Trail Blazer: Riding High Notes

IF FREE DUNKIN' DONUTS and City Bikes raffle prizes aren't enough to tempt you to put your mettle to your, uh, pedal on Friday's Bike to Work Day, listen to this (and think of the melody of the Village People's "In the Navy" while doing so):

"Bike commuting! Yes you can get to work with ease. Bike commuting! Yes, you can save a bunch of trees!" Want to know the rest? Go to Freedom Plaza (8-9 a.m.) to hear the bike choir, the Tune-Ups. No, they're not singing while cycling. They will, however, be onstage harmonizing while wearing spandex.

"We're not all good singers," admits Heidi Goldberg, pictured left, who founded the group five years ago. "Choir is a very loose word for what we are." There are some who have never sung before in their lives." The dozen members range in riding level, too, from bike commuters to professional racers. One thing they have in common? Their love of belting it out about biking.

For the past month, they've met weekly at Goldberg's Mount Pleasant pad to practice. ("I don't know how my neighbors feel about it.") Typically, this is their only event of the year, but Goldberg says they'd sing at other cycling events, too, and always welcome new members (Heidigoldberg@hotmail.com).

Their catalog is growing. Listen for "Everyone Knows It's Fenty" in honor of the mayor/rider. Will Goldberg give a taste of The Association remake?

"The mayor looks oh-so fly," she sings, "in spandex tights." Duh.

Photo courtesy of Heidi Goldberg