Saturday May 12th at 5:30PM is Bike To Work Week Movie Night hosted by Capitol Automotive! Ride your bikes down at 5:30 pm for FREE pizza and beverages, and enjoy two fun bicycle themed movies. Marcus does a great job at converting his garage into a little theater, and there is plenty of secure bike parking within view of the seating.
Marcus at the controls of his state of the art bike-in theater
Where: Capitol Automotive, 1000 N Plaza Street
When: May 12th, 5:30PM
The dark clouds were threatening, and it was a bit breezy, but most of the core group of polo riders rode down to the old bank for the first game of the year regardless. The gang has been itching to play for months, ever since the early sunsets of autumn that finally shut down the games last year.
The riders and the ball are often going different directions
You could be sad that another bank bit the dust. Or you could look on the bright side, and be grateful that they left you such a fine hard court to play bike polo on! The size of this lot is perfect, and it has nice curbing on the sides to help keep the ball in play. The goal areas have more space behind them than is ideal, but at least the ball seldom makes it out into the street.
Jason about to press Dan up against the wall
When we arrived, we found that the court has started to go back to nature. More cracks have developed, and weeds have started to sprout up from many of them. There was also a lot of broken glass on the south end, but thankfully Chip had the wisdom to bring a broom and a dustpan. We left the place better than we found it!
Dan heads to the Tap Out Cone
We changed the rules slightly this year. While last year we had 3 periods for each match, this year we play to 4 points. This seemed to work out good, since nobody has to keep time, and we never broke between periods last year anyhow. Keeping score is now easier too.
Kristy and Chip
We had just enough players last week, with only one person sitting out each game. My 11 year old son sat out one game, and was able to get all these great photos. Most of us though had to play all night, and we were pooped by the end of the night. We could really use some more players (hint, hint)! Ladies, you too. It’d be awesome to see an all girls match.
The old pass under the bottom bracket trick
It was cool to see that the game play is picking up where we left off last year. There is more emphasis on teamwork, and fewer 50 yard Hail Marys. There were a few bumps and scrapes, a couple collision induced brake problems, one flat tire, and a few perfectly executed mallet strippings. The game is definitely evolving, and I’m excited for a great season of bike polo!
Even girls tap out sometimes
The forecast is looking great for tonight’s (May 10th) game, so please come on down. I know there are some people that have other commitments on Thursday evenings, so we’ll try to rotate nights (and maybe add a weekend day) in the future to help accommodate everyone.
Thank you to Charlie Moser for your photography work!
Next Game:
When: Thursday, May 10th, 6:00PM
Where: Parking Lot behind the old Colonial Bank at 901 North Stewart Street (across from Smiths on Valley Street)
Disclaimer: Although we just play for fun, it’s not unlikely for a spill or contact. Play at your own risk, to both your body and bike. Helmet, gloves, knee and shin guards are recommended.
The Bike Habitat will be giving a free class this Wednesday the 9th at 6PM. The topic of the class is “Home Maintenance for your Bicycle”. Learn how to keep your bike running safely and efficiently between bike shop tune ups. This clinic will cover both MTN and Road Bikes.
This FREE clinic covers:
Where: Bike Habitat – 911 Topsy Ln. #238, Carson City, NV 89705
When: Wednesday, May 9th @ 6:00PM
Phone: 775.267.5053
A combination of great weather and growing enthusiasm for cycling in Carson City is getting getting people out there on their bikes, and the ride with Carson City’s Leaders on May 7th was no exception.
Assembling at Telegraph Square – Muscle Powered’s Kelly Clark and Lee Harter talk with Mayor Bob Crowell and Shelly Aldean
This annual Muscle Powered event has really grown, since we first started doing it in 2008. The first year we rode with Supervisor Shelly Aldean to work in an effort to showcase a couple bike routes, and demonstrate that one could ride a bicycle safely across town. The following year, a few more riders attended, and we escorted Mayor Bob Crowell to work.
Teri Vance from the NV Appeal conducts interviews with Richard Stokes (Superintendent of the Carson City School District) and Sheriff Kenny Furlong
In 2011, we invited the Mayor and the City Supervisors, and we took them out for a ride around Carson’s west side on tandems. Even though the ride ended in a near white-out blizzard, the group had become quite large, and we all had a blast. We were no longer trying to demonstrate to the leaders that cycling was fun and practical. They already knew this, and they were there to show the community.
Joanne Vaughan and Kristy Moser show their support for biking in Carson City
Muscle Powered decided to step it up this year, and not only did we invite the Mayor and City Supervisors, but the Sheriff, School Administration, Parks and Recreation, Carson City Health and Human Services, and other leaders in our city. All people that have an interest in creating a safe community for cycling, and promoting a healthy and active lifestyle. And they showed up!
