Bike Sauce

BikeSauce (Re-)Launch and Open House!

michelle — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 01:28:09 +0000

Just one year after opening its doors on Queen Street East, BikeSauce, the East End bike repair shop and cycling advocacy organization, has moved to a new – bigger and better – location just up the street!

Come join the Sauciers at their Grand Opening on June 4, 2011.

There will be a ribbon (chain?) cutting ceremony at noon.

When: Saturday, June 4, 2011
Where: BikeSauce, 235 Broadview Avenue (just south of Dundas)
Time: 12pm – 6pm

Volunteers have been hard at work packing up BikeSauce at its Queen Street East location. On May 14, volunteers made the big move to the new location. Using almost entirely bikes and bike trailers, the entire shop – the social area, repair space and all of the bikes and tools – was all moved. ‘Sauce is now up and running in the new location!

Just like its first location, the new shop houses a DIY space where users can come and learn how to repair and maintain their bikes. There is also a social space with couches and a library stocked full of resources where anyone can come, hang out and connect with other residents interested in promoting vibrant communities. The new location also has a full kitchen, where community members are welcome to come by and cook up a meal or snack for the shop.

BikeSauce is a non-profit corporation mandated to promote cycling as a means of environmental protection, public health promotion and community building. It will achieve this through four objectives: 1) provide a donation-based, pay-what-you-can bicycle repair facility that empowers all cyclists with the confidence to safely maintain and ride their bikes and promotes a do-it-yourself culture; 2) provide institutional support and resources to citizens’ and community groups’ advocacy efforts and community-based initiatives; 3) promote cycling as a primary means of transportation; and 4) provide an inclusive, free drop-in space for individuals and groups.

Bike-In Movie Night (B.I.K.E.): Thursday August 19, 9:30pm

michelle — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 20:14:54 +0000

And the tradition continues!!! Someone picks a fun movie, we haul out the chairs into the driveway, we project the movie on to the wall outside, and tada! You have an awesome Thursday night…

What’s on this week’s bill? B.I.K.E., the amazing documentary drama about how two film makers infiltrate an underground bicycle club.

Thursday, August 19, 9:30pm (ish), @ ‘Sauce (717 Queen E)

Sauce Social Hub and Library Launch a HUGE Success!!!

michelle — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 15:03:38 +0000

Thanks to everyone who came out to the Social Hub and Library Launch on Saturday, August 7, 2010!!! It was a wonderful day!

We had several people out for the Group Ride, with two unexpected tour guides (Nelson and Jerry) to teach us all about the history and natural wildlife on the Leslie Street Spit.

Many people came out to the Open House to check out our new digs, browse the library and grab a cup of coffee. There was also wonderful and tasty food available, thanks to our awesome food team (Melissa, Jennifer, Melody and Jo).

To say that the Alleycat Race was a huge, massive success would be an understatement! It was phenomenal! Thanks to the awesome organizers (Matt and Alex), the checkpoint people and everyone else who helped them out along the way.

The Keg Party was simply epic. We had a much much higher turnout than originally expected! The keg ran out pretty early… But we hope people still enjoyed the emergency supply of boxed wine!!! If there’s one thing we learned from the whole day of events, it’s to order two kegs. Always.

A bunch of pictures have been posted on our facebook page.

Bike Sauce Launch Tomorrow! (Rides, Races and Parties — Oh My!!!)

michelle — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 17:07:35 +0000

One more sleep! The events are tomorrow!!!

Bike Sauce Social Hub and Library Launch
Where: BikeSauce! (717 Queen E, entrance around back)
Date: Saturday, August 7, 2010

Family-Friendly Group Ride: 12-2pm, leisure ride to the Leslie Street Spit lighthouse. Led by Toby. Starts and ends at Sauce.

Open House: 12-6pm. Catered food by awesome volunteers!

Alley Cat Race (West to East Alleycat): 7pm registration. Gun goes off at 7:30pm. $10 registration fee, all proceeds go to Bike Sauce and includes some beer. Starts at Maple Leaf Forever Park (Leslie and Queen, down Memory Lane). Facebook event here.

