my love for you.

Matthew Reamer & Scraper Bikes.

It's late in the am, but I was scanning some of my favorite blogs and I noticed my friend Jeff from the BOOOOOOOM! is representing the Yay Area with his post about Matthew Reamer and his photography of scraper bikes and the kids that build them in Oakland. Had to reblog and share. Reamer takes pics of kids who customize and build bikes out of scrap parts as a postive and creative alternative to violence that permeates their neighborhoods. You can learn more about the movement here on their blog.

Carolina Fontoura Alzaga: Bicycle Chandeliers.

I think we have all seen bicycle parts repurposed. I'll be honest, I love my bike but I have never found any use for bike parts other than on my bike. But when Carolina Fontoura Alzaga emailed me to share her incredible bicycle chandeliers, I was blown away. Her chandeliers are stunning, elegant and seem to transcend any era. I asked her to tell us a little bit about how she became inspired to turn bike parts into such beauty:

In my early 20's I was completely immersed in and surrounded by bike and DIY culture. My bike was my sole mode of transportation then. I shared a warehouse with a 12 person collective in Denver, CO. Like in many punk houses, in our kitchen we had a bike wheel from which we hung our pots and pans and sitting there one day in 2004 it occurred to me to make a bike chandelier. I ended up making something that resembled more of a mobile and although it was lovely it wasn't what I wanted. My next attempt was for my BFA thesis in 2007 where I made a proper, traditional form, 5 ft chandelier made out of bike rims, chains, and cassettes/freewheels. I have since made 24 distinct forms.

MASH SF at Project Space.

I don't think I know anyone who doesn't own a bike. And although cycling is not something I cover on the blog, I know how much we all love our bikes, so I'm taking a little departure from the typical art show opening to share with you these rad photos my friend Blake VonKnopka shot over last night. A member of MASH SF, Blake, friends and other MASH members drove down to LA to help with the install and for the opening of their show: Revisit MASH Tour of California at Project Space. The show documents and catalogs the 2009 rogue tour MASH SF set out on:

"In 2009 MASH set out to crash the 2009 edition of the Tour of California on their track bikes. For nine days, they ascended on the same .750-mile course as international cycling teams on bikes with one gear and no brakes, battling the horrendous rains and traversing some of the steepest hills in California."

Sponsored by Incase and Arkitip, Revisit MASH Tour of California runs through June 6th, 2010. Prints are and bikes available, contact: [email protected]

Giveaway: Bike Snob Book & Stuff!

****So this just in: I stopped by Chronicle Books today and they tell me that Bike Snob/Eben Weiss will also be signing the winner's books. That is pretty rad.****

I briefly mentioned yesterday on the blog's FB page that Chris Koelle who illustrated the new Bike Snob book is offering three ML4U readers: the new highly anticipated hardcover book from Bike Snob signed by Chris, 1 copy of Chris' rad zine, Sweet Ride AND 1 5x7 print of the winner's choosing. Umm, hell yes that sounds like a great way to kick off hump day! Leave a comment about whatever you feel like is worth typing into the ether and the winners will be chosen at random on Saturday morning Monday morning. Good luck!

Special Preview: Bike Snob Illos.

Chris Koelle just hit me up to share an exclusive preview of his illustrations for the new book Bike Snob. They are fantastic. The go perfectly with Bike Snob's mercilessly, sharp wit. If you have never read the Bike Snob blog and you ride a bike you should for sure add it to your blog roll. It's hilars and informative. To celebrate the launch of the book, Chris is offering at 15% discount in his own personal etsy shop, Sweet Ride. Just mention "Bike Snob" at check out. You can pre-order the Bike Snob book here.