Pedal Powered Block Party with Andrew Thierry
What’s up bike people, We’re excited to share one of the best dancing and musical moments from the pedal powered stage since the 2012 highlight performance of Rupa and the April Fishes at the Bicycle Music Festival. Check out the video! Filmed at Montclair Village.
Music lovers dance in the street to the authentic zydeco sounds of Andre Thierry, a Bay Area trio. A 10-bike system was enough to power a block party music stage. A local spin class called CRUfit showed up with 7 strong adult riders ready for a workout. 3 more bikes provided slots for the general public to hop on and help. The sound system used approximately 500W average during the hour-long performance, meaning that the average power required from each pedaler is about 50W. Power is stabilized and stored in the Pedal Power Utility Boxes, though its ultracapacitor is only large enough to provide a 2-3 minute buffer. Pedalers were coached to “keep it in the green” which refers to the level of the ‘Pedalometer’.
Pedal Powered Stage: https://oldsite.rockthebike.com/pedal-powered-stage/
Andre Thierry music: https://www.andrethierry.com/
Winter Williams Presents:https://www.instagram.com/winterwilliamspresents/?hl=en
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What can I power with the Off the Wall generator?
Finally, we have a bike generator that allows customers to simply plug in regular devices with no intermediate box or circuit. You pedal, the device turns on. Direct, immediate, simple.
But not all devices are compatible. The Off the Wall Generator will only power devices that have a switching power supply.
How do I tell if my device has a switching power supply? If you look at the back it will read “INPUT: 100 – 240V” on the back of the device, as seen below. If the device reads anything differently it will not be compatible.
Once you’ve figured out if your device is compatible with the Off the Wall Generator. Here are some next steps to follow:
1. Once you’re set up and ready to pedal, DON’T plug in any device that is irreplaceable. A perfect example would be a vintage guitar amplifier. Why risk it?
2. DO plug-in devices with a Switching Power supply. You will know if your device has a Switching Power supply if you see “Input 100-240V” written on the power supply. Examples include most newer chargers and power cords for laptops, cell phones, tablets, and many other devices.
3. Pedal Power should be an attended activity. We do not recommend leaving your Off The Wall unattended for several reasons. 1) People could plug in the wrong kind of devices, ruining them and possibly risking electrical fire. 2) Any time people get on and off a bike there’s a chance your help will be needed to make that safe and easy. 3) Any time a bike is unattended there’s a higher chance people will get on and pedal really fast, which can cause damage to some devices. See #5 below.
4. Gearing matters. DO choose a bike with gears. Do put the bike in a medium-hard gear, probably not the hardest gear on the bike. If your bike has 3 speeds in the front, you probably want to be in the middle group, and then choose the hardest or 2nd hardest gear in the back. Once you determine what the best gear is for pedaling, DO NOT let your pedalers change the gear. You may want to tape the shifter or use the limit screws of the derailleur to lock the gear. You will know you need to be in a harder gear if your device turns off even when you are consistently pedaling. You will know you need to be in an easier gear if it feels too hard! You will know you are in the right gear IF, when you plug in a 60 Watt device, such as a laptop computer, pedaling feels like biking around town. You can use a watt meter of voltage tester (see below) to help with this test. Keep in mind a laptop that is fully charged already will consume no power. Best to allow your laptop to drop to 50% charge or lower before trying the test.
5. This product has no over-voltage protection. Some devices can be damaged by pedaling really fast, and this is more likely to happen if the bike is in too hard of a gear. In our experience, pedaling too fast is not something you will ever do by accident. It only happens when a pedaler gets on and wants to see what happens when they pedal like crazy. So as long as you don’t allow that to happen you will not have to worry.
6.DO use a watt meter or voltage tester rated for more than 240v or more. The a watt meter is a power measuring device intended for homeowners. We sell one and you can also buy it at hardware stores. When set to Voltage mode, it helps you set your gear. Voltage range should be around 120-200. When set to Wattage mode it shows you exactly how much power you are providing. Highly educational!
Given all these warnings, you may be wondering what an ideal usage is. Here are some examples:
- Charging a laptop. All recently made laptops have Switching Power Supplies. This is a 50-60W effort, perfect for learning about how much effort it takes to power up this common item. Great for getting a workout and using your energy.
- Powering a USB hub that charges 10 cell phones (or iPads, etc). We have a USB brick available for $75.
- Doing a lightbulb comparison station (LED vs. Incandescent). For maximum effect we recommend using 2 60W incandescent lightbulbs vs. 2 equivalent LED lightbulbs. Use 2 power strips or switched sockets to go between the two modes. If you use too few incandescent bulbs they will burn out by being overpowered. Some LED and Fluorescent bulbs have circuitry that is not compatible and will burn out.
