one of our favorite [borrowed] mottos:

"We aren't stopping traffic, we are traffic!"

Monday, October 24, 2011

Halloween Junk Ride - Thurs. 10/27 *6pm*

Halloween Junk Ride - Thurs. 10/27
meet at 10th & Main at 6pm
costumes encouraged even more than usual for the Halloween Ride!
We will ride for just under and hour and will end the ride at Kannah Creek Brewery.
It's gettin' dark early these days, so bring lots of lights, head lamps, etc. Especially for getting home after the bar!


Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Nobody said it was easy to get your kids to school on their bikes!

TOMORROW is Bike/Walk to School Day!!

Praise for the parents making an effort to get to school by bike or on foot! Because it is not an easy task!

Chris Brown's commentary on getting his kids to school by bike:
I have been riding my kids to middle school by bike everyday since it started (except for 1 rain day- don't tell anyone- shhhh.....).
They have been using different kinds of bikes to keep it interesting and to promote the idea to other parents.


They are learing a lot of things:

- My kids have no idea where their school is- or how to get home.

- Sometimes while riding, they just fall over.

- Sometimes they roll right into traffic.

- They don't teach the difference between right and left in the schools since the secular humanismist hijacked the education system. Yelling at your kid to "turn right" can have interesting consequences.

- All kids are required to carry large band instruments home everynight- You can't ride to school unless you have a trailer.

- Backpacks and lunches are huge and require racks and baskets on the bikes.

- No you can't hang the backpacks and lunches over the handle-bars and ride in a straight line.

- Buy your kids a combo lock not a key lock. Keys are too easy to lose. If you loose your mind..... that's another thing. (Always carry a large cable cutter in your sock.)

- Nobody else rides to school, so we are the weirdos.

- There are a lot of rules around the school yard about bikes that don't make any sense.

- Parents are fair game for getting yelled at by teachers for riding on side walks.
Teach your kid to pull into curb cuts at 90 degees or you'll have to buy your kid a new coat.

- Don't show your wife this list, you will never be allowed to ride them to school again.

- Make sure you leave 4 hours earlier then you need to - it still won't be enough time.

- Don't store your helmets where the cats can pee in them.

- The nightmares about your kids getting 'doored' will eventually disipate once you meet the kids at school that they hang out with.

- Even though the idea of getting all the neighborhood kids together to ride to school is beautiful, romantic, and communal..... it will make you want to burn your "It takes a Village" book by H. Clinton. - The only people that believe "it takes a village" are super interested in you raising their kids so they can sleep in. - I don't want to live in that village.

- Spend the $3 bucks to buy one of those things that goes on you ankles so your pants don't get ripped to shreds. - Then buy like 100 of them.

- Make sure you have some gas in your car so you can go pick up the bike from the school at 9:30 pm when you discover your kid rode the bus home with Eddie Haskel today. If you wait until it's dark, you can still claim to be living the dream to all the other bed-head dads that you see at the drop off-curb.

- If you leave town for a business trip.... nobody else in the world can do your commuting job. You may as well take them to Las Vegas with you.

- When your kids tell you they want to try riding their bikes by themselves to see if they can do it.....and you are so proud that they are growing up and buying into your green philosophies.... they are tricking you in some way...... maybe ride to a friends house to play video games before school starts and then jumping in a car at the last minute. Don't be deceived- they are born evil.


I'm pretty close to over-coming all of these issues and it only took two weeks. I'm not going to sugar coat it -they might call it parenting. I have no doubt that the kids in our family that survive will have very fond memories of these days, someday.






Monday, October 3, 2011

Bike to School Day ++ GVB's Bike-In Movie ++

This Wednesday, October 5th is Bike/Walk to School Day! Spread the word to teachers, parents, & neighbors! Please help the kiddos in your life get to school on their own fuel! For those not walking/biking --- PLEASE BE EXTRA CAUTIOUS ON THE ROADS THAT DAY! This is for all of our children's health & safety!

We have received Proclamations from the City & the County proclaiming October 5th as Bike & Walk to School Day!






GVB Bike-in Movie!

When: Thursday, October 13th, 6:30pm

Where: Hot Tomato's Back Yard, 124 N. Mulberry St, Fruita

Why: Ride your bikes to learn more about what GVB does to make the Valley a safer and more fun place to ride; while you're at it eat some great pizza, enjoy a movie and meet new friends.

