6 August 2009

The End of Rat Patrol in Canberra?

| Limp Jimmy
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[First filed: August 05, 2009 @ 15:02]

Rat Patrol Oz

There is a rumour that the Rat Patrol have nowhere to host their workshop. I can confirm the rumour is true.

Our current hosts at the Rat Pad have to move out, and all Rat Treasures need to be moved to a new space. Can you help?

The Rat Pad — no more Rat Patrol workshop in Canberra? Let's hope not...

IS THIS THE END OF RAT PATROL OZ??

Without freakbike building, there is no Patrol. No communal workshop = no freakbike building. Unless we can find a new host location (or some good storage space), we have no workshop and no headquarters — the thought of which makes this Rat a very Sad Pandah indeed. This effects not just the Rat Patrol, but the fabric of the Canberra community.

Rat Patrol Oz is the Antipodean arm of the Rat Patrol (which has it’s origins dating back to the 19th century), and by all reports is the most happily benevolent strain of Rat on the globe. We don’t burn cars, we get kids to wear helmets. We don’t start fights, we stop ’em. We are a leaderless and wholly inclusive community-oriented non-political group who make bicycles from waste steel, which we call Functional Art (or FART). We laugh a lot and proliferate positive interactions and messages. We specialise in making dreams come true and using dangerous power tools while drinking beer. We do good stuff. Beer is good.

Can you host the RPOz workshop? Maybe you know someone who could?

We do stuff with our community.

RP workshop hosting brings many rewards and is central to the work of the Patrol. But if nobody can host, we will be forced to take our treasures to the tip where they will become rusty, un-used, un-wanted… wasted. What a great shame that would be… let’s hope we find a host in time. Please help, please ask around. Contact the Patrol by emailing oddbod AT cyberone DOT com DOT au.

If nobody can help with hosting, there will be no communal space for anyone to create FArt while drinking beer and using dangerous power tools at the same time. Tragedy.

Yours in bike bits and dreams, Limp Jimmy.

Sometimes we go boating on the world's first tall amphibious couchbike... Rat Patrol hold inclusive Events... sometimes we joust each other in the head.

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try the industrial area at parkwood past the old west belconnen tip…..there are a few vacant yards there and there is a sign with contact details for the act ps dept that manages the area at the end of one of the streets….only “recycling” type businesses and activities are allowed to lease these yards….i think you guys may qualify…there’s a few wreckers, second hand steel yards firewood suppliers and the like out there along with mechanical shops etc….i am led to believe that lease rates are set on the merits of the various businesses/activities……..give it a go

Brandi said :

I-filed said :

“Drinking beer while using dangerous power tools” – remember, domestic back yards carry legal liability and a duty of care on the part of the owner, so I suspect Rat Patrol may not be welcomed by prudent yard & shed owners for that reason?

Dear Prudence, won’t you come out to play?

I’m not expressing an opinion about it – I just think it might be the case.

johnboy said :

fabforty said :

Why ? I think everyone is entitled to an opinion as long as it is expressed in the right way. Isn’t that what discussion fora are about ? Those comments might be negative but didn’t think they were offensive.

Because I said so is the first and last reason you need.

Final warning.

Johnboy, you have allowed posters above to make personal and offensive insults to Luther because he dared make a negative comment, yet I am threatened with moderation because I politely defend someone’s right to an opinion ? How does this fit in with the site’s Terms and Conditions ?

Thanks for the buoying support and righteous offers of space. It’s comforting to know good people live in this town, thankyou all. BTW, we loved bannister’s #17 comment the best, that really speaks volumes about the Rat Patrol 🙂

WE HAVE A NEW HOME — WOOOOOT! Canberra can once again rest easy in the knowledge that more helmets are being worn and that positive mirth can indeed endure, despite an otherwise potentially barren landscape. We are very much inclusive, get in touch via http://www.rat-patrol.org/RPOz/ (+ you’ll find the email in the original post) if you would like to be involved or just come along for a ride.

For what it’s worth, I believe it is important to nurture your inner child… to live your dreams rather than pass fear and regret on to your children and others around you. It seems that the ones who shout senseless abuse the loudest are the ones who have much fear and the most regret.

This Rat has lived across the country and around the world most of his life and can confirm that CANBERRA ROCKS! Where else can you ride 30mins to work without cars, with blue sky, animals and trees, then drive 15 minutes to one of the world’s best inland hang gliding sites? Probably nowhere. I am proud to live here for a bunch of good reasons.

j from the block9:44 am 06 Aug 09

I have the space and a 6 car garage / shed, but unless the rat patrol want a home 100 k out of Canberra, can’t really help (it’s a bit of a long ride along the Hume and Barton Highways)

If I had the space I’d gladly offer it. I love what they do and this sort of activity is really satisfying on a number of levels. Not the least of which is to serve as a really useful target for citizens like Luther. I used to think I’d join the ulysses mc but not anymore. Go the Rat.

