Six Day Brisbane Final

Six Day Series Final Brisbane. Bicycles Create Change.com. 26th April, 2019.
Image: Six Day Series

On the weekend I went to the Anna Mears Velodrome for the Six Day Series Final Brisbane.

OMG.

It was AWESOME!

I’ve never been to Six Day cycling event before. I was there at the invitation of World Bicycle Relief (Australia). It was my pleasure to help them out for the event. Not only was I supporting a good cause, but I got to watch some incredible racing, meet my favourite inter/national cyclists, chat with some big-wigs and mingle with cycling-mad punters all night! Horray!

The Anna Meares Velodrome is the perfect stadium for this kind of event. I was stoked to see some of the world’s best track cyclists in live action – especially how they whiz so confidently around the 48-degree velodrome banks – eck!

There are excellent views and seating all around the outside of the track as well as a walk tunnel that went under the velodrome and let you into the centre. Inside the velodrome, there was a bar, a few trade exhibitions, the DJ stage, the podium/race ramp, and activities on one side, and the athletes compound on the other.

As support of the riders and in the spirit of the event, I wore my recycled bicycle parts and inner-tube outfit. This outfit includes a cog steampunk-style hat, a bodice of inner tubes interwoven across the front, a bike chain chandelier belted skirt and a necklace of made of inner tubes and BMX parts. A genuine (be)spoke outfit! (*aw dad!*). It was the perfect thing to wear. Lots of people stopped to ask about it and see the details. It was lovely to see how much people appreciated the effort, materials and appropriacy of the outfit for the event.

Six Day Series Final Brisbane. Bicycles Create Change.com. 26th April, 2019.
Six Day Series Final Brisbane. Bicycles Create Change.com. 26th April, 2019.
Image: Six Day Series

The music and light show was an unexpected bonus. The DJ played a continuous stream of banging beats supported by impressive party-style lighting. The whole overall effect was like being in the ultimate sports-and-dance club = a very exciting party atmosphere. People were even dancing. Beers, Beats and Bikes!

The place was packed each day. There were families, couples, groups of friends and kids galore. I talked to people who had come diligently every day and others who had no idea what the event was but had been given a ticket so came along to check it out. Everyone agreed it was a wonderful format to experience cycling. The atmosphere as electric, the races were so close you couldn’t help but be affected by the environment, excitement and energy of the action.

I also had the chance to chat with a few of my favorite Aussie cyclists like Amy Cure and Olympian Shane Perkins. Considering they had just finished racing and had much to do (and lots of people to talk to), I was impressed that they still made time to come into the crowd and mingle, have a chat and hang out with some of their fans after racing. What true champs!

The race formats included various scratch and points races including Madison, Elimination, Derny Racing, Women’s Omnium, 200m Time Trials and Kirin. Some of the formats like the Madison were new to me, but after I understood what it entailed (see video below), the racing took on a whole new intensity.

Cyclists like Mark Cavendish, Bradley Wiggins and Australian superstars Callum Scotson and nine-time World Champion Cameron Meyer (who won the Six Day London event in 2017) have competed at the European Six Day Series.

I had a brilliant time and will definitely go again.

A huge thank you to Dagmar, Ali, Scott and World Bicycle Relief for the opportunity to go to this event and for making my time there so enjoyable.

Six Day Series Final Brisbane. Bicycles Create Change.com. 26th April, 2019.
Six Day Series Final Brisbane. Bicycles Create Change.com. 26th April, 2019.
Amy Cure and I with one of World Bicycle Relief’s Buffalo Bikes
Six Day Series Final Brisbane. Bicycles Create Change.com. 26th April, 2019.
Six Day Series Final Brisbane. Bicycles Create Change.com. 26th April, 2019.
Six Day Series Final Brisbane. Bicycles Create Change.com. 26th April, 2019.
Six Day Series Final Brisbane. Bicycles Create Change.com. 26th April, 2019.
Image: Six Day Series
Six Day Series Final Brisbane. Bicycles Create Change.com. 26th April, 2019.
Six Day Series Final Brisbane. Bicycles Create Change.com. 26th April, 2019.
Six Day Series Final Brisbane. Bicycles Create Change.com. 26th April, 2019.
Image: Six Day Series

Brisbane Bicycle Film Festival 2019

This guest blog post by Jen Sheean is about the Brisbane Bicycle Film Festival. Onthe night, The Style over Speed crew rode from Brisbane city to the cinema at St Lucia, where the incredible cycOZ performed an infectious bicycle-inspired percussion set on arrival (see end photos). Last year, Bella and I entered our film Leki, which took out the People’s Choice Award. This year, I gave my tickets to Jen, a fellow singlespeed MTBer who had not been to the festival before. Not only did Jen have a good time, but she kindly wrote a summary of the films shown. Thanks so much Jen! See you all at the Brisbane Bicycle Film Festival next year! Enjoy! NG.

