Grease Rag Ride & Wrench

It’s that time again- Grease Rag Ride and Wrench!   

• Our 2nd Annual Winter Skill-Share is going to be Sunday, November 21, 12-3 PM.  Facebook or email if you have any questions!
• The Minneapolis Presents Calendar project's release party was such a success because of YOU!  Sarah, Bindy, Buzo, Heidi, Jamie, Shayne, Brie, Jenn, Dana, Alicia, Michelle, of course the Minneapolis Presents team (EG, Melody, Kayla, Chelsea... and many more WTFs and allies.  If you did not get a calendar you can buy one at Sunrise this Thursday...
• The last group ride was last month-  We'll let you know in the spring when they are starting back up.

WTF Appreciation!  (Because we appreciate you...)

• New to Grease Rag: Sarah and Bindy both brought in their beautiful rides for some maintenance.  Buzo got busy replacing spokes and truing her wheel.  Lydia changed out her brake cables with very little instruction- Nice!

Hope to see you!

Our most successful event, hands down, was the "Winter Maintenance Skill-Share" that Grease Rag hosted last November.  Even though it doesn't feel like it (holy record-breaking October, Batman!!) winter is on our doorstep, once again.  Are you ready?  More importantly, are your bikes ready?

Grease Rag's 2nd Annual Winter Maintenance Skill-Share

Sunday, November 21, 2010
12 PM- 3 PM

Sunrise Cyclery
901 W Lake St
Bryant Ave. & Lake St., Minneapolis
(612) 824-6144

Like all Grease Rag events this is FREE and open to all WTF (women/ trans/ femme) cyclists

RSVP on Facebook, and invite all of your friends!

Are you interested in...

Yummy vegan treats and hot beverages?
Knowledge-sharing in a free and open forum just for WTF cyclists?
Cleaning and maintaining your bike this winter?
Dressing for comfort and performance?  (We are not talking about lycra here...)
Handling and safety techniques?
Advice on tires, lube, and winter gear?

... then you should totally bring your winter bike, your experience and/or willingness to learn, and let's do this.  (Don't forget to RSVP!)

Poorimpulsecontrol via mplsbikelove.com said it best:

I ride my bike because I want to, because I love it, because it makes me happy. But, I don't have to. I could take the bus, I could drive my car. My bike is nice, because I have the money to invest in it, and because I choose to put more money in my bike, than in anything else. I can afford to (occasionally) buy decent winter cycling gear.

That being said. There are a lot of us who ride because they have to, any money they have is spent on food, or shelter, or even just making it one more day.

As you are contemplating the gifts that you are going to buy for your friends and family, please consider buying or donating something to someone else in need.

Consider buying a few pairs of wool gloves, socks, hats, scarves and dropping them off at the Salvation Army, House of Charity, People Serving People, Mary's Place or St. Stephens.

Consider buying a couple of bicyle helmets, lights, or locks and donating them as well.

I have the good fortune of being healthy and able to ride my bicycle.  Sometimes I forget that not everyone has the same opportunities that I do!  Giving back, whether you do it as an advocate/ mentor, with your checkbook, or with a wrench, is something we should do all year long.  However, seeing as this is traditionally the "season" for giving, Grease Rag would like to take this opportunity to encourage you to be generous to people in need and the organizations that support those people.

The following are three different ways you can give back!  (Giving greenbacks to Sibley Bike Depot, racing against hunger in Cranksgiving, and gettin' greasy with MMRB!)

I'm sorry to report that a local WTF cyclist, Nikki Duffney, was hit by a car on Oct. 20.

From kaitzeimer via mplsbikelove.com:

To show our support, we are planning a benefit bike ride and after-party for Nikki on Sunday, November 14. The riders will meet at 4:00 at the Soap Factory (518 2nd St SE Minneapolis) in the giant empty lot. We'll ride for about an hour, then end at Sea Salt Eatery (4801 Minnehaha Ave) which is located in Minnehaha Falls Park. If you do not wish to ride, please join us at Sea Salt for the party! There is going to be an amazing raffle, a dj, free beer and soda, and best of all, all of Nikki's wonderful family and friends! If you have any other questions or want to help out, please contact Nikki's aunt, Jodi, or Kaitlin Ziemer We can't wait to see you there!  Most importantly, show Nikki just how many people are here to support her.

Please send this info to anyone you would like, even if you don't know Nikki personally, all you need to know is that she is a biker at heart, an amazing woman, and in need of a little support.

I'm really restraining myself from using too many expletives to convey how EFFING excited I am to announce this event...

Minneapolis Presents Calendar Release Party!

Friday, November 12
8 PM-11 PM
One on One Coffee and Bike Studio

All of the details are available on their Facebook event page, but I'm going to roll through the highlights.