Rides and Races - Toronto Fixed

uploaded the interview to a hosting site if anyone missed it

http://www.supload.com/listen?s=Sbh3fYlBIE7

great job on the interview Wes!

uploaded the interview to a hosting site if anyone missed it

http://www.supload.com/listen?s=Sbh3fYlBIE7

great job on the interview Wes!

Good job mitch.

uploaded the interview to a hosting site if anyone missed it

http://www.supload.com/listen?s=Sbh3fYlBIE7

great job on the interview Wes!

Cool.. well if anyone wants an mp3 version I've mixed it down to a 5MB mono/32 kbps/11kHz mp3 file. Just give me a shout.

I can host the MP3 - not super amounts of speed, but it'll work, if you want to e-mail it over to me shoot me a PM.

I'm riding the Pedal100 this Sunday and don't mind handing stuff out if it's applicable, if we have a generic non-ride specific card/flyer.

http://media.putfile.com/CBC-interview

11mb mp3. Download link lower.

I also found a free host.. just in case one of the other ones goes down:
Interview (Streaming) (http://www.divshare.com/download/1610496-d99)
Direct Download (http://s07.divshare.com/launch.php?f=1610496&s=d99)

5.4mb from LordFoo (thanks)
Link might be slow, so give it a break, but I can keep this here indefinitely.

http://www.seepies.net/WesMartinoInterview.mp3

I just got a message from Emma on Facebook suggesting that there might be news cameras at the ride tomorrow night. ugh. I mean, I guess if some articulate people can get on the news and talk about the issues it'll be a good thing. But I don't want the whole 'celebratory' aspect to be lost.

I think I'm just going to step back and watch from a distance until the ride starts rolling. The radio interview was hard enough, I don't need some knob reporter talking at me. At least Kevin @ the CBC is a cyclist himself.

But I don't want the whole 'celebratory' aspect to be lost.
.

+1 I would like to not see this turn into some sort of advocacy platform for various people.

So T.J. gave me the cards for laminating. I will get these done tonight so they are ready for tomorrow. For anyone who cant make it on Friday give me a heads up if you want a spoke card and I will put one aside for you. 1 for 2wheels and 1 for Danhalen. Anyone else?

one for me please.

I feel you wes - I would hate to see the media turn it into a generic "human interest" story or the ARC people thrusting their fists in the air for the "cause" (no offence to ARC).

We can't control how others will take this or manipulate it. People who are there will ride for their own reasons whether they knew Charlie, knew someone like him who was killed by a car, or just out of a general sense of community. There's been cameras at a couple of ghost bike placements too.

http://spacing.ca/wire/?p=2195

We can't control how others will take this or manipulate it. People who are there will ride for their own reasons whether they knew Charlie, knew someone like him who was killed by a car, or just out of a general sense of community. There's been cameras at a couple of ghost bike placements too.

you're right - i'm sure that whatever happens it will be a day to remember.

just listened to the radio show; good job wes.

From Martino:

"Spoke with Thoby and he would like the ride to go through Cabbagetown in Charlie's memory. Especially the Riverdale Park.

They grew up there."

From Martino:

"Spoke with Thoby and he would like the ride to go through Cabbagetown in Charlie's memory. Especially the Riverdale Park.

They grew up there."

Riverdale huh? Putting on the 17t cog.....................................now.

@Wes: I totally understand what you're saying. However, as Cav said everyone will take from it what they will regardless of what the intentions of the ride were. That being said, the fact that there will be media there - and trust me, there will be - is an opportunity to give exposure to both a tragic loss and the serious problem of drivers not paying attention/acting irresponsibly behind the wheel. And I'm sure we can all agree that sometimes it's simply that drivers don't get the seriousness of the consequences of not paying attention and not their complete hate towards cyclists.

