September 29th Chain Links

First off I'd like to welcome all of our friends from China who are now tuning in and commenting. Those posts about "penis enlarging" were riveting. Thanks. Aside from reading those (google translate or a working knowledge of Chinese required) I also have some links for you all to enjoy. In today's world spanning chain links we have bells in Tampa, New bikes in Uganda, and a bicycle moving business in Missouri.

First: CAPTURED! Man riding a bike with no bell. Another menace to society off the streets.

Second: Sometimes even charity can't find enough funding. In a country where $2 is a month's wages, why charge for a luxury?

Finally: I'd bet dollars doughnuts that my cousin had a hand in this. If you come across a picture of a heavily tattooed woman in a tutu relating to this story, you've just met the cuz.

BONUS: Don't tase me bro! Texas Tech Edition.

(Photo Credit: I <3>

September 28th Chain Links

Time for some good news bad news from the webosphere. With every bit of bad news there's always a silver lining. Don't ask me where it is cuz I can't find it most of the time. These links just happened to relate like that.

First: The bad news, if you live in LA your bike is twice as likely to be stolen this year over last. The good news, since bikes are more at risk you can pull off double parking like this guy.

Second: The bad news, if you live in STL and ride in spandex this a**hole is out for blood. The good news, you can avoid his rage by riding electric and foregoing the spandex.

Finally: The bad news, if you don't live in NY you might not get to see this. The good news, if you DO live in NY you can see it! Lucky bastards.

(Photo Credit: Custom Built from NY Times)

Wednesday Bonanza

The end of the month is upon us and that means a little spring cleaning. We have a big storage unit full of bikes that need to find homes. We're pulling out all the stops on this and marking down bikes from the warehouse* down to invoice! We'll be open NOON TILL 2PM ONLY on Wednesday. Before you ask, we will not be selling/showing any of these bikes early nor do we have pictures. Sorry.

Here's a taste:
$10 entry level MTBs
$25 Schwinn BMX bikes
$50 small road bike

*Please note: if they are in the warehouse, they haven't been tuned or checked and are sold as is. You are warned.

September 25th Chain Links

Sorry but this one has to be brief because I gots a party to attend. And by "party" I mean leave work early and "attend" i mean drive off into the sunset. How about revisiting our favorite family, renting bikes in Iowa, and a sweet little shop in Utah.

First: Build it again Sam... I mean Chris.
Second: Rent me.
Third: "Ok, we've made it to the deep south. Cheyenne you look out for child molesters playing banjos. Jasmine you look out for trucks with gun racks. Robin, you look out for White Castle."

September 24th Chain Links

It's been an odd few days in the bike link world. After a day off I come back to find 1/2 of the links in my inbox are identical and were published last week. I blame Google. Fortunately for you, I still found 3 sweet links to satisfy your hunger. We have everything from irony, to comedy, to just plain weird in store for you.

First: Isn't it ironic? This man peddled all the way across the county the raise money for the poor, then someone (likely poor) steals his bicycle. Talk about giving all you've got!

Second: Michael and Michael have issues with bikes. The streaming content is blocked on my computer (stoopid interwebs) but feel free to watch and report back.

Third: Quick, someone donate your car!

(Photo Credit: Shoe Bicycle from designboom.com)

Let's call it a weekend...

When I say noon football game you say bike shop closed. Ready? NOON FOOTBALL GAME! ... NOON FOOTBALL GAME! ... good. I hope you get the point. No GBP this saturday in favor of the Noles kicking some butt. I'll be in the shop wednesday from about 10-2 if you just can't wait till October to get your fix.

September 22th Chain Links

Too much chain links? Are those double doses the last few posts making you twich and drool a little? It's ok, we feel your pain. To make up for it we're going to post a single dose of links with a double dose of awesome. We've got ghost bikes, park(ing) day, and the coolest bike you ever did see on tap to feed your habit.

First: This just seems a little wrong. Your friend dies on a bike. You put up a ghost bike memorial. The City steals it. You up up 22. Some guy has his way with them. The City steals them. Gotta love DC.

Second: Yes, there are places in the world more bikeawesome than Portland. I don't think even the bike capital of the world has the balls to pull this off.

Third: I can ride my bike with no front tube, with no front tube.

