The 6th Annual Supermarket Street Sweep!

Looking for another ride for a cause?

2011-12-04T23:01:00.001-08:00

The crew from San Jose was up in SF this weekend representing the South Bay in the 'Sweep. Wanna return the favor and show up down south? Check out SCROOGED An alleycat to benefit Toys for Tots this Saturday, December 10, 2011

Registration 12:00/Race 1:00
Entry Fee: One new unwrapped toy
Fixed/SS Only

Rider Portraits

2011-12-04T20:15:00.000-08:00

Thanks to all the riders who came out to make the 'Sweep a success. See you next year!

Another Fantastic Record-Breaking Year!

2011-12-03T22:52:00.001-08:00

Wow - we're overwhelmed by this year's fantastic Sweep results. It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon and we had 201 racers register who brought in 7,990 lbs. of food - our biggest total yet! Racers, volunteers, fundraisers, sponsors, supporters - you really came out big this Saturday to support the San Francisco Food Bank! Thank you again for coming out. Hundreds of families in need truly appreciate it.

CARGO RACE WINNERS

The men's CARGO race Winners: Eric + Cooper "Sprocket" Downing are a remarkable father-and-son team that not only rode a tandem, but they created a shopping cart train that hauled in 845 lbs. of food in 2 hours and 10 minutes! Congrats to them on their spectacular win and enjoy the Burley Travoy Trailer!

The woman's winner of the CARGO race was Bridget May, who brought 111 lbs. of food! Way to rock it, lady!

SPEED RACE WINNERS

Adam Shapiro won the Men's SPEED race at 1 hr., 58 minutes! Hope you enjoy your Ritte van Vlaanderen frame and a big high-five to you!

Two other racers came in before Adam Shapiro, but unfortunately were relegated due to a missing receipt and shopping at the wrong checkpoint. We'd like to recognize both Jeremiah Davis and Evan Sarna for being super speedy - better luck next time and thanks for helping out the SF Food Bank!

Katie Styer won the Women's SPEED race at 2 hrs., 20 minutes! She wins a Volume frame and fork from Montano Velo. Way to kick ass!

FUNDRAISING WINNERS

Total raised in 2011:

$9,652!***

***This total is now 10,298.51, as an additional $646.51 came in from donations on the day of the race and participants who sent in leftover money from their donations to the SF Food Bank on our behalf!

Last year: $4,917 So we very close to doubling last year's total!

Equivalencies:

$9,652 donated = 38,608 pounds of food

$9,652 donated = 38,608 meals = 1,475 more meals than all of the past street sweeps combined = food for 105 people for a whole year

$9,652 donated = $57,912 of food

Brad Simeral - $6570.30

Chava Kronenberg - $2097.16

Koshi - $407.69

Melissa Anderson - $297.69

Nicholas Navarro - $278.85

The race began at 12:42pm. Here are weight totals and completion times for the Speed Race:

CARGO

2) Male - Sean Sevilla - 367 lbs.

2) Female - Susan King - 109 lbs.

3) Male - Terry Curley - 241 lbs.

3) Female - Emily + Murphy - 106 lbs. (tandem)

4) Male - Brad Simeral - 234 lbs.

4) Female - Jenn B - 79 lbs.

5) Male - Ted Ketai - 147 lbs.

5) Female - Pamela - 72 lbs.

6) Male - Corey - 138 lbs.

6) Female - Reese - 64 lbs.

7) Male - Nick Birth - 124 lbs.

7) Female - Shanie - 52 lbs.

8) Male - Judah - 110 lbs.

8) Female - Jess - 40 lbs.

9) Male - Steve Lok - 90 lbs.

9) Female - L.C. - 30 lbs.

10) Male - Wes W. - 76 lbs.

10) Female - Kirsten - 25 lbs.

11) Male - Jorge C. - 73 lbs.

11) Female - Mari - 21 lbs.

12) Male - Nate Clack - 55 lbs.

12) Female - Nancy - 16 lbs.

13) Male - Matt Crocker - 32 lbs.

13) Female - Jenn C. - 16 lbs.

14) Male - Derrick - 17 lbs.

14) Female - Alia - 15 lbs.

15) Male - Kit - 32 lbs.

16) Male - Sev - 29 lbs.

17) Male - Paul - 28 lbs.

18) Male - Dewey - 21 lbs.

19) Male - Nicholas Navarro - 16 lbs.

20) Male - Carl H. - 12 lbs.

21) Male - Al - 11 lbs.

SPEED

2) Male - Greg McQuaid - 1 hr., 59 min.

2) Female - Ruth Emerson - 2 hrs., 21 min.

3) Male - Chris Phipps - 1 hr., 59 min.

3) Female - Claire Porter - 2 hrs., 42 min.

4) Male - Chas - 2 hrs., 1 min.

4) Female - Tori - 2 hrs., 42 min.

5) Male - Steven Tortorelli - 2 hrs., 5 min.

5) Female - Ulrika - 2 hrs., 42 min.

6) Male - Loren - 2 hrs., 19 min.

6) Female - Mandy - 2 hrs., 48 min.

7) Male - Ryan Gerlach - 2 hrs., 19 min.

7) Female - Erica - 2 hrs., 48 min.

8) Male - Louis E. - 2 hrs., 19 min.

8) Female - Melanie - 2 hrs., 48 min.

9) Male - Eric Greenwood - 2 hrs., 19 min.

9) Female - Veronica - 2 hrs., 54 min.

10) Male - Justin Plue - 2 hrs., 24 min.

10) Female - Megan S. - 3 hrs.

11) Male - Jeremiah Steele - 2 hrs., 27 min.

11) Female - May Woo - 3 hrs., 5 min.

12) Male - Jessie Fernandez - 2 hrs., 33 min.

12) Female - Chava Kronenberg - 3 hrs., 6 min.

13) Male - Judd Blair - 2 hrs., 34 min.

13) Female - Laura - 3 hrs., 10 min.

14) Male - Peter R. 2 hrs., 35 min.

14) Female - Carrie - 3 hrs., 17 min.

15) Male - Jason Thorpe - 2 hrs., 36 min.

16) Male - Ken Ho - 2 hrs., 41 min.

17) Male - Kevin Mihovich - 2 hrs., 42 min.

18) Male - Patrick Myall - 2 hrs., 43 min.

19) Male - Emerson - 2 hrs., 43 min.

20) Male - Daniel Kim - 2 hrs., 44 min.

21) Male - Clay D. - 2 hrs., 44 min.

22) Male - Brandon H. - 2 hrs., 46 min.

23) Male - Dyami - 2 hrs., 44 min.

24) Male - Jason Ferrier - 2 hrs., 50 min.

25) Male - Morgan Allen - 2 hrs. 50 min.

26) Male - Tim Gross - 2 hrs., 50 min.

27) Male - Neil Berrett - 2 hrs., 50 min.

28) Male - Edward O., 2 hrs. 54 min.

29) Male - Randy R. - 2 hrs., 54 min.

30) Male - Carlos - 2 hrs., 58 min.

31) Male - Judah M. - 2 hrs., 58 min.

32) Male - Keith B. - 2 hrs., 58 min.

33) Male - Andrew C. - 2 hrs., 58 min.

34) Male - Sean Martin - 2 hrs., 59 min.

35) Male - Chris N. - 3 hours

36) Male - Adam Gerhart - 3 hrs., 6 min.

37) Male - Shaggy - 3 hrs., 9 min.

38) Male - Francisco - 3 hrs., 11 min.

39) Male - Gabe - 3 hrs., 11 min.

40) Male - Errol - 3 hrs., 12 min.

41) Male - Nick H. - 3 hrs., 13 min.

42) Male - Mike D - 3 hrs., 13 min.

43) Male - Benjoaquin - 3 hrs., 14 min.

44) Male - Tom K. - 3 hrs., 14 min.

45) Male - Steve L. - 3 hrs., 17 min.

46) Male - Ben Nathan - 3 hrs., 18 min.

And while we're sad that some folks came in after the 4PM cut-off time, we'd like to recognize their amazing efforts. Many brought came in later as they were hauling tons of food! We'll make the course shorter next year so folks have more time to shop.

SPECIAL MENTIONS

Mark Woloschuk - He completed both the SPEED and CARGO checkpoints in 3 hrs., 40 min.!

Arena Reed - While she rolled in past 4PM, she did bring in a staggering 350 lbs.! We know you'll win next year!

Melissa Anderson - She brought in 239 lbs. after 4PM in addition to fundraising!

Jeremiah Ducate - Our former champ brought in 279 lbs. after 4PM!

Tom Brown - He completed the Cargo Race on a unicycle and brought in 13 lbs. after 4PM!

Liam Casey - He brought in 212 lbs. after 4PM!

Mark Wheeler - He hauled in 176 lbs. after 4PM!

Jesse J - He brought in a huge load of 332 lbs. after 4PM!

Avin Yen - Woo - 311 lbs. after 4PM!

Adam A. - He brought in an incredible 476 lbs. after 4PM - great job! We hope to see you back next year with the win!

Other Rad Cargo Competitors

Kysha A (15 lbs.) - Natalie Saba - (11 lbs.) - Beckie Wood (22 lbs.) - Mike + Mack Fee (30 lbs.) - Tanner - (30 lbs.) - David Glasser (91 lbs.) - Peter Tennyson (58 lbs.) - Jack Vu (57 lbs.) - John Grebenc (28 lbs.) - Janet (38 lbs.) - Edmund Boey (15 lbs.) - DDave + Clancey - Sandra K (28 lbs.) - Yo Yo (59 lbs.) - Sara Anderson (33 lbs.) - Zach Morvant - Max D. (108 lbs.) - Kell WOB (115 lbs.)

Other Rad Speed Competitors

Artem S. - Nat Kinsky - Robin Hunter - Fabio Rattazzi - Jon Therrin - Jakki Raines - Kate FWOD - Vanessa Christie - Carmen - Brooks - Brendan Cook - Gritchelle Fallescion - Richard Castillo - Nathan Dushman - Elaina Tia - Sanja Wetzel - Rick Christophersson - Derek Tia - Ukiah - Monique Mirollel - Bill Pendergast - Sean Eagleton - Eleazar Lewis - Shitij Agarwal - Leroux - Andrea Naylor - Ron Twist - Julie F. - Sav FWOD / WOB - Navi Thach - Michael Oregon - Kellie Su - Brian Ralston - Kevin Carroll - Jeff Servaites - Michele A.

And another big thanks to rideSFO and Bicycle Fabrications for hosting a great after party in their new space, with beer from 21st Amendment and snacks from Wholesome Bakery, Lee's Deli and Bi-Rite.

See you all next year!

Get Ready for Tomorrow!

2011-12-02T14:31:00.000-08:00

Well, tomorrow is the big day and we're super excited! The organizers and a few volunteers convened last night at the loin to make the spoke cards and shirts.

We've got some great stuff lined up - tons of prizes, beer, food, and a fun ride around the city. Meet at the Bow & Arrow at Folsom St. & Embarcadero at High Noon. (Read the rules.) You'll sign in, get your spoke card and then we'll give you your manifest and send you out to buy groceries. Don't forget that we're also running a fundraising category (currently at $8900!!!) to win a $500 coupon to Xtracycle. There will be other prizes too.

Also, the first 200 participants to bring their spoke card to the Crumpler store at the Westfield Center will get a free accessory pouch. (Through January 2012.)

We'll have snacks for you at the finish line to refresh, courtesy of Bi-Rite Market and Lee's Deli. We've got fruit - bananas, oranges, pears, apples, clementines, as well as fresh chips, salsa, and we'll also have water on hand.

And, of course, the after party is where we will award the prizes and have a drawing for those who brought back extra food. There will be two DJs, and BiBimBopBowl will be dishing up delicious rice bowls (for a small cost) with Kim Chee from The Sinto Gourmet. Winner and DFL will also receive a free bowl!

You can also count on Lloyd from 21st Amendment serving brews, and there will be Pop Chips as well as 10 tokens for a month's supply to give out! You can also look forward to goodies from Wholesome Bakery.

Can't wait to see you there!

Thank you Box Dog Bikes!

2011-11-18T10:32:00.000-08:00

Box Dog Bikes is one of our headline sponsors this year. They're giving us an appropriate prize -- a trailer! Box Dog is a workers' collective founded in 2004, and they cater to a wide variety of cyclists. They have a deft hand with coaster brakes, but will also build and fine-tune your classic road bike or your sweet fixie. One of my favorite things about Box Dog is the friendly atmosphere, and the time Andy, Jon, Dan and the guys take to talk with their customers. They support the Supermarket Street Sweep every year, as well as a bunch of other events in the community. Thank you Box Dog!

rideSFO's SF Bike Expo!

2011-11-13T22:20:00.001-08:00

rideSFO, one of the Sweep's longtime sponsors, throws a great bike party every year at the Cow Palace with a bike swap, fashion show, vendors, bike competitions and more.

We stopped by the 4th Annual SF Bike Expo to say hey to some of our other sponsors who had booths set up in the vendor hall:

Rickshaw Bags had a great booth - wish I could have squeezed it all in the photo!

Momentum Magazine's checking out our sweet poster.

The illustrious Kit Kohler of Zero Per Gallon chats up Mary Elizabeth of alloneword.

Jack Lindquist of Ritte van Vlaanderen gave us an eyeful of their sweet track bike.

Stevil of All Hail the Black Market is contemplating a career change.

Mission Bicycle Company had a pretty snazzy set-up.

swrve had some sweet deals on their fine clothing at their booth.

B. Spoke Tailor and Nan Estep of Oakland always makes an elegant, classy appearance at the Expo.

Sarah and her pushbike crew!

Soma To Donate A Tradesman Cargo Frame

2011-11-13T19:21:00.000-08:00

Soma Fabrications will be donating a brand new Tradesman cargo frame to this year's event! The Tradesman is modeled after the classic Schwinn cycle truck, but made from modern Tange Infinity CrMo steel and takes front and rear disc brakes. It is designed to carry 40-50 lbs on the lowered front deck. Like most Soma frames, this will also fit a rear rack. Retail value: $700.

Soma Fabrications is a locally-based designer/maker/importer of high performance steel bicycle frames and urban cycling accessories, and just celebrated its 10th anniversary. The Sweep is one of their favorite local events to support, and they've sponsored us year after year.

Thank you!

2011-11-11T09:17:00.000-08:00

We've got so many more sponsors to thank! Stay tuned to read about the rest of them, and check out our Facebook page to see photos of the prizes -- we'll be posting those over the next few weeks.

DZR is a brand new sponsor. They make SPD compatible sneakers for men and women. Their shoes are stylish and do not conform to the traditional style of clipless shoes. (Check out their showroom downtown, opening soon.) This year there will be 2 gift boxes on the prize table, each with $120 in DZR loot.

From Milwaukee, Eight Inch specializes in fixed gear components. Also a new sponsor, they sent is a nice box of fixed gear goodies this year. We're stoked to have friends in Wisconsin!

Knog sends us a large envelope of goodies every year, including caps, shirts, and their very popular lights. They sponsor a lot of races, so we're glad they are able to send us prizes as well. Thank you Knog!

