I’ll arrive at SXSW for the Mobile Socials, Built, and a talk about making stuff on Saturday. Also to see friends, party, and congratulate Zeldman on his “hall-of-fame” status. This month we launched our new Velocity collection and once back in town, will settle into the Spring, Summer, and then Cross season with the D-Plus. In Austin, I’ll have a new project bike with me and maybe some Italian steel too.

Photo by KK+

Bike Hugger’s more than 5-year history is intertwined with our friends in Austin. It’s there that I came up with the idea for a blog about bike culture, riding socially at tech events, and launched Built.

In recent messages, I’ve been asked

Where can we find bikes?

and

Do we need a badge for that?

This year it’s easier than ever to get a bike with SXCycles, a free bike share program. Reserve one from Velolet now. Also check the local shops in town for rentals, craigslist, and thrift stores.

Austin is a total bike town and that’s another reason we visit every year. Also, even for the casual cyclist, here’s a tip: downtown Austin is about to get gridlocked and the smart attendee zips around on a bike.

To the badge questions, the free Bike Share requires a badge, but the Mobile Socials do not. You do need a wristband to get into the Google Village for the start and end of the ride on Saturday. The ride on Saturday requires no badge or wristbands.

Note: riding with us is not required either, you’re welcome to just show up for the party.

Don’t like all those spammy calendar web apps. So, in addition to Facebook, we just made a simple form and calendar where you can RSVP to our Mobile Socials. Also add yourself to the volunteer list.

Schemer

We’ve got a scheme for the MoSos on Schemer – here’s an invite to join me there. Schemer is Google’s new tool for finding fun things to do and the Mobile Socials are fun. We’ll publish a Google Map of the routes later this week.

Calendar

Free Beer and Bikes is a headline that’s as fun to write, as riding with our friends in Austin.

We’re back this year with two Mobile Socials, beer, BBQ, and a just announced free bike share. You can check Tern Bicycles in/out for your daily use and to ride with us.

Details

RSVP for the ride(s) on Facebook and Schemer.

• Saturday, March 10, 2012 at 5:00pm – first ride with Tweet House and Mellow Johnnys.
• Sunday, March 11, 2012 at 5:00pm – second ride with Social Cycling ATX and Tern.

Meet at the usual spot, Brush Square Park and we’ll announce the route details the week of. Reserve your bike with Velolet.

But Wait There’s More

You know we always go big with the bikes @sxsw and this year, besides all I mentioned above, we’re on stage with Built on Tuesday, March 13th, 2012, 12:00 PM

This attendee favorite delivers ten 5-minute presentations by diverse speakers on rapid fire topics surrounding the idea of re-purposing: taking the ordinary and creating the extraordinary.

Badge Holders and Locals

Our rides are always open to everyone. On Saturday, admittance to the BBQ at Mellow Johnnys is for SXSW badge holders and we’ll have wristbands for the locals and cyclists without badges (in limited numbers). On Sunday, no badges are needed for anything. Just ride and then get a cup for the keg.

The bike share does require badges. The program is designated for SXSW attendees.

Sponsors

Our bike cup is filled to the brim with support from

• Tern Bicycles
• Chevy
• Tweet House
• Biologic
• Ibex
• Social Cycling ATX
• Kickstand
• Clip-n-Seal

and is produced by Textura Design, Inc.

They had big fun at +Bike Hugger’s Mobile Social SXSW last year

A Mobile Social at SXSW this year? Mos def, yes, yes y’all and we’re riding twice.

The first one is with Google Maps. The second is on Sunday and that’s around town with Social Cycling ATX and Tern Bicycles.

Please RSVP on Facebook, Schemer, or direct with us so we can get a count for beer and food.

Tern provided the bikes for the SXCycles and supports our rides.

Saturday Details

​ Mobile Social SXSW 12 Saturday
It’s double the MoSo this year. We’re social riding twice. This is the first one with Google Maps. The second is on Sunday and that’s around town with Social Cycling ATX and Tern.

When: March 11, 4:00PM March 11, 8:00PM
Where: ​ ​SXSW ​ Google Map House, Google Village, Austin, TX
Category: Social Ride
This is a free event.

Saturday Itinerary

• 4:00 - 5:00 PM – meet up at Bar 96 with Google at their Map House for Swag + Fun
• 5:00 - 6:00 – ride with Social Cycling ATX at Festival Beach
• 6:30 – 10:00 – arrive back at the Google Map House

Sunday Details

Sunday Itinerary

• 5:00 - 6:00 PM – meet at Club Deville for cheap beer and a Marching Band
• 6:30 - 8:00 – ride with Social Cycling ATX and Tern
• 8:00 - 10:00 – arrive at The Frontier for free beer and food with the Grill Girls.

Calendar

Add the Mobile Socials and Built to your calender.

SXCycles

SXcycles is a complimentary bike share program for Platinum, Gold, Interactive and Film registrants. Tern is providing their “Link D8” bicycles for daily use. Registrants can pick up a bike with helmet, locks and BioLogic lights and Commute Bag (so long as supplies last), Find the SXCycles tent at 513 East Cesar Chavez Street, directly across from the Austin Convention Center. Reserve your bike online with Velolet.

Badges and Wristbands

Saturday’s ride and after party at the Google Map House inside the Google Village are for SXSW Badge holders. Bike Hugger will have free wristbands for ride attendees that aren’t badged. The wristbands get you into the venues and parties. We’ll also put volunteers on the VIP list. Sunday’s ride requires no badges or wristbands. Just you and a bike.

About Us

We represent the intersection of bikes, technology and culture at SXSW. Join us for our annual social ride(s) with SXSW attendees and Social Cycling ATX. We’ll ride, blog, party.

Sponsors

Our sponsors make these events possible and include Tern, Biologic, Ibex Wool, Kickstand, Clip-n-Seal. The Mobile Socials are produced by Textura Design.