This Wednesday is Hawaiian Shirt Night!

Thanks to all the folks who recommended themes for this year's ride. I've created a Bike Night Calendar and listed the themes by dates. All themes were suggested by Bike Night riders! We still need a few more for August and September.

The Calendar also allows you to volunteer to lead a Bike Night Ride if you like. Don't worry I won't throw you into the deep end. I'll meet with you prior to talk about leading and what that entails. I'll also be posting the Bike Night "Script" for volunteer leaders for your speech to the crowd. If you're not comfortable with public speaking I can do that for you, or, we'll enact the "Boulder Departure" which is "follow the Music Box". Either way volunteer leaders must discuss the Bike Night rules with the kids, by pulling them aside prior to the ride.

Our first will be Hawaiian Shirt Night. I will add a tab to this blog for themes. On that page you will be able to suggest themes and ways to improve Bike Night. Should be cool. Rjk

We are riding - come rain, or come shine!

Insert Billy Holiday - here.

T'was the night before Bike Night......

Not to quote Brad Evans of the Denver Cruiser ride to much, but he hit it on the head with his honest and open post on Facebook prior to the first DCR last week when he said, "It's the night before the first DCR and I'm filled with anticipation for the kickoff of the new season".

I agree with this sentiment. It's this time each year when I wonder - What will I say during the pre-bike night discussion - what minutia will I need to mention. What announcements will I need to make. What important detail will I forget? Do I really need to cover the rules of Bike Night - again? I pray no one gets hurt this year. What if no one shows up?

There is a crazy amount of insecurity that comes out the night before any big event. I remember feeling this way before I'd go off to a football game in high school, prior to a cross country race in Jr. High, or even the night before the Boulder Marathon. What if? What if? What if?

What I realized is that stuff will make you crazy. Bike Night is a great event and draws people from across Longmont and from the surrounding towns. Whether you've found this blog because you're looking for an alternative to Boulder's ride, because your child is finally able to hold their head up and is old enough for a bike trailer, or may be you've recently moved to Longmont and are yearning to get out and meet like-minded people.

Bike Night is that outlet. We're not a booze cruise - entirely. We usually work a brewery or two in to the ride a few times a season. What we are is a community of cyclists out having fun. We don't obey every street sign and every rule of the road, but we do make sure everyone is safe.

I sometimes get an earful from folks who get upset when we don't stop for every stop sign or yield when we're supposed to. I have to remind those folks - do they ALWAYS come to a complete stop when driving their car? Do they ever roll through stop signs, change lanes or turn without signaling, do they ALWAYS wear a seatbelt? Probably not.

Bike Night is intent on drawing the greatest number of people to the greatest ride in Longmont. We do that through making the ride as fun as possible while keeping the group as safe as possible. To that end we want you to be aware - training wheels are highly discouraged. Tricycles and scooters are not allowed. Parents should know their kid's abilities when it comes to riding on streets.

Older kids tend to find there way to the front of the pack. I'm usually upfront with all the kids. I'm cool with it, really. However, if your child insists on racing ahead, I will politely ask them to remain with the group. If they race ahead more than twice I will ask them to rejoin their parents in the group. If your child poses a risk to themselves or to the group - I will ask the parent to discuss the problem with their child. I view kids riding in the front of the group as a fun thing. However, if they aren't able to handle it, I will ask them to rejoin their parents. If the behavior persists I will ask the parents to address the issue and perhaps forgo one or two rides.

Having said that we typically hold one or two kids bike nights each year. These are times where we have a bicycling instructor work with Bike Night Kids to be safe and to ride with respect. These nights are a lot of fun and help to build confidence.

So - After reading this - I hope you will join us tomorrow night. Bike Night is a lot of fun and we always meet at 6:30p and start riding at about 6:40. We meet at Roosevelt Park in Old Town Longmont - 700 Longs Peak Avenue.

I hope you will join us.

Ryan

Wednesday is Bike Night!

Today Andrea, Anna and I spent the afternoon in Louisville, CO. What a great town. If you get a chance roll down that way and check out their downtown area. Lots of fun. Lucky Pie was great.

We threw out on FB a request for family friendly restaurants and Lucky Pie got the most votes. Couldn't agree more. It was great to see so many people pullin' up on townies. If you live in Louisville - you're pretty lucky.

Almost as lucky as Bikemonters. I may be biased though!

