This is old news, but it's still funny and sad. In the September issue of BRAIN (an aside: if you're in the bike industry, you can sign up online for a free subscription), the Grapevine reports about an August New York Times article about super-green Brooklyn market and resturaunt Habana Outpost having their bicycle powered blender stolen. Their BLENDER, folks. Damn, how bad can it get? I guess nowhere and nothing is sacred as long as your bike isn't totally locked down.

On a lighter note, though, imagine:

The B3 is a $225 work of concise art. It requires a pitcher, an Xtracycle and the accompanying stand, but if you're hankering for a blended drink or a smoothie, this is a good way to make it happen. The blender part comes on and off very easily and doesn't require the removal of the wheel or anything. Even more exciting, you can use the motor and base with any Oster product, leaving the options open to grinding coffee or using a food processor. Regardless of the technicalities, this video sure makes it look fun!

As much as it seems ridiculous to have to buy a $399 Xtracycle, it actually meshes very well. The Xtracycle Snap Deck makes a very convenient table for the blender and can also be used as a cutting board. The RockSturdy stand makes the bike stable enough to do the blending. Plus the so-called S.U.B. (Sport Utility Bicycle) can carry all the raw materials and can even keep the cold things cold. Hey if Spearhead, Ani DiFranco and Julia Butterfly have one, it's got to be good.

Plus they make tons of accessories to go with the Xtracycle. You can pimp your ride with neon lights, get a custom mobile audio system (I GOT TO HAVE THIS), or carry a couple bikes to the shop or deliver to friends (maybe Bike Friday should start doing local deliveries this way.. though I'm quite certain the Xtracycle is incompatible with our frame design).

Makes you kind of wonder what else Habana Outpost used theirs for. I'm sure the cost of the theft was far less than the value of the whole system to them. I think that's true for all of us that use our bicycle for day-to-day activities, even if we own a $3k custom commuter bike. :)