Just stumbled across Michael Mooney, a tall bike freak from Asheville, NC. I know there are a bunch of tall bike freaks right here in the Bay Area but this guy takes it to another level. He is often seen riding his 6-foot bike, both around town and on the trail. What’s it like to trail ride on a tall mountain bike you ask? Well as he states: “I also have problems with the tree canopy on trails. My safety glasses are my number-one protective gear. I take limbs to the face a lot. I’m pretty good at dodging them, but sometimes I just have to take the limb to make a move.”

What really makes Mooney stand above the rest was his attempt in 2007 and 2008 at getting the World Record for the Tallest Bike. Mooney was trying to blow way past the current record set in 2005 by Canadian Scott Graham for a bike only 18ft tall. The bike Mooney attempted to ride was a whopping 44ft high!

Michael Mooney on his 44 foot tall bike, photo by Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine

Sadly both times he fell off before he could ride it the required 100 meters to beat the previous record holder. Even though he failed two years in a row, Michael Mooney’s story needs to be shared because even with a safety line Mooney’s story gives a whole new meaning to “safety third.”

Why did he fall off the bike almost immediately when he tried in 2007? Partially because he didn’t have enough sleep.

Did he not sleep because of nerves? No, he was up until 4am finishing building the bike and only got a 2 hour nap before having to be at the festival.

That’s only part of the reason?!? The other reason was because he couldn’t pedal very well.

Why couldn’t he pedal? Because he was trying to pedal with only one foot duct-taped to the pedal.

Duct tape ?!? Why in the world would he use only one foot? Because the other leg was useless.

Useless how? Because he had just recently broke his kneecap in 4 pieces while training on his 12ft tall bike.

Yeah this guy is nuts or awesome or both—probably both.

Mooney’s first attempt in 2007:

Mooney’s oh so close second attempt in 2008:

There is also a video online of him training on a 12ft tall bike. More info on Michael Mooney can be found in this interview in Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine and this interview in Mountain Xpress.

And yes I know this is something that happened in 2008—ages in internet years—but Mooney deserves more attention for being so crazy awesome.

Posted via web from CatCubed’s Random Snippets

Posted via web from CatCubed’s Random Snippets

Some of you may have noticed that the new SF Tweed site has launched and we have announced the next Tweed Ride!

This labor of love has taken longer than I expected ‚Äî live’s been busy ‚Äî but I’m quite happy with the results. A big thanks to Rubin Starset for buying the domain, setting up the WP install, and most of all motivating me to kick out a design and get this thing happening!

I expect to see y’all at the next Tweed Ride as we have some great things planned.

I’ve been flush with creative projects lately and it feels good. I created the logo for Timescale, a mile long art installation with columns marking the time since the Earth was formed‚ sounds awesome huh? Too bad it won’t be going to the playa due to Burning Man Org’s withdraw of their art grant. Tis’ sad but oh well on to better things!

Just last night, I put the finishing touches on the SF Tweed website and created the initial post! Big thanks to Rubin Starset for taking the initiative, buying the domain, setting up the wordpress install, and overall motivating me to work on it! We’ll be meeting this weekend to plan the next SF Tweed Ride and I have plans for more posts about all things Tweed including getting some guest bloggers. You can also follow @sftweed on twitter!

Lastly, Balsa Man 2009 “Big Dreams Writ Small” is brewing! I’ve designed iron-on patches for this year’s Balsa Man ‚Äî they’re awesome, you all will want one! I’ll be releasing more info about the patches and other details about soon on a new Balsa Man website that is also in the works. At least it’s in the works in my head. I haven’t taken mouse to photoshop yet, but I have a good idea of where I want to take it.

And with that I’m off to get a little invigorating Nature!

Knickers from the London Tweed Run (photo by Matthew J. Shaw)

It’s about time our fair city celebrated the fine pleasures of Herringbone, Bow Ties, and Bicycles! We refuse to endure anymore spandex! Nor will we sully ourselves by “corking” — or whatever it is the kids call it these days.

Our fine brethren in jolly old England really know how to sport a cap, so I say, so shall we!

Thus, February 12th will mark the inaugural Thursday Tweed Ride!

Break out your dashing wool finery, smartly set that cap on your head, straighten your tie, and join us for a fine ride through the grand city of San Francisco!

We will sally forth from the gorgeous Dolores Park near the majestic bell at the 19th Street entrance. The ride will begin at 6:30pm and from there we will peddle a winding course through the streets — waving to all the beautiful faces we see along the way.

Of course as it is February, it may be brisk out and maybe even a little wet, but your wool should keep you warm and dry! However, if the cold still seeps through never fear as our destination is Irish coffee at the marvelous Tosca Cafe!

As a note to all you Tweed Riders: Thursday’s weather shows a small chance of light showers. While dry would be ideal, this is fine as Tweed’s great in rain — it’s made for the outdoors. Also, if it begins to really rain, we’ve planned spirit stops to stay warm!

UPDATE: Contest Details!

• Most Dapper Chap
• Most Snappy Lass
• Most Stylish Vintage Steed
• Most Inspired Interpretation of Tweediness
• Best Mustache ‚Äî open to both lads and inventive lasses
• As Feb 12th is also Darwin’s Birthday, we may have a special prize for any Darwin look-a-likes that show up!

With smashing prizes donated by Velo-Orange, Manifesto Bicycle, The Freewheel Bike Shop, Refried Cycles, and Prof. NifNaks Fine Moustachios!

More contest info and prize details can be found on A Tweed Primer.

Qarly in Tweed Rider Summer Attire (photo by ioerror)

For more Tweedy inspiration, traipse on over to A Tweed Primer. Also, I suggest perusing photos and video of the recent Jan 24th London Tweed Run:

• Write up and photos from the London Tweed Run on Arkitip
• London Tweed Run photos by Matthew J. Shaw
• London Tweed Run photos by Roxy Dammit
• Video from the London Tweed Run (via the Riding Pretty Blog)
• The Tweed Cycling Club
• The London fixed-gear and single-speed forum post that started it all The Tweed Run

*NOTE: The first BART train that allows bikes into the city arrives at 16th St. at 6:45pm. For more schedule info visit Bart.gov

NEW WEBSITE! For more Tweed and info about the next Tweed Ride visit SFTweed.com