Thanks to the bands, fans, and volunteer crew for an intense, awesome San Francisco Bicycle Music Festival

Tornado Rider performed “I’m a Falcon” at our first ever night venue, Pier 7.

Loyal BMF fan Josh pitching in pedal power for Tornado Rider.

The day began at 7:30 with a huge mobilization of audio and pedal power gear, banners, Fender Blender, and more.

At Golden Gate Park, Tom from Parks and Rec informed us that, although he loved the intention of our event, our use of the park would be illegal without a sound permit. Previous to this year, we had never applied for permits for BMF venues, and had never had an issue. When police did stop by BMF in ’07 and ’08, they smiled and moved on. We also received mixed advice from city hall officials, some telling us “why bother with permits?” and calling our attention to unpermitted but community-approved events like Critical Mass and the Dykes on Bikes parade. We also believed the BMF is a community service and that we shouldn’t have to buy permits to put it on.

In retrospect, the lack of permits for this year’s BMF sapped a lot of our energy on the day of the event, and three awesome bands were unable to perform. We wish we had followed through with the permit process. At the same time, it’s a testiment to the awesome goodwill for our festival that many fans stuck around and enjoyed the bands, listening to Tin Cup Serenade, Stitchcraft, and Ma Muse perform acoustically, as we waited to set up our Pedal Powered Stage.

Above, Ma Muse, performing acoustically in Golden Gate Park. Photo: Xtracycle, Inc.

Four of us went to on a mission with three golden geese to try to get an emergency permit.

Meanwhile, two crew members found a larger event in a nearby meadow and asked them to umbrella us with their event permit. We set up the Biker Bar in time for Antioquia‘s performance.

Our new Pedalometer uses a fan to push a can up and down within  6′ tall tube. Orange, Green, and Red show desired system voltage. Pedalers found the new system quite intuitive. We hardly did any pedal power coaching all day.

Above, pedalers on the Biker Bar.

Our merch flasher offering Stichcraft’s new CD, Beyond the Hoolaboo.

SHAKE YOUR PEACE! leads the LiveOnBike daytime ride with guests Cello Joe and Sonya Cotton (surfing the Radish and singing wirelessly). Above, leaving Golden Gate Park after Antioquia’s performance.

All three bandmembers stood and sang, which made it easy for the huge ride to see them and sing along to originals and an occasional cover, including “Shake It Up Baby!” Scott handled the mixing on the back of the Electric Mundo. The 24V battery was so strained from helping us up the hill, that power to the mixer cut. I used the throttle more lightly after that, straining to pull the 600 lb load up to the altitude of Haight St., where SHAKE YOUR PEACE! rocked out.

The large wooden case is how Ma Muse’s supporters helped them transport their half-size bass to BMF from Chico.

Interior of the Bass Case.  Photo:

At Dolores Park, we found permit shelter from the Dolores Park Movie Night, and Oona Garthwaite was able to perform her set.

Pedal powering Oona on the Biker Bar. Photo: busbozo

Jazz Mafia vocalist and Shotgun Wedding Quintet frontman Dublin performed LiveOnBike on the Sunset Cruise. Daniel sat in on Cajon.

Scott worked the knobs for Tornado Rider. Leif’s new Soul Cycle, the Turboboom, provided the platform and party lighting.

Scott focused on getting the best possible sound for our stripped-down 2-bike system. We could have set up the Biker Bar as well, but wanted to conserve space for walkways, since we were sharing the pier with fishermen.

Above: Sammey from Chico arriving in SF the day before BMF.

On Friday afternoon, BMF volunteer Adam met a crew of 8 riders from Chico including performers Ma Muse.

Aaron from Seattle’s Aaron’s Bike Repair trained in for BMF and is currently riding down the coast for pleasure with his friend. We threw the Mothership on his Xtracycle so he could help amplify our mobile performances.