Besides cruisin' Boulder County. I spent some quality time with my good pal WD-40. I forgot how much fun it is to remove pedals from ancient steel crank arms. I need to find some paddle style pedals and I'll be good to go for Bike Night Wednesday.

The Rumbling.........

Can you hear it? Or, better question - can you feel it?

The ground is already shhhakin!

We're back for another great season starting Wednesday May 23rd. We'll meet at Roosevelt Park in the south parking lot adjacent to the Senior Center. Meeting time is 6:30p and we'll get rollin' around 6:40.

This year will mark our 10th Season. I'm super excited to have you all back again. I'm even more excited to see who you'll bring with you. We have a lot of fun things in store. We'll announce themes in June. We'll also attempt a flash-mob. Not sure how that's gonna work but, hey I wasn't sure how Bike Night would work just 9 short years ago!

So dust off the cruiser, or whatever you own, grab a stick of Juicy Fruit and join us! Bring your spouse bring your kids, bring a few strangers. The more the merrier.

One quick note about kids - You (the parent) should be comfortable with your child riding on streets and down hills. You should also be aware that there will be more than 100 people and we'll be riding at a comfortably slow pace for approximately 60 - 90 minutes on open streets. Riding on sidewalks is not cool. I don't recommend kids on striders or training wheels. We WILL have a kids specific Bike Night during June where training wheels will be A-OK, just not on regular rides.

Lastly, we're a rolling village, please keep your kids in sight and maybe have a pre-meeting with them prior to riding. I will pull the kids off to the side prior to the ride to go over the rules. Most kids who've done Bike Night previously will hold other newer kids accountable, however, you're the parent.

Here are our rules:

1. Have Fun
2. Have Fun
3. Bike Night is NOT a race.
4. If there is a car behind the group someone will yell - CAR BACK - which means move to the right and let the hulking mass of metal by.
5. IF there is a car ahead - if I don't yell, the kids by me will yell - CAR UP! - which means move to the right or be crushed from the front.
6. There will be times when I will tap a few adults to help the group cross intersections.
7. If we are progressing through a traffic light and the counter gets to 1 second STOP! We will wait for you at the next stop sign. Don't run the red.
8. Lastly, HAVE FUN!

Please review these with your kidinski's and be sure they have a helmet and their bikes are good to go!

See you wednesday, Wednesday, WEDNESDAY!! 6:30pm Roosevelt Park.

Thanks!
Ryan Kragerud
rjkragerud@gmail.com

Bike Night wishes all the mom's a Happy Mom's Day!

Hey Moms!

Happy Mother's Day from Bike Night. Think of today as your special New Year's Day.

Today is your time to make plans to get your family out of the house. Biking is a great way to get your family a little exercise and a great way to find adventure in the most unexpected places.

Summer vacations, family visits, and recreation are right around the corner. I hope you'll make this summer an epic summer of family fun!

Happy Mother's Day.

- Ryan

My most favorite question....

It usually starts like this: "Dude, when's that bike ride startin' again?" Well, dudes & dudettes, the ride be startin' on May 23rd. I know - it seems like for-ever! It's not. It's just 3 weeks away.

This will be Bike Night's 10th Season. How cool is that!

So we'll see you and 12 of your friends on May 23rd, 6:30pm at Roosevelt Park, 910 Longs Peak Avenue.

rjk

How Much Can Ya Get for $15?

Happy Thursday Everyone!

Have I got some awesome news for you tonight!

Bicycle Longmont’s Film Festival is right around the corner and we’ve been adding stuff like you won’t believe. Take a look, but be prepared to have your mind BLOWN!

Since my last update GoPro joined the G’Knight Ride what does that mean for the Bike Film Festival?? Check this out.

You will have an opportunity to be inspired by the movies and setup for summer by our AWESOME sponsors!

First we’ll be selling drawing tickets

for a brand new GoPro Camera, To add to the excitement, ACME Bikes donated a SAH-weeet cruiser, too! That’s right, we’ll be selling tickets at all three shows for these awesome items!

But wait – if that wasn’t enough. Our good friends at Oskar Blues AND REEB Cycles made the whole thing “Awesomer”!

Read ON!

For every Dales Pale Ale you buy during the film fest, you’ll be entered to

win a brand new high rollin’ REEB 29er. That’s right not just a frame, a complete bike! This hyper – Ale infused bike is valued at over $3,700. The REEB will be on hand Thursday Night April 19^th.