- Loudspeakers. Many newer powered speakers have a switching power supply. You can look at the writing near the plug to know for sure. Use the volume and a watt meter to demonstrate that louder music requires more power. Feel the difference in your legs. Careful blasting people with loud music!
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Maker Faire May 20th-22nd
Maker Faire 2016 is happening May 20th – 22nd at the San Mateo Fairgrounds. Join us and spread the word with our Facebook invite HERE:
Maker Faire 2015
Rock The Bike is pleased to announce it’s umpteenth year involved in creating Pedal Powered Music offerings for multiple days at the Maker Faire of San Mateo. This event has grown to be one of the largest Maker Faires in the country, boasting ten’s of thousands of participants per day, and new technology and inspirations to make your mind bend. Rock The Bike has been a huge part of creating and inspiring innovation at the Maker’s Faire and Bay Area, through pedal powered concerts that make us think of where our power is coming from, and how we might want to use our time and energy more efficiently as an individual or community. So let’s get to it! Here is the line-up and details of the Bike ride down to Maker’s Faire 2016:
Read MoreShredder (Aerialist)
Website Link: http://www.shredderhoops.com/
Shredder Hoops is on a mission to enlighten and inspire by example. Strength, style, and the courage to shine combine to create her testament to the moment…don’t underestimate it’s potential. Anything is possible.
In 2004 Erin Shredder was moved deeply while watching Hoopalicious perform at Burning Man. With this newfound inspiration a new purpose materialized and a love affair with the hoop ensued. Shredder Hoops was born. By early 2006, Erin Shredder was contracted for her first national tour of the US with the New Cole Brothers Circus performing for over half-a-million spectators in 97 cities spanning over 11 months. Upon returning to San Francisco, Shredder Hoops was recruited by Vau de Vire Society. Together with her cutting edge circus troupe, Vau de Vire Society, Erin Shredder has performed across the US at high profile events and recently completed a tour across the US.
Thriving on adventure and self-discovery, this hoop artist extraordinaire has a passion for circles and beauty and a demonstrated mastery of both. Erin Shredder is a professional circus artist who spends much of her time spinning on the aerial lyra, deftly manipulating any number of hula hoops and lowering the jaws of the general populous.
Shredder’s great athleticism is unquestioned when she performs. Everyone knows she is the bomb when it comes to the aerial hoop. Now Shredder is looking into getting an Xtracycle to get to our events, carrying her hoops, costumes, and her pre-performance gown.
Read MoreFor booking please contact Erin Shredder at erinshredder@yahoo.com
Cradle Duende
Website Link: http://cradleduende.org/
Cradle Duende presents a combination of Kezmer and Flamenco “klezmenco” with an infusion of reggae and cumbia dance rhythms. Cradle Duende takes its name from the Spanish word “duende”, in reference to a musically heightened state of emotion, expression, and authenticity; and a merging of disparate musical traditions that each evolved from independent cradles of civilization. Cradle Duende brings the strength of deep cultural roots into the party atmosphere.
Cradle Duende is near and dear to Rock the Bike, as their two lead members are now biking regularly to shows. Before meeting Rock the Bike they were touring the west coast in an RV. Their music spreads a message of community and peace, so to be more consistent with that they ditched driving and hoped on bikes! Now they are having adventures with it, doing their own bike camping on their way to events. Cradle Duende even rode 4 days with us to perform on the El Arbol Stage at Gaia Festival.
Also in 2012 Cradle Duende appeared at MannaFest Grass Valley (A celebration of group action); on SHAKE YOUR PEACE‘s Pedal Powered Stage for Pro-Bike Supervisor Candidate Julian Davis; and Rock the Bike’s stage for the Critical Mass 20th Anniversary Celebration.
–MC Bill Schechner, Co-Anchor of NBC News-Overnight
Cradle Duende exists as a duo (clarinet, guitar, & vocals) as well as full band (drums, bass, sax, violin, trumpet) depending on your event.
Listen and watch Cradle Duende
Read MoreFor booking please contact Morgan at morgank.n@gmail.com
Oona
Oona is one of Rock The Bike’s premiere dance pop bands, a perfect match for pedal power to the next level of excitement.
The Examiner in San Francisco put it this way… “Oona Garthwaite is a force to be reckoned with. Her talent level is through the roof, on a level reserved for those musicians who stop you in your tracks and suck the breath out of you with awe—and her stage energy is unique, energetic and equally mesmerizing. And that’s just Oona—the rest of her band is just as talented. One phrase the band uses to describe themselves is “the dance-pop of your dreams,” (Amber Gregory, Examiner), and that is a pretty perfect description.
Read MoreFor booking information, please contact Dave at oonamusic@gmail.com
