WWP

Walking from Penn Station to work, I came upon this event gearing up and snapped some photos via phone.

The Soldier Ride, at its core, is a rehabilitative cycling event designed to challenge our wounded warriors to get back in the saddle, both literally and figuratively, and is a tool to help both the physical and mental wounds of war. These rides also help to raise awareness for the WWP mission and our many important programs designed to serve our injured and their families, and in turn raise money through sponsorships, pledges and donations for WWP.

@the New Broadway
Such fit, strong women!

A bit of pre-race lounging
I admire them.

See the riding schedule here.

Urban Outfitters Now Sells Fixed Gear Bikes

http://www.thefader.com/2009/07/15/urban-outfitters-now-sells-fixed-gear-bikes/

No shit... guess this means everyone knows about fixies now. These bikes are pretty cool, I must admit -- there's only one (fixed?) chain, so when you pedal backwards, the bike goes backwards. And you can ride on one wheel, control everything about the bike. Similar to a stick-shift car, I'd imagine. That's about the extent of my knowledge though, and I basically dated one for about a month. Pictured above is a rather cool-looking fixie -- Nike-commissioned in '08 for a celebration of their Air Force 1 shoe, of all things.

As part of the AF1 Silver Service installation at Dover Street Market, the Wilson Brothers (Ben and Oscar) have created a traditionally lugged, steel–framed fixed wheel bicycle. This bespoke, hand-crafted piece draws inspiration from the track and captures the essence of what’s happening on the streets today. The bicycle has been added to the curation at Dover Street Market which celebrates 25 years of the iconic Air Force 1.

Oh, to be an onlooker in this culture.

And the comments on this article are hilarious, not sure whose side I should be on...

1. Johny Johnston Says:
   July 15th, 2009 at 5:56 pm

   This is un-FUCKING-real… Someone has finally packaged up Coolness all nice and ready for you ride. No need for individuality or preference or knowledge of cycling, this will guide you right past all of that… YOU TOO CAN NOW FINALLY BE HIP AND COOL ON YOUR FIXIE!

2. billy parnham Says:
   July 15th, 2009 at 6:09 pm

   i don’t remember much of an uproar from the community when you could buy skateboards at chain stores.

   just shows how entitled and self absorbed the fixie crowd is. guess it’s on to the next thing for you guys.