I do agree that it would be counter productive for some ashhat to get on and start screaming nonsense. I think all we can do is rep Charlie and the community with the honour and respect we have all shown thus far and I think the message will get accross. And to that end, I'm a big fan of having the driver handouts we've had a couple of times from the Tooker people at some past CMs - it tends to lighten the mood and be pretty effective, at least in my experiences. I know there has been some talk here about this and was wondering if people were thinking of just hadning out the flyer? Or should we have a modified version with the memorial ride info swapped with a message to drivers - something to the effect of "please don't regard this inconvenience as an attack but instead as a reminder that we are out there sharing the road with you, not fighting for ownership of it." or something more eloquent? If you don't have the time Wes I can volunteer to make said mods if anyone's interested.

</ramble>

From Martino:

"Spoke with Thoby and he would like the ride to go through Cabbagetown in Charlie's memory. Especially the Riverdale Park.

They grew up there."

If we were to slowly roll across the bridge that joins the two sides during Friday rush hour that would be a pretty beautiful scene.

If you don't have the time Wes I can volunteer to make said mods if anyone's interested.

I won't have the time.. my Dad is here visiting for the next few days. I'm still going to make it out for the ride though, of course.

Nice job Wes I heard the mid-to-end, and it wasn't a preach fest. Nicely done by all. "well he was on a fully geared touring bike.." I can only hope that all of this public attention to all this can be a catalyst to some sort of...(sooooo reluctant to say change, because we've all waited so long). Hey someone should get the flyer emailed out to some city counselors ...adam vaughan would love this I think.

Save a card for me please Keith! Thanks :)

I'm so distracted at work today that I just had an empty, folded up sugar packet up my nose before I realized what I was doing. :P

Councillor emails are a good idea. I'll email mine tonight as well as my good friend Adrian Heaps.

re: the handout, a good idea. I made some four per page versions of the main flyer and have been papering bikes. It may work on it's own but I think it's too complex for a quick read by a motorist getting corked. I can try to mock up something later tonight, but I'm thinking a few largish bullet points like:
Charlie Princep
Memorial Ride
Our friend Charlie was killed by a car
Thank you for your patience
Please share the road

We could add a link at the bottom for more information.

And Keith, card for me too please...

ps. I think we only need to reserve cards if we're not gonna make it out to the ride. But, uhh.. if not, me too! :)

Why am I picturing a monster crowd tomorrow? Swing by and pick your card up early? Sounds like distributing them at Jet might be potentially hard as everyone is gonna want one. What say Keith?

Yeah, I think it's going to be a little crazy. Especially since there isn't really a whole lot of room to breathe there at the best of times. That's part of the reason why I mentioned sitting back and watching from a bit of a distance until things start rolling.

ps. I think we only need to reserve cards if we're not gonna make it out to the ride. But, uhh.. if not, me too! :)

me playing it safe...

I feel you wes - I would hate to see the media turn it into a generic "human interest" story or the ARC people thrusting their fists in the air for the "cause" (no offence to ARC).

Well, it just went out on the ARC email list.. :)

Well, it just went out on the ARC email list.. :)

Ugh. I had the notion this was going to be a kind of informal ride for bikeforums people.

Well, the plan originated from Emma (afaik), so it was never specifically a BikeForums thing.

Maybe if Thoby says a few words at the beginning to keep it on track..... a celebration of Charlie. I really like the idea of Thoby wanting to ride some of their childhood haunts.

Well, the plan originated from Emma (afaik), so it was never specifically a BikeForums thing.

I'm just going to keep my trap shut now.

I really like what everybody is doing. See ya'll tomorrow. Anyone want to ride in with me from the west end?

Rob check PM

I will make an effort to make sure the first people to get em are people who actually knew Charlie. I only had 45 made which should cover that. I was thinking I would give a stack to Wes, Thoby, and Emma...they can hand em out as they see fit. This way I dont get mobbed (which I actually would love to avoid) and they get spread out among the masses. If the demand is high we can always make some more. So rest assured everyone here will get one who attends. I have put a couple aside for folks who cant make it or are out of town (Dan).

Thanks for getting me mobbed, *******. :P

ps. just did an interview with the lady from the Star as well. She brought up the Friday safety meetings, although she of course didn't call it that. I thought that was pretty funny/cool. Apparently one of his parent's brought it up with her already.

