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Heartbrakes Recap

Anna — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 04:55:10 +0000

The main lesson to take away from the 2nd Annual Heartbrakes Alley Cat benefiting Bici Cooperative is, if you don’t do Karaoke, you’re a pussy.

Well, ok maybe that’s a little harsh, but that’s what I think anyway.

The evening’s race participants traversed all manner of experience, gender, age, race, and regional loyalty (as well as one threesome), and it’s interesting to note that each race is marked by the significant number of new faces. Which I think is great, because they all roll up to the finish line completely exhausted and by the end of the night can’t wait until the next race.

Stops included a dance competition and a fortune teller that had racers doing math problems, spelling derailleur, or generally making fools of themselves in front of strangers. At one destination a shot called the “ashtray”, if taken, would give the racer a 4 minute time bonus. When I questioned the racers afterward as to whether it was worth the terrible burning sensation, the responses were mixed.

Prizes went out to first, second, and third place, as well as first out of town team, first mixed gender team, first junior, and DFL. Which means that most participants won something in the end. They liked that.

The after party consisted of ridiculous photo booth fun, dance party time with DJ Nastique, karaoke, and pie. Oh the pie. It was absolutely delicious and savored by all. Especially considering the amazing group of people who brought it up from Greensboro, AL from their Pie Lab. You should take a moment and check out what they’ve got going on over there; it’s inspiring to say the least.

The karaoke was of course fantastic. Duets, medal renditions, and extreme tone deafness stand out as beautiful moments.

The beer was flowing, the company was wonderful, and I think it’s safe to say that good times were had by all.

One last thanks to all our sponsors and donators – we couldn’t have done it without you: Chrome, Knog, Rickshaw Bags, Good People Brewing, Higher Ground Roasters, Masi, T Photographic, DJ Nastique, Magic City Wholesale, and Pie Lab.

And, of course, Elisa and I were just fabulous.

2nd Annual Heartbrakes Prom Benefit! Feb 13!

Anna — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:28:10 +0000

Thanks to Shannon Broom for designing our kickass poster!

Can’t believe it’s been a year!

This event marks one year that Bici Bicycle Cooperative has been kicking it wild style in Birmingham. This time around we have Magic City Wholesale as HQ, and have plans for racing and partying with a keg, music of some sort, karaoke, and PIE (from PieLab, which Elisa visited and wrote about recently)! $10 will get you in for any and all festivities/libations you wish to enjoy. T Scott from {t}photographic will once again have a photo booth set up for silly prom style photos and such. To see our pics from last year, go here!

This COUPLES RACE will be alleycat style around downtown, multiple stops, and challenges along the way to keep you entertained. Prizes from Higher Ground Coffee Roasters, Good People Brewing Company, KnoG, Chrome, Rickshaw Bagworks, and Masi.

Can I get a HELL YEAH?!

This is where we live-Woodlawn

Elisa — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 03:45:38 +0000

I recently wrote about Woodlawn, the place where my commute takes me daily. This Saturday, T Scott and I took a lovely ride to photograph some of the area. I forgot my camera battery (oops), so only T was able to take photos. Let’s face it…his are tons better than mine anyway. I call this Freddy Mercury’s Photo Diary

Enjoy

we found a community garden!

T's bike on the railroad tracks (same ones where I took a spill!)

Graffiti wall-loved it

Woodlawn United Methodist Church

the new Birmingham Dream Center

Freddy on the rocks.

More freaking awesome graffiti

I pass this everyday on my commute. Sad.

Purple!

This is my bike

Elisa — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:28:28 +0000

This is the first in a series of profiles of Birmingham Cyclists of all shapes, sizes and riding habits. I want to highlight and celebrate those of us who brave it all and ride in Birmingham. I have quite a few people who have agreed to be part of this, so I hope you will enjoy it. Each week will be a new rider in a variety of profile formats, from stories to Q&A, etc. World-meet Birmingham!