Brisbane Bicycle Film Festival 2019. Bicycles Create Change.com. 31st March, 2019.
Image: Martin Fisch

Brisbane Bicycle Film Festival 2019

Thanks to the generosity of Nina, my husband and I spent a slightly wet Friday night at the Schonell Theatre in UQ enjoying the Brisbane Bicycle Film Festival.

It was a wonderful night and very well-attended.  As I understand it, the change this year to a bigger venue meant that the previously sold-out event still had some tickets available.  This is a great development because, in my opinion, more people should head to it and see what it has to offer. 

I plan to go again!

The first half of the night saw some announcements from Mark Bailey, the Minister for Cycling (as I understand is his preferred title having moved on from being mangocube), about the newly opened Gateway Bicycle Path and some upcoming projects for more bicycle paths in the northern suburbs of Brisbane.  Announcements of more paths are always a happy thing in this somewhat cycling challenged city of ours. 

Space for Cycling is the organiser of the event and they should be congratulated on how smoothly it ran.  Their drive to push for safer ways to travel by bicycle in the CBD appears boundless – and I hope they see some decent success soon.

After the formalities, it was on to the short films competing for prizes, including the People’s Choice Award which was won last year by a film in which the indefatigable Nina was heavily involved.

Brisbane Bicycle Film Festival 2019. Bicycles Create Change.com. 31st March, 2019.
@space4cyclingbne

Brisbane Bike Bites

These short films must be no more than 5 minutes and have some connection to both Brisbane and cycling.  There was a range of approaches to these very broad criteria but that just added to the fun.

The first film was called I Love to Ride My Bicycle.  It was a spiffy 1:37 long but it had everyone laughing from beginning to end.  The concept was simple but brilliantly executed.

The next was The Gate.  Another simple concept but the credits were the real star of this film.  They were full of tongue-in-cheek references greatly appreciated by the audience – so much so that they (the film makers not the credits) took out the People’s Choice Award.

Pedal-mentry provided a fascinating look at a club that is populated by people who have customised their bicycles.  Some of the creations were totally whacky!  But the individuality shown by all of the bicycles is a testament to the creativity of their owners.

On the Fly followed a ride around Brisbane.  Then it had a cat at the end.  I really liked the cat.

Club Song Film was true to its name.  It showcased the vocal talents of a penny farthing club.  They all dressed in era-specific garb and seemed to be having a jolly old time in their singalong around the piano.

Inspired by a similar era, A Jaunty Jaunt took out first prize.  The highlight was the juxtaposition of the olde time costume and penny farthing bicycle of the main character and his meeting with his modern day counterpart.  It was a truly fun concept.

Finally, the last bite sized film was The Epic of Spring Hill.  This faux-documentary about an intrepid pair attempting to summit Spring Hill was a delight from start to finish.  The bike skills on display while riding City Cycles were impressive but I particularly liked when they decided to climb the steps up to the summit using a rope and the lead climber thought briefly about cutting the rope holding his companion.  Spoiler alert:  They did reach the summit by bike but it appears their claim to be the first to do so has been disputed.

Brisbane Bicycle Film Festival 2019. Bicycles Create Change.com. 31st March, 2019.
Image: The Bikes of Wrath

The Main Feature

These very clever short films were followed by the main feature.  The Bicycles of Wrath is a film in which 5 mates from Victoria decide to follow, by bike, the route taken by the ill-fated Joad family in the Steinbeck novel, The Grapes of Wrath

It was beautifully done and showcased the generosity of those with little to give in a way that nicely mirrored Steinbeck’s underlying theme.  I truly enjoyed it.  I’d recommend it to anyone who is interested in Steinbeck, bicycles, travel or human nature.

