Our collection of sun-saturated bicyclists takes a welcome break in the shade of Opa-Locka’s Tri-Rail parking lot and two things occur to me:
I first realize that I am entirely out of my familiar area. Despite living in Miami for thirty years, to me Opa-Locka previously represented “over there”- a mysterious nonentity I’ve never had a reason to visit.
This sensation is quickly followed by my second breakthrough. The Tri-Rail station, I notice, is placed along Opa-Locka’s epically named Ali Baba Avenue, and I’ve just travelled through a portion of town dotted with improbable minarets and Arabic-influenced domed structures- an architectural oasis completely unlike any other area in Miami.
We are happy to be seeing new and friendly faces at our meetings! Recently Emerge has been partnering and planning future events with some great organizations. Together with The Social Butterfly Foundation, Up-Lab and The Coral Gables Rotaract Club, we are enjoying rides and bringing awareness to important issues that affect our community. Thanks to all of you who are helping make a change; keep up the pace and positive activism!
We are planning a Cemetary Tour for next month’s October Critical Mass. We’ll be strolling through some of the city’s most interesting cemeteries, featuring the City of Miami Cemetery, where some of Miami’s most notable pioneers are buried, including Julia Tuttle, William M. Burdine and Samuel Jones to name a few. Stay tuned for upcoming details about this ride.
There were lots of new faces at our Emerge Meeting this past Tuesday, and we’ve got a batch of new events to talk about. But first, an estimated 800-900 riders turned out to last months Friday Critical Mass! While it’s great to see so many Miamians participating in the local bike culture, it’s important to maintain the level of courteousness and safety that has characterized the previous rides. To that end, Rydell has written a must-read article over at the Miami Bike Scene blog emphasizing the need to maintain this conscientiousness going forward.
Now back to the action! Check out this professionally edited video from the ride, and read up on the latest event previews that we’ve got cooking up.
Miami’s Emergent culture continues growing unabated, as the second Sketchy Miami party on August 12th (hosted by our friends over at Beached Miami) drew over 1000+ local creatives to the Bakehouse Art Complex. Check out the freshly posted video recap.
In other news, here’s a summary of things we discussed at our last meeting as well as some big events coming up:
August 27th – Earthsave Potluck
Erin Healy works for Youth Bike. She also has an organization called Youth Lead, Youth Leading Environmental Activism Through Democracy. She will be speaking at the Earth Save Potluck this Saturday at the Coral Gables Congregational Church at 6:30 p.m. Go and eat vegan food! Learn!
Join us for this Saturday’s monthly Critical Mass ride. This time we’re teaming up with the Social Butterfly Foundation, Inc. and doing a backpack/school supply drive! All Cyclists will be decorated with brilliantly colored Wings and face painting to support our cause. Victory will belong to children in residential foster care as they will be ready for the 2012 school year with backpacks received from the drive.
The ride is for 10 miles, followed by a “Wing Walk” in Wynwood Art District at 7:00 PM to hand out flyers during Art Walk in Wynwood to raise awareness about their program. More details and RSVP on Facebook or Meetup.
Savvy cyclists, social superstars, and tasty, tasty sweets will make your July 9th the most memorable imaginable, as Emerge Miami commemorates its fifth year of bringing bicycle love to our city’s streets. Emerge, a collection of active folks working to bring progressive and cause-oriented groups together, hosts Critical Mass bike rides the second Saturday of every month.
Since 2005, we’ve been collaborating with individuals and community group projects, from superhero-themed fundraiser rides with the remarkable after school reading program ComicEd, to the legendary Miami Bike Hunt with Beached Miami, Miami’s premier scavenger hunt by bike. After five years of fun-filled bicycle activism, we think its time for a major celebration.
This Saturday, we will celebrate our fifth anniversary and second annual Sweet Treats Ride by teaming up with a wonderful collection of local snack spots and providers of summertime treats, whilst riding to them in the spirit of good times and bicycle awareness. Emerge Miami’s ongoing effort to facilitate a community of activism, group organizing, and creative frivolousness is best celebrated with an ice cream cone in one hand and a bike helmet in the other.
Bicycle riders of all skill levels and interests are welcome to join us. We will meet at the Omni Metromover Station at 10 AM. Please bring a budget for snacks- anticipate working up an appetite in the hot Miami summer sun! From the Omni, we will hit up the best tastebud tourism Miami has to offer, including Feverish Miami‘s ice cream truck, Real Sorbet, the Buena Vista Deli, and The Frieze on South Beach.
Sunblock and water are most earnestly encouraged- it’s July, people!
If you’d like to get involved with Emerge Miami, feel free to join our weekly meetings at 7 PM on Tuesdays at the iconic Sweat Records. We welcome the diverse ideas and visions of community-lovers and change-makers.
Another month of community and bike friendly activities is coming to an end, but not before Beached Miami launches their Sketchy Miami Party tonight!
Join us at Leser’s Cafe in Wynwood to see the great turnout this project has had. Sketchy Miami, designed to represent “everyone” in Miami, consists of submitting your photograph and having someone randomly sketch you. There will be free pizza and music, as well as live sketches throughout the night. It’s not too late to submit your photograph, for more info go to Sketchy Miami’s website, and check out the Sun Sentinel interview.
3… 2… 1… POLO!!!
This weekly event has been growing consistently, with game turnout and news coverage positively increasing since it was implemented just less than a month ago. Games are held every Friday at 7 PM and Sunday at 1 PM. Amateurs and experts are welcomed alike, or come by to observe and have a good time. For more information on games, rules and the latest news, check out the Miami Bike Polo website.
Upcoming in July -
The much anticipated Sweet Treats II ride is scheduled for July 9, which is also the 5th Anniversary of Second Saturday Critical Mass! Ride to burn the calories you’ll take in at Buena Vista Deli and Frieze to name a few. Also, plan on joining us for the next game night at Sweat Records and Bike Miami Days; more information coming soon!
As always, everyone interested in planning events or rides is welcome to our weekly meetings Tuesdays at 7 PM, at Sweat Records!
