Just a reminder; Durham Critical Mass is tomorrow.
Critical Mass, tomorrow
September Mass, one year behind us
This month, Durham Critical Mass turns one. At least, its modern incarnation turns one.*
To get you revved up for Thursday’s September Mass, enjoy these bike-filled scenes shot around Durham – from August’s Critical Mass ride to beautiful weekends on two wheels.
Durham Velophilia from Phillip Barron on Vimeo.
Durham Velophilia is set to the music of the Seattle-based hip-hop duo Common Market. “Tobacco Road” is the title track on Common Market’s forthcoming album (set to be released September 11th). For many years, Durham was home to John D. Loudermilk, the songwriter who penned the popular 1960s tune by the same name. Like Loudermilk’s Trans-Atlantic hit, Common Market’s “Tobacco Road” is a bittersweet reflection on youth in an impoverished South that was full of promise and low on delivery. Although Common Market’s Ryan Abeo (RA Scion) is originally from Kentucky, the powerful lyrics (see below) will resonate in the city that tobacco built.
Critical Mass and bike movies, Thursday
Once again, it comes time for the monthly celebration of countersteering, gyrpscopic, and centrifugal force. Critical Mass, Durham’s monthly leisurely-paced group bike ride through town, starts at 5:35pm on Thursday. As always, meet at Major, the bronze bull statue downtown. Confessions of car-addicts will be heard in the Port-o-fess.
After Mass is observed, two-dimensional representations of bicycles can be seen projected on the wall outside Bull McCabe’s. Yes, that’s right, an impromptu film festival of two wheeled life will liven the streets at Five Points.
At 8:30pm or sunset, whichever comes first, local musician and filmmaker Eleni Binge will premiere her latest film, Backpack Drumset. The film is a brief documentary on a car-free drummer whom many of us know — Dave Zielinski.
He is an engineer, musician, and dedicated Durham Bike Co-op volunteer. Four years ago Dave Zielinski gave up cars and embarked upon the self-described “all bicycle lifestyle.” Backpack Drumset explores how life on two wheels, even as a drummer with a kick drum, snare, and more, to transport, is not only possible but a joyful end in itself. The documentary, 12.5 minutes long, features footage and songs from Dave’s band, All Your Science, where he not only plays but masters the Backpack Drumset.
To add to the bike-themed cinematic evening, we’ll also be screening two of my short films, Bull City Bicycles and What is Critical Mass?. Come join us outside Bull McCabe’s for a beer or three plus the reel life on two wheels.
In September, Binge embarks on a nationwide tour with her husband/bandmate Rob playing gigs as Beloved Binge and screening her documentary Seeing Through the Fence. More information on Binge, her documentaries, and Porch Life Productions can be found on her website.
Download the flyer if you need to carry around a reminder.
Thurmond smiles
post Critical Mass obligatory Bull McCabes sitting
uno auto menos
Just a quick reminder that Durham’s Critical Mass is tomorrow, Thursday July 3rd. Come celebrate your right to be on the road with your bike! UPDATE: As always, Durham Critical Mass meets 5:35pm at Major, the bronze bull statue in the CCB plaza, downtown. It’s across Corcoran Street from Blue Coffee Café.
Seeing as it’s taking place the day before the 4th (the 3rd usually comes before the 4th), you might wear your favorite patriotic spandex, sparkly hat, or shoot fireworks from the back of your bike. Wait, that’s probably illegal, in which case you can scratch that I said it (though whether you do it is sill up to you). Sparklers! That’s what I meant. Yeah, bring the sparklers.
Upside-down flags, orange jump-suited Guantanamo detainee impersonators, and Native American sympathizers are also welcome.
Pro or anti- Independence Day — come one, come all.
Looks like we have some educating to do — just read the comments on this news story about a pair of local cyclists who were victims of a deliberate hit and run.
Most violence results from a failure to see what’s best in your fellow person. I ride because the world looks more interesting, more beautiful from the seat of a bicycle. And when the world is more interesting, more beautiful, it’s easier to see each other more charitably.
ANOTHER UPDATE: Yours truly was interviewed by NBC17 today for a story that ran on tonight’s newscast.
YET ANOTHER UPDATE: The video is now up at NBC17.com’s website. I want to thank Lauren, Dominque, and the camera man who strapped the camera to the back of my Xtracycle for the POV shots. Follow the link.
Critical Mass Durham, Thursday
In the spirit of making our roads safer for cyclists, of raising awareness of our presence on the roads, and to remind elected officials as well as the general public that transportation development must always include bicycles — come on out and ride with us tomorrow.
Critical Mass Durham
5:35pm, meet at Major, the bronze bull statue in downtown Durham
Pre- or post-ride Locopops? Decisions, decisions…
reminder, Critical Mass tonight
By way of reminder that Durham’s Critical Mass is tonight, check out (and vote for) this photo of the week. It’s from a recent Critical Mass in Budapest, Hungary.
hat tip to Dale for the link
As usual, meet at Major, the bronze bull statue downtown, at 5:35pm for the Durham ride.
Group bike ride part of Duke’s Focus the Nation festivities
Focus the Nation is a national effort calling for greater action, education, and awareness of global warming. From their website…
Focus the Nation will culminate January 31st, 2008 in simultaneous educational symposia held across the country. Our intent is to move America beyond fatalism to a determination to face up to this civilizational challenge, the challenge of our generation.
As part of campus-wide FTN activities, Duke University students are organizing a group bike ride. According to organizer Rob Fox, “the bike ride is tied in as a public awareness move for alternative transportation such as bikes.”
The bike ride is just part of a day-long schedule of events — click here for more.
If you want to take part in the ride, meet at Duke’s chapel, which is on West Campus. The ride starts at 10:30AM; it’s a fairly relaxed three mile route:
1. Start at Duke Chapel bus stop on West Campus
2. Go down Chapel Drive until the roundabout
3. Go down Campus Drive until Anderson St., take a right.
4. Continue down Anderson St. until Duke University Rd., take a right
5. Continue down Duke University Rd. until Cameron Blvd., take a right
6. Continue down Cameron Blvd. until Science Drive, take a right
7. Continue down Science Drive until Towerview Rd., take a right
8. Take the sidewalk leading from Wilson Gym towards the Chapel, turn left to get onto B.C. Plaza
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