Hey rock star, get used to it. I need two please Keith, but maybe I'll pass by the shop earlier in the day.

one of my clients called me this afternoon because he heard the interview and wanted to make sure i knew about it. *verklempt*

(fwiw: i'm always leery when answering the "but isn't it dangerous" question. riding a bike is not inherently dangerous. getting hit by cars is. if i stopped riding because it was "dangerous", and if everyone stopped riding because it was dangerous, then it would be even more dangerous.)

It wouldn't be dangerous at all except for the cars......and the streetcar tracks. Get rid of those things and I'm smiling for the rest of my days on the bike. :)

**edit** Inattentive/aggressive drivers...not the cars themselves. I do love me cars too.

http://toronto.craigslist.org/bik/398705201.html

(fwiw: i'm always leery when answering the "but isn't it dangerous" question. riding a bike is not inherently dangerous. getting hit by cars is. if i stopped riding because it was "dangerous", and if everyone stopped riding because it was dangerous, then it would be even more dangerous.)

+1, but I'm also commenting because this reminds me a lot of a "conversation" I had this weekend while out for a road ride. About 3 minutes after an authentic redneck/"get off the road" encounter (which fit the stereotype to the letter, pickup truck and all), some guy buzzed me while laying on his horn. I indicated my displeasure, and he slowed down to let me know that he was only honking so that I wouldn't get hit or hurt (I forget which). I let him know that it wasn't my presence on the road that could "get me hurt", but rather his, and that a much better way to not hit me would be to aim his car in a different direction than mine.

FWIW, both encounters were along Kingston Road near St Clair/McCowan.. definitely my least favourite stretch of road in the east end.

^^ it's amazing how many drivers will assume for some weird reason that as they fly up behind us it's our responsibility to make sure we give them enough room, but when passing another car or streetcar wide berths are given because that's simply what you do on the road^^

A heads up for anyone interested. There are a few spots available on the conglomeration of teams that is Angry Johnnys racing, for the upcoming 24hr race next weekend. If anyone here is interested P.M. me.

(fwiw: i'm always leery when answering the "but isn't it dangerous" question. riding a bike is not inherently dangerous. getting hit by cars is. if i stopped riding because it was "dangerous", and if everyone stopped riding because it was dangerous, then it would be even more dangerous.)

Yes, I rarely feel in danger except when drivers are driving like damn fools. Like the nitwit today that slammed on the brakes right behind me while I was waiting on a red. Or the jackasses that think it's okay to buzz you. And you're right, the best way to improve safety is to increase the number of cyclists (and pedestrians) and send a strong enforcement message that the car is not king. What does that say about our culture when we have to put red light cameras in place? Too many big bellys out there...

<edit>Wes, I just listened to the broadcast, awesome job.

Just finished the broadcast - you totally blew it, Wes (trying to balance out your reviews, here).

Cycle Therapy is shutting down at 5pm tomorrow so everyone can make it to Jet Fuel on time. I hope tomorrow isn't a zoo ... I guess I'm going to stick with the people I know and try to remember why I'm there. Sara just finished detailing her bike. She's bringing out all the carbon bling she has in honour of Charlie. :)

\
Rob check PM

Thanks Mark

http://www.thereisnobunny.com/Charlie/charlie-ride_handout.jpg

Thoughts? Changes?

If not I will layout four to a page and post it as well for anyone who wants to print some up as well. I'll get some printed before the ride and bring them along.

You did great on the interview. I’ll be thinking about you guys for the ride as i won’t be able to make it for obvious reasons.
Way to pull together.

ps. it's "Prinsep". I've been spelling it wrong too, but the funeral thingy is right in front of me on my desk. whoops.

Nice job. I think you could drop the periods in the last two lines. I'm not sure if it would be too cramped to capitalize every word. The first two lines are all caps, the second two not. Looks fine regardless. If you fire me the pdf, I can print some too.

weird - on the way home from work, i just rode past the guy who was the latest person to comment on charlie's blog (he works at west side cycle).

I can't believe i'm going to miss the ride tomorrow. i'll have a little moment of reflection for everyone at 6:00.

I apologize if i offended any of the ARC people; we're all cyclists and their hearts and intentions are in the right place, i'm just not a 'cause' type of guy if you know what i mean...