Posts Categorized in 'Events'

Bikemore’s Homebrew Tour Tomorrow

Sponsored by Ron Howard & Associates Realtors, Nuovo Soul Catering, and Nepenthe Homebrew, Bikemore’s famous Homebrew Bike Tour is back this Spring 2013! (Check out photos from last October’s Tour)

On Saturday May 4, (after the Kinetic Sculpture Race) bike between three houses in Reservoir Hill, Woodberry and Remington) each serving small samples of homemade beer and food. Gather with your bikes at Nepenthe Homebrew (Meadow Mill — 3600 Clipper Mill Road) to start the tour at 5 pm and then ending the ride with a party at the Baltimore Node space in Station North at midnight.

Cost is $20 / person. The tour is limited to the first 100 participants.

Get your tickets online here

Bikesurfing Lake Montebello

Cargo bikes have long been known around the world for making seemingly impossible trips more bikeable.  Whether carrying groceries, children or furniture, extended frames provide more versatility and balance in transporting heavier loads.   At Lake Montebello, the use of cargo bikes broadened to include adults.  With the level terrain and reduced vehicular traffic, the lake loop was the perfect setting to test one’s balance with bikesurfing.   The Kona Ute comes standard with a ‘surfboard’ on the back perfect for carrying…well, people! (above)

Yesterday, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake kicked off National Drinking Water Week and Bike Month with a bike ride around Lake Montebello.  Part of Recreation & Parks’ “Laps Around the Lake” anyone can rent a bike for a leisure pedal every Thursday evening through the summer. Adult and children’s bikes and helmets are available. You must have photo ID to borrow equipment. This program is perfect for first-time bikers, those that are out of practice, or those who just don’t feel like lugging that old dusty bike out of the basement.

With the recent asset liquidation at ‘da Point’, several trikes made their way to Velocipede and Baltimore City Recreation and Parks.  The ‘trunk’ on the trike was also perfect carrying passengers. Mark Dennis (left) uses a trike to photograph Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake leading a group of cyclists around Lake Montebello.

Do Not Miss The Kinetic Sculpture Race!

No matter how booming Baltimore’s bike culture is, the 15th ANNUAL KINETIC SCULPTURE RACE is the one event not to miss.
Saturday, May 4, 2013 • All Day, Race kicks off at 10am! • FREE for Spectators!

From the American Visionary Art Museum–a race of wacky, imaginative, TOTALLY HUMAN-POWERED WORKS OF ART,  DESIGNED TO TRAVEL ON LAND, THROUGH MUD, AND OVER DEEP HARBOR WATERS, constructed out of used bicycles, gears, and parts, created by a lunatic genius who tinkers around in the garage or backyard (do you know this person?)! The machines can be simple, small crafts, piloted by only one brave soul, or they can be over 50 feet long, extremely well-engineered, sophisticated vehicles powered by a team of pilots. Pilots (“Kinetinauts”) compete for the most coveted GRAND MEDIOCRE EAST COAST CHAMPION AWARD (finishes right in the middle), and the highly prized NEXT TO THE LAST AWARD (finishes, well, next-to-last), and other serious trophies including ART, ENGINEERING, and more. Race starts at 10am at the American Visionary Art Museum (arrive early to take part in Opening Ceremony and Blessing of De Feet!). Other great spots to see the vehicles are the 1st checkpoint atop Federal Hill; the water entry at the Korean War Memorial Park in Canton; the uphill mud-pit in Patterson Park; the not-so-quick-sand pit in Patterson Park; and, of course, anywhere along the 15-mile route through Baltimore. For more information–including past race photos, inspiration, and a handy Spectator’s Guide–visit http://kineticbaltimore.com.

Check out the FACEBOOK Event page

Want to Volunteer?  Click here

Smoothest Bike Party Ever

The bike party rolls south on Patterson Park Avenue (R. Dupre)

From start to finish, April’s Bike Party was probably the smoothest to date, in more ways than one. Not only did the ride proceed (relatively) incident free and with police escort, but the apparel took the ride to a whole new level. With the “Bike Prom” theme, riders donned serious get ups from tuxedos and seersucker  to over the top tacky prom dresses.