Photo credit - Steph Albano.

The REEB drawing will take place on June 16^th during the G’Knight Ride.

We will, of course, have other schwag too that we’ll toss out to you all.

So maybe you should, at this point, run to the kitchen and grab a trivet, because what I have to tell you might be to HOT to handle.

We’ve added shorts to each of our movie nights and we wrap the week with the G’Knight Ride’s favorite band: Running with Scissors.

Our Schedule lines up like this:

Tuesday Night:

Short film - Shit Cyclists Say - by People for Bikes featuring Ryan Van Duzer

Film – Race Across the Sky

Wednesday Night:

Short film – The Bike Ride – is a 7 minute romantic comedy filmed in Lyons CO - by Kenneth Wajda -

Film – With My Own Two Wheels – World Bike Relief

There will be a Q & A session following the film with staff from World Bike Relief

Thursday Night - GRAND FINALE

Short Film – the “viral” hit - Shit Mountainbikers Say

Film – Pedal Driven

Panel Discussion following the film will discuss “The Politics of Trail Building”

Panelists:

IMBA – Mark Eller

City of Longmont Parks & Open Space – Dan Wolford & Parks Planner Paula Fitzgerald

Boulder County Open Space – Mike Rutter

Representatives from the local US Forest Service office.

After the discussion Running with Scissors will take the stage to rock us into Friday.

The film fest runs April 17th - April 19th

Everything takes place at the Dickens Opera House, doors open at

6:15pm, Shows start at 7pm.

So lets recap shall we:

For $15 at the door or for a “Freewheelin movie pass” $35 for all three shows, you get 3 feature length movies plus 3 shorts, a rock concert and for a dollar or two you can enter for your chance to get set up for summer with a GoPro Camera, a brand new cruiser, some shwag, and when you decide to have a Dale’s Pale Ale you may win a kickass mountain bike! You will also have the opportunity to purchase REEB tickets for $5 each, too.

As REEB says - "REEB Me!"

Save some money by purchasing your tickets in advance, here.

That seems like a pretty damn good deal.

Proceeds will benefit the programs of Bicycle Longmont and will help us get more people on bikes! Bicycle Longmont is 100% volunteer run and is a registered 501c3 Non-profit. Our goal is to get more people on bikes more often, through education, advocacy, and encouragement!

So as we say – Bring a friend and tell a stranger.

Boomers, Bikes & Bad Beer

Everyone is riding. Are you?

Is it just me or is everyone riding bikes lately? I was stopped a couple of times riding today by people asking where they should buy a bike for the season. My buddy Scott was stopped several times the other day, too.

I'm amazed at the sheer volume of people already riding. I know it's March and my weather forecast is this: It's gonna be nice, the leaves will bud out, and then we'll get a 3 foot dump in April and we'll all be back to clearing branches in Old Town. However, I assure you, the sun will shine and there will be periods of decreasing darkness that should make way for many long pleasant days of riding.

We live in Colorado, after all.

I just finished the book "Pedaling Revolution". Super good! In the first portion of the book the author makes fun of the Bike Industry for not comprehending the purchasing power of Baby Boomer college students in the early 70's. It was at that time there was a huge boom in the Bike Industry that basically financed the advances in cycling, raised awareness of cycling started a few advocacy groups like the league and so forth, oh and pushed forth a few really good cyclists who rode for Big Gulps or 7 Eleven.

I may have gotten some of the facts mushed together, but the bottom line is this: I believe the Baby Boomers are poised to make another comeback on two wheels. To that end I believe the Bike Industry should take note and start pushing the lifestyle bikes.

Specifically they should identify and target wives, single women and ladies who are in relationships. These are the people who are going to get their portly lovers off the couch. I have a couple of friends who are doctors and each of them at one point has told me they hate it when old dudes come in without their wives. Because they know none of the preaching is going to make a bit of difference. But, if their other of known significance rolls in with them, then there is someone who, by now, should know how to keep him accountable.

They both are quick to point out bicycling is where it's at for folks in their mid fifties and later.

I just wish the industry would take a cue from Electra or Nirve or may be Amerstdam or any of the super sweet handbuilt bikes that are out there. Build and market something that is cool, fun, utilitarian and doesn't take an advanced degree to maintain. We'll teach folks to change and repair their tubes & tires, you guys just start pushing townies and greenway runabouts.

