Stuff to do in the Christmas Holidays in Glasgow for families

Are you bored....Well...

The Tron Panto will be amazing

Mixed reports from the Arches on "Alien War"

The Wizard of Oz at the Citizens is great for the wee ones

and I 'm not biased or anything but I'm sure I can fit in some cosy biking if you fancy?  How about a wee tour of Glasgow Green followed by Sticky Toffee Pudding or Beer at West   www.westbeer.com

Yummy  (2 please)

Iain Urquhart

"Spokesman"

www.cosybike.co.uk

07789 912 462

Happy Christmas everyone and a Cosy Maintenance new year.

Its that time of year where (it's supposed to...but hasn't!!) get
quiet and I can do some maintenance on the bike.

When I do get the chance I will be using Green Oil from the lovely
Simon at Green-oil.net

He makes ecological chain lube and grease and bike cleaner. He
recycles his bottles with a deposit system, the labels are paper not
plastic and he delivers orders on a bike.

I experimented once with margerine on a lego cable car pulley I built
when I was young. It worked for a while...then I melted the
lego...and my short career in lubricant polymers was over.

Unique Prom Night Transport on the cosybike...

Are you Crazy?   Bring it on!    

At the moment I'm quoting quite high for your prom enquiries BUT if you spread the word around other schools, bebo, facebook and the like I will see if can put together some sort of Prom season tour to help spread the travel and staff costs.  At the moment it's about £60 - £90 per rider depending how far south you are in the UK!

If you wish to be kept informed just email prom@cosybike.co.uk with your date and location.

Remember, no one sees you in a limo, and hen nights and 5 year olds have made them just a wee bit vulgar.  

Arrive in  style, elegance, dishevelled yet vitalised on the cosybike instead.

To secure your prom booking you must supply a credit card number (Phone, don't email it)  or pay in advance via Paypal.  This way your booking will be taken seriously and not discarded as "just kids"  All emails must written in full English and not text speak.  You will be entering into a contract.  It is a prom after all, I expect you will have been educated by now!

Kirkton of Largo Primary School - The 1st Cycle friendly school in Fife

Here they are having a ball!

They've got loads of bikes, and Cycle training is done within PE
classes.

That reminds me. BUY the cyclecraft book by John Franklin. Even if
you think you know it all, you will learn something.

http://www.cyclecraft.co.uk

Kirkton of Largo Primary School Bicycle launch

news and piccies to come....

Helensburgh Christmas Lights switch on 2008

Cosybike was back again touring the town.  Real Radio and up and coming and very beautiful Girl Band, Atlanta were there.  They Missed out on a cosybike ride, being celebs and all.  Plus they would have been victims of Hypothermia in their glamourous outfits.  

Well done to all my pedallers and Honorary cosybike marketing department.  (Helensburgh Pipe Band)

Its winter, it's raining and people are still booking cosybike.

You're all mad!!  But keep it up because your bookings help me to get really good deals for Customers like Clic Sargent and Children of Chernobyl.  

Sometimes there are more important things than Money.

Donate to CLIC Sargent

http://www.clicsargent.org.uk/Getinvolved/Donate

Every day 10 families are told that their child has cancer. As the UK's leading children's cancer charity, CLIC Sargent is a lifeline to families caring for a very sick child. With your help, we can be there for each family every step of the way.

There are many convenient ways to give money to improve the lives of children with cancer. It is easy to make a one-off donation, set up a direct debit or support us through payroll. You can also find information about leaving a legacy or set up a fund in the name of someone you love.

To make a donation over the phone, simply call our supporter care line on 0845 120 4442. Or send your donation by post to: CLIC Sargent, Abbeywood Business Park, Filton, Bristol BS34 7JU. Please make your cheque or postal order payable to CLIC Sargent.

Iain Urquhart

"Spokesman"

www.cosybike.co.uk

07789 912 462

The PeaceTank, New York City, October 5

Eric Staller, the  Inventor of the conference bike has been making Americans stop and think a bit more about their place in the world. 

We probably really should get world leaders on conference bikes, then they would actually work together, Its also half an hour that they are not selling each other Guns and oil and brushing problems under the carpet. 

