Arborecycle: a simple dream

I was thinking about ideas for this post whilst driving home from LA. The land of automobiles, stripmalls, and movies stars served as the backdrop for the photographs of my woodworking products as my sister the photographer lives down there. So about a week ago, I hopped in my truck with my goods and model and headed south. As for my model for this shoot, I chose my beautiful English Roadster.

I started riding this vintage Raleigh Sport given to me by my friend Max a couple years ago. The bicycle is so beautiful. It is a black lugged steel frame (that feels more like cast iron) with stylized gold lettering. The chainring has heron cutouts radiating from the cranks. It is a ladies frame and I have had less secure men feel the need to point that out to me but I truly love the fact that the step-through frames allow you to mount the bicycle without having to throw your leg over the seat and loaded rack. I began thinking about how to carry stuff whilst riding this bicycle. I have shoulder and back problems so I have been trying to ween myself from using the messenger bag and backpack too much, especially for large grocery trips. It appeared that my two options were; pannier or basket. I set out on an epic search through thrifts stores and antique fairs to find a box or basket that would do the bicycle justice and after months of the searching high and low, I found nothing... My options seemed to be plastic milk crates, janky wine boxes, or steel baskets made in china.

So late one night in my woodshop, like a mad scientist, I stayed up most of the night creating a prototype of my ideal container utilizing scraps left over from my construction job. The first incarnation had mediocre wood, a plywood base, poor joinery and bolts sticking up through the bottom of the box. But it worked! From that point on, I was completely hooked on the idea of carrying things in a wooden box on my bicycle. I started carrying type writers, sewing machines, gallon plants from nurseries, groceries, and books.

The milling of re-claimed wood came naturally as I had a lot of practice during construction. But no matter how much experience I had, it was still time consuming and running into inconspicuous old nails, rocks, and tenacious lead paint slowed things down substantially.

Over time, through a lot of trial and error, I was able to come up with a box that didn't weigh too much but would not fall apart in your hands. The redwood held up great to rain. I racked my brain for many hours in order to figure out a universal rack mounting system that did not require welding to make, or tools to install. I experimented with planing / sanding the surface of the wood and finishing with different oils as well.

Yeah so it's a wooden box i know (yippie)... but I am proud of the fact that it is a water/rot resistant, light weight, durable, hand crafted, bicycle specific box. I first started making them for myself. Then my friends started wanting them. When people started chasing after me on my bicycle to ask where I got the box, I knew I had to start making more. That was about a year ago... Now I devote a large part of my waking life to shopping for old wood and making crafts in my shop. It has been a giant leap of faith quitting my job and starting my own cottage industry but I have found so much satisfaction from realizing my dream of making useful things by hand and selling them to people who really appreciate the work.

You can find my work @:

- http://www.etsy.com/shop/Arborecycle
- Manifesto Bicycles in Oakland
- Temescal Farmer's Market 1st & 3rd Sunday of the Month

Broken Bicycle? Don't have one?? Or maybe you just need a friend???

Starting a blog was funny, strange, and wonderful. It feels like a combination of narcissism, shameless self-promotion (of my etsy shop that will be plugged in from time to time :-), and a feeling of anticipation and excitement that someone will read what you have to say and develop an online community, sharing new ideas and the common triumphs of everyday life.

Yet for those of you living in the bay area searching the sea of online bicycle communities for physical bicycle communities, read on.

Several year ago, I got my start as a bicycle nut milling around these warehouse spaces in obscure back alleys, tinkering, digging in plastic buckets of semi-sorted parts, and dorking out on bicycle talk with volunteers and patrons, slowly expanding my knowledge in the vast universe that exists within the realm of ji-ten-sha (Japanese for 'self' 'rotation' 'vehicle')

I highly recommend visiting these shops if:
- you are on a budget and need a used bike
- want to learn how to fix and build your own bicycle for next to nothing
- meet people from all walks of life who admire these inventions
- plug into bicycle related events (rides, concerts, art shows)
- want to buy something practical (not a carbon fiber road bike if you need a grocery run bike)

I owe a debt of gratitude to these places as they have helped me out so much in the past. So here is a bit of non-self promotion and a hope that you find a good community for yourselves.

The Bike Kitchen / San Francisco / CA / http://www.bikekitchen.org/

I got my start here years ago volunteering. I have not checked out their new space and they have been moving these past few years but I have no doubt the energy of the people is still the same. So much enthusiasm, optimism, and a strong sense of community. You will learn a lot, as it is impossible not to with the buzz.

Street Level Cycles / Berkeley / CA
http://www.watersideworkshops.org/pages/our-programs/street-level-cycles.php

When I moved to the east bay, I felt right at home in this shop. Located in an old boat house right on the waterfront by Aquatic Park, it is a nice quiet little sanctuary. Perfect place for working on your bicycle as there are bike paths and quiet roads nearby to double check your abilities as a mechanic. The used bicycles are lovingly re-built, practical, and well priced.

Check out their other programs too while you are there: Boatbuilding and Sewing.

Cycles of Change / Alameda & East Oakland / CA
http://www.cyclesofchange.org/programs/cycles-apc-bike-shop
http://www.cyclesofchange.org/programs/the-bikery

What an amazing group of people. I had the privilege of working with Cycles for a semester. Their strength is in a devotion to educating children to learn how to utilize the bicycle as a means to empowering their lives and living healthier lifestyles. This can be seen in the bike shops where the majority of the work from taking orders, sales, to mechanic work is done by teens. A wide variety of used bicycles available. If you are looking for a children's bicycle, this is the place.

Others... I have not frequented much but may be good resources are:
Recycle Bicycle / http://recyclebicycleshop.com/ in N. Oakland, S. Berkeley area.

for anyone who has ever been in love... with a bicycle.

I have been plagued by a minor case of insomnia these past few nights and so I thought, what better way to burn the midnight oil than to rant and rave to no one in particular about bicycles.

Since moving to SF six years ago, my life underwent a radical transformation when I was introduced to an old friend whom I hadn't truly connected with since I was in grade school. I remember those good ole days when we used to explore the far reaches of the neighborhood together after school. Setting off down the street like explorers to the mysteries of the world and every pedal introduced us to new discoveries of the wonders of speed, beauty of the passing landscape, fleeting scents cataloged in our memory, and the sense of freedom and power felt as your home where your homework awaited began to blur in the distance. And then mother called you back for dinner and no words could describe to her at the time the way this simple hunk of metal on rubber made you feel.

Until now... For all you grownup bicycle riders, good for you. Welcome back to your childhood.

Since my 'beggers can't be choosers bicycle' six years ago, I have had many loves in my life that have come and gone. The memories of their individual beauty lingers and the experiences we have shared together re-exploring the world twenty something years later will stay with me for the rest of my life.

So here is to all the bicycles we have ever loved, of all different shapes, sizes and colors in our lives. Thank you.