Get on the... wait, where's the bus?

That's right, as of yesterday morning the bus drivers of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1091 (who drive for Capital Metro) are officially on strike. Talks aren't resuming until Friday, so we've got at least today and tomorrow with very limited bus service. Also thanks to the wonders of layoffs my carpooling co-worker is no more, so my options these days are a mite bit limited. Ah well, I generally support labor unions (I'm a son of the rust belt) and their rights to strike if being treated unfairly, and not having an agreed-upon contract in 18 months is somewhat off. If you want more news about it cruise on over to Austin Bike Blog (their commutes have also been affected), or go to the "real news" sources and see what they have to say. They get paid to write so they're a bit more wordy:

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/traffic/e...
http://www.kvue.com/news/local/stories/110508kvuebus-eh.181c1c93c.html

Finally, I sent out a big Weekend Report over the mailing list and myspace page, but if you aren't a member of eather, just continue below the cut to read what I have to say...

(ATXBS) ATX Weekend Report - BIKER STYLE!!!

Lots of good stuff on the radar over the next week, but first off a special statement from your mother…

If you haven’t bought one yet, bike on down to Jack and Adams Tri shop (or other select local retailers) and pick up a copy of the Cute Commute 2009 Calendar. They’re $15 each and are full of amazing photos of over a dozen local women cyclists. I haven’t picked up mine yet, but everything I’ve seen from it is pretty freaking badass: roadies, fixed gear fanatics, commuters, mountainbikers, there’s a beautiful cyclist for everyone contained within the pages of this calendar. Get one for you, and one for a friend. More details here:

http://princesshungry.blogspot.com/2008/10/cute-commute-calendar-release...
http://lets-take-the-one.blogspot.com/2008/11/cute-commute-calendar-avai...

On to the weekend:

Friday (7th):

You gotta be fast, you gotta be fixed, and from the sound of it, you gotta be on drugs. It’s FABULOUS FAST FRIDAY, the monthly fixed-gear only race of awesome, meeting at the Capital around 4:20pm. The gun goes off at 5 so be there on time to get signed up and to take a gander at the manifest. Like I said it’s free so leave your wallet but BRING YOUR GAME FACE! http://www.atxbs.com/?q=node/541

Next up, that other Jason guy is going to be hosting the second (monthly) Austin Bike Pub Crawl, this time as a Fun-Fun-Fun-Fest-eve event. Meetup time is 5pm at the Crown and Anchor, leaving at 6. If you’re not the racing type you should swing by and have a brew with these cats. I missed the last one but the photographic evidence leads me to conclude they had a killer time. http://www.atxbs.com/?q=node/529

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Saturday (8th):

MELLOW SWAP! From what I gather it’s Frankenbike for industry reps and insiders. $50 will get you a table if you want to sell, but if you want to buy it’s FREE FREE FREE! Live music, free beer, free BBQ, and a whole lot of real classy sounding gear to finish that weird bike project that’s been kicking around your workshop/livingroom/shed for the last who knows how long. I’m hoping to complete my wife’s new road bike on the cheap, so I’ll be there. Here’s what one of the guys from MJs sent me about the kind of gear they’ll have for sale:

“We'd been holding back a little waiting for everyone to secure their spot for Mellow Swap before we released a list of attendees. This is just a partial highlight reel. In fact, lots of used stuff that will be coming in from out of town and certain peoples garages that needed to be cleaned out..

We'll be turning loose at least 8 mid-80's NOS road frames on the cheap that will convert to fixie nicely. We also found some used tri spoke wheels to sell. We have a few vintage sellers coming too that are promising to bring out their best.

Mellow Swap at Mellow Johnny's This Saturday November 8 • 9-5 Shopping is free to the public.

New stuff, vintage stuff, fixie stuff, and gear from brands like:

Oakley, Brooks, Speedplay, Sidi, Pearl Izumi, Mavic, RVCA, Giordana,Sugoi, Giro, and more! See what else.

For your swapping pleasure, there will be BBQ, beer, and music.

Mellow Johnny's Bike Shop 400 Nueces St. Austin, Texas 78701
512 473-0222”

Sounds ok by me. See y’all there for the free beer and grub, if nothing else. ;) http://www.atxbs.com/?q=node/516

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Sunday (9th):

Finally, Annie P is hosting another of her one-of-a-kind bike riots this upcoming Sunday. The ride meets up at the Draught House around 6pm for a beer or two before departing for an art show in the downtown area. Go hang with these kids for a brew and then catch some culture afterwards. http://www.atxbs.com/?q=node/568

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That’s it from me. It’s supposed to be beautiful out this weekend so expect to see me tearing around on a bike doing things I shouldn’t be doing. See you on the streets!

Jason