Ken Steinhoff spent more than 40 years in the ink-slinging newspaper business where he had a license to be nosy. Palm Beach Bike Tours renewed that license in his retirement years. The blog is ostensibly about cycling, photography and using GPS technology to figure out where you're going and where you've been. It's really an extension of his lifelong effort to tell the stories of "ordinary people doing ordinary things", which sometimes turns out to be pretty extraordinary. If all that sounds like something in which you might be interested, please sign up for the PBBT RSS feed to keep in touch.
I’ve been on a bunch of group rides, including the Freakbike Militia’s Friday the 13 Ride in March, but the July 1 Summer of Love ride was the most fun I can ever recall.
The Summer of Love Ride – The 60’s without the teargas
Some assembly required
The bikes starting gathering near Southern and Flagler some time after 6 P.M. In a lot of cases, “some assembly is required.” That’s OK, though, because everyone wanted to see who had cooked up something new.
Kid Adam was saying he wished they had one of these rides every week, but one of the long-time FBMers (Freak Bike Militia) said that it takes at least three months to build some of the more exotic bikes. That’s why the next event will be around Halloween.
Don’t let “Militia” scare you
These aren’t wackos with guns waiting for Armageddon. These are wackos with regular jobs and families who like to ride bikes they build from scratch. Oh, yeah, and have a good time.
Some of them build high bikes that are tall enough that the rider could dunk a basketball without stretching much. Others are lowered until they almost drag the ground.
Hippie Shower model
There was one that combined the high-rise effect with a pump that kept water running into a “hippie shower.”
I asked the rider what she’d do if she took a tumble and all the water spilled out.
“I’d have bigger things to worry about than spilled water,” she answered.
Theme was Peace and Love
It’s a little disconcerting to see clothes that you used to wear considered costumes these days, but I guess that’s life.
I’m ready to state without equivocation that I never wore any tie-dyed clothing. In case my memory has passed along WITH the 60s (both my age and the Decade), I’m sure Wife Lila will correct me.
60’s spirit lives on
Here’s a couple who may not be old enough to remember the 60s, but they certainly managed to capture the spirit of those days.
Despite the appearances, this was NOT a bicycle built for two.
The Public Display of Affection broke up before the Hippie Showermobile was wheeled over to cool them off.
Tandems and Trail a Bikes
Little Dillon Shreve was all helmeted up and ready to pedal.
There were several youngers on tandems and Trail a Bikes.
Raffle tickets were given out to every rider who was wearing a helmet to promote safety.
Good vibes were infectious
The best part of the ride was not just the camaraderie of the group, it was the good vibes that radiated from it.
This was a ride that brought smiles to the faces of everyone it passed. Joggers, fishermen, dog walkers, everybody gave a smile and a wave.
Critical Mass without the attitude
Some riders would go ahead and block intersections so the group wouldn’t get split up by red lights. Instead of honking impatiently, drivers would pull out their cellphone cameras and take pictures.
Maybe it’s just hard to get PO’ed at a bunch of folks wearing funny clothes riding on funky bicycles.
I don’t want to step on any toes here, but everything I’ve read about Critical Mass rides has led me to believe that they send a message of us vs. them and projects a chip-on-the-shoulder attitude.
This ride, though, had to make people think, “Wow, I wish I was out there. That looks like a blast.”
Rains held off
When I left the house, there was an 80% chance of rain with dark clouds all around.
Except for a few sprinkles, we made it all the way downtown, through CityPlace and to the Fountain in front of where the old library was without getting rain.
There was just enough time to chow down on some biker food, play a few games, make a few announcements and then the Monsoon God visited. Not only did the skies open up, but the winds whipped the rain around like a mini-hurricane.
Everybody headed for cover for about 15 minutes, then what was left of the roughly 115 participants left in a light rain for the starting point.
It’s times like these that make me glad I always pack rain gear. I actually enjoyed the ride back in the sprinkles.
A small nit to pick
If I had to say there was anything that bothered me, it was the number of riders who didn’t have headlights and taillights. Maybe they didn’t think they needed them when they were in the middle of a large group of riders who DID have them, but the rain fragmented the riders enough that there were some awfully dark bikers on the road.
I would have hated to hear about one of the riders who had been having such a good time earlier getting hit by a motorist who couldn’t see him through the combination of a foggy window, rain and dark. It was particularly dangerous because the motorist could have been concentrating on the bikes WITH lights and not notice an unlighted bike until it was too late.
