As I’m sure you’re all aware by now, Cyclocross is the new black.  Or the new tweed ride.  (Or something cool anyway.)  Just ask these guys….  Hipsters discussing CX

The Brunswick Cycling Club is running a great 3 race series which we’re using as an excuse to host the inaugural Bicyle Black Market – an opportunity for all of us to either fill up (or clear out in the case of stall holders) our bike parts bins.

We’ve had a couple of really nice cyclocross bikes through the shop recently.  We grabbed a photo of one – an amazing Lynsky titanium beast equipped with a new SRAM group.  Nice hand-built wheels with Chris King hubs and Open Pro rims.  The bike is a pretty amazing mix of light, stiff and agile.

There was a great cyclocross race in Warburton a while back, in which Huw raced, using an old Peugeot with really noisy Mafac brakes set up single speed.  He did pretty well even though in the final analysis his gearing was way too high and his brakes could have been a bit more powerful.  this just goes to show that even if you don’t have an amazing cyclocross bike you can still give it a shot.

There’s even a series of races coming up to try you luck at.  Check it out here They’ll be running two categories, one for 700c cross bikes and one for mountain bikes.  There are some pretty strict regulations for what counts as a cyclocross bike in UCI events (tyres under 32mm wide, etc) but I don’t think they’ll be pushing that for this event.

If you’re looking for some inspiration for a build of your own check out this site or come in and have a chat with us.

Finally, if you think of a bike to make, and it doesn’t meet the UCI regs, then we have the perfect venue for you to source your parts.  Under cover of darkness, away from the prying eyes of roaming UCI officials we’ll have a bunch of unshaven men with long jackets selling the good stuff.  Time trial bikes with 650c front wheels, saddles with lumbar support, cyclocross tyres in 38c, fairings and EPO all in the one spot.  After the event we’ll be screening something Cyclocross related to get people fired up for the next race.  Shoot us an email if you’d like to set up a stall, otherwise just rock up and check out the stalls.  Bring your monstercross bikes.  23rd of July, from 5pm.

No film festival is complete without an award ceremony,

Just like last year, this event is to celebrate everyday cyclists and their bikes. We’re rolling out the red carpet, and will  be awarding prizes to the folks (and their bikes) who stand out in the following categories.

• Sexiest Commuter Bike
• Biggest Load Carrying Capacity
• Most People on a Bicycle
• Fastest Puncture repair
• Best Dressed (+ least lycra) on a bicycle

Gear from Knog and Crumpler is amongst some of the prizes up for grabs. But if you’re not entering, this will be great day for spectators too. We’re firing up the BBQ and putting on drinks, and afterwards rolling down to the Bicycle Film Festival screening in the city.

It’s bound to be a a lot of fun, we hope to see you on the day.

Details:

• 3-6pm Saturday 28th November 2009
• @ the Commuter Cycles  workshop, 14 Prentice Street Brunswick.
• Registration for Award Categories - just turn up!
• BBQ  (Vegetarian and Meats), Drinks – Gold coin donation in our Movember jar
• We’ll be leaving the Workshop for Saturday Night’s BFF Screening - Program Here

More information on the 2009 Melbourne Bicycle Film Festival -here

Download our 2009 Treadlys poster for your fridge - here

Starting on Friday, 30^th October 2009 there’s

Death Becomes Her

A ‘Girls-only’ alley cat race. Registration and ride starts at 6pm from Melbourne Museum. To  get on board bring $10 for entry for teams of two. You’ll also need your bike lock, bag and spare gold coins. As it’s Halloween, dress the part for this ‘Ghouls-only’ event. Prizes for best/worst dressed (you could even score a free service from us!).

And if you’ve still got legs, Borrow Grampa’s bike from the shed and join us on Saturday 31st November for the

2009 Woodend Annual Vintage Bike Rally

The ride starts at 2:30 at the Woodend Clocktower, and meanders 23kms to the historic gardens of the Cosmopolitan Hotel, Trentham. Refreshments are available at the halfway pit-stop - The Pig and Whistle Hotel, Trentham. For those who over hydrate at Cosmopolitan Hotel, there’s a courtesy bus to take you (and your bike) back to Woodend.

If you want to join the Commuter Cycles team, we’re getting up there a little early to make a day of it.

Meet us at the Commuter Cycles workshop for a 10:00 (sharp) departure. We’re taking the 10:35 Vline
service from Southern Cross to Woodend.

More details, Give Rus a call on 0423 388 167.

And if you’re not completely funned out, Otesha are having a

Spring Garden Party

on Sunday 1^st November, from 12 to 5pm at 79 Gladstone avenue, Northcote.