(Photo Credit: Forlkess Cruiser from vectroave.com)

September 21st Chain Links

Let's make this quick, I have an appointment with a beautiful woman in under an hour.

First: You ever gone on a rant about nothing? Did you get paid for it? If not, I know of a paper in the big CO that should have an opening for lunatic bike columnist very soon.
Second: I see this as an opportunity.
Third: Come to Vermont, we have lots of... well there's some... it's just better than Buffalo, OK!
Fourth: The article is kinda bland but the picture at the top makes it worth it. "Man, I really need to stop eating those burritos for lunch!"
Fifth: Yes billy, you too can have a watter bottle hanging on for dear life.
Finally: I have no words for this. Wait, no, I do have a word. AWESOME!

September 18th Chain Links

Sometimes you just gotta take a massive link dump. It hurts while doing it but in the end you feel fantastic. Here's six links I liked including Rice being stupid and perhaps the most awesome link I've ever posted.

First: Welcome to LA, where cars rule the streets and the bicycle resistance is underground.

Second: Use your bicycle Jimmy! You know there are kids in the third world who don't have bicycles.

Third: Rice goes stupid... I mean green. Few! Glad that mistake wasn't in the byline!

Fourth: If Speed Racer owned a bike...

Fifth: Silly old man, hats are for kids!

Finally: Cue the 80's movie flashback in 3... 2... 1..!

Final Note: Someone needs to explain to the britts that R2D2 was a trashbin and C3PO was the antroform robot. It's sad when someone can make Rice look smart.

(Photo Credit: Robot on bicycle from christinelarsen.com)

Free Class Registration

If you're thinking about joining this Saturday's class you better hurry up and register! We only have 2 spots left! You can always hang around and hope for a no-show but I wouldn't bet on it this week!

September 17th Chain Links

I've been saving these up. Here's a short and sweet list of all the bike links I've found interesting this week.

First: Electric bikes are awesome. They're just more awesome than most can afford. Perhaps it's time for Obama to buy me a new bike!

Second: Yet another article on why bicyclists are ignorant. I'm not ignorant! You're ignorant!

Third: I think I got this speech from the sales guy a Performance in ATL...

Fourth: This just sounds cool!

Fifth: When you just don't have time to research an article they come out sounding like this...

Sixth: Part 3 of Cool Green Science's "awesome" bike series.

Seventh: Good idea, bad execution.

Eighth: One more account of why biking rocks!

Finally: This is short but has an interesting perspective.

(Photo Credit: Bike parking lot from kyw1060.com)

Doing our part to keep your bike safe...

Bikes get stolen all the time. Not only is a stolen bike a loss of property, in many cases it's a loss of transportation. We at the GBP care deeply not only about bike theft prevention but keeping people on bikes and out of cars. To do our part we will be giving away a free On Guard "Double Team" bike lock with every bike purchase over $200!

These locks sold for $25 in shop ($30+ online) and are brand spanking new. This is the only (new) bike lock we sell because we've found it to be the only lock to be both difficult to break/pick and cost effective. This U-lock features a pick resistant locking mechanism mounted in the middle of the barrel (making the mechanism pry resistant also) and a hardened steel loop. It also comes with a braided steel cable to secure your wheels. Best of all, it looks beefy.

If you can't afford a $200 bike, we still want to help secure your bike. We've therefore dropped the price of the lock to $20 flat.

Not bad huh? Not enough? Fine! We will be offering a free basic bike repair class at 5pm on Saturday. Registration is required as we can only accommodate 10 per class. To register, email thegreenbicycleproject AT gmail DOT com stating your intent to join the class (and your name of course). This class is first come first served and I will be notifying those who get a spot via email.

September 14th Chain Links

Looking forward to a Monday 3peat? Howbout a Monday 5spot to brighten the start of a long week? Just for fun, we'll cover not just Florida but the globe today. We've got bicycles on the brain in Dublin, cars boxing out bikes in Taipei, restored bicycle in India, bike lockers in Idaho, and drunk fashion designers in NYC (I think).

First: Meet 1/2 my inbox. Dublin is making a thousand rides available to the public. It's not free but as long as you bike fast and happen to be going somewhere near a terminal it can't be too bad. Apparently 2000 took advantage and no-one broke anything.

Second: How do you spend $3 million an a bike lane then let Taxis park in it? I don't know, but China seems to be doing a good job of it in Taipei.