Freakbikers put the fun back in biking
First-time riders Kid Adam and George Primm said they’d be back. I sure wouldn’t miss it. Freaks put the fun back in biking.
I ran into a guy riding a high-rise bike on the Lauren Katzenstein Celebration Ride Sunday. We talked bikes a few minutes and then he said, “I think I know you from somewhere. Oh, yeah, you were at the last Freakbike ride.”
After I determined that he had liked my coverage, I confessed that I was the guy.
He suggested I check out the ride notice on the Freakbike Militia web site.
The Summer of Love Ride is July 1
Here’s Kenny P’s info
Some ol’ Hippy told me about the Freakbike Militia’s Groovy little cruise coming up on Wednesday, July 1st, 7:00pm at the corner of Southern and Flagler.
Yeah Man, said it was some sorta “Summer of Love” 60’s Ride. A Freakstock kinda thing with Peace signs and Tye Dye, The Doors and Hendrix, Choppers and Cruisers, Woodstock and Mini skirts, Go-Go Boots and John Lennon glasses, Tall Bikes and Low Riders, Dead Heads and Electric Kool-Aid…….You get the idea.
Meeting at 7:00pm and leaving at 7:30pm sharp. 60’s attire is highly encouraged, c’mon, support your local Goodwill store!
Headlight and taillight are mandatory, helmets are encouraged, mandatory (by Fl. law) for the kiddies 15 and under.
This is an unsupervised ride at your own risk deal, we need to police ourselves to keep this ride going,
if you see someone being a Gomer, call them on it and tell ‘em why.
**The crossing over the yellow line or blasting down the sidewalks and yelling at pedestrians and drivers that sorta stuff.
This will be the original route, through City place, down Clematis to the Fountain, and returning the same route.
There will be dumb games and the transfer of the FBM Cup. C’mon out and get your groovy on with the Freakbike Militia.
“Peace, Love and Freakbikes”
These are mellow folks
Don’t let the name Freakbike Milita scare you off. These are nice folks who spend a lot of time fixing up their bicycles, some of which are legitimate pieces of art.
Some are families with lots of riders bringing their kids.
[Note: I DO resent them saying that 60's duds are available in thrift shops. I've got stuff of that era in my closet. I won't say that it'll still fit, but it's hiding in a corner.]
The Seventh Annual Lauren Katzenstein Celebration Ride attracted more than 400 registered riders Sunday morning, June 28, 2009.
The event celebrates the birthday of Lauren Katzenstein, a high school sophomore who was killed by a reckless, unlicensed driver while she and her father were participating in the MS150 Breakaway to Key Largo charity ride in 2003.
Lauren’s birthday was the last day of June, so it was decided to schedule the ride for the last Sunday in June as a celebration of her life. You can read more about Lauren here.
Here’s a video of the start of the ride.
Temperatures were into the 90s as the morning went on and the humidity felt like it was about 110 percent, but there was a slight cloud cover that offered some relief. Riders had the option of riding 10, 22, 40 or 62 miles.
Where’s my palm tree?
The rest stops were staffed by friendly and enthusiastic volunteers, although I was somewhat let down by some of the teenage girls who were working the Delray stop. I had them pretty much convinced that the only way I’d make it would be if they would cut down a palm tree and run alongside me making shade. They must still be working away at that palm tree with their nail files, because the promised shade never materialized.
The Delray stop had what was billed as WATER and GATORADE bananas (see pictures), but they tasted like regular bananas to me.
Crashes are part of cycling
There were some minor scrapes in the first mile while the pack of riders got sorted out, but the group soon got it together. Two riders at the south end of the course were taken to the hospital after a crash, but I don’t know how seriously they were hurt.
In addition to the well-equipped rest areas, a wonderful BBQ chicken dinner with all the fixin’s was waiting at the end. Ice-cold watermelon slices were especially welcome.
Here are pictures along the way
(We’re experimenting with a new plugin. Click on a thumbnail to bring up a larger version. Once the image is on the screen, you can hover your mouse over the left or right side of the picture to bring up an arrow that will take you to the next or previous picture. To return to the thumbnails, click “behind” the picture to return to the web site. )
What was billed as the 30th Annual Tour de Bar drew hundreds of bike riders and imbibers to local bars in the north Palm Beach County area, according to Darren Ayoub, a participant who was kind enough to send us these pictures.
Crowds gathered at The Brass Ring on U.S. 1 around noon
Darren did a great job dealing with the heat, humidity and party riders. He managed to stay upright and well-focused in his mission of covering The Tour.
