Book Launch Invite

If you didn't know already, my book, The Girls' Bicycle Handbook, comes out this spring, (3rd April) and as we tend to grab any opportunity for a party, here at Cyclechic, we will be having a book launch-drinks-do, at the New Look Mum no Hands, Mare street, Hackney.

As valued blog readers, I would love you to come along, please see full details on the Facebook Event and join the event to get on the guest list or if you are not in Facebook, email me.

It should be a fun affair with the the most glamorous movers and shaker from the cycling scene in attendance (and some free booze) and the brand new range of Bern helmets and  chance to purchase my book at a discount and hot off the press!

Over the moon to have the book mentioned in Dawn O'Porter column in Glamour Magazine. Dawn is an old friend from uni and I am continually amazed as her endless talents and new ventures. A very funny and intelligent lady, check out her website.

I also wrote a piece for this months Company Magazine  about cycle style in East London. A subject close to my heart, if its close to yours to , you should like this issue as its all about East London.

Cyclists casting call...

Calling all cyclists who like the limelight... Sky are looking for cyclists to star in their new campaign. take a look at the casting details below and if you fir the bill get in contact with Jonny.Yapi@bskyb.com

"At Sky it’s our mission to get people back out on their bikes!

We are producing a new campaign to raise awareness of our SKY RIDE (goskyride.com) cycling website. We want cyclists across the country to discover the host of cycling related activities and info it contains.

Our campaign is based on the emotion of cycling. Everyone who’s ever ridden a bike will know how riding a bike feels, this feeling is common to all. Therefore we’d love to feature the real cyclists of Britain in the TV spot, along with members of the Sky Team. We want to illustrate and celebrate the host of cycling Britons that there now are.

Specifically we are after the following categories of British cyclist:

-Female: 18-35 non-competitive (ie non lycra wearing!) Loves her bike, loves riding her bike! Uses her bike to go shopping, see friends.

-Boy: aged 6-9 and his family. 

-Competitive males and females: Aged over 30. Committed weekend cyclists.

-Mountain bikers: (we’re not talking Red Bull Rampage! Just folks who like going off the road even if that means strictly “on path”).

-Non Competitive males over 35. If you use your bike to get places- that’s what we’re after.

We’re happy to shoot groups or individuals.

If you’re interested in taking part or know of someone that’s fits the bill please don’t hesitate to contact us:

Jonny.Yapi@bskyb.com

Lauren Laverne Talks Cycling Style

Just in case you missed it, Lauren Laverne's style column on what to wear when on your bike... featuring our Bobbin Cape and Sawako Croc helmet amongst a whole host of goodies.
I've always been a fan of Lauren Laverne and am so glad she cycles and gets how cool it is. Go Lauren, hope to see you in the bike lane one of these days.

One girl, many helmets...

Please welcome the lovely Jude Brosnan to London Cycle Chic. Jude has been cycling since she was a nipper, is the blogger behind I Speak Bike and also writes for the fashion and lifestyle blog Le Blow. Jude is not only bike obsessed but helmet obsessed and has so far cycled into the office in a different helmet everyday. Jude, and her many helmets, have joined the Cyclechic team this summer to champion our Hot in a Helmet campaign and spread the Cyclechic word. Over to you Jude...

Hi, my name is Jude and I'm a helmet-holic. I have over time, amassed quite a collection. In my defence, I do spend most of my time on my bike wearing helmets. You wouldn't wear the same pair of shoes everyday would you? I like to match my helmets to my outfits and customise them for different events. Let me show you:

  This pink number is my current favourite. I pimped it up with disco mirror squares to create a tetras inspired design. It makes a really cool glittery reflection on cars. If they must share our roads they may as well look pretty. This picture is from when I celebrated by Birthday by riding through the night to Brighton with my friends. We wore party hats over our helmets so our shadows looked like unicorns.

  For the Jubilee, my sister and I took the tandem out for a ride around London. That weekend was all about the red, white and blue so naturally we rose to the challenge by customising our helmets with Union Jack scarves. Reckon I'll get a whole summers use of this look what with the Olympics around the corner. This picture was taken near Buckingham Palace during the Jubilee concert. I'm propping up my sister who was standing on the tandem trying to get a better view of Tom Jones.

  As I cycle everywhere if I have a fancy dress party I try and incorporate my helmet into my costume as it means I won't have to carry it around all night. Here I am at a 'Superhero' party dressed as 'Cycle Superhero Girl'. Yes those are fairy lights in my helmet.

  Here I am dressed as a shark in my chrome helmet for a friend's Birthday at London Zoo. Although, I have been known to wear it since, just because. I get a lot of people commenting on this chrome number when I'm out and about on it. I think they might just be checking out their reflections. It is handy as a mirror for making sure I don't have helmet hair after long rides.

