Sod the tubes get on yer bike...

Have you been um-ing and ah-ing about whether or not to start cycling to work? Well, this week's Tube strike could be the perfect chance for you to strike out on the bike. From 9pm on Tuesday (4th Feb) to the morning of 7th Feb, there are MAJOR disruptions on the Tube lines and although there are still some services running I think it's fair to say getting about by Tube is going to be a pain in the ass. Check TFL's websites for details.

But let's try and look on this as a positive... maybe what looks to be a right royal pain in the ass, could be the kick up the ass that you need to get on your bike! So here's a little bit of advice if you are thinking of joining the burgeoning bike community this week but are not quite sure where to begin...

Get your bike sorted
If you have a bike but it's not had much TLC for a while, dust it off and do a quick A, B, C, D check.

A = air (check wheels are pumped); B = bakes (check they still work); C = chain (check it doesn't make any weird noises when the pedals are turning); D = direction (check the handlebars are straight).

If you don't have a bike, or your bike is beyond repair, give the Boris Bikes a go. Although I prefer to use my own bike when I can, I often use a Boris bike when I am in town. They are easy to ride and so blinkin handy. You don't need to sign up for membership, you can simply put your credit card in the terminal and get a bike released, and if you use the bike for 30 mins or less you don't get charged at all!

Pace yourself
If you've not been in the saddle for a while I would not advise taking on a 10-mile commute into Central London. A good idea is to cycle part of the way. Devise a route where you can start with a gentle ride of a couple of miles and pick up public transport the rest of the way. As someone who lives in Chiswick and works in Shoreditch (and doesn't always fancy a 11-mile commute, taking on the Old Street Roundabout) I've been doing this for years and swear by it.

Plan your route
Make sure you plan your route, don't just set off and hope for the best. Getting lost on your way to work can be really stressful. Have a look at the cycling directions on Google Maps the night before and use your GPS on your phone while en route. Just be sure to use an Incredible Bike Band so you can keep both hands firmly on the handlebars while you're cycling.

If you want to find a bike buddy, someone who does the same route as you, check out I Bike London's "Bike the Strike" campaign. Mark is hooking up ride leaders with newbie cyclists through twitter. A brilliant idea!

Safety first
If you are nervous about cycling on the roads, maybe think about having a lesson. A lot of London boroughs offer free or subsided training. Fill out this form to see what your borough offers (Ealing, Hackney and Lewisham are three I know do). I have done two of these training sessions, one when I very first started cycling in London, and a more advanced session when I started writing my book. Both were invaluable. A few key things to remember are: keep a metre between you and parked cars to avoids getting hit by car doors; do not go on the inside of a bus or HGV; if you feel unsure about a junction or situation, stop at a safe point in the road, get off your bike and push on the pavement. Don't get yourself in a panic. Also swat up on your highway code, especially if you don't drive.

Want more advice?
I spent a lot of last year writing a book to help women overcome the common barriers that cycling presents. The book is called The Girls Bicycle Handbook and comes out on 3rd April 2014. I delve quite deeply into cycle safety and the logistics of cycling to work, along with maintenance and, of course, what to wear on your bike! The book is available to pre-order and I will be featuring snippets of advice from the book on my blog over the next two months. So keep checking in and follow me on Facebook and Twitter for more updates.

Product review: Lucetta Lights

LUCETTA, magnetic bike lights from Palomar on Vimeo.

They may sound like a type of pasta and look like a contact lens case but this dinky little kit is actually a set of magnetic bicycle lights.
 Detachable lights are a good option if you have to park your bike in public and you don't want your lights to be nicked but sometimes the attaching and detaching can be faff. Especially on a cold wet evening when you just want to get on your bike and go home  This is one of the Lucetta lights big plus points - they are magnetic so all you have to do is tap them on the frame of your bike and they stick and automatically light up. If you want to change the function from flashing to constant you just tap the light against the frame again.
And when you take them off the bike they snap together and you can easily pop them in your bag, safe in the knowledge that they will stay together and they won't switch themselves on in your bag and run the batteries down.
They are also very useful lights if, like me, you have a basket on the front of your bike which obstructs lights on the handlebars. These lights can be places down on the fork or wherever it is that means your light is visible. Similarly if you have a rack on the back or child seat that obstructs the seat post (the usual place for a rear light) these lights are the perfect problem solver.
Very clever little lights indeed! Lucetta lights, £24.99 (pair), available in red, white and black at Cyclechic.co.uk

Sample sale update

Thanks to everyone who came to the sample sale today, it was a roaring success! We sold out of all stock in about 45 mins. As a result we will not have a sale Wed 15th Jan.