Looks like we'll need to find a Gordon Brown mask for Eric though!!.  They must exist as a Glasgow Freeshare email arrived today from a mum looking for a suit for her daughter as she wants to dress up as Gordon Brown for Halloween.   A kid to keep an eye on methinks, she could go far!

On Sunday, October 5, I surprised New Yorkers with my mobile public artwork The PeaceTank. Starting at my brother's studio in Greenwich Village I donned my Obama mask and suit. My wife Sietske was Castro, my son Julian was Putin, his girlfriend Caitlin a vaguely Chinese leader; My brother-in-law Terry played Tony Blair, while Terry's daughter Caitlin played Yasser Arafat and my nephew Benny played the great Nelson Mandela.

 

As we headed out, ordinarily jaded New Yorkers stopped dead in their tracks! The smiles, waves, laughter, thumbs up, comments shouted, clearly showed my statement resonated with the people. "Hey Obama" some people shouted, "hey Fidel" Cuban-Americans shouted; "Only in New York" or "you made my day!" other exclaimed. Hundreds, if not thousands of cellphone photos were snapped. Some people sprinted ahead of us to get a better shot. Families posed in front of us at red lights as a loved one 'bagged a souvenir'.

 

Not everyone loved The PeaceTank; there were a few expressions of hostility, middle fingers flashed; more than one person shouted "there goes Obama with the axis of evil!" (Some people thought Arafat was Osama Bin Ladin) But overall the warmth and good cheer on the faces of 1000's of people reminded me that New York is the world's most expressive audience.

 

The PeaceTank was more metaphor than illustration, limited by the availability of good masks. Not expecting to influence anyone's vote (but still the 60's activist) I was compelled to say with this work: I feel strongly that Mr. Obama has the potential to be a great uniter, a RE-UNITER of America with the rest of the world. After 8 years of President Bush loudly proclaiming 'God bless America' we now have the chance to elect someone who proclaims himself a citizen of the world; a man who is curious about the world and one who promises to replace macho posturing with dialogue and diplomacy

.

Tron Theatre "legendary" Halloween Party 31st october tbc?

Yes its back, get yer costumes planned now!  There will be singing, drinking and responsible Cosybike Carnage in the Merchant city again.   This is theatreland, there may be costume changes.  

Also buy your tickets for the show, Slick, NOW!  its Brilliant   www.tron.co.uk   

SLICK

Tue 16 Sep - Sat 20 Sep @ 20.00

Winner of a Fringe First 2008, the filthiest funniest show of this year comes to the Tron.

Cosybike in the Trossachs! September weekend sat 26th sun 27th

Summer is coming to an end but september can usually be quite good in scotland....

Cosybike has a new operating site in the Trossachs at the David Marshall Lodge.  It's an ideal warm up for those off to do the Go ape Tree Top assault course and the Longest Zip slides in Britain!!   Wheeeee!  Or for scaredy cats that want something a little more laid back.

The views are fantastic, and there is also a great cycle route at Loch Katrine and the SS Sir Walter Scott.

Aberfoyle also has Ice Cream.  I am enthusiastically optimistic that ice cream will be needed in September.

Under 16 off road stage race 13+14th of September, Glentress

Make Like an Olympian kids, Pedals Ready, riders ready, Go!

Peebles CC break new ground with the UK's first ever Under 16 Off Road Stage Race.  

 

After the tremendous success of Peebles CC's Under 16 Dirt Crit Series, they are set to break new ground in 2008 with the UK's first ever Under 16 Off Road Stage Race. Held at the ever popular Glentress Forest on the 13^th+14^th of September and contested over 5 stages in two days the race will test the all round mountain biking abilities of the riders. Day one will consist of three stages, a cross country race followed by a hill climb and finally a downhill race. On day two the riders will compete in an individual timetrial and finish off in the afternoon on the fast and furious dirt crit circuit.

 

 

The stage race is open to riders 16 and under with categories right down to the under 8's. One bike must be used for all Stages. So if your keen to give it a go come along for some fun! Entries are limited to 25 in each category and are filling up fast!

 

The first stage will start at 11am on the Saturday morning. Sign on is at the Buzzards Nest car park, Glentress. The race will be supported by Scottish Power Renewables and Alpine Bikes 

 

For more information contact paul.newnham@scottishcycling.com. To download an entry form go to www.peeblescycling.org.

