Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Nicole's Fabulous Hub Grub Photos


It's wonderful to meet so many new and cool bicyclists at every Hub Grub Ride and one of those was Nicole Kibert of www.suburbanapologist.com, who rode a gorgeous green Civia urban bike and took fabulous photos at Saturday's Hub Grub in Seminole Heights. These three photos are posted here with Nicole's permission.


Sunday, April 3, 2011

Hub Grub Ride Celebrates Bicycling And Seminole Heights

Saturday's gorgeous sunny and warm afternoon was the setting for another Hub Grub Bicyle Ride of Seminole Heights as 100 bicyclists took to the streets of Seminole Heights and turned the Tampa neighborhood into Portland for the day.

Thank you to our host restaurant, Ella's, and other partipating restaurants and businesses -- The Refinery, Cleanse Apothecary, Nani's, Publix, Viitals, New Way Cafe and Velo Champ.

Tampa Police were amazing as usual -- keeping the ride safe as officers on bikes excorted us along the 7-mile route. They also handled a cursing drunk motorist at the Central/Hanna light and couple pot smokers in a car along Lake Roberta.

I loved the diversity of the bicyclists, ranging from baby Kalina and a 5-year-old on a small bike to veterans like Lynn and Don. The vibe of the ride showed the Hub Grub is much more than a bike ride -- it's grown into a full-fledged community event.

I enjoy the equipment, bikes and, of course, the wonderful people. Here's one example -- one of my favorite bike helmets.


Tampa Police Cpl. Eddie Croissant, a TPD bicycle specialist, talks safety with the Hub Grub crowd.


New Councilwoman Yolie Capin addresses the Hub Grubbers at Ella's -- our starting and end point.


On the road to the Refinery and Cleanse Apothecary on Florida Avenue.


That handlebar is all bull.


Jared with Kalina.


Hub Grubbers included former Councilwoman Linda Saul-Sena at the Cleanse Apothecary.


The Nani's spread.


Valerie of Publix (next to Nani's) dishes out apples and granola bar pieces.


Hub Grubbers enjoy the spread at Nani's.


Cpl. Eddie and one of our Hub Grub elegant riders.


Not exactly Shimano SPDs.


Bridget and Jared chat at Nani's.


Biking around Lake Roberta.


Bridget leads the crowd around Lake Roberta.


Bicyclists ring Lake Roberta -- and pass the pot car.


Leaving Lake Roberta.


Nice helmet visor.


Thank you Ivan at Viitals bakery.


On the way to New Way Cafe and Velo Champ.


Jordan Miller, owner of Velo Champ (SWFBUD's newest store), addresses the crowd.


Great crowd at New Way Cafe and Velo Champ.


Thank you Florida DOT, which provided safety bracelets.


Yours truly.


Amazing crowd.


New Way Cafe was a kind host and gave us a great food spread.


Thank you Tampa Police.


Tandem triplets!


There's Steve, owner of New Way Cafe.


Inside Velo Champ.


Hub Grub's youngest rider.


Great urban ride.


One of my favorite bike jerseys on the ride.


Biking to Ella's.


The Hub Grub menu at Ella's.


The Hub Grub DOT safety bracelets.


That's Tammie in the middle at Ella's.


End of the line at Ella's.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

If You Drive Your Car To The Hub Grub Ride Saturday

If you can, ride your bicycle to Ella's restaurant -- the starting point for the Hub Grub Bicycle Ride on Saturday at 3 PM.

But if you need to drive your car, I'm told by the Ella's manager that the small parking lot at Ella's is off-limits because it has to be available for the 5 PM regular customers.

So, please park your car anywhere around Seminole Heights or nearby side streets and bike over.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Hub Grub Bicycle Ride Route

Welcome to the Hub Grub Bicycle Ride of Seminole Heights.

This is a fun and easy bike ride -- only 6 1/2 miles long but it will be packed with good restaurants, good businesses and good company.

This is not a race. In fact, just the opposite. Ride slowly and enjoy the views of Seminole Heights -- serene Lake Roberta, the big oaks of Central Avenue and the participating restaurants and businesses.

We will begin at Ella's restaurant -- a wonderful restaurant in Seminole Heights in a gorgeous building built to house the restaurant. Ella's is at 5119 N. Nebraaska Avenue.

2:30 PM is registration. Please sign a liability waver form and cost is $5 for the event.

3-7 PM is the ride.

And when we return to Ella's at 7 PM, there will be bicyle food specials, live music and a party atmosphere.

Here is your Hub Grub Bicycle Ride route:

Start -- Ella's. Mile 0

-- Cross Nebraska to Conover Street, make left on Taliaferro Avenue and go south to Osborne Ave.

-- Make a right on Osborne; right turn on Central Avenue and go north to Frierson Avenue.

-- Make a left and go to first stop.

-- The Refinery and Cleanse Apothecary, Florida Avenue -- Mile 1.1

-- Reverse and take Frierson back to Central Avenue; Make a left and cross Hillsborough Avenue and go to Hanna Avenue.

-- Make a right on Hanna and cross Nebraska Avenue and make a right on 9th Street.

-- Go to Idlewild Avenue and make a right for second stop.

-- Nani's and Publix on Nebraska Avenue -- Mile 2.6

-- Reverse and take Idlewild to Lake Roberta and make a right and circle Lake Roberta back to Idlewild.

-- Left turn on Orange Blossom Avenue; go north to Hanna Avenue; make a left on Hanna and go west.

-- Cross Nebraska Avenue and go to Central Avenue and make a right turn.

-- North on Central Ave. and make a left on Knollwood Avenue and go west for third stop.

-- Viitals Bakery on Florida Avenue -- Mile 4.1

-- Reverse on Knollwood and make a right on Central Avenue. Cross Hanna and make an immediate right at fourth stop.

-- New Way Cafe and Velo Champ bike shop on Hanna Avenue -- Mile 4.7

-- Go south on Central Avenue; make left turn on Osborne Avenue and make a left on Nebraska Avenue and head back to Ella's.

-- Ella's on Nebraska Avenue, Final Stop. Mile 6.3

Here is a map of the route.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Hub Grub Talk At Today's Sunday Market

It was great to meet so many people today at the Seminole Heights Sunday Market who were interested in the Hub Grub Bicycle Ride of Seminole Heights.

It's set for April 2. 2:30 PM is registration and the ride starts at 3 PM. We start at Ella's and finish at Ella's.

Sign Up For The April 2 Hub Grub Bicycle Ride of Seminole Heights

Come and sign up for the April 2 Hub Grub Bicycle Ride today at the Seminole Heights Sunday Market's SHBC tent.

Check out a video of last May's Hub Grub ride.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Hub Grub Ride To Feature Some New Stops

The Hub Grub Ride on April 2 will start and finish at Ella's, 5119 N. Nebraska, Tampa. Registration is 2:30PM

The Hub Grub will have five stops:

3:15PM -- The Refinery/Cleanse Apothecary
4:15PM -- Nani's Sandwich Shop/Publix
5PM -- Viital's bakery
5:45PM -- New Way Cafe/Velo Champ
7-9PM -- Ella's for party and live music

Please print form and mail in.