Baller bike rack in Oakland

Of course the shiniest, most pimped out bike rack would come not only from Oakland, California (I would do a North Bay hand-pump represent-thing here if I weren't, you know, SOCAL 4 LYFE) but also from R. Montoya, who is kind of a big deal as well.

I've never even seen gold bike rack before. Either this was a subtle shout-out to the Olympics this year and America dominating the medal count (USA USA USA etc) (I think) or someone got upset with C3PO and recycled him into something more useful.

And, in a stellar example of using bike rack to really, really block off a crowd, the Giff sent in another Oakland pic. Pretty awesome. I don't really envy the person who has to dismantle all of that (there has to be at least a few hundred zip-ties holding this puppy together) but I admire their handiwork. Hats off to you, bike rack constructor, you.

For crazy bike rack configurations and allowing me to finally, FINALLY insert a Star Wars reference in this blog, FOUR bicycles out of four. "Hella" nice work, NorCal dudes.

Bike rack and a Burt Bacharach hit in San Jose, California

(For the original Diane Warwick hit, you can listen along here.)

Do you know the way to San Jose?
I've only been once, so I'd probably lose my way
Do you know the way to San Jose?
I'm going back to find some bike rack in San Jose

S.J. has a great big airway
Put a plane down near and far
In a year, maybe two, they'll get to a star
Years turn over slowly, how they never lack
And all the bikes that never left
Get racked and locked to this bike rack

Do you know the way to San Jose?
A. Evans does, she showed me this is where she stayed
She wasn't born and raised in San Jose
But she went to find some piece of (bike) rack in San Jose

**************

Bike rack and more at Moffett Federal Airfield. And now I have this song stuck in my head for the rest of the day!!!

For bike rack that looks like it regularly just racks...bikes, but is kind of a curious combination of stationery rack and the moveable barricade...TWO bicycles out of four. Mostly for the ambiguity. And because I will be wandering around now like a freak singing a song from the 1960s. (La la la la laaaa la la....oh man.)

Also, a shout-out to my sister of the traveling (red) pants, A. Evans. I heard she likes to dance.

Bonus Los Angeles holiday bike rack!

And now: for a little holiday cheer brought to you by D. Sams and Eugenie, finally getting what this blog is all about. Congrats guys. Way to bring it before 2011! 

He spotted this gem over at L.A. Live - a cross between Times Square in New York, Disneyland and one of those Japanese cartoons that make you seizure (warning: I link directly to said cartoon). It's located downtown, in an apparently successful attempt to help revitalize a once barren and depressing neighborhood that should be the hub of the city. I'd say it succeeds on some levels, although the fact that it's sponsored by Target and yet, there is no Target to be found there is confusing and enraging. 

I digress. (Target is a big deal for me, m'kay?)  The bike rack found here is a very basic, utilitarian black, which I tend to like better than the basic gray type, and seems to be protecting a virtual wonderland of poinsettias, candy canes and a toy train track. Awww. You can almost hear the Christmas music that's been playing since September now.

The bike rack also seems to be protecting some seriously heavy duty cabling going on in the backdrop - there's enough lighting at L.A. Live to see it from the moon normally, never mind adding the five zillion lights for the holiday season. Its keeping the people safe from electrocution... although not safe enough that someone can't just lean over and flip the switch on the whole thing.

Just sayin.'

Anyway, hope you had a great holiday weekend and keep lookin' out for oh so awesome bike rack!

For hanging in there and finally spotting some truly awesome bike rack, complete with twinkling lights, winter wonderland and some sketchy electrical wiring: FOUR bicycles out of four.

Random Century City bike rack sighting

Sometimes, bike rack doesn't make a ton of sense. Why is it in this parking lot in an exclusive Century City enclave? What is it's purpose? Blocking off the luxury cars that its denizens drive? Forcing them to use the valet service? Creating space for their own private farmer's market? Only Dave E. knows. I'm not high class enough for these kinds of bike rack shenanigans.

I give this TWO bicycles out of four. One for each fancy high-rise in the background.