Elliot's Bicycle Service & Piano Bar

[Elliot]

Who's that handsome neekid man?

He is Emperor Elliot, wearing "the emperor's new clothes".

Why an Emperor has to install street signs... remains to be solved. I guess he needs more peons. (...who will also be offered new clothes from the same tailors.)

[Navi_Keef]

Still looking for new members? This is my first time at the playa but have been going to the regionals in the southeast here. Even started my own bike share that i take to the burns for everyone to use. Somewhat mechanically skilled, can fix the typical problems and follow the same technique for dederailleuring as you mentioned early with your bolt cutters. Trying to find a bike camp to call home at home.

[Elliot]

Still looking for new members? This is my first time at the playa but have been going to the regionals in the southeast here. Even started my own bike share that i take to the burns for everyone to use. Somewhat mechanically skilled, can fix the typical problems and follow the same technique for dederailleuring as you mentioned early with your bolt cutters. Trying to find a bike camp to call home at home.

Well, by golly, we just might put you to work!
I'm sending you a PM shortly.

We have a system for taking in new campers. The person who invites a new camp member is responsible for his "recruit". That is, the recruit is to be supervised and coached to whatever degree necessary, to ensure the recruit's well-being and "indoctrination" in the BM ethos. This applies to anybody, but specially for BM Birgins. This should prevent any "accident" with MOOP or otherwise.

[ygmir]

* one day, historians will note "Elliot I" monarch of Cascadia", got his start on this thread*

[Elliot]

* one day, historians will note "Elliot I" monarch of Cascadia", got his start on this thread*

Monarch?... Naaah... I'm no butterfly. It is Emperor Elliot! As in The Emperor's New Clothes, yes, ha ha. And for the alliteration.

I don't expect to become as notorious famous as Kernul Killbuck and other alliterative ePlaya characters, but I can still have fun with it.

[Navi_Keef]

haha you implying im a mooper already? lol I read through earlier that you were considering a sound system for your bike? look for motorcycle speakers. i bought a 100w 2 speaker handlebar mounted system from shark audio for around $60 and all you need is a battery and a way to charge it. i plan on keeping the battery, amp, and mp3 player inside a small ammo box mounted to my front basket. i had the speakers mounted like that on my 70cc scooter and could hear it clear and loud!

[Elliot]

haha you implying im a mooper already? lol ...

Not at all. It was just a good time to mention something that we have been discussing lately. The first Burn (meaning the whole week) tends to overwhelm first-timers, so a little coaching is a good thing. For example, people tend to underestimate how the wind can blow Stuff clear out of camp. A roll of paper towels, left unattended for a moment, can become a "mile" of moop in a flash.

[Elliot]

All-righty-then. The Saturnalia Fest is here, and Krampus brought us a present. Oh, I paid fifty bucks for it, but that was highway robbery. This is a commercial bicycle parking rack, from a bicycle store that is going out of business. It holds 14 bikes. For our purpose it needs feet, to hold the rack upright, but that's a 15 minute job. For the picture I just turned one holder up-side-down.
I'm in the process of building several racks from conduit, but this was just too cool to pass up.

[Patsh]

All-righty-then. The Saturnalia Fest is here, and Krampus brought us a present. Oh, I paid fifty bucks for it, but that was highway robbery. This is a commercial bicycle parking rack, from a bicycle store that is going out of business. It holds 14 bikes. For our purpose it needs feet, to hold the rack upright, but that's a 15 minute job. For the picture I just turned one holder up-side-down.
I'm in the process of building several racks from conduit, but this was just too cool to pass up.]

How perfect! Like it was made for you!

[Elliot]

I'm wondering if I can make this type at home. I mean, if it would be cost-effective to build this type over the other. I may give it a try.

[Blueschaser]

Those are called Rudy Racks, Elliot. We use them seasonally, then disassemble for winter months to merchandise skis instead. Fabricate some steel T-shaped legs and you're in business.

[Elliot]

Wow, that Rudy builds some cool racks!
And what I bought for $50 cost many hundreds new. So definitely a "Christmas present".
Now the challenge is to improve on the design -- for our purpose, with many different tire sizes, and all the wind on Playa.

[Jovankat]

That blue bike is so pretty Elliot. It reminds me of my bike that I lost this year

[Elliot]

That blue bike is so pretty Elliot. It reminds me of my bike that I lost this year

It is an authentic Schwinn Breeze, made in Chicago. I know I looked up the year, but at the moment I seem to have misplaced that information. Late 1960s, I think I remember. It is in fully rideable condition. I aired up the tires a couple months ago, and they are still firm. But the tires are awful narrow for BRC.
If you want it, it is yours. Just say the word, and I will bring it to the Burn.

