New Year! New Website!

It's almost like getting a new bicycle. You look at it and realize there is something so special about it. It's novel, it's fun, it's fresh. It will take us to new places, and that's what the Durham Bike Coop is all about, right? It's about bringing the joy of bicycling and keeping it up to speed, no pun intended! So gear up (pun intended) and get ready to take a spin (so intended) with the NEW WEBSITE!

After months of transferring and rearranging the content of the old website, tinkering with fonts and color schemes, making sure all of the bells and whistles go into it, I was able to redesign the website. But I certainly didn't reinvent the wheel (I am having too much pun, I mean fun). In fact, 99% of the content has been reinvigorated into the new design, and she came out pretty, pretty good...if I do say so myself (or if Larry David does say so, rather),

Now, as 2016 brings us more bikes, and more bikes, and even more bikes, we also have a new website to showcase what our own little cooperative can do, has done, and will do for the community. In the meantime, enjoy the new site and TREK ON(or Schwinn on if that's your forté)!

Yours Truly,
Kyle Reece
Communications Coordinator

How Your Amazon Accounts Can Help the Co-op

As you prepare for the holidays, breaking of bread, and gift giving, please consider connecting your Amazon accounts to the Durham Bicycle Cooperative's passive giving campaigns.

HOW TO ASSIGN THE CO-OP AS YOUR AMAZON CHARITY OF CHOICE

• Visit https://smile.amazon.com/ch/26-352262 and log in to your Amazon account
• Hover over "Your Account" in the top banner, then click on "Change Your Charity"
• In the search bar, type Durham Bicycle Cooperative
• Select the Co-op when it appears in the search bar and you will see it pop up under the "Supporting" section of your customized account banner
• When you make your next purchase, be sure to sign in via http://smile.amazon.com and 0.5% of the proceeds will be donated to the Co-op's capital campaign! 

Every little bit adds up to make our capital campaign a success, so thanks for making the effort to link your accounts today.  HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU AND YOURS!!!

The FUNdraising Continues....

As many of you know, the Durham Bike Co-op launched an ambitious capital campaign earlier in the year with a goal to raise $50,000 by December 31 in order to relocate our community bike workshop to Duke Park.  This felt like a daunting task for such a small, all-volunteer organization when we started.  Our treasurer, Debbie West, convinced us that it could be done and we marched forward to make our little dream a reality. This fall, we are happy to announce that with the gracious support of many generous donors, the Co-op has hit our target and then some!

October was an unprecedented month of absolutely awesome news and great hope for the future of the Co-op.  The first major turning point came when an anonymous donor offered a $25,000 gift to the Co-op in mid October.  This absolutely unexpected news was pure magic to the ears of the fundraising team, as the gift shored up a campaign that was just over 1/3 of the way to our goal until recently.  The more-than-generous donation from our secret admirer brought the capital campaign very close to the home plate and breathed new life into our effort.

Shortly after learning of the anonymous gift, the Co-op got word from Burt's Bees Foundation that we were awarded a grant of $9,500 for pollinator-friendly landscaping at the Co-op's new home in Duke Park.  This funding will bring an awesome added benefit to Co-op and Duke Park patrons, with great beauty and educational opportunities for all to enjoy!  The beekeepers among us are absolutely thrilled about this project and can't wait to start planning and planting for our buzzing buddies to join the new Co-op site :)

Believe it or not, the great news doesn't stop there!  In late October, the fundraising committee also heard from Tarwheels Bicycle Club that we were awarded a generous grant with proceeds from their recent BikeFest event.  The annual BikeFest ride in August was attended by several Co-op members and patrons and was so much fun!  We are eternally grateful for all the support offered by the Tarwheels in so many forms during the course of our fundraising initiative.

Last but not least, the Co-op is also super excited to have been awarded a $3,500 grant by Duke University's Community Care Fund to help fund youth programming.  With Duke's generous support, the Co-op will now be able to enhance our youth earn-a-bike programming and offer safety equipment to as many young people as we can possibly reach with lights, helmets, and locks in the next year!

We are truly blown away by the faith you all have placed in our mission and for the generosity expressed in all the donations of money, time, energy, and goodwill!  A hearty thank you to everyone who has contributed to the Co-op this year.  

The Co-op's FUNdraising committee plans to keep up the good work until we are well-situated in our new home, and next steps include hosting an awesome Trivia Night event at the Atomic Fern on Nov 11 @ 8pm to socialize and celebrate!  Bring your game face and mad trivia skillz!!!!!

Kroger Community Rewards & Fundraising Updates

As many of you know, the Co-op's capital campaign kicked off in March 2015 with the goal to raise $50,000 for upfitting the new Duke Park workshop space.  We've made steady progress, with 36% of the funds raised to date!  Many thanks to all of our donors and kudos to the dedicated volunteers who helped make the 5th annual Tour de Fat a success (we raised more than $4,400 at this year's event).  The funds raised to date will allow the Co-op to move forward with Phase I of our workshop construction project.  Learn more about Phase II fundraising initiatives at https://www.razoo.com/story/Phase-Ii-Workshop-Building-Retrofit. 