We left the event wondering how it is we’d never been before. 

That said, we will be there next year and I recommend you consider going as well!

Brisbane Bicycle Film Festival 2019. Bicycles Create Change.com. 31st March, 2019.
@claudia_bergs
Brisbane Bicycle Film Festival 2019. Bicycles Create Change.com. 31st March, 2019.
@space4cyclingbne
Brisbane Bicycle Film Festival 2019. Bicycles Create Change.com. 31st March, 2019.
Entertainment on arrival by cycOZ. Image @space4cyclingbne
Brisbane Bicycle Film Festival 2019. Bicycles Create Change.com. 31st March, 2019.
@space4cyclingbne
Brisbane Bicycle Film Festival 2019. Bicycles Create Change.com. 31st March, 2019.
@space4cyclingbne

Bow Bells Ring

Bow Bells. Bicycles Create Change.com. 27th March 2019.

The other day I was riding my bike along the foreshore. It was a busy day, with cyclists, pedestrians and families all out enjoying the sunshine. It made me happy and I thought how nice it would be to interact more with the environment and people around me.

It reminded me of the Bow Bells Ring project by artist Colin Priest, which was an installation commissioned as part of the 2011 London Olympics.

I really love this creative and community-minded bicycle project.

It perfectly captures everything this blog holds near and dear. So for those who have not heard of this project before – here is ye olde favorite community bike project gem. Enjoy!

What is Bow Bells Ring?

The idea is simple. UK artist Colin Priest collected 100 bicycle bells of all kind of sizes, shapes and loudness and installed them strategically along well-used public paths.

Each bell was attached to a small wooden stick and had its number and a little blurb detailing the project.

Then, each bell was installed at critical experimental points along a public route linking the Greenway, Capital Ring towpath and Stratford High Street. Visitors could download an app to get a tour map of all the bell locations.

Cyclists, pedestrians and locals could ring the bells and interact with the project however they liked. Priest found that some of the bells were modified by passers-bys (de/increasing loudness).

This project not focuses on bicycles and active transportation, but also uses recycling and low-tech approaches. It is innovative and encourages community engagement and an appreciation for the local environment.

What more could you want in a community bike art installation?!

The aim was to highlight safety and interactivity, promote use of local public spaces, increase awareness for biking and community interaction, and to bring some happy cheer to the area.

The installation followed the main bikeways through some gorgeous parklands, along a river and through the urban green spaces. The bells were also thoughtfully situated in order to reflect the environments, the surrounding locals who live there and to encourage a little more participation as people moved through the social and environmental surrounds.

Below is a video of Colin Priest explaining his project.

Bow Bells. Bicycles Create Change.com. 27th March 2019.
Bow Bells Ring Map

This project was commissioned by View Tube Art, as part of Bicycle Wheel for the CREATE11 Festival. Bow Bells was funded by the Arts Council England.

This idea would be a lovely addition to any bicycle pathway.

I’d like to see more interactive bicycle-inspired community art installations like this.

Here’s to hoping!

Bow Bells. Bicycles Create Change.com. 27th March 2019.
Bow Bells. Bicycles Create Change.com. 27th March 2019.
Bow Bells. Bicycles Create Change.com. 27th March 2019.
Bow Bells. Bicycles Create Change.com. 27th March 2019.
Bow Bells. Bicycles Create Change.com. 27th March 2019.
Bow Bells. Bicycles Create Change.com. 27th March 2019.
Bow Bells. Bicycles Create Change.com. 27th March 2019.

All images are stills taken from the two View Tube videos included in the blog.

2019 International Women’s Day

2019 International Women's Day events. Bicycles Create Change.com. 18th March 2019.
Genevieve Memory Semiotics of the Dress.

2019 International Women’s Day.

As well as wearing my The Cycle of Objectification outfit all day, I also attended a few afternoon IWD women artist events at Griffith Uni, Southbank.

I wanted to attend these events to support the showcase of feminist voices and feminist work.

I was especially keen to hear what some Brisbane feminist artists had to say and see how they were translating their explorations of feminist issues through their art practice.

A big thanks for FARC (Feminist Art Rebel Collective) and in particular Deborah Eddy and Claire Tracey.

Like me, quite a few participants had made sashes, costumes, or were dressed in IWD colours.