Yes, I know, these bikes aren't sexy like carbon or swanky like 29ers, or sleek and modern like the new "Urban" fixies. I'm pretty sure Boomers by and large already know Pabst Blue Ribbon NEVER tasted as good as it's name, so most won't be riding the niche bikes listed above.

While they may not be drinking PBR, THEY are riding their bikes again. SO, if the industry wants to move some units, then take note and don't sit back and scratch your ass wondering why again, like you did in the '70's.

Anyway - we've got the film fest coming up too. You may be able to get a PBR at the Dicken's But I don't know why you would since there will be Oskar Blues beverages available. I'm just saying the most valuable lesson I learned in college was - Life is to short for bad movies and shitty beer. We can't alter your beer preference but we can give you some great Cinema! Check out the repost below and the links to the trailers.

So if you like good beer and great bike movies - keep reading!

Bicycle Longmont hosting the 2nd Annual Longmont Bicycle Film Festival!

Lots of great things are coming together for the film fest this year. We've got a few G'Knight Ride sponsors who stepping up to help out. I'll be announcing them later this week. Lets just say - we're going to have a super AWESOME drawing this year.

PLUS your ticket will come with an unbeatable value!

It's back for another year, the Bicycle Longmont Film Festival. The Film Fest rolls into the Dickens Opera House on April 17th -19th. We're going big this year. We listened to what you told us and we're bringing back Mountain Biking, Riders, & Rock & Roll.

We have a great line up for you this year. On Tuesday night April 17th we'll kick it off with Race Across the Sky, Wednesday we'll leave the world a little better than we found it by learning how Bikes CAN change the world. We're showing "With My Own Two Wheels" We're working to get a panel discussion set up for this show and hopefully will find a High School to show it during the day. Thursday is the grand finale. We'll have Pedal Driven, a panel discussing the politics of trail building, and some kickass rock with Runnin' with Scissors to end the night!

All shows will begin at 7pm. As always we'll have some awesome stuff to give away.

Women, Bike Night and Bicycling

Well it’s been awhile since I updated this blog and I thought it’s about time to do so.

There is a lot going on with cycling in Longmont this spring. As you all know we have our 2^nd Annual Film Fest presented by Bicycle Longmont coming up next month. Tickets are on sale now. We also have the G’Knight Ride making its way to Prospect on June 16^th. Winter seems to have let loose its grip and Bicycle Longmont’s group rides are being organized on a daily basis.

What’s even more interesting, atleast to me, is this. People are talking about cycling all over. I’m used to conversations drifting into bicycling. However, what I’m hearing or, overhearing as is mostly the case, are people talking amongst themselves about bicycling.

Here’s a couple examples:

Last week I was at Ziggi’s on Francis. (a favorite local coffee shop in Longm

ont) The bike rack had two hybrid bikes locked to it and there were two single speed townies with kid trailers out front. – Inside, I was standing in line listening to two retired women talking. They were sitting at a table wearing windbreaker jackets and Khaki Capri’s sipping on their lattes. One says to the other. “Bob is doing the MS 150 this summer and so, now I’m thinking I’ll do some of the rides Bicycle Longmont puts on”. The other gal, responds, “Ya, I’m so glad you talked me into buying my hybrid last summer. I’m using it more often than I thought I would. I don’t think I’ll ride like Bob, but, I’m going to bike more this summer than I did last summer”. “Plus I surprised Roger, with a newer hybrid when we were in Arizona, so we’re riding together more, too. He went into Kaiser last week and the doc said he’s doing a good job losing weight. I think the bike is helping plus we’re eating better too. Don’t you think it’s funny, Barb, we’re retired and we have healthier lifestyles now, more so than just a few years ago?”

Barb looks at the other gal and says “ Yes. Imagine where we’d be if we would have started sooner.”

Later in the week, I was at gymnastics with Anna, I was listening to a group of moms talking about travel plans and what they were up to this summer.

One mom says to the group. We’re off to Costa Rica for spring break. The other says we’re off to Galveston to my parents for the break. The third says we’re staying put. We might go skiing but we’re just going to hang out in Niwot (a small town near Longmont) for the break.

It was at this point where I was about to tune out.

That’s when the Niwot mom says – “Hey, I didn’t tell you about my big score yesterday. I finally got a bike and a bike trailer. Plus the lady I bought them from had a kids bike so Chloe will have something to ride, too. I think this is the summer I get the whole family riding bikes. God knows Tim could use the exercise”.

Costa Rica asked Niwot – “How are you going to convince Chloe to ride a bike?

Niwot – “Chloe doesn’t need convincing. Tim does”. “Now that we have the trail between Niwot and Longmont I think I can convince Tim to ride between our house and Oskar Blues in Longmont”. I rode it yesterday during my lunch hour. The trail is nice and flat perfect for Tim’s three year old unused $2,000 mountain bike.”

I actually laughed out loud at that point.

Galveston says to the two. We LOVE riding my parents cruisers in Galveston. It is so much fun to go along the boardwalk and the weather is perfect.

Costa Rica says to Galveston – “Why don’t you ride your bikes more here? Galveston says – “I don’t know. We went to the Boulder cruiser ride with the kids, and quickly learned that was a mistake. Not family friendly”.

Costa Rica followed up with “I think there’s a family friendly cruiser ride in Longmont. I heard someone at Yoga talking about something called a Gee Night ride and a weekly cruiser ride that is a lot of fun”. I’m going to get the family into riding this summer, too”.

Niwot then says, lets get the girls together this weekend and ride into Longmont. There’s a park at the end of the trail and we’ll take the guys along too. They can go to the Oskar Blues Brewery, and we can go to the park with the girls and get some sun!”

What do you think? All three agreed it was a good idea.

Normally these two conversations are pretty typical for this area of Boulder County. Earlier in the week though, I read two blog posts/stories that made these conversations

so much more interesting to me.

The first post was from “Girl Bike Love” a blog and website devoted to getting women on bikes. The second was from someone who attended a women in cycling seminar at the National Bike Summit going on in DC this week. (the photo is from Girl Bike Love's Website).

The common point between the two stories was that women are change agents and bicycling as we know it needs to offer more to women and change the way it does business.

After nearly 10 years of Bike Night I’m realizing that all the hype from the last week or two, isn’t hype. It’s fact.

Granted I’m a dude and I see the world through a dudes eye and I bike a lot. But, I wholeheartedly agree with what I’ve read, heard and experienced. I believe women are change agents.

I’ve seen it at Bike Night. Women show up with their kids in trailers, or with their BFF’s and find themselves, having fun on bikes. They show up the next week and the next. It’s common to then find these BFF’s riding with the family to the Farmer’s Market and then gathering friends and neighbors to ride together near their own homes.

Last summer we had a lady show up for her first Bike Night. She was riding an old Trek mountain bike that had been gathering dust in the garage. She was excited for Bike Night to begin.

That night there were about 120 riders, we toured Old Town and had fun. She showed up the next week, and the following. She made friends with a couple of regulars and began attending Bicycle Longmont’s Meet-up Rides for beginning and experienced riders. Soon after she bought a new bike. Not because she needed a better bike, rather through the other people in the group she was learning more about riding, enjoying longer rides, and learned a road bike might be better than a mountain bike for touring Boulder County.

She continued attending Bike Night and began bringing a few of her neighborhood girlfriends. They in turn invited a few families to join us too.

This is a natural progression with Bike Night and is more the rule than the exception. I think that’s why folks who attend Bike Night refer to it as a gateway drug.

On our Bike Night Facebook page the “fans of Bike Night” are predominantly female between 32 & 45. The same holds true for our G’Knight Ride (Guh-Night Ride).

To me, a guy who leads a cruiser ride, it’s a no brainer. If we want more people on bikes it starts with authentic, inviting, accepting and casual bike experiences. It just so happens that these are the kinds of experiences that draw women more so than men to Bike Night. Perhaps that’s why women only events are growing faster than any other like Venus de Miles , the Title 9 mothers day run, and the Diva Dash etc. We all want experiences that are authentic, inviting, accepting and casual. Women are just more likely to say it. Men –maybe not-so-much.

You (and your bike) Belong in Longmont

Bicycle Longmont's goal is to get more riders of all ages on their bikes.

In 2011, Bicycle Longmont drew moe than 8,250 cyclists to rides and events across Longmont. We more than tripled the number of rides last season over 2010, providing more than 160 opportunities to more than 2,500 riders. Our BIcycle Valet service parked more than 3,092 bikes at the Farmers Market and at events such as the Downtown Summer Concert Series and Rhythm on the River.