Third: This scheme sounds familiar. The only drawback I see is traveling 120km each way to transport every bike to be fixed.

Fourth: I'd like to call on all Tallahassee city council members to vote to fund something like this. Failing that, we might want to consider funding a secure bike parking area with shower facilities downtown. Just a thought.

Finally: Can someone translate?

(Photo Credit: Not Bike from gowanuslounge.blogspot.com)

New Bikes on THEGBP.ORG

Someone came by the shop today and mentioned how out of date the website is. Well, they're right. I spent the last hour making updates to the website, most notably the stock. I've put up many of the bikes we have in the shop (some I still need to take pictures of) and have removed the bikes that sold. Yes I know, this should have been done last week. I figured it was more important to have stock in the shop.

If you see something you want, let me know. I should be in the shop clearing out a brand new backlog on Wednesday. If I know you're coming I'll make sure I'm there and the door's open.

New Stuff Roundup!

It's been a busy week. We have some nice shiny new merch in the shop as well as some other stuff. We finally got our shipment of bike locks! These are OnGaurd "Double Team" U-locks that have a pick resistant center locking mechanism and are constructed to resist everything short of the jaws of life. They also some with a secondary cable to lock up your expensive wheels!
Also in the shipment are a few new bike jerseys (in men's large!). These will all hit the floor in time for Saturday.

We also got in a few new bikes. We lost count around 40 but I'd estimate north of 50 bikes in the lot. Before you get too excited, many of these bikes will never hit the "showroom" as they are too beat up to be repaired. However, we've so far pulled a GT MTB and a Haro MTB that should see light late this Saturday or at opening next week. No pricing yet, sorry.

Also over the last several days I've been in and out of the shop prepping for the influx of bikes. I've gone through the back stock and pulled several frames that might be of interest. Now on display are a pair of Trek MTB frames as well as 3 RB frames. There are at least 2 more in back waiting for a little tlc before they hit the floor. All of the frames are priced at or below $100 with the majority at or below $60.

There are also several new (or just finished) high end bikes that I've added to the floor. There's a GT Outpost Trail that's got a $175 price on it and a Trek Police Bike with a $600 tag. Both are used but in good condition. The best bike bar none on the floor now is a BRAND SPANKING NEW Gary Fisher Marlin priced at $450 (retail is just south of $800). This bike is on consignment which means I don't have pricing power (so don't ask).

Other than that we have a good assortment of bikes priced from $30 as well as lots of used merch. and brand new merch. If you're looking for a bike or something for your bike, make sure to stop in. We might just have it and we might just save you a bundle.

September 10th Chain Links

Let's make this quick. I have 43 bikes to wrangle into the shop and only one set of hands. Today's links are awesome in that not a one mentions anything practical.

First: I'd kill to take this tour. Wait, I GET to take this tour next time I visit Ben-Kat. Nice!

Second: Who's bike are you wearing? I'm rocking a 2003 Huffy ala Walmart.

Third: I'm a liar. Here's 4 practical ways to stay safe on a bike.

September 8th Chain links

From the desk of TheGreenBicycleProject:

To whom it may concern. The following is a list of liks the Green Bicycle Project (GBP) has deemed to be suitable for today's chain links. While these links cover such interesting things as banning bikes, stealing bicycles, and drugs, the GBP in no way endorses the actions of these weirdos.

Thank you,
THE GBP

First: Oh Iowa, must you be so backwards?

Second: I didn't steal it, someone gave it to me!

Finally: I thought it was about bikes (it's not) but it looks good anyway!

Making Bikes Happen

Here's a new pair of bikes for our intrepid readers. We have a lugged Trek road bike (54cm) and an old style cruiser. The trek is a beauty and the cruiser is a beast. Now if i could only find singing tea cups and a crooning pitcher i'd have a hit movie on my hands...

Also, I'll be in the shop tomorrow morning if you're interested in some holiday bike buying.

September 4th Chain Links

Today's links are from all over the globe and all over the map. From stolen bikes in China, to very chilly running, to a house with no impact, today's links make of the hodge podge of life on our planet. Mostly the quirky kind.

First: If you're riding a bike in Beijing that retails for less than about $70, then it's almost certainly stolen. Could be worse. One guy in the article tried to get clever with the thieves and got his bike taken from him in a different way. Cheeky bastards.

