Bikes, Boys, and Beers
I went to a party at a bike shop on Saturday, it is unsaid that you need to come in through the alley, or even stay in the alley all night if weather permits. It's the same scene at every party; piles of tires, rows of bikes, same group of people. Bike derby in the middle of the alley, sometimes cars are allowed to pass through, sometimes there's too many people hogging the side street. (Bike derbying involves rolling around in a circle with a bunch of other people, you need to keep your hands on the handlebars and try to knock people off their bikes with your bike or your body.) I usually break or bend or dent, maybe scratch a part of my bike if I derby. At the end of the night, small groups filter out, riding together for safety. Not for whom they might encounter on the way home, but so somebody doesn't crash and die or get found by the cops first.
I wanted to start with this scene because these parties are such a common occurrence in "the scene". By attending these parties I am unwittingly part of "that scene" and most of my friends too. Most of the people I know in Minneapolis and spend time with I've met at different bike related functions. Recently, I remember someone asking another person and myself how we met, and we both looked at each other and said, "Oh, probably bikes." The idea made perfect sense at the time, but there's not even a verb in that sentence - but I guess the word "bikes" encompasses riding, working on, looking good on your bike.
I want to elaborate on what I think the scene is in Minneapolis bike culture. For starters, I think it's important to say that I have only lived in this city for...um...3 years. Before that, I lived in st. Paul for 2 plus years and before that it doesn't even matter. When I was working as a messenger in St. Paul there was NO ONE around on bikes - ever. There still really isn't downtown. I did it for the sheer enjoyment, economical reasons, heath reasons - a way to be outside all the time. But when I moved to Minneapolis I was amazed at the amount of people that took to the streets. I remember listening to a commentator on MPR a few years ago who was talking about political stuff but he made a trip to Minneapolis from D.C. or something and started off the conversation with, You know MN is the land of 10,000 lakes, but really it is the land of 10,000 bikes. I'll never forget it because for one, I am glad that visitors notice and two, to have that designation really makes me feel warm inside. Now, there is also the hipster movement on bicycles which is great, more power to everyone, but I don't understand the fascination with Chrome bags, they are made for bike messengers. Seeing some guy in a suit getting on the bus with one empty one on makes me want to puke. Actually, it used to, I've gotten used to the fashion statement. But, I’m going to leave it at that for now, I could go on forever about this scene talk.