BUT we will be having another on Thurs 16th Jan, when we have had a chance to replenish stock!

Date & time: 16th Jan, 12-2pm

Place:  Cyclechic Ltd, Top Floor, 58-60 Rivington Street, EC2A 3AU (ring the buzzer for the The Viral Factory and come up to the top floor)

What we got: Helmets, panniers, lights

Price: Everything £10, lights less.

Come early to avoid disappointment!

Sample Sale 14-16th Jan

We have an assortment of helmets, panniers, basket and capes that are looking for homes with you lovely London cyclists. Products are either the last few of a range or have slight marks on or don't have the original packaging.

To make it simple we will selling every item for £10!

So please come to our office for a root around if your are looking for a bikey bargain this Jan!

Office sample sale times

Tues 14th Jan       12-2pm
Wed 15th Jan       12-2pm
Thurs 16th Jan     12-2pm

Office address: Cyclechic Ltd, Top Floor, 58-60 Rivington Street, EC2A 3AU (ring the buzzer for the TVF and come up to the top floor)

Happy New Year and a few Jan Bargains

Yippee, a brand new year has begun! Congrats to all those who are cycling through the winter, and bearing the brunt of these rather unpleasant storms. Dropping my daughter at school, by bike, yesterday, felt like completing some kind of an Iron man challenge!

Hopefully we can help you along your way by offering you some discounts on products that will help you survive the winter by bike.

My top 3 recommendations in the sale are:

Bookman lights: These are nifty little lights, I have been using them all winter and they haven't let me down. Although the bulb looks small they actually emit quite a beam. The other bonus is that they attach with an a hairband type band so they are flexible and can be attached to baskets and rear racks as well as the usual handlebar and seat post. The clay colour is my fave as they work very well with my brown bike but dark jade and white are also nice. 40% off. Now only £10.

Bike cover - If you have to keep your bike outdoors in the rain and gales, make sure you cover it up. This jazzy little bike cover is just the ticket and comes in pink/white/navy or monochrome. It also has velcro and ties so it will stay secure on your bike and not blow away. With 20% off, its now only £27.99.

Bern Lenox Helmet Purple - I wouldn't be without my Bern Lenox when winter cycling. it's snug and cosy and gives me the confidence to face the harsher road conditions. The Bern helmets are also great for cycling in rain as they only have a few ventilation holes so your head stays pretty much dry and the peak prevents rain going in your eyes. The nice bright purple colour is good for visibility too. Now with 30% off, its only £34.99.

Happy Christmas!

Whether you'll be out on your tandem on boxing day (with Santa??) or your hanging up your helmets for a few days break, have a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year!

Caz & Lavinia x

Free Delivery for 24 hours! (noon 18th Dec - noon 19th Dec)

Got some last minute online shopping to do? Well, for 24 hours you can order from us and get delivery for FREE! 

We also offer a Guaranteed next day delivery service for £8.89, allowing you to continue shopping over the weekend and right up until 12pm on the 23rd Dec, and still get your Christmas gifts in time. See full Christmas delivery details here.

Happy shopping!

Caz & Lavinia x

The Cyclechic Awards 2013

No. 1 The Cranberry Bern Lenox, £49.99

We' like to take a little moment to look back on the year and congratulate the products and brands that have triumphed with all you discerning cyclists. Here we have our top 5 sellers of 2013:

In first place we have the brilliant Bern Lenox helmet and are pleased as punch that it's our exclusive cranberry shade that has been the biggest seller this year. This is a helmet close to my heart as Cyclechic was started, all those years ago, when a tracked down a sample of a Cranberry Bern Muse and knew it would be the first product I would sell. Five years on and the Lenox is a marked improvement on the Muse as it has added vents but still has the flattering shape with peak and remains the most comfortable helmet I have ever worn. Big shouts to Denis and the gang at Bern!

