The full film will be available the following Tuesday on Vimeo so stay tuned. The production looks excellent, and based on my experience with Erik, it’s sure to entertain!

I was back in Minneapolis recently for work, and was lucky enough to hook up with Erik Noren of Peacock Groove again to ride one of his handmade bikes. On my last visit I saw a preview of a killer bike he was taking up to NHABS – the “Country Mile”. It was sparkly gold, built of some of the best components out there, and looked like a hell of a good time for any type of riding you wanted to do. According to Erik, he built the bike to go wherever the rider lead – hauling, road riding, touring, cyclocross, trails, you get the idea. Well, color me shocked when I walked in and he said I could borrow that one if I wanted. After much squeeing, I grabbed the beauty and rode away quickly before he could change his mind (but after he showed my how to use Campy).

I had so much fun riding that bike around the city. When I left his place I didn’t have much of a goal or direction other than to make it over to the Grease Rag that evening for their 2nd Tuesday night meet up. Last visit we ended up in a BLIZZARD and I bailed on most riding. This time it was chilly, but I was totally thrilled to ride on the trail and appreciate the city, the other riders, and how awesome it is to be in a bike friendly area. After stopping for a bite at a little cafe, I found the route over to Recovery Bikes, the Grease Rag host for the evening, to have a bike hang out with some chickies.

This is one of their newest meet ups, so there weren’t a lot of new visitors that needed help that evening. This allowed the regulars to do some of their own work, and it was so great to sit back and watch the ladies fix up their stuff like total pros. Low was performing some TLC on her winter bike, which had been stored up during the summer months. The other girls were doing things like truing wheels, changing to winter tires, and changing chain rings. Afterward we went out for a drink at a local bar and talked about all sorts of things while listening to the sultry sounds of karaoke singers.

Kat and I met up the next day for a ride and some lunch. We did a circuit around the city and it felt so so good. It had been a while since I just went on a ride just for the heck of it (cyclocross is taking over!). We stalked the above Peace Coffee guy for a little while so I could try and get a photo, and I think he got a little annoyed. Sorry dude! But, transporting coffee by bike? SO COOL!

I had so much fun on this trip hanging out and riding with some great women who ride in a great city. Whenever I leave bike friendly places like this, I leave knowing that the reason these cities are so great is because of the PEOPLE. People who stand up for what they want and, wonder of wonders, can actually get it! Go Minneapolis Go!

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This weekend Rubarb (Rusted Up Beyond All Repair Bikes) is having an alleycat! I have yet to do an alleycat since I moved here so I am pretty excited. The best part? It is PIRATE THEMED! My skull and crossbones leggings will have their day to shine.

RUBARB is a great shop with cool people running it. We met them at Bike! Bike! SE a few years ago and have loved running into them every year since.

New Orleans, I better see your ass there. In pirate gear. DO IT. Sunday. 3:00, Pirates Alley (the French Quarter). Be there. Or risk having my kick your ass.

Argh!

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I am still taking it all in; this race was completely amazing. We had 45 total racers, a huge number compared to our usual turn out; so many men in drag, so many ladies kicking butt, so much fun! The amount of sponsors we were able to get on board made the prize give away a blast – everyone who won something was totally stoked. And the food. Oh my god the food. SUSHI! VEGAN COCONUT CAKE! Green Central Station brought an unbelievable spread.

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Congratulations to all our winners! Alan was first for the guys, Elizabeth was first for the gals. Maaike won the Po Campo bag for best dressed among the ladies – check out that fancy necklace! Rishi won the Chrome bag for best dressed among the dudes. The competition for that prize was tough, but as you can see below, he really did it up right. Stuffed what needed to be stuffed and all.

HUUUUUUUUUUGE thank you to every who donated, volunteered, raced, hung out, gawked. Also thanks to the photographers who shared the photos for this post – Virginia Jones and Mary Lou Davis. Some others that the Bici crew took should show up sometime soon.

This race was the best. Be sure to visit our sponsors and say thanks!

Cahaba Cycles – http://cahabacycles.com/
Church Street Coffee and Books – http://www.churchstreetshop.com/
Charm – http://www.charmonsecond.com/
Chrome Messenger Bags – http://www.chromebagsstore.com/
First Avenue Rocks – http://firstaverocks.com/
Green Central Station – http://www.localgreencentral.com/
Naked Art – http://www.nakedartusa.com/
Po Campo – http://www.pocampo.com/
Primavera Coffee Roasters – http://primaveracoffee.com/
Sarah Johnson, Massage Therapist – http://www.sarahjohnson.massagetherapy.com/
Urban Cookhouse – http://urbancookhouse.com/
Urban Standard – http://www.urbanstandard.net/
V Richards – http://www.vrichards.net/

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Late last week, Sugar and I had a night on the town with my good friend (and co-worker) Kelly. Working at a farmers market, I very rarely get to wear heels (or even dress pants), so I was excited to even get the slightest bit dressed up (business casual means something entirely different at a farmers market!). Even dressed up, Sugar and I looked good together.

