Click into First Gear

When you hop onto your bicycle with a beer in one hand and an erect middle finger in the other, your friends think that you’re nuts. “Watch out for open car doors!,” “Obey the traffic lights!,” they scream, but your hair is already blowing in the wind, you’re hell on two wheels and there’s no stopping a movement like that. If you’re looking for a crew, a mob, a posse to roll with, today and every first Wednesday, join the Loose Cannons on the Run bike race. Sir Lance Armstrong may rely on water and carbs to win races, but when today’s bi-cavalry takes off from Sweat Records (5501 NE Second Ave., Miami) at 10 p.m., riders are required to either slam a beer or eat two bananas. This ain’t the Tour de France, people.

“What I wanted was to get people out together riding bikes, racing other bike heads, and just opening up the community,” said event organizer Joel Meinholz of IAmYourVillain. And the prize awaiting you at the finish line, aka PS14 (28 NE 14th St., Miami)? Dollar beers from 10 p.m. to midnight (you must have your bike to earn the discount), five dollar all-you-can-eat BBQ, and of course, pool and ping pong. By the way, ladies drink free from 10 to 12, Hannah Montana Huffy or not. Get more info at www.myspace.com/lurkspace.
First Wednesday of every month, 2008