Archive for September, 2007

Bike Oven Sign - Installed!

Published
by
ubrayj02
on September 30, 2007
in art, information and volunteers
. 3 Comments

Since opening our doors in our new space in August, a lot about the Bike Oven has changed. Gone are the days of plastic sheets hung down from my old garage door in the winter. The bathroom breaks around the corner of the building are over and done as well - we have a potty at the new Bike Oven location.

Before I get any angry emails: taking a whizz “en plaine aire” has its merits. However, peeing indoors (and out of sight of the neighbors) has its merits as well (i.e. a sink to wash your hands).

All micturating aside, things have changed course in other ways. Our mission statement (if there ever was one) is now getting written down and voted on by our group of core volunteers. We share the space with Sandpaper Books, an alternative book dealership that inherited the space from an artist’s collective calling itself “Flor Y Canto” - so our cultural bona fides are quickly becoming as established as our bicycle repair abilities are.

Anyway, on to the sign, some pictures, and glory …

Continue reading ‘Bike Oven Sign - Installed!’

Shop Closed Tonight for Volunteer Meeting!

Published
by
ubrayj02
on September 24, 2007
in events, information, management meeting and volunteers
. 0 Comments
September 24, 2007
7:00 pmto10:00 pm

The Bike Oven will be closed tonight, Monday, September 24, 2007, for a meeting with those who would like to volunteer at the Oven and have a voice in how the place is run.

We’ll be making decisions tonight on the following topics:

  • Benefits and responsibilities for volunteers
  • How we want to run the shop (i.e. signing in clients, collecting donations, paperwork, etc.)
  • Whether or not we‚Äôre going to host a bunch of proposed rides and events
  • and a bunch of other stuff ‚Ķ

For more information, email me at ubrayj02 at yahoo.com or call (310) 902-5439.

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Shop Closed Tonight for Volunteer Meeting!

Published
by
ubrayj02
on September 24, 2007
in information, management meeting and volunteers
. 1 Comment

The Bike Oven will be closed tonight, Monday, September 24, 2007, for a meeting with those who would like to volunteer at the Oven and have a voice in how the place is run.

We’ll be making decisions tonight on the following topics:

  • Benefits and responsibilities for volunteers
  • How we want to run the shop (i.e. signing in clients, collecting donations, paperwork, etc.)
  • Whether or not we’re going to host a bunch of proposed rides and events
  • and a bunch of other stuff …

For more information, email me at ubrayj02 at yahoo.com or call (310) 902-5439.

New Lights at the Bike Oven

Published
by
ubrayj02
on September 23, 2007
in information
. 3 Comments

Eddie Installing New Lights at the Oven

Eddie splices together wire for our outdoor sign while our IT guru, Mauricio, chills.

Since opening our doors at our new location on Figueroa on August 13, there has been a massive flurry of activity at the Bike Oven.

We’ve had parties, rides, meetings, and all sorts of improvements to the space.

The photo above was taken on September 9, 2007 - and since then our shop looks a lot more inviting at night. Take a look for yourself!

Continue reading ‘New Lights at the Bike Oven’

Spoke(n) Art Ride - Air Pressure

Published
by
ubrayj02
on September 19, 2007
in art, events and rides
. 1 Comment
October 13, 2007
6:30 pmto10:59 pm

Air Pressure Flyer

The Spoke(n) Art bicycle ride is a free, once-a-month, bicycle tour of art galleries in North East Los Angeles. The ride takes place on the second Saturday of each month - a special night in North East Los Angeles. Area art galleries open their doors late into the night as part of NELAart’s “Gallery Night”.

This month’s Spoke(n) Art Ride is brought to you by Air Pressure. Yes, the air in your tires - because without it, your bike would not roll. Also! Air Pressure the gallery opening! At the Bike Oven! Yes! We have art! On the walls! People with talent hang out here - and their work will be on display until November.

The Ride:

The Spoke(n) Art Ride will begin (as it usually does), at the flagpole on the corner of Figueroa and York Blvd. in Highland Park.

We will leave at 6:30 p.m. for a mellow ride to about 7 or 8 different galleries open for NELA Art’s Second Saturday.

No cover charges, no waivers, just bring a functioning bike (and some blinky lights).

The ride will end at the Bike Oven & Sandpaper Books at 3706 N. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90065 - where an art opening will be in full swing.

