When Shelly Duell moved to Florida from Woodstock, New York, she didn't spend much time cycling. But with a little help from friends, she says, "I started riding more around the city for fun." It was then that she found out about bike polo and Critical Mass and got SoFla bike fever.
An employee of the Revolution/America's Backyard complex, she decided to get all ends of the community together for Biketopia. Duell notes it's to celebrate the love for biking together as one large group." This Sunday, the tricounty area's cyclists will gather for all sorts of bike games, food, drinking, and live music. "Some groups are collecting donated bikes and bike parts," Duell adds, "like the Promise Foundation, which gives bikes to and teaches kids about safety and children with autism and MS how to ride bikes."
We asked Duell what her Biketopia playlist would sound like, and she brought out the Pretty Lights and Bassnectar. Click on for the list of musical acts participating at Biketopia and for Duell's cycling soundtrack.
10. Moondog - "Lament 1, 'Bird's Lament'" (remix by Henrik Schwarz)
"Makes you wanna ride sassy," says Duell.
9. Mochipet & Ray Barbee - "Beats Ballet"
Good year 'round in SoFla, she says of this summertime jam: "Sounds for scenic urban or beach rides with your crew. Nice lil' be-bop beat."
8. Pretty Lights - "I Can See It In Your Face"
"For your dance on the flight of your bike, by the seat of your pants." Duell gets poetic.
7. Pretty Lights - "Change Is Gonna Come"
"Just so soulful," she notes.
6. Paper Diamond - "Take Your Time"
"Build-up and beat's so continuously good that it keeps you pedaling like you've got somewhere to go, and you just wanna pedal-dance your way there."
5. Jurassic 5 - "Baby Please"
"Hoppin' around," she says of this 2006 hip-hop jam.
4. Glitch Mob - "Bad Wings"
"Sexay. Plain and simple," Duell says of "Bad Wings," but, we might add, don't get all sexy on the back of a bike.
3. Bassnectar - "Timestretch"
This bass-heavy track conveys to the organizer: "Space thumpin' and knowing it'll be OK."
2. Little Dragon - "Constant Surprises"
"Enjoying the ride of surprise," Duell references the song's title, but also, likely, crazy times on South Florida streets.
1. White Rabbits - "Percussion Gun"
And to end, a touch of the rock.
Bonus: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros - "40 Day Dream"
One last cinematic touch, Duell threw in this bonus Ed Sharpe tune, romantically adding that the song is perfect for a "sunset ride for lovers."
Here's the musical breakdown for the night: Product of Myth label owner Chad Lenseth is bringing Skyskraper, Collab, Karl Heine, and Lega. Also, expect Paper Play, 707's, Good Shepard, Out of Sorts, the Shakers, and DJ Skidmark will be playing between sets.
Biketopia 3 p.m. on October 14 at America's Backyard, 100 SW Third Ave., Fort Lauderdale.
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