In the spirit of progress, we're happy to announce that the Co-op's recently been accepted into the Kroger Community Rewards program, which will contribute to the capital campaign goal every time our members shop at the North Pointe Kroger store. Simply link your Kroger card to the Co-op by following the steps below and a portion of your grocery purchases will go toward building our new workshop, brick-by-brick!

TO USE THE KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM:

• Register online at krogercommunityrewards.com
• Click on Sign In/Register
• Log in or sign on as a new online customer by clicking on SIGN UP TODAY in the ‘New Customer?’ box and follow the directions for an online account.
• Click on Edit Kroger Community Rewards information and input your Kroger Plus card number.  Do you use your phone number at the register?  Call 800-576-4377, select option 4 to get your Kroger Plus card number.
• Update or confirm your information.
• Enter NPO #88647 or "Durham Bicycle Cooperative," then click on confirm.
• To verify you are enrolled correctly, you will see your organization’s name on the right side of your information page.

Once your Kroger card account is linked to the Co-op, just swipe your Rewards card with every grocery trip and each purchase will count toward the Co-op's fundraising efforts.

Every little bit adds up to make our capital campaign a success, so thanks for making the effort to link your Kroger Rewards account today!

Get Yo Self to TDF

If you love bikes and beer, the annual Tour de Fat (aka “TDF”) is a spectacularly wonderful, family-friendly, summer event that you don’t want to miss!

This year’s TDF will be held at Diamond View Park on Blackwell Street next to the Durham Performing Arts Center and across from American Tobacco Campus (exit 12B off of NC147).  Event festivities begin with a bike parade at 10:00am and you can enjoy music, food, beer, and fun from 12:00pm until the event ends at 5:00pm.  Learn more and pre-register at http://www.newbelgium.com/events/tour-de-fat/durham.aspx.

Have you always wanted to go but live in Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, or Cary and don’t have a DD?  This year we’ve got you covered!  We’re making it easier for you to get to Tour de Fat by providing a shuttle bus option from Raleigh to Durham AND we worked with Amtrak on better train options, too.  Here are some options to move you to and fro the festivities:

RALEIGH

Well, first of all, Raleigh - you’re special and we really want you to visit!  So, New Belgium is hosting a pre-party for you.  Check out the deets and RSVP at http://www.yelp.com/events/raleigh-youre-invited-to-yelps-kickoff-event-new-belgium-tour-de-fat. 

#1: The Bridge Bus is a regular nighttime entertainment shuttle between Durham and Raleigh.  It runs every Saturday night with departures from the Brightleaf Square district at 6:00PM, 8:10PM, 10:40PM, and 1:10AM: https://thebridgebus.com/bus-schedule/.  If you’d like to stick around Durham for dinner after TDF, the Bridge Bus is a great return strategy -- just be sure to schedule in advance to ensure you get a seat.

# 2: The Piedmont Amtrak service is adding another train between Durham’s downtown Amtrak station and Union Station in downtown Raleigh just for TDF!  The train departs Raleigh for Durham at 11:45am and will depart at 2:33pm or 7:38pm for a return trip to Raleigh.  It’s only a 45-minute train trip, and if you purchase your train tickets in advance you may be able to arrange to bring your bike on the train.  

#3: GoTriangle runs hourly regional bus service between Durham and Raleigh until on Saturdays.  You can pick up Rt 700 at Durham Station until 10:00pm, then transfer to Rt 100 at the Regional Transit Center.  GoTriangle buses will carry 2 bicycles each.  Plan your trip using Google Transit.

CARY

# 1: The Piedmont Amtrak service runs between Durham’s train station downtown and the old train depot in historic downtown Cary.  The train departs Cary for Durham at 11:57am and will depart at 2:33pm or 7:38pm for a return trip to Cary.  It’s only a 31-minute ride and if you pre-arrange your travel and purchase tickets in advance, you may be able to carry your bike on the train.  

CHAPEL HILL/CARRBORO

#1: GoTriangle runs regional bus service between Durham and Chapel Hill on Saturday evenings on the Rt 400.  Pick up the Rt 400 at Durham Station on the hour, each hour, until the final pick-up at 10:00pm.  Plan your trip using Google Transit or view the bus schedule here.

OTHER

Still don’t see a transit/train option for you?  Visit Google Maps and use the transit search function to find a bus route that fits your needs -- be sure to select the bus icon above the search bar in order to find transit options and use the “schedule explorer” tool to hone in on the exact time/day information.  Download the Transloc “Rider” app on your smartphone in order to track the buses in real-time on June 20.  Amtrak has an app, too!