2019 International Women's Day events. Bicycles Create Change.com. 18th March 2019.

The first event I went to was at the Grey Street Gallery to hear Brisbane artist Genevieve Memory speak about her exhibition Semiotics of the Dress. This exhibition looked at the history and social significance of dresses.

Next were three other local artists Jodie, Ashley and Renee, who are currently exhibiting at the Machinery Gallery Windows, also spoke about their work and ideations.

From there the crowd moved to the Glass Box space. The Glass Box had a very interesting curated exhibition showcasing a number of under grad female art students. It was a very interesting exhibition drawing on a rage of voices, experiences and issues. As well as music and artists explaining their work, the curators also explained their process and intentions for the exhibition.

There was also a live gig by Brisbane musician Taana Rose (below), which was a real treat!

2019 International Women's Day events. Bicycles Create Change.com. 18th March 2019.
Tanaa Rose

There was also a proto-installation by a duo (I am sorry, I didn’t get their names!) who have an upcoming exhibition. They created a sample of their work yet to be installed in the concourse to explain their conceptualisations and what they wanted to achieve. I really liked the outdoor/interactive aspect of this presentation. It great to use the art college public space to share art with passers-by.

I really enjoyed all the artist talks and have a new appreciation for the amount of work and thought that these talented artists apply to their practice.

2019 International Women's Day events. Bicycles Create Change.com. 18th March 2019.
Image: Brisbane Art Guide

I was stoked to see that Louise Mayhew (Griffith Uni) had organised (for the third year) a Wikipedia-edit-a-thon. Wikipedia is one of the largest websites on the internet, with more than 40 million articles in more than 250 different languages, but women make up less than 10% of editors. This means women’s stories aren’t being told. This event is where you can edit Wikipedia to include women of note who do not currently have a presence on Wikipedia, or who are underrated, forgotten or invisible. 

 What a great idea!

I immediately started researching a range of female cyclists and bike riders who are yet to be fully recognised, or who have been forgotten in history who need to be included.

It was an action packed day full of creativity, community, and activism.

What a way to celebrate International Women’s Day!

2019 International Women's Day events. Bicycles Create Change.com. 18th March 2019.
2019 International Women's Day events. Bicycles Create Change.com. 18th March 2019.
2019 International Women's Day events. Bicycles Create Change.com. 18th March 2019.
Genevieve Memory Semiotics of the Dress.
2019 International Women's Day events. Bicycles Create Change.com. 18th March 2019.
2019 International Women's Day events. Bicycles Create Change.com. 18th March 2019.
2019 International Women's Day events. Bicycles Create Change.com. 18th March 2019.

IWD: The cycle of objectification

International Women’s Day (March 8th) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. It also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. The theme this year was #BalanceforBetter.

To celebrate this event last year, I looked at how the suffragettes had to fight to ride bicycles. What an incredible story!

For 2019 International Women’s Day, I wanted to take some direct action. So, I made an Objectification of women outfit to wear all day.

IWD: The cycle of objectification. Bicycles Create Change.com. 13th March 2019.

The cycle of objectification

The issue I am addressing is the objectification and commodification of women.

The base is a green skirt and purple top as per the International Women’s Day colours (white, purple and green). With it, I wore a necklace, headdress and a sash I had made.

The outfit is all made of recycled materials.

It uses bicycle inner tubes, wheel spokes and bike parts, broken jewellery, second-hand objects and curb-side barbie dolls.

The sash is reminiscent of a beauty pageant, yet echoes the idea that even though women may feel free to move, they are in many ways still ‘keep in line’.

The blondes are at the top, while the brunette (representing any/every ‘other’) is at the bottom of ‘the beauty hierarchy’.

The chocker necklace is made with doll’s high heel shoes to represent the awkward uncomfortablity of women’s fashion.

The headpiece mixes themes of gender expectations, worship, money, sex, religion, plastic surgery and armour together into a quasi-tiara-cum-pagan headdress.

IWD: The cycle of objectification. Bicycles Create Change.com. 13th March 2019.

What was the reaction?

I wore this outfit throughout the day. I was working across two Griffith Uni campuses on the day. This meant that I not only wore it at work and in my classes (much to the amusement of my students), but also around the academic office sand in any meetings I went to as well as on public transport going to and between campuses on the day.

