Come and join us at the Sunday Cycle Picnic - 7th September 2008

Bobbin Bicycles, cyclechic.co.uk and Sawako Furuno invite you to an afternoon of fun, frolics and bicycles!

Put on your Sunday Best, pack yourself a picnic and come on down to London Fields for the very first Sunday Cycle Picnic.
The Magnificent Revolution's pedal-powered cinema tent will play host to Ray Pascoe's beautiful vintage cycling films,
alongside contemporary shorts. There will also be garden games, stalls and prizes for stylish bikes and their riders.

So saddle up and we'll see you there!

What you need to bring:
Your bike and a lock (secure cycle parking provided)
A picnic
Your friends

For one special lady a Red Bobbin Playbike is up for grabs. Just turn up on the day in a fetching outfit and sit on the bike for
your chance to cycle it away into sunset. For style inspiration visit bobbinbicycles.co.uk. May the best outfit win!

The Sunday Cycle Picnic, Sunday 7th Sept, 12-5pm
London Fields, Hackney

Cyclechic in The Observer Magazine's A-Z of Fashion

The Observer Magazine compiled an A-Z of Fashion in August 2008 - and Cyclechic was featured under C. Chuffed!

Sunny Cycling!

This lovely picture is one of the entrants of Lambeth Council's Bicycle Belles photography competition. Aswell as being a great picture I think the photographer should get brownie points for managing to find a a sunny day. We've been a bit short changed in sun yet again this year so lets all keep our fingers crossed theat we get a few more like this before Autumn kicks in.

Quirky femininity

More validation that cycling is the pursuit of the naturally stylish amongst us. The queen of style herself Audrey Hepburn was often snapped on a bicycle whether on a film set or taking her pooch out for a spin. These pictures are a perfect example of how with the right outfit (and admittedly an extraordinarily pretty face in Audrey's case) a bicycle can accentuate your quirky femininity.

We love our bikes! Insuring the love affair...

I’ve been shopping around for bike insurance and having just requested a quote from ETA (the Environmental Transport Agency) I was pleasantly surprised that the price for a years cover was less than the price of my D lock…

According to Transport for London over 80,000 bicycles were stolen in the capital last year, and nationally that figure rises to 440,000 according to the British Crime Survey. With fewer than 5% of bikes returned to their rightful owners, that’s 418,000 unhappy riders without their trusty steeds. Recently, even the leader of the opposition David Cameron fell foul to local bike thieves stating afterwards, a familiar sentiment that anyone who has been a victim of this kind of crime feels…

"It's priceless to me. I've done over a thousand miles on it … it's like an old friend.” (sic)

Like all cyclists I am very fond of my bike and would be very upset indeed if it got stolen. Along with the emotional upset of losing an old friend is the 'pain in the neck factor'; suddenly becoming bike-less can seriously disrupt your life and buying a new bike can leave you penniless for the rest of the month.

This is why Cycle insurance is a really good idea, ETA (the Environmental Transport Agency) fully understand the needs of commuting cyclists and offer a comprehensive policy that won’t cost a fortune.

Here’s a few key points of what ETA’s cycle insurance offers…

New for old replacement Cover for theft, vandalism and accidental damage for bikes up to £4000. Ease the emotional upset of losing your 2-wheeled friend by being able to get a new bike without it costing you. ETA will also pay for you to hire a bike while you are waiting for yours to be repaired or until you get a new one…. They really have thought of everything.

90 days European cover If you’re off on a cycling holiday this summer you’ll be fully covered while you’re away.

Third party insurance. Not many cyclists think about third party insurance but if you damage another person or their property whilst cycling you will be liable for the costs. This could be hugely expensive. ETA will cover up to £1million pounds in the event of you causing damage while you are cycling to property or to another person

Personal Accident cover which pays you compensation if you get into any nasty scrapes whilst on your bike.

Cycle Rescue Breaking down on your bike can be thoroughly annoying not to mention a little scary at nighttime. If you breakdown and find yourself stranded ETA will pay for a taxi to pick you and your bike up and take you home, to the nearest train station or to a bicycle repair shop.

The carbon off-setting of the entire insurance policy

If you request a quote on the ETA website from now until 21st October you will be entered into a Prize draw to win a rather beautiful 24 Ct Gold bike. Go to www.ilovemybike.co.uk for more details.

Flower power meets pedal power

This summer it's all about second hand bikes, wicker baskets and floaty floral dresses.. some inspiration from Top shop above

A few of my fave florals

Lily print dress £80 from Oasis Bronze your shoulders as you cycle in this gorgeously girly number


Or if your feeling flush this Saffron Floral dress from net a porter


Or if you fancy showing a little more flesh try this Floral Frill Halterneck from Urban Outfitters

The Cyclechic shop: Kitsch Kitchen Cycle Bag Solo

Great on the bike...

Great on you...

Product information
Price: £34.99
Colours : See below
Dimensions: 35cm wide, 35cm long, 15cm deep
material: waterproof oilcloth
fixtures and fittings: 2 metal brackets that clip firmly over the bicycle back rack. When bag is not on the bike, the clips are covered by a zip-up flap. The bag has 2 pockets at the front and a zip-up inside pocket.

Click here to see this seasons range of colours and patterns.


Cyclechic's Verdict:
These scrumptiously summery bags from Dutch company Kitsch Kitchen are the ultimate pannier/hand bag. From Floral to Fruity the patterns are divine and the material is fully waterproof and highly durable. They clip on and off your back rack as easy as pie and have plenty of space for all your bits and bobs from A4 folders to groceries.

