SaltCycle: Salt Lake City Bicycle Culture

LADIES NIGHT!

2008-07-23T00:19:00.002-06:00

The BB, a community project in progress...

2008-07-22T14:28:00.001-06:00

Driver who killed bicyclist to serve 90 days in jail

2008-07-21T22:35:00.002-06:00

By Stephen Hunt
The Salt Lake Tribune

Pedro Sosa-Avilias was sentenced Monday to 90 days in jail for hitting and killing a bicyclist two years ago in Salt Lake County.
If Sosa-Avilias had simply remained at the scene, he probably would not have been charged with any crime, asserted his defense attorney.
Instead, the 41-year-old restaurant waiter panicked and fled.
There is no direct evidence Sosa-Avilias was drinking the night of Sept. 20, 2006, and he has always denied driving drunk.
But two of Sosa-Avilias' co-workers told police the defendant appeared to be drunk when he dropped by the Cancun Cafe earlier that evening, and he was charged with third-degree felony automobile homicide.
Uncertainty about the alcohol issue resulted in a deal with prosecutors in which Sosa-Avilias pleaded guilty in 3rd District Court to a class A misdemeanor negligent homicide.
In addition to jail time, Judge Paul Maughan ordered 24 months probation, 100 hours of community service, a thinking errors class and $5,724 restitution.
Reading from a letter Sosa-Avilias plans to send to the victim's relatives in Africa, he expressed remorse and asked for forgiveness.
Defense attorney Kendall Peterson claimed Sosa-Avilias "sympathizes with the victim and the victim's family" because both are immigrants.
Bap was Sudanese, while Sosa-Avilias, now a legal permanent resident of the U.S., is from Mexico.
Peterson had asked the judge to impose home confinement rather than jail, based on Sosa-Avilias' history of being a responsible and productive member of the community.
But prosecutor Sandi Johnson expressed concern about Sosa-Avilias' claim that he stopped, got out, looked around and saw nothing after colliding with something on 3900 South just east of Highland Drive that shattered his windshield.
Sosa-Avilias' version of what occurred is contradicted by a driver going the other direction, who said that the driver who hit the cyclist kept driving without slowing or stopping.

- http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_9949662

BLACKOUT This Saturday, July 26th.

2008-07-21T17:07:00.001-06:00

blackout: a fast paced bicycle ride with the intent not to race, but rather to push yourselves to the breaking point, the blackout.

(bring your fastest bicycle.)

original idea here: http://www.slccriticalmass.org/content/view/87/1/

Event Details.

distro flier/graphic to copy & paste:

the Smith's bike experiment III

2008-07-21T04:52:00.002-06:00

this is the final grocery store experiment. this took place at 800 s & 900 e. there now is a sign posted at the door that states "no bicycles are allowed in the store", yeah, one can't even walk one's bicycle in the store. if one tries ti do so, one will be forced to leave it up front. i hope, i was not the reason for this new enforcement. if i was, apologies to every cyclist in the state of utah.

Talked to a man about a Horse Bike.

2008-07-18T23:57:00.001-06:00

a chetti creation. more photos here:
http://flickr.com/groups/saltcycle/pool/

Also, SaltCycle has gone Myspace thanks to Kit. Feel free to friend it over here:
http://www.myspace.com/saltcycle

Spread the word, get more people on bikes. Thanks.

zed.

SaltCycle Events Move To Google Calendar.

2008-07-14T21:53:00.001-06:00

The SaltCycle Events has been moved from Yahoo! Upcoming to Google Calendar.
Here is why:
•upcoming didn't offer reoccuring events so I had to manually enter in the events each time.
•more people now have gmail accounts and can access the google calendar easier.
•the map system for google calendar puts upcoming to shame.
•the feed for google calendar looks much better.
•adding events to the calendar will be easier.
•and many, many more reasons...

