These fetishists have a thing for chains.
The Williamsburg curio museum City Reliquary held its 10th annual Bicycle Fetish Day over the weekend — and it bears explaining that, although the event was centered around ogling two-wheeled contraptions, the appreciation was purely platonic. The custom-bicycle block party brings together all stripes of bike aficionado, an attendee said.
“I can’t believe it’s been 10 years,” said owner William Wood, owner of NYC Bikes. “They always throw a great party and it’s great to see all aspects of the neighborhood show up.”
This year’s shindig included barbecue, bike advocacy groups handing out literature, and bike-centric artisans hawking their wares. Judges presided over competitions in categories including best vintage bike, best mutant bike, and ugliest bike, a category which the arbiters ranked the least safe ride. BMX riders with Harvest Cyclery popped wheelies and Boogaloo DJ Harry Ballz — yes, that is someone’s stage name — pumped up the jams.
Wood’s favorite two-wheeler this year was “a lovely monstrosity” with bright green springs all over it, but it failed to garner a single prize, he said.
But whether they took home trophies or not, everyone in attendance won, according to the organizer of the bike bash.
“It was the best yet,” said City Reliquary proprietor Dave Herman. “It was better attended than we expected.”