Everyone has heard of Phil Wood; all of their stuff is made in the USA and has a reputation for quality. They sent us a rad box of their grease, oil, and hand cleaner, as well as some other treats. Thanks for sponsoring us again!

Selle San Marco is another well-known company. We get a box of their lovely saddles from Italy every year. They are truly a pleasure to correspond with. And it is always a treat to open their box and succumb to that amazing new saddle smell.

We also want to thank White Industries , who sent us two of their fancy cogs! Here's their website. White Industries has been around since 1978 and is based nearby in Petaluma. We love our local companies!

Xtracycle to donate $500 coupon for Dollars for Dinners!

2011-11-07T10:40:00.000-08:00

We have a lot of support from companies who make various cargo products, which is so suitable for the Supermarket Street Sweep. Xtracycle has sponsored the Sweep for the last 3 years, and this year they're returning again and donating a great prize: a $500 gift certificate to the Xtracycle online store, the main prize for our fundraising category. Check out this short video about how to get the most out of Xtracycle's unique cargo-swallowing bag system, the FreeLoader.

The Food Bank Needs You!

2011-11-05T22:59:00.000-07:00

Funding cuts have left the food bank struggling to keep up with increasing demand. From SF Gate:

"..under new criteria set by the national Emergency Food and Shelter Program, scenes like this, which play out daily in San Francisco, aren't enough to merit federal financial help. The city simply doesn't have enough poor or unemployed people to qualify, and it has just learned it will lose out on $592,000 in federal money that helps fund the food bank and other social service programs.

Funding for the national program was cut 40 percent by Congress in this year's budget - from $200 million to $120 million. For the first time in the program's 28-year existence, San Francisco won't get any of that money.

The cuts come as the San Francisco Food Bank is already seeing increased demand because of lingering economic problems. It fed 225,000 people in the fiscal year 2010-11, up from 132,000 in 2007-08. Its food pantry lines are expected to grow even longer because of the state's cuts to CalWORKS, which provides cash assistance to low-income families, and a host of other social service programs on the chopping block at the state and federal levels."

Read more on SFGate.com

Don't just ride, fundraise too! Get started now.

We've got more sponsors to tell you about!

2011-11-03T08:57:00.001-07:00

Pushbike sponsors our race every year - now in its own space at 22nd & Shotwell, Pushbike is still the best place to go for stylish and practical cycling clothing and vintage jerseys. This year, we've got a really, really nice raglan hoody in a gorgeous teal color from the shop.

Cykel is a relatively new bike shop in North Beach. It's a boutique style business catering to road, cyclocross TT and Tri riders. They were stoked to support the race this year, and we're glad to list them as a new sponsor!

Every year we get several bags of delicious coffee from our friends at De La Paz. A lot of exciting new things have been happening at De La Paz, including a recently redesigned label (check out their website!) and a coffee and espresso bar at 1081 Mission St. The cafe is not yet open full-time, but you can stop by between 7am - 2pm every Friday to get your fix. You can also buy De La Paz beans at a number of city locations, including most Whole Foods Markets.

When we reached out to Oaklandish this year, they told us about this great new line of city pride gear, called there there. They'll be donating a few San Francisco-themed t-shirts to the prize table this year.

Pedal Revolution is another great city bike shop that supports the Street Sweep every year. They have a great selection of bikes for almost any type of rider, and the shop has a down-to-earth and friendly vibe. Stop in and check it out.

Oh, Ritual Coffee. Roasted in the Mission, delicious. Two things that almost always go with bicycles are beer and/or coffee. Last year and the year before, Ritual donated over $200 in gift certificates and some of their tasty beans. This year, we've got a stack of their stylish ceramic mugs, stuffed with gift cards for 10 drinks!

A Big Thank You To Burley!

2011-10-26T10:21:00.000-07:00

Burley's sponsored the Sweep in the past, and this year they're returning again and donating a great prize: a Travoy trailer with upper and lower market bags! It'll be perfect for you Cargo category competitors at future Sweeps as it can hold up to 60 pounds. Check out this cool video here about the Travoy:

Roll by the Sweep this year and take your best shot at winning the Travoy!

2011 Supermarket Street Sweep Poster!

2011-10-25T23:01:00.000-07:00

There's been a lot of political upheaval in recent weeks as people from around the world voice their discontent about the global economic crisis. Our 2011 poster reflects the spirit of the Occupy protests this year. Please feel free to download it, share it, and we hope to see you at this year's Sweep!

Great Prizes from Crumpler Bags!

2011-10-25T13:28:00.000-07:00

This just in: Crumpler is back to support the 'Sweep again for another year with some generous donations! They'll be sending FIVE bags our way as prizes and setting up their SF Crumpler shop with accessory pouches for up to 200 participants! Just go to the store, show your spoke card (they'll punch out a corner) and you'll receive a pouch.

And one of these bags will be added to our fundraising prize table, so get out there and start raising funds!

Dollars for Dinners!

2011-10-24T19:01:00.000-07:00

Don't just ride, fundraise too! To maximize our impact on hunger we're doing the fundraising competition again this year. Last year Matt King raised an amazing $1,275! Altogether we raised $4,877, in addition to the food we created 25,000 meals last year.

To get started:

1. Visit: http://www.firstgiving.com/sffoodbank/supermarketstreetsweep
2. Click the "Fundraise" button.
3. Set-up your Firstgiving account.
4. Spread the word, send your page to your friends, family, coworkers, your boss, your barista... everyone you know. You can download and use this handy flyer.

Fundraise from now until December 2, 2011 at midnight PST and the person who raises the most will win a $500 coupon from our friends at Xtracycle!

More About Our Sponsors

2011-10-21T08:56:00.000-07:00

Benny Gold started with tacking Stay Gold stickers around town and now has a rad clothing shop on 16th Street in the Mission. He's quite familiar with our race, and said he was honored to be included this year. We're the ones who are honored by his support.

Have you been to Brainwash? This laundry cafe on Folsom St. has food, beer, and laudromat facilities, in addition to regular performances in the evenings. Some lucky participant is going to walk away with $50 Brainwash bucks!

Chirply is a brand-new sponsor. This internet company is based in the Mission district, and sells neat paper products and cards. Designs are curated by a community of artists and designers. We can't wait to see what goodies they throw in for the Street Sweep.

Do you know anyone who rides a bike in San Francisco who does not have a Chuey Brand cap? Chuey caps are handmade in San Francisco and are a staple in every cyclist's wardrobe. Every year he throws in a stack of his custom caps. Thanks Chuey!

iMiNUSD is a San Jose track boutique that supports the Street Sweep every year. Not only do they send us prizes, local riders from San Jose often make the trek to the city to participate in the event. We are glad to have their sponsorship again this year, and we look forward to seeing San Jose riders sweep the San Francisco streets for the Food Bank this year!

New Sponsors!

2011-10-14T06:38:00.000-07:00

Every year we have tons of companies that support the Sweep every year - and we are eternally grateful for their generosity! We'd also like to welcome aboard a new group of folks that have committed to helping us for our sixth event.

First up is SoCal's Ritte Van Vlaanderen, a cycling company that is a force of nature. They're named after a Flemish racer who won the Tour of Flanders in 1919 despite making a pit stop at a local pub for several beers. Not only do they make sexy bikes and rad clothing, but they've got a team that's filled with "handsome, good-looking and terribly attractive men and women." They're showing their love for their NorCal brethren by donating a Bosberg or Crossberg frame as one of the top prizes for the Speed Category.

This frame could be yours. Better start training now!

And the local Ritte dealer and SF bike shop, Cykel (who's also a new sponsor), is throwing in a pro build along with a frame. The lucky winner can bring in the requisite bike parts, and they'll put it all together so

you can roll away in style. Cykel is also kicking down some other prizes just because they're super awesome.

The lovely and talented NYC-based Nona Varnado is donating some of her exquisite cycling clothing for women, including one of her fantastic Rivendell hoodies; this wool jacket is perfect for SF's fickle microclimate weather.

Image courtesy of Nona Varnado.

Giro, the helmet and accessories company based in Scotts Valley, is pitching in some of their rad cycling goods to the Sweep. And Strava, which lets you log your runs and rides with GPS technology (and virtually battle for bragging rights on logged routes amongst your comrades through their various online rankings and leaderboards) is throwing in some sweet swag - including 4 premium yearly subscriptions.

We'd like to extend our thanks again to these new sponsors. Come on out and compete for these great prizes!

Rules for Supermarket Street Sweep 2011

2011-10-05T11:37:00.000-07:00

All bikes welcome. Register at the Bow & Arrow on December 3, high noon. Bring $20+ to purchase the food items listed on the manifest. Only non-perishables in non-glass packaging will be accepted. Also bring a map, bag, lock, phone, water, and anything else you might need to complete the manifest.

Speed: The fastest males and females will win top speed honors. Racers must go to all checkpoints and purchase all of items listed on the manifest. Racers who bring back extra food donations not listed on the manifest will automatically be entered into a drawing for additional prizes. (Note that there will not be fixed/road categories this year.)

Cargo: The male and female cargo riders who pedal back the single heaviest loads of food will win. Cargo riders must go to all checkpoints on the manifest and purchase all of the items listed on the manifest. Additional food beyond that listed on the manifest may be collected anywhere along the route. Cargo riders are encouraged to fundraise and collect food donations ahead of the event.

Veteran Sponsors Return for the Sweep!

2011-09-27T11:34:00.000-07:00

The Supermarket Street Sweep has collected 22,460 pounds of food for the San Francisco Food Bank since 2006, all brought in via bicycle. We don't feel that donations of this scale could be possible without the support of our many sponsors who stand behind our cause by donating their products for prizes. With so many racers willing to spend hard-earned dollars on food donations for the race, we try to get enough sponsorship so that everyone walks away with something, even if it's just a sticker. It's important to us to recognize those sponsors, and to acknowledge that they come back each year to stand behind this event. Here are a few of our veterans:

Archive Bags is a one-man show out of San Francisco. Victor not only donates some of his well-made gear each year, he comes out to count food, distribute flyers, and provide volunteer support in any way he can.

If you've never been by one of The Freewheel's two city locations, it's worth a stop. The Valencia Street shop is large and well-stocked, and the Hayes St. location is more intimate, with Travis and Dustin always providing laughs for anyone who stops by.

Travis at Freight Baggage has been making quality bags for a long time. His bags are a favorite among the messenger community for their durability and thoughtful design. Travis has been behind the Street Sweep since the very beginning.

Mike Giant is a well-known artist and bicycle enthusiast. He's become a fixture in San Francisco's cycling community, representing it in his art through bold lines and concise statements about the value of cycling.

Personalization is Mission Bicycle's signature; they work with their clients to build affordable bikes that suit unique needs and aesthetics. They have supported us for the last three years with clever goodie bags from their shop.

Sustainable clothing is what Nau is all about. Every year they send us a box of their clothing, and one of the wonderful things about their support is that they do not forget the ladies - they always send a few things just for our female riders.

Plemons Co. is another local company, a small operation run by a local messenger. Plemons toe straps really stand out; they are crafted from beautiful, durable leather in a variety of colors. Definitely a local favorite.

Yanco Pads is another sponsor that has been around since the very beginning. Every year they send us a box of their rad top tube pads, caps, and other accessories. It is wonderful that even these very small companies find ways to support this race.

Not a for-profit organization, Zero Per Gallon is about awareness, and recognizing the practicality of cycling for transport. The simple slogan says it all.

We've got a lot more sponsors, both returning and new, and we are so grateful for their support. Keep an eye out to learn more about them!

Bicycle Film Festival in San Francisco, September 22 - 25

2011-09-19T09:29:00.000-07:00

The 2011 Bicycle Film Festival is coming up this weekend.

As usual there will be a ton of stuff going on. On Friday the Rapha Cycling Club is hosting a "BFF happy hour" with beers at the store at 6:30, and a group ride at 8:30 to the Victoria for the Racing Towards Red Hook screening.

Save The Date For The 6th Annual Supermarket Street Sweep!

2011-09-13T15:29:00.000-07:00

Stay tuned for more exciting news about this year's Sweep! It will be taking place on Saturday, December 3rd!

With My Own Two Wheels

2011-05-09T12:43:00.000-07:00

'Sweepers,

Come out and support your fellow 'Sweep riders Jacob and Issac when their documentary comes to the Bay Area!

With My Own Two Wheels, an award-winning documentary about the bicycle as a vehicle for change around the world. Directed by UC Berkeley and Cal Cycling alums Jacob and Isaac Seigel-Boettner, Two Wheels weaves together the stories of five individuals across the globe into a single narrative about the bicycle as a vehicle for change. The documentary was shot on location in Zambia, Ghana, India, Guatemala and California and was produced in collaboration with bicycle-driven development organizations including World Bike Relief and Bikes Not Bombs.

The film is screening at the following NorCal venues during the month of May:

5/13 - Berkeley
7:00 PM - Trummer Pils Brauerei
- Part of the East Bay Bike Coalition Bike-In Movie Night

5/15 - San Rafael
6:30 PM - The MYC, San Rafael

5/16 - Davis
8:30 PM - Davis Varsity Theatre
- Hosted by Tour of California announcer Dave Towle
- Presented by SiGNa Chemistry Inc.

5/17 - San Francisco
6:00 PM, 7:30 PM - Presidio Sports Basement
- Presented by Next Step Racing

Check out http://www.withmyowntwowheels.org/screenings/ for more details on the individual screenings and to buy advanced tickets. It's a kid-friendly film, so bring them along if they like to ride bikes! There will also be beer (for a small donation) so bring a couple bucks for a nice cold one.

Macaframa Benefit for Broken Bones Fund

2011-04-18T12:33:00.000-07:00

Macaframa Cyclocross-Inspired Race & Art Show Next Weekend!

2011-02-22T17:54:00.001-08:00

Next weekend Macaframa is hosting a cyclocross inspired race downtown, and photo exhibition at Medicine Agency to celebrate the new Maca Bike and launch of the new website.

Meet at Medicine Agency @ Mason & Jackson. Race registration at 3pm, show at 7pm.

Lots of rad prizes thanks to sponsors:
Raleigh, PBR, Pushbike, Archive Bags, House of Commons, Cadence, Box Dog, Benny Gold, T-Level, Prolly & Tracko!

Free beer provided by Pabst!!!

Thank You!

2010-12-06T20:49:00.000-08:00

To our riders, we can't tell you all how much we appreciate you coming out year after year. I met a lot of you who have ridden multiple 'Sweeps. Your continued support of the race is a testament to the stature of the cycling community in SF. We will try to make sure you have a Supermarket Street Sweep as long as you are around to ride.

To our sponsors, thank you for the overflowing prize table. I know it's not the only reason we ride, but getting a sweet new bike or a new pair of pants is great. We hope to have your support for as many years as we can put this on.

Lastly to our volunteers, every year the race gets better and more smoothly run! Thank you to our street team who got posters posted all over town, our spoke card factory, t-shirt printer, our counters at the finish, our finish party set-up crew, our volunteers at the SF Food Bank, our Rickshaw Bagworks representative, and our bartender from the 21st Amendment, who all gave up their Saturday to help us make this happen.