The morning train ride was the most interesting. It was a packed peak-hour train and most people who were crammed in were still waking up. Some people looked at me as if I was crazy.  It did take some guts to wear this on the early morning packed commuter train.  We were sandwiched in and there was a big group of school kids who were standing behind me looking on incredulously when I asked a fellow traveller to take a quick photo.

I took a few photos throughout the day at different locations – like the one below with Captain Marvel which I just couldn’t resist– hilarious!

I was surprised by how many staff and academics asked for photos.

IWD: The cycle of objectification. Bicycles Create Change.com. 13th March 2019.

The students totally got it.

All day I had random calls of ‘good on ya!’, ‘Happy Women’s Day’ and ‘looks great!” which was lovely. I had a strapping young guy call out over the street ‘I love your headpiece!’ and wave, which was awesome.

I know I looked over the top.

I designed the headdress in particular to be a little provocative and to be a little uncomfortable to look at. I wanted my nose to ‘poke out’ between her naked legs.

There were a few design features I had built into the outfit that had a lot more meaning to it than you could get just by looking at it. The brave few who had the guts to come up and talk me were the ones who got to hear about all the intricate nuances, motifs and details.

As an ensemble, it is bright, unusual and low-tech. I wanted to mash lots of ideas together. A surprising number of people came up to chat to me about the outfit and to see it up close.

The outfit was a good way to start discussions about important women’s issues. I felt like this year I was raising eyebrows and raising awareness!

IWD: The cycle of objectification. Bicycles Create Change.com. 13th March 2019.
IWD: The cycle of objectification. Bicycles Create Change.com. 13th March 2019.
IWD: The cycle of objectification. Bicycles Create Change.com. 13th March 2019.

Holi Festival of Colours on two wheels

Holi - Festival of Colours on two wheels. Bicycles Create Change.com. 9th March 2019.
Image: Grandstyle entertainment

What is Holi Festival?

Last weekend was Holi Festival. Holi Festival is one of the most anticipated and celebrated Hindu festivals. It is also called the Festival of Colour of the Festival of Love.

This uber-participatory event traditionally celebrates unity and forgiveness. The spreading of colours represents new beginnings, and overcoming hatred and jealousy.

The festival lasts for a day and a night. It starts on the evening of Purnima. The first evening is called Holika Dahan/Choti Holi and the following day is Holi.

Holi is globally celebrated and is famous for the explosion of colours (dyed corn starch) and being a day of rejoicing and dancing.

Traditionally, handfuls of colour are thrown over people as they dance. More recently, this has been adapted to fit with a DJ set. The DJ will whip happy dancers into a frenzy and coloured powder will be thrown about and shot out of purpose-made cannons during cresendos. Damn good fun!

A main drawback of the day for me was the massive amount of small plastic bags used to package the colours – that, and too many people ‘forgot’ to put their empties in the bin …grrrrr. So, I just incorporated into my dancing a series of lunges and oh-so-coordinated-and-elegant ground sweep moves to I pick up as many as I could – back on track!

Holi - Festival of Colours on two wheels. Bicycles Create Change.com. 9th March 2019.
Image: The Weekend Edition

Brisbane Holi Bike Ride

The Brisbane Holi Festival of Colours on two wheels ride.

Each year in Brisbane, my favorite Holi Celebration is the one community event at Seventeen Mile Rocks. Last year I had a great time. It is so much fun….AND includes a bike ride! Woohoo!

This year, the Seventeen Mile Rocks Holi event was part of Brisbane City Council’s BrisAsia Festival 2019.

As well as immersing yourself in Indian culture, there is a community bike ride that starts at the festival HQ and returns in time to see the music, entertainment and frivolity begin.

This 5 km ride is a great way to bring community together and is family-friendly. The route is an easy-paced, flat, bike path ride alongside the river and is a suitable for all ages and stages.

They have a mechanic onsite who offers free bike safety checks. Traditionally, most riders wear white everyday clothing in anticipation of afternoon antics. A good general rule is not to bring any valuables, clothing or items you don’t mind getting stained, wet or damaged.

Many riders decorate their bikes and it is a fun way to get more little kids interested in riding. When I take Leki my flower bike, I am always swamped with people coming up for a chat!

