Peter Mulvey Wrapped the Long Haul Tour and is Relaxing Back Home

Back in September, musician Peter Mulvey set out on his bicycle along with a few other dedicated individuals to bring his music 1100 miles across the northeast United States. Now that he has been home for a while we caught up on how the tour went and more importantly, how he held up after such a lengthy journey in just seventeen days.

I asked him -- What was it like biking across 1100 miles of the United States? Peter was happy to oblige my curious questions and I hope everyone enjoys learning a little more about this talented guy’s environmental dedication, regardless of how modest he is about the accomplishment.

Is this the longest bike tour you have done so far?

By far. The first two bike tours were under 500 miles, this one was over 1,100.

Was this the first year you had company for the entire ride?

Yes- there were five of us almost the whole way, Brianna, Heidi, Josh, and Andy. The camaraderie was great.

How did you get yourself ready to do such a long ride?

Pretty simple- I rode 800 miles in June and another 900 in August. Luckily my work hours are flexible enough that I had the time.

How did your fans respond? Were they taking photos of the bike?

I didn't usually bring the bike to shows- it was usually back at the hotel. Really, in some ways the biking part of this wasn't that big of a deal- it was fun to talk about, and joke about, but in the end I was just commuting to work like anybody else, except for the high mileage.

Did you get a chance to sight see at all along the journey?

Of course. Especially on a recumbent, you can't help but sight-see. You're sitting back, looking at everything. We didn't have any slack time, though- when you have 140 miles to go, and you know it will take from sunup to sundown, you really can't just follow a sign that says "Scenic Overlook 4 miles Thataway."

What is one thing did you wish you could have carried with you on the bike but didn't?

A book. I wouldn't have had time anyway, but it felt weird to travel without a book.

Is this something you plan to do every year?

Until they stop me.

How far around the country are you willing to go?

Next year I'm interested in combining rail travel with bicycling. I figure that's a fresh new concept. Maybe it'll catch on in, say, Europe.

Most importantly, how do your legs feel now that it is done?

Well, they feel strong. My knees hurt a little bit during the mountain climbs, but overall my body held up very well.

What was your greatest challenge riding so far (geographically speaking)?

The Green Mountains in Vermont and the hills in New Hampshire. That was tough, especially on a recumbent.

What was your greatest accomplishment of the journey?

Just doing it. It's one thing to say, in the winter, "I'll be biking 1,100 miles this September." It's another thing to actually do it.

To pick up any of Peter’s CDs feel free to visit his website.

Eco Fashion Friday In Keeping with Bicycles

Last week we talked about Peter Mulvey and his music tour, which he is completing by cycling 1100 miles. It got me thinking about the many accessories that come with a bicycle and how we can possibly create them ourselves.

Belts made from bike inner tubes have been featured here and I have even shared a video of an extreme biker, Danny MacAskill, who uses the urban jungle as his challenging obstacle course. To keep up the bike trend for Eco Fashion Friday, I turned once again to a favorite, Threadbanger, and discovered they have a killer tutorial video for how to make a cycle cap.

When the helmet comes off sometimes hair can be messy so what to do? Create a one of a kind cap that’s what! For those who like to keep the wind off their hair it is a nice item that can be created over and over making as many unique hats as you like. But be warned, this is not a beginner project.

Now go find your fabric and get started!

Peter Mulvey is One Musician Dedicated to All

I have written about a slew of talented musicians, had the distinct pleasure of interviewing a few of them and have even had the pleasure of chatting with a couple over the phone as they jet off to far distant lands on their quest for the perfect rhythmic vibe. In all of these stories however, none has hit me as so profoundly Earth friendly as what Peter Mulvey is doing right now.

Peter has begun a tour which will include ten stops and seventeen days worth of music as he traverses about 1100 miles of the United States.

What is that you say? That doesn’t sound all that impressive?

Well what if I told you he was doing the entire thing on a bicycle?

Peter is calling it The Long Haul Tour 2009 and it is the third year in a row he is putting his feet to the pedals to bring his grooves to the ears of music lovers. The past two tours have primarily focused on riding throughout Wisconsin but this time around he has opened it up and will be playing a bunch of locations from Grand Rapids, Michigan to Cambridge, Massachusetts from September 9 through the 26th.

All told his tour will include just ten appearances. This is understandable considering he will be completing rides ranging from about 40-100 miles per day. Wowza!

Equally impressive is the fact that his opening act, Brianna Lane, will be accompanying him in the bike lane for the entire tour.

By far it will benefit both of them to have each other for company on the longest mile leg of this tour -- they leave Ann Arbor, Michigan after their show on Saturday September, 12 and head east 305 miles to play in Buffalo, New York just three nights later.

They shift into a lower gear and bring their act right here to Massachusetts where they play two dates in Cambridge (Lizard Lounge and Club Passim) and then the tour wraps up at the Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton (101 miles away) on September 26.