THANK YOU ALL!

Photos!

2010-12-05T15:54:00.001-08:00

There were lots of photos taken at the Sweep. Here are some of the highlights:

Pamela Palma

Jonathan Koshi (Official Rider Portraits)

Jenny Oh

TyrellVoightKampff

Reesie

If you'd like to add them to our group, join us here. You can also tag your photos "supermarketstreetsweep", "smsw" and "5thannualsupermarketstreetsweep" so that they'll be easy to find. Thank you!

RACE DAY RESULTS!

2010-12-04T22:39:00.000-08:00

I'd like to give a BIG, BIG, BIG THANK YOU to all of the racers and volunteers who came out to support this year's Supermarket Street Sweep. The weather wasn't the best it could have been, but we're glad the rain stayed away during the race!

Here are this year's awesome stats: 171 Racers

121 Speed Racers

50 Cargo Racers

For a total of 6, 920 POUNDS! There will be many families out there who will be eating well in the coming months due to your hard work.

Here are the race results:

Fundraising Category:

Brad Simeral -$2,858.00 (organizer of Fundraising Category)

Matt King - $1,275.00 (1st Place)

Jonathan Koshi - $544.00 (co-organizer of Fundraising Category)

Nick Vandehey - $150.00 (2nd Place)

Dyami Serna - $25.00 (3rd Place)

Michael Thomas - $25.00 (4th Place)

Cargo Category:

1st Cargo Male: Mark Sullivan - 544 lbs.

1st Cargo Female: Sarah Murder - 247 lbs.

PLACING / RACE / NAME / POUNDS OF FOOD

2 CARGO MALE Eric Downing 541

3 CARGO MALE John Hartfield 315

4 CARGO MALE Jacob SB 309

5 CARGO MALE Jeremiah Ducate 295

6 CARGO MALE Marc Marino 211

7 CARGO MALE Alvin Chen 184

8 CARGO MALE Dave Vetrano 162

9 CARGO MALE Mark Wheeler 155

10 CARGO MALE Devin Drew 146

11 CARGO MALE Dyami Serna 109

12 CARGO MALE Brad Simeral 107

13 CARGO MALE Corey Warner 106

14 CARGO MALE Brendan Moran 105

15 CARGO MALE Brian Sullivan 98

16 CARGO MALE Derrick Chao 96

17 CARGO MALE Jason Schmidt 94

18 CARGO MALE Mike Kittya 88

19 CARGO MALE Tim Tsuruda 87

20 CARGO MALE Ben Polance 74

21 CARGO MALE Mike Reyes 73

22 CARGO MALE Kell McKenzie 68

23 CARGO MALE Seth Butterfield 67

24 CARGO MALE Wesley Willett 61

25 CARGO MALE EJ (WOB) 52

26 CARGO MALE Alex Lai 41

27 CARGO MALE Rene Rodriguez 34

28 CARGO MALE Matt Adler 30

29 CARGO MALE Tanner 30

30 CARGO MALE Steve Engert 28

31 CARGO MALE Hernan Carrillo 18

32 CARGO MALE David McCauley 14.5

33 CARGO MALE Patrick Roche 13

34 CARGO MALE Andrew Ho 12

HONORABLE MENTION: Team Yuba, Lead by Ben Sarrazin

2 CARGO FEMALE Arena Reed 194

3 CARGO FEMALE Tori Wentworth 142

4 CARGO FEMALE Sacha Ielmorini 89

5 CARGO FEMALE Cecillia Broadway + Joel Winter 56

6 CARGO FEMALE Jennifer Borchardt 55

7 CARGO FEMALE Amy Wilson 49

8 CARGO FEMALE Jess Hemerly 43

9 CARGO FEMALE Melissa Anderson 39

10 CARGO FEMALE Jenn Gross 29

11 CARGO FEMALE Naty Duenas 24

12 CARGO FEMALE Amy Blake 24

13 CARGO FEMALE Bridget May 24

14 CARGO FEMALE Sara Anderson 19

15 CARGO FEMALE Meli Burgueno 17

16 CARGO FEMALE Alia Salim 17

17 CARGO FEMALE Jenny McAuley 14.5

1st Male - Fixed Gear - Justin Plue - Finished @ 3:02PM (Start Time 12:40PM)

2nd Female - Fixed Gear - Therese Agnew - Finished @ 3:31PM (Start Time 12:40PM)

2 SPEED MALE FX Adam Shapiro

3 SPEED MALE FX Thomas Benham

4 SPEED MALE FX Anton (WOB)

5 SPEED MALE FX Eric Greenwood

6 SPEED MALE FX Battleaxe

7 SPEED MALE FX Brandon Harrison

8 SPEED MALE FX Edward Orellana

9 SPEED MALE FX Al Lin

10 SPEED MALE FX Sasha Magee

11 SPEED MALE FX Toby Scholz

12 SPEED MALE FX Spoke Monster

13 SPEED MALE FX Kevin Mihovich

14 SPEED MALE FX Chris Nguyen

15 SPEED MALE FX Nick Vandehey

16 SPEED MALE FX Peter Arensdorf

17 SPEED MALE FX Eugene Hood

18 SPEED MALE FX Pedro Munoz

19 SPEED MALE FX Robin Song

20 SPEED MALE FX Ube Urban

2 SPEED FEMALE SS Carrie Edwards

3 SPEED FEMALE FX Kate Coysh

.4 SPEED FEMALE FX Sanja Wetzel

1st Male - Road Bike - Steven Tortorelli - Finished @ 2:40PM (Start Time 12:40PM)

1st Female - Road Bike - Katie Styer - Finished @ 3:10PM (Start Time 12:40PM)

2 SPEED MALE ROAD Josh Roddy

3 SPEED MALE ROAD Tim Giller

4 SPEED MALE ROAD Sam Eder

5 SPEED MALE ROAD Terence Neumann

6 SPEED MALE ROAD Paul Barclay

7 SPEED MALE ROAD Greg McQuaid

8 SPEED MALE ROAD Chris Phipps

9 SPEED MALE ROAD Jessie Fernandez

10 SPEED MALE ROAD Jeremiah Steele

11 SPEED MALE ROAD Kyle Ng

12 SPEED MALE ROAD Ryan Gerlach

13 SPEED MALE ROAD Louis Eisenberg

14 SPEED MALE ROAD John Reiss

15 SPEED MALE ROAD Ken Ho

16 SPEED MALE ROAD Zach Proteau

17 SPEED MALE ROAD Scott Kildall

18 SPEED MALE ROAD Rick Christopherson

19 SPEED MALE ROAD Loren O'Hara

20 SPEED MALE ROAD Will Klaussen

21 SPEED MALE ROAD John Moldover

22 SPEED MALE ROAD Tyler Bump

23 SPEED MALE ROAD Nat Kinsky

24 SPEED MALE ROAD Jonathan Weaver

25 SPEED MALE ROAD Danny Snyder

26 SPEED MALE ROAD Grey Wedeking

27 SPEED MALE ROAD Max Hunter

28 SPEED MALE ROAD Jake Harris

29 SPEED MALE ROAD John Magua

30 SPEED MALE ROAD Alec Matusis

31 SPEED MALE ROAD Tom Clayton

32 SPEED MALE ROAD Nathan Cho

33 SPEED MALE ROAD William Rider

34 SPEED MALE ROAD Kelly Sanchez

35 SPEED MALE ROAD Michael Treacy

36 SPEED MALE ROAD Sev Kotkas

37 SPEED MALE ROAD Matthew Santillan

38 SPEED MALE ROAD Matthew Blain

39 SPEED MALE ROAD Addison Huddy

40 SPEED MALE ROAD Michael Thomas

2 SPEED FEMALE ROAD Ruth Emerson

3 SPEED FEMALE ROAD Tara Taylor

4 SPEED FEMALE ROAD Katy Scott-Smith

5 SPEED FEMALE ROAD Clare Crisafi

6 SPEED FEMALE ROAD Nicole Brisebois

7 SPEED FEMALE ROAD Chava Kronenberg

8 SPEED FEMALE ROAD Emilia Deimezis

Honorable Mentions (Arrived after 4pm):

Mike Kraft, Evan Sarna, Ifanyi Bell, Gritchelle Fallesgon, Robin Hunter, Ron Twist, James Begg, Ces Fabello, Alan Shoen, Andreas Fass, Thomas Blazer, Jerry Tano, Chris Friedrich, Anthony Trujillo, Chris Crucia, Signe Bray, Julie Freudreis, Lindsay Fromm, Brian Lee, Max Davis

Once again, thank you to Rickshaw Bagworks for hosting the after party, 21st Amendment for providing beer, Wholesome Bakery for providing tasty vegan treats, Spike's Coffee and Teas for giving us coffee...and to all of the fantastic sponsors who donated prizes this year. We're super grateful. See you next year!

Tomorrow

2010-12-03T10:06:00.001-08:00

Hi SMSW 2010 Riders,

Well the day is finally upon us and we've been hard at work getting things ready for tomorrow.

A couple things about tomorrow:

The weather report says it might sprinkle, so be prepared. As such, I can't express how important safety is tomorrow. Always use good judgement; we're riding to help people have a meal tomorrow.

Please do not mill about the SF Food Bank. While it is a Saturday, they are still a public facility. Warm up with a taKorea taco, a 21st Amendment beer, hot coffee from Spike's, and baked goods from Wholesome Bakery at Rickshaw Bagworks.

See you tomorrow.
Ride safe!

Dollars for Dinners!

2010-11-29T10:46:00.000-08:00

Sweep fans, don't forget about our fund-raising challenge this year! It's free to sign up for your page at FIRSTGIVING.COM/SFFOODBANK/EVENT/SMSW. For every dollar you raise, the SF Food Bank can turn that dollar into 4 meals. All tax-deductible donations go directly to the SF Food Bank and your donors get receipts for their taxes. It's just another way that we can all help the food bank.

Meanwhile the weather report says it'll be chilly with a very slight chance of a sprinkle this Saturday, so don't forget to bring a few extra layers! I've also organized to have taKorea at our finish line party to help warm you up from the inside.

Just A Small Sampling Of This Year's Sweep Prizes!

2010-11-23T21:54:00.000-08:00

click the image for a larger view

Despite our still-sluggish economy, sponsors were amazingly generous this year and donated an incredible number of prizes to the Sweep! We're excited to give away all of these wonderful prizes to our participants.

Here's a rundown of the prizes, clockwise from the top:

First Row:

The North Face donated some excellent clothing, as did Champion Studio. Chrome Messenger Bags sent in three of their fine jerseys, while rock star Sheila Moon Athletic Apparel donated over $500 worth of clothing including rad caps, arm warmers and more! Luce Goods, Pedal Panties, and All Hail the Black Market pitched in an assortment of colorful caps, bag, socks, beer cozies, a graffiti stencil (one-of-a-kind!) and cycling underwear for your derriere. Alameda Bicycle and Lanesplitter Pizza & Pub kicked in gift certificates!

Second Row:

Montano Velo / Broakland Bicycles donated hella KNOG gloves and Broakland t-shirts, while Oaklandish and Manifesto Bicycles contributed big goody bags chock-full of rad stuff from their shops!

Mike Ahrens sent in a big stack of his Wise Crackers, while some lucky soul is going to receive a pair of B. Spoke Tailor's wool cyclocross knickers!

Alite Designs generously gave two awesome bags and a TENT to the Sweep! (You know you want it.)

Third Row:

Duro Tire sent in a whole big box of tires - (8) 700x23 black Primera wire bead tires, and some prototype colored tires in red and brown!

Burley swooped in recently to donate a Travoy trailer with two market bags and t-shirt!

We also got in some rad rims from Velocity, and huge pile of photo and messenger bags from Crumpler!

Fourth Row:

There's also fancy duds from Outlier and PUBLIC Bikes, along with memberships from Flickr, The San Francisco Bike Coalition, SFMOMA (courtesy of Fabian Falconett). And there's magazine subscriptions to COG and Momentum! Macaframa also threw in (3) DVDs of their cool film!

We also got in a big box of energy supplements from GU Energy Labs, and tons of swag from the rideSFO crew.

And Seagull Bags, a magnificent bag company based in Columbus, OH - showed their love to the Bay Area by creating this masterful messenger bag!

Thanks again to all of our sponsors and see you at the Sweep!

2010 Rules & Categories

2010-11-23T15:57:00.000-08:00

The 5th Annual Supermarket Street Sweep is right around the corner! Here are this year’s rules & categories:

CARGO: The Cargo categories will be for Male/Female.

Bring back the required food from the stores listed on the manifest. The heaviest load wins first place, so bring back additional food to increase your chances of winning the category. Additional food does not have to be purchased at the stores listed on the manifest. Racers must be at the finish line by 4pm to qualify. Anyone arriving at the finish line after 4pm will be disqualified. Receipts must be presented to prove that you visited all of the required checkpoints and purchased the required goods.

SPEED: The Speed categories will be for Fixed Male/Female and Road Male/Female.

Be the first to bring back the required food from the stores listed on the manifest to win. Racers arriving at the finish line after 4pm will be disqualified. Receipts must be presented to prove that you visited all of the required checkpoints and purchased the required goods.

All racers who bring back extra food donations not listed on the manifest will be entered into a drawing for additional prizes.

Update:

DOLLARS FOR DINNERS: All riders and non-riders welcome.

It's free to sign up for your page at FIRSTGIVING.COM/SFFOODBANK/EVENT/SMSW. For every dollar you raise, the SF Food Bank can turn that dollar into 4 meals. All tax-deductible donations go directly to the SF Food Bank and your donors get receipts for their taxes. It's just another way that we can all help the food bank. Our top fund-raisers will take home a prize.

AFTER PARTY

The afterparty will start around 4pm at Rickshaw Bagworks @ 22nd & Indiana St. The taKorea food truck will be onsite, as well as donated goods from Wholesome Bakery and beer from 21st Amendment.

Last year we raised 7,507 lbs of food... what will our total be this year?

Two Massages Up for Grabs at This Year's Street Sweep!

2010-11-10T19:10:00.000-08:00

We know you're all going to be sore after the race, but two of you will get free massages to help you recover! Cindy is offering up two free sports/deep tissue massage sessions. Win one and get ready to get worked!

Top Winner To Walk Away With a Pake Frameset!

2010-11-02T20:19:00.000-07:00

We’ve got an awesome new sponsor, Pake Bikes. We’re thrilled to announce that they will be providing a track frameset for the top winner! The Pake frameset has been in circulation for more than four years and is one of the most affordable out there. It offers solid design made with Tange branded CrMo steel, conceptualized with economy and accessibility in mind. Pake bikes come in palatable range of colors for both frame and fork. This year’s winner will get to select their own size and color, and will be able to pick the prize up at American Cyclery. For more info, check out the Pake blog. We’re stoked!

Pamela Palma, Photographer Extraordinaire!

2010-11-02T15:42:00.001-07:00

You've probably seen Pamela snapping away at DFL, Soil Saloon and CX races, or perhaps saw her cruising along on her bike to Marin. Pamela Palma is a fantastic photographer and one of you lucky contestants will win one of her stunning prints as a prize.