 

Mark Beaumont -The Boy done good!

Since he was oan the telly this week better put his picture up eh?

Mark and Me at Loch Lomond - Cosybike round the world trip......maybe?

His Bike is a Koga Miyata for those who keep visiting me.

You can find mark at www.pedallingaround.com

Poor Steve Parry gets mistaken for Michael Phelps

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/7569430.stm

I think he should just give up and take the adulation.  It would be easier!!

hehehehe!

Fresher's week ideas

Wanna get  your society or club noticed at freshers week?  

Cosybike will kidnap freshers on your behalf and ensure they have a great time.  Within minutes they will all be pals and you will have to operate a waiting list for even the most obscure university club.

Its not just for Bike clubs, but they love it!!

www.cosybike.co.uk

The best way to learn to ride a bike

Ditch the stabilisers! and remove the pedals!  

Small hands don't have the power for brakes and its easier to learn one skill at a time.  Some folk also advocate the use of coaster brakes as the kids get older.  Coaster brakes activate via the pedals.

Models you might want to consider include the Isla likeabike and the Ridgeback Scoot or you could just take the cranks off a bike you already have.

When you get older and require gears consider a hub gear if you just cant get your head round derailleurs.

Youth Consultation? Calling all Community Support Leaders and others.

Want to know what Children really think of the services you provide or the area they live in?  Turn up with the cosybike in any street in the UK and you will find out some interesting things.

Cosybike is the ideal platform for informal discussion, nobody wants to leave, and it is extremely democratic.  Cosybike doesn't stand for any nonsense either!

More Cosybike in Edinburgh at the cavalcade

This first group climbed!!! and descended the mound and the Royal
mile to help us get to the start.

Cosybike at the Edinburgh Festival Cavalcade

The big crazy 7 seat bike in edinburgh was me! along with Tall
bikes, mini bikes, A penny farthing (Norman let team cosybike have a
shot).....Indiana Jones was there, a couple of fairies, the queen
waving from a trailer and that was just in our wee group. there were
about 200 others behind us!!

My Photos to follow. If you want your picture on the cosybike
website send it in for a discount on a cosy booking.

Playdays 6th August 2008

Apparently this year's Playday campaign theme is Give us a go!          (What My customers say!!)

They are calling for children "to be allowed challenging and adventurous play opportunities and aim to shake off the 'cotton wool' culture that can limit children's play."

www.playday.org.uk

Cosybike is understandably all booked out!  so I'm taking orders for next year!!  There are a few dates round about the 6th of august so phone to check, I might be able to fit you in.

Hopefully in september I will be able to do a round up of cosybikes summer adventures, if I have time to stop pedalling!!

Hope you are all having a great holiday!

Iain

07789 912 462

Garnock Academy Prom Night Transport

.....And pose in the style of a rock band...very cool.

Curry Cosybike

Cosybike heads east and meets some lovely Bollywood Dancers.   See You all at the Glasgow Mela!       Kelvingrove Park 22nd June 2008

Well, technically it was pakora

Leisure cyclist saved from carnage!

The forks were on backwards. and the lady said she wondered why her feet kept hitting the front wheel.

I asked if it came in a box to rule out duff home assembly but apparently not. It was assembled and collected from the shop like that.

I told her to be really careful and to take it back to get it sorted.   She also mentioned her daughters bike tyre had had to go back because it had a big bulge.  Sounds like the tyre wasn't seated right and had just been inflated anyway.

I inflate peoples tyres and advise on saddle height too.  (If your knees are in your eyes your saddle is too low) 

I think I may be obssessed.  But I quite like the "oohhh!   It works much better now!' response I get.   I can't stand people working extra hard for no reason.  If there is a more efficient way to do something then do it!!  Although the man who commutes down Pollokshaws road at high speed in first gear, ALL THE WAY is beyond saving.  Or he has superconducting teflon knees. 

  

Chocolate Face, Mark Beaumont and Evans cycles fixing...

This is Chocolate Face. This how he was introduced to me by his pals.  I wonder what inspired them to name him so...

Here is Mark Beaumont chilling out on the cosybike just after his RTW trip.  We just went round the car park.  And got lost.  Its a mystery how he made it round the world!!  Only kidding Mark!!

