By Seamus Gallivan:
We nearly missed out on a third annual Biketoberfest fundraiser for sustainable transportation gurus Green Options Buffalo, now set for this coming Tuesday, October 26th, at Mister Goodbar.
The rally wasn't wrecked by any lack of love for the first two Biketoberfests - each drew hundreds of pedal-pushers and raised thousands of dollars with a simple celebration of bicycling in Buffalo featuring the hometown brew, Flying Bison Brewery's Rusty Chain Amber Lager, which was inspired by and pitches proceeds to GO-Buffalo.
It wasn't deflated by the defunctification of past host venues Campieri's Pizza and Lafayette Tap Room - Goodbar ain't superstitious.
The pothole in the way of party plans was the fact that this three year-old organization, led by NYC native and New Buffalo luminary Justin Booth, is busy hitting its stride - their Recycle-a-Bicycle school program resumed in September with an expanded reach; their Community Workshop at Colvin and Linden added staff and underwent a re-organization/grand re-opening earlier this month, boosting their walk-in citizen services and stewardship of the Buffalo Blue Bicycle bike sharing program; and their advocacy at City Hall that first made wheelies with passage of nationally groundbreaking "Complete Streets" legislation in 2008 was recently boosted by new U.S. Census returns showing that bicycling is booming in Buffalo well beyond national norms.
In short, GO-Buffalo is steering wheels of real civic progress. So as October kicked in with no sign of Biketoberfest, a critical mass of friends of the cause held a bit of an intervention with Justin. Like the event itself, the message was simple - you keep pounding the pavement, we'll plan the party.
While Mister Goodbar represents a new venue - and in it some of the busiest Flying Bison taps in town - the structure is the same. Admission, which includes food and Rusty Chain beer, is $10 if you arrive on a bicycle, $20 if not. Bike valets will be at the door to serve all cyclists. Inside will be raffles, auctions, and music from both DJ Cutler and the Blood Thirsty Vegans.
That's about it - bikes, beers...and lederhosen! View the video below to get in the mood, and look for lederhosen ladies around town over the next few days - pose for a picture to be posted on the Buffalo Biketoberfest Facebook event page, and if you tag yourself, you'll be entered into a drawing to win admission for two.
As the Germans say, Viva Biketoberfest! [CHEERING, CHEERING]
Who: Green Options Buffalo, DJ Cutler, Blood Thirsty Vegans
What: Third Annual Biketoberfest, featuring Rusty Chain Amber Lager
When: Tuesday, October 26th, 5:30-8:00pm
Where: Mister Goodbar, 1110 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, 882-4000 - 21 & over event
Why: Furthering GO-Buffalo's mission to promote healthy, environmentally sustainable, community friendly transportation
View image
We nearly missed out on a third annual Biketoberfest fundraiser for sustainable transportation gurus Green Options Buffalo, now set for this coming Tuesday, October 26th, at Mister Goodbar.
The rally wasn't wrecked by any lack of love for the first two Biketoberfests - each drew hundreds of pedal-pushers and raised thousands of dollars with a simple celebration of bicycling in Buffalo featuring the hometown brew, Flying Bison Brewery's Rusty Chain Amber Lager, which was inspired by and pitches proceeds to GO-Buffalo.
It wasn't deflated by the defunctification of past host venues Campieri's Pizza and Lafayette Tap Room - Goodbar ain't superstitious.
The pothole in the way of party plans was the fact that this three year-old organization, led by NYC native and New Buffalo luminary Justin Booth, is busy hitting its stride - their Recycle-a-Bicycle school program resumed in September with an expanded reach; their Community Workshop at Colvin and Linden added staff and underwent a re-organization/grand re-opening earlier this month, boosting their walk-in citizen services and stewardship of the Buffalo Blue Bicycle bike sharing program; and their advocacy at City Hall that first made wheelies with passage of nationally groundbreaking "Complete Streets" legislation in 2008 was recently boosted by new U.S. Census returns showing that bicycling is booming in Buffalo well beyond national norms.
In short, GO-Buffalo is steering wheels of real civic progress. So as October kicked in with no sign of Biketoberfest, a critical mass of friends of the cause held a bit of an intervention with Justin. Like the event itself, the message was simple - you keep pounding the pavement, we'll plan the party.
While Mister Goodbar represents a new venue - and in it some of the busiest Flying Bison taps in town - the structure is the same. Admission, which includes food and Rusty Chain beer, is $10 if you arrive on a bicycle, $20 if not. Bike valets will be at the door to serve all cyclists. Inside will be raffles, auctions, and music from both DJ Cutler and the Blood Thirsty Vegans.
That's about it - bikes, beers...and lederhosen! View the video below to get in the mood, and look for lederhosen ladies around town over the next few days - pose for a picture to be posted on the Buffalo Biketoberfest Facebook event page, and if you tag yourself, you'll be entered into a drawing to win admission for two.
As the Germans say, Viva Biketoberfest! [CHEERING, CHEERING]
Who: Green Options Buffalo, DJ Cutler, Blood Thirsty Vegans
What: Third Annual Biketoberfest, featuring Rusty Chain Amber Lager
When: Tuesday, October 26th, 5:30-8:00pm
Where: Mister Goodbar, 1110 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, 882-4000 - 21 & over event
Why: Furthering GO-Buffalo's mission to promote healthy, environmentally sustainable, community friendly transportation
Said Facebook event page -
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=146224878755062&ref=notif¬if_t=event_admin
Said video -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmjsEn8fOs4
[CHEERING, CHEERING]