So in case you needed more motivation to compete, now you have it! You can see more of her work on her personal professional website and on Flickr.

Poster Time!

2010-11-02T14:44:00.001-07:00

Calling all 'Sweepers! I need a few volunteers to poster the town, if you're interested, please drop me an email, jkoshi[at]gmail.com.

IT'S ON!

2010-11-02T14:13:00.001-07:00

Oil your chains and mark your calendars! December 4, 2010, noon at Cupid's Span on the Embarcadero. There's also a new contest this year for fundraisers!

Pushbike is Opening a New Shop This Week!

2010-11-01T14:06:00.000-07:00

We're really excited that Pushbike Cycling Apparel is returning to sponsor the Supermarket Street Sweep again this year, but we're even more excited to announce that they will be opening their new space this Wednesday at noon!

The new shop is located at 22nd & Shotwell Street in the Mission, and is bigger and no longer a shared space with Mission Skateboards. We're excited to see how Sarah stocks the additional space with stylish goods from a variety of other Street Sweep sponsors including Freight Baggage, Chuey Brand, and more! Pushbike is a local favorite, known for its selection of vintage jerseys, as well as other practical cycling apparel and accessories. Everything the shop sells has been hand-selected by proprietor Sarah Murder.

The new shop is also even closer to one of our favorite local coffee roasters, De La Paz. Be sure to roll buy and stock up on coffee after you hit Pushbike!

A Sneak Peek At What Seagull Bags Has in Store For A Lucky Sweeper...

2010-10-21T17:03:00.000-07:00

We've got more sponsors!

2010-10-19T20:07:00.000-07:00

We're excited to mention some new sponsors for this year's race!

Mission Bicycle has been around for a few years, offering an affordable line of custom-built bicycles; customers selects the parts and color. Frames are designed by local, Eman Eng. Their website has a sweet "Build Your Bike" feature so you can visualize your bike-to-be. They also offer more options than single-speed; you can also get an 8-speed internally geared hub!

Cyclezine is another returning sponsor we're glad to welcome back. Puck will be sending us a care package all the way from Thailand. Go check out the Cyclezine blog for cycling news, wit, and general enthusiasm.

Grazie! to Selle San Marco for sending us another package of their beautiful, elegant saddles and handlebar wrap. Selle San Marco products are incredibly durable and never go out of style.

Oaklandish, our friends across the bay, will be donating some of their cool gear. Oaklandish started with street art celebrating the local history of Oakland, and grew into selling t-shirts to spread the love and further their mission of helping their community by giving grants to local organizations.

White Industries sent us two of their fancy hubs! Their website boasts an array of their precision components. This year, they sent us a silver and a black fixed rear hub. White Industries has been around since 1978 and is based nearby in Petaluma.

***
Don't forget: You can get frequent updates on event details by becoming a fan on Facebook and following SFStreetSweep on Twitter.

The 4th Annual Trickster Treat Halloween Alleycat!

2010-10-12T11:46:00.000-07:00

Our friends at the loin throw a really fun Halloween race every year, and this year's event is already in motion. Find out more on the Trickster Treat blog. Each year the race benefits a local charity, and this year's is Up on Top, a Tenderloin-based afterschool program for elementary school kids. The organizers are also looking for sponsors, so get in touch if you want to support their efforts. See you there!

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

2010-10-06T13:34:00.000-07:00

We’re thrilled to welcome so many new sponsors to our prize pool this year! In particular, we’d like to thank these new additions:

Planet Bike, a company that offers an array of accessories including lights, mudflaps, fenders, racks, cages, and a variety of other goods. We’ve all seen their logo on their very popular fenders. Planet Bike is a company committed to cycling and committed to grassroots efforts to encourage and support people on bikes.

Park Tools is another fantastic company joining the sponsor ranks this year. Their tools are invaluable to bike shops and DIY enthusiasts alike. Park Tool has been in business since 1963 and is based in Minnesota. Their tool line offers over 300 products! They are sending us a sweet tool kit!

Burro Bags is based in Jacksonville, Florida, and was started in 2007 by two guys and the need for a durable and functional commuter bag. The company has grown since, but still remains a tight-knit, down-to-earth, independent company. They’ve got a sweet space in Jacksonville that offers their line of bags as well as goods from local designers. Be sure to stop in the next time you're in Jacksonville!

Thanks to our returning sponsors!

2010-10-01T10:25:00.001-07:00

The Supermarket Street Sweep has grown exponentially every year since Jenny Oh started it in 2006, and we continue to be amazed by the generosity of the participants. This is an unusual alleycat in that it requires racers not only to carry a load of non-perishable food on their bikes, but it requires them to spend far more than the typical $5 alleycat entry fee. Racers for the speed race expect to spend anywhere from $15-30, and the cargo racers spend even more, we daresay hundreds of dollars. It takes a financial commitment to contribute to this amazing event. Last year we raised 7,507 lbs of food, which is over 6,000 meals. That's a lot of money spent to feed people.

Because of this, we work at getting donations of an array of prizes so that we can reward as many people as possible. Many of this year's donations are coming from brand new sponsors, but we are also getting a lot of very generous donations from repeating sponsors. We also want to take some time to thank those sponsors for their ongoing support and loyalty. We know that most of our racers participate because the race is fun and it's for a great cause, but we hope they enjoy the wonderful prizes we are able to offer as well, and that they feel rewarded on an existential level at the very least.

Here are some of the sponsors who have continued to support us from year to year:

Archive Bags, designed and handmade in San Francisco, are made by Victor, who also volunteers with organizing the Street Sweep and race day activities. Not only does he always donate some of his well-crafted bags, he helps us make race day go smoothly.

Baileyworks Bags makes simple, durable bags. They come in a variety of shapes and colors, and are classically designed. We're grateful that they are willing to send us a sweet bag every year.

Box Dog, a favorite of many locals, is a worker-owned collective. They are a non-discriminating bike shop that truly loves their customers. They are always really enthusiastic about the race and about how they can support it.

Do you know anyone who doesn't have a Chuey Brand cap? We don't. Chuey is a San Francisco fixture and we really appreciate his ongoing support.

The Freewheel is another go-to bike shop in San Francisco. It's a really fun shop to visit and a staple for San Francisco cyclists.

Freight Baggage is another local business that always supports us. Freight Bags are thoughtfully designed and well-crafted. We're always thrilled for their support.

Knog is an Australian shop. Their most popular product among San Franciscans has to be their lights. They're cute, easy to strap on, and they keep us visible and [hopefully] safe. And Shannon (a boy), Knog's store manager, is always really fun to correspond with. Thanks again, Knog!

Pedal Revolution, located in the Mission, is a non-profit bike shop. They've got a casual, relaxed atmosphere and really friendly staff. They also have a large selection of bicycles and bicycle accouterments. They are always very supportive of the local cycling community.

Oh, Ritual Coffee. Roasted in the Mission, delicious. Two things that almost always go with bicycles are beer and/or coffee. Last year, Ritual donated over $200 in gift certificates and some of their tasty beans.

The Hive is a cool, small company. They are mostly known for their Chub Hubs. It's a relatively new company, started in 2008. Based in Petaluma, their products synthesize engineering with design.

Zero Per Gallon is always an ardent supporter of this race. Zero Per Gallon is a non-profit with the purpose of raising awareness for cycling and its many benefits to the world. The Zero Per Gallon stickers, patches, and t-shirts send a powerful message about the usefulness of bicycles.

Chrome is a well-known bag and clothing company. They make bags, pants, jackets, jerseys, shoes, you name it. They've got a pretty nice shop on 4th Street in San Francisco.

COG is a really beautiful, well-done magazine. We are always grateful for the subscription gift certificates and latest issues they send us for the prize table.

Crumpler is another Australian company, with a shop here in San Francisco. They offer a wide variety of bags for commuters and beyond.

Laekhouse, based in New York, produces cool bicycle-themed t-shirts, which are made with ELVS (Enhanced Light Visibility System) to enhance visibility.

Macaframa was a beautifully filmed portrayal of riding in San Francisco. They continue to do projects and be a part of the San Francisco cycling scene.

Manifesto is a cool boutique-style bike shop in Oakland, just a few blocks from the MacArthur BART (for you city folk). They've got a wide variety of products, and the shop gives off the feel that everything in it was hand-selected, just for you to peruse [and buy]. It's well worth a look if you haven't been before.

MASH can take some credit for the rise in popularity of fixed gear cycling. They occasionally throw really interesting and challenging alleycat races, and they continue to be a major player in the San Francisco community. We are grateful that they always support us.

Momentum magazine is always enthusiastic to support the Street Sweep by sending gift subscriptions to their well-circulated magazine. It's an informative magazine for urban cyclists that connects the global community.

Montano Velo, another East Bay shop, is a reliable source for any kind of bike you decide to ride. Located on Piedmont Ave., the shop has just about anything bicycle-related that your heart desires.

The North Face is a brand that speaks for itself. Geared toward the outdoor lifestyle, we are always thrilled to get a goody box from them with North Face schwag for the prize table.

Some might dub RideSFO the Interbike of San Francisco. It's an expo that takes place yearly at Cow Palace, with a host of vendors, a bike swap, and lots of fun activities and competitions. Don't miss it this year on November 6. We'll be there.

Have you noticed the new bike lanes and sharrows popping up across the city? Ever ride by a gaggle of cyclists on the side of the road munching on bagels and coffee? If so, you can thank the SFBC, the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition. They advocate for cyclist rights in the city and encourage people to get out of their cars and onto their bikes. We really appreciate the membership packages they donate.

The Loin, based in San Francisco's scenic Tenderloin district, produces high-quality screen-printed goods. They donated 50 cool Street Sweep t-shirts last year, and always give us a hand with printing posters and making spoke cards. The Loin also has a really unique line of t-shirts and sweatshirts that never fail to draw compliments from strangers on the street, both in and out of San Francisco.

***

Don't forget: You can get frequent updates on event details by becoming a fan on Facebook and following SFStreetSweep on Twitter.

More New Sponsors!

2010-09-30T21:55:00.000-07:00

The generosity keeps pouring in - we're always amazed at how much support the Sweep generates in the Bay Area community (and beyond)! Here's the latest group of sponsors we'd love to thank for their help:

Rick Hunter of Hunter Cycles, framebuilding maestro and dirt rider extraordinaire, is graciously donating a tig-welded stem as a prize along with some of his cool t-shirts. If you're familiar with Rick's handiwork, you know that anything that emerges from his workshop is a gorgeous piece of art. Thanks, Rick!

Another individual renowned for her artistry is Nan Estep of B. Spoke Tailor. Her dapper and elegant clothing line always adds a touch of class to casual rides. She's donating a pair of cyclocross wool knickers to the Sweep; her fine fashions also function well in the competitive realm as well!

GU Energy Labs is throwing in a bunch of their energy gel packs to us so folks can fuel up for other races, and PUBLIC Bikes is also contributing some sweet swag!

Thank you all for your wonderful support!

New Sponsors for 2010!

2010-09-27T15:44:00.000-07:00

There's always so many people to thank every year for making the Sweep a successful event: our hard-working organizers, the dedicated participants, and our beloved sponsors. The sponsors make it possible for us to give something back to the folks who donate their time and money to bring loads of food to the San Francisco Food Bank.

We'd like to take a moment to shine a spotlight on some of the new sponsors who have committed to providing prizes to the 2010 Sweep!

In addition to building super rad bikes, San Jose-based framebuilder Mike Ahrens of Ahrens Bicycles, is also behind the nifty WiseCracker bottle opener. He's generously donating a dozen of these to us, while Ube Urban of Ube's Ice Cream Shop is throwing in a custom paint job for a frame. Alite Designs and Mountain Hardware are two Bay Area companies that produce awesome gear for the great outdoors and will be donating some of their fine products to us.

Local Bay Area cycling legends Steve Smith of All Hail the Black Market and Bradley "DFL Brad" Koester of Boozely's Pickles and Preserves will also be kicking in some fine goods. The next time you have some spare time, read Steve's blog and chomp on some of the tasty Boozely Pickles - Brad will deliver them to you by bike if you live in San Francisco! Cycling maven and inspiration Lorri Lee Lown, founder of Velo Girls, will be chipping in a gift certificate to one of her coaching clinics. The fabulous photographer Pamela Palma is donating one of her exquisite cycling photos as a prize, while Flickr, the online photo-sharing company, will be handing out several pro accounts! (Now more folks can share photos in our Sweep photo pool!)

Santa Rosa resident Lucie White of Luce Goods will be sending us some lovely goodies from her sewing machine, and Jenn Tomlinson and Mary McDermott, the ladies of Pedal Panties, will be sending along some of their stylish and functional bicycle lingerie. The Brooklyn-based, uber-cool Outlier Clothing will also be donating some fashionable clothing from their cycling-friendly line.

A big thank you to all of our new sponsors - we're truly grateful for your support!

The 5th Annual Supermarket Street Sweep!

2010-09-08T12:42:00.000-07:00

Another year has flown by, and it's already time for us to start planning this year's Supermarket Street Sweep. This year's race will take place on Saturday, December 4th. Stay tuned for details!

7th Annual Quake City RumbleJuly 2-4, 2010!

2010-06-25T15:53:00.001-07:00

More Street Sweep Footage!

2009-12-12T12:20:00.000-08:00

Crank for the Bank Next Saturday

2009-12-11T00:36:00.001-08:00

Can't get enough extreme grocery shopping on bike? Join the folks up in Marin to support the Marin Community Food Bank and ride in Crank for the Bank next Saturday, December 19. Starts at noon at Fairfax Cyclery, 2020 Sir Francis Drake Blvd in Fairfax.

Awesome Helmet Cam Race Footage!

2009-12-10T10:40:00.000-08:00

(Courtesy of Justin Plue.)

Special Thanks to 2009 Volunteers and Organizers

2009-12-09T15:02:00.000-08:00

The Supermarket Street Sweep was founded in 2006 by local cyclist Jenny Oh, and has grown every year since its inception. With this steady growth not only comes the benefit of collecting more food, but also the need for reliable people to do the dirty work and make it happen. With all of the help and publicity the race got this year, we were able to break another record for food collections. 7,507lbs of food is enough for more than 6,000 meals.

SMSW stats:
2006: 80 racers brought in 1,172 lbs of food!
2007: 110 racers brought in 1,595 lbs of food!
2008: 150 racers brought in 5,266 lbs of food!
2009: 198 racers brought in 7,507 lbs of food!

When Jenny Oh said that she was unable to lead the organizational process this year, I knew that the race had to happen anyway, and I happily set about laying the groundwork and finding people to help. Jenny made herself available to assist with sponsorship, and she also did an extraordinary amount of advising and handholding as I tried to pull it all together. I had never organized an alleycat before, and wasn’t quite sure what I was getting into, even though I knew the race had to happen again this year!

Luckily, many of the original volunteers and organizers for this race still continue to be involved year after year, and I called upon them for their experiences, expertise, and willingness to make it happen. Without Jenny, and without the many hands it takes to publicize, collect prizes, count food, and manage a myriad of other details, this race couldn’t happen, nor could it be so successful.