I-filed said :

“Drinking beer while using dangerous power tools” – remember, domestic back yards carry legal liability and a duty of care on the part of the owner, so I suspect Rat Patrol may not be welcomed by prudent yard & shed owners for that reason?

Dear Prudence, won’t you come out to play?

Up The Duffy10:53 pm 05 Aug 09

Yaa a “bitch fight” bring it on

“Drinking beer while using dangerous power tools” – remember, domestic back yards carry legal liability and a duty of care on the part of the owner, so I suspect Rat Patrol may not be welcomed by prudent yard & shed owners for that reason?

Rat Patrol is a disgrace.

Some would consider that a compliment.

fabforty said :

Why ? I think everyone is entitled to an opinion as long as it is expressed in the right way. Isn’t that what discussion fora are about ? Those comments might be negative but didn’t think they were offensive.

Because I said so is the first and last reason you need.

Final warning.

luther_bendross said :

No I will not help you. I have seen numerous Rat Patrol participants cut off traffic, ride through red lights and meddle with other pedestrian traffic. If you want support, behave like adults, or at least show you’ve got the ability to become adults one day.

And I’ve seen eldery Autralian’s be rude and arrogant. Let’s burn all people over 50!

JB – Can you please provide more details like how much space you need and how often. Also does it have to be central or is Tuggers OK? Now I’ve only got a 6 x 6 shed but I know people that have some serious facilities, but it’d be easier to approach them with some details rather than just a generic request to host the ‘rat patrol’. And for what it’s worth – I don’t know much about the rat’s other than they make ‘rockin’ bikes’ and have a lot of fun. Colour me jealous! I will make some enquiries if you can add some detail.

Rat Patrol is a disgrace.

johnboy said :

I think in future silence will be sufficient to express the negative.

Why ? I think everyone is entitled to an opinion as long as it is expressed in the right way. Isn’t that what discussion fora are about ? Those comments might be negative but didn’t think they were offensive.

It’s only 7 m by 9 m and completely empty. Don’t know if that’s what you’re after …

Although it is going to be full of mountain bikes pretty soon.

Didn’t Kramer just build a huge shed in his backyard.

‘I think in future silence will be sufficient to express the negative.’

Oh that this applied to posts regarding motoring/dragway enthusiasts.

While I don’t particularly care for the Rats, I admire their ingenuity even if I think the bikes look ridiculous.

Good luck finding a home

Perhaps Rat Patrol could tender for the ex Revolve/Aussie Junk business.

Big shed and all the free bikes you can eat….

What about the Recyclery (formerly bike co-op) at ANU?

Clown Killer5:22 pm 05 Aug 09

You can’t do anything about growing old – but you sure as hell can decide whether or not you want to grow up.

The Rat Patrol’s not my cup of tea but I love the fact that they do what they do. I hope that somthing can be arranged.

Surely the ACT Govt could spring for a workshop of some kind in the CBD from the public arts fund?!?

Insert witty comment here!

luther_bendross said :

No I will not help you. I have seen numerous Rat Patrol participants cut off traffic, ride through red lights and meddle with other pedestrian traffic. If you want support, behave like adults, or at least show you’ve got the ability to become adults one day.

Dude chill…. Do you shit yourself if the seat is left up? Rat Patrol is made up of people who are primarily adults. How old must you be to tell them to grow up? If i had the space i would gladly help these folk out as they are a breath of fresh air in this town we call our home.

Hang on, You don’t know how to ride a bike do you?

Yes yes, thankyou luther — this sounds like some very constructive, grown-up and positive advice.

I feel sure you would have selflessly given your support if we behaved like adults… as I’m confident you are a thoughtful dynamic generous person, who does a lot of stuff for others (and has never broken a rule). Thanks again for your wise and open-minded contribution.

I think in future silence will be sufficient to express the negative.

Sounds pretty boring to be an ‘adult’. What do you do, sit around all day trying not to have any fun?

Cheer up Luther – never done anything wrong in your life? Never had a bit of fun? Never crossed in front of a car when you shouldn’t have? Geez man take a chill pill…

luther_bendross3:59 pm 05 Aug 09

No I will not help you. I have seen numerous Rat Patrol participants cut off traffic, ride through red lights and meddle with other pedestrian traffic. If you want support, behave like adults, or at least show you’ve got the ability to become adults one day.

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