Second: While this has nothing to do with bikes, it has everything do do with sustainability. Make sure to check out the gallery and maybe you'll find some cool ideas. I know I did. Perhaps I should suggest the image above for his next project?

Finally: I joke about bike porn. If there's a photo gallery of this event then this sh*t just got real.

(Photo Credit: Bike Frame Fence from recyclart.org)

Friday Bike Roundup

Just thought you'd like a preview of what's in the shop this week (off the top of my head of course)

Bikes:
2 cruisers at $40 and $60
3-10 BMX bikes at $40 (we'll see how many I can get done)
1 MTB at $40 (AS IS)
2 high end lugged road bikes $250 and $300
2 kids bikes at $30
2 Tandems

Up and coming bikes:
A Mongoose Dual Shock
3 speed cruiser
Trek Police Bike
GT MTB

New Accessories:
Lights
Gloves
Cyclo computers
Tubes
Watter Bottles
WB Cages
Jerseys (more on order)
A lock (more on order)
Disk Break Rotors

Used Accessories:
Pumps galore
BMX Pegs
Watter Bottles
Child Seats
Hitch Racks/Spare Tire Rack
Pedals
Msc. other things

We may also have several consignment bikes but that's still up in the air. Hope to see you tomorrow!

New Policy

Just to give you all a heads up. Due to the rash of bike thefts on campus (sorry, FSU PD doesn't have details yet) we're instituting new bike buying and trade in requirements. First, we can not buy or take a trade on a bike who's serial number has been removed or damaged. Second, we must require a photo-ID (Driver's License) for all trades and sales (if you buy a bike from he GBP you don't need one). Finally, everyone who sells us a bike or trades one in must sign a statement affirming that the bike is theirs to sell and was lawfully purchased.

We will also be sending descriptions and serial numbers of all bikes we deal with to both FSUPD and Tallahassee PD. Bike theft is a horrible crime who's victims are often discounted while many of the perpetrators get off scott free. We've instituted this policy both for your protection and ours so please help us try and stop bike theft at all levels.

September 3rd Chain Links

Here's a double dose of chain links to help you recover from the shock of not having any yesterday. We have several stories on bike backpacks, several on preventing bike theft, one on bike DUI, and another on the crazy family biking to Alaska.

First: Make bike thieves your b*tch. Follow the three steps that the examiner recommends and and make any potential thief look like an idiot. First, use a good lock. Second, don't go for that shiny new bike and think it won't be a target. Third, register your bike. All good advice.

Second: Did you know that the legal BAC for riding a bike and driving a car are identical in Florida? Bet you didn't! It doesn't happen too often but you can get a DUI for riding your bike!

Third: We heard about these folks a few weeks ago. Now they've made it to South Carolina and are still going strong. You can track their progress here.

Finally: Here's a list of cool backpacks. I count three that would be a biker's best friend.

(Photo Credit: Bike Backpack from Crookedbrains.net)

BMX Blowout!

We have soooooo many BMX bikes. By last count 7 billion (my counting skills may be a bit rusty though). We have everything from high end Schwinn to Next bikes all with two things in common, they're BMX bikes and they're $40. Because we're selling so many of these bikes at a REDICULIOUSLY LOW PRICE not all bikes will be available when we open. We'll stagger them throught the day so that people showing up late will have a chance too. If you're looking for cheap transport or something to jump, Saturday's your lucky day!

We'll of course also have loads of other bikes too. Some starting from $50!

Septermber 1st Chain Links

Today's theme for chain links is "Fish". No reason, I just like fish. It doesn't even relate to today's links. Airbags, banks with brains, civil disobedience, and a fight over a coastal road and not one mentions a fish.

First: Let's get this straight. We wear helmets to protect our heads while biking but car drivers don't need special equipment? That's just not fair! Well, to make things a little more equal (you'll still need a helmet) one company is trying bicycle airbags!

Instead: Might we try just riding on safer roads? 3 feet of clearance is all these riders ask. They'll even fight for it.

Surprisingly: Even with the dangers of biking in the big city, some people are still looking to go green. To help, the notoriously slow thinking banking industry is helping people buy bikes.

Hilarious: I recommend listening to "flight of the Valkyries" while reading this story.

(Photo Credit: Fish Biker from Flikr user scottlondon)