Holi - Festival of Colours on two wheels. Bicycles Create Change.com. 9th March 2019.
Image: Couleurdenuitofficiel

It is lovely seeing your fellow riders dotted around throughout the day – and they often magically appear in front of you through a cloud of vibrant colour – smiling and dancing and waving to you. Awesome!

Here is a quick look at what it’s like – if you’ve been before, you know to be wear glasses and keep you mouth closed!

See you all there for the ride and festivities next year!

Video: Devin Super Tramp

CWRB Breakfast Event

CWRB Breakfast Event Bicycles Create Change.com. 4th March 2019.
Jordie and Lanz. Image: Jakazni

This week, I attended the Chicks Who Ride Bikes (CWRB) first event for the year – the Climb Every Mountain Breakfast.

Last month, I posted about this event and how much I was looking forward to it. The breakfast was hosted by Olympian and cycling commentator Katey Bates who was joined by panelists Aussie cycling legend Loren Rowney and Media guru Jane Aubrey. Unfortunately, Chief CWRB Jordana Blackman couldn’t make it. It was a great way to start the day, the morning was glorious and I really liked the early breakfast format. I got there just ahead of time, signed in and headed out onto the Ship Inn deck to grab a coffee and mingle.

The format allowed for social time on arrival for the first half an hour, then we sat down for breakfast, where we got to meet a whole new group of people at the table. Then the panel took to the stage for a discussion and Q & A, and prizes were given out at the end.

I didn’t have to rush off for work so was also able to hang around and chat some more at the end as well which was an extra bonus!

CWRB Breakfast Event Bicycles Create Change.com. 4th March 2019.

The view overlooking Southbank from the deck was a wonderful backdrop. The coffee kicked in early and people were mingling and networking. I had a couple of lovely chats to new people and made sure I sat with people I hadn’t yet meet when we sat down for breakfast.

The panel discussion was very interesting.

I like the discussion-style, open, unscripted approach. The stories, challenges and success that Loren Rowney and Loretta Bayliss each shared were poignant, heartfelt and honest. They both have had such different interests, approaches, trajectories, choices and struggles.

Loren spoke of what happened when she was selected to be on the Australian Olympic Cycling Team, how she has dealt with her infamous crash and what she has been working on since.

Loretta drew on her love of mountain climbing, the importance of her ‘tribe’ when building an IT company and the role her children have had in shaping her understandings of life and herself.

Katey was a consumate host: there were laughs and contrasts, a good variety in questions, and she expertly linked panelist insights back to the collective audience.

There is a real power in hearing personal experiences first-hand!

CWRB Breakfast Event Bicycles Create Change.com. 4th March 2019.
Image: CWRB

There were many highlights, but a few standouts were the personal nature of the event, the vulnerability of the speakers, the friendliness of the attendees, and having a social event that doesn’t involve alcohol.

My favorite aspect of this event was simply having the designated time to meet and talk to a new group of women who I would otherwise not have met – and that we all had a common passion out of which other connections, ideas and topics emerged.

A big thank you to all those who attended – and to the organisers for putting on such an enjoyable and interesting event.

What a wonderful inaugural #CWRB event to kick-start the year!

CWRB Breakfast Event Bicycles Create Change.com. 4th March 2019.
CWRB Breakfast Event Bicycles Create Change.com. 4th March 2019.
CWRB Breakfast Event Bicycles Create Change.com. 4th March 2019.
CWRB Breakfast Event Bicycles Create Change.com. 4th March 2019.

Bike Rave Melbourne – 2019 GOLD!

This time last year, I was down in Melbourne performing our roving performance The BioBike Your Future Thanks You! at the Sustainable Living Festival. This just happened to coincide with Bike Rave Melburn 2018 Pink Flamingo – which of course I went to. I took the BioBike with me, met up with some mates and got amongst it at the rave. As always, we had an absolute blast! It was awesome being back in my home town, catching up with old crew, making new friends, checking out people’s wicked pimped out rides and cruising around Melbs as the sun when down to pumping tunes – all on two wheels (*sigh*).

Gold 2019 Bike Rave Melbourne. Bicycles Create Change.com. 18th February 2019.
FB: @Bike Rave AUS

Brisbane, my dear, when are you having a bike rave?

Sat 16th February was the 2019 GOLD – Melbourne Bike Rave!

Hells Yeah!!!