Click here to see the full range at our new online shop

Pretty dam cool

Following on from the Frog lights Knog have yet again come up with a cycling accessory that is somewhat 'ouside of the box'. Scare your friends (and keep your hands warm) with these hard as nails 'love/hate' gloves.

The Cyclechic shop will be stocking the very soon so do get in touch if you are interested in buying a pair caz@cyclechic.co.uk

Man Bags

This is my first foray into Cycle Chic Chap territory, inspired by the many stylish young men I see cycling through town with leather bags casually slung over their shoulders. I have picked out some of my favourite cycle friendly man bags and would appreciate comments and suggestions from all you boys on bicycles out there.

The beautifully classic bag pictured above is Brooks Barbican bag. It's not cheap at £200 but it's the sort of bag that will last a lifetime.

Crumpler also do a nice line in Messenger bags... which apparently are the perfect size for carrying beer.


Aussie company Knog do some quite interesting bags that can transform from ruck sack to pannier to shoulder bag.




But if you want to go for a more casual bag with some retro style have a look at some of these beauties. All featured on fabulous site Retro to go

Time Out crush on Cycle Chic's helmets

Time Out secretly love us! Cycle fashion is the Shopping section's 'Secret Crush' in the London listings weekly from June 12 - 18, 08:

Bicycle Belles

There is something about a girl on a bicycle that makes for a good photo. New Yorker Jason Goodman proves this point with these two fabulous snaps. The first of singer/songwrter Scout captures the carefree feeling of gliding through the streets on a bicycle and the striking lady in the second photo looks like her and her bicycle could somehow conquer the world!

Jason became aware of the photogenic quality of ladies on bicycles when he took to 2 wheels in New York after an injury that meant could no longer skate. He has since built up quite a portfolio of photos that have been shown all over the world and he will soon be publishing a book.

If this has inspired you to get out there with your camera you could enter Lambeth council's Bicycle Belles photography competition. To promote cycling Lambeth council are asking people send in their photos of girls on bikes, the winner will be announced at an exhibition in September.

Cyclechic in the country

Cyclechic customer Karina sporting the blue tartan box bag with effortless style whilst cycling through the Dorsest countryside.

Are you Cycle Chic? Send your photos to caz@cyclechic.co.uk

Cycling shorts

They had the right idea back in the 50's but coming into the 80's things started to go horribly wrong. The unflattering elasticated 'cycling short' was born and started to become mainstream. I was guilty of succumbing to to this tasteless trend, I remember being quite fond of my shiny black cycling shorts with florescent pink stripes down the sides. But we are no longer in the 80's so quite frankly ladies there is no excuse and now shorts are back in fashion there are plenty of stylish pairs to choose from. A few of my faves...

Go back to the good old 50's style with these high waisted braces shorts only £25 from asos

If you like them tight try these stretch corduary shorts from American Apparel

Or Landgirl style with these 'proper rail road shorts' from Urban Outfitters

Or this rather smashing play suit from Junky Styling

Cyclechic.co.uk on TV

Cyclechic Shop: Bern Helmets and Hard Hats

Bern Muse
Product information
Price: 39.99 (42.99 with graphics*)
Colours : Matte Purple, Matte grey, white with polka dot graphic*, White with oak leaf graphic, Gloss White and Gloss Cranberry
Sizes: S: 53.5 - 55.5cm M: 55.5 - 57cm L: 57 - 59cm
Two versions available:
Hard Hat
• Soft breathable Brock foam circulates air and sucks moisture
• Multiple impact
• High impact ABS shell
EPS
• High Impact
• Hard foam
• Industry standard


Cyclechic's verdict
It was a happy day when came across the wonderful Bern Helmets, after years of frustration and embarressment at having to wear an utterly style-less tradtional cycling helmet. The Bern Muse is feminine, comfortable and most importantly flattering. They are an all year round helmet as they keep you dry in the rain and the brock foam ensures you don't get a sweaty head in the sunshine. You can either go for a Hard Hat or the Industry standard EPS Helmet.




Click to here to buy from our new online shop



Bern Watt A Unisex helmet, perfect for the summer with air vents at the top and back.
Product information
Price: £39.99
Colours: Gloss black, Gloss red, Matte black
Sizes: S,M,L,XL
Available in Hard Hat and EPS Helmet (details as above)


Cyclechic's verdict
Cool in every sense of the word...

Click to here to buy from our new online shop

Cyclechic Shop: Ding Dong Bells

Product Information
Price: £8.99
Size: 80mm CP
Attaches to bike with 2 metal brackets that fit round your handlebar and then tighten the screw with a screwdriver. Easy Peasy!

Cyclechic'c verdict
A bell is essential for urban cycling so why not have some fun with it. Be loud and proud with a vintage style ding dong bell. Not only are they pleasing to the eye but make a clear and satisfying sound to alert passersby to your dazzling presence.

Click here to buy from our new online shop

Cyclechic Shop:Vintage style box bags

Product information
Price: £30
colours: White, Red Tartan, Blue Tartan, Green Tartan
The box bag attaches to the back rack of your bicycle with 4 plastic buckles attached to the base, see picture below.

Cyclechic's Verdict
Perfect for a few groceries or to fling your handbag and lock in on your way to work. The lid buckles down securley so no one can swipe your stuff out as you go by as they can from baskets. They ooz vintage charm and are perfect for summertime cycling, picnics in the park or Saturday morning trips to the market.

Click here to buy from our new online shop

How to Buy from the Cyclechic Shop

Go to our new all singing all dancing online shop www.cyclechic.co.uk