Riviera officer was helpful
At one point, Darren said, the bikers were having problems crossing busy U.S. to to get to their second destination, Bettyann’s Bar. An officer pulled up, blocked traffic with her car and helped the participants cross the street.
She got on her car loudspeaker and offered a friendly piece of advice: “Lock your bike to something or it won’t be here when you get back.”
Inlet Harbor Bar / Liquors had it together
The folks at Inlet Harbor Bar / Liquors on Blue Heron Blvd. were ready for the large group of thirsty riders. They had portable bars assembled outside to serve cash-only customers.
Establishments participating
The Brass Ring Pub, 200 N. U.S. 1, N. Palm Beach
Bettyann’s, 2941 Broadway, Riviera Beach
Inlet Harbor Bar / Liquors, 146 E. Blue Heron Blvd., Riviera Beach
Down Low Pub, 237 E. Blue Heron Blvd., Riviera Beach
Sailfish Marina, 98 Lake Dr., Palm Beach Shores
Portofino Italian Grill, 2447 N. Ocean Dr., Riviera Beach
Who toured de bars?
Darren said the 300-some riders ranged in age from 21-year-0lds to “some who could qualify for senior discounts at the movie theaters.”
Several riders, he observed, wore shirts commemorating the 15th Annual, 25 Annual and 30th Annual Tour de Bar. (He had no clue if the event had really been celebrated that long or if the bar tourers use a different calendar than the rest of us.)
Some first-time riders had TDB Virgin scrawled on their arms in magic marker.
One team rode for a serviceman in Iraq
Darren said that there were several teams – or at least groups of people who wore similar clothing.
One group dressed as pirates, complete with swords, pistols and eye patches. One even had a fake parrot on his shoulder.
Another group, dressed in camouflage shirts with “GI Jim” on the back had printed, “Riding for Sgt. Jim Lashey serving in Iraq.” At one stop, the team shared a video call with the distant soldier, Darren said.
I guess I’ll have to show up next year. It sounds like a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
I had some real qualms about posting this event, particularly after promoting the Lauren Katzenstein Celebration Ride where the registration fees go to MADD to support its campaign to make our streets safer.
If someone hadn’t asked for information, I wouldn’t have bothered.
2009 Tour de Bar Palm Beach Ride Details are Sketchy
Here is an email I received second-hand.
Hello All —
Dust off your bikes and take a few practice rides around the block. One of West Palm Beaches best days is back.
BICYCLE, BICYCLE — I WANT TO RIDE MY BICYCLE!!
TOUR DE BAR June 27th NOON TIME at Brass Ring Pub on Northlake.
Previous years have had as many as 400 participants and ten pub stops (CHEAP DRINK SPECIALS). If you would like to join the festivities, be at the Brass Ring Pub at 12:00pm.
Tardy riders should head South on US 1 to meet up with the hoards of hyper riders. If you are really late, head East on Blue Heron and cross the bridge towards the ocean — we’ll be at the Sailfish Marina.Then it’s time for voodoo buckets at Portofino’s before ending the day at Hilton Singer Island.
Let me know if you have any questions. And as always, pass this email onto anyone I may have missed.
Stuff that’s not clear
According to everything I can find, the Brass Ring Pub isn’t ON Northlake; it’s at 200 N. U.S. 1, North Palm Beach, FL. (See map below.)
I had questions and emailed the original sender, but have received no reply.
Ken Steinhoff spent more than 40 years in the ink-slinging newspaper business where he had a license to be nosy. Palm Beach Bike Tours renewed that license in his retirement years. The blog is ostensibly about cycling, photography and using GPS technology to figure out where you're going and where you've been. It's really an extension of his lifelong effort to tell the stories of "ordinary people doing ordinary things", which sometimes turns out to be pretty extraordinary. If all that sounds like something in which you might be interested, please sign up for the PBBT RSS feed to keep in touch.
Some assembly required
These aren’t wackos with guns waiting for Armageddon. These are wackos with regular jobs and families who like to ride bikes they build from scratch. Oh, yeah, and have a good time.
Hippie Shower model
It’s a little disconcerting to see clothes that you used to wear considered costumes these days, but I guess that’s life.
60’s spirit lives on
Tandems and Trail a Bikes
The best part of the ride was not just the camaraderie of the group, it was the good vibes that radiated from it.
Some riders would go ahead and block intersections so the group wouldn’t get split up by red lights. Instead of honking impatiently, drivers would pull out their cellphone cameras and take pictures.
Rains held off