The Art Opening:

Air Pressure

at the Bike Oven from October 13th to November 2nd
Opening
Saturday October 13th, 6:00-9:00
DJ Rolls Ross 9:00-11:00

Photography by:

Aaron Farley & Jeaneen Lund

Illustration by:

Alia Penner

Curated by:

Jessie Cowan

For more information about the bike ride, check out the static Spoke(n) Art Page.

To discuss this ride, post a comment on this page, or visit the Midnightridazz.com forum post for this ride.

Park(ing) Day at the Bike Oven

Published
by
ubrayj02
on September 19, 2007
in information
. 0 Comments

Park)ing Day LA Logo

This Friday, September 21, 2007 at 10 a.m. the Bike Oven will be taking part in Park(ing) Day L.A.

If you’re able to stop by, we’ll have the parking space outside the Oven converted into a little slice of the bike- and pedestrian-friendly city of Copenhagen, Denmark.

There will be a Danish-style bike lane, a small outdoor cafe (serving some Danish style treats and coffee), some green space, and some hip, cosmopolitan, music being DJ’ed.

There is more information about this event on our event calendar.

Bike-In Theater - The 10th Victim

Published
by
ubrayj02
on September 19, 2007
in events and movies
. 5 Comments
September 23, 2007
7:00 pmto11:00 pm

 

Bike In Theater - “10th Victim” Flyer

In honor of the large black dog that was seen lying on the sidewalk near the Bike Oven this past Saturday night, after getting it’s back broken by a car, DJ Chicken Leather and Black Woman Sidekick will be hosting a screening of “The 10th Victim” (or “La Decima Vittima”) at the Bike Oven on Sunday, September 23, 2007. This is also Black Woman Sidekick’s birthday, so no need to be too dour - birthday cake for everyone!

10th Victim Poster

We’re asking for a $2 donation (to pay for renting the projector).

Conviviality and Refreshments will start at 7 p.m. - you can BYOB if you want, we’ll have some beer and popcorn available.

The film should be rolling at about 8 p.m.

“The 10th Victim” synopsis from Rotten Tomatoes:

“Director Elio Petri fused science fiction with the pop culture aesthetic of the 1960s in this film, which takes place in a candy-colored futuristic society where the population’s lust for violence is satisfied by “The Big Hunt,” an international game of legally sanctioned murder. Marcello Mastroianni and Ursula Andress star as the sport’s top two assassins, bringing explosive sex appeal to the film.”

Bike Oven synopsis:

“It’s a good ‘un”

See for yourself:

Park(ing) Day at the Bike Oven

Published
by
ubrayj02
on September 17, 2007
in events
. 1 Comment
September 21, 2007
10:00 amto4:00 pm

Park)ing Day LA Logo

Los Angeles is a city of “contested streets”, where autmobiles dominate the public right-of-way and people and local businesses are kicked to the curb. Taking a page from the NYC Streets Rennaisance film, “Contested Streets“, DJ Chicken Leather and Black Woman Sidekick are going to remedy L.A.’s anti-people road design on the stretch of roadway in front of the Bike Oven in Highland Park (3706 North Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90065).

Hosted by DJ Chicken Leather and Black Woman Sidekick, Park(ing) Day at the Bike Oven, starting at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 21, 2007, will recreate the people friendly street designs of Copenhagen. The site will feature a bicycle lane, an outdoor cafe, and a counter-culture radio station broadcasting curbside.

For more information or to volunteer by helping plan, setup, or breakdown the “park” please contact:

Black Woman Sidekick
blackwomansidekick (at) hotmail.com
(323) 683-2281

OR

DJ Chicken Leather
chickenleather (at) killradio.org

Peleton Panic - Bike Oven in the News

Published
by
ubrayj02
on September 14, 2007
in press
. 5 Comments

Los Angeles City Beat Logo

I got home today and plugged in my cell phone. The batteries had died halfway through the work day, so I missed a few calls. My voicemail had a gem hidden in it - the Bike Oven was featured in the an article entitled “Peleton Panic” by Cole Cooper in the September 13 - 19, 2007 issue of Los Angeles City Beat.

Some of the facts in the article are a little off, but who really cares? Not me. Just for the record: the guy who started the Bike Oven in his garage is named “Josef”; he’s not semi-retired, he’s just lazy; and, the original address was on “Avenue 42″ (not 42nd Street), but I digress.