Evans Cycles Rethreading a crank or two.  Apparently they are all left hand dreads.  Sorry Threads.  Cosybike has Cool Mechanics.

The UK's First Conference Bike maintenance expert! Nick from Evans Cycles, Braehead.  The Uk's second Conference bike experts are now Alpine Bikes.   They don't have Dreads but have an ice climbing wall instead.  Don't visit their stores, they sell you really nice stuff that you need.  3 bikes so far....

Oh and I nearly forgot

"Chocolate Face" and his Pals were a highlight of the day too.  Pictures to follow.

This is not racist BTW -Just the result of an ice cream - fizzog interface incident.

Iain Urquhart

"Spokesman"

www.cosybike.co.uk

07789 912 462

Mark Beaumont was on the cosybike today!

We didn't go round the world but we got lost.   and left the photographer behind.  and a pedal fell off.  Mark tried to fix it.   See I told you it was carnage.   

I think he was quite happy to be asking questions rather than answering them for once!

And I think I have worked out where the kiddies chant, What time is it?....  It's (insert whatever you like here) Time!  comes from.  I think it might be from High school musical.  But I could be wrong.  

Iain Urquhart

"Spokesman"

www.cosybike.co.uk

07789 912 462

Prestonpans Infant School Collage They made this for me!

Mark Beaumont Rides the Cosybike this weekend!

At Loch Lomond Shores and the Get Active Festival.  Who knows?,  you might get a spontaneous trip RTW trip!

Iain Urquhart

"Spokesman"

www.cosybike.co.uk

07789 912 462

Prestonpans infant school Carnage and 3 Harbours arts fest.

Join a Spin Class?

Wanna get Fit and meet new pals?  Join a cosybike spin class and actually get somewhere.  Exercise has never been more fun or sociable.    Let the Gym come to you, or try adventures in new places.  Cosybiking is low impact and can be as hard or as easy as you make it.  And everyone will be encouraging each other for the next challenge.

Or you can spend a fortune and sweat it out with 40 other people, a crazed instructor, loud music and have a "lifestyle"   Remember Mental health is just important as physical health.   We ALL have Mental Health.

Proper cosy carnage

Went to see the Gorbals flats Blow down this morning.  Very Cool.  The Charges made the ground shake and so did the buildings when they fell.  SafeDem are hiring if anyone fancies a career change!!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7429834.stm

This week's cosybike carnage...

Special Thanks to David Carty from Renfrew for helping
load up the cosybike at the end of the day despite the rain.
Sensible, polite, loads of initiative, genuinely helpful and cheery
despite the photo!!. Your mother should be proud. You and a team
of 5 pals are worthy contenders for The South Side Parade. David, Contact
Cosybike if you think you can make it.

Carty, Cosybike Command Unit

The first Cosybike Wedding  awwwww!

Nee Naw Nee Naw!

Cosy Dog II

It's Raining...And Nobody Cares!

The Gorbals Flats get Blown Up 0900 sunday

Judging by the road closed signs ready to go and a quick internet search.

Unconfirmed BTW.

Iain Urquhart

"Spokesman"

www.cosybike.co.uk

07789 912 462

Mark Beaumont is coming on the Cosybike!

Mark Beaumont is coming for some rides too!  You can come and meet him at Get Active at Loch Lomond Shores on the 14th June.

http://getactivelochlomond.com/markbeaumont.htm

The Get Active festival have arranged for Mark to do a lunchtime talk - now is your chance to meet him in person and hear his inspirational story. After the talk Mark is planning on taking a few rides on the cosybike - why not join him? How many other times in your life will you get to take a bike ride with Mark Beaumont!

Cosynews!

Cosybike and I are off to the Uk's first cosybike wedding this week.  Congratulations to Fiona and her Partner  

In mid June a cycling celebrity is coming for a ride too!  (Can't tell you yet, top secret)  

June is really busy!!  aaaaaaaaaaggggghhhhhhhhhhhh!

Pac Man Wheels- Want these Need these!!!

http://www.adafruit.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=5

The spokepov kit includes electronic parts and circuit board for one basic configuration Road/MTB SpokePOV with 4K of memory (for 4 animation images) and 60 high brightness LEDs (30 on each side).

