Mysteries Of Your Passing Luck.

clean bicycles are happy bicycles, photo by zebulon brown.

Take Our Hands Out Of Control.

the final "put bicycle paths and make it livable" waialae avenue meeting was last evening. very likely it was the greatest amount of attendance, with both sides of the coin equally represented. its always a nice sight to attend a community meeting concerning bike paths and spotting a slew of unique bicycles and their unique owners.

in the crowd were lucas hussey of cycle haven hawaii - who appeared on vintage s-works bicycle and huge "holo holo ride" banner, alan oshiro - of team merkin and one of hawaii's few custom frame fabricators, cyrus camp - formerly of the kickstand, jon lott - kalihi's finest public educator, and pattie dunn - reaffirming to everyone that being sixty does not mean being inactive.

friends molly jenkins, zebulon brown, micah mizumoto, and james harmon were also in attendance. supporters of bicycle lanes were split into two distinct groups: the old folks and the youth. these differences occasionally cause miscommunication, but both parties were united to encourage city officials that striping waialae avenue with bike lanes could be the best use of public funds ever.

Monday Morning.

the perks of bicycling in autumn, photos by donalrey nieva.

We All Have A Reason To Ride.

awhile back, the blue planet foundation non-profit commissioned a video to made of alternative transportation. in particular, the video focused on honolulu people riding bicycles. my friends zebulon brown and james harmon were briefly featured in the video getting coffee together and transporting themselves to the UH Manoa campus. that segment - and the video in general - authentically displayed the humanity of bicycling.

riding bicycles has larger ramifications then the intention of transportation. it allows humans to slow down, converse, and more often then not - make new friends. lives are often enriched by the human connections we make via bicycles. the addition of physical health is often an afterthought.

the only problem with the video was this: its unrealistic in honolulu. yes, there are small pockets of folk riding bicycles and connecting with others but this city will never oblige them. the video is a beautiful showcase of an alternative universe that will never exist.

We Can Definitely Get Out Of Here.

 

fifty individual bicyclists and their tribes attended "wheels for wasabi." it was grand show of unity amongst honolulu's bicyclists to show their support of amir "wasabi" najam - who was stabbed while cycling tantalus two weeks ago. the obliging koeppenkastrop family - owners of the local gelato comapny, IL Gelato Hawaii - offered participants post-ride treats at their tantalus residence. "wheels for wasabi" displayed that honolulu bicyclsts are many; random acts of violence against bicyclists will not be apperciated.

additionally, it has come to my understanding that my inexpensive canon point-and-shoot was inexpensive for a reason. many of the photos taken during "wheels for wasabi" were one big blurry overexposed mess - don't buy cameras at costco.

All Is Violent, All Is Bright.

...from the inaugural oahu gentelman's ride.

Defend Makiki - Ride a Bicycle.

“Victory attained by violence is tantamount to a defeat, for it is momentary.” - Mahatma Gandhi

Lately there seems to be an insurgence of youth in Honolulu sporting “Defend Hawaii” clothing. Which is curious as the “Defend Hawaii” logo is stenciled letters with a automatic machine gun suggesting that the defense of Hawaii requires the use of violent weaponry.

Why a company would market violence is baffling - particularly since their key market appears to be misinformed youth. I am in favor of local enterprises and local businesses succeeding, but marketing violent imagery without consequence is not worth supporting.

In light of my friend Wasabi being stabbed while riding his bicycle on Tantalus, I constructed a “Defend Makiki” logo. My belief is that lots of friends on lots of bicycles would be a much more victorious defense of a region. Unlike automobiles, bicycles are a social transportation and the more people get to know each other the less likely people will resort to violent measures. So please consider coming out to ride bicycles on WHEELS FOR WASABI - because everyone has the right to use public roadways.

Getting Stabbed Riding Bicycles is Unacceptable Behaviour.

On October 9, 2012 my friend Amir "Wasabi" Najam was on a training ride on Tantalus when he was stabbed in the torso. Tantalus is often used by bicyclists, runners and walkers to train as the residential Makiki hill is typically safe for such activities. This assumption was shattered as Wasabi, a UH Manoa Geography senior and lifelong cyclist was violently assaulted by a motorist.

Wasabi was released from the hospital shortly after the stabbing - but the sudden reality of his situation is jarring. The friends of Wasabi have decided to initiate a group safety ride up Tantalus on Tuesday, October 23, 2012. The intentions are to notify the community that it is completely unacceptable to stab bicyclists on Tantalus. We will meet promptly at the bottom of Tantalus Drive at 4:45PM.

This is somber group ride of unity - please bring reflective material and/or lights as it may become dark in the process. We will turn back if the group decides as such.

If you and or any of your friends may be able to attend it would be grandly apperciated. Makiki should be a safe place for physical activity on our public roads. No one should ever be stabbed while conducting themselves in polite physical exercise. Please consider attending the "WHEELS FOR WASABI" bicycle ride (photo courtesy of Wasabi).

The Loose Ends Will Make Knots.

the hawaii state tree climbing championships were held the past weekend at moanalua gardens. my better half, ilana nimz competed for the first time amongst veteran tree climbing veterans. nimz performed grandly despite only recently acquiring the skills of a tree worker. friends molly jenkins - with michael - and ryan schulz - with lydia - came out to support with enthusiasm.

meanwhile, I am still unemployed and attempting to ride a bicycle in vog city, USA - previously known as honolulu, hawaii. my strava segments may be found here.