The successes are directly related to our volunteers' hard work. Last month, Bicycle Longmont recognized Pati Pascoe Walker as our Volunteer of the Year, Patrick Rhodes, as our Volunteer of the Year under 18. We recognized Nick Moore as our Ride Leader of the Year and former board member Jerry Sequin for his years of service to Bicycle Longmont.

Bicycle Longmont also recognized Oskar Blues Brewery as our corporate sponsor of the year. Without their support we couldn't have delivered the G'Knight Ride, which drew more than 1,200 participants. Without the G'Knight Ride we wouldn't have raised the money necessary to deliver our high-value, low-cost, family-friendly programming in 2011.

We, along with our volunteers, look forward to working with Oskar Blues and the Longmont community on all of the exciting opportunities ahead. From the Second Annual Bicycle Film Festival on April 17, Bike Night on May 23, the G'Knight Ride on June 16 to all our summertime volunteer-led rides, Bicycle Longmont will make you believe "You (and your bike) belong in Longmont."

Registration is open for our second Annual G'Knight Ride. For more information about becoming a sponsor, about the event and to register, you can go to gknightride,org.

RYAN KRAGERUD

President

Bicycle Longmont

Flashy, Hip & Deviant! -

Tomorrow night is the 3 year anniversary of the Tasty Weasel AND the launch of the new 16oz Deviant Dales! Ride along with us as we take a Deviant Tour of Longmont's Craft Breweries. We'll start tomorrow night February 24th, at 6pm at the Pumpzone at 6th & Main in Downtown Longmont, we'll roll down to Lefthand between 6:30 & 7p and arrive at our final destination Oskar Blues Brewery's Tasty Weasel around 7:30pm for the Deviant Dales launch!

Come join us tomorrow night!

rjk

Big Anouncement: Bicycle Longmont to host 2nd Bicycle Film Festival!

It's back for another year, the Bicycle Longmont Film Festival. The Film Fest rolls into the Dickens Opera House on April 17th -19th. We're going big this year. We listened to what you told us and we're bringing back Mountain Biking, Riders, & Rock & Roll.

We have a great line up for you this year. On Tuesday night April 17th we'll kick it off with Race Across the Sky, Wednesday we'll leave the world a little better than we found it by learning how Bikes CAN change the world. We're showing "With My Own Two Wheels" We're working to get a panel discussion set up for this show and hopefully will find a High School to show it during the day. Thursday is the grand finale. We'll have Pedal Driven, a panel discussing the politics of trail building, and some kickass rock with Runnin' with Scissors to end the night!

All shows will begin at 7pm. As always we'll have some awesome stuff to give away.

Stay tuned, we'll let you know when tickets will go on sale and schwag & stuff & things!

rjk

Those in the "know", know.

So G'Knight registration opened a few weeks ago for those "G'Knighter's who were in the know". This week (following Valentines Day) we will start advertising to the masses and will increase the registration accordingly. So, if you've got a sweetie, who would really like to do something fun on Father's Day weekend, a G'Knight Ride registration would be PERFECT!

Or say, you're a bit manipulative and want to 'engineer' a fun Father's Day weekend - that DOES NOT include golf - (not that there's anything wrong with Golf) you could grab a family registration and promise him, bikes, beer, & rock n' roll.

Why register early? Because it costs less, and we love people w

ho register early. Early registrations help us woo new sponsors by giving them HUGE numbers. We will have some awesome G'Knight announcements coming soon.

You can register by going here

Speaking of announcements we'll have a couple on Thursday - 2/16/2012. Yep, once again this year Thursdays will be our big announcement days.

Look forward to that, 'kay?

rjk

Bike Night: Who's too sexy?

Well, maybe not Scott or myself but, considering 2012 is the supposed apocalypse, come check out the G'Knight Ride guys doing our turns on the catwalk. Scott Conlin and myself were asked to take our turns while we get in touch with our inner outfitter. So come on over to the Cayenne Kitchen on Friday, February 10th at 7ish PM. We could us the support and, of course, we'll all have a better time if the place is PACKED! Scott and I will be representing Old Town Outfitters in beautiful, trendy and happenin' Downtown Bikemont. In case you're wondering where you fit in, I'm here to tell you - You belong in Old Town, baby. And, just so you have the right song bouncing in the gray matter - here's a link to this week's anthem: Right Said Fred!

Wish me luck on losing 20 pounds before friday, Friday, FRIDAY!

