Bike Fort Collins

The grand opening of the Fort Collins Bike Library is just two weeks away and we’re looking for a few good volunteers.

Saturday, April 5, 2008 is the grand opening day that we start loaning bikes to the public free of charge. That’s right, free of charge! How do we do it? The answer lies with an ancient Chinese proverb. “One man is not an army, but many men are a force.”

This program works because of the great collaboration between the men and women of this community who care very deeply about getting more people on bikes.

How’s the library work?
A.    Anybody gets a free membership with a valid ID.
B.    Sign a waiver.
C.    Check out a bike.

It’s that simple. This is one of the few libraries that offers a cool breeze upon check out.  

We plan to have a fleet of about 100 bikes by the grand opening. The ultimate goal is to offer more than 300 bikes of different shapes and sizes, including cargo trailers and kid’s trailers, all over town.  Honestly, this is one of the most immediately gratifying ways that I’ve experienced to get our friends, visitors and fellow neighbors to enjoy our wonderful town by bike.

We’re looking for volunteers to have some fun at the Café Bicyclette location in the Old Town Kiosk, (the ice rink during the winter). We’ll need help registering new bike library members, checking out bikes, fitting helmets, singing songs, etc. We’re asking for help during the following times.

Fridays (Beginning the weekend of April 11th)
and
Saturdays and Sundays (Beginning April 5th)
10:00 AM-12:00 PM
12:00-2:00 PM
2:00-4:00 PM
4:00-6:00 PM

We’re very flexible and we welcome anyone, even if they can only contribute once or twice a month.  Of course, if someone would like to help out more then that’s great too! As a side note: We’re conveniently located across from the Ben and Jerry’s ice cream shop. What complements bicycles better than ice cream?

Please contact Chris P. to volunteer, or for more information regarding the Fort Collins Bike Library.
Chris.p@bikefortcollins.org
or
info@bikefortcollins.org

See you on April 5th!

Posted by Chris at 12:24 PM | Permalink

Our friends at FC Bikes will host a St. Patrick's Day bike parade this
Saturday, March 15th, at 9:30 AM. Grab your green, decorate your bikes
and don the most exciting clothes that you can find. Just make sure to
wear green or prepare to get pinched.  Do you play the fiddle or the
penny whistle? Get your friends to pull you in their bike trailer
while you play and dance the Irish jig. Are there any leprechauns in
the Fort Collins community?

The parade departs from the Armadillo's parking lot, (354 Walnut), in
Old Town Fort Collins. Come out and show the rest of the Fort Collins
community how fun cycling can be. Click here for directions to Armadillo's in downtown Fort Collins.

I'll be the one carrying the pot of gold.

Sláinte,

Chris P.
info@bikefortcollins.org

Posted by Chris at 12:11 PM | Permalink

Is that a bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich? It can be, if you bring your own.

Bike Fort Collins will host another Bicycle Lunch Talk next Wednesday, March 12th, from 12:00 to 1:30pm. Bring a lunch to this BLT event for an informative and safe place to voice your opinions, concerns, likes and dislikes about the simple pleasures of riding a bicycle in Fort Collins.

This month's topic is pro racing. Don't miss this discussion if you're interested in racing, or if you're just curious about the racing scene in Fort Collins. Did you know that some Fort Collins pro racers are poised to garner national and international recognition?

Even if you don't care about racing, but you love bikes, you should come down anyway. These discussions are informal and offer a wonderful opportunity to meet like-minded cycling enthusiasts. We had a great showing last month and shared some wonderful ideas. Future topics will include, but are not limited to:

Getting involved: Making a difference in the Fort Collins cycling community.
Bike Commuting: Basic and advanced.
The Bike Library for non-readers.
Best Rides in Fort Collins.
Adventure cycling...and much more.  

Pack your lunch, jot down your ideas, your questions and concerns, and pedal down to the Home State Bank at 303 East Mountain Avenue. Meetings are held in the community conference room in the lower level of the bank. We're just diagonal from the Fort Collins Food COOP.  Bring your own BLT to the BLT. See you there!

Chris Pranskatis
chris.p@bikefortcollins.org

Posted by Chris at 09:44 PM | Permalink