Teddy Bear Army

After critical mass. Acock. @Fuel (516 Chapel)

Grand Theft Velo 3, May 16th, New Haven, CT

Grand Theft Velo 3 is right around the corner. Here's a li'l update for y'all...

Grand Theft Velo 3
May 16th @ 4pm
Wooster Square, New Haven, CT

keep it tuned to www.scorchers.tk or email us for info


Grand Theft Velo is an annual alleycat based loosely on the video game of similar name. Just like the game, riders will complete a series of "missions" complete with tacky story-telling and silly gang-names in order to open the next area of the city. As the rider gets further into the game, the game gets harder. There are "bonus missions" and "cheat codes", but sadly, no dead hookers. Bring a lock, bring a pen, bring $5, and bring a map. We'll have some, but probably not enough, so we'll probably try selling them -- gotta love Capitalism.
All types of bicycle are welcome, as are different skill levels, although a degree of comfort riding in urban traffic is paramount.

The success of previous years has solidified GTV's standing as one of the Must Attend events in the Northeast, with last year's winner traveling from Baltimore. As a result, we have seen some serious support from sponsors, both traditional and non-traditional. You can check the left-hand column of this blog for a fairly complete list of sponsors, as well as applicable links.
Some changes to the sponsor list that you should note: Chari & Co has dropped out, Horroh, Feetbelts, and Shop Gentei have been added.
If this hasn't excited you enough, First Place is heading home with a Pista Concept, First Place Ladies with a Cannondale Capo, and somebody else is getting a Pake. Riding fast not your thing? There's a trick/tarck/track omnium sponsored by Ben's Cycle / Milwaukee Bicycle with a top-secret prize deserving of a First Place finish. I can't officially disclose the exact prize, but let's just say it begins with a "B" and ends in an "R", and while it'll give you one, it definitely ain't a "boner".
The top 65 finishers are guaranteed a prize, and New Haven always does something special for DFL.
If you're looking to bring friends or are unsure if you're riding, we ALWAYS need checkpoint volunteers, and we've designed the event so you won't be sitting on a corner in a bad neighborhood for 3 hours. Volunteers are very important to us, and will be treated as such.

Okay, okay, you've decided you're coming out. Great! Here's how to find us....

If you're using Amtrak or Metro-North...

Get off at Union Station, and use our handy Gmap-pedometer directions.
note: Metro North requires cyclists to possess a Lifetime Bicycle Pass, which can be purchased at your station's ticket counter. A receipt for said pass, dated between May 15th and May 16th is redeemable for 1 drink in New Haven (see a Scorcher for details). Metro North also only allows two bicycles per train car. Some conductors enforce this policy, some don't. Just buy the pass, son!

From points North:
Take I-91 South to New Haven. Take exit 2 for Hamilton St. Take a right off exit onto Hamilton, then next right at light onto Chapel St. Wooster Square (a small town-green style park) will be several hundred feet up on your right.

From points East:
Take I-95 South to I-91 North and immediately exit onto Exit 2 - Hamilton St. Take a right off exit onto Hamilton, then next right at light onto Chapel St. Wooster Square (a small town-green style park) will be several hundred feet up on your right.

From Points South/West:
Take I-95 North to New Haven. Take exit 46 for Long Wharf Drive. Take a left off the exit onto Long Wharf Drive and follow this road, which will become East St, until you arrive at Chapel St. There will be a traffic light and "Euro Auto" on your right. Take a LEFT here onto Chapel St. Pass the Devil's Gear Bike Shop and wave to Matt, then continue on Chapel several hundred feet to Wooster Square Park on your right.



If you're traveling from out-of-town, save toll-receipts, train tickets, or flight itinerary, as there will be a cash-prize for the rider who travels the farthest to help recoup your costs.