If you are an avid, long-distance cyclist looking for bike routes, the American Tobacco Trail begins at the American Tobacco Campus in downtown Durham and travels 22 miles to/from Wake County via Chatham County.  There are many opportunities to connect to the ATT from nearby roadway networks and/or trails from nearby communities.  For route tips between Durham and Raleigh, visit the East Coast Greenway Alliance cue sheet.

You might also have better success with UBER or LYFT, two transportation technology companies that help match you with personal transport service providers in the region.  Sign up in advance and download the smartphone app for instant service when you need it.

COUNT DOWN to Tour de Fat!

New Belgium Brewing Company is bringing the Tour de Fat back to Durham on Saturday, June 20!  This year will mark the 5th local Tour de Fat in the Triangle, benefiting the Durham Bike Co-op, BikewalkNC, and Triangle Spokes.

Nationally, 2015 marks the 16th season for Tour de Fat, which brings bicycling, beer, and bemusement to cities across the U.S.  These day-long festivities are free in every city, but the proceeds from beer sales go to local non-profits.

Since its inception, Tour de Fat has raised more than $3 million, and raised half-a-million dollars last year alone. Durham's 2014 TDF raised more than $20,000 for the participating local nonprofits and helps sustain the Bike Co-op's annual operating budget to fund open shop activities, DIY nights, mobile clinics, and awesome outreach activities throughout the year. 

The Tour de Fat kicks off at 10:00am on June 20 with a costumed bicycle parade that winds through city streets, ending at Diamond View Park across from the American Tobacco Campus. Eclectic entertainment takes over with musical acts to yo-yo performers, bike contests and vaudeville acts. This year will also include some brewing education and feature a “Bicycle Revival” to inspire festival-goers to believe in the power of two-wheeled transportation.
 
Co-op volunteers will be staffing a rad merchandise booth again this year, where TDF attendees can stop in to grab cool New Belgium gear and event memorabilia.  Swing by our tent to partake in DIY screenprinting activities or just to catch some shade and learn more about recent Co-op happenings.

Want to Volunteer?

The Co-op is all set on volunteers, but BikeWalkNC is still seeking lots of helpers and offering a special thank you gift to the first 200 volunteers to sign up: http://newbelgiumbrewingcompany.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=8729.  All volunteers will get two FREE beer tokens, PLUS $5 off on any Tour de Fat merchandise at the event.

For More Information:

Visit the event page at http://www.newbelgium.com/events/tour-de-fat/durham.aspx to learn more, pre-register, and share event info with friends!

We'll see you next month for some crazy, zany, bike-lovin' shenanigans! :)

DBC Communications Update

Communications have been sporadic at the Durham Bicycle Co-operative lately, and not without reason. Earlier today, DBC Communications Coordinator Marcilla Smith offered apologies and reassurances.

Image courtesy of Mister Christer Photography

"I'm sorry for the disruption in communications. I wish I could say that the circumstances in this case were isolated, however, I believe that would be premature. What I can say is that this possibility has been anticipated, and - if you will pardon the pun - wheels are already in motion to alleviate the delays," said Smith.

Smith went on to report that in recent days, she has secured employment, signed a lease for her new home, moved, and started a new job. Currently, Miss Smith is the only member of the all-volunteer DBC Communications department.

"I appreciate the understanding of the [Durham] Bike Co-op community, and the willingness of volunteers to fill in for one another. Nonetheless, we all need to recognize our limitations and keep an eye on ourselves, even as we look out for one another," said Smith.

What talents do you volunteer to the DBC? What other talents would you like to contribute?

From High Culture to High Country: Two Big DBC Events This Weekend

On Friday, the Durham Bicycle Co-operative will participate in a gallery art show opening, and the following day will offer a chance to rough it in the great outdoors. This Friday, May 15th, Art of the Bicycle opens at the Cameron Gallery in The Scrap Exchange. On Saturday, May 16th, DBC Events Coordinator Greg Heaton will lead an overnight bike camping trip to Falls Lake.

Art of the Bicycle

In honor of National Bike Month, the Cameron Gallery at The Scrap Exchange presents Art of the Bicycle. Curated by members of the Durham Bike Co-op, this exhibit celebrates the bicycle in art and design. It features art created with re-claimed bicycle parts as well as several designer, vintage, or unusual bikes on display to showcase their form.  Bikes from the co-op will be available for sale in the Cameron Gallery throughout the month.

The Durham Bike Co-op will also host a bike check-up event at The Scrap Exchange from 2-4pm on Saturday, March 23 to complement the exhibit. Members of the public are invited to bring their bikes to The Scrap Exchange and mechanics from the Durham Bike Co-op will help fix flat tires, adjust brakes, check seat heights, as well as point out any problems that need fixing right away.

Art of the Bicycle runs from May 15 – June 13. An opening reception will be held on Friday, May 15 from 6-9PM.  The evening’s festivities include light snacks and drinks, as well as music by The Wigg Report, a local band that travels to shows by bicycle. Art making in the Make and Take room is free on Third Fridays. This event is free and the public is warmly welcomed. Third Friday at the Cameron Gallery is sponsored by the Durham Co-op Market and Sam’s Quik Shop.

