Ladies and Gentlemen! Boys and Girls! (and this being New York City...Everything In Between!):
The BVVW group (a tangent of Gruppo Sportivo Pergolizzi) is comprised of a rag-tag gang of hardcore certified velo-freaks, who hangout (drink beer), talk bike stuff (eat Pizza) and ride together (drink coffee) every now and again. And with autumn now officially here, tis the season to put on your mud guards, pull on your woolie and celebrate all things bike!
I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE TWO UPCOMING BVVW SPECIAL EVENTS! Get your pens handy and mark your calendars!
First off, I am pleased to announce the triumphant return of our Founder and Omnipotent Despot, Mister Gianni Pergolizzi. En route to sunny So-Cal, he will be passing through our fine city on the heels of a reconnaisance mission back to da old country. Hopefully he'll bend our ears with tales of Cambio Corsa equipped machines found in dusty farm buildings...and cobblestone lanes being gracefully navigated by Prada-clad Sofia Loren look-a-likes on 40 year old Frejus 3-speed city bikes.
So! Here's the deal!
WHAT: Usual place, usual time, unusual guest. Come and catch up with the gang!
WHERE: John's Pizzeria, 278 Bleeker, between 6th and 7th Avenues
WHEN: Thursday, October 8th at 6:00PM
WHAT ELSE: Coffee and dessert likely to follow at Rocco's across da street.
Please let me know if you plan to attend either event. Monday, so I'll know to look out for ya...And Thursday so we know know how many to expect at our table.
********AND*********
WHAT: The much anticipated BVVW "VINTAGE TRACK IRON" KISSENA ROUND-UP!!! An in-formal opportunity to bring out that old track machine and round the boards in NYC's historic own Kissena Velodrome in Flushing Queens. ( I know, I know...By "boards", I of course mean wobbly, cracked black top.) This is by no means a race day...Just an opportunity to let that old stallion fly and feel the banks rise to meet your old track silks once again! More like our casual group rides in Prospect Park, though for safety purposes, riders out to bring a brake-less track bike equipped with drop bars (and bar end plugs) should we end up running drills or organizing a pace line.
WHO: Our own Jamie Swan will be joining us and discussing some basics of velodrome racing. We'll discuss the track, it's line markings, basic riding etiquette, track safety and various race formats. Then we'll ride in circles until we get bored. Probably oogle some bikes and drink cheap red wine out of inconspicuous containers.
WHERE: The Kissena Velodrome is a NYC public park located in Flushing Meadows Park, Queens.
HOW: By Subway
7 Train Take the 7 train to the end of line at Main Street in Flushing. Ride (1.0 miles) south on Kissena Boulevard to Kissena Park. Turn left at Booth Memorial Avenue. Turn left at Parsons Boulevard to Velodrome entrance.
F Train
Take the F train to Parsons Boulevard, Queens.
Ride (2 miles) north uphill on Parsons Boulevard.
Veer left on Kissena Boulevard.
Turn right on Booth Memorial Avenue.
Turn left at Parsons Boulevard to Velodrome entrance.
By Car
>From The West
Take the Long Island Expressway and exit at Kissena Boulevard (Exit 24).
Make a Left at the first light off the exit ramp and drive for about 4 to 5 blocks.
Make a Right onto Booth Memorial Avenue.
Make a left into the park at Parsons Boulevard (after about 4 blocks) and park in the lot.
The park is on Booth Memorial Avenue between Kissena Boulevard and 164th Street.
If you have gone to 164th, you have gone too far.
>From The East
Take the Long Island Expressway to Exit 24.
Follow Horace Harding frontage road.
Turn right at Parsons Boulevard.
Cross Booth Memorial Avenue to the Velodrome entrance.
WHEN: Saturday, October 17th, 10AM
WHAT ELSE: We hope to spend a couple of hours ridin' around, after which we can hopefully order some pizzas for delivery. There are some local delis servin' up sandwiches and the like, but come prepared for a few hours in the park.
RAIN DATE: The following Saturday, October 24th.
********ALSO*********
Honorary BVVW West Member Brett Horton (of The Horton Collection) will be passing through town the week of the 11th. We are likely to gather for a small bite or brew some evening mid-week, so stay tuned. Dontcha want a chance to see something remarkable? Who knows! Ya might get a once-in-a-lifetime chance to hold Jaques Anqutil's blood-soaked wool shorts!!! (Seriously.)
As always, PLEASE lemme know if'n ya plan to attend any of these events.
Hope to see y'all soon!
Matthew Bowne
Brooklyn, New York
L'Assistente al Despota Onnipotente
Devotion_Finesse@hotmail.com
(347) 414-0067