Jonathan Koshi has been a part of SMSW since the beginning and has done a meticulous job with our logo, press materials, and any design work needed for the Sweep. He is also responsible for a huge amount of photography for the race, including this year’s famed bicycle portraits. Koshi designed our t-shirts, had a hand in keeping the blog active, getting the spoke cards made, and he also designed the custom Crumpler bags that were awarded to our first place winners.

Brian Raymond was a vital part of making our blog so active and rich with content this year. He and Constance Cavallas spent many hours researching and writing all of the pieces for our 2009 Spotlight on Sponsors series. Sponsorship is a huge part of this race because it allows us a wide range of prizes to reward racers for their efforts, and it helps to attract participants. Brian and Spencer Mike were also instrumental in keeping chaos at bay on race day. They’ve been around since the beginning, and this race wouldn’t be the same without them!

Brian and Spencer rally for our cause in food costumes at the race finish. (Photo courtesy of Brian Raymond.)

Yuko Chapman has also been involved in SMSW since the beginning. This year, Yuko teamed with Alex Mouton and together they made the food counting and weighing at the finish line run seamlessly. Their insight and organization helped us to check in racers and verify that rules were followed in an orderly and timely fashion. Their experiences from past races were really valuable in developing this year’s systems. Incidentally, Yuko also donated that copy of Adobe Lightroom that was on the prize table at the after party!

Victor Urritia helped with race day operations last year, and was also responsible for getting his hands on a PA system we could use to make announcements. He did the same again for this year’s race, but went above and beyond by also helping with sponsorship, collecting prizes, and publicity. In addition, Victor also threw in a couple of his own handmade Archive bags for the prize table. He has a great attitude and is very much a pleasure to work with!

Claire Lopacki was this year’s publicity guru. Once our posters were printed, she quickly distributed all that she had. She was extremely reliable in publicizing the event, but also was very flexible in being on call for any last-minute or tricky situations, like collecting prizes during Thanksgiving week when my family was visiting from out of town! Claire also held down the fort at Sports Basement during the race, keeping an eye on the prizes and kegs, answering questions from racers, and reminding everyone about the shopping party to raise money for the Food Bank.

Justin Plue, a local bicycle courier, was responsible for the manifests. He developed both the Speed and Cargo routes, in addition to also being on call to collect prizes, and with publicity. His knowledge of the city helped to make the race interesting and mix it up a little from last year. As this race happens each year, it becomes more and more difficult to introduce new and exciting tactics to the manifest, and Justin made a success of that. The route was tough, but not so tough that people couldn’t participate, and also included some smaller local stores. Justin also used his helmet cam to film some of the race in progress, so keep an eye out for when that footage is released!

Adam Schwarcz, Clare Crusafi, Marc Brandi, Patrick Crawford, Melissa, Alex Morales, and Nate also helped out with food counting, setting up for the after party, and just about anything else that needed to be done on race day. Clare was able to score a megaphone for us to use in making announcements, and she also helped make some of those announcements. Bennett, a well-known local fixture in the Bay Area cycling community, also kept us sane by helping to check in racers as they crossed the finish line.

A race this size can’t be done by one person alone, so I’d like to personally thank everyone who had a hand in making this year come together. Thank you!

From left to right: First row: Claire Lopacki, Kacey O'Kelly, Yuko Chapman.
Second row: Victor Urrutia, Melissa, Clare C., Spencer, Marc Brandi, Nate.
Back row: Justin Plue, Brian Raymond, Alex Mouton.
(Photo courtesy of Jonathan Koshi.)

2009 Street Sweep Stats & Full Results

2009-12-09T10:51:00.000-08:00

Don't forget! You can get your very own 2009 SMSW by placing an order BEFORE December 14 from The Loin's online store. $15 each.

198 cyclists presented themselves at the Bow & Arrow on December 5 to race around the city collecting food donations for the San Francisco Food Bank. Out of 198 registered racers, 152 completed the full requirements of the manifest. While we didn't collect specific data on gender, it appears that we had approximately 44 female participants; an estimated 27 ladies raced in the speed category, and 17 in the cargo category.

Here's a recap of some of our top performers. Click the links to view full reports of all racer stats.

SPEED:
Fixed/SS - Boys
1. Adam Shapiro (2:07pm)
2. Grey Wedeking (2:08pm)
3. Brendan Trujillo (2:30pm)
4. Hern (2:30pm)
5. Ryan Murphy (2:31pm)

Gears - Boys
1. Steve "Baby Murder" Tortorelli (2:11pm)
2. Jesse Fernandez (2:16pm)
3. Johnny W. (2:31pm)
4. Isaiah Kramer (2:33pm)
5. Paul Barclay (2:33pm)

DFL: William Hsu (4:00pm)

Fixed/SS - Girls
1. Sarah Murder (2:56pm)
2. Carrie Edwards (2:59pm)
3. Rhea Aldridge (2:59pm)
4. Kate Coysh (2:59pm)
5. Sanja Wetzel (3:00pm)

Gears - Girls
1. Ruth Emerson (2:48pm)
2. Tara Taylor (2:55pm)
3. Ulrika Anderrson (2:59pm)
4. Tori Wentworth (2:59pm)
5. Christine Melendez (3:27pm)

Click here to view full results for the 2009 Speed race.
Total food collection from speed race: 1,287lbs.

CARGO:
Gears - Trailer
1. Jeremiah (962lbs)
2. Brad Simeral (359lbs)
Once Brad completed the race, he left and brought back an additional 186 pounds for a total contribution of 545lbs.)
3. Judah Mendez (198lbs)
4. Terrence (162lbs)
5. Andy Cohen (118lbs)

Gears - Trailerless
1. Benjamin Sanrazin (330lbs)
2. Isaac SB (263lbs)
3. Jacob SB (261lbs)
4. Wesley Willet (214lbs)
5. Seth S. (190lbs)

Fixed - Trailer
1. Joey C. (126lbs)

Fixed - Trailerless
1. Corey Warner (104lbs)
2. Dirty Dave (104lbs)
3. Alvin (99lbs)
4. Nate Clark (86lbs)
5. Dewey (64lbs)

Click here to view full results for the 2009 Cargo race.
Total food collection from cargo race: 6,220lbs.

We also recognized some other racers:

Best Dressed: Joey C.

Best Family: Mike & Mack Fee

We really wished that we had approached this race with a Women's Cargo category because the ladies really represented and performed well in this race. Look out for that new category next year! Get your cargo bikes ready, ladies!

We also wish that we had more time during the after party to call each one of our participants to the prize table for a reward. We are working on streamlining our processes for next year so that we can give you all the glory you deserve.

We'll have some more updates on the blog in the days to come.

Thanks again for coming out to this event! This year's collection was truly amazing, and shows that this race just gets better every year.

Don't forget: You can stay in touch with the Supermarket Street Sweep by becoming a fan on Facebook and following SFStreetSweep on Twitter.

Want a 2009 SMSW T-Shirt?

2009-12-08T20:22:00.001-08:00

Lots of people have been asking about buying this year's t-shirt. If you want one, you can order it between now and December 14 from The Loin's online store. $15 each.

Props from the SF Food Bank

2009-12-08T18:52:00.000-08:00

It looks like our haul definitely got the attention of the food bank this year, from the food bank blog, the The Food Feed:

"We’re used to having big tractor-trailer trucks roll up to the San Francisco Food Bank’s loading dock – that’s how most of the 36.5 million pounds of food moving through our warehouse this year will arrive.

But last Saturday, 7,507 pounds of food showed up on some very different wheels – bicycles! It was thanks to the 4th Annual Supermarket Street Sweep, a competition that challenges bike riders to collect and deliver food to our warehouse. One hundred ninety-eight riders participated this year, and they topped the total food collected at last year’s event by more than a ton!"

Read the rest at The Food Feed.

Our haul will provide food for over 6,000 meals! Not a bad for three and a half hours!

Jeremiah's 2009 Haul

2009-12-08T07:35:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Dan from the SFBC for the clip.

Supermarket Street Sweep 2009 Time Lapse Weigh In

2009-12-07T12:18:00.000-08:00

7,507lbs of Food & 2009 SMSW Top Winners!

2009-12-07T10:13:00.000-08:00

This year was incredible! 198 racers brought in 7,507lbs of food for the San Francisco Food Bank! We'll have more information about the race coming over the next several days, including place stats for all racers, details on our huge team of organizers and volunteers, as well as information on general race stats and categories. In the meantime, here are the basics:

Total food collection for 2009's race: 7,507lbs.
Total food collection from speed race: 1,287lbs.
Total food collection from cargo race: 6,220lbs.

Our overall winner was Jeremiah, who pedaled in a whopping 962lbs! He walked away with the Long Haul Trucker frameset from our headline sponsor, Box Dog Bikes, as well as with one of the custom Crumpler bags stuffed with a SMSW t-shirt and some gift certificates. He also won a few other small items for his epic efforts. This guy gave a truly incredible performance at the race, and his food collections will have a great impact on those in need. Thanks, Jeremiah! You rock!

Here are our other top winners:
Cargo - First Road - Trailerless: Benjamin Sanrazin, 330lbs.
Cargo - First Fixed - Trailerless: Corey Warner, 104lbs.
Speed - First Fixed - Boy: Adam Shapiro
Speed - First Fixed - Girl: Sarah Murder
Speed - First Road - Boy: Steve "Baby Murder" Tortorelli
Speed - First Road - Girl: Ruth Emerson

This year's race proved that we need to add a Women's Cargo category for next year. We're also already working on a strategy to call more winners in less time at the after party so that we can reward more participants before time runs out, and with far less chaos.

Stay tuned for more post-race wrap-ups for 2009, and thanks again to all of our generous sponsors, and to the racers for their amazing generosity and support of this epic event!

SMSW 2009 Rider Portraits

2009-12-07T08:57:00.000-08:00

Thank you to the 198 riders who came out this weekend. You all made this year's 'Sweep a huge success; out-doing last year's haul by more than a ton! I think it's safe to say that San Francisco knows how to do some extreme grocery shopping. And without further ado, here are this year's rider portraits:

Thanks again to everyone,
Koshi.

URGENT! IMPORTANT!

2009-12-05T20:33:00.001-08:00

One of today's racers who came all the way from L.A. suffered a bag mix-up during the after-party at Sports Basement. If you left with a GRAY CHROME BACKPACK containing a wallet, North Face jacket, and other personal effects, please get in touch with us:

kaceyokelly2003@yahoo.com
or (415) 269-3496.

We have a gray Chrome backpack containing a pair of cycling shoes that belongs to someone.

IF THIS IS YOU, PLEASE CONTACT US. WE NEED TO GET THIS RACER HIS THINGS BEFORE HE RETURNS TO L.A.

Let's Do It!

2009-12-05T07:34:00.001-08:00

Today's the day! High Noon @ The Bow & Arrow!

About Our Cause: Feeding Hungry Mouths

2009-12-03T13:42:00.000-08:00

This morning, KQED Forum discussed food stamps and hunger. Listen to the podcast here. You can follow the San Francisco Food Bank on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook. The San Francisco Food Bank does as much as they can to alleviate hunger and provide nutritious meals to homebound elderly and low income families. They are also prepared to provide relief in the event of a disaster.

Also check out this Huffington Post article, which indicates that "..the number of seniors living alone who seek help from food pantries in the U.S. increased 81 percent to 408,000 in 2008, compared to 225,000 in 2006, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Overall, 4.7 million households used American food pantries in 2008, compared to about 3.7 million in 2006. Do the math - that's an increase of 1 million households!

The New York Times also reports that food stamp use continues to rise to all-time highs. "While use is greatest where poverty runs deep, the growth has been especially swift in once-prosperous places hit by the housing bust. There are about 50 small counties and a dozen sizable ones where the rolls have doubled in the last two years."

It can't be denied that the Food Bank needs your help more than ever this year to meet these rising demands. Please come out and join us by contributing food donations to this valuable cause, and by stopping by the after party at Sports Basement (15th & Bryant St.) to avail of the 15% discount, with 5% of the proceeds going to the San Francisco Food Bank.

Wrapping Up Spotlight on Sponsors Series

2009-12-03T10:17:00.000-08:00

Don't forget: You can get real-time updates on sponsors and event details by becoming a fan on Facebook and following SFStreetSweep on Twitter. You can also find the latest details on Saturday's race here.

Just two days before the race, we've finally finished our Spotlight on Sponsors series. The amount of support we've gotten from sponsors for this race has been incredible, and we recognize that their generous donations also show their support for our endeavors to raise as much food as possible for the San Francisco Food Bank. It's true - prizes help to attract participants, and the support we've gotten makes it easier to reward as many people as possible for their efforts and the money they spend on food during the race.

It's also because of these generous donations that we are able to encourage speed racers to bring back extra food for a chance to win additional prizes in a raffle drawing at the after party. We've set aside several nice items to raffle off, and we hope racers bring back extra food to increase our overall food collections for this year's event.

There are, however, two sponsors that we haven't written about. We want to thank Pacific Bicycles for the donation of a sweet windbreaker. Their logo didn't make it onto our poster, but their support is still felt and appreciated. Pacific Bicycle is a huge shop with a wide variety of bicycles, clothing, and services.

We'd also like to thank City Picture Frame. I first went to City Picture Frame to have a photograph framed; I was helped by a knowledgeable framing specialist who worked with me on picking the most suitable materials for my project, and the prices were so reasonable that I was able to spring for the extras, such as thicker matting and archival glass. Naturally, they came to mind when Mike Giant donated two of his fantastic drawings to the race. While there is rarely a need for the donation of framing services, City Picture Frame was so impressed with our noble cause and agreed to frame the drawings for us. We thank them for their support and generosity, and we highly encourage you to avail of their framing services, too!

We can't thank all of our sponsors enough for supporting our cause! Thanks to Box Dog, Xtracycle, Crumpler, Soma, and many many others, we have several big ticket items to award, as well as a large supply of t-shirts and other smaller items. Not only will everyone win in terms of helping others out by providing food to those in need, everyone has a really great chance of walking away with a little souvenir or trophy.

The race is only two days away! Are you ready?

Spotlight on Sponsors: Nau, Laekhouse, The Loin, SFBC

2009-12-03T07:47:00.001-08:00

NAU
Now, what do you get when you combine a love for good looking outerwear with technologically advanced fabrics, minus the harm for the environment that usually comes from manufacturing anything at all, and combine all that with a wonderfully specific design aesthetic? You get Nau! Who are they? A small collective of busy designers who are creating a seriously amazing line of clothes. From basic under-layers made of silky merino wool to heavier, fully lined and insulated jackets that are articulate in every joint - Nau focusses on the fit, the function, and by the time they are done, the fashion simply falls right into place. It is a flawless little cycle, in fact. Even more, they take so many steps before a garment is even made to insure that the sources used to produce it are safe and sound, environmentally speaking. Their fabrics all trace back to eco-friendly, compassionate sources - and that, in turn, provides Nau with complete confidence in what they produce. This makes for one happy customer, who knows where his clothes are coming from. By being this picky, Nau shows how much it cares for its customers. In the spirit of giving back, Nau has kindly donated several prizes to this year's race.