First brave subject is a new friend of mine. We belong to the same Community Group through church and let me tell you folks, she makes a mean dessert. Say hello to Stacey

Stacey Foshee

Age 29

Currently in Nursing School

1. What kind of bike do you ride? Is there a story behind that? I ride a Fuji Absolute 3.0. Her name is Gabriella, I named her after an Avett Brothers song, and she’s a road/path hybrid. I had been looking on Craigslist for a gently used bike, but couldn’t find exactly what I was looking for. A friend that I was visiting in Oxford, MS took me to the local bike shop, Active Oxford. When we pulled up, Gabby was sitting in the window and I fell in love. She was exactly what I had been looking for. I instantly loved her color. I took her for a spin in the parking lot and was sold.

2. When did you start riding? I loved to ride bikes when I was growing up, but just in the past year I reconnected with a friend that lives in Oxford, MS. Oxford is a such a bike friendly town that I always felt left out when I would visit. Everyone would ride bikes instead of driving, talk about bikes, build new bikes, etc. One weekend we went on a ride and I had forgotten how much I loved it.

3. What is your favorite aspect of riding in Birmingham? My favorite aspect of riding in Birmingham would have to be the varied terrain. Where ever I may ride, there are always several climbs involved. I used to dread it and there are still plenty of hills that intimidate me, but it’s made me a much stronger rider.

4. What are the things you would like to change about riding in Bham? I would love if Birmingham had extensive bike lanes throughout the city and into the suburbs. Riding in traffic still stresses me out. It’s amazing how much more relaxed I am if I ride in a city that has bike lanes. Earlier this summer I drove through Albuquerque, New Mexico. After stopping in a local bike shop, I found out that Albuquerque had an extensive bike path/lane system throughout the city. I was able to go for a ride and after my ride, I had a new appreciation for bike lanes. Its amazing the peace that 3-5 extra feet of asphalt will give you.

5. Why do you ride? I ride because it takes me to another place. I feel organic and self sufficient when I ride. I don’t have to pay for gas or insurance, I honestly earn every mile I pedal and find such freedom in that. I know that I’m doing a good thing for the environment and for myself.

Thanks for playing Stacey! A girl who names her bike after a song? That I can behind. Oh, and check out the cute skirt!

Stay tuned for another profile next week.

Live in Birmingham? Let us profile you. Send an email to elisa@bikeskirt.com.

Welcome!

Elisa — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:28:55 +0000

Welcome to the new and improved Bike Skirt! We are so excited to have this kickass new look.

Post and photo from this weekend to come soon.

Special thanks to T. Scott Carlisle for designing our logo, site and making our legs look fabulous. We have some incredibly talented friends, no?

So…what do you think?!

looking forward to sharing the bike love for years to come in our new home.

Hello Beautiful

Elisa — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 02:51:00 +0000

Meet Freddie Mercury, my new ride. Ever since I lost Mick, then got Betty Paige (who was a mite too small) I have been dreaming of a new ride. Well, about a month-ish ago, I got one.

Isn’t he a beauty? A Bottechia, with Shimano 600 components and a color scheme that stops traffic.

I love everything about this bike. It was hard to get used to the down tube shifting and the higher (lower…harder) gearing, but now I am in love. Freddie is a steel bike, so the vibrations in the road feel miles away. I am steady, safe, secure and fast as hell. Seriously folks, I am a stronger, faster rider now.

click on photos to enlarge for more bike-y beauty

(photos courtesy of T-Photographic. T. Scott needed a model to help with location and lighting scouting, so we packed up bags and took off on our bikes, looking for prime locations. It is amazing how much more you see riding beside a photographer that you would never, ever see just driving in a car.)

check out the awesome shadow situation in this one!

Oh, Betty Paige is happily being ridden by our good friend, Dan. He is taking good care of her and they are quite the pair. Only Dan could make pink bar tape look sexy on a guys bike.

one more note: be on the lookout for a new look here at Bike Skirt! Our friend (and awesome photographer) T.Scott is hard at work on a new layout/look/logo for our little blog. Yay Bike Skirt 2.0!