Here's a little New Haven 101 to get you situated...
New Haven is a generally flat city, with a thriving bicycle culture. We are home to Yale, Southern CT State University, Albertus Magnus, and Gateway Community College. We're a college-town. As a result, in addition to the New Haven Police Department, there are other Campus Police and Security departments who enforce (somewhat willy-nilly) laws pertaining to cyclists. Riding on sidewalks is frowned upon, and New Haven motorists are generally accepting of bicycles in the road.
We do have our share of crime, but most of it consists of "crimes of opportunity", so bring a lock, hide the bling, and carry your PW3 or pocket-lock somewhere where you can get to it in a pinch.
New Haven is fairly friendly, so get here a little early, schmooze, and secure yourself a couch or floorspot -- they're readily available. We've got inexpensive dining options for carnivores, omnivores, and herbivores. IMPORTANT: Alcohol in CT is purchased at "Package Stores" which close at 8pm and are never open on Sundays (hey, CT was started by Puritans). Bars are usually friendly and drink specials abound, we suggest Rudy's (372 Elm St. and home to our afterparty) and Cafe 9 (250 State St.). Both are open 7 days.

Local shops are: Amity Bicycles (18 Selden St., Woodbridge), College Street Cycles (252 College St.), and The Devil's Gear (433 Chapel St.)


If you're making a weekend out of it:

Friday Night
There will be booze cruises and late night sessions that will take you to some of the checkpoint locations and help familiarize you with our city. There's an art opening at Channel 1 (220 State St.) within site of Cafe 9, featuring works from a few of our own Scorchers, as well as some of the Graff Kings of years past.

Saturday Morning
There will be more opportunities to get acquainted with New Haven, as well as rides to local shops.

Sunday Morning
Amity Bicycle (18 Selden St. Woodbridge) will be hosting a velo swap, so dig up those old NOS/NJS/POS parts you've got laying around and make some beer money. There's no cost for a table.

Sunday Afternoon
Amity will be hosting some tricks, skids, etc. Possibly polo?

Greatest Tallbike Joust Ever

From Slaughterama in Richmond, VA. I can watch this over and over.

Ninth Square Collective - Art Opening May 15th New Haven CT Channel 1

May 15th, the night before Grand Theft Velo gives us the debut of the Ninth Square Collective at Channel 1 (220 State St., New Haven). This debut comes as Channel 1 celebrates its fourth year of business, supplying New Haven with lifestyle products from independent companies as well as a gallery that has featured works of international artists of many types.
The opening reception is from 6-9pm at Channel 1 and is free and open to the public. Channel 1 will also use the reception to kick off a special series of limited edition products in collaboration with several visual and musical artists.

The Ninth Square Collective consists of:
Katro Storm
Silas Finch
DEMO (who has done artwork for the Scorchers)
Jemma Williams
REO
Sket One
RNC
Rob Greenberg
Scorcher Drew Nemetz.



work by Katro Storm, from The Arts Council of Greater New Haven






works by Silas Finch, photos from Q&A With Silas Finch at Brink Magazine





works by DEMO



works by Jemma Williams



work by REO, via Art Crimes







works by Sket One



work by Robert Greenberg from Artspace New Haven

More Prizes...

More prize packs from our sponsors...some seriously sweet stuff!


-rad shirts from the gals over at Harlot.


-About 20 signed copies of Public Enemy #1 thanks to American Mule Entertainment.


-Dooooooope waxed cotton cycling cap from Outlier.


-Fresh shades from the folks over @ Smith Optics.


-All the way from Australia, a prize pack from the kind folks @ Knog.

Ghostship Collective in Mountain Bike Action Magazine

The Ghostship Collective's break-thru performance this past weekend in the NYCMTB's Hustle and Flow event has grabbed attention of the media.

Mountain Bike Action Magazine article...

To paraphrase:
"The Ghostship Team from Connecticut repeated their domination of the team category, breaking their own course record by a whopping 19 seconds."

"Notable performances included the team XC leg ridden by endurance racer Doug Jenne (Ghostship Clothing), whose under 4-minute time broke the previous course record by over a minute."



Official Results from 2009 are posted here

Official Results from 2008 are posted here

3min 57sec!!! Holy Crap Dougyfresh! What has India done to you?

HorroH to sponsor Grand Theft Velo

HorroH, the driving riding force behind Fixed Fight is the most recent sponsor to sign on for Grand Theft Velo.

May 16th. New Haven.

Doug's Himalayan Mountain Bike Expedition Slideshow

Tomorrow night, (4.28), at REI in West Hartford (71 Raymond Road), Doug Jenne will be showing photos from his time spent in the Himalayas for the Sikkim Mountain Bike Race in India. Get a preview of some of the pix at Doug's flickr. The show's going down at 7; expect it to last an hour or so.