In order to upload images to your SpokePOVs you will need a SpokePOV dongle kit with is not included. You will also need a magnet to attach to your frame that will trigger the SpokePOV. Buy one here or use your own!

Available in red, yellow, green and blue. All colors can be used in MTB/road wheels (9.5" wheel radius minimum) and red and yellow in BMX (6.5" wheel radius minimum).
The Pacman/Ghost image shows a yellow set and blue set of SpokePOVs. The Biohazard image below shows a set of red.

To use with BMX/Unicycle/kid's sized wheels, you'll have to cut the PCB yourself, read the instructions at the assembly webpage.

One single SpokePOV fits in one wheel, you can add as many SpokePOVs to a wheel as you'd like get a better image. With one spoke, persistence at a speedy 15mph. Two spokes for cruising at 10mph. Three for a leisurely 7mph! Read more about specifications, full instructions, usage, etc. at the SpokePOV webpage.

ooooooh! Nice bike...No Forks

http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a219/Peltirumpu/Cruiser/

Your Cosybike needs you!

 On the 28th June Cosybike is in a Parade on the south side of Glasgow and requires 6 Riders from the South Side to provide some pedal power.  For details please send me an email with your name using the contact form here. www.cosybike.co.uk  I will select the riders or group at random.  Don't worry if you miss out on the parade, you can still get aride in the park afterwards.  Its Free!   Feel free to apply on behalf of a group or organisation as well.

Good Luck!

Free Rides!

Free ride Listings coming soon. And information about a Famous Cosybike rider! I can't tell you anymore yet!

If you want to book for birthdays and stuff from July onwards, Please Call NOW! to secure your date.

The June diary is pretty much full.

Today we added payment by mobile phone!

Fuel Crisis!

Cosybike will continue to provide rides and will be unaffected.  Funny That!

Its the fig roll shortage we are more concerned about.

Toilet Bike! Handy eh?

Grangemouth closes

Bring it on.  Cosybike has a seven seat MPV that requires no fuel.  (OK occasionally it needs topped up with Tea and cake.  In emergencies it can be persuaded to run on a Steakbake from Greggs with minimal effect on 0-10mph times.)

Queues are reported in kirkcaldy (singletrackworld.com)and other places on the east coast where drivers are sitting blocking roads with their engines idling.  It has been confirmed that they are "nae the brightest"

www.cosybike.co.uk

Top Gear Race across London

There you go!

"There is no way you can enjoy driving a car in london"  - Simon Cowell

The Bike won and the car was last.    For journeys up to 6-8 miles nothing is more fun than a bike. Except cosybike, which is seven times more fun.

Sheldon Brown memorial ride London

Route Sheldon Brown Memorial Ride London


Sheldon Brown Memorial April Fools' ride, Sunday April 6th 1.30 pm, Speakers' Corner
Please join this ride to remember Sheldon Brown. This will be a leisurely roll through central London, ending at a hostelry. Many will be adorning their helmets appropriately, no doubt. All cyclists welcome. If you're in london on the 6th april this looks like fun. It's too far away for me.

Cosybike is all dressed up for Jenny's Stepford Wives Hen Night tonight. If everyone can avoid Glasgow City Centre tonight that would be grand. It's for your own safety. Pictures of the carnage to follow.

Apologies

Unfortunately we had to cancel our sport relief event as the van is still in bits awaiting parts in the Arnold Clark Ford in Linwood.    Obviously the bike lives and is transported in the back and I was unable to get it to Easterhouse.

How long does it take to get parts for Britains most popular van?   1 week 5 days and counting.

Bike week 14th - 22nd June 2008

Are you planning a bike week event?  If you wish Cosybike to attend, early booking is essential.

June dates are filling up fast and we don't want you to be disappointed.  Cosybike is an event in itself and makes publicity of your event easy and is accessible to all ages and abilities.   It also makes life easy for you.  The most effort you will make is operating a telephone.  We turn up and do all the hard work.  Fully insured and flexible we move with the flow and provide a great experience.  

Of course you will be unable to resist a ride for yourself!

Give Mark Beaumont a bike and he cycles round the world. Fast

Congratulations Mark!

