Crank My Chain! - RSS Feed http://www.crankmychain.com/articles/ Crank My Chain TV ! Super Rocks Rocks Open Bike

Portland, Ore. --- Local band Super Rocks lived up to its name at this week's Open Bike show, setting the stage for a raucous and fun-filled evening that included exotic tales of Hawaiian bike adventure, a song about hot cargo bike moms, and a vagina monologue of sorts.
Here's how it went down (links below take you directly to each act)
Super Rocks opened the show with a couple of scorchers
We showed Zed Bailey's video How to Ride a Tall Bike
Jakob Grimm played acoustic guitar and sang heartfelt songs about familiar friends and places
We showed a CNN news clip from a recent Portland bike move
Emily Finch delivered a humorous monologue about Catholic birth control, motherhood and what you can't say on Ricki Lake
Andy Schmidt played a couple of songs about being a bicycle riding papa and his love of hot cargo bike mamas
We announced the winner of our weekly photo booth contest
Ted Buehler and Molly Fitzpatrick regaled the audience with bike touring tales and photos from the islands of Maui and Molokai, and shared some tropical fruit
Super Rocks played a full set to close out the show!

]]> Mon, 04 Feb 2013 23:09:09 -0700 http://www.crankmychain.com/articles/read-super-rocks-rocks-open-bike_71.html Tall Bike Jesus Hosts Open Bike Night The bike faithful congregated at VeloCult in Northeast Portland Jan 23 for an evening of entertainment and inspiration hosted by Tall Bike Jesus and broadcast live on YouTube and CrankMyChain.com.
This week at OpenBike...

  • Nathan Jones shared his story of riding 300 miles via the South Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway in a single day as part of a fundraiser to build a utility trailer for his bike.
  • We showed the Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective Chop Shop Video 
  • We announcing the CMC Photo Booth Contest! Take your photo with our sign in the VeloCult photo booth and you could win a prize :)
  • Martina Schrenke Fahrner shared a firey rant about the disconnect between the bicycle industry and real life cyclists.
  • We got all excited about Mini Bike Winter and showed their hilarious new promo.  For more info  check http://www.zoobomb.net
  • Djinn Maury wowed the crowd with his blindfolded violin prowess.
  • Filmmaker Kara Minnehan introduced her forthcoming documentary Bike Love.
  • Scott Bricker of America Walks talked about how pedestrians and cyclists share common ground.
  • Jolly Dodger presented a moving poem and video montage about ghost bikes.
  • the live jam rocked with Djinn Maury, Robert Ping, Dan Kaufman, Robert Henry, Sean Bannon and Scott Bricker

Sign up now to peform Jan 30 at Open Bike!

Open Bike is an evening of music, film and spoke'n word for bike lovers and the bike curious. This is an interactive event open to anyone who wants to participate in any way. Bring your stories, short films, musical instruments, and any special expertise or talent you want to share. We will have a PA and projector to facilitate the free fun!
7 pm Social
8 pm You Bring It
9 pm Music
Online Broadcast TBA

]]> Mon, 28 Jan 2013 14:32:21 -0700 http://www.crankmychain.com/articles/read-tall-bike-jesus-hosts-open-bike-night_70.html World Premiere of Open-Bike Night This month CrankMyChain debuts a brand new live show that will bring an open mic format to a bike-themed venue. Hosted by VeloCult in northeast Portland, Open-Bike will be an evening of music, film and spoke'n word for bike lovers and the bike curious. The show will be broadcast live on our revamped YouTube channel. This is an interactive event open to anyone who wants to participate in any way. Bring stories, short films, musical instruments, and any special expertise or talent you want to share. We will have a PA, projector and DiscoTrike to facilitate the free fun! Beer will be available for purchase.
When: Wednesdays in January
7 PM Social
8 PM Show
9 PM Music / After Party
Where: VeloCult, 1969 NE 42nd Ave, Portland

]]> Thu, 10 Jan 2013 12:50:09 -0700 http://www.crankmychain.com/articles/read-world-premiere-of-open-bike-night_69.html Bike Saturday at BikeCraft Holiday Gift Fair Are holiday hordes and crass consumerism throwing a wet blanket on your yuletide spirit? Prepare for a laugh and a refreshing take on holiday shopping in this week's featured video from Bike Saturday at the BikeCraft Holiday Gift Fair.