In addition to Art of the Bicycle, this Third Friday includes the Artist Spotlight exhibit at The Scrap Exchange. Each month, The Scrap Exchange, in conjunction with local art therapist Martha Dyer, features the work of an artist whose art tells a story of healing, survival and creative self -expression. The work is displayed on movable walls located inside the arts center.  Artists featured on the Artist Spotlight receive 100% commission for sold work. This month’s exhibit will feature James Obie.

The Cameron Gallery is located inside The Scrap Exchange creative reuse arts center at 2050 Chapel Hill Rd. in Durham. For more information, call The Scrap Exchange at 919-688-6960 or visit
http://scrapexchange.org/cameron-gallery/

Falls Lake Overnight Bike Camping

This weekend, the Durham Bike Coop is going on a one night camping trip to Falls Lake.

Participants will leave from the Coop at 5:00 pm Saturday May 16th on a one hour ride.

Interested parties are encouraged to make sure both they and their bikes are prepared to make the whole trip there and back carrying their own gear.

Suggestions for what to bring:

Bike with a rack and panniers
Spare tube and/or patch kit and tire levers
Multi-tool
Adjustable wrench
Some kind of shelter (Tent/Hammock/Tarp)
Rain Coat
Sleeping Bag
Plenty of Water
Snacks
Something to contribute to communal meals
At least one change of clothes
Plate and utensils to eat off of
Towel
Toilet Paper (primitive camping)
Bathing suit (if interested in swimming)
Lighter and/or matches
Pocket knife
Sunscreen
Insect repellent

As this is a group tour, some equipment brought by one person can cover multiple people (camping stove, hand pump, etc). Anyone planning to bring one of these items can contact Events Coordinator Greg Heaton at sternermouzon@gmail.com in order to eliminate redundancies, and reduce weight for everyone. Other parties can consider leaving a extra room in their panniers in order to carry something for the group.

"Tours like this work because we back each other up," said Heaton.

There will be two communal meals that participants will prepare (dinner on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday). Participants need to bring some food or some money to contribute to this purpose. Those with special dietary needs should contact Greg Heaton.

"Bike camping takes work, but is a lot of fun, especially with the Coop crew. Hope to see you all out there enjoying the road and the wilderness," said Heaton.

For more information or to sign up to attend, email DBC Events Coordinator Greg Heaton at sternermouzon@gmail.com.

For other events happening during "Bike Month," check out http://durhambikecoop.blogspot.com/2015/05/bike-month-hosts-events-throughout.html

(Greg Heaton contributed to this article)

What kind of events do you like to attend with the DBC?

Youth Helmet Program Keeps More Young People Protected

Image courtesy of Debbie West

Carole Stern and Greg Garneau have been hard at work on the youth helmet program. Through a partnership with Safe Kids Durham County, the Durham Bicycle Co-operative receives child and youth helmets, as well as some adult helmets for larger sized kids, which the DBC is able to distribute for free.

Image courtesy of  Debbie West

This year, the DBC has also received a grant for youth helmets from the North Carolina Department of Transportation which are expected to arrive later this month.

The program raises the Co-op's visibility in the community and helps promote bicycling in Durham, especially in under-served communities. Greg and Carole have been bringing helmets to community events. Additionally, child, youth, and adult helmets are located at the shop which can be distributed to kids under 18 for free if they don't have a helmet yet, and to adults for $10.

Image courtesy of Debbie West

"If you've never done helmet fitting at an event, let me tell you, it's super fun!" reported DBC Treasurer Debbie West.

At the Durham City's Earth Day celebration, the Co-op distributed 77 helmets. Participants reportedly stayed at the Co-op's booth even after the event had ended.

Greg Garneau, Vanessa Roth, and Theresa Cromling of Safe Kids Durham County (with the help of Jeff Garneau plus Steve Saltzman of the Self Help Credit Union) fitted 77 kids and 17 adults with helmets at the recent Durham Co-op Market opening event coordinated by Leila Wolfrum and Laura Pyatt, and Greg and Carole distributed about 25 helmets last weekend at the Bike Fest event in Solite Park.

Reportedly, helmet fittings will continue to be a fixture at future events. For anyone interested in helping out, contact DBC Helmet Coordinator Carole Stern at carole.a.stern@gmail.com.

(Debbie West contributed to this article)

Do you always ride with a helmet? Which style do you prefer?

DBC Anniversary Ride Touted as Success

Image courtesy of Alison Carpenter

Despite steady rain, 10 souls braved the weather to participate in the Durham Bicycle Co-operative's anniversary bike ride. Those who attended heard from one of the Co-op's founding members, Alison Carpenter, as well as early members Greg Garneau and Rob Walpole about how it was back in the Co-op's first location on Mangum St.