"A British man has smashed the record for cycling round the world."   
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7245381.stm

Poor Bloke, he was just nipping out to the shops for milk in East Kilbride and took the wrong exit at a Roundabout.  195 days later he gets home.  It was quicker to go round the world than try to work out his way back through East Kilbride.
Notice when we lose something, we are Scottish. When we achieve something we are British.

Update!!!  He's coming for a ride on the cosybike!!!    see www.cosybike.co.uk for details

Take the Cosybike, Sport Relief Challenge!

Today Cosybike launches the Sport Relief Challenge.

Expect hilarious timed laps of the car park and intense rivalry between The Bridge partners and Swimming pool shifts.
Its open to everyone as well, so if you think you have what it takes to beat 6 highly toned/tanned leisure attendants, then we want to hear from you.

15th March 2008
The Bridge, Easterhouse 1000 - 1600
Enter a Team of 6
£2 per rider, All proceeds to Sport Relief!

There you go. that's it launched. Now get training.

Sheldon Brown Dies

www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/index.html

It's True, The world's most eccentric character and all round cycling guru has died. His outstanding knowledge and sense of humour solved many a stuck bottom bracket.

When I first found his website I thought it was surely made up, then I realised he was real. Sheldon had been recently diagnosed with MS, (aug 2007) but it didn't really stop him. He coped by buying a new bike!     Nice.

This page sums him up nicely
sheldonbrown.com/tork-grip.html

www.cosybike.co.uk

She Stoops To Conquer

This lot are coming to the theatre royal Glasgow. Sounds like fun. With any luck they might come for a cosybike ride!

She Stoops to Conquer is a rumbustious story about two young men and their attempts to court two young ladies. Sounds straightforward? Think again. A number of delicious deceits, clever schemes, comic ruses and riotous turns of plot must be played out if the two pending marriages are to conclude happily. Along the way, there is an abundance of merry mix-ups, bawdy dialogue, much sly satire of the times and one of the great characters of the stage, Tony Lumpkin.

Leading the cast is Liza Goddard, who has toured extensively in classic drama from Wilde to Ayckbourne. Joining her is Colin Baker, one of the UK’s best-loved actors

While on the subject of theatre land we are back at the Tron on the 9th February for a cosybike and cabaret!! evening. They loved the cosybike so much they want another go!

"Culture is usin' a wholemeal loaf to mak' a jeely piece" - Oor Wullie

House Bike in Hong Kong

Reuters Audio is corrupt, turn the sound down now!

Banish Boring Youth Group Fundraising!

This evening I was in Somerfield and the Partick Thistle?  Boys Club were packing bags for customers.  They looked bored out their skulls.  We used to do bag packing when I was in the Scouts although I am sure we had a lot more fun actually talking to the customers.  We also did it uniformed which ensured good donations from older folk as they actually knew who we were.    Maybe the scouting movement has noticed a bit of shyness amongst its youngsters, with the intention of the new PR Badge to help create some even more confident representatives.

Anyway,  To the point!  - Banish the tedious fundraising and do it in style.  Hire the cosybike for a reduced rate - and have a 24 hour sponsored cosybikeathon.  Or a distance challenge?  You will get tons of publicity  and have loads of fun at the same time.   A young person organising a event like this would surely be worthy of a PR Badge.

Speaking of PR, cosybike is on the radio next week, Insightradio 101 FM.  Thur 17th at 1300 approx.  www.insightradio.co.uk

 The very beautiful Jill Daley interviewed me on the bike at Glasgow Green.  I am still blushing!  Jill and her long suffering sound recordist loved their ride round the park and we were assisted by some previous cosy customers.  There was one seat left so we kidnapped a staff member from the Cafe. 

It was an interesting ride.  I had to give her a touch tour of the bike and remember to advise about direction changes and bumps.  

Its quite hard to pedal and talk, as Jill discovered.  I think she likes talking!   Well, they did want to experience top speed, so I said "Top speed is really up to you lot!  Get pedalling!"  They were all out breath pretty quickly!   

Jill lost her sight at 18 due to Diabetes and is now a Broadcaster and presenter and advised Peter Mullan the film director during the making of "Blinded".  

www.cosybike.co.uk

www.insightradio.co.uk