dots and spaces

Tokyo Bike Parking

What a brilliant and creative solution solve bike storage needs. When I think about the contrast between planners in the UK and those in Japan and wonder if such a creative solution to an urban issue would ever be employed here. I also admire the way these inventions are adopted and used.

Design is there to offer unity between the different stakeholders, and find common solutions. I think in the UK,  the emphasis always falls one way or the other, and users are often left bemused by schemes imposed in an often heavy-handed way. Despite its sophistication, there's a simplicity to this bike park which is worth noting.

cycle lock

Tony Pereira's Magical Locking Bicycle from j. dunn on Vimeo.

Some really good ideas make you slap your forehead and go "duh, why didn't anyone think of that before?"

Strong Island Summer Bike Ride 2009

Strong Island Roundabout from Tristan on Vimeo.

Had a lovely ride out with Neil, Charlie and Emil on the back, joined in the fun of around a hundred cyclists riding an eight mile stretch along the seafront and through Southsea. Some photos here and a link to the Strong Island website, where you can find a few more films and photos of the event. A great website, fast becoming the best way to find out what's happening in Pompey. www.strong-island.co.uk

London to Brighton

Yes, for the third time of asking, I will be heading out from London on the road to Brighton with the cycling thousands. Not too many days left, but I'm off dairy and won't have a beer until its over. The ride takes place on Sunday 21st June and my start time is 8.30am. Please sponsor me at http://www.justgiving.com/getonthebike raising money for the British Heart Foundation, a great cause - I'm sure you'll agree. I'll post up some photos, and hope to capture a little video. Thank you in advance for you kind support. You might even have noticed the widget on the side of the blog, keeping you up to date with how much I've raised.

Howies film

I have been buying howies t-shirts for years now, they're fun, comfortable and quite expensive. My Cardigan connection means that I've been able to pounce on some seconds and sale items, and I've even had the occasional splurge. I really enjoy the catalogue, which has always got a few interesting things to say alongside the pictures of people looking lively and active wearing the gear. There is this slightly naisal smugness sometimes, and it would be nice to see the human side to them, I like to see imperfections me, it's reasurring. Sometimes they come across badly, indulgent and aloof, but every now and then they do something like this photo project and you think good on ya. Bit sad, as I lost my nice Howies woolley hat, man it kept my bonce warm, but it got half-inched in a restaurant in London. boo. Anyway, enjoy the film, nice print technique.

Trackosaurus Rex and Tweed

Photo - Kit Oates - full set here.

I don't even think I qualify as a fakenger, maybe a wanna-be fakenger? There seems to be plenty of internet chatter about the rise of courier culture - fixies, bags, rolled up jeans, rapha caps. I stand guilty as charged. In fact I'm still saving up for some of these things. I don't think they notice me so much here on the south coast, but fakengers have infiltrated the London scene and are even turning up to messenger events...and even winning. I also wear Vans, but don't have a skateboard. That's pretty awful too isn't it?

Anyway, I wanted to have a run around some of the cool sites that I've found whilst searching for the chic that'll make me look good on a bike. (I need work). Trackosaurus Rex is a great site, with tons of videos of people doing crazy stuff on bikes and the low down on new bits and pieces - wheels, clothes, frames etc. I'm also dipping into City Cycling which has a load of issues of its on-line mag with great articles about bikes (of all kinds).

I'm also waiting in eager anticipation of The Tweed Cycling Club, I'll be on the lookout for a dapper pair of plus-fours. In fact there are some fantastic videos of the former tweed wearing cycling masses. Go seek at thebikeshow.net - these were originally posted at The Chap - purveyors of fine moustache themed gentlemanliness.