[Captain Goddammit]

Sheesh, don't be such a dick, Elliot!

[Elliot]

Sheesh, don't be such a dick, Elliot!

LOL! Thank you. Yeah, all these bikes were gifted to me, so I am delighted to pass some of them on.

[Jovankat]

That would be amazing! Thank you Elliot!

[Elliot]

Great news!

Sunbeam is getting her very own camp for her Tamalez Kitchen!

This was her original plan, and she was even approved as a Theme Camp last year, located fairly close to Esplanade. Then we lured her over to us instead. But now she gets her chance to really shine, with her own camp-name and identity, and will probably be located in the close-in part of the alphabet (streets), where there are more hungry Burners – to eat her many more Tamalez.

The Bicycle Service still hopes to be out in the suburbs for the peace and quiet.

So let me sum up what Elliot’s Bicycle Emporium will have this year:

Bicycle lending and repair, of course, including do-it-yourself repair.

And cold beverages -- wine, beer, lemonade, ice tea, and water. We even have a second refrigerator now, with glass door like uptown.

A real piano for anyone to play. (Well... anyone who actually can play. Please practice "Chopsticks" at home. )

A foot washing service.

A water misting /spraying feature, where participants get to trigger the water with a ball-toss game-of-skill, like a dunk tank – and, dare I say, very carnival midway style. So this will be our Carnival of Mirrors component, although I don’t know whether we can incorporate any mirror. Of course… the target will be ridiculously easy to hit.
I will try to incorporate the competitive element we talked about here a while ago (or maybe on an other thread), but I have not figured out that part yet.

And it looks like we will have more technicians to repair bicycles.

So congrats to Sunbeam and her troupe!
It is going to be a fabulous Burn.

[Navi_Keef]

do bike fixing and tending bar, so down for this! oh! and a place to wash my feet! WOOT!



and you know what that playa dust does....

[Elliot]

do bike fixing and tending bar, so down for this! oh! and a place to wash my feet! WOOT!
...

and you know what that playa dust does....
...

Aaaaaannnnnnnd... I do believe we have a new mechanic! He reports he is an avid bicyclist and a pretty fair mechanic. I'll let him introduce himself and his girlfriend.

As for chafing, the Playa Dust actually acts like talcum powder / baby powder. So the most comfortable arrangement is to go nekkid.

The new Foot Wash is Maryanimal's brainchild. Huzzah for Maryanimal!

[Navi_Keef]

[Elliot]

Well... be sure to note the word "disinformation" on that poster. But seriously, it is standard procedure to carry a towel when going nude, or to refrain from sitting down on other people's furniture, including bicycle saddles.

There will be a stack of Guest Towels at the piano bench.

Now.... As the saying goes, "When it rains, it pours"! We have a second new bicycle mechanic to introduce today!
So give a big hand to Angela & Robert. Robert is a bicycle mechanic, so now the team is really shaping up.

[Ratty]

Yay for Angela and Robert. You'll have a grand time.

[Elliot]

Yay for Angela and Robert. You'll have a grand time.

And Navi_Keef & his girlfriend! Though I don't know what name he will be using in camp. Hopefully a real name, since I get all confused by all these off-the-wall monikers. And we need his girlfriend's name also.

[Navi_Keef]

Though I don't know what name he will be using in camp. Hopefully a real name, since I get all confused by all these off-the-wall monikers. And we need his girlfriend's name also.

I will go by Navi or Keith, whichever is easier for you! the lady friend's name is Lauren

[Elliot]

We all know how businesses try to close as many deals as possible before the end of the year, and the same seems to be happening here. We have yet another mechanic moving into camp! They are J.P. & Jill, from Chicago. J.P. is a big fan of Blues music, so we get along well. They put in a couple repair shifts last year, and now they will be camping with us also.

[Captain Goddammit]

Man I hope I don't bust a chain or something... your place is so uptown, I'm sure I can't afford it!

[Elliot]

Martini Steve took this picture, which shows the Bicycle Shop pretty well, with big shade and rugs on the ground. Strangely enough, the place is practically deserted in this shot. That didn't happen often!
Note Sham's red car in the background.

[Elliot]

Man I hope I don't bust a chain or something... your place is so uptown, I'm sure I can't afford it!

And then our V.I.P. lounge:

[Ratty]

Elliott, I remember coming by shortly after the gates opened. (Maybe hours had gone by. Maybe it was the next day). You were flabergasted at how you weren't swamped yet. You were also enjoying the calm before the storm. Hey, I left you a magnetic nut bowl to 'Put your nuts here'. If you would like some more of them just say the word. I know you worked on my bike this year but I can't remember why. You had tubes left over? Should we bring you more if we have new ones to donate?