Check out the skirt guards to protect your pretty prom dresses!

Also, in regards to my last blog discussing the running of your lights….. really, go with your gut.  If you think you’re rolling through somewhere you could get mugged, maybe you shouldn’t advertise yourself.  Otherwise, run your lights so cars can see you.  That’s all.  Its just food for thought.

This warm winter has been extremely pleasant for afternoon bicycle rides.  When Saturday came with the rain, we were already ahead of it.  Through downpours of rain, then snow, treacherous Sunday drivers on Saturday, the flat open highways of central Ohio, and the blessed company of friends, MoBo held a fieldtrip to the Bicycle Museum of America.  <Place ridiculous amount of drool here.>  What a collection!!  Velocipedes!  Penny farthings!  Pee Wee’s bike!  A bicycle that did 108 mph!  Sexy string skirt catchers!  Hand pulled pinstripin!  Women’s liberation!  Cows!  America!  Fuck Yeah!!

Oh no, don’t think that’s all.  We have you all winter, baby, into the spring:

This Sunday during open shop, Laura Collins will be leading  Bike-CRAFT 1: Pimp My Ride.  Mmhmm.  Knit ‘r’ done!

The Winter Workshop series could be just what you need to get you and that cute little bike of yours out on the road before spring even hits.  Every Monday night at 7pm for the next two months  in the shop.

Bike Sale Committee meets this Thursday, Feb. 9, at 7 at Mayday.  You want a new bike?  April 14th.  Mark your calendars.  “If you ain’t got your taxes done by now, just buy a bike.”

Volunteer Committee meets at the Comet at 9:15 on Feb. 15th.

The annual Fundraiser planning has begun.

And what about a station at the Flying Pig Marathon this year?  I like runners, don’t you?  Maybe a water balloon station and whiskey station….

How about a safety segue for a few minutes?  Now, now.. don’t pout.  I only bring it up because I love you.  Did I just say that out loud?  Let’s discuss running your lights.  Now imagine its night.   The air is brisk.  You can make out the chug chug and screech of railroad cars playing a back beat  to the rhythm of your bicycle ride.  You’ve been riding those main roads with regular traffic.  Your lights blinking either let them know you were there or gave them a case of the seizures.  Now you’ve turned off to the side streets.  Where its quieter.  The cars don’t move as fast.  More foot traffic.  Perhaps you’re by yourself.  Feel a little tighter?  Maybe in the cheeks or the shoulder blades?  Well, maybe, just maybe, you shouldn’t run your lights.  I’m just sayin’.  That beautiful deep silence of the momentum you cascade through, as do those shorties on the corner; is broken…. disturbed… touched by lights meant to ward off the treacheries of automotive vehicles.  Time and place….  time and place.
Late breaking news!  MoBo has been nominated as Best Progressive.  Progressive what, hmm?  Progressive thinkers?  Progressive programming?  Progressive dance?  What about Best Progressive Synth-Pop Band from the Eighties?  Go check it out at the City Beat website.

Looking forward to talking with you later.

Snow peas and grease,

Rob

Building the jig for the bamboo bike.

Neato torpedo!!  MoBo had an impromptu bamboo bicycle building workshop last week.  The workshop was held by past MoBo member, Dan Vogel-Essex, of Ozon Bicycles.  Currently based in Berlin, Germany, Dan was in Cincinnati visiting family and friends and stopped by the Co-op.  One thing led to another… after hours, resins purchased, a crew of people cutting up bike frames to use, extremely rich and delicious Ghirardelli chocolate brownies, and a custom bike jig.  Dan explained the process, showed critical points to look out for, answered questions, and was ultimately patient with us all.  Kudos!  He even agreed to donate it to MoBo’s Loaner Bike Program!  Well, the bike is looking great.  Dan has flown back to the DDR, and we’ll be finishing up the final touches of bike soon.  Ask about it next time you’re in open shop and keep an eye out for it pedaling around soon!

So many people have given so much. Time, energy, materials, advice, love, support, understanding, critiques, friendship, inspiration… the list goes on. All gifts. All blessings. All of it channels back out of MoBo. Its a smile, a helping hand, a presence, a reassurance, a support network that ripples out the doors of the shop to flow around our neighborhood and even the whole of Cincinnati itself. Amazing the things that have been accomplished through the existence of a tiny little community bicycle workshop. What will happen next? Will we we continue to as a tiny little workshop? Will we inspire a child? Bring understanding & peace to tensions and discomfort? Share jokes? See more and more people riding bicycles down the street? Will we continue to build a place that that vibrates with life and friendship each time we sign in?