Shots from the Bike Party are available online here and here with video below

Mayor Kicks Off Bike Rides at Montebello

Get Ready For The Bike Prom

It’s time once again for your favorite “Last Friday” activity: BIKE PARTY! This month’s theme is BIKE PROM, so get out that tux, tacky suit, embarrassing dress and join the fun!

As always, refer to the list of helpful hints (and strong recommendations) for making the most out of your Bike Party experience. In addition, there are a few more things to note:

1. THE ROUTE. Its on Google maps here.
2. MEET IN THE SOUTH QUADRANT! Some work is being done on the west quad where the meetup usually happens, so this month, the meetup is in the south quad just above Centre Street.  STAY OUT OF THE STREET – the less local motorists are inconvenienced, the less negative attention is drawn to the Bike Party.
3. DO IT UP! If you were not elected Prom King or Queen in high school, now’s your chance.  Winners will be announced at midnight!
4. BIKE PARTY LEAVES AT 7:30 and will end at the Pratt Street Ale House

How to Bike To Work, Baltimore Style

“What? Me? Bike To work? Nah, I don’t think that’s happening”

This is usually the reaction offered when people talk about Bike To Work Day, and for good reason. Bike commuting is not a simple pedal on a quiet trail but an serious form of on-road cycling.  It happens when we’re pressed for time with more traffic on the road, often our minds are ON work with the day’s “to do” list developed in our heads. So why add the extra stress of arriving to work sweatier and slightly shaken?

The short answer: Because you just might like it! (Seriously) Aside from all the other reasons like getting exercise, feeling healthier, losing weight, being more alert & ready to tackle the day, and one less car on the road, bike commuting is pretty fun once you get the hang of it.  Not a serious commitment like a meaningful relationship or a long term high interest loan,  Bike To Work Day is one day out of the year where you can get a chance to see what it’s like to combine your daily workout with your commute and meet some new friends along the way.

This year, Bike To Work Day is on Friday, May 17th! With warmer weather now here, there’s plenty of time to get ready. Here are a few tips on how to do Bike To Work Day, Baltimore style.

1. Register! Register online for one of the many Bike To Work Day stations around the region. B2WD stations offer a lite breakfast, free hats, quick bike tune-ups and other giveaways.

2. Get a bike or a tune-up. If you don’t have a bike, don’t worry. All local bike shops are ready to assist with getting the right bike for you. Most bike shops RENT bikes so if bike commuting is not for you, there’s no major loss. If you already have a bike, get you a tune-up and make sure it’s ready for May 17th. Tune-ups typically include:

• checking the tires, tubes and air pressure
• checking brakes
• noting any rust or structural problems

3. Get out for a bike ride! You don’t need to be an Olympic athlete to bike to work, but you don’t want to be surprised on that Friday morning. There are several low-stress bike events around Baltimore to help get your biking confidence up:

• The Baltimore Bike Party – Friday, April 26th is a slow ride around town with (probably) 800 or so other riders. Bike mechanics, ride leaders and sweepers make sure no one is left behind.
• Ride Around The Reservoir & Laps Around the Lake – sponsored by the Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks, pick up a bike at either lake on a weekday evening for a leisure pedal.
• Kinetic Sculpture Race on Saturday, May 4th is a very low speed bike race starting from the American Visionary Arts Museum on Key Highway at 10 am. Roads are closed for the race but anyone on a bike is welcome to pedal along with these sculptures between AVAM, Canton Waterfront Park, Patterson Park and back.

4. Plan Your Route! With the Baltimore Bike Map and biking directions on Google Maps, you can plan your route to work. Keep in mind that most major roads are filled with motorists so an alternative route may be needed. The Bike Map is full of information you’ll need to bike around the city. The map is available online (as is the Bicycle Commuter Guide) and at all local bike shops. If you need help with a bike route, comment below.

