(Photos courtesy of Spiked Seltzer)
Spiked Seltzer is just one of the brands that have been using the L train shutdown as a marketing hook (you may have also noticed Stuy Town’s attempt to lure Williamsburgers over the bridge via its model-apartment truck). But the Connecticut-based alcopop brand gets extra points for just straight-up giving stuff away. And not just keychains or t-shirts– we’re talking [Price is Right voice] A NEW BICYCLE!
In a town where the new dockless bike-share program absolutely blows, this is a big deal. Even bigger than free bike helmets. Which is why there was a bit of a to-do when Spiked Seltzer announced that– each evening from Aug. 28 to Aug. 30, starting at 5:30pm– it would be giving away Huffy and Dynacraft bikes to the first 20 Brooklyn residents who showed up at 96 Wythe Ave., across from the brand’s “Pour Some Out For The L” mural.
“LOL… I’m sure that’s gonna work out well,” snarked a Twitter user. Well, it did work out well for people who showed up at 10:30am, seven hours before the giveaway began. Which someone actually did ahead of yesterday’s launch, according to a spokesperson. We’re told most people showed up around 2:30 or 3 p.m., with some 5o people lining up despite the fact that only 20 people (aged 21+ with proof of Brooklyn residency) were going to get wheels.
So, there you have it. If you want to be one of the lucky 20 who get a bike tonight or again tomorrow, be prepared to utterly ignore the heat advisory and show up a few hours early. Maybe take a copy of David Byrne’s Bicycle Diaries. And don’t forget to hydrate; we hear Zima is super refreshing.