Bicycle-in-movies at New Belgium Brewery

Do you love the movies? Do you love the outdoors? And, do you love your bicycle? Well, here's just the thing. The New Belgium Brewery Bike-In Movie Series. Yup, ride your bike to New Belgium on one of their movie nights and you can enjoy a feature film out on the lawn. I went to the last showing of their summer 2007 schedule. I cheated a little, drove my Pathfinder to within a few blocks, unloaded the bike and rode the rest of the way. I soon found there were alot of people doing this, and some didn't even bring their bike! Many did ride though, it was cool to see all the bikes parked along the approaching streets (Later when I was leaving, I had to pry my bike out from behind another layer).

I got in line and visited with other movie-goers, finding that New Belgium has been doing this for a few summers. Tonights movie was "Taledega Nights" preceded by a short documentary about water use in Northern Colorado. They had a segment about how the often seen (Locally) "Save the Poudre" poster was conceived and made. I heard one guy say, "wow I didn't know that was ______!" I worked my way around for a couple of photographs, weaving in and out of the landscape of reclined bodies on the periphery. It was a nice way to see a movie in the summer.
Its Bring-your-own-chair, and I wished I had brought-my-own-soda. They serve beer of course (not for me), and I think they had a hot dog stand that may have sold soda pop. For a guy who doesn't drink beer, I had a swell time. I look forward to this years series, which unfortunately doesn't start until August. Here's a link to the planned schedule. Hope to see you there! http://downtownfortcollins.com/events.php/detail/141/3

Riding weather, at last

Warmer weather is finally here. Hooray! I love this time of year, Not cold, not too hot. The lawns are nice and green. The greenest of the summer. Soon everyone will be chasing the dry spots in the heat. Oh, sleeping with windows open! I love going to bed and listening to the neighbor kids enjoy the summer night. Sounds of laughter and games in the dark, skate boards, the occasional music from a teenage car. And my favorite sound of all... a motorcycle in the distance singing through the gears. Always brings a smile to my face as I snuggle into my pillow. The weather is bringing more and more bikes onto the road. All shapes and sizes. Our neighbor has one of those little honda scooters. Some days the Dad rides off on it, sometimes the son or daughter. Who ever is out for a short trip I suppose. And 80 - 100 MPG is pretty attractive these days. I find myself a bit jealous. But hey, My big motorcycle gets 46 MPG.

Thursday nights at the Motohaus Coffee shop have converted from hot drinks inside with a movie playing on the big screen to cold drinks outside mingling among the diverse bikes and riders. Last week I never even made it into the building. European, Japanese, American, and mix 'n match projects fill the lot. On road, off road, and adventure bikes that split the difference. There's plenty of two-wheeled excitement to get your wanderlust going. If you stop by on a Thursday night, come over and say hello. I'll likely be the guy with camera in hand. Enjoy the season!