Thursday, April 3, 2008

The Bike Shot and Playfair


Two different journalists from two different papers both told me about all the bikes in front of the apts on 1st and Cedar. I don't know why they didn't take this photo...

If you go to 2 Wheel Transit or the Rocket there on Cedar with any frequency, you've noticed how these bikes locked to the meters have really been multiplying over the last couple years.


Hey Wells: how about a rack, man? (this one specifically)


Not that a rack is really required, the meters do fine, but a little bike infrastructure would be a cool thing to see a downtown developer invest in.


Item #2. Mr Blaine, I know you have a lot on your plate with training for the GDR and all, but it seems that the old Playfair track is just aching for a bike race. The track is just a mess and would make a great CX loop race or maybe 500-style or BMX style race.


And if you believe what you read in the papers (dang you SR and your log-in requirement!), our time to play here may be coming to an end soon. We don't want to regret missing the opportunity to ride this track before it's gone forever.

12 comments:

joe said...

Maybe as a prefunk for April 20th?

Unknown said...

Not only did I live in those apartments for a year, but I also spent four years employed by Wells and Co. Go to them with the "it's good for your image" approach and you just might get somewhere. Better yet, go to the family cyclist, Gage Stromberg. Just remember it all comes back to image.

John Speare said...

Sean: I don't know about the other Wells' and I can't argue with the concept of image, though I do think when the rubber meets the road perception is reality... but
I sort of know Gage through some other bike stuff. He's a bike guy and puts his money where his mouth is. He's doing a bunch to support the bike to work effort this year; he also puts on the Tour of Pain ride. I don't get the sense he's doing these things for his image; I know he's a rider and he's into building up a piece of bike culture here.
BTW: I love the picture of you and your wife/SO on your S&M blog where you two are laughing. That's a great pic. Sometimes I'll go back to that blog just to look at that pic.

Michael said...

John, how are your Keen sandals holding up? I've been thinking about picking up a pair.

Anonymous said...

The wife and I toured those apartments before we got married! Wells and Co. seem like a decent company.

Unknown said...

John - I get the same feeling about Gage, he wasn't riding, not passionately anyway, when I knew him, but it sure sounds like he is now. Sounds like he did ok solo at last years round and round too. All and all I'd say the Wells' are good people. I got a little jaded during my time working for them, but I think that just comes with the construction territory. Also that picture of my wife and I is one of my favorites, there's a larger version on my blog in May of last year.

rybanis - I lived in the Buena Vista and the Marlboro, both Wells properties. I loved both places but my wife and I outgrew them. I especially liked living right across from the Elk(pre-Public House).

EvilElf said...

Parimutuel betting on cyclocross bike races? I think this may have a future! Great pictures! Outstanding post, as usual. Keep up the great work.

Anonymous said...

Sean- The Marlburo! That was the one we wanted the most. I'd probably end up breaking the bank over at the Elk, though.

John Speare said...

Michael:
I get a crazy amount of traffic on this site for the keens. I plan on doing a follow up post to milk it a bit more. To answer your questions: it's weird, because a week after I got them, a bit of the sole peeled off. Like peeled off so that I was tripping on it. Bad. Anger. Angst. I emailed the company and they asked for some pics. I posted some pics for them and they put me in the queue for a replacement set. Back ordered till May. Assuming they come, then I really can't count this. I fixed them with shoe goo and while not ideal, they're fine and other wise holding up. They've stretched out a bit and due to some recent weight loss I think my feet got a tad narrower. So they are pretty comfy. They are all I wear -- every day. There is quite a bit of chatter on the bike lists (bob, bentrider, etc) about how silly-narrow these are compared to their other sandals. Anyway...there's more to say and when I have time to write a real post, with real technical details instead of a bunch of opinion, I'll do a follow up. Sorry you asked?

Michael said...

Thanks for the little bit of follow up. If I get a pair I'll make sure to get them where I know returns wont be an issue and I'll let you know how they hold up.

David Blaine said...

I love the idea of a little indy. I just had my twice yearly viewing of Breaking Away this last week. The probloem is everyone thinks they are the cutters and in reality few people really our.
BTW- look at all of these comments. It is starting to look like BikeSnobNYC around here.

Unknown said...

Pump track, pump track, pump track.