Big Thank You to ICYCLE Race 2011

For the past few years the races have been held on the rink at Dufferin Grove Park, and that's where about one hundred spectators gathered this past Saturday, cramming into the players bench and lining the outside fence to catch the action. The event is run by Derek Chadbourne, owner of the Bike Joint on Harbord Street. Bike Pirates, a non-profit, do-it-yourself workspace for cyclists, helps out, and has hosted the afterparty for the last three years.

To be able to race, the cyclists have to stud their tires, a process that involves drilling screws though (or "studding") the tires, then lining the tire with duct tape (or, in some cases, with another tire). Apparently, once the process is complete the actual tire doesn’t even touch the ice. And just like other sporting events, someone is always tweaking the technology to get an edge: by using hundreds of small, thin screws and setting them in a specific pattern, some of the fastest riders this year were able to give themselves an extra push. "They’re that thin," Bercarich says, pinching his fingers together—and there are up to eight hundred in a tire.

In classic format, the bikers race in heats, with the winners from the men’s and women’s divisions moving on to the finals; finalists race an intense twenty-five laps around two connected ice rinks. This year's winners were the intrepid Kevin Black and Briana Illingworth (know on the circuit as the Ice Queen). Every year, proceeds raised at the afterparty are donated to a worthy cause: this time, to Peter McKenzie, a cyclist who was hit on the Bloor Viaduct in December.

One of the final events of the night, the Rubber Race, allows any spectator with a bike and a helmet to participate. The only catch: no studded tires. Immediately after it begins, over-eager cyclists—many of whom have started too fast—fall onto the ice. The Rubber Race is a slow one, and after a couple laps most cyclists have lost their balance and dropped off their bikes at least once. The only rider who could stay on her seat consistently was at a huge disadvantage—she was on just one wheel. "I’ve been riding a unicycle for about seven years, maybe. But only seriously in the last three," Celeste Koon told us. As she rounded the turn of her final lap, the crowd went crazy, clapping and hitting the boards. She gracefully dismounted her unicycle and stepped between fallen cyclists on her way off the rink.

Photos by Nana Arbova.

dandyhorse magazine's editorial assistant Colleen Kirley and dandy photo editor Nana Arbova send bike love to Torontoist readers with this feature. You'll be able able to see more of their work in dandyhorse this spring.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@torontoist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

ICYCLE RACE 2011 Feb 12th 6pm

Its that time of year again! ICE RACE TIME!!

This year, to help offset the costs to the organizers there will be a small charge of $5 to sit in the players boxes rinkside. Totally worth it for the best seats in the house!
As always please remember this is a family event (as in bring brown bags for your beverages, be discrete and PLEASE put your rubbish in the bins and take your empty drink containers with you! This ensures that we will be able to hold the ice race again next year!

Everyone welcome so invite all your friends!
Dufferin Grove Ice Rink, Feb 12, 6:00pm-9:00pm
Facebook Event Page

If you have not already started you better get going on studding out a set of tires! Bike Pirates will be hosting a tire studding workshop very soon. Stay tuned for details. Or if you don't have studded tires you can race in the "Rubber Class" category for the last race of the evening. Always a guaranteed laugh!

Fundraiser Party ($5 P.W.Y.C.) to be held at Bike Pirates between 9pm-1am

Cant wait to see you all there!

Feb 2: Ice Bike Tire Building Seminar

Always curious about ice bike racing but the thought of building your own tires was to daunting? Well now you too can build ice bike racing tires. Come out to Bike Pirates on Wednesday February 2nd, 6-9pm to learn how its all done, taught by the Ice Emperor. The instruction is free, but you need to bring the materials yourself.

Here is what you are going to need to bring:

For a starter a frame with tire clearance for stud protrusion.

Next determine length of screw needed for 2 to 3 mm to stick out , #4 pan head Robertson scews are my prefered ones and #6 second choice. For best results I pre-drill holes for screws so a smaller bit than screw diameter, a hand drill, bit driver and of course hundreds of those shiny things. 300 per are fun, 500 per are better and well my latest tires have 850 + per. Cost of screws are about $4-5 per hundred at Jacob's Hardware but they should be ordered ahead of time.

Come on out, it will be fun. For further info contact the Bike Joint @ 416-532-6392.