No. 2 The Linus Sac £49.99 

The fact that we were not able to get stock of these babies for more than half the year and they still rock in at No. 2, is pretty impressive. It has to be one of the most stylish and versatile panniers ever created. Your particular fave is the navy with yellow base and we have to say we agree - there's something about those two colours together that just works. Well done Linus and well done to you all for having such impeccable taste. 

No. 3 The Bobbin Gold helmet £36.99

In at number 3 is the cool-as-can-be Bobbin Gold helmet. This helmet has stolen the show this year and has been featured all over the place; in The Times Style, Evening Standard and Living etc to name just a few. It's a helmet that likes the lime-light and we love the fact that so many of you cycling starlets are whizzing around town in one! Big shouts to our good friends at Bobbin Bicycles for coming up with this gem of a helmet. 

No.4 Georgia in Dublin Leggits £44.99

The Mother and daughter team from Ireland really know there stuff when it comes to rain and bicycles - the Leggits are quite simply a life-saver for cycling on those rainy days. Well done ladies!

No. 5 Sawako Furuno Leopard Helmet

An lastly but by no means leastly, the stunning Leopard print helmet rocks in at number 5. Sawako Furuno has achieved something that many might think impossible... the talented entrepreneur has created a sexy cycling helmet and for that we take our hats (and helmets) off and applaud.

Product review: Samsung Galaxy S4 Active

I've not had too much luck with phones. I jumped on the iphone bandwagon in 09 only to have my screen crack well before I was due an upgrade. Ok - I may have been taking ariel shots of myself whilst cycling, and I may have dropped it but I expect my phone to be able to cope with my occupational hazards. I then moved onto a blackberry curve but it never really liked me connecting to the internet and then it just gave up altogether after less than a year... and I didn't even drop it.

So when I was asked to test out the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active, I was eager so see if this was a phone that could actually work for me instead of wimping out on me!

So what is it that I need from a phone and does the Galaxy S4 Active deliver??

Out and about on the bike: I need a phone that I can connect to my handlebar with my incredible bike band and use GPS as I cycle: The S4 works very well for this with it's huge viewing screen and it was very easy to activate Google maps. The bike band fits well and the phone is stable as I cycle;  also, I don't need to worry about putting it back in my pocket when it rains as it can more than handle a spot of drizzle. Perfect.

Blogging/social networking
Facebook and Twitter are already on the phone and it takes me seconds to download the app for my new favourite, Pin interest, and my old favourite, Blogger. Again the big screen makes all the Social networking apps really nice to view and use. I was able to upload my images below directly from my phone onto this blog post which saves tonnes of time.

Work
I am often out and about and need to check and send emails, access files in my dropbox, check sales on our website or check Google analytics. It was very easy to set this up and is already making my working life much more efficient. The internet is pretty fast, sometimes I've had to wait a few seconds for a page to load but on the whole it's good and I can get the info I need pretty quickly.

Life
My mornings are often hectic - getting my daughter in her seat on my bike, getting her strapped in, helmet on, both our bags in the basket - and I have been known to drop my phone when doing a quick time check. So the fact that the Galaxy S4 Active doesn't mind a few knocks and bumps is a very good thing for those clumsy mornings!
It has a nice selection of ring tones and is easy to use for calls, although it did take  me a few times to get the swiping technique right to answer but I can do it with ease now. It makes nice plinky- plonky noises when I type things and open and close apps, although I was aware this might be a little annoying to others when I was playing around with it on the train earlier this week (note to self, turn off the plinky plonky noises when on the train). I am eager to test out the walking and fitness apps and the underwater camera and video but may wait until the weather warms up a little for the latter...

Camera
I am very excited to at last have a good camera on my phone as I love taking snaps when I am out and about. And after a cycling accident with my digital camera (yes, I dropped it) I have decided to stick with phone photos for a little while. Below are some photos taken on a Sunday jaunt out on my bike. My only crit is that the zoom is a little fuzzy but on the whole I am really happy with how the images look and the different finishes I can put on them and how easy they are to upload in other apps.

A quick stop at one of my fave antique shops

cheap delights at the market

flowers at the market

quick snap of the little one on the way back from school

Pretending this is my house on a Sunday cycle along the river...

Dreamy inspiration on Pin Interest...

