Chic city biking and Clif Bar's 2 Mile Challenge

In case you haven't heard, biking's the new hot urban thing. Wired enthuses about the "rise of the urban biker" in its story covering Interbike 2007 today. And LA's right in the middle of it: Bicycle Kitchen and LA County Bicycle Coalition both get a mention.

Which is to say that Clif Bar's 2 Mile Challenge might be just the challenge for all Angelenos take. The main idea: Make all trips under 2 miles by bike. But the challenge is customizable: Pick from one or all of 5 pre-set challenges -- starting with "Get a bike" if you've still been putting it off -- or create your own. Then set a deadline and start biking!

And bike down to the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica on Oct. 6, when the 2 Mile Challenge rolls into town on a biodiesel bus. No explanation as to why the expedition isn't bike-powered -- though I'm guessing the freebies Clif Bar's giving out might be too heavy for bike transport.

Show up to check out some cool bikes and enter to win everything from Dahon folding bikes and Xtracycle SUB trailers to Solio chargers and Prana clothes. There'll be music too, by two bands I've never heard of but have fun names: Ginger Ninjas and Fossil Fool. And of course, there'll be Clif Bar samples galore --

Afraid a biking habit will mess up your 'do? My friend Summer has a nice guide to looking hot while biking on BTC blog --  from the side-parted low hairstyle to bamboo denim trousers -- complete with diagram (right). Read and learn.

Top image courtesy of 2 Mile Challenge; bottom photo by Summer Bowen

Comments

[steve housewright]

Hooray Clif Bar! I'm clebrating my tenth year with a two-mile mentality and it works. I've been a combination of bike. foot, Dash - and Metrorail when necessary (twice a week)

The two mile mentality for me is that everything we need in an urban area can be found within a two -mile radius. Food, entertainment, jobs, clothing, art supplies, guitars, wine, cheese, books, psychologists, the high-end set and the down & out. It's pretty much all there. Why drive or fly to find it?

Let me know if I can help your campaign -
best, steve Housewright

[Siel]

Hey steve -- Yes, totally agree that often in urban areas, things're much easier to find within 2 miles. I live in Santa Monica, so it's v. easy for me to get everything I need -- Though we gotta make sure that's true of all places in all areas in LA :)