The event is a Otesha fundraiser. For $10, you get a lazy day’s entertainment and the warm fuzzy feeling that your helping Otesha and it’s youth education programs about sustainable consumption.

Performing on the day is Monique Brumby, the Unconventional Cellist, TheTaylor Project and Pete Coles.

Just bring you picnic rug, there’ll be food, drinks and plenty of other activities. Otesha guarantee there’ll be something for everyone.

More info at Otesha.org.au

See you when we open again on Wednesday!

An important day in the commuter cyclist’s calendar, it’s a fantastic opportunity to encourage others to give cycling a go. For those of us already bitten by the bug, it’s a day to pat ourselves on the back and remind the bean counters that cycling is a valid form of public transport.

With some help from Moreland City Council we’re offering commuters a free tune-up, breakfast and REAL coffee.

All we ask for is that you register – this way the statistics are in that people are actually riding on the day.

So bring your bike and empty belly, and we’ll provide the fuel and chain lube to get you going for the day….

The details:

• Wednesday 14th October 2009 – From 7:30am 10am
• Hot and cold breakfast provided – Coffee too!
• @ 14 Prentice street Brunswick -The Commuter Cycles Workshop
• Register here

You may have read about it in recent press,  RMIT is running a pilot for Bicycle sharing, in the hope it will encourage more folks to consider getting around by bicycle, and to use the service for short trips around the city. 

The various bike hubs allow people to pick up a bike and helmet, and drop them off on the other side of town. Sure beats a taxi, or relying on Melbourne’s PT network. 

Fingers crossed, the success of this program will encourage the bean counters to take this on as part of Melbourne’s long term infrastructure. 

For more information on the project, pop in to the hub (Our Workshop) or check out the common bike website. After a $5 registration, each ride under three hours only costs a gold coin. If you drop the bike off to a different hub, or stay out for an additional hour, another gold coin covers costs. 

For more information, registration, bikes- drop into the hub at Commuter Cycles or read up on all the details at 

commonbike.com

Planet Bike lights represent excellent value, with a variety of lights for different uses and budgets. Tail lights, headlights and helmet mount lights are all discounted, including our favourite, the ‘Blinky Superflash ‘.

There’s also a $100 service voucher up for grabs. This Monday’s Moreland Leader newspaper (13/04/2009) has all the competition details. You can also download a voucher from the City of Moreland website. Roll into the our Prentice Street Workshop, pickup a ‘Blinky’ or one of his friends, and you’ll be in the running. $100 dollars gets you a fair bit of bike love at Commuter Cycles, so it’s well worth the effort!

UPDATE!

Simon Stainsby, Sustainable Transport Officer at Moreland City Council popped into the workshop on 6th of May 2009 to pick a winner for the competition. In great impartiality, blindfolded (almost), he announced Michael of Fitzroy to be our winner!

Congratulations Michael, we look forward to seeing you and your bike soon!

170 Edward Street Brunswick
Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd March 2009
Between 9am and 4pm

Bicycles for Humanity (Melbourne Chapter)  
Bicycles for Humanity (Global Site) 

The first ‘Bicycles as Transport Awards‘ were held on Saturday 22nd November,

The awards and winners were:

‘Pit lane’ award for the fastest and ‘effective’ puncture repair-

• Won by John, who showed that slow and steady wins the race…

‘Lindsay Fox’ award for the biggest load carrying capacity,

• Won by Phuong, in her entry that has helped her move the inebriated and house contents

‘Connex’ award for the most people on a bike (almost safely)

• Won by Moz, with his ability to carry 11 people across the workshop floor.

‘Mudguards are hot’ award for the sexiest commuter bike

• Won by Michael, with his top condition Australia Post bike.

‘Best dressed’ award for the least lycra clad and most visible rider.

• Won by Lord and Lady Waygood on their tandem.

Congratulations and Thank You for all winners and entrants.

A selection of photos from the day are below….

Movember is an international initiative designed to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer research and depression. The talking point of a fresh (or grubby) moustache is an excellent way to broach these traditionally taboo topics. And through sponsorship, Commuter Cycles hope to make a collection that supports the good work undertaken by the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, and Beyond Blue.

If you are keen to help us support this important cause, you are welcome to drop a few pennies in our jar at the Movember Website. Donations over $2 are tax deductable.

• Commuter Cycles Donation Page at Movember
• More information about Movember.

If you really want to get in the spirit, you can always fix moustache handlebars to your treadly. Destined to be the next must-have bike bling, moustache handlebars are cool and weird. Currently available to us is Soma’s 3 speed bar. 

Check it here.