Have a look at our boards and follow us if you like what you see

I have finally got around to setting up a Pin Interest account  -very slow on the uptake I know but better late than never as am loving it!  Simply looking through an eternal stream of pretty pictures and pinning the ones one likes is not just a treat for the eyes but is also remarkably calming and satisfying . So if you have a spare 5 mins and can't be bothered to tweet or talk have a look at our boards, and get taken on a journey of discovery on the smorgasbord of inspiration and  loveliness that is Pin Interest.

See our board of nice Bicycle pics

See our favourite pics from all our photoshoots

See our board of random stuff we like

PS. I have not yet figured out how to add a Pin interest widget to my blog... when I upload the widget it just published as a link not a button (see below) and Pin interest is not on the share options in blog settings. If anyone knows how so it and has the time to explain it, pls email me...caz@cyclechic.co.uk

Cyclechic

Half price helmets!

2 x Casqu' en Ville - XS (52cm) & XXS (54cm) was $79.99 now £39.99 (last ones left of range)

We have a selection of products which we are selling with a whopping 50% off! They either have very minor damage, damaged packaging or are the last one left of a discontinued range. Most of the helmets are small sizes and are simply the last in the range - these may fit older children and teenagers.

If you are interest in any of the products on this post you would need to come and pick it up from Cyclechic HQ, 58-60 Rivington street, London, EC2A 3AU. You don't have to commit to buy, feel free to come and take a look first but Please do call or email us first. 

Tel: 0207 613 7316
Email: sales@cyclechic.co.uk

1 x Purple Bern Lenox - XS (52-53.5cm was £49.99  Now £24.99 (damaged packaging) 

1 x Turquoise Bern Lenox - XS (52-53.5cm was £49.99  Now £24.99 (damaged packaging)

1 x White/turquoise Bern Lenox - XS (52-53.5cm) was £49.99  Now £24.99 (damaged packaging)

Yakkay Cover Herringbone Paris Size Small was £35 now £17.50

Yakkay helmet base small (51-54.5cm) was £44.99 now £22.50

1 x Bobbin Basket large with support bracket was £34.99 now £17.50 (slight scuffage to the wicker on the inside)

Yakkay Cover Black oilskin Paris Size Small was £35 now £17.50

1 x Bern Brentwood (mens helmet) XL 59-60.5cm was £64.99 now £32.99

Bolzano pannier was £55 now £25 has a 2 small scratches on the white flap

If you are interested in grabbing any of these bargain, please call or email us first and arrange a time to pop in and see us. Contact us

The Michaux Club Lightening Rucksack

This is the first post in our New Product Review Section. Our business is about finding products that enhance your cycling experience by doing the following 3 things:

1. Helping you cycle safely
2. Helping you reduce the faff factor of cycling
3. Helping you cycle in style

So we will be testing all products and letting you know how they measure up and how they meet our strict criteria, here at Cyclechic.co.uk.

First up we have the Michaux Club Lightening Rucksack (£250)

1. How does it help you Cycle safely?  The most obvious safety feature is the reflective piping sown into the front of the bag. Most reflective fabric comes in grey but Michaux have gone the extra mile to find reflective piping in tan brown to match the leather exactly (when not reflecting). Nice touch. Having a reflective element on your back as you cycle is a great visibility aid as it will shine out to cars behind when the beam of their headlights catches it. A more general safety bonus of a rucksack is that it frees up you arms and shoulders so you can cycle in a comfortable position -ill fitting shoulder bags can be dangerous if they slip and slide and get in the way as your ride.

Great for night cycling

2. How does it help you reduce the faff factor? A rucksack can be a great faff reducer especially for those who don't use a rear rack and panniers. It may be that you don't like the look of a rack on your racer or that you have child-seat obstructing your rack, either way a rucksack means you can just hop and your bike, carrying your stuff with ease.
A rucksack is also good if you do a combination of cycling and walking in your day to day life. Rucksacks are more comfortable for walking, spreading the weight evenly across your back and shoulders than bags with handles or one strap. The straps of the Michaux rucksack are wide so sit comfortably on your shoulders and you can tighten them without taking the rucksack off, by just pulling the strap down.

