Friday! Friday! Friday! Ok, still a bit early to be celebrating the weekend, but IT IS A BIG WEEKEND!

We will kick it off on the first Friday of September with 2Wheels 2Work. We’re taking a hiatus from our usual Habersham convoy for a free range 2Wheels this Friday. Bring yourself on your bike on whatever route you like to Ex Libris at 228 MLK between 8am and 9am along with your helmet and enjoy some of Jittery Joe’s finest brew, gratis. We’ll be there, getting breakfast and exchanging war stories, discussing the latest gossip and hinting at what our Midnight Garden Ride costumes might be.

SBC board members David Acuff and Mark Woodruff riding to their jobs as whitewater rafting guide and old west deputy.

So, just let that last bit be your reminder that Midnight Garden Ride registration is still open online through Friday, and you can register also at Bicycle Link on Friday 6-9pm, the Savannah Century ride start on Saturday, 8-9am, and at the Distillery on Saturday before the ride 6-8pm. We’ve ordered the shirts, and preregistered riders will definitely get theirs. Make sure you’re one of them!

Time is ticking on the Midnight Garden Ride Saturday, Sept 4 at 8pm. Preregistration prices go up on Monday to $25. The discount for members (new and existing) still applies. Get ‘em while they’re hot, not only for the price, but also because only preregistered riders are guaranteed the shirt — fine organic cotton, another great design courtesy Big H little h design and illustration.

Another bit of excitement is the cache of goodies that may be coming your way in the raffle and silent auction. Among the items are an Electra cruiser from Quality Bikes as well as a Felt cruiser from new sponsor New Belgium Brewing , the bike loving makers of Fat Tire. It’s a cool design shown here, not available in stores!

Add some other great stuff from Half Moon Outfitters, Quality Bike Shop,bicycle Link and Savannah Outriders, and you could be looking at a nice haul. You won’t want to miss it, so register today!

Cool as it would be to apparate Harry-Potter-style, I generally rely on my bike for the full trip to work. In so doing, to be safe, I always make sure to be visible, predictable, alert and assertive as sensibly laid out by our League of American Bicyclists adult cycling education curriculum.

In this case, my bright shirt and lane position did not command the driver’s attention. Maybe she was hunting for a pen, maybe she was fiddling with the radio, eating a sausage biscuit, or updating her Facebook status. I couldn’t tell.

But I could yell. Being alert, I was watching as she pulled into the street. Your bike may not have a super-loud horn, and a bell is too quiet for most drivers to hear, but just about anyone can make themselves heard (and then more likely seen) with one or two assertive Heys.

And so I did, she stopped her course and a collision was avoided. Unbelievably to me, she was furious at me for her mistake. I wonder what her Facebook post said after that…

The episode once again reminded me of how valuable a good Hey is — keep one with you at all times and use it. It could save your life.

In this month’s issue of the LAB’s American Bicyclist Magazine, Ben Sollee — the humble, extremely talented and friendly pop cellist who joined us on his tour by bike last fall –announces his plans to perform on a transcontinental U.S. tour by bicycle. Quite an impressive undertaking from quite an impressive guy.

Not only that, but in the article as he recounts a transformation from an occasional bike rider into a cello-hauling bike touring machine over a trip to Bonnaroo and his southeastern coastal tour, he gives a shout out to his visit here in Savannah:

Although we were able to book more traditional shows on the December tour, we found what would become our model event in Savannah, Ga. We teamed up with the Savannah Bicycle Campaign to host an open-door fundraiser and show at a local bicycle hotspot, kicking the event off with an amazing night ride through historic streets. We were able to become a vehicle for the bike group’s message, helping drive membership and getting great coverage in the Savannah Morning News. This event bridged together what seemed like a magical mix of advocacy, community engagement, and shared arts. Within just a day, we felt like we had become part of a community. But, alas, Savannah was an island of bicycle love

Wow. That was our impression, too — what a night it was!

Below is a short film which focuses on Savannah (reminds me of something…), produced by Marty Benson (enthusiastic guy in the goatee in the Savannah waterfront picture above) to promote Ben’s new Ditch the Van Tour, followed by the full article in American Bicyclist!

bell symphony – Ben Sollee Bike Tour from marty benson on Vimeo.

Come one and all for an SBC membership meeting at Moon River Brewing Company at 21 W Bay St. We’ll be in the basement starting at 6 for about 30 minutes of info, and socializing to follow.

We will be recapping our successful leadership retreat this past Saturday at thincspace, with updates on the plan for 2010-11. We will also have an exciting demonstration of some new marshal equipment for the September 4 Midnight Garden Ride (have you registered yet?)!

Join us, won’t you?

Please let us know if you can give us a hand for any of the available time slots by filling out our volunteer information form; please note any limitations in the “other” box. Volunteers will get a t-shirt and our sincere thanks!

Aloha, Campaigners. It’s been a long and hot summer to be sure.

Looking forward, even past our own gleeful Midnight Garden Ride Saturday September 4, are the cooler days of fall and the American Diabetes Association’s Sunsplash Outdoor Fitness Festival.  Preregistered SBC members who head out to Skidaway Island on Saturday September 25 for a 20, 40 or 60 mile ride around Skidaway and nearby islands, will get a $5 discount off the regular registration cost of $40. Massages, live music, food and drink will await you at the finish, and if you’re lucky you could win a new Specialized mountain bike from Perry Rubber Bike Shop! All proceeds go to the ADA’s continued fight against the deadly consequences of diabetes and their fight for those affected by diabetes.

Fight diabetes. Ride a bike. To enter and get the SBC discount, follow this link and enter with our team.

Whether you’re a novice, occasional or expert cyclist, the American Diabetes Association’s Sunsplash Outdoor Fitness Festival has the route for you! The routes feature full service rest stops as well as SAG and mechanical support along the way. When you cross the finish line you will be welcomed back to unwind in the massage tent, enjoy a great lunch provided by Coaches Corner, live music by Blue Eyed Soul and a large Health & Fitness Festival with FREE screenings along with other vendors.