Autumn days

It's the time of year to wrap up warm before getting on your bike. Autumn is full of frosty sunshine and brisk showers, but the chic cyclist is always prepared. Here are our top tips for autumn cycling.

1. Stash our waterproof cape in your bag or pannier in case of an unexpected downpour - it is 100 per cent waterproof and will keep you dry as a bone should the heavens suddenly open.
2. Choose light but warm layers that will keep the chilly air off your skin, but not overheat you. We like the range of knitwear in Topshop at the moment. This oversized jumper, £40, will look gorgeous and is loose-fitting, making it ideal for cycling in colder weather.

3. Merino wool has numerous benefits for cyclists, as it wicks moisture away from the skin and keeps you cooler in summer and warmer in winter! If you are feeling particularly extravagant, consider splashing out on these merino socks, £15, from roadwear specialists Rapha, to keep your feet toasty-warm. Uniqlo, the high-street chain with a great line in basics, also stocks numerous merino wool long and short-sleeved jumpers and cardigans, and this rather gorgeous v-neck dress, £19.99.

4. Thank god they are still in style - leggings are ideal for autumn cycling as they keep the cold air off your legs but won't get caught up in your chain as you pedal. Wear them with shorts, skirts, or on their own with an oversized jumper (although for the sake of your modesty and everyone else on the road please check your leggings are not see-through before you step out in them!).
5. Visibility is crucial as the nights draw in. These wonderful ankle spats will keep you visible at pedal-level which is where most car headlamps will focus on you.

Revamping the rucksack

The rucksack has a bad rep! Why is this? Similarly to cycling there are preconceptions associated with wearing a rucksack; treehugging, geeky etc. I personally have always had a soft spot for a good rucksack, they are good for your back, comfortable and practical to cycle with and have a gung ho, retro charm about them. I am therefore on a mission to bring back the backpack and revamp the rucksack!

I have been on a rucksack hunt and have found these wonderfully retro rucksacks from Fjallraven. Fjallraven translates as Arctic fox, they are a Swedish company that have been making hard-wearing hiking and camping gear for 60 years. The Kanken classic is re-issue of one of there original rucksacks hence the fabulous classic feel.
Style gurus are starting to blog about them and I have a seen a few on backs of trendy East London types of late so I get the feeling they are going to become rather popular We also have Kanken Laptop, the Kanken mini and the vintage rucksack which is made from waxed cotton with beautiful leather straps. So please get involved, check out our rucksack range and help me on my quest to bring back the backpack...
If you are a true backpack believer join my facebook group Revamp the rucksack

London Fashion Week SS 10

A fantastic London Fashion week as ever. We've picked out a few of our favourite Cycle-friendly looks for Spring/Summer 2010. See the full collections at London Fashion Weeks website

I am eyeing up this Vivienne Westwood outfit for Spring cycling on my pastel blue Pashely Poppy.
Keep the London smog at bay... Vivienne Westwood Red Label
Paul Smith. Wonderful yellow brogues, hunting jacket and tapered trousers.
Fabulous Trench from Margaret Howell
Betty Jackson. Floral always look fabulous for summer cycling

Time to light up!

OK, so these fabulous LED wheels from US manufacturer MonkeyLectric might be pushing it a touch, but it is definitely time to get a set of lights on your bike, if you haven't already.
As the nights draw in even if you do not plan to cycle in the dark, you never know when you may be running late or caught out, so it is common sense - not to mention the law - to fit your bike with front and rear lights. The good news is there is a fabulous range of lights right here at cyclechic.co.uk which are not only practical, but very, very pretty too!
For basics, we love these Knog Frog lights, which are available in a range of fabulous colours and will light your bike up like a Christmas tree.

The Beetle is the upgrade to the Frog light, and features two LED bulbs and four functions including slow and fast flashing - and like the Frog they come in a series of colours to suit your bike, your outfit or even just your mood.
New for this season is the Skink which features four LED bulbs for the rear of your bike, and clips on and off easily.

We also like the Frog's cousins, the Gekko, which feature three LED bulbs and 600m visibility and have seven - count them - functions, turning your bike into a veritable mobile disco-ball.
If you are planning on doing serious night-time riding you may also want to invest in a halogen front beam. Although not essential, these babies can help light your way in dark, non-streetlit areas and generally improve the chances of you seeing where you are going, and other road users seeing you.
This Cateye number, available at Evans, is so powerful you'll swear it's daylight.

Cyclechic Convoy at the London Skyride

The sun was shining and the floral dresses were in abundance! Thanks to all of you who came along to join the Cyclechic Convoy at the Skyride on Sunday. We met at St. Pauls, exchanged compliments on bikes, outfits etc and then took to the traffic free streets. What a joy to chat to fellow cyclists along the way without having to deal with the usual deluge of cars, buses and taxis. The atmosphere was fantastic with more than 65000 people taking part. It really was a celebration of the bicycle and showed the good vibe that results from people cycling on mass.
We stopped for a refreshing G&T at St James park and general frolicking

Kelly loves her Princess...

