The SleyRide is a group bicycle ride that will benefit two needy families in Houston for Christmas. With the help of The Byke Project, IAMCHANGE.org, FIKSD Apparel, and Fox Hollow Gastro Lounge, we will work to raise funds to make these familie’s lives a little easier this year. This event is a benefit in conjunction with a mass bicycle ride. The ride is open to anyone with a bicycle and all we ask is that those who can afford to contribute do so before or on the day of the event. A portion of the proceeds will go towards gifts and other efforts to help each family.  For all of the details visit www.thesleyride.com

LOCATION FOR BOTH DAYS:
Winter Street Studios  |  2101 Winter Street  |  Houston, Texas 77007
(off Washington and Sawyer, butted up to the RxR tracks: from Washington, once on Sawyer you will pass up 1 RxR tracks and make a right before the 2nd RxR tracks / drive alongside the tracks)

Presale tickets can be purchased online at www.bicyclejoyride.com with cc or paypal. Cash only at the door.

FRIDAY $7 general admission (do not need your bicycle)
The event starts at 6PM with food, art show, bicycle repair workshop, music (opening reception).
A film will be shown at 8PM.
Once the film is done (9:30-10PM) we will head over to Broken Spoke for drinks, food,etc.

*The Saturday joyride will leave Winter Street at 5PM and costs $5 to participate (need your bicycle)

SATURDAY $7 general admission (do not need your bicycle)
We should return from the ride at 6 ish.
There will be a huge raffle event at 7PM (freebies/donated items).
A different film will be shown at 8PM.
Once the film is done (9:30-10PM) we will head over to Broken Spoke for drinks, food,etc.

www.aurorapictureshow.org
www.brokenspokecafe.com
www.bohemeos.com
www.discoverygreen.com
www.myfitfoods.com
www.pagodabistro.com
www.patgreerskitchen.com
www.projectbicyclefreedom.org
www.urbanbicyclegallery.com
www.urbancreative.com
www.thebykeproject.com
www.tlamarket.com

Visit www.bicyclejoyride.com for all the details.

For the most part, the critical mass rides are strictly for fun and a time to get out in mass and simply ride our bikes.  It’s always a good time and so many people look forward to it each month.  But Last week I was chatting with a friend online via Facebook and he brought up a great idea regarding the mass rides.  His thoughts were that if the mass would use its size and influence for “good”, we could make such an impact in this city.  We know not everyone is into “giving back” or donating their time, but what if every once in a while we strategically made a stop at a small mom and pop shop or restaurant and hooked them up with a “massive” amount of business that night.  What if we made a stop at an elderly couples home (scheduled stop of course) and cleaned their yard and did something for them that they could have never afforded or had done without the massive numbers that we brought by.

These are just some thoughts, but because there’s no clear “leader” to these rides, it would take a few of us stepping up and making something like this happen every once in a while.  We’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas.  Comments please.  See you August 28th.

Hector Garcia – The Byke Project

The Critical Mass ride this past Friday was a good one.  Over 100 riders showed up and joined in for a very chill ride.  As usual, the ride usually goes through the Westheimer / Montrose area, but we ended up back into Downtown at one point, chillin in front of the Toyota Center.  No Yao Ming hanging outside, but a good spot to hang out, do some tricks, and then hit the next spot.  That second stop was an old abandoned warehouse on the East side of town, where a mass photo was taken and lots of ice cream was thrown down.  I need to look into hiring an icecream truck to follow us for the next mass.  .

The whole ride culminated into an after party at the Aerosol Warefare gallery for the “BlowUp Houston” show, where we busted out the quarter pipe for a little freestyle session.  Good times.  Check out the photos from this last ride, compliments of Houston Fixed Gear.  CLICK HERE.  See you next month.

Through this site we’ll offer updates on the monthly mass rides, recap each month’s ride with photos and video from fellow riders, and link you to any and every other bike and fixed gear related site on the web to help keep everyone connected.  If you’d like to contribute to this effort each month with photos and video, just hit us up and we’d love to link to your Flickr feed or throw up some video.

This month’s ride takes place on Friday, June 26th.  We meet at Tranquility Park, which is in Downtown, right across the street from City Hall.  Everyone meets there between 6:30 – 7pm.  The ride technically starts at 7, but sometimes starts a little late.  Just be there on time and be ready for a chill ride.

Contact us with any questions or if you’d like to be added to the Critical Mass mailing list.  We won’t spam you, we’ll just keep you posted and informed on any events or future rides.  Enjoy.