Details: We will be re-screening Portland's "Filmed by Bike" Shorts, a movie for all ages. Door prizes and silent auction! Bike ride to Fruita will leave 10th and Main in Grand Junction at 5pm. A shuttle back to GJ will be provided after the event, RSVP required. Please RSVP to grandvalleybikes@gmail.com. For those interested in helping to shuttle for the event, please contact: grandvalleybikes@gmail.com. For more information: www.grandvalleybikes.org


Wednesday, September 14, 2011

URGENT! Email your U.S. Senators today to preserve bike funding

We have just learned of this potential devastating bill, which could effect bicycle transportation, and saftey in the Grand Valley, Colorado, and accross the United States. Click here and take action!

Federal funding for bicycling is under serious attack. Today or tomorrow, Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma will introduce an amendment to eliminate dedicated funding for Transportation Enhancements, which is the main source of funding for bike projects of all types. We need you to take action today by emailing your U.S. Senators to urge them to oppose and defeat Mr. Coburn's amendment.

If Senator Coburn's amendment succeeds, bicycling in the U.S. will become less safe and more difficult. Twenty years of consistent, cost-effective investment in beneficial bike projects will stop.

After you take action take a minute and check out People for Bikes, join their list, and help their cause. Be sure to send this email to other interested folks.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Sept. Junk Ride + Walk & BIKE to School Day - Oct. 5th


September's Junk Ride will be 9/29/11. 6pm departure for Corn Lake! BYOB for a quick gathering there before returning to downtown GJ.



Begin to spread the word now to teachers, parents, neighbors that Wed., Oct. 5th is Walk/Bike to School Day! Save the date and be sure to help the kiddos in your life get to school on their own fuel!

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Back to School JUNK RIDE!


Get studious and get to school (or wherever) on your bike!
Join us in helping to make it safer for the kiddos of the Grand Valley to bike to school this year!
Meet at 7pm at 10th & Main -- next Thurs., Aug. 25th

Thursday, July 21, 2011

July Junk Ride

Thurs., July 28th
meet at 10th & Main as usual
and we'll ride.

Monday, June 20, 2011

This Wednesday! > Bike to Work Day

FREE BREAKFAST on BIKE to WORK DAY!

where: In front of GJ City Hall at the fountain, 5th and Rood
when: 6:30am – 9:30am on Wednesday, June 22nd

If you are already a Junk Rider, and if we know you, then you are probably already biking to work (and everywhere else you need to go) this Wednesday. Well then let this be a personal toast to you in honor of the other 364 days of the year that you stick with it and ride in the cold, the rain, the blazing heat, the gnats, the wee hours, when you're wearing a skirt & heels, when you have an important meeting, when your gas tank of your car is full, if you have a basket (or pannier) full of groceries, whatever the case may be 'round the calendar year.

This Wednesday, however, may very well be the only day this year that someone offers you a free breakfast for doin' just what you do each and every day. Please come on down and join us to celebrate bikes and all of the places they take us. We'll be enjoying FREE coffee, bagels, donuts, fruit, etc. All you need to do to partake is arrive by bicylce!

This is a movement and you are a part of it. Please join us to celebrate with Grand Valley Bikes, CDOT, the City & the County in appreciation for everyone's efforts on behalf of biking and for the hope of what is to come here in our beloved western Colorado home.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

June is Colorado Bike Month! / BTW Day / Pool Party!

June is Colorado Bike Month. Ride proud this month as often as you can!


Bike to Work Day is Wed., June 22nd. Those biking to work will receive a FREE breakfast out by the fountain in front of City Hall that morning! Several active biking advocacy organizations here in the Grand Valley are joining forces with Mesa County and the City of Grand Junction to host a Bike to Work Day celebration. On behalf of the City and County, Grand Valley Bikes (local biking advocacy group), Junk Ride (monthly community cruiser bike riding group), and the Urban Trails Committee, and through the generous support of local businesses, we will be offering a free breakfast to bicycle commuters in front of GJ City Hall at the fountain, 5th and Rood from 6:30am – 9:30am on Wednesday, June 22nd for Bike to Work Day.



June's Junk Ride is Thurs., June 30th at 7pm
THEME: Pool Party!
The ride will end around 8pm at Bin707 Foodbar where we will have a special Junk Rider's bar out on the patio!

