The week in review, and the MADNESS ahead...

The full moon cruise was AWESOME! We went south west again, winding our way out to Barton Creek Mall for a short breather before cutting through the West Side neighborhoods to bomb Red Bud Trail back into town and zoom over to the east side for a keg of beer. I split at that point because I managed to crack the main weld on my tall bike frame (RIP), but was still able to limp the bike home at a slow steady pace without castrophy occuring. Despite the imminent threat of drizzle (which ended up catching us around 5am) a good number of cyclists showed up for this most epic of rides, and I don't think there were any major crashes at all! Talk about an auspicious evening for Damon's birthday! Great times, y'all. Can't wait 'till next month.

Last night's Bicycle Advisory Council meeting was also pretty excellent. First off, Tommy Eden may look slight of stature but that man is a freaking BULLDOG, and his tenacity at holding the city and state people who control our streets to their task knows no bounds! I love watching him work. Second, I'm excited to hear that we're looking at some BIG bicycle improvements all over town, and not only on the CoA controlled streets, but also on the big TXDoT map. Just to give you a taste, here are some areas that they said would be getting cycling-friendly improvments: South Congress, South 1st, Riverside (from I-35 to Lake Shore), MLK (bike lane!), 620, 183A, S. Mopac, Parmer, McNeil, Yager Ln, Nuchols Crossing, and several others I don't recall. WOAH!!! N. Lamar Blvd (from 183 to IH-35) was mentioned, but unfortunately it's not slated for improvement due to several mitigating circumstances, including a big ditch on each side of the road. Ah well, one can hope. The BAC wants to have City Council approve of the new Bicycle Master Plan at their meeting on May 21st (bike month!), and so leading up to that there will be several more Plan exibitions, including one before the Urban Transportation Comission (April 14th), the Parks Board (April 28th), and the Planning Comission (May 12th). They're really trying to cross all their Ts and dot all their Is before getting the final approval from the city. Great job, y'all! The last thing that was discussed (and the one I'm most excited about) was the planned "Bike Boulevard" that's planned for Nueces from MLK down to 3rd Street. "Bike Boulevard" is a rather nebulous term, but the drawings I saw have me excited. The plan includes the removal of a lot of the stop signs, modifications to better protect cyclists and prioritize them as traffic, wide bike lanes, nice shade; talk about a DOPE commute! Jason Fialkoff has been interning with the city and putting a lot of work into the plan, alongside the main Bicycle/Pedestrian Engineer Nathan Wilkes. Thanks guys.

Ok before you read too much further, it would probably behoove you to (depending on age) queue up this, this, or this in the background and just let it run.

Got your music cranked? Ok, good. Here we go...

As of TODAY SXSW is in full swing! Since I didn't sell a kidney or pony up sexual favors to get a wristband I'm going to be on the outside looking in (as usual), but don't despair if you're in the same boat, because we've got a whole roster of amazing events coming up to keep you entertained, sloshed, and partying for the next two weeks.

Tomorrow (14th) you have your choice of the Bicycle Rally for Chris Riley at 10:30am, (cancelled due to weather) the Yellow Bike Project Race/Fund raiser/Event of Awesome starting at 1:00pm (and going late into the night) at The Compound, the Bike Hugger Mobile Social ride at 2:00pm (with FREE BBQ at 4 for riders), and finally the Bikes Across Borders fund raiser at 8:00pm in the vicinity of Club DeVille! Of all the events going on I really want to highlight the Yellow Bike Project and the Bikes Across Borders fund raisers. These are two amazing local organizations in dire need of financial aid, as both are under immediate threat of losing their current locations. Thankfully the YBP people look like they're going to be starting building within the next 2 months so they'll have a place to go, but they still need ducets to make it all work. Show up and give big, y'all!

Make sure you go home at some point Saturday night/Sunday morning and catch some ZZZZZs, because Sunday (15th) is going to be just as loco! The day starts with Sexy Sunday fixed gear/BMX trick sessions at 1:00pm, Bike Polo at Eastwoods Park around 4:00pm, and if you're Dr. Manhattan you can also make it out to the Chris Riley Bicycle Scavenger Hunt at the Capitol, also starting at 4:00pm.

Tuesday (17th) brings us the Midnight Ridazz Lucha Libre Ride. This one's getting its' own paragraph, because it's just that freaking badass. 9:00pm at Donn's Depot is the place to be, and a mexican wrestling mask is the thing to wear. If you don't have one, here's a hot tip: the 290 flea market has 'em at the stall right across from the religious dude's shit, and they're only $5-8, depending on if it has a cape or not. There are nicer ones to be found at the flea market for $12-15, but if you're on a tight budget go hit up the lady I mentioned. She said she'd have even more selection this weekend, so get on it! If that's not enough convincing there's going to be a keg and a wrestling ring at the end of the ride, and if the rumor is to be believed, more banana pudding than you've ever seen in your life. GNARLY!

Not to be left out of the fray, Mellow Johnny's is going to be hosting Cold Sprints (roller racing) on Wednesday (18th) at around 7:00pm. They'll have cheap booze and spectating is free, so cruise on down and watch people sweat for about 2 minutes at a time.

Next Friday (20th) is the AUSTIN PREMIERE of the Macaframa movie. If your idea of a good time on a bike is riding in backward circles and pulling off small, shaky jumps while killing a case of PBR/Lonestar/whatever, then you'll want to be there. Even if it isn't there's going to be a race before-hand, so why not come out and show the fixed-gear freestylers what's up? The event begins at 5:00pm with the race registration, race starts at 6, and the premiere goes down at 8.

Saturday (21st) has a pair of excellent events in store for you, both occurring simultaneously. Thankfully one ends early, so if you want to make both it's no big deal. First off (since they told me about it first) is the Bacon Bike Ride at 2:00pm "where Chicon meets the river." This event combines 2 of my favorite things, and the only one you'll need to bring is the bike. There'll be bacon a-plenty waiting for you. Also starting at 2:00pm is the Black LAbel Bike Club's Death By Bike Fest 2009! There'll be music, events, the "ramp of death", and of course BIKE JOUSTING! I got called out on the Full Moon Cruise so expect to see me out there on a tall bike getting knocked around by a bunch of scummy punk rockers. Shit'll be so fucking cash.

Sunday (22nd) is the final day of SXSW, and also the final day I'm featuring in this entry. It looks like a good end to a crazy week-and-a-half, also: First up is the Rubber Tramps Debutante/Coming Out Ride at 1:00pm on the Ped Bridge. As the flyer says, dress to impress! Later that night is the PSBC's Wild Stallyns Most Triumphant Race, starting at 6:00pm at Drungo Ice House. These guys always throw a killer race, so plan on being there. It'll be good for you.

Damn, if I survive this week it'll be solely by the grace of God. See y'all on the streets, and if you happen to bump into a funky smelling, haggard, heavily tattooed and scarred biker on a burly fixed gear or a rusty BMX, say howdy.