Check out Peter’s tour details for more information, to hear some of his lovely tunes stop on over to Peter’s Myspace page or add him as a friend on Facebook.

To help support Peter’s awesome efforts please consider seeing him on tour as well as also pledging to go by bike as many places as possible!

Shock and Awe on a Bike

Seeing what skills people in this world have sometimes just blows me away. While on Twitter earlier this morning I happened across a tweet from one of my new favorite daily inspirations, Zen Habits, who linked to this amazing video of Danny MacAskill showing off his impressive skills with a bicycle.

The first minute or so is painful to watch as it looks like maybe it will all be bloopers of this guy’s misadventures with fences but keep with it and revel in the fact that your jaw can not open any wider! Too cool!

Bamboo Might Just Be the Coolest Substance Ever

Readers of this blog know that I love all things bamboo from tee shirts to flooring but there are so many more amazing things created from this rapidly renewing resource it is almost mind boggling! I started to research just what we could begin using in our day to day lives and the answer is if you use it, there is likely a manufacturer who will construct it out of bamboo.

Since my internet access is still moderately limited until later this week when our network is up and running full steam, I am going to simply link-list a whole bunch of cool stuff here. I hope everyone has a chance to check out these fun, funky, and functional products created from this strong and hearty grass.

Bicycle

Utensils

Bedding (side note -- bamboo is inherently antibacterial & soft, perfect for bedding!)

Furniture

Dishes

Drums

Makeup Applicator Brushes

Garden Gloves (for men!)

Green and Passion Make Excellent Bedfellows

Warning there is some adult only type content within!

We all try to recycle, drive hybrid vehicles, turn off lights, reduce, reuse and be conscious of the impact on the planet we all have through the products and services we procure but what about our sex lives? Is it really possible to go green in the department of intimacy? With the advent of countless options for ways to become eco-friendly, a slew of companies geared toward this very industry have emerged. Not to mention a plethora of tips to reduce our carbon footprint while enjoying our moments of pleasure.

So what exactly would a green sex life be like? Let us imagine this couple…

Jane jumps on her bicycle to pop down to the farmer’s market to pick up a few locally grown pieces of organic produce. She spies Jack arriving on his own bike and they catch each other’s eye. Sparks fly and so does their conversation. They start dating and spend countless evenings at local poetry readings or taking nature walks. The moment for them to consummate their relationship arrives so Jane pulls out her lingerie made of bamboo and lights a few soy based candles with wicks coated in veggie wax. Jack, with a couple Vegan approved, milk enzyme free condoms and a bottle of organic wine in hand, takes public transportation over to Jane’s home. Jane has of course turned down the thermostat because they will be creating their own heat tonight. A wonderful night of fun and passion ensues and they fall asleep in ultimate comfort on her hemp fiber sheets. In the morning they decide to shower together to conserve water, kiss each other goodbye and make plans to cook a fabulous Vegan meal over at Jack’s house the following evening.

So are all of those options actually available? You bet they are!

Most cities or towns run farmer’s markets and in warmer climates they will sometimes run year round such as The Village Market at the Toronto Waldorf School in Canada. Most town halls will have information regarding the local markets and their dates of operation.

Bamboo lingerie is actually pretty sexy! One of the coolest companies I found that manufactures this product is called Urban Fox. Ah-cha-cha-cha.

Soy candles are all the rage; countless sellers on Etsy carry this item making it easy to find just the right style and scent to fit an individual personality.

Vegan friendly condoms? Seriously? Seriously. Glyde carries a line which contains no milk enzymes (like many latex based options) and they claim to be the only condoms registered with The Vegan Society.

Many brands of organic wine are available on the market today so wine-searcher has collected a list of their six top picks to get us started.

Hemp fiber is gaining in popularity, just like bamboo, due to its sustainability and versatility so it is no wonder that even bed linens are being created from it. There are only a couple companies who carry them so Metaefficient has a nice review of linens made from hemp as well as links to both companies.

Want even more tips or ideas for ways to increase the green passion? Check out How To Go Green: Sex on the planet green website.

Artist Spotlight: Andy and Trina of Katrina Kaye

I was recently introduced to the fashionable stylings of Katrina Kaye by Charmaine Manley of Charmaine Manley Design, who I had the great pleasure of interviewing back in July for The Organic Mechanic. A truly inspiring Interior Decorator I love to receive suggestions from her on environmental topics so when she pointed me in the direction of Katrina Kaye’s shop I knew it would be inspirational.

Trina and Andy Kaye, a husband and wife team, are the owners of Katrina Kaye, based out of Amsterdam. They epitomize what it means to recycle, repurpose, upcycle and reuse by utilizing vintage fabrics in all of their unique designs. Andy was more than happy to chat with me about the who, what, why of their home based business as well as some of the ways their family lives green aside from that facet. Truly an inspiring story!




Can you tell us a little about what it is you do?