There have been as many ideas shared within those walls, as seeds have been planted in the surrounding gardens, as the turns of the wrenches each week, as rotation of the wheels of your bike when its all said and done. Endless possibilities. Potential roadblocks. Only way to see what happens is to keep taking part part, isn’t it? It won’t be easy sometimes. Sometimes it will be epic. Other times humbling. And, hopefully, we all come out for the better.

How will we come to MoBo in the new year? What can we give to it? How can we help? And when its figured out, it feels good.

Happy New Year and Love

The Sale happened at the Village Green, and while bikes were sold volunteers, members and new bike owners (!!) enjoyed a cookout in the Open House environment.  After a super-build day attended by shop volunteers, and many hours put in by core volunteers, there were about 25 bikes ready to be adopted and taken home!  If you’re interested in helping out in future events of this kind, please send an email to shopformobo@gmail.com or sign up for shop activities on the volunteer form.  This was a great way for volunteers to get more practice working on bikes and getting to know different kinds of parts.  It was such a success, volunteers are thinking of making the bike build a tradition.

The Fundraiser on May 15th was our 4th annual party.  It was held at Mayday bar on Spring Grove, right near the Mill Creek.  A higher turn-out with a lower admission price and a boat load of help from volunteers made this fundraiser the most successful yet.  We made as much money as last year, but more people came and more people made the event happen.   A handful of great local bands kept people itching to dance all night.  Elizabeth Motter started off the party with her harp, and was followed by the Tillers, Chocolate Horse, Fishfischer and Northside Nick.  Silent auctions and raffles sent people home with great deals on bike gear and local wares, and many people joined as new members!   People had a great time, and MoBo is off to a great start on its fourth year.  Thanks to everyone who made the fundraiser such a great success!

As we head into June, don’t forget about your bike!  May is bike month, but you can ride all year long!  Keep visiting the co-op, and keep pedaling!

MoBo has a lot of small friends who like to hang around the shop.  They come by to ask us for new inner tubes, new chains, and occasionally a muffin when we get gifts from the Hostess outlet.  We let them come in, we have to yell at them some times for riding their bikes in the yard, but it’s obvious that we have a soft spot for them.

So we better be out with our porch light ON for Halloween.  Members, come on down!   Be at MoBo to help hand out treats to the next generation of Northside!  Bring a bag of candy if you can to help give out, or bring your kids by to trick-or-treat with us 6-8pm, Saturday October 31st. Wear your costumes!

We will be taking candy  donations in the next two weeks during open shop!

Thank you all!!

MoBo’s third annual fundraising bash May 16th, 2009, was a HUGE success once again thanks to all our generous contributors and attendees. Thank you so much to all who came out to support the co-op, thanks to all the wonderful donors, our amazing sponsors, the bands, and for the awesome volunteers! It was a blast. Now come on down to the co-op, tune up your machine, and head out on the great roads of Cincinnati (see “Events” page for upcoming Mobo rides). Thanks again everyone!

MoBo Bicycle Co-op   Third Annual Fundraiser

Saturday, May 16th, 7PM-12 AM

Off the Avenue Studios 1546 Knowlton Ave

$10 for members, $12 for non-members

Presale Tickets available at Shake It and  Park + Vine

Music by Chuck and Lisa from Wussy/ Matt Shelton’s Picnic / The Read  / DJ Grover

Come out and support three years of successful programming, community building and bicycle building at MoBo’s Third Annual Fundraiser. The event features a wide variety of food from your favorite local restaurants, provided with admission.  Alcoholic and non-alcoholic food will be available for a small donation. Your favorite bicycle co-op will be selling raffle tickets and auctioning off over fifty items, baskets and surprises! Goldsprints will be there to, so be ready to race. 

If you are interested in volunteering for the event of the year or have an item you’d like to donate, email mobobicyclecoop@gmail.com

Hope to see you there!

We aim to empower individuals and communities by providing space and tools to repair and recondition second-hand, recycled, and low-cost bicycle materials.

With a strong commitment to community, we promote healthy, sustainable transportation through bicycle-oriented programs and events, work for bicycle advocacy, and encourage creativity and the free exchange of ideas.