Thanks to everyone who sent through pics and well wishes – I missed being with you all this year…but was stoked to see such an awesome turn out!

Bike Rave Melbourne 2019 – GOLD

If you want to read an account of what happened on this year’s ride, Andy van Bergen wrote about it and you can read it here. Hilarious!

A massive thank you to Richard Garcia, who put this sweet little edit together.

If you have not been to a Bike Rave before – you need to go!

Each Bike Rave is a little different, but essentially, they all follow a pretty similar format which I have outlined previously.

As per the organisers instructions, here’s the Melbourne’s GOLD 2019 Bike Rave details.

“Dare to love yourself
as if you were a rainbow
with gold at both ends.”


Bike Rave is a free event – but we ask you to bring along a cash donation for charity Bicycles for Humanity. We will be collecting throughout the evening.

THE MUSIC:
We have curated a whopping 4.5-hour mix from some very talented DJ’s for this Bike Rave. The mix is full of pumping party tunes to keep you dancing all night long. You should download this and put it onto an mp3 player.

Download the mix here!

Gold 2019 Bike Rave Melbourne. Bicycles Create Change.com. 18th February 2019.
@Bike Rave AUS – Soundcloud

SOUND:
Bike Rave is a DIY event. Grab an MP3 player and put the mix on it. Bring your own speakers, build a sound bike, be creative! Need sound for your bike? Get a basket and some computer speakers, or head to Jaycar, JB-HIFI, etc to set up a self-contained set. There are some great solutions from $15, and some pretty impressive creations. Just remember to charge those batteries.

BRIGHT LIGHTS:
Think bright lights, reflective jackets, fluoro hair, glow sticks, EL wire, or anything else that flashes and blinks. This isn’t just about making sure that you look awesome, make sure your bike is pimped out also.

DRESS UP:
Gold, shiny, shimmer, bling, the ol’ razzle-dazzle. We want the Bike Rave to be a shiny shimmering mess as we ride along the river into the sunset.

Gold 2019 Bike Rave Melbourne. Bicycles Create Change.com. 18th February 2019.
@nurseywursey


THE ROUTE: Click here for the route

THE WEATHER:
If it’s nice out, we ride. If it’s cloudy, we ride. If it’s raining a little, we might ride. If it’s pouring, we don’t ride. Our speakers will get messed up. If you aren’t sure, show up anyways. Someone will be there from 5:30pm to let people know if the ride is canceled.

For any photos, videos or tweets use #BIKERAVEMELBOURNE

Bike Rave was founded in Vancouver but is shared around the world.

Gold 2019 Bike Rave Melbourne. Bicycles Create Change.com. 18th February 2019.
@alleyratlowriders

RAVE RULES:
There are a few rules that we would like you to follow to ride the rave. This makes it safer for everyone and avoids problems on the night. We’ve never had an issue in the 6 years of running this event, so let’s work together to keep it that way.

Protect Your Head
Stay to the Left
Stop at Lights
Ride Straight
Don’t Hate
Pack Your Trash
Don’t Get Smashed

IMPORTANT!
We are not responsible for your safety; YOU ARE!
We have done our best to ensure that the route is well lit and safe, but it does involve a little riding on the road and in the dark and past people. We should attempt to obey all traffic laws. If we get split up, we can rejoin at one of the several stopping points along the ride, so please stop at red lights and stop signs.

Bike ravers around the world unite! See you all next year!

Gold 2019 Bike Rave Melbourne. Bicycles Create Change.com. 18th February 2019.
@Domini Foster

Gold 2019 Bike Rave Melbourne. Bicycles Create Change.com. 18th February 2019.
FB: @Bike Rave AUS
Gold 2019 Bike Rave Melbourne. Bicycles Create Change.com. 18th February 2019.
@drviney86
Gold 2019 Bike Rave Melbourne. Bicycles Create Change.com. 18th February 2019.
@andyfuturetense
Gold 2019 Bike Rave Melbourne. Bicycles Create Change.com. 18th February 2019.
@Missyk8te
Gold 2019 Bike Rave Melbourne. Bicycles Create Change.com. 18th February 2019.
@da8redbaron

Valentine’s Day: Ode to Bicycles

Valentine's Day: Ode to Bicycles. Bicycles Create Change.com. 14th February 2019.
Pablo Neruda and his wife, Matilda Urrutia. Image: Unapizcadechmha via Pintrest

Valentine’s Day is celebrated internationally as ‘Lover’s Day’.

