so I got a chance to head down to the New York for the biggest rendition of the Bicycle Film Festival back on June 16-20. The sweet part of going down is getting to meet and see some of the best in all realms of cycling, partying with shop owners from all over, and getting to see some of best tricksters and riders in the world. The BFF has created a giant family. If you go to one, you can go to them all and already you know there is something in common, something that can bring you out all weekend long and make you more pumped and excited about that thing in common.

BIKES BIKES BIKES BIKES BIKES.

here’s a minor recap of the weekend of festivities:

found a marinoni at the Birth of Big Air Screening

This James Dean of fixed trick riding reclaimed the term 'Uhaulin' and made it into a sick trick.

yeah. i don't know about this.

adjustable stem?

Mister All-City/BIKE JERKS to the left and owner of Bicycle Revolution in Philly.

Revolution Cycles, Ex-BFF web designer Amelia, Jeff AllCity, and the man, Brendt Barbur.

SO PUMPED TO MEET INES BRUN!

Here’s a look into SF BFF 2008 and the reason why I’m so pumped in the above photo!

bike vending machine!

Tony, you think you could build the next BBQ bike like this one?

Overall this weekend was incredible. Biking over the Williamsburg bridge, partying with good bike folk, collapsing after Gold Sprints, watching the greatest cycling films available on big screens surrounded by most of the people that were in them, seeing some really inspiring bike initiatives…I would say that the BFF is a pretty incredible thing.

SO. what do you say Montreal? Let’s make it a good one. 2 weeks away!

i suppose it would be ideal to continue bombarding you with bicycle film festival information. perhaps some visuals would be more pleasing to ya’ll.

in case you haven’t seen the amazing trailer for this year done by the talented and so sweet Marco Mucig. Check sa donc!

When I went down for the NYC BFF I got a chance to talk to Marco about the filming of the trailer. Obviously I was curious as to how the whole sparkler + bicycle +rubber combo went. He said they had a couple tires explode, frames darkened, legs heated a little too hot, and generally a whole lot of fun for 3 days. The exploding BFF sign took close to a day to set up and was exploded once and they had just one chance to catch their shot. I don’t know how many times I’ve watched it, but it still gives my throat a clench and goosebumps all over. Hope to ride with you in Italy sometime Marco!

Anyone want a mission for the next two weeks? Your mission :

SPREAD THE WORLD LIKE WILD FIRE! EPIC. WE WANT IT TO BE EPIC! TWO WEEKS. TWO WEEKS!

want to volunteer? E-mail- marissa@bicyclefilmfestival.com

A friend after an epic night of Karaoke at Casa Del Popolo, sent me this cute cute film they made whilst going for a little ride along the st. laurent river. <3

Paseo en bicicleta, Catarina, hasta el final del rio de Saint Laurent en la punta noreste de Montreal.

It’s that time of year where the bikes are out, the wheels are spinning, and it’s time to watch some sweet films on bikes and party down.

SO. How about a Bike Film Festival? How about the 10th Anniversary of the Bicycle Film Festival?

It’s fast approaching to the time of it’s appearance here in Montreal and with a capacity of only 140 at the NFB, I’d strongly strongly recommend getting those tickets in advance. Individual tickets are available through the BFF site and full festival passes will also be available ( limited quantities )

This years programs are filled with BMX (Spike Jonze’s Birth of Big Air), Cyclecross (The Cycle Cross Meeting), Skateboard (Riding the Long White Cloud), amoungst many other shorts!

The programs are up for viewing on the BFF site..looks like this.

FRIDAY AUGUST 13

7:00 9:00

NATIONAL FILM BOARD CINEROBOTHEQUE 1564 St. Denis Street P.1 The Birth Of Big Air  BUY TICKETS P.2 Riding The Long White Cloud BUY TICKETS

SATURDAY AUGUST 14

5:00 7:00 9:00

NATIONAL FILM BOARD CINEROBOTHEQUE 1564 St. Denis Street P.3 Bike Shorts  BUY TICKETS P.4 The Cyclocross Meeting BUY TICKETS P.5 Urban Bike Shorts BUY TICKETS

All the rest of the events..like parties, alley cats, bike polo, gold sprints..will be posted very very shortly.

GET. PUMPED. This is going to be a weekend not to miss.

I don’t know how many of you have a car..BUT, if you do and happen to be a member of CAA, check this out! Their little blurb (which i’ve inserted, please try to forgive me for putting their little marketers jargon) states stuff about Ontarians. So I’m a bit unsure about how it affects Quebecers, but it’s worth a call to find out next time you’re stranded on your 600 km ride?

As Ontarians make a shift towards a greener lifestyle and with more and more commuters using their bikes as their main vehicle for transportation during the summer months, we’re introducing CAA Bike Assist, roadside assistance for your bike. If you run into a problem that cannot be fixed on the spot, CAA will tow you and your bike to wherever* you need to go. It’s available as part of your membership 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Members will not have to pay extra to be eligible for Bike Assist as it will now be a new permanent benefit for existing Members!

typing the word bicycle into the all-so-addictive arts and crafts online store Etsy can be a dangerous balance between need and want.

Recently referred to us by Julia, Walnut Studiolo’s hand stitched leather bike accessories has tapped heavily into our love for leather on bikes. Made in Portland, Oregon(obviously). These folks deliver some mighty beautiful leather accessories.

Over a year ago I, Marissa, attempted to finish a touring frame in 8 weeks when we had our first go through of our frame building class. In that time I decided it would be a great idea to put two water bottle bosses on the top tube and seat tube and screw in an old piece of leather as to attempt to create one of these portage straps. Still haven’t finished the almost finished touring frame..but once installed. if it works…I am determined to market it. Look out world!

a lot of people are out there pimping their bikes by buying flashy parts, colourful rims, custom frame paint jobs. The fine folk down in Oakland started their own scene. The Scraper Bike scene. In 2008, a simple Youtube video about these tricked out bikes posted by some teenagers in Oakland, Calif., had attracted a cult following, with nearly 3 million views.

Scrapertown from California is a place. on Vimeo.

want more?

original scraper bike blog

With the increase in deaths and accidents happening in this city and it’s surrounding areas. What is there to do?

Should you always stay to the right? I don’t know. With the parked cars ready to open their doors on you, the pot holes, the people cutting right, the pedestrians stepping much too far….here’s a quick bike safe vid that can maybe start a new movement towards cyclists taking the space they deserve for cars to modify the way they are driving because of them and not the other way around.

narrowlane safety video!

We are on the roads too. Learn to share….

BIKES – Crashing into love from Raoul Paulet on Vimeo.

reposted from WAHS blog.

The Tour de France started today with an epic display of falling and crashing all over the place. What a beautiful display of colourful movement. This is a going to be a good one folks! For those of you who don’t know where to watch it in Canada, it’s being broadcasted on the Outdoor Line Network.  Here’s their schedule for the tour. If anyone also doesn’t know yet, this will be Lance Armstrong’s last. As much as everyone likes to be all hating on this little ego maniac, I like him there in the peloton. Makes me excited..so quit hating on Lance!

Stage 1- Rotterdam-Bruxelles Results: