Category: Events

I ran into a guy riding a high-rise bike on the Lauren Katzenstein Celebration Ride Sunday. We talked bikes a few minutes and then he said, “I think I know you from somewhere. Oh, yeah, you were at the last Freakbike ride.”

After I determined that he had liked my coverage, I confessed that I was the guy.

He suggested I check out the ride notice on the Freakbike Militia web site.

The Summer of Love Ride is July 1

Here’s Kenny P’s info

Some ol’ Hippy told me about the Freakbike Militia’s Groovy little cruise coming up on Wednesday, July 1st, 7:00pm at the corner of Southern and Flagler.

Yeah Man, said it was some sorta “Summer of Love” 60’s Ride. A Freakstock kinda thing with Peace signs and Tye Dye, The Doors and Hendrix, Choppers and Cruisers, Woodstock and Mini skirts, Go-Go Boots and John Lennon glasses, Tall Bikes and Low Riders, Dead Heads and Electric Kool-Aid…….You get the idea.

Meeting at 7:00pm and leaving at 7:30pm sharp. 60’s attire is highly encouraged, c’mon, support your local Goodwill store!

Headlight and taillight are mandatory, helmets are encouraged, mandatory (by Fl. law) for the kiddies 15 and under.

This is an unsupervised ride at your own risk deal, we need to police ourselves to keep this ride going,

if you see someone being a Gomer, call them on it and tell ’em why.

**The crossing over the yellow line or blasting down the sidewalks and yelling at pedestrians and drivers that sorta stuff.

This will be the original route, through City place, down Clematis to the Fountain, and returning the same route.

There will be dumb games and the transfer of the FBM Cup. C’mon out and get your groovy on with the Freakbike Militia.

“Peace, Love and Freakbikes”

These are mellow folks

Don’t let the name Freakbike Milita scare you off. These are nice folks who spend a lot of time fixing up their bicycles, some of which are legitimate pieces of art.

Some are families with lots of riders bringing their kids.

[Note: I DO resent them saying that 60’s duds are available in thrift shops. I’ve got stuff of that era in my closet. I won’t say that it’ll still fit, but it’s hiding in a corner.]

The Seventh Annual Lauren Katzenstein Celebration Ride attracted more than 400 registered riders Sunday morning, June 28, 2009.

The event celebrates the birthday of Lauren Katzenstein, a high school sophomore who was killed by a reckless, unlicensed driver while she and her father were participating in the MS150 Breakaway to Key Largo charity ride in 2003.

Lauren’s birthday was the last day of June, so it was decided to schedule the ride for the last Sunday in June as a celebration of her life. You can read more about Lauren here.

Here’s a video of the start of the ride.

Temperatures were into the 90s as the morning went on and the humidity felt like it was about 110 percent, but there was a slight cloud cover that offered some relief. Riders had the option of riding 10, 22, 40 or 62 miles.

Where’s my palm tree?

The rest stops were staffed by friendly and enthusiastic volunteers, although I was somewhat let down by some of the teenage girls who were working the Delray stop. I had them pretty much convinced that the only way I’d make it would be if they would cut down a palm tree and run alongside me making shade. They must still be working away at that palm tree with their nail files, because the promised shade never materialized.

The Delray stop had what was billed as WATER and GATORADE bananas (see pictures), but they tasted like regular bananas to me.

Crashes are part of cycling

There were some minor scrapes in the first mile while the pack of riders got sorted out, but the group soon got it together. Two riders at the south end of the course were taken to the hospital after a crash, but I don’t know how seriously they were hurt.

In addition to the well-equipped rest areas, a wonderful BBQ chicken dinner with all the fixin’s was waiting at the end. Ice-cold watermelon slices were especially welcome.

Here are pictures along the way

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What was billed as the 30th Annual Tour de Bar drew hundreds of bike riders and imbibers to local bars in the north Palm Beach County area, according to Darren Ayoub, a participant who was kind enough to send us these pictures.

Crowds gathered at The Brass Ring on U.S. 1 around noon

Darren did a great job dealing with the heat, humidity and party riders. He managed to stay upright and well-focused in his mission of covering The Tour.

Riviera officer was helpful

At one point, Darren said, the bikers were having problems crossing busy U.S. to to get to their second destination, Bettyann’s Bar. An officer pulled up, blocked traffic with her car and helped the participants cross the street.

She got on her car loudspeaker and offered a friendly piece of advice: “Lock your bike to something or it won’t be here when you get back.”

Inlet Harbor Bar / Liquors had it together

The folks at Inlet Harbor Bar / Liquors on Blue Heron Blvd. were ready for the large group of thirsty riders. They had portable bars assembled outside to serve cash-only customers.

Establishments participating

• The Brass Ring Pub, 200 N. U.S. 1, N. Palm Beach
• Bettyann’s,  2941 Broadway, Riviera Beach
• Inlet Harbor Bar / Liquors, 146 E. Blue Heron Blvd., Riviera Beach
• Down Low Pub, 237 E. Blue Heron Blvd., Riviera Beach
• Sailfish Marina, 98 Lake Dr., Palm Beach Shores
• Portofino Italian Grill, 2447 N. Ocean Dr., Riviera Beach

Who toured de bars?

Darren said the 300-some riders ranged in age from 21-year-0lds to “some who could qualify for senior discounts at the movie theaters.”

Several riders, he observed, wore shirts commemorating the 15th Annual, 25 Annual and 30th Annual Tour de Bar. (He had no clue if the event had really been celebrated that long or if the bar tourers use a different calendar than the rest of us.)

Some first-time riders had TDB Virgin scrawled on their arms in magic marker.

One team rode for a serviceman in Iraq

Darren said that there were several teams – or at least groups of people who wore similar clothing.

One group dressed as pirates, complete with swords, pistols and eye patches. One even had a fake parrot on his shoulder.

Another group, dressed in camouflage shirts with “GI Jim” on the back had printed, “Riding for Sgt. Jim Lashey serving in Iraq.” At one stop, the team shared a video call with the distant soldier, Darren said.

I guess I’ll have to show up next year. It sounds like a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

I had some real qualms about posting this event, particularly after promoting the Lauren Katzenstein Celebration Ride where the registration fees go to MADD to support its campaign to make our streets safer.

If someone hadn’t asked for information, I wouldn’t have bothered.

2009 Tour de Bar Palm Beach Ride Details are Sketchy

Here is an email I received second-hand.

Hello All —

Dust off your bikes and take a few practice rides around the block. One of West Palm Beaches best days is back.

BICYCLE, BICYCLE — I WANT TO RIDE MY BICYCLE!!

TOUR DE BAR June 27th NOON TIME at Brass Ring Pub on Northlake.

Previous years have had as many as 400 participants and ten pub stops (CHEAP DRINK SPECIALS). If you would like to join the festivities, be at the Brass Ring Pub at 12:00pm.

Tardy riders should head South on US 1 to meet up with the hoards of hyper riders. If you are really late, head East on Blue Heron and cross the bridge towards the ocean — we’ll be at the Sailfish Marina.Then it’s time for voodoo buckets at Portofino’s before ending the day at Hilton Singer Island.

Let me know if you have any questions. And as always, pass this email onto anyone I may have missed.

Stuff that’s not clear

• According to everything I can find, the Brass Ring Pub isn’t ON Northlake; it’s at 200 N. U.S. 1, North Palm Beach, FL. (See map below.)
• I had questions and emailed the original sender, but have received no reply.

Ride starts at The Brass Ring Pub at Noon June 27

Brass Ring Pub

Show up at your own risk. Drink and ride responsibly. Or, use this as a warning to stay out of the area while the Tour de Bar Ride is going on.