LAEKHOUSE
This small internet-based boutique has been cranking out great looking cycling-related shirts and hats for the past couple of years. Their designs are usually simple, gritty images plucked from history: Coppi on the velodrome, Merckx reworked into Ziggy Stardust makeup, or the two gentlemen from the 1920s Jazz Age of track racing. The shirts themselves are of the soft, brushed cotton variety and are cut longer and slimmer. Now, Laekhouse has recently employed some sort of new-fangled, uber-techy sort of retro-reflective ink which they now print some designs in. The stuff is a real trip - it normally cannot be detected, but once it is dark out and a light hits it, the ink gets so bright and reflective that it cannot be missed. While this is primarily a bit of safety (visibility at night is key!) there are also some neat and artsy applications as well for this type of printing. Check out Laekhouse's website for more information on their products and their philosophy. We thank them kindly for donating several shirts/hats to our race.

THE LOIN
A print studio based in the Tenderloin that produces high quality, highly detailed shirts and prints. Originally started on a small scale as a screenprinting operation making small runs of simple and catchy designs for neighborhood friends, The Loin grew out of a sense of local pride into a full-time gig that performs exceptionally artful printmaking. Whether it is experimenting with different inks and pigments (reflective, phosphorescent, environmentally conscious, and other technological breakthroughs) or simply turning out a pretty design on a shirt, The Loin is the go-to shop. Recently, the small shop has branched out into a more retail environment - several stores in the Tenderloin are now happy stockists of the much sought after t-shirts. What is another nice aspect about the shop is that they welcome artists, and work together to produce amazing collaborations in primarily shirt-based form. The most recent artist/designer-shirts were on display at a local gallery. The Loin has been a huge supporter of a ton of bicycle races for the past few years, and has always been a donor to our race. We are thrilled to announce The Loin as a sponsor: 94109 forever!

SFBC
Surprisingly, the SFBC is not the Science Fiction Book Club. It is, in fact, our own advocacy group known around town and abroad as the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition. We have them to thank for places to lock our bikes outside, for over 200 miles of safe bicycle lanes throughout the city, for getting use of the GG Bridge for cyclists, and most of all - for giving a voice to a contingent of the population that is usually not heard due to all the noise made by automobiles, their lobbyists, and the angered motorists that seem to be so vocal these past few years. The SFBC provides a bit of equality to this car-centric political structure we have by lobbying on our side, by getting issues in front of the mayor, by promoting Bike-to-Work days, and by taking a vital hand in the urban planning of this city. By becoming a member of the SFBC, you will also earn rewards at places where you probably shop already: Rainbow Grocery, many bike shops around town, and discounts on other goods and services. Your money goes to helping fund the Coalition, which in turn ends up providing the cycling population with all the wonderful benefits we all enjoy currently - it is a win-win for all parties concerned, and I strongly urge anyone who is not yet a member to become one. As it turns out, the SFBC is donating a membership package complete with t-shirt to us this year - so for those lucky few winners, you are already well on your way to making a positive change for yourself and others. We thank the SFBC for all they do, and especially for supporting our race.

(Text courtesy of Brian Raymond.)

Spotlight on Sponsors: House of Commons, Thomson

2009-12-02T23:10:00.000-08:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS
A cycling blog, House of Commons reports the news as they see it, and it is usually heavy on fixed-gear related content with a bend towards the "limited edition" street fashion and culture. They stock a few items in their online shop, particularly a wonderfully designed spandex team kit as well as a few carefully selected bike accessories and apparel. It originally started as a retail boutique in Las Vegas in 2007, specializing in independent streetwear brands and fixed gear parts and accessories. They added an online shop, and then made the executive decision to close the storefront and continue with the online presence. At the same time, they became a sponsor for the Macaframa project, organizing and hosting the world premiere during Interbike 2008. HOC continues to sponsor alleycat races and host their own. Currently based in San Francisco, HOC is focusing on a small clothing/accessories brand, planning rides, and working on a new website for 2010 where they will be spotlighting various cyclists, projects, artists, and shops. Who knows what the future will bring?

THOMSON
Thomson is a well-known and very popular and reputable maker of bicycle components. Based in Macon, Georgia, and founded in 1981, their award-winning seatposts and stems adorn a wide variety of bicycles and are the hallmark of a rider who seeks quality and comfort. Their simple and sleekly designed parts are undeniably reliable and worth every penny on the price tag. Their stems don't budge, and their seatposts are easy to adjust and provide maximum comfort and performance. Having been recognized with many industry awards over the years, Thomson continues to be a leader in seatposts and stems. We are really thrilled that Thomson is standing behind this year's race with the donation of six gift certificates for Thomson parts.

Spotlight on Sponsors: iMiNUSD

2009-12-02T16:15:00.000-08:00

iMiNUSD is a San Jose cycling boutique, with the motto "Ride Simply. Simply Ride." And that encompasses their mission: To deliver affordable parts that reflect the latest trends to the cycling community at costs that aren't regrettable later when the styles have evolved. Stocking popular brands such as Specialized, Cinelli, MASH, Phil Wood, Chrome, and many more, the iMiNUSD shop is large and offers a wide array of products to select from, including clothing, accessories, bags, and bicycle frames and components. While a fairly new addition to the community of Bay Area cycling shops, the San Jose-based boutique has made an undeniable entrance through extensive support of cycling events, and a blog that keeps you in the loop on the latest products and happenings. The iMiNUSD folks are also the guys behind SJFixed, a way for San Jose cyclists to connect. Two years old now, San Jose Fixed is growing every day with 1,500+ members and group rides occurring almost daily. You can follow both SJFixed and iMiNUSD on Twitter, too! We're looking forward to watching iMiNUSD grow within our community, and we are very gracious to them for their generous donation of a set of their signature deep rims that are sweeping across the cycling world, as well as some t-shirts and other goodies. When in San Jose, the iMiNUSD boutique is a must-see stop to browse and buy. Go there!

Spotlight on Sponsors: Cyclezine, SFFixed

2009-12-02T14:22:00.001-08:00

CYCLEZINE
International Jet-setter, trend-setter, and go-getter - all of these things describe Puck. All of these types of things can also be found in his website, Cyclezine. While the focus is on bicycles, the topics covered are quite varied. The site is also host to posts by Sean, a collector with the most prestigious taste around. His "Seen on eBay" segments are not to be missed, and when he starts digging around his archives for things to scan - watch out. Brian, another infrequent contributor, writes long-winded articles about the most useless aspects of cycling though there is usually a pretty photo or two to make up for things. With these three different viewpoints combine, the point of convergence is a wonderful thing and it is called CycleZine. Spotlighting the lost, highlighting the unprolific, discussions about safety as well as fashion advice - all can be find within. Puck has graciously donated an inCase photo-bag, which was accidentally left at home when he travelled to Japan recently for the giant CMWC race - thus, it is an unused and totally amazing prize for some lucky racer to win!

SFFIXED
From the ashes of the Single-Speed-Fixed-Gear section of BikeForums rose a mighty phoenix - SF Fixed. Years back, there was only one small place on the internet for those of us with track bikes and no velodromes. The numbers grew as the trend increased in popularity to the point of critical mass, and the national Forum could not handle our numbers. SF Fixed was started by Adam, Judah, Galen, and Fabian - four friends in San Francisco who wanted to start a more specific, more local forum that was specific to the Bay Area where it seemed like the pulse of the fixed-gear scene was emanating from. In just a year, the membership skyrocketed from five or ten members to well over 500 and now, four years into the forum, there are over 8,000. While it began as more of an encyclopedia hobbled together from the endless knowledge of a few key members, it is now a full blown hub for anything relating to any sort of bike. There is not much that is San Francisco, or Fixed Gear, about SF Fixed - and that is a wonderful and far-reaching testament to the growing community of cyclists. At SF Fixed you can have any mechanical question answered (though usually with a bit of comedy), you can find the best bicycle in the world (the sales section is deeper than eBay and Craigslist combined), or just socialize with people in your area. There are group rides announced almost daily, and race announcements weekly - if you want to be informed about what is going on in San Francisco and the greater bay area, you'd best become a member. SF Fixed has helped with ever SMSW race for the past four years, and is a proud sponsor yet again this year. Where would we be without them?

(Text courtesy of Brian Raymond.)

Race Day is Approaching!

2009-12-02T08:05:00.000-08:00

...This Saturday! Come out and race while supporting a great cause. The Food Bank needs more help than ever this year, and we've got a huge prize bank to reward your efforts. Here are some reminders:

The race starts at the Bow & Arrow Sculpture on the Embarcadero at High Noon. You'll need to register first (free). You will need $15-$30 to cover the cost of the food you will purchase during the race. While there are quite a few spoke cards, we only did a limited run this year, so come early to make sure you get one. After registration, we will announce the rules and the race will start.

The after party will be at Sports Basement at 15th & Bryant St., in the Grotto area. There will be snacks, two kegs, and music. Sports Basement will also be offering a 15% discount on goods, with 5% of the proceeds going to the San Francisco Food Bank. The Food Bank can turn every $1 into $9 worth of food. Take advantage of the discount and do some early Christmas shopping, get some needed items, also while contributing to our cause.

Here are the rules:
The manifests will list specific food items that you must buy at designated stores. However, the manifest will also provide a list of acceptable substitutions if any items are sold out.

Speed Race:
Be the first to bring back the required food from the stores listed on the manifest to win. Bring back extra food to receive a raffle ticket to potentially win an additional prize. Additional food does not have to be purchased at the designated stores. A variety of categories within the speed race will be recognized. Racers arriving at the finish line after 4pm will be disqualified. Receipts from each designated store on the manifest must be presented to prove that you visited the checkpoints and purchased the required goods.

Cargo Race:
Bring back the required food from the stores listed on the manifest, plus bring back additional food. The heaviest load will win. A variety of categories within the cargo race will be recognized, including Fixed, Trailerless, and so on. Additional food does not have to be purchased at the stores listed on the manifest. Racers can fundraise to collect money to buy food at the store of their choice or can collect food from friends and co-workers that they pick up along the race route. Racers must be at the finish line by 4pm to qualify. Racers arriving at the finish line after 4pm will be disqualified. Receipts from each designated store on the manifest must be presented to prove that you visited the checkpoints and purchased the required goods.

See you on Saturday!

SMSW on 7x7

2009-12-01T14:03:00.000-08:00

On 7x7:

If you own a bike and are looking for a way to give back this holiday season, come out on Saturday to the Supermarket Street Sweep. In its fourth year, the event sends riders to designated grocery stores to purchase food items that will be donated to the San Francisco Food Bank. Participants can choose between a quick course or a cargo version, where the rider who brings in the most pounds of food wins. There will be plenty of prizes for participants from sponsors, including Bay Area specific messenger bags from Crumpler, handmade hats from Chuey, and a Soma Rush frameset. Last year's participants brought in over 5000lbs of food, all on bike! The event begins at the Bow & Arrow on Embarcadero this Saturday at noon.

Thanks Jess!

Spotlight on Sponsors: Manifesto, Missing Link

2009-12-01T10:12:00.000-08:00

Manifesto: A fine shop in Oakland who preaches the divine tenets of DIY, Recycling and Reconfiguration. They sell re-built, used bicycles as well as brand new apparel. Manifesto's shop philosophy: "Manifesto does not discriminate, alienate or in any way judge any bicyclists. All riders, new and old, experienced and beginner, occasional and everyday, are welcome in our shop... Manifesto believes in bicycles, as an extension of the rider, bicycles are a form of self-expression." Their selection of local products is a real treat to browse through. What sets Manifesto apart, though, is their bend towards art and music and skateboarding. A fine place, for certain. We thank them for their ongoing sponsorship of this race again this year by their gracious donation of two goodies bags with t-shirts and gift certificates.

Ah, Berzerkeley - your hills, your restaurants, your book and record shops... A fine neighbor to our East, Berkeley is home to a bevy of beautiful retail establishments. One of the very first I personally remember entering, when I first got re-introduced to cycling as a young adult, is the Missing Link. This shop has been cooperatively run for the last 36 years - a fact that should resonate loudly on the horizon, filled as it is with such temporary places. Some employees have worked there, happily, for 25+ years. No fancy wording needed here - the facts plainly speak for themselves. At Missing Link you can find any part or accessory you might need, and what they do not have they can order. You will also find low prices, smart help, free repair classes, free loaner tools, and a sense of permanence that is rare. Their support of racing, and all forms of bicycle riding, has been a shining beacon of hope for the world. We thank this esteemed establishment for their kind donation to our race of caps, jerseys, and other goodies.

(Text courtesy of Brian Raymond.)

Zugster Bag Prizes

2009-12-01T09:51:00.000-08:00

Thank to Adam for his custom bag donation to this year's sweep:

See more Zugster Bags on Adam's photostream.

Help Support Jeremiah in This Year's Cargo Race!

2009-11-30T20:10:00.000-08:00

You can help us raise as much food as possible this year by showing support for the racers! Jeremiah, last year's heavy hitter who wheeled in over 600lbs of food, is currently accepting donations:

I'm Jeremiah, and if you were at the race last year you remember me as the guy who barely managed to drag my scraping double trailer into the finish four minutes late. Last year I brought in 583 cans (about 640lbs). This year I'm better prepared and planning on bringing in lots more. i spent over $300 last year and had only one person donate $20. I can't afford to do that again. I've already had a few people give me monetary or food donations; I'm happily accepting both. Remember it's all for the food bank. if you'd like to help me out, contact me, my e-mail is: bfrog76@yahoo.com. This is also my paypal email. If you want to donate food or find me in person, I should be at Benders on Weds. night, December 2, after 9pm; and I'll be working a volunteer mechanic shift at the Bikekitchen(.org) on Thurs. from 6-9 pm. You can catch me before the race on Saturday, too.

If you want to help me out or participate in the race but are dead broke, I will need a small posse to ride along, help at the stores, and help with loading food. I couldn't have done it without my helpers last year. Thanks to all those who are coming out, donating and having some fun for the food bank this saturday. I'm looking forward to a great time with an excellently prepared race.

In the photo, Jeremiah's load gets checked in at last year's race.

Spotlight on Sponsors: COG, Fabric Horse, Rickshaw Bagworks, Ritual Roasters

2009-11-30T11:59:00.000-08:00

COG MAGAZINE
The name says it all: COG Magazine is a publication dedicated to the beauty that is the most simple, low-maintenance, highly utilitarian form of a bicycle. Even those who don’t ride fixed can appreciate the magnificence of their simplicity. COG is based in Milwaukee, but composed of behind the bars photos from contributors worldwide. The interviews with the most talented frame builders and articles delving into international fixed scenes will get you hooked. Bike geekdom is nothing to be ashamed of; bask in the glory of well-crafted, single gear, fixed wheel bikes and bask with pride!

FABRIC HORSE
Q: When did utility belts become cool?
A: Fabric Horse.

It’s hard to believe any useful utilitarian good could have so have so much flare and character; and it is even harder to believe all the brilliance of Fabric Horse designs come straight from the brains and out through the hands of only two very talented and dedicated ladies in Philadelphia. Inspired by the streets they ride on and the people of their fair city, Fabric Horse is a small, socially and environmentally conscious business devout to the preservation of the handmade. All of their products are constructed from scavenged, reused, recycled, or environmentally friendly fabrics and all of their business is conducted entirely by bicycle. Even their Fabric Horse.

