Providence Bike Jam | Critical Mass | Bikes R Traffic without Fumes | Providence WaterFire
October 3, 2019 Leave a comment
I used to go on the critical mass bike rides each month among friends and many strangers when i lived in San Francisco.
I just happened to look at my calendar and saw that the Providence Critical Mass called PVD Bike Jam, was going to be that evening. Was fun, nice weather, 70 people, and unlike the bike ride that the mayor held when these cops on motorcycles were jamming along side of the bicyclists so fast, that they were dangerous, i guess in the name of ‘security’ for the mayor. After several of us biked even further to the next town north to dance Salsa on a bridge, but it wasn’t happening. It was a fun detour with fun people.
The bike jam was fun. No need to pay much attention, just follow the lights and tunes. Just a whirrrrrr of bikes, no fumes, no loud noises, oh, except for the sound systems on several bikes accompanying the ride.
Here’s a video just to show the one stopover.
not a well shot video, but just showing that the bike jam stopped at a monument
providence bike jam
In the meantime, I had noticed that my breaks were not working so well, the need to change them had been brought to my attention perhaps months ago in a bike shop. I decided to stop by this bike shop in the hood for a quote, $50. Went home, looked online for the hours of recycleabike where I purchased my GT that a mechanic put together, and they were open for another couple hours. I biked there, a bike mechanic who had stopped in to help some kids working on their own bikes, showed me what to do. I took off the breaks, put on the new break pads I purchased, Patrick helped me to adjust the break pads, explaining not to let them touch the rubber of the bike wheel. He kicked in oiling the break cable when I mentioned the previous idiosyncrasy of the back breaks, which he identified and solved. Left after cleaning my black oiled hands, paying $17.50 and learning something new, saving 30 dollars. DIY is fun.
After being gifted a bicycle in Montpellier which was stolen right around the time that it was malfunctioning so much that it was a burden, i googled a recycle a bike kinda place and disocovered Le Vieux Biclou. I went there figuring they might have some second hand bikes for sale, and found one, a Specialized with a seat jammed all the way down. One of the people present in the shop that day helped me by pounding out the seat. I then greased the pole, and voila, I had a very cool bike, frame just a bit smaller than I would have bought, but this size turned out to be PERFECT in this hilly town. I love, love love that Specialized, and love the bike shop. I mention it because it is similar to recycleabike, in that one can go in and get assistance and training on how to repair it yourself.
Le Vieux Biclou Montpellier France
What make Providence cool is the WaterFire festival which takes place downtown on the water, with mostly world music played on speakers along the water for the duration of 6 hours, so that you’re encased in sounds throughout.
Providence WaterFire
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