bikes not bombs

my grandma used to scratch out her head in any photo or group photo. we'd go to visit her in Kentucky and she'd make such a fuss bout getting her picture taken. cuz she knew she'd have to get a hold of it and scratch her head out eventually. it was a odd thing - but i think i understood where she was coming from. and it made an impression.

Dan Mottola wrote a lovely article for the Chronicle titled: The Revolution Will Not Be Motorized. Dan is a brilliant writer and does a great job covering bike politics, legislation and fun in Austin. He also writes nicely about animal welfare stuff.

Dan profiled 4 bicycle transportationalist and he kindly included me. Its just too bad i thought he said it was about pipe bombs. so when the photographer came out, i did my best impression of a pipe bomb about to explode. my bad! sorry to fuck that up.

the photo that should have run. i dont know who this kid is. but i like his attitude. and his shirt.

and a shoutout to ezra, who made what is the most important part of the photo: the bike. check out more photos of his frames and builds. mine is the 4th one down. he is making beautiful wood racks and boxes too.

One of the people he profiled was Kris El Kong Elkinton. a superhero among costume wearers, a xtralongbike messiah, a real good pappa and one of the best people i know. i got this photo of him last year at Tour De Fat.

he and the nutt have a nice mobile bike mechanic thing going called guerrilla cyclewerx where they set up at events, parties, shows and work on your bike. they fix your shit. find them at frankenbike, the really really free market at treasure city thrift last sunday of every month, and lots of other places. drop them a wad of bills and let them fix that annoying squeak up by your saddle. or is that mine?

there are so many bike heroes in austin. lots of folks that ride their bike for transportation. every day i hear about another person getting on a bike to make their way for the first time to work, or school or on a errand. or just walking as transportation to the store, instead of getting in a car. i'd like to see them all profiled and recognized. they deserve it. i'm going to work on this.

first up: viking bike heroes.

HEADSUP: Brian is putting on a Cross CATASTROPHY race this sunday. 9pm. hike & bike trail. these kinds of things are what make good memories. and nice scabs.