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We went to the One Book One New Orleans kickoff party, sponsored by the New Orleans YLC. This was at the African American Art Museum in the Treme, across town from me. The weather was awesome, so the ride was enjoyable and fun.

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We stayed, listened to a brass band, had some free food and drinks and mingled. Then we were off again!

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Next up was Culture Collision, an event put on by our local NPR station, WWNO at the Museum of Art. We got there just in time for the cocktail party in the Sculpture Garden, which is not normally open at night. Again, we had some free food and drink (donations were given, of course!) and listened mingled while looking at the amazing sculptures.

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All in all it was a killer fun night. We criss-crossed all over the city, laughing and being ridiculous on our bikes. I also met a man.

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With the weather changing, I could ride and not look like I just spent hours in a barn before deciding to go out. Anyone feeling this way about the weather change? Surely I am not alone!

Lookie! It’s the Bici Coop 3rd Annual Ladies Alleycat! Per usual, men must wear skirts to race.

Event will start and end at Rushton Park. Registration starts at 1:30, race will roll out promptly at 2 pm.

Route around downtown Birmingham (not over the mountain), lots of great prizes for all sorts of things so everyone has a chance to win. After the race we’ll have a picnic in the park hosted by Green Central Station – lots of great food and lawn games will be provided.

We’ve got some AMAZING prizes from:

Cahaba Cycles - http://cahabacycles.com/
Church Street Coffee and Books - http://www.churchstreetshop.com/
Charm - http://www.charmonsecond.com/
Chrome Messenger Bags - http://www.chromebagsstore.com/
Naked Art - http://www.nakedartusa.com/
First Avenue Rocks - http://firstaverocks.com/
Piebird Design - http://piebirddesign.com/
Po Campo - http://www.pocampo.com/
Primavera Coffee Roasters - http://primaveracoffee.com/
Sarah Johnson, Massage Therapist - http://www.sarahjohnson.massagetherapy.com/
Urban Cookhouse - http://urbancookhouse.com/
Urban Standard - http://www.urbanstandard.net/
V Richards - http://www.vrichards.net/

A huge thanks to Green Central Station for partnering with us for the after party and providing the bulk of the food and beverages. Some food will also be provided by Urban Cookhouse.

Going to be the best thing ever! YAYAYAYA!!!

********* Brewer of delicious beer *********

By the end of the second round of drinks, we were offered the option of going to a dance party, but Ross and I were pretty beat so we just headed to the hotel. At one point we took a wrong turn at one point landing us on a ramp coming off the interstate that was a little dicy. Adventures!

Somehow by the end of the evening’s trip I had a flat, so the next evening we just drove over to a party at the Peacock Groove HQ for the “Cutter’s Ball”. So may bike people, so many awesome bikes, so much beer!
The following morning a snow storm broke out so I was out of commission for the rest of the trip for riding. Ross however was much more adventurous and eager to experience some snow riding, so he and Lowrah went out of a long ride. Apparently it’s like riding in sand, and some sort of eye covering is a must. Half way back to the hotel Ross broke his glasses and caught a bus back. I really didn’t mind that I missed it.

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I really enjoyed talking with people about what cycling is like in Minneapolis – including how they think it got that way. It’s hard to understand why a midwestern town with atrocious weather would become one of the country’s most bike friendly cities (no offense!). I’m a big believer in government support and infrastructure (damn commie) and tend to use that as an explanation of why bike awesomeness comes about, but there is something to be said for the people who got that representation and who supported cyclists in the first place. Even so we were still all sort of at a loss as to what the “tipping point” was so to speak, and I left that conversation and this trip with the feeling that Birmingham really does not have any excuses. Humph!

Thanks for an awesome time Minneapolis – I look forward to my next visit, in the summer.

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Weekends are made for straight cruisin. Cruisin to listen to people’s stories about their relationship with food, transitioning to night time parties, leading early morning community garden tours (which again required much more effort than they were expecting), exploration of historic old neighborhoods, parks. All the while waving at passing stangers, laughing at their confusion and comments, finally having our turn with overcast skies and chilly air. Lots of beer, lots of love.

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This past weekend was full of bikes and completely great.

Ignore the fact that I look kind of pissed off here. I don’t do smiles in my modeling photos.

They’re made out of recycled materials, so they’re all environmentally friendly and shit. You get a hat and the smug satisfaction of being “green” all for only $19.50!

Previous caps by Kate have been made out of jeans, corduroy, and my style which is a mix of seersucker and basic cotton (I think, anyway). You could request specific fabrics, but who knows if she’ll comply. If you’re interested in purchasing one, email me! Support sexy racing ladies! anna{at}bikeskirt.com

Since it was too far for bicycling, Ross and I decided to snag his dad’s motorcycle and go for a spin!

Gotta admit, I felt pretty bad ass on this machine. I mean, if you can’t go by bicycle, I’d say that motorcycle is the next best thing. Don’t you think?

Anyway we were just there hang out and watch Sam destroy the single speed competition. He did, epically.

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As you can see by this picture, he is one serious competitor. Way to go Sammy! We fellow teammates look forward to being your sag whenever you decide to go pro!