I sent out an email to many of you explaining that you would have to resubscribe to saltcycle : events. You can do this by entering your email address on the right side of the saltcycle.com page and clicking "Subscribe".

Questions, comments, concerns? Send them.

-zed.

Gallery Roll Remix

2008-07-14T00:50:00.001-06:00

Gallery Roll is getting Remixed this Friday, the 18th. Bill, an avid cyclist which works with Salt Lake City's Convention & Visitors Bureau is coordinating the event with free food, a ride and an art project. I don't even know entirely what Bill has planned, so come ride and be surprised as we mix up the Gallery Roll.

event details:
http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/897860/

SLC Mash-Up: Buy Local. Bike Local.

2008-07-13T20:31:00.001-06:00

Localfirst.org provides a search engine for local businesses in Utah.

2milechallenge.com provides a 2 mile radius around your home to see what is within two miles.

Mash these two together, and you could potentially search for local businesses within two miles of your home and then bike there. Already divorce your car? Spread the word to your friends and family. Because the more people we have buying and biking locally, the better our community.

Schwinn Red Devil

2008-07-13T20:30:00.004-06:00

This is a picture of the Schwinn Red Devil. It was made in 1941, has 252 gear inches, and was said to go 108 miles per hour. The fork looks a little stange in this picture, but I think that's just the camera angle. Other pictures show a normal fork rake.

Hey!!

2008-07-12T01:04:00.002-06:00

Hey, I'm going on a mission. Here.

Chile Viña del Mar.

Tour de Slurpee! PM Gets Killed, Spirit of Consumption Remains.

2008-07-11T21:58:00.001-06:00

"Sorry, we out of the Free Slurpee," "No more cups for Free Slurpee," "Sorry, no more free slurpee".
These were the signs we got on the doors of 7-11 as we traveled in the P.M. tour and tried out free, and found out it was actually somewhere around 89¢. However, we did manage to visit four 7-11's before throwing in the slurpee, and ultimately decided to reassemble for one of the few early morning rides next year at 7:11 am alone, thus killing any more 7:11 pm runs.
Twenty people started, then many saw that hill that extends to the avenues and departed. Further frustration ensued when we arrived at the avenues 7-Eleven and confronted the 'out of slurpee' sign. Nonetheless, the cycling company was excellent, the ride was mostly smooth and next year, by the Gods of the Slurpee, we will get it all right.

Gear up girlies...

2008-07-11T15:49:00.007-06:00

Esther pondering the future of women cyclists in SLC
...or should I say gear OUT. Esther and a bunch of us are planning something BIG for all us women cyclists in SLC. Between her and me we have the perfect house for events and such so girls you better keep your eyes peeled and watch out. E and I were just talking about it and so I thought I'd throw up a pre-cursor to future fun. It's time to step out of your front door ladies and get going with us!

More to come.
-Chelsea

1 girl... 6 boys... 11 cups...

2008-07-11T11:03:00.001-06:00

It started with 7 people, 11 stops, at 7:11 am, and though the numbers dwindled the energy of the slurpee pressed them to victory. Victory for what? For slurpee glory, and because when free is free, we overdo it until near slurpee death. 2 finished, it took about 3 hours.

Some 7-11 stops left the cup grabbing to us, others had them held up at the counter. We collected our own touring 7:11p set of 39 that will be washed, cleaned and fixed for the ride tonight:

Next up: Less narcissistic 7:11 postings featuring me, me and me and more featuring everyone in the p.m. Sorry, didn't bring the camera for run one, but plan on bringing it for the second run - though I don't know if I will drink another slurpee for another 7 to 11 months, I make a good tour de slurpee! travel guide and friend. Join us!

