Friday Funnies - Bubble Wrap Bike

Yes I know its not Friday, but this is funny and a great way to start the week.

A Giant walks amongst us

You don't see to many advertisements on American television these days and while there are plenty in magazines its always the standard bike porn. Road racers in full kit glistening with sweat and mountain bikers bikers with a light layer of dirt on their faces, arms, and legs. Or pictures of the riders that are sponsored by various cycling manufacturers. You never see anyone normal, like the people you see when you are out riding your bike. Giant Bicycles has created two advertising campaigns that reaches to the general public and makes them ambassadors for their brand


In 2011 the Australian campaign reached out to the average cyclists who ride for fun, exercise, commuting, or race for the thrill of it. A unique commercial attracted 11,000 Australians to register for the opportunity to be one of 30 sponsored riders who would receive new bikes, accessories, and full year of tune ups and repairs.





The winners were truly a unique mix of cyclist and they can be found here.

The current Canadian campaign, “Random Acts of Bikeness” kicked off this summer. “If you see some ‘70s-looking detectives cruising around on Giant bikes, don’t run away. In fact, run toward them.
All summer, all across Canada, Giant’s super stealth, polyester-clad team will be hitting trails and festivals, bike parks and suburban sidewalks looking for totally random people to give new Giant bikes to. The campaign is called Random Acts of Bikeness, and it’s Giant’s way of taking bad, jiggly, rusty, beaten down bikes off the street and replacing them with much cooler rides. Watch this video to see how it’s all going down (and to see how good we look in mustaches.)”



Perhaps someday we may see an equally unique advertising campaign here in America has more cities improve their infrastructure and create more opportunities for cyclists..

Philadelphia Kidical Mass

The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia has been making much ado about their upcoming seminar about Family Biking on Saturday, July 20th. The idea of going taking your children for safe and exciting bicycle rides. At this seminar they are going to discuss picking the right bikes, gear, and routes for riding with young ones. They plan to have on hand plenty of bicycles from various shops and the “best answers come from fellow parents who are already doing it.”

What the BCGP has not to mentioned is why family biking is now part of the Philadelphia bicycling scene. Thanks to the efforts Dena Driscoll and Marni Duffy who created the Philadelphia Kidical Mass. Using a combination of side streets and bike lanes the ride wends its way through Philadelphia with a local playground as its final destination. The participants ride a wide range of bicycles with children on their own bikes, trail-a-bikes, trailers, child seats, long tail cargo bikes and Bakfiets. What makes this safe is when you ride in a group is that other traffic views you more like a car because of the amount of space that the group takes up and gives you a wide berth.

This is a great way to introduce your children to cycling. Rides like this incorporate a fun destination, children that your kids can play with, and adults to you to socialize with.  

Covered Bicycle Parking in Philadelphia

With the last few weeks of daily rain storms one of the challenges that many bicycle commuters faced was where to park their bicycle in the hopes that it would be dry. Fortunately Philadelphia Magazine reporter Emily Lehman found a solution, by crowd sourcing the search for covered/sheltered bicycle parking available to the public. In her article, “Where is Covered Bike Parking in Philadelphia”. A simple appeal to the public and a Google map located all of the current bicycle racks with covered parking. If you know of any others please add your comments to the the article link above.

There are many reasons why cyclists like to keep their bicycles dry, rust being a key factor and that can be addressed with some basic maintenance. But the most annoying is water logged saddles. Bicycles seats (saddles) are made up of open celled foam, similar to a household sponge. When a saddle gets caught in a rainstorm it soaks up that water like a sponge and it takes forever to dry out. One of the most common solutions is to place a plastic bag over the saddle, but that is never any real guarantee that the saddle will remain dry or that someone won't remove it. 

There is another solution:

There are a number of plastic saddles on the market that will stil provide the level of ergonomic support you need. Some examples can be found here; scroll down to see the reasonably priced models and here.

Philly Full Moon Bike Ride

One of the things I have found frustrating about the Philadelphia cycling scene is the lack of a monthly social rides when compared to other cities. A ride that is free of any political or social statement. Just a ride for the sake of riding.

There is a new kid on the block, the Philly Full Moon Bike Ride. They hold a ride once a month on the night of the full moon. Departing from the Art Museum around 10pm they ride through the streets of Philadelphia ending at a local drinking establishment. With their first ride in May the organizers are building a following on Facebook with 41 members, the May Ride had 10 riders and their June ride had 25 participants.

With the ride happening on a different day of the week every month I hope the organizers will consider moving the start time to an early hour. So people who are in 9 to 5 jobs can join in and still get some sleep.

They are planning for their next ride on Monday, July 22. I look forward to seeing this ride grow and evolve. To become a new Philadelphia tradition.

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