  I usually wear skater style helmets but I have this little number for when I want to look a bit fancy. It's a sportier style that I have covered with a turban and added a broach to. I love the vintage touch it adds to my outfits. Below is a picture of me in my turbanised helmet with my sister after the British Heart Foundation's London to Brighton which we nailed on our tandem. Note how we have not only matched our outfits to each other, but also to the finish line.

So those are just some of my helmets, I'm always lusting after new ones, I need to find some kind of storage solution, or just move somewhere bigger. Do you customise your helmet/s? If so we'd love to see some pictures. Tweet them to @Cyclechic

Love London, Go Dutch

 

I've just signed the petition to support LCC's Love London, Go Dutch Campaign. The general idea, as the name suggests,  is to make our streets as safe and as inviting for cyclists as they are in the Netherlands, where 47% of the population cycle regularly.

When I first started writing London Cycle Chic. I did a lot of research into the barriers that prevent people from cycling. Safety fears were by far the main barrier. And although the image of cycling has seen a vast improvement in recent years and there are more bikes on the London streets, is it really any safer than it was 5 years ago?

I cant speak for the whole of London but I haven't seen many changes to the routes I do regularly. And especially as most of my journeys are now done with my 3 years old daughter in tow, I am highly aware of any possible dangers or risky roads.

On our regular journey to the swimming pool, I opt for as almost entirely non-road route, through a business park , along a very wide pavement (cus it just seems silly not too when faced with the busy A315). This is by no means a cycle specific route but as a lot of cyclists do you make up your own route in preference to busy, vehicle orientated roads.

As cycling becomes more and more popular and everyone seems to agree it a jolly good solution for London's transport problems, surely more radical changes need to be taken. The unnecessarily wide pavement on my way to the swimming pool has very few pedestrian's using it. I have often thought it would accommodate a segregated cycle lane rather nicely and then perhaps we would see more Mums and Dads cycling there kids to the swimming pool rather than driving.

There are however quite a few journeys where I can not find a sneaky alternative route and the main road is the only way to go. These are often a no no with the little one and we both end up glum on the bus.

The LCC  campaign is  focused on putting a stop to car-centric planning and making a dedicated space for cyclists on these larger roads
" That’s why our 'Go Dutch' campaign calls for clear space, Dutch-style, for cycling along major roads in every London borough."

So please if you cycle and Love London, show your support and sign up to Go Dutch.

Uni Cycle

It's that time of year again when thousands of school leavers, pack their bedrooms into the back of their parents cars and head off to a random city for 3 years studying and partying.
But what the best way to get round once your parents have driven away? Cycling of course, it's a no brainer... Not only is it free but you will soon become the interesting, quirky one amongst your peers for turning up to lectures like a young Iris Murdoch...

A prime example is the wonderful Lilly Cole who does interesting and quirky exceptionally well. Throughout her 3 years at Cambridge she was often spotted cycling from lecture to lecture by bike. From her attire it's clear that she was a year round cyclist too... go Lily

Three rules for cycling at Uni:
1. A wicker basket is essential.
2. Don't cycle when you're wasted. Leave the bike at home on pound a pint night.
3.Get a second hand bike locally. Instead of trying to cram a nice shiny new bike in your parents boot, Look around when you get to uni and grab a local bargain.

Our wicker basket recommendations to perfect the Lily Cole/Uni Chic look:

On a budget try our Classic Wicker only £19.99

Or our new Picnic basket £49.99 with hamper style lid, ideal for keeping your books and sandwiches dry!

Dawn Porter hauls her cookies from London to Paris by Bike!

TV Presenter and old uni chum of mine, Dawn Porter, took on the huge challenge of cycling from London to Paris last week. Despite severe saddle sore, she made it and we were only too happy to kit her out with a helmet and panniers to help her complete the mammoth ride in style.

Dawn was not just doing the ride to tone her thighs, she was raising money for a charity dear to her heart, Breast Cancer Care. So in keeping with the pink theme we sent her Sawako Furuno Ribbon Helmet in Rose and two Pink Maripopas Panniers.

Well done Dawn!

And the Winner is...

Last month we launched a competition with Vintage Brighton to find a deserved vintage bike for one of our delightful vintage box bags.
The winner is the rather splendid Sir Walter Raleigh and his owner Raevennan Husbands. Here's their story...

"This photo was taken on the day I found my beloved bike in a skip behind my house. The back wheel had a rusted lock on it – it took quite a battle with the pliers to get that off…
But he’s doing well now. I showed it some TLC – replaced gears and brakes and saddle and a loud ding-dong bell – and sprayed it with clear lacquer to preserve the shabby-chic look.
I discovered what was an original Brookes saddle when I took the strange tartan thing off, but unfortunately it got damaged at uni and I had to find a cheap replacement.
Looking for similar models on the web, I found that the Tourist model cost £24 which would have been two months wages in 1957 – when mine was made.
I’ve named my trusty stead Sir Walter Shabby Raleigh and hope to keep him for as long as we both shall live. He even has his own Facebook page – Shabby’n'Chic Husbandes."