Ghostship takes NYC Hustle 'n Flow

The Ghostship Collective defended their crown at yesterday's Hustle 'N Flow race in NYC, taking 1st place for the second year in a row. Check Tyrant's blog for a recap.


Pix from Tyrant's flickr.

The Valley Kitten

Next Saturday. More information at A-Able.
My favorite line from the race description is, "a race to raise the bar for all other races this season." I'm guessing the organizer has not ridden a Team Goldbar or Milnes-related event. Either way, looks fun.
A-Able does bags. Somehow, someone, somewhere found the faux Louis Vuitton fabric that I've been searching for forever, and made a bag out of it, which is what I was hoping to do. Oh well.
Nice job, though!

Grand Theft Velo 3, Sponsors Announced

It's coming.
There's still room for more, so if you'd like to help out, let us know.

Fork Fail, part 2

A day after Sean Milnes destroys the fork on his Langster, our man Nugent does the same...

Fork Fail

The fork on Sean's Langster finally went. For all the trixsters out there, the larger frame sizes will barspin, so long as your throw the wheel around with some force. They will not, however, endure the stress of constant 180's and stairsets.

Wow! Um, Brian, I don't know what to, uh, say

Apparently, our boy Brian owns the world record for most Pete Townsend-style arm swings in 60 seconds. I'm not exactly sure why.
Here's the video of him breaking the old record by 23.

Nose Manuals?

So sick....





Smith Optics, manufacturer of fine sunglasses and goggles, are the latest to sign on as sponsors for Grand Theft Velo III. Head over to their website and check the new line...come race GTV3 and possibly win some fresh shades! Have you been to the 2009 Scorchers event site yet? Take a sec and head on over to check out all of the sponsors we've got lined up! Come race and win some great stuff!

bling bling - titanium yo!

our man dougyfresh has found some more bling for his 29er singlespeed.

Handmade titanium singlespeed cogs from Boone Technologies. These puppies are hard to come by for production is uber low.






As if he wasn't fast enough.....

New Danny MacAskill Edit

So trials riding can look a little fruity sometimes but Danny Mac has always had amazing flow in his street riding. This edit shot over the last few months in Ireland just got posted yesterday.

Knog and Swrve to sponsor Grand Theft Velo

Two new sponsors have entered the arena for Grand Theft Velo 3 on May 16th.
Knog from Australia and Swrve. Hit 'em up, buy something, and thank them for their support!

Our boy Chris Wielk Spotted at Zlog

Zlog throws up a Wielk shot, as well as his interpretation of East Coast style. Didn't realize we had one 'til I read his post, but it makes sense now, seeing as that I really don't see too many Keirin frames with 650c front wheels out here, but I saw them all over San Fran.

Ghost Bicycles Recycled Pedal Straps

Ghost Bicycles has offered up this sneak peek at their pedal straps. Recycled seat belts (common?) set up for fixation to platform pedals. Stay tuned to their blog for updates (we hope).

The only other current info I could find is their other blog, titled "Rap Snitch Knishes". Werd.

What to work on for next winter...

Just got this video in from S&M Bikes... grab an old BMX frame and some metal tools... Ski Bike

East Rock Time Trial

Video from WTNH. I hung at the switchback with West Point. Those cadets can ride. Matt's shop is called The Devil's Gear not the "devil's scare".

You gotta be good to have your own line of cardigan

The Arnwine Cardigan and more at Tyrant's weekend jam.

It ain't that serious -- Open Bicycle

From the crew at OPEN...


It Ain't That Serious. from open bicycle on Vimeo.

3:09 is serious.

Mishka, Gage and Desoto, BMW Grand Theft Velo prize packs have arrived!

The prizes for Grand THeft Velo are starting to roll in! This week brought us prize packs from Mishka, Gage and Desoto, and Brooklyn Machine Works. Thanks guys!

Gage and Desoto has been running some great shirts that everyone's been talking about. Well, we got 'em. Get your race on and secure yourself some "chest bling".



Mishka has been at the forefront of urban cycling design and culture, thanks in part to Prollyisnotprobably.com. These guys really hooked us up!


Skulls not included

Brooklyn's stuff has yet to make it to the "photographer", so we'll update that later. Also, word has it a package from Creep Street has also found it's way to the Roll Deep compound on Shelton Ave. And, let's not forget about Milwaukee Cycle; if you don't come out, you'll regret it.