Image courtesy of Debbie West

In addition to the cyclists who turned out for the ride, about 30 people attended the Open House at the new space. Included in this number were 3 members of the Duke Park Neighborhood Association Board, which was instrumental in securing the future home of the Durham Bike Co-op. Co-op members and donors also attended, many of whom had not previously seen the new space. One long-time Co-op member, Damian Smith, was in attendance, despite currently residing in Florida.

Several Gold level donors were on hand to receive a handmade thank you gift - a Picasso-inspired bulls head made of bicycle parts by DBC board member Rob Walpole.

Image courtesy of Alison Carpenter

"We are so appreciative of EVERYONE who's donated toward the capital campaign!" exclaimed DBC Treasurer Debbie West. Miss West went on to ask supporters to help spread word of the Co-op's fundraising by posting the campaign link to social media, adding, "it's really easy to do your own fundraiser for the Co-op if you want to - click the link at the bottom of the Razoo page for 'fundraise for this cause.'" The Razoo page is located at http://www.razoo.com/story/Durham-Bicycle-Cooperative.

The DBC reportedly raised $300 at the open house for the Capital Campaign, including $60 worth of t-shirts.

The Durham Bike Co-op vows this will not be the last open house, and encourages members and supporters to stay tuned for future opportunities in the coming months.

Have you seen the new space yet? What do you think?

(Debbie West contributed to this article)

Bike Month Hosts Events Throughout Durham

Bike Month will be celebrated in Durham throughout the month of May. Through group rides, cyclist socials, giveaways, workshops, and other events, Bike Month provides opportunities for all Durhamites to learn more about safely bicycling in their community. The history of Bike Month dates back to 1956 and is intended to raise awareness and promote safety for all road users. National Bike Month is promoted by the League of American Bicyclists, and activities are celebrated in local communities nationwide. The City of Durham reports having participated in National Bike Month for several years and having had great success in promoting bicycling as a safe and viable method for commuting and recreating.  Bicycling is rapidly gaining popularity as a method of transportation and recreation in Durham and nationwide.  Events such as National Bike Month promote safety and educate motorists and cyclists alike about safety and mutual respect. “It is essential that we provide all Durham residents the knowledge and tools they need to stay safe on the road, and Bike Month activities accomplish this in a way that is fun and informative,” states Christin Lampkowski, Chair of Bike Durham.  “Whether a person commutes by bike daily or takes an occasional ride with their family, everyone has something to gain from Bike Month.” Bike Month also provides a meaningful way for local organizations to work together for the benefit of the community.  “I love how collaborative Bike Month is,” states Bike Durham board member Jack Warman.  “Organizations like Bike Durham, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (BPAC), GoTriangle, and local bike shops are all teaming up to make Bike Month a memorable experience for everyone.” More information about Durham’s Bike Month, including a calendar of events, can be found at www.durhambikemonth.org. Here are the highlights of the 2015 Bike Month, in chronological order: 2015 Bike Month Kick-off Thursday May 7 5:00pm - 7:30pm Kick-off Bike Month in style at the American Tobacco Campus! Join us for speakers, giveaways and a family-friendly ride down the Tobacco Trail. Sponsored by GoSmart, Durham BPAC & Bike Durham. Bike Durham Big Spoon Ride Saturday May 9 9:00am A 23-mile Big Spoon loop out the Tobacco Trail around to the SoDu Farmers Market and back into downtown. The ride meets at Durham Central Park.  The pace will be relaxed. Sponsored by Big Spoon Roasters & Bike Durham. Seven Stars Cycles CycloFemme Ride Sunday May 10 11:00am Join us for a 10ish mile social ride leaving from the shop at 104 W Parrish St. CycloFemme is a grass-roots celebration of women on bikes uniting all riders, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity or bicycle preference to share in the joy of cycling. Sponsored by Seven Stars Cycles. Seven Stars Cycles Bike-to-Work Week Social Monday May 11 5:00pm - 7:00pm Join us for a post-work social at Bull McCabes (427 W Main St in downtown) to kick off bike-to-work week. Sponsored by Seven Stars Cycles and Durham BPAC. Bike to Work Day Pit Stops Friday May 15 7:00am - 9:00am Stop by to grab light breakfast refreshments and bicycle commuting information and hang out with other bike commuters on your way to work. There will be two Pit Stop locations:  359 Blackwell Street at Diamond View III Courtyard (near the “Snorting Bull” at Durham Bulls Athletic Park) and the Bryan Center at Duke.  Sponsored by GoSmart, Duke University, Durham BPAC and Bike Durham. Art of the Bicycle Friday May 15 6:00pm - 9:00pm The Durham Bike Co-op partners with the Scrap Exchange to present a Bicycle art installation in the Cameron Gallery. All are invited to come to the event, help out, and enjoy the cool bikes and bike related art offered by various artists from the Durham community. The Wigg Report will be arriving by bike as usual and providing the musical entertainment for the evening from 7:30 till 8:30. For more, please visit: http://scrapexchange.org/cameron-gallery/ Wheels at Westover Saturday May 16 12:00pm - 3:00pm Join the Watts Hospital Hillandale Neighborhood for a celebration of bikes that includes safety skills, tips, a fix-it station, an opportunity to donate unused bikes, and information from local bicycle and bike-friendly groups. The event will take place at Westover Park in Durham.  Sponsored by the Watts Hospital Hillandale Neighborhood Association

South Durham Cyclists’ Social Monday May 18 5:00pm - 7:00pm Drop off the American Tobacco Trail at mile marker 5.75 and join us for free food and giveaways. The event takes place at 58Fifty Bistro, 5850 Fayetteville Road in Durham.  Sponsored by Bike Durham and Durham BPAC.

