GHGT and RR - Be there.

So.  Tomorrow evening (Friday, June 29th) I'm going to ride around Hartford and nearby environs to peruse some choice graffiti.  The not so organized ride will be dubbed - the Greater Hartford Graffiti Tour (GHGT).  You are welcome to tag along (pun intended?).  There is a Facebook invite, but I've heard some people out there still shun Facebook.   Meet up at 5:30PM at the carousel in Bushnell Park.  We'll roll around Hartford, then branch out.  The Hartford bit will be short.  Bring fattish tires and don't expect to ride fast.  It's going to be warm out, so beverages are probably a good idea.

Also, the Real Ride approaches.  Saturday, July 7th a raucous group of lighted revelers will roll about Hartford and converge on the riverfront to watch the Riverfest fireworks from an undisclosed prime location.  Show up at Real Art Ways at 6PM to start the festivities and decorate your steed.  The ride begins at 8PM and we'll catch the fireworks at 9PM. Real Art ways has concessions if you're hungry or thirsty.

Bring your own materials or use those that will be available to bling your bike.  The more glowing, flashing, lighted-ness the better.  This is the fifth one of these, and they keep getting better.  If there be rain, the rain date will be July 8th - same as Riverfest.

Oh yeah.  Both rides are FREE!  So even if you have a horrible time, you didn't waste any of your hard earned dough.  See you there, and spread the word. Read more!

Where have I been?

The beat bike blog means a lot to me. Riding a bike means more. So, I've been pressed for time as of late and I haven't been writing my usual awesomely philosophical blog posts. Actually, I never wrote those.

I blame the fascinating world of being an intern. It's been busy and I have computer access that limits me from blogging. I have been riding a bike and it's been nice. Exotic locations, like Vermont and Cape Cod. Rides where I wore knickers. Rides where I got lost on moose trails. Etc.

However, I remembered today that I could blog from my phone. Maybe I'll try that some more, but does anyone really miss me?

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An interesting way to deliver a car seat.

I was on my way to my East Hartford community garden on Saturday morning trailering some fencing and posts (both dumpster dive items) when I spotted Matt heading toward Hartford on East River Drive.  I couldn't help turning around, snapping some pictures, and figuring out what he was carrying.

Matt, from Storrs, had stayed in Glastonbury the night before and was on his way to a friend's baby shower in New Britain.  The unwieldy box strapped to the rack of his bike was a baby car seat that he had recycled after another friend's child outgrew it.  The seat was a gift for the shower.  All good stuff.  I was amazed that the box had stayed in place for the ~ 20 mile ride in from Storrs, and that it still had ~ 15 miles to go.  Way to go Matt!

By the way, there are a couple of neat things coming up:

• Shag Frenzy this Saturday night (6/16) at Arch Street Tavern.  The Beat City Beauties (burlesque) will be showcased, and the DJ's are solidly good.  Nothing to do with bikes, but fun nevertheless.  Bonus:  You'll get to watch me dance like a damn fool.
• Sunday, June 17th - The William Laramie Memorial Concert is from noon to about 4PM.  This concert has some amazing bands lined up and is in memory of a musician and cyclist killed by a drunk driver last year on Burnside Avenue.  The show raises funds for East Hartford music education and Bike Walk CT.  A good showing will remind the DOT and City of East Hartford that Burnside Avenue needs to be redesigned to be safer for all road users.
• Friday, June 29th - I'll be riding around the Hartford area looking at graffiti.  Feel free to join me.  Meet up at the Bushnell Park Carousel at 5:30PM.
• Saturday, July 7th - Real Ride V.  Put a bunch of lights and glow sticks on you and your bike.  Ride around Hartford and then party at the Riverfest fireworks.  Sounds like a great time to me.

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9/11 Truth

9/11 Truth.  Beat Bike Blog.  Our stickers adjacent on the Charter Oak Bridge railing.  Which group is more fringe?

Has anyone met the nutter putting up stickers and tagging 9/11 Truth around the riverfront?

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