Please be aware that space is limited! We'll try to fit everyone in, but no promises.

Hello Everyone and Happy New Year!

Just a note to let you know that the overhaul at Bike Pirates will be completed today and the space will officially be opened for the New Year tomorrow!

Please let folks know that fantastic changes are in place (and some digital ones are still in the works) and they should come by and check us out! We are excited to get back to work helping people and building bikes, taking in donations, planning events and cooking yummy food. As usual we will be running all of our regular scheduled shifts throughout the winter, so now is the best time to come in and check us out and work on your bike, before it gets crazy in the spring.

2011 begins with our first shift tomorrow - 5-9pm Monday January 10th

A Better Bike Is Possible!
Ainsley and Bike Pirates.

Bike Pirate Tune Up...Help Needed

Please note that we will be CLOSED on December 25th and 26th due to a penchant for sitting on our couch all day watching terrible Christmas movies - that opportunity only comes round but once a year!

And From January 1st through the 9th we will be CLOSED for an overhaul. We'll be doing a lot of cleaning and reorganizing, small reno work, upkeep, re-visioning and implementing some new organizational plans (think: inventory! usage log! bike sales tracking! Pirates are dreaming big this year).

If you would like to help with this tune-up - which may include creative thinking and heavy lifting - please let us know! Contact us at info (at) bikepirates (dot)com and we'll let you know what hours we plan to be in the shop.

Pirates will be open again for all regular scheduled hours on Monday January 10th. Any further closures over the winter due to weather or volunteer availability will be posted HERE.

We also have a Christmas Wish List, with some items that would make this tune-up even more successful. If you are able to donate any of these items or know where we might get them please let us know:
vinyl/rubber/laminate flooring (approx. 8' x 45')
new electric range
small display case
folding chairs (10-20)
Books and magazines related to cycling and bicycle repair (current or old, new or used)
sturdy extension cords (long or short)
screws and nails!
a gallon of paint - green or blue or purple maybe

many thanks for your help and support all year round!

RADICAL MOVIE NIGHT G20 Legal Fundraiser

RADICAL MOVIE NIGHT
G20 Legal Fundraiser

On Friday December 3rd we will be hosting a radical movie night to raise funds for our friends and allies facing G20 related legal charges.

Come join us for an amazing night of movies, drinks, board games, snacks, hanging out, and all around rockin good times.

All welcome!

7pm – 9pm: Land and Freedom (Tierra y Libertad)

Directed by Ken Loach, this 1995 film narrates the story of David Carr, an unemployed worker of the Communist Party of Great Britain, who decides to fight for the Republican side in the Spanish Civil War. A heart wrenching portrayal of the attempt by ordinary people to build an anarchist society, and its subsequent betrayal. The movie won the FIPRESCI International Critics Prize and the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury at the 1995 Cannes Film Festival.

10:30-midnight: What to do in Case of Fire (Was tun, wenn’s brennt?)

Directed by Gregor Schnitzler, this 2002 film tells the humorous and touching story of six anarchist friends living as squatters in Berlin in the 80s, when they leave a handcrafted bomb in a mansion. Only thirteen years later the bomb explodes, wounding two people, forcing the group to reunite and, ultimately, come to grips with the reason they separated years ago.

Free popcorn!

Pay what you can (suggested $5-10). Come for one or both movies.
All proceeds go to the G20 Legal Defence Fund.

Winter Riding Workshop - This Sunday

This Sunday evening Bike Pirates will be hosting a workshop on Winter Cycling.

Topics will cover Winterizing your bicycle and yourself, as well as riding and safety tips, including suggestions on doing this DIY as well as tips on reliable clothing and equipment you can purchase.

Presented in cooperation with No Apathy the event is $5/pay-what-you-can, open to the public and will also include a meal from Food Not Bombs.

The Bike Pirates workspace and all No Apathy events strive to provide a safe and respectful environment open to everyone. Any oppressive behaviour or actions (racism, sexism, violence, etc.) will not be tolerated.

Bike Pirates also asks that folks respect our Women & Trans Hours on Sunday (running 12-6pm), by waiting until after 6:30 to queue for this workshop.

Winter Riding Workshop
Sunday November 28th
7pm-9pm $5/pwyc
Bike Pirates - 1292 Bloor St. West

More details available on the Facebook Event page.