Ride of Silence Wednesday May 20 7:00pm Ride 5 miles in silence to honor cyclists who’ve been killed or injured while riding their bicycle. The event takes place at Research Triangle Park—see website for more details.  Sponsored by Bike Durham and the Durham MSFITS. http://www.rideofsilence.org/ Bike Durham Cyclists Workshops Wednesday May 13, 20 & 27 6:00pm Join Bike Durham Wednesdays in May for three free workshops for cyclists.  All events will take place at Bull City Coworking, 112 S. Duke Street.  Sponsored by Bike Durham. Workshop topics: Bike Commuting 101- the Basics - May 13 Bike Commuting 201 - Route Planning and Inclement Weather - May 20 Understanding the Law and Liability - May 27 For more information, see durhambikemonth.org. The event calendar can be found at GoTriangle.org/bikemonth. What upcoming bike events will you attend?

DBC Featured in Durham Magazine

Durham Magazine features an article on the Durham Bicycle Co-operative. See more here:

http://tinyurl.com/DBCinDurhamMagazine

Remember to check out the Battle of the Bands.

What do you think about the media attention the DBC is getting this year?

Tour de Fat and Related Included in DBC Upcoming Events

The Durham Bicycle Co-operative invites members and supporters to participate in these upcoming events:

April 30, Thursday

Tour de Fat Battle of the Bands - New Belgium Brewing is working with ReverbNation and Motorco to put on a Battle of the Bands. On April 30th, 6-8 Local Bands will hit the stage at Motorco and attendees will vote for 2 of those bands to play at the Tour de Fat pre-party on June 18th. The winner of that second round gets 50 minutes on the Main Stage at Tour de Fat June 20th at Diamondview Park in Durham in front of an estimated crowd of 6000. 

Details: 

The first round of the battle begins April 30 with six to eight Artists. 

Two of those Artists will move on to the second round on June 18. 

One of those Artists will perform at the Tour de Fat on June 20. 

The event headliners of past years have included Reggie Watts, Devotchka, Beats Antique, Futurebirds, Blind Pilot, and Mucca Pazza. 

Compensation negotiable upon acceptance. 

About The Event

Tour de Fat is New Belgium Brewing Co’s traveling celebration of all things bicycle, honoring mankind’s greatest invention. Born in Fort Collins, Colorado, to increase awareness and participation in cycling as a sustainable form of transportation, Tour de Fat has grown into a national rite of passage for cycling advocates and bon vivants alike.

Opening each show with a costumed bike parade through the host city, Tour de Fat celebrates the power of the bike by encouraging everyone to embrace their inner-cyclist and ride the streets as a rolling carnival of creativity like a 1000 person dance contest to win a bikes and a car-for-bike trade. Tour de Fat has been putting the Hilarity in Charity for 15 years: together with it’s local cycling organization partners we have raised over $4 million dollars to advance bicycle causes locally and nationally.

The event starts at 7, bands start at 8 PM - you can read more at their facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/events/715897855197608/

 May 2, Saturday

Bull City Bike Fest at Solite Park - The event runs from 9 am until 12 noon at Solite Park, 4704 Fayetteville Road in Durham, NC. Scheduled activities include music, pump track stunt riders, pump track challenges, organized rides along the American Tobacco Trail, Gateway mountain bike trail rides, bicycle safety checks, face painting and a bicycle decoration station for the kids, and a kid’s bike parade. UNC and Duke cycling teams will be present.

This event is sponsored by Performance Bicycle in partnership with Durham Parks and Recreation. 

For more information visit www.performancebike.com/bullcitybikefest.

The Durham Bike Co-op will be tabling at this event. Helmets will be provided: $10 for adults, free for children and youth under 18.

For more information or to volunteer, contact Greg Garneau at greg.garneau@gmail.com 

June 20, Saturday

New Belgium Tour de Fat - The annual event begins with a costumed bicycle parade, ending at Diamond View Park.Entertainment includes musical performances, yo-yo entertainers, vaudeville acts, and a 1000 person Dance Contest to win a New Belgium Cruiser Bike. New features this year include a new Le Tigre Grande variety tent and Sputnik mobile stage. The day concludes with car-for-bike swappers who agree to give up driving for one year;

 For more information or to volunteer, contact Rob Walpole at robwalpole@nc.rr.com and Debbie West at durhambikecoop.treasurer@gmail.com

What memories do you have of past DBC events?