Onward toward glory, and the blockquote:

“It was a sweet and sticky summer night, and the Highland Park ‚ÄúBicycle Oven‚Äù on 42nd Street was certainly cookin‚Äô. A swap-and-shop co-op operated by Joseph, a semi-retired thirtysomething bike mechanic who has altruistically opened up his apartment garage‚Äôs doors, the Oven on any given Wednesday night attracts a motley assortment of bicycle enthusiasts and advocates. On that night, some geeky white kids were trying to build up a stripped-down, surplus road bike frame and were mulling the differences and nuances of a pile of sundry salvaged derailleurs and gear clusters and whether to shit-can the concept of changing gears altogether and just turn the lonely frame into a single-speed ‚Äúfixie.‚Äù A Latino dude offered his two centavos about at least screwing on some brakes. An Asian gal on a PowerBook scammed on a neighbor‚Äôs wi-fi signal and was perusing Craigslist and Google Maps. Joe fielded questions from customers and directed traffic as some donors pulled up in a Toyota pickup stuffed with sun-blasted frames with rusted handlebars.”

-Cole Cooper

Wow - we got press! How ’bout that. Follow the link below to catch the full article.

Gypsy Ridazz Caravan to East L.A.

Published
by
ubrayj02
on September 14, 2007
in events, midnightridazz and rides
. 1 Comment
September 15, 2007
7:00 pmto8:59 pm

Gypsy Ridazz Caravan to East L.A. on Midnightridazz.com

Musical Bike Parade - Dancing - Foot Down - Fire Dance

The Gypsies are coming back, and they’re looking for locals to join their caravan as they pass through Los Angeles. Bring your bike and join them as they party their way from Lincoln Heights to Boyle Heights and East L.A.

This is a dress up dance party that will stop at parking lots, parks and plazas, etc. for dancing and to-be-announced activities. Dressing in costume and dancing is strongly encouraged, along with being friendly and making noise.

The ride will end at the Bike Oven which is now located at 3706 N. Figueroa Street in Lincoln Heights for an after party.

Gather Time: 7:00 PM

Depart Time: 8:00 PM

Start Location:

Vons Parking Lot
2511 Daly Street
Los Angeles, CA 90031

MAP

From the Lincoln Heights/Cypress Goldline Station:

Head South on Ave. 26 for 0.4 miles, make a slight right onto Daly St (passing Pasadena Ave). Continue another 500 ft.

End Location:
Bike Oven
3706 North Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90065

MAP

What do I need for this event?

  • A working bike
  • A spare tube for your bike
  • A costume (highly recommened) - gypsy themed or Mexican, in the spirit of Mexican Independance Day), or anything goes. Refer to the pictures for costume ideas. We will have a costume grab bag - drop something in the bag and take something else out.

What is significant about September 15th?

Mexican Independence Day is celebrated the evening of September 15th and on September 16th. We will incorporate this celebration into the ride. ¬°Viva Mexico!

How fast and how long will the ride be?

It will be a casual paced 10-12 mile ride with some stops of 20-40 minutes to dance and have fun. We will return to the Bike Oven around 10:30 - 11 PM.

Where will the ride end?

The ride will end at the Bike Oven (http://bikeoven.com) about 1 mile from the start location for an after party. The Bike Oven is located at 3706 N. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90065.

Is this for begnner riders?

Yes, it is for all levels of riding ability. We will have someone at the front and back of the ride to keep us together. If you haven’t used your bike for a long time or you are unsure about the condition of your bike, consider having a bike shop check it out.

About Saftey and Stuff

If you haven’t yet, read the Rulez of the Ride. You should also read < a href=”http://www.bikexprt.com/streetsmarts/usa/index.htm”>Bicycling Street Smarts for more information about riding safely. Be curtious to drivers, pedestrians and other Ridazz. Stay in the right lane except when preparing to turn left. Help people who have bike trouble. Have a Ride Buddy - if you don’t come with a ride buddy, ask someone to be your ride buddy when you arrive, and exchange cell phone #’s (if you have one).

Can I help out with this ride?

Yes, you sure can! We need people who can bring up the rear to make sure no one gets left behind.

Eric and Annelise

Eric and Annelise
eric -a t- einem -dot- us
714-906-8686

Discuss this ride.