RICKSHAW BAGWORKS
Passion. Craft. Quality. This is the manifesto by which San Francisco-based bag company Rickshaw Bagworks operates. Rickshaw may be the new kid on the block, but the company is comprised of bag makers and designers who hold years of experience under their crafty thumbs, resulting in efficient and inspirational bags for the urban dweller. Moreover, Rickshaw Bagworks holds a strong set of humanistic, environmental, and social values; using their company as a platform to participate in community service and contribute to change for the greater good- as is obvious with their generous donation to the Supermarket Street Sweep!

RITUAL ROASTERS
It’s hard to believe Ritual Coffee has only been around since 2005. What did everyone drink before then? With national recognition for their delicious-is-an-understatement brews and now-I-know-what-perfection is espressos, San Franciscans have just one more reason to be snooty about... er proud of, their city. Ritual Coffee puts a conscious effort into selecting the finest coffee beans with unique flavors from around the world, and roast the beans to precision in their Valencia café location for the average consumer. Thanks Ritual- and your bike-riding baristas ain’t half bad looking either.

(Text courtesy of Constance Cavallas.)

SMSW Crumplers are here!

2009-11-28T14:04:00.001-08:00

"Hungry in America: New Food Insecurity Numbers Are A Wake Up Call"

2009-11-24T17:30:00.000-08:00

A new report released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirms that almost 50 million Americans had a hard time putting food on the table in 2008 -- one in seven American households, an increase of 13 million people from the year before. Read more on the PBS website.

Attention Supermarket Street Sweep a Haul-aholics!

2009-11-24T15:26:00.000-08:00

In addition to being a star sponsor every year (thanks guys!), Rick over at Xtracycle is organizing a troop of Xtracycles to carry a ton of food at the 'Sweep. From Rick:

We want to get a team of Xtracyclists who want to pedal at a reasonable pace and haul, collectively, 1 ton of food. So, brushing off the math synapsis, that's 200 lbs x 10 riders, or 100 lbs x 20 riders. Expect to spend ~$20-40 on food for the event. The race costs nothing to enter, so keep your hemmin' and hawin' to a minimum, this is about HAULIN'! So, join the Haul-aholics and have a blast supporting those in need this holiday season. Ride on!

PS We'll let other, short bikes, come play with us so invite your amigos, sig-others and such to help-a-haul! Email Sir Lank-a-Haul with any preguntas.

Spotlight on Sponsors: Soma

2009-11-23T08:30:00.001-08:00

Soma is a San Francisco-based maker and importer of bicycle parts. They are most known for their selection of frames - the star of their line up being the Soma Rush, a fixed gear frameset. Browsing the other models one gets the sense of a varied set of hobbies: there are dirtjumping frames, touring frames, cross, hardtails, and even a mixte (!). They also stock the Pake frame, which is a "track frame" with some comfortable upgrades: water bottle bosses (because we need to stay hydrated!), brake holes (because we often need to stop!), and Tange tubing (because we like when costs are lower!) make for a supremely versatile ride that will not break the bank. Soma and Pake have donated a wonderful prize to this year's race - a one-off Soma Rush frameset with a sleek rainbow tie-dye colorway! They also threw in some stylish caps!

(Text courtesy of Brian Raymond.)

Spotlight on Sponsors: Pedal Revolution & Cadence

2009-11-22T21:53:00.000-08:00

Pedal Revolution is one of our city's finest bicycle-related establishments. Not only do they have a dedicated group of mechanics that work serious magic, they also stock a wide variety of complete bicycles and parts. They have the usual offerings from EAI and Phil Wood, and they also carry more "boutique" brands. They have complete bikes that are brand new, as well as a few older ones that have been pieced together with good parts. Their goal is to get you out and pedaling on the road, and they have many different options to do the trick whether that be a mountain bike, a hybrid, a fixed gear, a touring bicycle, or a road bike. Not only do they serve a diverse cross-section of cyclists, the shop also has its hand in social causes and the good they do for their community is amazing. They are a vital part of San Francisco and we are proud to have them as a sponsor for this year's race. Pedal Revolution has donated a gift certificate for a tune-up and a cozy sweatshirt.

When you think of Cadence, think of cycling, think of freedom, think of fashion, but most importantly think of creation- that is what founder and artist Dustin Klein is thinking about. What started out as a hobby is now a well-respected small company selling the hand-crafted designs of Mr. Klein in the form of shirts, trousers, cycling hats, and many other cool and functioning biking accessories. For a while we lost Cadence to Seattle, but now the guerilla storefront can be found once a week on Steiner. This year, Cadence is supporting the Supermarket Street Sweep with a selection of great stuff! Welcome back to the city!

(Text courtesy of Brian Raymond and Constance Cavallas.)

Get One of These Stuck in Your Wheel!

2009-11-20T14:21:00.001-08:00

SMSW 09 Spoke Cards are ready for the race. Thanks to The Loin for letting us use the shop, and thanks to unaesthetic for the Gursky-esque photo.

iMiNUSD to Host Grand Opening & Alleycat in San Jose

2009-11-20T13:26:00.000-08:00

Supermarket Street Sweep sponsor iMiNUSD is having their grand opening event in San Jose this weekend, paired with an alleycat. They've got a lot of prizes for this event, so check it out if you're in the area. In the meantime, keep an eye on our blog to learn more about iMiNUSD in our Spotlight on Sponsors series.

RideSFO to Host Bike Expo This Weekend!

2009-11-20T08:10:00.000-08:00

This weekend, Supermarket Street Sweep sponsor RideSFO will be hosting a bike expo with tons of vendors, events, and activities. It sounds like it's going to be a really good time! For more details, check out the event website.

Have You Heard of the Supermarket Street Sweep?

2009-11-19T09:34:00.001-08:00

(Courtesy of Supermarket Street Sweep founder Jenny Oh.)

Spotlight on Sponsors: Phil Wood & Co.

2009-11-18T10:10:00.000-08:00

The little engine that could! It is nice to know that this local little homegrown shop has changed the entire industry when it comes to bicycle hubs. There is the mighty army of Campagnolo, the almost mightier brigade of Shimano, and then there is the only lonely knight, noble and proud, known as Phil Wood & Co. He's armored in a simple shell, though his passion for the fight is endless considering the two giants that he is up against. Since 1971, Phil Wood has proudly called itself the oldest American Bicycle Component Manufacturer - and even more amazing is that they are just 45 short miles south, in San Jose. Every part has been designed, engineered, manufactured and assembled in a small shop - and every part that has left has had the same quality that has lasted so long. Their designs are deceptively simple - wrapped inside is flawless mechanics that not only outlast their competition, but is actually compatible with almost any other component group on the market. Phil Woods' no-fuss hubs and bottom brackets are the hardest working around. Phil Wood & Co. kindly donated a variety of their signature goods to this year's event, including Bio Lube, hand cleaner, shirts, jerseys, and a pair of pint glasses.

(Text courtesy of Brian Raymond.)

Spotlight on Sponsors: Knog

2009-11-17T08:36:00.000-08:00

Knog makes waterproof, ingenius lighting for our bicycles. The fact that they are so prevalent among the bikes of the young has earned them the endearing title of "Hipster Cyst," thanks to NY's Bike Snob. Their soft rubber exterior has an inviting tactile feel, and their one-piece design (free of extra clips, straps and other contraptions) make for a very useful little light. One simply holds it in one's hand, examines it for a split second, and knows exactly how it works - just loop it around a tube, a seatpost, a stem, a fork blade, or any other round (or roundish) bike part. The Knog will hold tight, no matter what. A no-frills design makes operation even easier - there's no question about it, just a button to press. They are bright, and they blink - which makes them doubly safe. With the addition of larger lights, the entire line of Knog is something we should all be rejoicing. In support of the Supermarket Street Sweep, Knog sent us a great parcel from Australia full of shirts, lights, stickers, caps, and goodies.

Spotlight on Sponsors: Selle San Marco

2009-11-16T19:45:00.000-08:00

There are two divided factions when it comes to bikes: Regal people and Concor people. Listening to a debate between these two opposing sides is like eavesdropping on a "which burrito place is the best" argument, and it always ends in a stalemate. It's no wonder no one wins in these battles, both opponents are so equally matched in amazingness that neither can be the victor. The Concor, with its classic shape and prestigious history, is the go-to saddle when building a bike. The Regal, on the other hand, is a bit more streamlined and somewhat modern feeling without losing its spirit. There is little that even needs to be said about the Selle San Marco history in the world of cycling. Along with Cinelli, Binda, and Campagnolo, there is place for only one saddle, and it is no doubt a San Marco.

All the way from Italy, Selle San Marco sent us three beautiful saddles to award both cargo and speed racers. They are vibrantly colored and the craftsmanship is lovely. Let's see who walks away with one of these!

(Text courtesy of Brian Raymond.)

Sports Basement to Offer Discount for Street Sweep Party

2009-11-13T16:54:00.000-08:00

This year's after-party will be held in the Grotto area at Sports Basement at 15th & Bryant St. Sports Basement is throwing in two kegs and food for the event, where the winners will be announced after the manifests and race receipts have been reviewed. For the event, Sports Basement will also be offering a 15% shopping discount, where 5% of the proceeds will go to the San Francisco Food Bank; the Food Bank can turn every $1 into $9 of food to feed those in need.

Spotlight on Sponsors: Ramblin Worker, Seagull Bags, Under the Weather, Zugster

2009-11-12T13:15:00.000-08:00

Don't forget: You can get real-time updates on sponsors and event details by becoming a fan on Facebook and following SFStreetSweep on Twitter.

The support this year's Supermarket Street Sweep has received from sponsors is truly amazing; so many awesome companies are standing behind this great event. We sincerely appreciate this support, and we hope that you folks out in the community do, too! Also keep an eye on the blog to learn about some of our other sponsors; we've got several we still plan to write about!

The prize table this year will have an assortment of bags and accessories from a variety of bag makers, both from the Bay Area and from afar. There truly should be something for everyone at this year's race. Read more on some of these great sponsors below! We'll get up some pics of their donations as soon as we can!

RAMBLIN WORKER
Born from the brain of artist Steve MacDonald, Ramblin Worker is a small line of handmade bags. As a piece of functional equipment, they work well to hold what you need held, and they do so comfortably. Each one being hand sewn means that there is a bit of personality in each bag, and that bit of life makes them all the more special. Steve is also a widely recognized artist and huge advocate of bicycles - you will recognize his work from all of the Bike Film Festivals, and the subsequent bike-art-show, Joyride. He creates embroidered paintings on gilded canvases. The work is a composed of repeated pattern, skateboard nostalgia, folk art, landscape and fantasy. Steve was kind enough to donate to our race this year and we are proud to announce him as a sponsor.

SEAGULL BAGS
There are a lot of small bag makers these days, and simply looking at the list of sponsors for this very race should be evidence enough of that fact. How do these companies differ from one another? How are they the same? Many started with a humble motivation: to perfect the courier bag. The fact that so many different people came to this same epiphany is interesting; however, the fact that so many of them came up with distinct and different ideas of what exactly makes a courier bag perfect is even more interesting. Some chose to perfect capacity, others chose to perfect it with technological fabrics, some decided to perfect the bag by taking it back to its modest beginnings as a simple musette. Seagull Bags took their own approach as well. What makes them different is the three-ply construction and wonderful strap design. Try it - it will fit comfortably on your shoulder all day long, slinging it to your chest and back to your back a thousand times a day, opening and closing the flap a thousand times more, stuffing and unloading packages constantly. The cam-buckle strap really is a nice innovation. The floating layer of Cordura, too, makes for a stronger and more weather-tight bag. The inside is cavernous yet organized thanks to the pockets and the detachable tool pouch/hip bag. Seagull Bags remain an innovator in an overly stuffed market.

UNDER THE WEATHER
Under The Weather was started by Anaïs Fritzlan in a minuscule apartment in Amsterdam in late 2000. Relocated to Toronto in late 2001, it has expanded significantly, though remains a very personal, hands-on business. They produce all of their quality messenger bags and screen-print all of their t-shirts in a small workshop. Though they appreciate the incredibly warm reception they've received from everyone for their technical clothing designs, they continue to focus on messenger bags and accessories made from the best materials with the best construction. What makes them so appealing is their basic and minimal appearance, much like the earlier courier bags made last century. Where they stand out is in the design of their strap, which is one of a kind in the world of bag makers. The main draw here, though, is their dedication to utility and they stand behind their bags: Should any fail for any reason, they offer full repairs as well as alterations on their existing stock. In this disposable world, a bit of permanence is a nice thing. We're proud to announce Under The Weather as a sponsor for our bicycle race.

ZUGSTER BAGS
Zugster Bags is teeny-tiny, itsy-bitsy, little one-man shop making custom messenger bags, one at a time, to order. It sounds modest enough, however one look at a Zugster bag will change all that - they are highly technical, well designed, and feature ultra-heavy-duty construction. The man behind the operation is a fan of portage of all sorts - from randonneur style bags to classically tailored panniers. The varieties in waxed canvas are particularly notable as they speak to our desire for the traditional in a nostalgic sort of way but have been quietly improved upon thanks to Zugster's thoughtful design. As for the messenger bags, what Zugster calls "standard" is anything but - beautiful construction for a perfectly functional bag as well as an added flair for color and pattern set these bags apart. The pockets are three dimensional, and the bag has many options as far as expansion goes. The strap system is, again, another carefully considered piece of the overall design and is engineered to fit to the body in a natural and comfortable way. You'll notice that when wearing the bag, the thing feels like a nice and warm embrace rather than a clunky thing that keeps shifting as you ride. New to the line-up is a backpack that Zugster has been perfecting for the past couple of years. With a huge capacity for hauling, an ergonomic fit, and a truly attractive overall look, it is no wonder why Zugster is not even taking orders these days! The demand has surpassed the supply, and we are lucky to have one of his beautiful creations as a prize for this year's race.

(Text courtesy of Brian Raymond.)

Spotlight on Sponsors: Nutcase Helmets

2009-11-10T14:49:00.001-08:00

Fun helmets? Sounds like an oxymoron- but alas Nutcase Helmets breaks the mold with the original, flashy, fun, and colorful designs on their multi-purpose helmets. You know it when see them, and there’s no way you can miss them! Polka dots, stripes, flames, flowers; you name it, they got it. Graphic designer Michael Morrow noticed there was no happy medium between simple black and cheesy cartoon character graphics in the helmet marketplace and birthed the idea of Nutcase Helmets. The simple and effective helmet design is available in a variety of creative graphics that have been wildly successful (no pun intended) in allowing personal expression in the name of safety. Nutcase is donating two helmets to this year's race. They also sent a bunch of pins, stickers, and posters.

(Text courtesy of Constance Cavallas.)

Supermarket Street Sweep 2009: THE RULES!