Op-Ed: Growing Up Can Be Hard

This will be our first op-ed piece for the blog, so I'll try to keep it in low gear ;)

I remember when I outgrew my Huffy Stingray-copy. My best friend had recently gotten a Mongoose BMX. I felt a lot of pressure to get a BMX, even though I didn't think it was really the kind of bike I wanted.

There was a girl a few grades ahead of me who would come over to watch my younger sister when my parents were out. She had a "10 speed," as we used to call them.

It was clear to me that there was some sort of "pecking order" at work here. My parents got to drive their car places and do things. The sitter got to be in charge while they were gone, and paid for it. I got to leave the house and ride my bike with my friends. My sister had to stay home.

I decided that a 10 speed seemed like the kind of bike that would say to the world, "I'm no 20in wheel kid anymore; I'm ready for the rights and privileges due those of us who bear the awesome responsibility of selecting our own gear ratios as we pedal!"

So despite the peer pressure, I decided I was going for gears. I remember it took a good bit of patience to get a bike that would work for me, but I got my bike, and my gears (three of them, as I recall).

This weekend, we'll be having our anniversary ride that starts at our current location and open house at the new space. The ride will include a "history of the co-op" tour.

Thinking about the history of the co-op gets me thinking about growing up. Growing up means getting new stuff. It also means giving up some of the old stuff. All of this can mean improvements. That doesn't mean that growing up doesn't also mean some hard times.

Here's a video of someone a lot of us may recognize reminding us of some of these very same things:

What is a bike you remember outgrowing?

A Glimpse of the Future

... the future workshop space in Duke Park, that is.

Image courtesy of Debbie West

Remember, to help us turn this image into our co-op space of the future, be sure to check out Alison's article 10 Things You Can Do to Help the Durham Bike Co-op Reach our $50,000 Fundraising Goal by December 2015

What do you think of the new space?

Durham Bike Co-op Anniversary Bike Ride and New Space Open House, Saturday, April 25th

Please join the Durham Bike Co-op on Saturday, April 25, as we celebrate our 8th anniversary and our upcoming new workshop space in Duke Park! 

Bike Ride: Join us for a "History of the Co-op" Bike Ride starting at 1 PM from our current location at 715 Washington St. This will be a slow-paced ride with a brief stop in downtown Durham, ending at our future space. Helmets are required and children must be accompanied by an adult. (We will be riding on city streets and in hilly areas, so this ride is not suitable for very small children unless in a trailer or bike seat.)

Open House: Everyone is invited to drop in between 3 and 5 PM for a tour of our future workshop space - see it now before construction starts! We'll have a tour of the site, a prize drawing, snacks, and free helmets for kids and youth, courtesy of our partners at Safe Kids Durham and NCDOT. 

We are thrilled about a unique partnership with the City of Durham Parks and Recreation Department to utilize a former maintenance facility for our new workshop space. The support of the Duke Park Neighborhood Association has been instrumental in making this opportunity possible. We hope to move to our new location this summer.  In order to relocate, we must up-fit the new facility with a wheelchair-accessible restroom and a retrofitted workshop. Our goal is to raise $50,000 to help fund the renovations. To read more or donate, visit http://www.razoo.com/story/Durham-Bicycle-Cooperative.

We hope you can join us April 25th as we celebrate our past and look forward to our future!

Volunteers Make the Difference

On this rainy Wednesday, we remember our volunteers and the important work they do to keep our inventory and tools safe, dry, and organized. Thank you so much, volunteers!

Photo courtesy of Ned Kennington

What are your favorite volunteer tasks?

DBC Hosts Anniversary Ride, Participates in Local Events

The Durham Bicycle Co-operative invites members and supporters to participate in these upcoming events:

April 17, Friday

Duke University Earth Day Celebration - Over 700 attendees are expected at Duke's family friendly event to take place at the University's campus from noon to 5 PM.

For more information or to volunteer, Contact Greg Heaton at outreach@durhambikecoop.org 

April 19, Sunday

Durham Parks and Recreation Earth Day Festival - Activities and vendors are from 11 AM to 5 PM at Rock Quarry Park, 701 Stadium Drive, Durham. DBC will be present, providing free helmets to children and youth under 18 and $10 helmets for adults.

For more information or to volunteer, contact Greg Garneau at greg.garneau@gmail.com 

April 25, Saturday

Durham Bike Co-op Anniversary Bike Ride and New Space Open House - "History of the Co-op" Bike Ride starts at 1 PM, 715 Washington Street (current shop location). Pace will be slow and ride to include a brief stop in downtown Durham, ending at the DBC's future space in Duke Park. Helmets are required and children must be accompanied by an adult. The ride is not considered suitable for very small children unless in a trailer or bike seat.