PS - There will be fun for the kidinski's from 5 - 6pm at Old Town Outfitters. We'll be there with registration forms for the 2012 G'Knight Ride PLUS - a Special Winter Kids Bike Night, Game Night! We'll have games like "Paperboy" errr Paper-person, or whatever they're called now, plus some fun bike handling games, too. Come join us and then check out the Fashion in Action as well as all the other cool things happening downtown.

Woot!

rjk

G'Knight Ride Registration is OPEN!

So the days are getting longer, well, not a lot longer, but mathematically, the days ARE getting longer. That means after our two snowiest months, February & March, plus one random blizzard (April) we'll be ready to ride! What better way to spend your easy going late April & May days than getting ready for the 2nd Annual G'Knight Ride!

This year we're bringing you a better course (with fewer turns), more food, awesome entertainment and lots of other cool things. We will also be adding a 1 mile toddler route.

Registrations are now open at a special low rate ($12/individual and $28/family). we are opening this early for those who participated last year, friends, family, and general Bicycle Longmont fans. The general public sale will open on February 15th at slightly higher rates - so register today!

The G'Knight Ride is a celebration of cycling, and is meant for cyclists of all ages, sizes, and abilities. The Ride is a great excuse to dust off that old 10-speed, mountain bike, or cruiser and hop on with 1,500+ other riders on a great evening tour.

So jump on this now and register. We'll be updating you about what's up with the G'Knight Ride on Thursdays & Tuesdays. We lots going on and you won't want to miss a minute. You can also follow the developments by following me at @mrbikenight or @gknightride.

To register head here.

Cheers!

Ryan

Bike Night Loves a Parade!

Why else would we parade around on a Wednesday, right? Well I'll tell you this, it's fun to watch a parade but it's far more fun to be IN a parade!

Come out on Saturday night and ride with us in the Longmont Holiday Lights Parade. We'll line up at 4pm on Longs Peak Avenue somewhere between Terry and Pratt Streets. We are float lucky number 13.

If you'd like to come out and get your Martha Stewart on we'll be decorating and lighting the Bicycle Education And Safety Trailer at Small Planet E-Vehicles located at 724 Main Street. I hear there will be cider and hot chocolate. The first 8 people there may get free lights, rumor has it! Decorating will start at noonish.

Bring the sunscreen because we're going to top out at 40 something degrees, too!

See you Saturday Night!

Ryan

Pre-Owned Bike Love: Give Some This WEEK!

Bike Love - just saying it puts a smile on your face, right? Remember that first time you came down the steps or climbed that half flight in your parent's split level ranch? That was the moment you saw that gleaming chromoly frame twinkling in the christmas tree lights and your world changed for ever. Or, maybe it was a shiny aluminum BMX bike, at that moment you didn't care about the difference between beer can aluminum or airplane aluminum, it was yours and you were independent.

On December 9th Bicycle Longmont will pass that feeling on to 400 kids. We need you to help us by contacting your friends, family and neighbors to donate any dusty kid's bikes before December 5th. Longmont Fire Stations, Lefthand Brewery and Oskar Blues' Tasty Weasel & Homemade Liquids & Solids will accept bikes until the end of day on December 5th.

Please help us out. Thanks for all that you guys are doing and for what you've already done!

Ryan

What ya upto tonight?

Tonight we have a cruiser ride meeting at the Dickens Tavern at 300 Main Street at 6pm. We will cruise to the Oskar Blues Canniversary taking place at the Tasty Weasel. If you have lights put 'em on your ride and join us. There's a lot going on with this ride and at the Caniversary. We are gonna have fun!

Join us.

Ryan

URGENT: BICYCLE LONGMONT NEEDS KIDS BIKES

URGENT: Bike Donations are down this year. WAY DOWN. Bicycle Longmont is in serious need of additional kids bikes for the Kid's Holiday Bike Program. We've raised money to purchase parts, tires, tubes, and tools, however, we need kids bikes to be donated. We are less than 4 weeks from the Kid's Holiday Bike Day. So, If you or someone you know has any children's bikes, stryders, tricycles, or even scooters, bring them to a local Longmont Firestation or, bring them to either Oskar Blues' Tasty Weasel or Home Made Liquids & Solids, or to the Lefthand Brewery for a free pint of beer.

If you'd simply like to make a donation for the Kid's Holiday Bike Program simply mail a check to:

Bicycle Longmont

P.O. Box 2410

Longmont, CO, 80502