Poems are often shared as a way to express that which we love.

This year, I’ve turned to Chilean Poet Pablo Neruda.

Neruda was a prolific poet, a political and social activist, and an international diplomat.

He had a wonderful sense of humour and wrote collections of love and life. Neruda also wrote many odes to celebrate simple daily objects that may be taken for granted, like tomatoes, salt and socks … and bicycles!

Neruda is regarded as one of the most influential voices in contemporary poetry.

He was born 1904, died 1973, and was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971.

Pablo Neruda is the focus of the 1994 Spanish speaking film Il Postino (The Postman).

This is a gorgeous film in its own right, only made better by having the lead character delivering love poems by bicycle!

Perfecto!

So for all the lovers of bicycles – and the people who ride them, here is Pablo Neruda’s Ode to Bicycles.

Happy Valentine’s Day.

Enjoy!

Valentine's Day: Ode to Bicycles. Bicycles Create Change.com. 14th February 2019.
Il Postino. Image: cranesareflying1

Ode to Bicycles

I was walking
down
a sizzling road:
the sun popped like
a field of blazing maize,
the
earth
was hot,
an infinite circle
with an empty
blue sky overhead.

A few bicycles
passed
me by,
the only
insects
in
that dry
moment of summer,
silent,
swift,
translucent;
they
barely stirred
the air.

Workers and girls
were riding to their
factories,
giving
their eyes
to summer,
their heads to the sky,
sitting on the
hard
beetle backs
of the whirling
bicycles
that whirred
as they rode by
bridges, rosebushes, brambles
and midday.

I thought about evening when
the boys
wash up,
sing, eat, raise
a cup
of wine
in honor
of love
and life,
and waiting
at the door,
the bicycle,
stilled,
because
only moving
does it have a soul,
and fallen there
it isn’t
a translucent insect
humming
through summer
but
a cold
skeleton
that will return to
life
only
when it’s needed,
when it’s light,
that is,
with
the
resurrection
of each day.

Valentine's Day: Ode to Bicycles. Bicycles Create Change.com.
Oda a la Bicicleta. Image: lesmolletsmoteurs
Valentine's Day: Ode to Bicycles. Bicycles Create Change.com. 14th February 2019.
Pablo Neruda. Image: Only Melbourne

Upcoming Brisbane Bicycle Short Film Festival

Upcoming Brisbane Bicycle Short Film Festival. Bicycles Create Change.com. 10th February 2019.
Image: Space for Cycling (BNE)

It’s on again!

The 2019 Brisbane Bicycle Short Film Festival is fast approaching.

This year, it’s on Friday 29th March at the Schonell Theatre (UQ) St Lucia, Brisbane.

This Bike Festival is a great night out and Space for Cycling Brisbane does a great job of putting this festival together.

It’s not surprising that tickets sell out quickly.

To start the night you can join the Style not Speed social ride to get there. On arrival, there is usually some bicycle-themed entertainment and a chance to mingle and chat about all things bikey.

Upcoming Brisbane Bicycle Short Film Festival. Bicycles Create Change.com. 10th February 2019.
Image: Style Over Speed (Brisbane)

The festival is divided into two parts.

The first half showcases the finalists of the Brisbane Bike Bite entrants. These are local short films of no more than 5 mins and are often the most popular part of the night.

Last year, Bella and I entered our film Leki, which ended up winning the Brisbane Bike Bites People’s Choice Award 2018.

Watch our winning film Leki here.

Best of luck to the locals entering the 2019 Brisbane Bike Bites competition!

After intermission, the second half of the festival is a screening of an international bicycle advocacy feature film.

This year it is The Bikes of Wrath.

This film’s synopsis is 2600 kilometers, 420 dollars, 30 days, 5 bikes, 3 cameras, 2 guitars, 1 voice, and one of the most influential novels of the 20th century – The Bikes of Wrath is a story of adventure, physical struggle, human connection, cultural commentary and the American Dream.

Looks super interesting!

So, if you have not done so already – get your tickets!

And see you there on the night!

Upcoming Brisbane Bicycle Short Film Festival. Bicycles Create Change.com. 10th February 2019.