Following the ride will be a tour of our future workshop space from 3 to 5 PM. Participants are invited to view the site before construction starts. In addition to a tour of the site, there will be a prize drawing, snacks, and free helmets for kids and youth, courtesy of DBC partners Safe Kids Durham and NCDOT. 

For more information or to volunteer, contact Debbie West at durhambikecoop.treasurer@gmail.com 

 May 2, Saturday

Bull City Bike Fest at Solite Park - The event runs from 9 am until 12 noon at Solite Park, 4704 Fayetteville Road in Durham, NC. Scheduled activities include music, pump track stunt riders, pump track challenges, organized rides along the American Tobacco Trail, Gateway mountain bike trail rides, bicycle safety checks, face painting and a bicycle decoration station for the kids, and a kid’s bike parade.

The Durham Bike Co-op will be tabling at this event. Helmets will be provided: $10 for adults, free for children and youth under 18.

For more information or to volunteer, contact Greg Garneau at greg.garneau@gmail.com 

June 20, Saturday

New Belgium Tour de Fat - The annual event begins with a costumed bicycle parade, ending at Diamond View Park.Entertainment includes musical performances, yo-yo entertainers, vaudeville acts, and a 1000 person Dance Contest to win a New Belgium Cruiser Bike. New features this year include a new Le Tigre Grande variety tent and Sputnik mobile stage. The day concludes with car-for-bike swappers who agree to give up driving for one year;

 For more information or to volunteer, contact Rob Walpole at robwalpole@nc.rr.com and Debbie West at durhambikecoop.treasurer@gmail.com

What memories do you have of past DBC events?

Tonight: Tour of New Site Precedes Membership Meeting

All members of the Durham Bicycle Co-operative are invited to tonight's regular monthly meeting. The meeting, usually held at the current shop location, will take place at the new site location and begin with a tour of the pre-construction site at 6:30 PM.

"There has been a lot of buzz building about the move to the new location, and this will be the first time the general membership will have the chance to see where our new home will be," said Durham Bike Co-op Communications Coordinator Marcilla Smith.

The Durham Bike Co-op holds regular monthly meetings open to the full membership throughout the year. These meetings are used to discuss policies and procedures and take place on the second Monday of the month at 7 PM.

Tonight's meeting will be held at the former maintenance facility at the northwest corner of Duke Park, 1612 Acadia Street. Last month, the Durham City Council approved the Durham Bike Co-op to take over the property and transform it into the new home for their workshop and related programming.

For more information about tonight's meeting, contact Durham Bike Co-op Meeting Secretary David Zielinski at djzielin@gmail.com. For more information about the Durham Bike Co-op, visit www.durhambikecoop.org.

What amenities are you hoping to see at the new space?

10 Things You Can Do to Help the Durham Bike Co-op Reach our $50,000 Fundraising Goal by December 2015

The Durham Bike Co-op has exciting news to share.  We just signed a lease to move our community bike workshop to Duke Park, a near downtown public space with great facilities.  Duke Park also offers a 10-year low cost lease, room to grow, and long-term stability as downtown rents are on the rise.  

As we prepare for the big move, the Co-op has launched a major fundraising effort to raise $50,000 to fund renovations to the space.  We believe this is an incredible opportunity for the organization and would like to invite all of our members and supporters to help with this initiative.  Here are some things that you can do:

1. Donate to the Co-op today!  Any and all amounts are helpful -- it all adds up!

2. Plan and/or volunteer for an outreach event. Upcoming events include:
• April 11 Durham Food Co-op opening (contact Greg G)
• April 17 Duke Earth Day event (contact Greg H)
• April 18 Durham Earth Day event (contact Greg H)
• April 25 Co-op Anniversary Ride and New Space Open House (contact Rob W and Debbie W)
• May 2 Solite Park helmet fitting (contact Greg G)
• May 15 Art event at the Scrap Exchange (contact Rob W)

3. Designate the Durham Bicycle Cooperative as your charity of choice on Amazon, so all your online purchases also benefit the Co-op!

4. Share the DBC fundraising campaign info on your Facebook page from the Razoo homepage.

5. Start or join a Razoo fundraising team for the Durham Bicycle Cooperative.

6. Write a neighborhood newsletter article to submit to your neighborhood association board (use text from the Razoo page and include the Razoo link!)

7. Speak to your friends and family about the Co-op’s fundraising efforts -- you may know someone who is willing to donate personally!

8. Make “thank you” gifts for major donors.  The Co-op FUNdraising Committee would like to offer a piece of bike art, a la Picasso, for donors who have gifted more than $500 to the capital campaign.  Help Rob Walpole assemble these in the shop.

9. Join the DBC FUNdraising Committee!!  Interested?  Email Alison Carpenter at alisoncarpenter@nc.rr.com to get involved in regular committee meetings. 
   
   
10. Tell the world why you love the Co-op.  Drop a comment on the Durham Bike Co-op’s Facebook page, on Yelp, and/or in the shop’s comment box to describe your experience with the Co-op and why you volunteer or what originally drew you to visit or join.