A.M. / P.M. tour de slurpee spoke cards

2008-07-10T15:28:00.001-06:00

participants of the tour de slurpee will recieve a spoke card of their color choice. the spoke card colors available for the morning 7:11 a.m. run are: orange, yellow, red and pink.
the spoke card colors available for the night 7:11 p.m. run are: purple, blue, green and faded pink.

ride both rides in their multi-stage glory and become a yellow/purple slurpee icon among the locals.

it should also be noted that the tour de slurpee isn't a race, but more of a fast paced drowning in the slurp while shuffling from 7-eleven to 7-eleven. i nor, anyone else should have any intention of leaving anyone behind. however, i suggest printing out a map just in case: http://thezoed.googlepages.com/tourdeslurpeemap.pdf

some people change their outfits. we tour. i do encourage some sort of costumes, or wacky helmets - make it interesting.

slurp on. see many of you tommorow @ gallivan plaza 7:11a, others of you @ 7:11p, and for some of you more hardcore slurpers, both.

Do the Hustle!

2008-07-10T10:04:00.002-06:00

Perhaps you feel like dancing now, but I want a ride. Ryan, Zed, Patrick, Emilio: we've done this Hustle before and know how much fun a good-paced, unprotesting ride can be. So, the offer is on the table to organize another Hustle in the coming weeks. It'll probably be about a 15 - 20 mile loop or point-to-point late at night. Hit me back and comment if you're in or if you have any other ideas on where to go and when we should congregate. Hope to hear from all of you!! Thanks!

Ladies Night at the Collective!

2008-07-08T23:34:00.002-06:00

event details.

zed speaks on slurpees & the tour de slurpee!

2008-07-08T23:25:00.001-06:00

and now go, and practice filling your slurpee cups...

Non-Profit Business Cards/SpokeCards Being Made for SaltCycle.com(munity)

2008-07-08T14:43:00.001-06:00

(if you want some to distro, ask me.)

~~can anyone recomend a good place to print out business cards, preferably a local business in SLC?~~ Update!: I went with Presto Printing. They charge a little more than your Staples/Office Max, etc, but are local and I think they may do a better job. I did a run of 250, so we will see how fast those go to the community.....

7-11 Tour de Slurpee! Bicycle Ride

2008-07-07T23:09:00.002-06:00

UPDATE! OFFiCAL Tour De Slurpee! printable pdf map.

OFFiCAL Tour De Slurpee! flier map to share on facebook, myspace etc..

The tour de slurpee! is the ultimate ride for slurpees on 7-11 @ 7:11a and 7:11p visiting 11 locations in Salt Lake City.

On 7-11, (Friday, July 7th) starting @ 7:11a @ gallivan plaza it runs the course of 11 7-Eleven stops once totaling 16 miles. Then it breaks for 12 hours, gets back together @ 7:11p @ gallivan plaza for another 11 7-Eleven stop run and 16 miles more.

The 11 7-Elevens Locations Map

And what are we to do on these rides? Simple. Suck Slurpees! If we visit all 11 of them, that is 70+ ozs of slurpee consumption for free. Thats akin to a camel backs worth of slurpees all for free.

(bring a few bucks, and a bike lock, cause hey, you never know, the tour de slurpee is a wild ride filled with suprises..)

4 Bicycle Collective Sample Advertisement Concepts

2008-07-07T19:06:00.001-06:00

"We are trying to get more people to take our courses, so we are going to try
those smaller billboards around town. Our goal is to get people that are
hurting over gas prices to start thinking about bikes, starting with calling
us. From there we can recommend bike shops, clothing, routes, and of course
-- our classes.

Take a look at these concepts send me (not the list) the feedback, or if you
have other ideas along these lines now is the time."

Jonathan Morrison, SLC Bike Collective

send your concepts & ideas to Jonathan @ jonathan(AT)slcbikecollective.org
(replacing (AT) with @.)

End the Madness! quit getting hit!

2008-07-07T13:18:00.006-06:00

I just got out of a meeting spearheaded by Edith Welker, who was hit and robbed last month riding her bike. Edith and her group are hoping to increase the public's awareness and make meaningful improvements to biking infrastructure. To whit:

"We want to put a name and a story on the often-misunderstood cyclist (transit rider, and pedestrian) to promote mutual understanding and respect between them and motorists."