Great for walking 

Another feature I LOVE is the secret pocket (facing your back) that you can zip open and slide things in and out whilst the bag is still on your back. So you don't have to swing the bag off when ever you want to get your phone or wallet out.

And last but not least you don't need to worry when cycling in the rain as the Michaux Lightening is waterproof. It doesn't look it - its not shiny or waxed but it has been treated and although it will get wet on the outside, the water will not seep through. It also has a roll down top to ensure no drips of rain will reach the contents of your bag (a big bonus when commuting with a laptop/ipad) 

3. How will it help me Cycle in Style? I don't need to rant and rave to much on this, the bag speaks for itself. It's beautiful. It has been expertly made and the attention to detail is second to none. The colour options are graceful an tasteful and the leather features give it a stamp of quality and a classic feel. The Claret seems to work like a dream with my entire Autumn/Winter wardrobe! This bag has bags of style.

Verdict
This rucksack exceeded my expectations. It's not cheap but that's because it is not cheaply made and the look and feel when you use it, sets it apart from cheaper versions you may find on the high street. Having never been a big fan of the designer handbag, this rucksack is my urban substitute, Beautiful, classic and less than half the price of a Mulberry handbag, I know which one I would choose.

Also comes in Olive

...and classic black

Check out the full range of Michaux bags in our new product section 

Press: Time Out Oct 13

Congrats to our Reflective Helmet Bow £12.99 and Star Reflectors £5.99 who are among the line up in Time Out's Reflected Glory Feature, today! Also featured are the Bookman lights and Rydesafe Bike decals and fabulous hat from our friends over of Lflect. Leflect stock coming to Cyclechic soon, watch this space...

Tips for stylish night cycling

It's that time of year again... On Sunday 27th Oct, the clocks go back and suddenly its dark at 4pm. So you must get visible on your bike...

But don't worry this doesn't mean you have to abandon style and bust out a builders bib, you can do night cycling in style. Here's a few tips to help you glow glamorously:

1.Visible Upper Body- To ensure you won't be missed by drivers go for a reflective garment that can be seen clearly from front and back. The best solution for style is something you can put over your regular coat. Our complete favourite this Autumn is the Day Glow Doris Swing Jacket (middle), cute, vintage and highly visible. We also love the Miss Bobbin Sash (right) an the Two n Fro vest (left). All will give you are strong reflective element while keeping your style well intact. See High-vis/Reflective Clothing for all options.

2. Get creative with your bike lights - Its is a legal requirement to have a white front light and red rear light on your bike when cycling at night. Your lights should go on as soon as dusk descends, don't wait until its dark. Lights might be a serious matter but that doesn't mean you can't have some fun with them, check out our top 3 stylish bike lights: The Bookman lights (left) are ultra-modern and have a flexible fastening so can also be attached to your basket, bag or helmet. You can either go for battery operated Bookmans or rechargeable with USB.  The Bobbin Retro light is one of our best sellers and works a treat on a vintage style bike and finally if you want some bling for your ride, try the Ring or Light Bulb rear lights! 

3. Make your Bike and Helmet Glow too! To be even more visible in traffic have some reflective elements on your bike. Try adding these delightful star reflectors to your spokes to really make your wheels light up (also come in hearts and snowflakes). Or go for some Butterfly Rydesafe stickers, stick them on mudguards, back of a child seat and they will shine like a beacon when under the gaze of a cars head-lights. And last but by no means least customise your helmet with a reflective helmet bow! See all reflective accessories here.



So there's no need to sink into the shadows this Autumn, Be Safe, Be seen and Be super stylish!
A few more tips for night cycling:

Stick to busier, well-lit roads - Although little lanes may be lovely for summer cycling when darkness falls they can feel scary. Stick to well-lit roads when the sun goes down. 
Keep an extra eye out for pedestrians - it can be hard to spot people on foot as they don't make a habit of strapping lights to themselves. Be extra vigilant at pub closing time as you may find a few wobbly pedestrians who's road crossing skills leave a little to be desired.
Make the bar or bike decision early on- If you know you will be having a few drinks on a night out, leave the bike at home so you can wend your drunken way home by public transport or taxi. Don't put yourself at risk and cycle home drunk - its' just not worth it. 
. 

See our full range of reflective/high vis and bike lights at cyclechic.co.uk