Portland Builds No-Car Bridge

In a perfect world, we'd all get around on bicycles and trains. 

What might happen if cities decided to close down streets and bridges for pedestrians and cyclists? 

Portland, Oregon is giving it a try. Could Milwaukee be next? 

The car-free Tilikum Crossing is being hailed the "bridge of the people." (Flickr/TriMet)

Craziest, Most Fun 24 Hours of Riding a Bike Ever

It is most likely the craziest, most fun 24 hours of continuous bike riding in the world. 

When the first group of riders take off on Pierce Street in the Riverwest neighborhood of Milwaukee tonight at 7, they embark on 24 hours of crazy checkpoints, little sleep, and general huge amounts of fun known as the Riverwest 24 bike race.

Bicycling Magazine called it the "Best Day of the Year."

 
Ben's employees have raced - and won - the RW24 in the past, and we're supporting the event with prizes for the winning teams. 

Even if you're not riding, the RW24 is amazing to watch. The neighborhood is electric with energy, businesses stay open late or even all night, and the neighbors cheer on the riders. 

Mr. Zielinski Rides to City Hall

For the first time, Tony Zielinski, Milwaukee alderman for the Bay View neighborhood, rode to City Hall today on his bike.

It was chilly and rainy, and those who rode with him wore rain jackets, long shorts, and gloves.

But Zielinski showed up ready for the commute with shorts, a cut-off t-shirt, and a string bag on his back. He also wore a reflective vest and helmet for safety.

Ben's Cycle helped Zielinski choose a bike, helmet, and vest. The shop is running an in-store special this week of 20 percent off all helmets and lights.

Zielinski sponsored and won approval for a bill  in City Council this spring creating the Milwaukee Bike Safety Awareness Week.

Jeff Polenske, City Engineer for Milwaukee, and Jake Newborn of the Wisconsin Bike Federation joined Zielinski on the ride along with several Bay View residents.

Active Pursuit blogger Tom Held also joined the ride and wrote up his experience.

WISN Television ran a story with Polenske about bike safety and classes offered for city residents.

Milwaukee Bicycle Company Racing Team

Do you want to become a better mountain biker or cyclocross racer? This spring, we are launching the Milwaukee Bicycle Company Racing Team for mountain bike and cyclocross racing.

The Milwaukee Bicycle Company Racing Team is open to everyone who wants to ride. We offer clinics, group rides, races, and the opportunity to improve your skills and hang out with other riders.

Seasonal dues are $90 and include one team jersey. You’ll get significant discounts on Milwaukee Bicycle Company frames. You’ll also get discounts on team clinics and parts through Ben’s Cycles in Milwaukee

Milwaukee Bicycle Company Racing Team

• Steep discounts on Milwaukee Bicycle Company frames;
• Discounts on Milwaukee Bicycle Company/Ben’s kits;
• Discounts on mountain bike and cyclocross clinics;
• Discounts on all parts, including wheels, for your MBC frame at Ben’s;
• If you race at least five WORS or mountain bike races and/ or at least six Wisconsin Cycling Association or Chicago Cyclocross Cup cyclocross races, you can be eligible for a partial refund of your entry fees based on a percentage approved at the end of the season.

Team dues: $90 per year per rider includes team jersey

Rider Responsibilities:

• Register on USA Cycling for the Milwaukee Bicycle Company Racing Team when you buy your cycling license;
• Wear your Milwaukee Bicycle Company/Ben’s kit at all events and races;
• Represent the Milwaukee Bicycle Company Racing Team responsibly and professionally at all events. The team and/ or Ben’s has the right to remove anyone from the team for violating this responsibility. We also have the right to decline membership to any applicant.
• Note: The discounts only apply to MBC frames.
• We expect you to volunteer your time at team races and events. (We hold one cyclocross race in the fall at Kosciuszko Park in Milwaukee plus more events in the future.)

For more information and a team application, contact Paul Warloski at pwarloski@gmail.com

Milwaukee-bred Beavers Featured in GQ

From left to right: Joey Halvorsen, Brian Dillman, and Eric Kremin (Photo Credit: Matthew Reamer)

2013 world bike polo champions, The Beavers, were just spotlighted in a feature article in GQ magazine. As many of you know, The Beavers' Eric Kremin was a bike mechanic in our shop for a number of years until relocating to San Fran last spring. Milwaukee Bicycle Co. has been a longtime sponsor of the Milwaukee-rooted team and we couldn't be prouder of The Beavers' accomplishments and continued dedication to the sport of bike polo.