They're planning a huge critical mass and central event along 300 south for the August Gallery Stroll, Friday the 22nd. They're also looking for ideas of how to raise awareness and get the word out about the distressing number of hits around town. The Temporary Museum billboards along 300 south as well as the vacant lot of the 337 Project are both available for this endeavor. If you would like to do art in either space you're welcome to.

If you are interested in helping with this effort, doing some art, or would like more info, contact Edith: deedledee_(AT)hotmail(DOT)com to join her planning force (that underscore is supposed to be there, just so you know).

For my part, I'd like to see us step up the number of Ghostbikes in Salt Lake City to represent the number of people hit; starting with one for Edith at 300 south and 500 east. Does anyone close to her want to take up the challenge? If anyone needs materials for a ghost bike I can provide the bike and possibly the spray paint free of cost from the SLC Bike Collective. BYO chain, flowers, messages, etc. Let me know and we'll work to get them out there, cars and bikers need to be confronted by the dangers they pose/ are subject to.

Right after the meeting I rolled by Bill, who was talking with two cops after almost being hit. He told me that in case after case, friends of his have been hit and drivers have suffered zero repercussions. This is insane, and it will only get worse until bikes are considered a viable form of transport in this country.

Keep riding and put the word out.

U-bomb a Go for tonight!

2008-07-06T15:42:00.001-06:00

However, we have revised U-Bomb law. If you take a bike from the pile, you have to wear a helmet. If you ride your own bike, its your choice. The bikes are registered to a u-bomber, and we want to ensure not only the safety of the participants but avoid liability.

event details:
http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/316404

4th of July BikeWorks FireWorks.

2008-07-06T09:44:00.001-06:00

midnight mass. it was a wild ride of fireworks, bringing out around 50 people.

a zoed production (photographs by zoe, slideshow/text by zed):
http://flickr.com/photos/thezed/sets/72157606007523526/show/

all bicycle photos @ SaltCycle Group.

Should A Non-Fleeing Person Be Tackled For An Assumed Traffic Violation?

2008-07-05T02:33:00.001-06:00

police incident @ july 4th midnight mass.
half-awake details @ two a.m.

Traffic was corked.
E-bot rode through.
A random car pulled in front of him and told him he shouldn't run red lights.
The individual pulled in front of E-bot, got of his car, flipping police lights on and approached E-bot forcefully telling him to get off his bike and to get down.
Confused, E-bot asks for his Badge.
The man, determined to show his authority, tackles E-bot, again demanding he stay down, then forcefully shows the swinging badge to E-bot.
Then the officer proceeded to tell all the bicyclists to stand elsewhere.
He refused to give his name to us. (but how many slc cops working the gang division have a shaved head and a giant bushy beard like that?)
More people arrived.
Pressure grew.
Time passed, words came and went.
A hand shake between E-bot and the officer.

Feel free to clarify any of this in the comments section.

Then it was just going over the details, and wondering should a non-fleeing person be tackled for an assumed traffic violation? Furthermore, how many people does it take to handle an assumed traffic violation?

Our encounters with the guardians of law will only multiply as the numbers of bicyclists grow at our various events. This is the second encounter I have seen in recent mind, another one at Critical Mass...oh and then that cop at U-bomb.. so make that three within only a month or so.
We really need to get some information about rights out. If anyone has any good websites relating to basic rights, esp. in relation to bicyclists, drop a line in the comments. Your Rights spoke cards maybe? I remember those being passed out a while ago, perhaps we can do a reprint.

(The rest of the pictures taken of the police incident were blurry and hard to depict.)

Coming up next, the happy side of our july 4th midnight mass. Watch for the pictures here->
http://www.flickr.com/groups/629275@N21/pool/

ciao.

zed.

(Edit: psychenaut has a much more detailed description of the incident. please read it in the comments)