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Friday, September 11, 2009
David Byrne talks bikes in Austin; win his book!
For 30 years, David Byrne has used a bike to get around New York City. He even cycles one when he’s touring overseas.
He writes about three decades of pedaling in his new book, “Bicycle Diaries” (Viking, $25.95).
In two weeks he’s coming to Austin to share his thoughts on cycling. He’ll speak as part of a joint panel discussion at 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27 at the Paramount Theater. Admission to the event, sponsored by Bicycle Sport Shop, the League of Bicycling Voters, Austin Public Library Friends Foundation and the Yellow Bike Project, is free!
Also on the panel? Rob D’Amico, president of the League of Bicycling Voters; Annick Beaudet, bicycle pedestrian co-ordinator for the City of Austin; and urban planner Jana McCann.
Byrne devotes about 34 pages of his 300-page book to biking through American cities like Detroit, Baltimore, Niagara Falls and — surprise! — Sweetwater, Texas. He spends four pages on that West Texas town, where he ate at a steak restaurant, read the local paper and rode through older parts of town. He describes people selling watermelons in parking lots and an American flag fashioned from plastic cups jammed into a chain-link fence.
His assessment? “Most U.S. cities are not very bike-friendly. They’re not very pedestrian-friendly either.”
Then it’s on to bigger digs, like Berlin, Buenos Aires, Istanbul and Manila. An appendix at the end of the book includes tips on bike security, rider safety and clothing. There’s even a list of bicycle activist organizations, and sketches of some funky bike racks he designed for the New York City Department of Transportation.
Want to win a copy of Byrne’s book?
Post on this blog, telling me why you deserve it. Best answer wins.
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Upcoming fitness events!
- A whole new week of fitness events awaits! Here’s a sampling:
- St. John 5K — The inaugural St. John 5K and Kids Mile kicks off at 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12 in the St. John neighborhood in East Austin. The race aims to support, bring awareness and help fund projects that create more affordable housing in the St. John Neighborhood. A portion of proceeds benefits the new Community Housing Development Organization. To register, go here.
- Tour de Florence — The second annual Tour de Florence Bike Ride starts at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12 at The Vineyard at Florence. Riders choose from routes of 15, 35, 45, or 65 miles. A kids’ ride starts at 9:30 a.m. The Tour proceeds benefit The city of Florence’s Parks and Recreation Department. For more information go here. Volunteers are needed to man rest stops. For volunteer information, email shawna@thevineyardatflorence.com.
- The Sweet & Twisted Du — This co-ed off-road duathlon, certified by USAT and produced by Red Licorice Events, is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 13 at Flat Rock Ranch. Entry fee is $65. For more information go here.
- 2009 Women’s Race — The Women’s Race on Sept. 13 is designed for athletes of all skill levels and includes mystery events. Contestants must bring their own water craft and life jacket. Race starts at 9 a.m. at Cedar Park YMCA, 204 E. Little Elm Trail. Awards for best costume and best water craft. Entry fee is $25 for kids; $75 adults. Registration closes Sept. 11. For more information go here.
- Day of Free Dance: Ballet Austin’s Butler Dance Education Center, 501 W. Third St., will offer free dance classes from 2-6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13. Sample everything from ballet to modern,jazz to hip hop and hula. For more information, go here.
- Taco Social Training Ride: A training ride for cyclists participating in the Texas Mamma Jamma Ride against breast cancer is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 13. The ride starts at Mellow Johnny’s, 400 Nueces. Free tacos and coffee provided. For more information, email info@mammajammaride.org.
And more on the horizon!
- Water to Thrive 5K: Austin-based non-profit Water to Thrive will host the Water to Thrive 5K and Kids K starting at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19 at the Hill Country Galleria. Proceeds go to help build water wells in rural, impoverished communities in Africa. Entry fee is $28 for the 5K and $12 for the kids race. For more information, go here.
- The Dude Girl Tri, a women’s only Olympic distance triathlon from Red Licorice Events, is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 20 at Pace Bend Park in Spicewood. Registration is $125 until Sept. 16, when it goes up to $135. It consists of a 1,500-meter swim, 40-kilometer bike and 10-kilometer run. For more information, go here.
- Learn to Curl: The Lone Star Curling Club will host a Learn To Curl event at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, at Chaparral Ice Rink at Northcross Mall, 2525 W. Anderson Lane. Equipment and instruction provided. Admission is free but $5 donations are appreciated. For more information go here.
- Team Survivor Fund-Raiser: Capital of Texas Team Survivor, a free fitness support program for women cancer survivors, will host a fundraiser at Stubb’s BBQ, 801 W. Red River, from 7-11 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23. “Not Just Another Cancer Event” will feature music by Joel Guzman and Sarah Fox, Dysfunkshun Junkshun and Beautiful Mistakes. Admission is $25 in advance or $30 at the door and includes hors d’oeuvres and soft drinks. For more information go here or call 426-1408.
- Fight Gone Bad: Join the CrossFit community and the fight against prostate cancer at the Fight Gone Bad at 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26 at the Long Center downtown. Athletes will rotate between five exercise stations, where they will do as many repetitions as they can in 1 minute. Proceeds benefit the Prostate Cancer Foundation. For more information go here.
- Polo at The Vineyard: Ride on Center for Kids presents Polo at The Vineyard in Florence, Texas, from 2-6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27. The Austin Polo Club’s match supports kids and adults with special needs and the “horses for heroes” riding program for service men and women. The event also includes a ladies hat parade, sponsor’s champagne divot stomp, food and music. Tickets are $25 for adults or $10 for children. For more information go here or call 512-930-7625. The Vineyard at Florence is located at 8711 W. FM 487.
- Silicon Labs Marathon Relay: The Fifth Annual Silicon Labs Austin Marathon Relay starts at 7 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 27 at Auditorium Shores. The race is broken into five legs — two 5Ks, two 10Ks and one 12K. The winning team will claim the first-ever Guinness World Record for the fastest five-person marathon relay. The relay is the opening event for the Austin Distance Challenge. Runners who raise $750 for the Silicon Labs Austin Marathon Relay gain free entry into the rest of the series, and the money they raise will help fund Junior Achievement programs in Central Texas schools. For more information go here.