Get Dashing for the Tweed Run this weekend

If your pedaling on down to the tweed ride this weekend you might see these dapper chaps along the way. Dashing Tweeds have collaborated with Italian Bicycle company ABICI to launch there ready to wear Cycling jacket and showcase ABICI lovely 50's inspired bicycles

"The collaboration between ABICI and Dashing Tweeds sees the ‘Dashing Tweeders’ photographed in Primrose Hill on a pair of one-off ABICI Granturismo Uomo Dashing Tweed bicycles and an ABICI Velocino. All three riders and bikes will be participating in this week’s Tweed Run in London on Saturday 9th April.

Sporting a range of bespoke garments from Dashing Tweeds and showcasing their forthcoming ready to wear bicycle jacket in Green Sergeant tweed, complete with reflective stretch panels and vents, the shoot also features a tank top in reflective LumatwillTM and a cycle suit, waistcoat and plus 5s in McDougal check."

Unfortanately I am away in the States so will miss the tweed run this year but have fun to all those taking part!

Romantic Riding

Though I have to admit to letting Valentine's Day pass me by this year, the same can not be said Bells Bicycle Shop in Hastings where romance was definitely in the air. The owners decorated the shop with a tasteful Valentine's theme. I am loving the wall of vintage wedding photos, the perfect backdrop for the elegant bicycles.. Well done ladies for celebrating our love affair with cycling....

If its good enough for them...

Ginger Rodgers...look no hands!

Fabulous new blog Rides a bike has unearthed a plethora of photos of the super stylish elite on bicycles from back in the day. I have picked a few of my faves but had real difficulty choosing as there are so many wonderful photographs be sure to check out the full selection...

Grace Kelly and Jimmy Stewart

Charles Boyer and Katharine Hepburn ride bikes.

Jacques Tati and Alain Bécourt

Erin O' Connor on cycling

I am loving that Erin O' Connor cycles. She has always been my favourite supermodel - not only does she look ridiculously elegant but she comes across as having an admirably down to earth attitude given the world she works in. Erin is one of the famous faces promoting the Skyride events this year and has been talking about her passion for bicycles. " One of my happiest cycling memories - apart from passing that cycling proficiency test - is racing at high speed along the canals of Birmingham with my friends. We'd also go to the BMX track. I'd ride my girly pink bike in my school uniform with a gigantic pink bow in my hair."
Sounds wonderfully 80s! Read the rest of her interview at The Skyride style website
This year the Skyride has spread country-wide, with the Flagship London event taking place yesterday and a whopping 85,000 turning out on their bikes and the Birmingham Ride coming up this weekend.

The launch of Going Going Bike...

What a good idea! An (ebay like) auction site dedicated to bikes and bike accessories. Going Going Bike launched this week and to celebrate I was invited to launch party at Look Mum No hands. It was a great evening and I think the beginning of a successful business venture for the founders, James and Andrew.

Instead of the predictable drinks and chat, they had the rather fun idea to make the longest ever bike daisy chain. Not a serious record breaking challenge but it definitely added a buzz to the evening.
I have often wondered how many unused bikes there are in London. The Going Going Bike team have unearthed some statistics on the matter and apparently there are more than 1.5million unused bikes in London, with 200,000 abandoned in gardens – that’s almost enough bikes to make a line from London to Istanbul!
So if you do have an old bike, in need of some love. Dust it off, take a few snaps and get it up on Going Going Bike. Or if you are after a second hand bike yourself get bidding. I have already seen a rather nice ladies Peugeot on there.

Bike buddies - James, Andrew, myself and the lovely Andreas from The London Cyclists

Profile: Meli from Bikes and the City

Whilst in San Francisco I had the pleasure of catching up with Meli from fabulous blog Bikes and the city for a coffee. Her blog is packed with personality and gives you a real sense of Meli's adventures in this vibrant city with her trusted steed.

C: What bike do you ride?
M: My beautiful FRENCHIE! A vintage motobecane -ASTRA- model with 'Tour de France' decals from the mid 70's, made in France of course. I am only its second owner, and the bicycle was purchased in the city in the same decade.
Pretty much it is all original parts, with the exception of the fenders, basket and the usual wear/tear parts like tires and brake pads.

C: Why do you cycle?
M: Why not. SF is 7x7 miles and with so many things to see, it seems boring to be inside of any moving vehicle.