Preparing to ride. Muscle Powered’s Jeff Potter and Supervisor Shelly Aldean shared a tandem, Supervisor Molly Walt, and Mayor Bob Crowell
Mayor Bob Crowell leads the way, legs still strong after Sunday’s Tour of Carson.
Working with law enforcement was something rather new for Muscle Powered, and was even an area that the League of American Bicyclists mentioned that we were deficient in when we applied for a Bicycle Friendly Community status. It was so great to see Sheriff Kenny Furlong participate this year. And not only did he participate, but he was very enthusiastic and provided comic relief along the ride. At one stop he yelled out, “Someone stole my bike!”, and he wasn’t shy with the siren on his police issue Cannondale either.
Cruising Carson’s Historic West Side
Supervisor Karen Abowd, Jenny Scanland (State Parks)
The Sheriff brought along a few bicycle cops as well. You would think that with law enforcement along, there would be strict adherence to the rules of the road. As it turned out though, the bicycle cops rode ahead, blocked the intersections for us, and let us ride through without stopping. Just like a parade. I wonder if these guys are available for my morning commute? I could definitely shave off a couple minutes!
Muscle Powered President Donna Inversin, followed by Superintendent Richard Stokes
This year’s route began at Telegraph Square. We made our way over to King Street, then north on Ormsby for some scenic views of Kings Canyon, Ash Canyon Road to Winnie, then made our way back to Telegraph Square. It was an easy pedal, but enough to work up a bit of an appetite for lunch. You couldn’t have asked for better weather for the ride either.
Supervisor Molly Walt, Tim Rowe (NV Bicycle Advisory Board)
Juan Guzman (Open Space Mgr), Sheriff Furlong, Supervisor Karen Abowd
When we arrived back at Telegraph Square, the KOLO TV Crew was waiting for us. We took one more loop around the block for them, dinging our bells all the way, and then parked the bikes.
Escort provided by Carson City Sheriff’s Office
A big thank you goes out to all of those at Muscle Powered who organized the ride! Thank you to the Nevada Appeal and CarsonNow.org for your continued coverage of our events. Most of all though, thank you to our city’s leaders who took the time out of their busy schedules for the ride, and for continuing to make this community a great place to live!
It’s time for Bike Polo! We had a blast playing last year, and by the end of the season, some riders had even acquired what could pass in some circles as “skill”. This Thursday, May 3rd, the ball will be rolling again.
Polo Match Underway
Although Cycle Polo has been around for over a century, we are playing a newer version of the game called Hardcourt Bike Polo which is said to have its roots in early 2000s Seattle. As the name implies, we play on a rectangular asphalt surface court using a street hockey ball. Polo mallets have all been handmade by the players from old ski poles, plastic pipe, and hockey tape. Here are a few more highlights of the game:
Mallet and Polo Bike with front Spoke Guard
Sound interesting? Come on down this Thursday night to play or just watch. We rotate teams after each game, match up teams by ability, and everyone gets to play: guys, girls, and kids. We have extra mallets. All you need is you, your bike, a good attitude, and some protective gear.
When: Thursday, May 3rd, 6:00PM
Where: Parking Lot behind the old Colonial Bank at 901 North Stewart Street (across from Smiths on Valley Street)
Disclaimer: Although we just play for fun, it’s not unlikely for a spill or contact. Play at your own risk, to both your body and bike. Helmet, gloves, knee and shin guards are recommended.
If you haven’t been to a movie night at the Sassafras Eclectic Food Joint in downtown Carson City, you’re missing out on a good time! Every Monday night they show a fun film in the plan:b lounge area, and you can order great food and drinks while you enjoy the movie. Free popcorn, and movie commentary / trivia from Mike the host. This week the movie will have a bicycle theme, and you are are encouraged to ride your bike to the show!
From the Sassafras Facebook Page: Attention Mayhem Moviegoers, this Monday, April 30th, we are showing Pee-wee’s Big Adventure and are featuring specials and raffle prizes during movie hours from 6-9pm! Ride your rad bike to the show and get 2 entries into the raffle, then enjoy BOGO Ruebens and some of our delicious beer and wine selections. Bring your bikes into the restaurant – we will stage them in Plan B for safekeeping! Sorry, no valet.
Although there will be room in the restaurant for some bikes, plan on bringing a lock in case they run out of room. There are bike racks and lampposts outside to lock to.
May’s Bike Month is almost here, and so is Bike Habitat’s Tour of Carson! This is a very fun, moderately paced road ride around the perimeter of Carson City. The route is 27-30 miles, but short cut options are available through town if you don’t think you can ride the whole distance. Here’s the scoop from Bike Habitat:
Please join us for the 5th Annual Tour of Carson City Bike Ride & BBQ Sunday May 6, at 9am!