Keg Party: 9pm onwards. Free entrance. $10 for a cup for the keg. BYOB if the keg just isn’t your style.

Here is the facebook event for the day.

Social Hub and Library Launch: Saturday August 7, all day long!

daljammer — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 21:59:56 +0000

Over the past few weeks, we Sauciers have been hard at work overhauling the lounge. Now it’s time to celebrate!

The newly renovated social hub has coffee, art and free wireless internet. The sustainable transportation advocacy centre and library boasts fully-stocked shelves with books and ‘zines on all sorts of cycling, civic engagement and Toronto history.

So grab your friends, come down to Bike Sauce and enjoy a great book or conversation over a nice cup of coffee… You should also join us for the Keg Party!!!

Bike Sauce Social Hub and Library Launch
Where: BikeSauce! (717 Queen E, entrance around back)
Date: Saturday, August 7, 2010

Family-Friendly Group Ride: 12-2pm
Open House: 12-6pm
Alley Cat Race: 7pm ($10 registration fee, all proceeds go to Bike Sauce)

Keg Party: 9pm onwards

We still need help planning and preparing, so if you are interested in helping out, please email michelle.stamour@gmail.com.

Awesome Bike Greeting Cards by Baye Hunter @ ‘Sauce!

daljammer — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:59:25 +0000

Did you know that at ‘Sauce we stock our shelves with local, Toronto-based bike-related merch??? This week’s feature: Baye Hunter’s greeting cards!

We currently have a full stock of her colourful, creative and wonderful cards. And there are many images to chose from: from old bikes in Hong Kong, to children on bikes in China, to Toronto Island bike license plates.

If you like/love the cards, come on in to ‘Sauce and get your very own for only $4!

(If you know of any local, Toronto-based bike-related merch that you’d like to see in our space, email michelle.stamour@gmail.com)

Bike Building Blitz Party!

michelle — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 19:59:31 +0000

We take in a lot of bike donations and to all those who have donated a bike or parts or a bike in parts, thank you. There is a lot of good bike out there looking for a little love to get back on the road. But building bikes while trying to empower cyclists with a little DIY is too much for our volunteers to handle during open shop hours. We also find that people who are looking for a reliable and affordable bike find our selection of ready-to-go bikes a little thin. Add to that, we have great people coming in, looking to volunteer time to learn how to fix bikes.

The solution we have come up with is…

We are having a bike-building party.

Come by the Shop (717 Queen E) between 10am to 6pm on Wednesday July 28th. Pick out a bike to wrench on. There will be volunteer mechanics on hand to help out. Lonely bikes need your help.

Social Hub Overhaul Update

daljammer — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 19:15:41 +0000

As you probably know, the social hub is undergoing an overhaul. Here is a quick update on what has already happened:

Magazine subscriptions have been ordered and some issues have started to trickle in
New t-shirts and other awesome bike merch has been ordered and should be in next week
Many books have already been acquired and a huge massive order for more has been placed
Plants are on their way early next week
Internet has been ordered and should be up and running by August 7 (the party day, see #3 below)
Unfortunately, we are still searching for good bistro tables from a local source… the search continues

So come on in, check out the social hub renovations in action, grab a book, and hang out!

Volunteers Needed: Party Planning!

daljammer — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 19:14:06 +0000

Do you like to party? Do you like to plan? More importantly: do you like to plan parties??? If so, we need your help!!!

We are planning another launch party for our overhauled social hub. So far, this is what we have: easy group ride and an open house in the afternoon, alley cat race around dusk, and then a massive party in the space at night.

Sounds like fun, right??? If you can help us plan, publicize, and/or party, send Michelle an email at michelle.stamour@gmail.com

Bixi Launch Party: Wednesday, July 28, 7-10pm

daljammer — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 19:13:11 +0000

Bixi is launching in Toronto and they are throwing a party to celebrate! Come on out to the Gladstone for food, drinks and a chance to try out a Bixi bike!

This is also a chance to sign up for a Bixi Toronto annual membership. They need to have at least 1000 sign-ups before Nov. 30. It’s just $95 (less than one TTC Metropass).

Wednesday, July 28
7-10pm
Gladstone Hotel (1214 Queen West, near Dufferin)