C: What’s the best thing about cycling in San Francisco?
M: The coffee, the bicycle encounters on the bike lane, the fog in your face, the cloudy cold weather in the summer (I think I stand alone on this one) the colors, and the hills. No one can say it is hard to bike to work, because on top of all 'barriers' we have hills. Mean ones. There are always too many things to do and too many things to see. Arts, drugs, hippies, bikes, money and silicon 2.0 nerds - you pick your hobbies and run with them.
San Francisco is so small that crossing 8 miles you can go from the Pacific Ocean to the Bay.

C: Do you think cycling amongst women is on the increase in the USA?
M: I have certainly seen a hike in San Francisco in the last 7 years I have biked. Which, is unlike many cities even in California. It is slowly happening, but women need more exposure and people need to know that there is more than a Lance face to the word 'cycling', and that it comes in regular clothes and cool slow bikes, around the states. We have seen this wonderful explosion of exposure, with the connections that we have all made via the blog/internet media, nationwide, a birth of the 'normal' people on bikes. Here we are now! HELLO :D
 
C:  What’s your favourite outfit/style to cycle in?
M: I dress normally. I don't necessarily 'dress' to go on my bike I suppose. I love fashion, I love colors and I am not afraid to show my roots and culture through my clothes with wicked patterns, the biggest hoop earrings and crazy tights/leggings. But if I'm to get dressed, or shop for new clothes, I always do the invisible bicycle dance, just to make sure I can pedal OK.

Helen Pidd's Book: The Bicycle

Helen Pidd's new Book The Bicycle, published by Penguin, hits the shelves today. Its a great read and ideal if you are thinking about starting out on two wheels but are looking for some advice. Bicycle books can often be somewhat factual verging on dull so Helen's book is real breath of fresh air in that its funny, imaginative and highly relevant to the modern woman. We were at the launch party last night (cycling's schmoozy event of the year!) at London's new Cycling cafe Look Mum no Hands, to raise and toast and wish Helen (pictured) & Penguin all the best with the book.


Pic from the book, featuring our Kitsch Kitchen panniers and the wonderful Pink Jazz YAKKAY.

Profile: Christa Clark Jones of Bike by the Sea

During my visit to Santa Barbara, I had the pleasure of catching up with Christa, writer of the blog bike by the sea and organiser the Santa Barbara Cycle Chic show.

Caz:What bike do you ride?
Christa: Red Electra Amsterdam

Caz: Why do you cycle?
Christa: Many reasons - health, community, financial, fun - but I'm mainly interested in observing the urban environment.  I'm most fascinated with sustainable urban design and cycling is my favorite way to explore Livable Cities.

Caz: What's the best thing about cycling in Santa Barbara?
Christa: It's sunny almost every day in Santa Barbara.  There are some beautiful bike paths along the ocean.  It's stunning!  Also, since it's a small town, I love seeing friends and familiar faces while cycling.  It's easy to stop and have a conversation.

Caz:Have you noticed a rise in women cycling in Santa Barbara?
Christa: Compared with many North American cities, Santa Barbara has a high cycling rate, but there is a growing bicycle culture.  I see more women cyclists on a variety of practical urban bicycles including electric and Dutch bikes.

Caz: What's your favourite outfit to cycle in?
Christa: I enjoy cycling in classic dresses and heels.  Lately, I've been wearing a lovely straw hat and it's just tight enough so that it won't fly off while cycling.

Inspired bicycle photography by Gemma Booth

With any eye for vintage gorgeousness - and a big love for bikes - London based photographer Gemma Booth often features two wheels in her work, both in fashion editorial and advertising. All with a whimsical 70's feel.

With clients including Roxy, Amelia's magazine, Paul Smith and American Eagle, she's also permanently exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery. 

Check out her website gemmabooth.com and her blog gemmabooth.blogspot.com for more beautiful shots and intimate portraits.

Cycle Chic avec Chien

Cycling calorie burner chart

As we all know Cycling can help you to loose wight and be on your way towards resembling Elle (the body) Mcpherson. OK so cycling may not instantly transform us all into Amazonian, age defying supermodels with perfect hair but it may mean that you don't have to feel so guilty about the odd chocolate fest or cheeky burger and chips. Here's a list of naughty but nice treats and the cycling trips required to ensure they don't end up being a lifetime on the hips...

Quarter pounder cheeseburger in a bun – 600 calories. Proposed Route: Harrow on the Hill to Tate Modern (approx 90 mins)


175ml glass of white wine - 130 calories. Proposed route: Hyde Park Corner to Mansion House (approx 20 mins)


Iced coffee latte - 135 calories. Proposed route: Regents Park to St James’ Park (approx 20 mins)


Two pork sausages – 410 calories. Proposed route: The London Eye to the 02 ARENA (approx 65 mins)


Strawberries & cream - 155 calories. Proposed route: Camden Town to Borough Market (approx 25 mins)