Friday, May 27, 2011

We LOVE the Hot Tomato!!!! ++ Bikes, Blues, BBQ, Brews

A HUGE thanks to everyone who shared in the ride and enjoyed the party with us last night. In particular, we want to give a heartfelt thanks for the early bird Garrett Mitchell for shuttling his truck/trailer out first thing yesterday morning. Special thanks to Brian Clark for making his truck/trailer available and for being the caboose of the train. Thank you Nina for allowing your vehicle to be part of the shuttle as well.

THANK YOU SO MUCH to the North 17th Street Band for headlining the party and for being so unstoppable --- carting instruments 16 miles on your bike!! WOW! Thank you to the Abominable Showmen for your strings and harmonies and for bringing every single one of your co-workers out to the party. Hug & a kiss to Eagles on Highway for providing sound and equipment and for serenading us with his guitar and sweet singing voice with Willie on mando too.

Best costume male goes to Mr. Jesse Zacher because who doesn't like a man in tights, especially bold red & black striped tights! Best costume female goes to Cynthia Malleck for doing 16 miles (about 3 times after she went back and forth several times) in fuzzy faux shorn sheep shin and arm guards and glorious bright colored lipstick and a smile. Best effort goes to Ellie doin' the ride on a heavy ol' hand me down commuter.

Thanks to anyone who I might have forgotten...And thanks to those who weren't able to squeeze in the ride but who still came out to show their support!

And where would we be without the loving support from our favorite dough slinging queens of the culinary experience at the HOT TOMATO?! We'd be hungry and devoid of some of the finer things in life. We love their energy and their establishment and they love us Junk Riders right back. Thank you for hosting our birthday party. See you again real soon! In fact --- everyone should make a note that the Hot Tomato is gearing up for tons of music and fun this summer. Check it out (note: cover charge only applies to the backyard for select shows):
Fruita Muse
June Events at The Hot Tomato
brought to you by The Muse in Fruita:

Wednesday June 1st
James Williams
7pm / all ages / no cover

Saturday June 4th
Flat Top Reed
7pm / all ages / $7

Wednesday June 8th
Chase Baumgartner
(Final Area Performance)
7pm / all ages / no cover

Saturday June 11th
Dualakoo
@ The Hot Tomato
7pm / all ages / $5

Wednesday June 15th
Rob "Chicken Fatt" Mitchell
7pm / all ages / no cover

Saturday June 18th
The Williams Brothers Band
7pm / all ages / $7

Wed June 29th
Whalin' Wil Whalen
7pm / all ages / no cover



And now please consider setting aside NEXT Friday for an extra special super fun event out on the other end of the valley:
Next Friday, June 3rd, the 4th annual Colorado Environmental Coalition West Slope BBQ is happening at it's usual location, Rancho Durazno. The price is just $15 for food, beverages (beer, wine, soft drinks), music and etc. Vegetarian options, Colorado meats, and a green salad from Cameron Place CSA will be served. There will be a free drawing/door prizes for Palisade Bluegrass tix (weekend passes), an Osprey pack, & Mountain Khakis. Kids 12 & under are free.

This year, Flat Top Reed are playing the blues (6-9), Palisade Brewery pouring various brews, and we'll be rolling out our new CEC t-shirts for a special membership premium if you re-up or join CEC at the BBQ.

Please forward this along to interested folks, and have a great holiday weekend!

When: 5:00pm - 10:00pm
Where: Cameron Place CSA at Rancho Durazno 3938 G 2/10 Rd. Palisade, CO 81526

For even more info check out this blog posting about CEC's partership with Cameron Place CSA: http://www.ourcoloradoblog.org/?p=1176

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Bday Ride Planned Route




For those already in Fruita or unable to do the entire ride, check out our planned route. http://veloroutes.org/bikemaps/?route=67754 We should be rolling into the Hot Tomato right around 6:30pm. You can ride out to meet us along J Road and do an about face to head back into Fruita en masse! Please join us in any capacity, whether that is just at the bar or over a hot pizza pie or dancing to the music!

See you tonight!




Tuesday, May 24, 2011

RSVP TODAY!

The Junk Ride's 2nd Bday Party at the Hot Tomato in Fruita is taking place this Thursday!

You MUST RSVP by the end of the day today if you are requesting a ride home. If we do not hear from you, please join us on the ride, just don't count on a ride home.