Here's British bombshell Kelly Brook looking gorgeous with her Pashley Princess, launching the London Skyride.
Actress Kelly told The Sun she never diets or goes to the gym - cycling everywhere helps her keep her fabulous figure.
'I love riding and bike everywhere, even to the shops to pick up a pint of milk,' she told the paper.
'The best thing about riding a bike is that you don't feel like you're working out.'
Well said Kelly. Cycling is one of the best forms of exercise out there - it's low impact, burns loads of calories and just about anyone can do it.
This year Cyclechic.co.uk is running a convoy at the London Skyride, on Sunday September 20. We can't guarantee Kelly will show up, but we can guarantee to bring a dash of glamour to the event! All are welcome to join - for the rules, read this post. The meeting point is St Pauls Cathedral at midday - see you all there!

Ethical cycle chic

Vogue magazine, the ultimate indicator of what is truly fabulous, recently gave mention to London-based designer Karta Healey's new collection of cycling gear, TWO n FRO. Excitingly the range, including these rather gorgeous ankle spats, will soon be available to buy here at www.cyclechic.co.uk!
Made from materials perfect for cyclists which are often also sustainable and recycled, the range includes this rather dapper tux with matching reflective cummerbund and bow tie - perfect for the modern gentleman who wants to combine bar-hopping with cycling.


If your man is jealous of this Cyclodelic cycling cape, the range has a man's cape that will compliment ours perfectly!

Healey says his range is 'designed for the silent confidence of city cyclists everywhere - cycle like a champ without looking like a cycle champ'.
Materials include bamboo, soy, silk and recycled fabrics. Bike parts and sails are recycled into accessories like this clever chain cover for carrying your lock in style.

'I am an advocate of sustainable cities, as I believe vehicles are a key component of any cities' success or failure,' Healey, who studied at St Martins, says. His collection is part of a wider project, AgotoB, to encourage sustainable cities.

Down with the kids

It's not just us adults who want to look good on our bikes, the kids have got to look cool too...Now they can with Bern's fantastic Nina and Nino helmets. The boys helmets, Nino comes in red and black racing stripe and the girls, Nina, in white with butterfly graphic and good old fashioned pink.
They are made with Bern's zipmould technology which make them both lightweight and 100% certified as a safety helmet. What better way to get your kids excited about wearing a helmet on the school run and only £39.99 at cyclechic.co.uk

We know it's stylish, but is it safe?

This month sustainable transport charity Sustrans launches its petition for women cyclists.
We all know cycling in London is one of the quickest and most stylish ways to get around. But is it safe? Sadly many women think not. Statistics from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents do show that men are far more likely to be involved in cycling accidents than women. But this could simply be because most cyclists are male. Whatever the statistics show, it is vital women feel safe on the roads. At the moment, most women say they do not.
According to the team at Sustrans most British women just don't believe the roads are safe enough for them to cycle on. A survey of more than 1,000 women found 79 per cent do not cycle at all, and road safety was the biggest factor putting them off. A total of 67 per cent of respondents said there should be more dedicated cycle lanes separate from other traffic.
The petition will call for the government to swing into action and make cycling in Britain safer for women. The Motion for Women petition will be live until the end of November and has the backing of organisations Mind and the WI.
Melissa Henry, comms director at Sustrans, says: 'Women are telling us in no uncertain terms they don't feel the roads are safe enough for them to cycle on. 79 per cent of women do not cycle at all. But women are also telling us they desperately want that situation to change. The desire to cycle, and enjoy all the benefits that cycling brings, is becoming a priority.'
You can add your support to the petition at Sustrans' site for women, Bike Belles.
Although it is not essential, a helmet can help you feel safer on the roads. Wearing a helmet is very much a matter of personal choice, but for those who do choose to wear one, we can recommend the wonderful range from Bern which are designed to cushion the head against small impacts more effectively than ordinary helmets. It helps that they look fantastic too! Our current favourite is this Muse Hard Hat with Graphic.

And the winner is...

We ran a competition with the London Paper last month to kit out a lucky lady in full CycleChic attire. The prize up for grabs was a fabulous Velorbis Danneborg bicycle, a Yakkay helmet, satchel pannier & frog lights. Helen Fox, pictured above was our winner and she carries it off rather nicely I think.
We are delighted that winning the competition has got Helen back in the saddle after of number of years, following a nasty cycling accident. Helen had been umming and ahhing whether to give cycling another go so winning this beautiful bike made up her mind well and truly.
Hear from the girl herself on her blog Beautiful Brainy Music

Ding day - hurray!

