Monday, December 22, 2014

Robert's Bike Book Review- Rebour: The Bicycle Illistrations of Daniel Rebour

By Rob Van der Plas and Frank Berto

Review by Robert Leone, Bike Coalition Board Member

The word “Illustrations” instead of “Art” is used quite deliberately in the title of this vast and wide ranging collection of drawings. Daniel Rebour was an illustrator, focused on depicting the reality of bikes, parts and accessories in understandable ways. He wasn't creating art to hang on the walls, but instead building pictures to inform his bike-riding, or bike-selling, audience. In his heyday, the mid-to-late 1940's and early 1950's, his illustrations from trade and manufacturing shows, from bike races and bike shops, documented and displayed the fascinating products of fertile imaginations increasingly freed from World War II's restrictions on trade and materials.

His five decades or so of productive work, first seen in now-old periodicals (whose widest distribution was in Europe), or out-of-date ephemera such as catalogs, is carefully collected (with captions, and in a few select cases careful endnote descriptions) and sorted into a boggling twenty-eight sections here. This is a good thing in many ways. As time passes, the original sources for this important documentation is increasingly fragmented or lost. Further, someone whose immediate interest is in a certain component or frame part can go directly to the section on “Suspension Systems” or “Drivetrain Components.”

On the other hand, the sheer size and breadth of the book, and of Rebour's lifetime of work, is daunting as a single read. Also daunting: The creativity of the bike trade. As early as the 1940's, there were CO2 inflators. Late 1940's rear derailleur drawings include exploded illustrations of mechanisms whose flat sides are seemingly punched or sawed out of sheet metal or bar stock, and appear one parts list and hardware store trip away from being a home project for the most ambition of home metal workers.

Some of the illustrations are mildly shocking: As late as the 1950's, decades after Tullio Campagnolo supposedly made the world safe for quick wheel changes, even top name competitors in the Tour de France rode on bikes with nutted axles instead of quick-release skewers (admittedly those nutted axles were secured with big wingnuts for ease of change without tools). In light of today's innovations in generator hubs and powerful LED systems, the many illustrations of sidewall generators powering incandescent (even if halogen-bulbed) lights seem quaint. In short, this is a massive collection and celebration of one man's work that documents an important and fruitful era in the technical development of the bicycle. Take a look – you might get an idea!


Friday, December 19, 2014

Kerry's Ride Home

In honor of Kerry Kunsman, the Bike Coalition hosted a two day bicycle tour on December 13th and 14th. Everyone met in San Juan Capistrano where we began our ride south to the San Diego/Mexico border and held a Celebration of Kerry at Mission Brewery. Kerry’s Ride Home was an epic adventure rich with things that reminded us of Kerry: bikes, coffee, ice cream, beer, camping, and friends. Kerry’s Ride Home was filled with “first time experiences” for participants. For many, this was their first time touring, first time camping, first time riding in the mud, or longest ride to date. Introducing folks to the social and scenic nature of bicycle touring and empowerment that comes with relying on your body to get from point A to point B was key for Kerry’s Ride Home. As an educator and bicycle advocate, Kerry inspired those around him to persevere through any challenge.   

To see a recap of the tour visit: Mixte Finishes Kerry's Ride Home


We'd like to give a special thank you to all those who made the tour possible. Bike Coalition members Pauline and Dan Callahan supplied and drove our support van for the entire weekend and encouraged us along the route. Thank you to Sombrero Mexican Restaurant for donating our end of tour meal. There's nothing better than a burrito after riding 100+ miles! Thank you also to Mission Brewery for hosting the end of tour celebration, and U-T San Diego for writing a great article about Kerry and our ride: Riders Finish Avid Cyclist's Last Journey





Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Bikes Del Pueblo- Holiday Drive

We are excited to announce that Bikes del Pueblo is collaborating with San Diego County Bicycle Coalition for their Holiday Drive:  Helmets, Lights, & U-locks for the Youth.

Bikes del Pueblo volunteers will be at San Diego County Bicycle Coalition’s 4th Annual Holiday Joy Ride on December 11th from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM to promote their Holiday Drive and to collect any donations.  You can find out more about the Joy Ride here!

The Holiday Drive:  Helmets, Lights, & U-locks for the Youth is a project that is sponsored by the San Diego Foundation through the Great Neighborhood Challenge.  The project that was selected to improve a particular neighborhood; They are focusing on City Heights, therefore, donations will be distributed to the youth in City Heights.

They request that donated items are new, or in great condition.  Their Holiday Drive will extend until the end of January, so stay tuned to see what local bike shops are participating in this drive.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Ldrja1mAB3rIeQvOqCBXXjIBjpQoQY3k3yRibhAFg27jY8hglLsuSKZFbfqRpjqsz6ja294iHj5rQmAaRSBl99i01DUzeAoEnNuu16I_UrKyEIZ0fOn6jf9HmpSSXEDQDg     bikes del pueblo    http://www.sdfoundation.org/SanDiegoCenterforCivicEngagement/TheGreatNeighborhoodChallenge/About.aspx

Friday, December 5, 2014

4th Annual Holiday Joy Ride Dec. 11th



Join us for our 4th Annual Holiday Joy Ride on December 11th at 5:30 PM. We will begin the night with a festive light-your-bike ride through Balboa Park and Uptown and end back at Panama 66 for a family friendly celebration of bikes. There will be food and drinks available for purchase.   

We will also honor the winners of our Golden Gear Awards, people who have gone above and beyond to help make our region more bike friendly this year.

This event is family friendly. Your ticket includes 1 free drink ticket and light appetizers.


Tickets can be purchased HERE

Google Map directions