We design and create limited edition accessories, cushions and children's clothing using recycled materials and vintage fabrics.

How long have you been creating fabric items such as bags, cushion covers and clothes?

Trina has always been sewing and making things form a variety of materials. When we came to Amsterdam, Trina decided to not to continue her career in graphic design as she wasn't really enjoying it so she utilized her time by diving into and exploring her creative/ crafty side. Trina and I share a passion for good design especially 60's and 70's things so it was an easy choice after we realized we could get hold of these fabrics. This was about 4 or 5 years ago. Of course everyone wants these fabrics now so it's a lot harder to get hold of them and they are considerably more expensive.



What is the creative process behind your work? How does an idea take shape?

We like to brainstorm a lot and constantly talk about new things we can make. Inspiration comes from every facet of our lives but mainly from the fabrics themselves. It's always easier to design items when you have colorful, vibrant and tactile fabrics. Our problem in the past has been to whittle down the number of ideas into the most realistic and viable option. Since I quit my job 2 years ago we've had to become a little more commercial and get rid of products which, for instance took too long to make. Having a market stall is an excellent way to literally test market something on the public to see how it will be received and Amsterdam is a mixture of cosmopolitan tourists and thrifty bargain hunting locals. We therefore always try to think of a new product in terms of usability and value for money whilst still maintaining the handmade, recycled and unique feel.

Where do you acquire the vintage fabrics used in your designs?

Wherever we can find it... ;)

What inspired you to use recycled Army bags and vintage fabrics together?

It's not a new concept but something which was done back in the 1970's by left wing activists and hippies so we can’t really take credit for the idea.

How do you feel that selling and using vintage fabrics helps the environment?

By using what's already out there and already produced there's less need for us to go out and buy contemporary fabrics off the roll. Perhaps and more importantly we hope we are helping people open their eyes to the possibilities of re-using items which they previously thought held no value.

When did you first become interested in living and working in a green way by repurposing?

When we lived in England and after I'd shrunk 1 too many of her woolen jumpers in the wash she was inspired to cut up the felted jumpers and make them into things like Christmas stockings and blankets. That's where it all started. When we moved to the Netherlands we sold our car as the transport infrastructure is so good and all you really need to get around is a bicycle. When we arrived the Dutch were a long way ahead of the UK in terms of recycling and accepting their role in helping to achieve a greener environment.

There's a fantastic system of exchanging goods in Amsterdam. Every area has a certain day when second hand furniture and items can be left on the street at night and in the morning a local council truck comes round to collect it. Of course by then the discerning person has sifted through to see if there's anything worth saving!

Has any one green practice become second nature, something you personally do every day?

I suppose that through our business we are recycling every single day without really being conscious of it. We bicycle everywhere, use public transport and where necessary make use of a pooled car system called greenwheels.

What green practice do you recommend readers try?

Change to green sourced energy (like wind powered providers) and of course get on your bike instead of jumping in your car for local trips. It will help you to stay healthier as well.

As an independent artist what is your greatest challenge?

For sure it's hard to compete with mass produced cheap imports. People get automatically taken in by what they see as value for money. People seem to have so easily accepted badly produced goods which cause larger carbon footprints to get to the West. Thankfully a larger proportion of people are now doing more to support local economies whether it's locally sourced food or products and services from local artists.

After so many sales do you still get that giddy feeling with each item that sells?

Yes, absolutely. Every morning one of us likes to be first down to refresh the webpage to see if we've sold something. Most sales are to the US so we've usually made money whilst we sleep which always makes me giggle. When I take our wares to the market, it's a really nice buzz to share our concept and connect with people. Even if doesn't end in a sale, we just appreciate the positive feedback and the smile it has put on someone's face.

What is your advice to a fellow artisan who is new to their industry?

We were just featured in a 'Quit your day job' interview on Etsy where we tried to share our experiences.

Do you have online presences where your work can be viewed?

We wanted to set up our own website some time ago but we didn't really have the time. Trina was riding the front edge of the crafts wave which was forming online and was into websites like crafster and glitter where people were sharing and teaching other people their ideas. That's when we came across Etsy which was in its infancy and had such a great interface. It showcased people with handmade goods and you just knew it was the start of something big.

Our shop is Katrina Kaye

Is your work featured in a boutique or other brick & mortar location?

We wholesale all over the world now. Some of the requests come from people who have found us online at Etsy or from the market. We also started doing trade fairs in Europe this summer so have started to be present in shops in quite a few large European cities. We always welcome wholesale requests from anywhere in the world.

With such ultra cool vintage fabrics, inspiration to repurpose, working from home (saves on emissions!) and riding a bicycle or public transportation Andy and Trina have become an inspiration to me proving that by working hard enough, anything is achievable and that is why I am bestowing a Four Green Leaf Rating to their efforts. Hooray for making your business viable and going after your dreams while simultaneously helping the planet!