2009-11-09T11:14:00.001-08:00

Speed Race:
Be the first to bring back the required food from the stores listed on the manifest to win. Bring back extra food to receive a raffle ticket to potentially win an additional prize. Additional food does not have to be purchased at the designated stores. A variety of categories within the speed race will be recognized. Racers arriving at the finish line after 4pm will be disqualified. Receipts must be presented to prove that you visited the checkpoints and purchased the required goods. Suggested cost is $15-$20.

Cargo Race:
Bring back the required food from the stores listed on the manifest, plus bring back additional food. The heaviest load will win. A variety of categories within the cargo race will be recognized, including Fixed, Trailerless, and so on. Additional food does not have to be purchased at the stores listed on the manifest. Racers can fundraise to collect money to buy food at the store of their choice or can collect food from friends and co-workers that they pick up along the race route. Racers must be at the finish line by 4pm to qualify. Racers arriving at the finish line after 4pm will be disqualified. Receipts must be presented to prove that you visited the checkpoints and purchased the required goods. Suggested cost is $15-$20, plus the cost of additional food if you are purchasing it.

Spotlight on Sponsors: Xtracycle

2009-11-05T10:29:00.000-08:00

Bicycles have evolved to become so specified that we have different bicycles to handle different roads, different rides, different positions, and different jobs. These days a person must choose wisely because a road bike can no longer carry a heavy load, and a cargo bike might not work if going more than a few miles; we are now faced with a question of choice and it gets more and more limiting with each coming season. Thanks to Xtracycle, though, we now have the opportunity to enjoy a bicycle that covers all bases at once. Their products allow a person to have a single bicycle to use for a multitude of different tasks, and in this new world of too-many-choices their philosophy of singularity is a relief.

While bike trailers have been around for decades, Xtracycle has completely re-thought the process from the standpoint of a bicycle rider and this seems to make all the difference because their systems work flawlessly with a variety of bicycle types, are capable of carrying people or heavy cargo without any special changes, and perhaps the most important part is that they have done all of this without sacrificing the handling of the bicycle. Their system is simple: extend the rear wheel and carry the load between wheel and saddle, which is a huge departure from the trailers of yesteryear that needed to be hitched and pulled behind the bicycle itself creating a problem of handling as well as taking up time to hitch and unhitch. Thanks to Xtracycle, a simple attachment with just three bolts is all that is needed to turn any road bike, commuter bike, hybrid bike, mountain bike or beach bike into a fully integrated hauler, complete with bottomless bags and a place to sit should you decide to tow a passenger or two. This effective system gives cyclists exactly what we have been lacking for a long time: a useful bike for any situation that requires cargo. There is no need to unhitch the system when not in use so even when unloaded the bicycle will perform perfectly with absolutely no compromise made to the handling. Its capacity is unmatched in the industry; an Xtracycle is fully capable of carrying several hundred pounds gracefully and without much added effort on the part of the rider. They’ve made the impossible happen: hundreds of pounds of cumbersome cargo becomes weightless thanks to their product.

Xtracycle has been a big sponsor of our race for the past few years, and they are chipping in big time yet again. We thank them for the Free Radical prize they are donating, and we hope our cargo race means getting more and more Xtracycles out on the road.

In the photo, a racer at last year's start reclines on his Xtracycle.

(Text courtesy of Brian Raymond.)

Spotlight on Sponsors: White Industries

2009-11-04T14:43:00.000-08:00

Don't forget: You can get real-time updates on sponsors and event details by becoming a fan on Facebook and following SFStreetSweep on Twitter.

Science versus Art. Nature versus Mankind. There are plenty of diametric opposites in this world, but few we come across as readily in this day and age as the battle between Engineer versus Designer. This is sometimes known as Function versus Fashion, and in some cases the two are merged in a nice bit of cohabitation. Generally, though, they are mutually exclusive. The designer, like the artist, and like mankind, is always imposing himself on the world and attempting to change it for the sake of change - this is the reason why we have a harder time choosing a color of a bike than the actual bike itself. The engineer, like science and like nature, is concerned only with the purest of pursuits - efficient, natural function. While some artists have a scientific bend and vice versa, it is quite rare to find anyone that possesses not only the talent to create a masterpiece but the ability to stretch the canvas, make the brushes, create the pigments from scratch, and have the entire thing last a thousand years. White Industries is just the type of place that blends an attractive aesthetic with almost scientific engineering. Take their new pedals, for example. Rather than creating a platform, or a cage pedal similar to what is already on the market, White Industries looked back a few generations and found a nicer example that has been forgotten: the Berthet Lyotard. The top of the pedal is wonderfully flat and the White Industries version is milled from a nice block of Aluminum with a more ergonomic treatment. The overall shape, which is classic and quite classy, is kept while small alterations are made to lighten the pedal and also provide a nice platform for the foot. The spindle was re-engineered, too and boasts a nice tapered shape with sealed cartridge bearings. What we are left with is not an ugly transformation or a reworking of only the external skin of the piece but a subtle riff on the old classic that keeps the look but updates the functionality.

If you really want to see innovation, however, simply take a look at their bottom brackets, headsets, and hubs. To support this year's race, White Industries has sent us a set of their beautiful track hubs.

Spotlight on Sponsors: Chrome Bags

2009-11-03T17:55:00.000-08:00

Chrome bags. You see them everywhere for a reason: They work. They work real good. Plus they know how to throw a party in that San Francisco headquarters of theirs! For 14 years Chrome has been producing a completely functional, no-nonsense collection of messenger bags and backpacks from the toughest, industrial materials. Now they are making shoes and clothing with the same philosophy, sans the seatbelt buckle. Chrome places great pride in their products, and the value they see in the biking community is evident in all the races, teams, and events they sponsor, encouraging us all to look out for one another. So stop in their store and pass out some high-fives. This year, Chrome is supporting the event with one of their hallmark bags!

(Text courtesy of Constance Cavallas.)

Spotlight on Sponsors: Surly

2009-10-29T09:39:00.001-07:00

Browsing their complete line of models and accoutrements makes one curious: Where's the carbon? Where's the chrome? Where's the color choices? Where's all the needless embellishments? Surly responds, humbly, with an even better question: "Who really needs that?" Instead, what Surly offers us are the things we overlook when we're dazzled by a pretty but somewhat useless bicycle: room for fenders, pump pegs, clearances for large tires, rack mounts, brake holes, and other important options that make the bicycle more effective. Even their track bike has two water bottle bosses (or flask mounts) - because we humans do need to take in refreshment now and then if we do happen to ride our bikes more than a mile or so. Their bikes are made to be ridden, and riders to require certain "comforts" such as being kept dry by fenders and having the option to add a rack should we need to carry more than a phone, and room for larger tires that are more efficient in and out of town. All of these "bright ideas" seem to make a mockery of lesser bicycles without such options. Imagine Surly as an attractive mate who will rub your feet, enjoys taking out the garbage, and will be interested in any nonsense you want to converse about - rather than just remaining a fickle but very pretty dimwit. Your track bikes have never looked so beautifully useless as when they are sitting next to a Surly.

Surly sent us a fantastic prize pack this year of shirts, flasks, tensioners, wool caps, and some other stuff. Practical & fun prizes!
(Text courtesy of Brian Raymond.)

Spotlight on Sponsors: The North Face

2009-10-28T10:40:00.001-07:00

Don't forget: You can get real-time updates on sponsors and event details by becoming a fan on Facebook and following SFStreetSweep on Twitter.

The world of raincoats is wide and varied, with companies that range from entirely utilitarian to the fashionable that would hardly keep dry in a drizzle. The raincoat is such a specific tool, and so specific to each user, that it seems next to impossible for any company to create only a handful of models that work for the broadest range of people. The North Face, however, is not just any company. Their jackets, it would logically follow, are not just any rain jackets. There is a reason why The North Face are the most widely used across the world, for people who just need to stay dry on their commute to expert ice-climbers who need more insulation and a proper cut. The North Face handles both with exceptional warmth, and their jackets prove, season after season, what they are made of. I know I've had one North Face for going on ten years now and it is still the first jacket I pick up when it rains. Their bubble parkas, goose-down filled, and lined with heavenly fabric will never go out of style. Their newer technological creations seem to defy Mother Nature entirely with light weight fabrics that protect better than anything known to man. It is North Face's constant and unerring approach to inclimate weather and the out doors that drives their company so far ahead of the rest. Eventually, and not that far off, we will simply refer to any raincoat as a North Face much in the same way we refer to any sort of copy machine as a Xerox, or any adhesive backed note pads as a Post It. They are, and will always be, synonomous with keeping us dry. The North Face has kindly donated a stack of wool gloves, two backpacks, and two coats to our race this year, and we are proud to announce them as a sponsor. Race fast, stay dry.

(Text courtesy of Brian Raymond.)

Choose Your Own Adventure at Trickstertreat '09

2009-10-27T09:48:00.000-07:00

Spotlight on Sponsors: Mike Giant

2009-10-26T19:25:00.000-07:00

Mike has had a hand in a number of counter-culture revolutions dating as far back as the distant 1990s. I remember him from his graffiti, first and foremost - he was a real heavyweight back then painting some of the cleanest and largest pieces around. Around then, he was also churning out graphics for Think skateboards. His drawings eventually began to take on a bigger priority in his life and its no wonder that after working in skateboards for so long he eventually moved on to tattoo'ing. His surgeon-like precision and absolutely perfect line technique made him a natural in no time. While simultaneously building his empire of prints and books with the newly established Skullz Press, by the 2000's, Giant had grown into a full time artist. Eventually, he started Rebel 8, which has proved to be a perfect outlet for what he makes - for the longest time all the consumers had were his graffiti on walls (which they could not purchase or keep for themselves) and his tattoos (which had a wait-list of years). Now, his shirts, books, hats, and other limited run collectors items sell out almost as quickly as they appear, and his vocabulary of iconography grows steadily each passing year. From porn, to cartoons, to jail-house drawings, to hot-rod inspired graphics, to classic typography, Giant is a rennaiscance man. We are lucky to have him now in the world of fixed-gear cycling, his presence draws in a lot of outsiders who would have otherwise never been hip to the movement. Mike Giant constantly gives back, and has provided truely amazing prizes for this year's Super Market Street Sweep.

In the photo, Mike holds a tube with two awesome drawings for the Supermarket Street Sweep this year! You'll have to attend the race to see these works for yourself; we're keeping them under wraps until then! You can see more of Mike's art by stopping by Skullz Press at 260 Divisadero St.

(Text courtesy of Brian Raymond.)

Cool Shirts From Zero Per Gallon!

2009-10-23T13:31:00.000-07:00

Supermarket Street Sweep sponsor Zero Per Gallon has started selling their cool t-shirts through the ZPG website. The shirts were formerly available through an external vendor, and getting them direct through the ZPG site has allowed for a cost reduction.

You can find out more here. They offer a black "53 Miles Per Burrito" shirt, and a gray "$0.00." Apparently there's a slight goof on the "$0.00" shirts and you can get yours for only $10! (What a steal!) Also, if you order your "53 Miles Per Burrito" shirt RIGHT NOW, you may just be lucky enough to get one of the free patches being sent out with the first orders.

I picked up my shirt yesterday and was really pleased with the soft material and snug fit! Don't miss out!

Spotlight on Sponsors: Yanco Pads

2009-10-21T09:58:00.001-07:00

Gone are the days of home-made top-tube pads. Gone are the days of wrapping the tube with a bit of electrical tape. Gone are the days of shelling out $40 for one of the NJS-approved Keirin Protector thingies. We now have Yanco Pads, industrial-strength pads for the top tube that provide protection along with a bit of color. While the pad itself protects the finish of the frame from scuffs and dings while locking up, it also has a loop for the lock to go through - a nice touch. You can choose from solid colors, reflective fabric, patterns - though all come treated to be water-resistant, have the no-slip patch, and all are high-styling. We've got some pads to give away as prizes thanks to Yanco's donation to this years race.

(Text courtesy of Brian Raymond.)

Information for Newcomers

2009-10-20T20:42:00.000-07:00

Most cyclists in San Francisco seem to already know about the Supermarket Street Sweep bicycle race; but in case you're new in town, here's some basic information to get you acquainted.

December 5, 2009 – Come out to participate in this alleycat to benefit the San Francisco Food Bank! There will be a speed race and a cargo race. All riders and all kinds of bicycles are welcome. Racers should arrive at the Bow & Arrow between 11:30am-12:00pm to register. (See sidebar for map and details.)

This is a really fun event for a great cause. Last year's food collection was enough to provide over 4,000 meals to those in need.

SMSW stats:

2006: 80 racers brought in 1,172 lbs of food!

2007: 110 racers brought in 1,595 lbs of food!
2008: 150 racers brought in 5,266 lbs of food!
2009: Let’s see how much we can raise this year!

But wait! There's more!

Don't forget: You can get real-time updates on sponsors and event details by becoming a fan on Facebook and following SFStreetSweep on Twitter.

Street Sweep Designer to Show Photos at Pushbike

2009-10-20T10:06:00.000-07:00

Jonathan Koshi is the mastermind behind the Supermarket Street Sweep designs: He has created all of our logos and posters each year, and he was also responsible for last year's custom run of Crumpler bags that were given as prizes during the race. He's also working on another set of custom bag designs for the 2009 Supermarket Street Sweep, and has some cool t-shirt designs, posters, and stickers in the works.

We're really excited to announce that Koshi will be showing his first bicycle photo exhibit at Pushbike @ 3045 24th Street. The show will open on Friday, October 23, from 6-9pm. Come out and see what this great artist has captured on camera. Bring your friends!

Spotlight on Sponsors: Naia Gelateria

2009-10-16T10:31:00.001-07:00

Naia Gelateria's beginning is typically San Franciscan - the owners looked around and found a sad hole in the city's tapestry and took it upon themselves to fix it. Before they came, our town was a vast wasteland without a single decent gelateria. No place for a good cup of stracciatella, not even a place churning out a halfway decent gelato-like sorbet creation. Sure, we have our Mitchell's, but not until Naia did we have natural, decadent, artisanal gelato. The knowledgeable, friendly people who work for Naia are gelato enthusiasts and moreover, they understand what makes Naia's gelato stand out so much. Naia is a place that is sophisticated, upscale, and European; a unique environment where you can truly enjoy your gelato. With their fabulous donation to our prize table this year, now you can have a truely special experience with their delectable, delicious, and traditional treats.

Naia was also a sponsor for last year's race and has kindly donated several t-shirts, hats, and gift certificates to the event again this year. You can visit a Naia Gelateria in any number of Bay Area locations.

(Text courtesy of Brian Raymond.)

Cycle Swap @ Sports Basement on Sunday, October 18!

2009-10-15T09:43:00.000-07:00

Sports Basement is hosting a cycle swap on Sunday, October 18. People wishing to buy, sell, or trade goods can reserve a spot for a small fee, and the size of spaces available varies from large to small. All proceeds will go to the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition. If you'd like to be a seller, you can complete a registration form and follow the submission instructions (click again for larger version of the form). The event will also have a raffle and workshops on bicycle maintenance; and Trips for Kids will also be in attendance, collecting bicycles in working condition for their program that reaches out to at-risk youth through the positive benefits of cycling.

We'll see you there!

(Click for larger version.)