After sending the word out through myspace and facebook to hundreds in the “bike network”, the word is that there are a few group rides scheduled for SPARKcon weekend and one big one Saturday night ending in Moore Square! 1304 Chamberlin is coming out to educate and assist Raleigh cyclists with their maintenance questions and needs! There has even been some chatter about a pick up game of bike polo….anyone interested?

Matt is still chasing down leads, so we will see what else we can expect…

Greg made some calls and found himself corresponding with Miles Holst, organizer of the Raleigh Alley Kat Race. You may remember a bunch folks flying around downtown on bikes dressed like space cadets collecting relics, completing challenges, and shooting an occasional glass of vodka. That was all thanks to Miles and his creative collective. The two threw around ideas on what could happen at SPARKcon and who would be willing to wrap their hands around it. Enter Matt Huffman, another active cycling commuter and supporter.

Greg and Matt met Wednesday afternoon to brainstorm ideas. Matt has attended SPARKcon in the past and is very motivated to try and bring these communities together. The focus of the meeting was to come up with three core concepts for bikes at SPARKcon. The first and obvious one was to hold a SPARKcon alley kat race! Another was to bring in the 1304 crew. 1304 Chamberlain is a group of active bike enthusiasts who hold maintenance workshops weekly. Anyone is welcome! They have worked with Matt in the past with community outreach support with Big Brothers and Sisters of Raleigh. One thought is to connect with them and have them set up temporary shop at Moore Square.

Both Matt and Greg feel that the overall message should be bikes as commuter transportation as well as recreation. With rising fuel prices, and the increasing number of bikers in the area, the community along with the city need to address this issue of more bikers on the roads of Raleigh. Matt proposed bringing in a speaker to the Urban Design Center to offer insight and hopefully generate some dialogue among attendees.

The First Friday riders are a great resource for supporting SPARKcon. Greg offered up the idea of hosting a SPARKcon ride to raise money for bike related charities. Perhaps an attempt to help implement the white bike program of Raleigh. If not, definitely have a ride that ended at Moore Square. Garnish support from local bike shops in the area to be on hand to offer assistance and advice to those seeking to change their commuter ways.

Matt is pumped! He will be reaching out to see what he can make happen.