5. Test Your Route on the Weekend! With traffic volumes lower on the weekends, test your route on a Saturday or Sunday. This will give you an idea of how long it will take you to get to work and get a feel for pavement conditions and tricky intersections. Keep in mind that traffic might be a little heavier on a weekday. While not mandatory, helmets are a good idea.

6. Plan ahead by taking a change of work clothes in earlier in the week. That way you don’t have to spend the rest of the day feeling like you just came from the gym. Also, check with your building management for available bike parking options. Some buildings will allow bikes indoors, but many will not. If you must leave your bike outside, make sure you have a reliable lock. If you’ve never biked to work before, have a friend (with a car) ready to assist you if you or your bike can’t make it.

7. Take Your Time! This is not a time trial for an exclusive bike race. You’re just going to work. So give yourself a little extra time and have fun along the way.

8. Join a B2WD convoy! If you don’t want to ride by yourself, join one of the many Bike to Work Day convoys around Baltimore. Most convoys will stop by one of the stations to take a break. Convoys are now available online. Get some of your co-workers on board and start your own convoy.

9. Cheat! Yes, cheat if you need to. This is Bike To Work Day, not Bike From Home Day. If you have to drop the kids off or live a little too far to bike to work, don’t feel bad. Consider biking from daycare, school or carpool part way. Plus, all local MTA transit routes provide bike access whether on the metro, light rail or bus. All MTA buses have bike racks for easy access to get you a little closer to work.

10. Enjoy The Ride! Take it easy, pace yourself and arrive safely! Once you get to work, you will have an overwhelming sense of accomplishment! This one day out the year may just help you to modify your regular commute from driving to biking or even walking or taking transit.  Hope to see you out there on Friday, May 17th!

Family Bike Party Around North Baltimore

Tulips! Bicycles! A leisurely pace! No, its not Amsterdam. It’s the Baltimore Family Bike Party at Sherwood Gardens. A crowd of 37 gathered at this scenic Baltimore garden to begin a slow-paced ride among the spring flowers, blossoming trees and stately homes.

More trailers and unique bikes joined this ride including a off-road tandem and a tandem trail-a-bike. Meredith and Alex from Baltimore Bicycle Works had two Yuba cargo bikes to show how easy it can be to get kids around.

Even if you don’t have kids, the Baltimore Family Bike Party is a great way to get out with other riders for a ‘no pressure’ ride. Rides are generally shorter than 3 miles and take 2 hours to complete.  Join the Family Bike Party on the 3rd Saturday of the month to explore a different part of Baltimore

Alex demonstrates the strength and ease of a Yuba cargo bike by carrying Patrick

Bike To The Yard Day, Apr 22

Join Bikemore  and the Orioles for BIKE TO THE YARD DAY!
A fun little benefit for members, mailing list subscribers, Facebook and Twitter followers!

Monday, April 22nd at 7:05 p.m. vs. Toronto Blue Jays
Upper Reserve: $8 * (reg. $14-$24) Sections 306-312, rows 13-25
*There is an additional 10% service charge per ticket, so $8.80 total for each ticket.

For any questions or accessible seating, please call 888.848.BIRD (2473) and ask for the Ticket Services

FOR TICKETS:

1. Click on this link
2. Select a seating location and quantity of tickets
3. Create a Baltimore Orioles ticket account
4. Purchase and print your tickets

No, you don’t have to Bike to the Yard, but if you do, official bike parking is located outside Gate C (facing Russell Street) and at the north side of the Warehouse at Eutaw and Camden Streets (next to the Sports Legends Museum and near the Babe Ruth Statue).

Lead A Bike To Work Convoy

Worried about doing Bike to Work Day by yourself? Don’t worry, several ‘convoys’ are forming all over the Baltimore area.  Join a group of riders on their way to work!  The Baltimore Metropolitan Council has started a Convoys page online for anyone interested in making B2WD even more social.

If you are interested in leading, please provide the following information to Monica Haines Benkhedda or Nate Evans:

• Name
• Phone
• Email
• Meeting Point
• Departure Time
• Tentative Route
• Any intermediate meeting points along the route (with approximate time)
• Evening Departure Location and Time