewery will be on the way so feel free to stop in. If the Lefthand isn’t your thing then stay on the greenway to Martin Street. We’ll get you back to Old Town without having to climb those annoying hills.

Also on July 27, 7pm – 8pm at the Longmont Museum
Southern Exposure will be playing. They are a talented Bluegrass band.

There is also a Farmer's Market at Lefthand on Wednesday, too!

Thursday
July 28, 10:30 – 11:15am – Longmont Library
Colin O'Brien - Bluegrass Banjo

Kick off to the ColoRODan Weekend
Friday:
July 29, 5:30 – 8:30,
Car Show on Kimbark 5pm to 8:30pm
Bicycle Longmont Bike Valet Service. 6pm – 8:30pm.
Music 7pm – 8:30pm, 4th Avenue Downtown
Flash Cadillac (Classic Rock)

Saturday
July 30th
Boulder County Fair Parade & Chuckwagon Breakfast
Breakfast starts at 6am ends at 10am.

After your hearty breakfast head on down to the Farmer's Market, Bicycle Longmont will be there providing free Bicycle Valet (parking) service between 8am & 2pm. (We'll give you an extra 50% off if you bring extra bacon and/or sausage).

Parade
ColoRODan Main Street Cruise-in 6pm – 11pm.
Bicycle Longmont/Bike Night cruise starting at 7pm. Meet at Roosevelt Park near the Senior Center

Sunday
July 31st
ColoRODan Car Show and music at Roosevelt Park, Food Trucks etc.

Then we’re back to Monday……

In addition to all of these events there are a multitude of organized Bicycle Longmont Events on our Meetup page. You can check it out at meetup.com/bicycle-longmont.

Bike Night Recap - 7/20/2011 - 7pm Start

Allrighty, I've taken my eyes off the wicked awesome lightning show to recap a few details for tomorrow night. First we start at 7pm. Second, the theme is Mardi Gras, I'm not sure what I'm going to do either... you're not alone. Thirdly - come early. If you've been to the Farmers Market then you've seen the work of GIna the Face Painter - she will be at Bike Night tomorrow painting faces. Bring a five or ten dollar bill and tip her well. Mainly because she's very good at what she does, and mostly because she's awesome.

Lastly - Oskar Blues gave us a bunch of Can Bling. If you don't know what Can bling is then, by all means grab a friend and come on over. There will be a prize for the person who has the most beads/can's at the end.

See you tomorrow night! Face Painter arrives at 6pm.

Ryan