If you missed this fabulous event, it's not too late to support the vendors and sponsors who made it happen. Check out: http://www.bikecraftpdx.com/vendors/2012-vendor-list/ for details. Ho Ho Ho! CrankMyBeard!

]]> Tue, 04 Dec 2012 11:59:58 -0700 http://www.crankmychain.com/articles/read-bike-saturday-at-bikecraft-holiday-gift-fair_68.html Bikes to the Rescue! Now Playing: This week's featured video comes from New York, where cyclists are playing a critical role in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy and making a statement about the role of fossil fuel dependence in climate change. Bike Power!]]> Mon, 26 Nov 2012 10:18:12 -0700 http://www.crankmychain.com/articles/read-bikes-to-the-rescue_67.html Bike+Walk! Happy Walk+Bike to School Month! To celebrate, we joined the innaugural "Llewellyn Kidical Mass" with families from our neighborhood elementary school. Our principal, who is an avid cyclist, even joined our merry bike brigade, which meandered through the neighborhood streets, celebrating the fact that Kids are Traffic Too!
]]> Fri, 25 May 2012 13:10:27 -0700 http://www.crankmychain.com/articles/read-bikewalk_66.html #BikeCheck Live Webcast M-Th 9pm We are talking bikes, politics & putting the fun between your legs!
This is Two-way TV: Show us YOUR webcam!]]> Fri, 11 May 2012 14:42:45 -0700 http://www.crankmychain.com/articles/read-bikecheck-live-webcast-m-th-9pm_65.html Coast Hills Classic We're warming up for another exciting cycling season and just returned from covering the Coast Hills Classic last weekend -- our first mountain bike event of 2012!

The city of Newport brought mountain biking back to the coast this year with an awesome course featuring gorgeous ocean views, open meadows, sick downhill, gnarly single track, killer climbs, and a muddy course. Stay tuned to CrankMyChain for our forthcoming video capturing all the action, scenery and sunshine! Thanks to presenting sponsor Bike Newport for throwing down an awesome party Saturday night and showing us their amazing coastal hospitality.

Congratulations to winners Ross Brody of Lake Oswego and Sue Butler of Portland! Way to represent at the coast!!
]]> Fri, 11 May 2012 14:36:34 -0700 http://www.crankmychain.com/articles/read-coast-hills-classic_64.html #BikeCheck Live Webcast Wednesdays at 9PM (PDT)
Show us YOUR webcam!
]]> Tue, 20 Dec 2011 19:05:16 -0700 http://www.crankmychain.com/articles/read-bikecheck-live-webcast-wednesdays-at-9pm-pdt_63.html Tonight, Tomorrow: Occupy your Bike!
I went General Assembly last night to hear what was going to happen now that Occupy Portland has been given it’s eviction notice and to announce today’s 11.11.11 Occupy your Bicycle and Ride to the General Assembly (followed by War Memorial ride).  http://shift2bikes.org/cal/#11-2673
Occupy Portland General Assembly 11.10.11

There were 500 very activated people.  It was very clear that tactical retreat, which would be my inclination, is not going to happen.

The general consensus is that there needs to be a party and potluck Saturday night and camp needs to be cleaned and cleared of much of the stuff (tents and other belongings) in advance.  Occupiers want as many supporters as possible to protect and hold the camp in a non-violent fashion.

Action committees were formed.  I joined with the folks who wanted to see bicyclists and pedestrians gather and circle the park.  It was decided that we call the action Swarm after a similar action from Copenhagen Denmark.  See videos below.

Protect the occupation!  Swarm this Saturday Night Nov 12, on foot or on bicycle.
Swarm The Occupation

11pm at Salmon St Fountain (SW Naito and Salmon in waterfront park) we meet to circle and rally around Chapman and Lownsdale Squares.  Also feel free to arrive in affinity groups on the hour at the site all night/morning long.  Bring good spirits, costumes, music, street theater!

Also bring rain gear (yellow/fluorescent), warm clothing, coffee, and a festive attitude.  Don't bring drugs, alcohol or violence. Be prepared to stay up late or be called back later since we won't know when the Swarm will be needed most.  Text PDXOccupy to 23559 to receive critical updates.

Tonight’s ride should be a good warm up for tomorrow’s.






]]> Fri, 11 Nov 2011 09:40:49 -0700 http://www.crankmychain.com/articles/read-tonight-tomorrow-occupy-your-bike_62.html