The ol' weather looks to be cooperating quite nicely:
Thursday
Breezy
Breezy
Hi 80 °F

Thursday Night

Breezy
Breezy
Lo 48 °F

See you at 5pm on Thursday! Or out at the party with the ever-gracious Tomatoes hosting us and the music of the N. 17th St. Band, The Abominable Showmen, and Eagles on Highway!
And don't forget your $1 for the limited edition Junk Ride 2nd Bday Party vinyl bumper sticker party favors:






Thursday, May 12, 2011

MAY 26th - JUNK RIDE's 2nd Bday Party

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JUNK RIDE!
Thursday, May 26th
5pm
We will ride en masse to Fruita for our 2nd Birthday Party!
Join us on our ride out to the Hot Tomato in Fruita to celebrate 2 years running of the Junk Ride! We will be doing an earlier departure (meet at 10th & Main at 5pm!) to get out to the haven of hot pizza pie in time to enjoy the party and the live music. We will have members of the North 17th Street Band + friends helping us celebrate with their boisterous music. They may even tow their instruments out to Fruita on their bikes!

*Bring a dollar bill or 2 if you want in on this year's limited edition Junk Ride Bday Party favors ($1 a piece.)*
**Bring your pizza and beer money!**

Some notable items of late:
  • Many thanks to Sharon Sullivan for a lovely piece about the Junk Ride in the Free Press Cycling Guide!
    • Our U.S. Transpo Sec may not be sure if he is a hipster, but he's lookin' out for our concerns!
    • The Junk Ride will buy one large hot pie for the rider who makes it out to the Hot Tomato on something like this.
    We are working on shuttles to get home to GJ after the party/after dark. We have TWO TRAILERS for getting our bikes back to the big city. We need more passenger space. Please email us if you will not be biking but plan on being at the party and can drive us home. If you will be on the ride, please begin emailing us your RSVP so that we can account for you and your bike getting a ride home. THANK YOU.
    HUGE heartfelt thanks to all of those dedicated Junk Riders keeping this event alive!

    Wednesday, April 13, 2011

    :: April Junk Ride ::




















    10th & Main
    Thursday
    April 28th
    7pm

    We ride!

    (image credit goes to Design*Sponge)

    Monday, March 28, 2011

    << 1st of Spring JUNK RIDE >>

    1st of Spring JUNK RIDE

    Meet up at 10th & Main at 7pm for our monthly community cruiser ride around town.

    7pm, Thursday, March 31st

    This month our ride returns to the 7 o'clock hour with the light sticking around later into the evening. Come out and celebrate the dawning of spring with us on your bike! The JUNK RIDE is the Grand Valley's longest continually running monthly critical mass-like bike ride. We are approaching our 2nd birthday this May (stay tuned to http://www.gjjunkride.com/ for 2nd Bday Party details!) Decorated bikes, decorated persons, noise makers, bells, horns, music, laughter, lights, helmets, reflectors, etc. are all highly encouraged! Please join us! Please spread the word!


    When wheels turn, it must be a REVOLUTION!

    Wednesday, February 16, 2011

    Li'l Junk Ride handouts!


    PLEASE DO SPREAD THE WORD!
    "How?!" You ask.
    "How can I spread the word?!"
    HERE'S HOW:

    1) print out the attached small flyers on 8-1/2x11 sheets of paper (in color if possible, and on recycled paper if possible)
    2) cut along the wavy lines
    3) hand them out to cyclists you see around town
    4) attach them to parked bikes which are funky & fun
    5) leave a small stack at your favorite bar
    6) leave a small stack at your favorite coffee shop
    7) don't stop there --- give them to your librarian, your doctor, your lawyer, your dance teacher, your favorite beer making supplier...


    Thursday, February 10, 2011

    February Junk Ride


    Bring your sweetheart to our February Junk Ride. You'll need them to help you keep warm! Deck each other out in lights and costumes. Bring your bells and other noise makers.

    Thursday, February 24, 2011 from 6pm – 8pm
    meet at 10th & Main for a cruise around town winding up at Pablo's Pizza on Main Street

    Contact: gj.junkride@gmail.com for more info.! PLEASE DO SPREAD THE WORD!






    Monday, January 24, 2011

    January Junk Ride

    Help us keep the Junk Ride alive year round! Let's take advantage of this week's unusually warm weather for this January Junk Ride. Bring yourself with your helmet, your lights, your bells, your COSTUMES! We will end up downtown after the ride for drinks at Weaver's tavern. Feel free to keep it goin' there until the karaoke kicks off!

    Meet at 10th & Main this Thurs., Jan. 27th at 6pm!

    This month's goal:
    Every rider bring at least one new Junk Rider w/ them on the ride!