Fancy showing some cycling solidarity? On Wednesday September 9 London will celebrate ‘Ding Day’, to build up a sense of community among the capital’s cyclists.
On the day, cyclists are asked to greet each other with a ‘ding ding’ of the bell, turning the city into a veritable symphony of bicycle bells. If you are greeted, you must ‘ding’ back.
Ding Day is now in its second year and its organisers hope the idea will help celebrate cycling in the city and create a fun experience for cyclists and residents.
The day has backing from the London Cycling Campaign, Olympic cyclist Chris Hoy and the Mayor of London. Organisers are also hoping to sign up cycling companies to get them involved and persuade them to donate prizes.
We think it’s a great idea and a fantastic way to celebrate cycling in the city. We also love the idea of greeting fellow cyclists in a polite and ladylike fashion and bringing some old-fashioned manners to the roads.
Most importantly there is a real opportunity to build a feeling of camaraderie and community among cyclists in London.
Although bells come in all shapes, sizes and pitches, we love a big, vintage bicycle bell like this ding dong bell and this is a great way to show yours off.

Cyclechic Convoy at The London Skyride

This years London Skyride (formerly called the Freewheel)takes place on Sunday 20th September. The roads around central London will be closed off to cars and thousands of cyclists will take over the city streets

This year we thought we would bring some cycling style to this wonderful event in the form of a Cyclechic Convoy. So if you fancy showing off your Cycle Chic finery and sharing a G & T with like minded folk, come and join the Cyclechic Elite.. THE RULES:

1. Register for free through the Skyrides official website.

2. Start planning your outfit - items of clothing we would like to see of the day.
Ladies: Vintage dresses, Floral frocks, swishy skirts, wicker baskets & pretty panniers.
Gents: Tweed, blazers, boaters, breeches, brogues & Bern Helmets

3. Join the Cycle Chic facebook group and we will be in touch with more details nearer the time, meeting point etc. or email us at caz@cyclechic.co.uk

Let's hear it for Cycle Fridays

Studies have shown a lack of confidence on the roads is one of the main barriers stopping women from cycling. So let's hear it for the lovely people at Transport for London and the London Cycling Campaign who have come up with Cycle Fridays.
Experienced cycling marshals will shepherd cyclists into town every Friday morning between now and October. There are six routes to choose from, all heading into central London, and the idea is to encourage more people to cycle to work.
Meeting points include Brixton, Finsbury Park, Mile End, Ravenscourt Park, Swiss Cottage and Greenwich. Each ride will depart at 8am and take around an hour.
Cycling to work isn't just fun and quicker than public transport - it's great for your figure, your pocket and the environment.
For our top tips on how to arrive at work fresh as a daisy, not pouring with sweat, click here.

Dashing Tweeds Summer Cycling Suit

And very Dashing it is too. Dashing Tweeds are the experts in debonair cycling wear. We love their Summer cycling suit. The military style jacket is made of jacquared woven cotton and has a reversible reflective belt and a reflective fabric under the collar. I particularly love the Breeches, why don't more chaps wear breeches? a fabulous garment in my view.

A girls' day out?

As if further proof were needed that women on wheels are spearheading a growing movement, this year's Cycle Show, to be held in London in October, will have a distinctly girly theme.
Organisers have cottoned on to the increase in female cyclists and the day will see leading fashion brands and celebrity experts offering help and advice on cycling chic.
A series of women's sessions will be held through the day and leading industry experts will discuss the issues facing women who cycle.
Show director Andrew Brabazon says: 'We've known for years that female cyclists are just as passionate about cycling as their male counterparts, but it is encouraging to see that so many new cyclists are women.'
And so say all of us!
Our friends at Cyclodelic will present the Girls Guide to Cycling which will cover nutrition, fashion and make-up, training kits and much more.
A series of women-only maintenance sessions will also be held throughout the day.
Its likely there will be much more for the girls by the time the show rolls round so keep checking cyclechic.co.uk for updates.

Your bum looks damp in that...here let us help

We will be distributing Cyclechic saddle covers to bikes we like in around London over the next month. We know how these pesky summer showers can leave you with a soggy saddle, resulting in a damp derriere. We hope our saddle covers will help you avoid the damp patch and enjoy your summertime cycling. We will be working our way around various parts of town but if you need our protection, suggestions for bike parking areas, stations etc. are welcome.

A basket fit for a Poppy....

Since we blogged about the gorgeous Pashley Poppy we've been inundated with feedback about how stunning the bike is. All of you Poppy-lovers out there are very satisfied customers.
But there's a pertinent question that needs answering - is there a basket available that will fit the Poppy, with its distinctive handlebars?
A product is literally being developed as we write, and more information will be available soon on price. Keep checking cyclechic.co.uk for some more basket news very soon.
Meanwhile proving that cycling can be stylish at the very top level, here's Olympic gold medallist and top cyclist Victoria Pendleton posing with a home-grown Poppy in grass green.
The photoshoot, with the Daily Mirror, was to promote Green Britain Day and there's no disputing that Victoria looks utterly stunning in her green Union Jack dress, made using recycled materials by British designer Wayne Hemingway.
But we can't get over the new shade - what do you think of the green Poppy? It looks like the bike is a one-off, but do you think Pashley should expand the colour palette? What colour Poppy would you like to see?

Cylechic.co.uk makes front page of the Observer Review

I stumbled into the News Agents on Sunday morning with a slightly sore head, feeling a little sorry for myself (I was at a very good friends wedding on Saturday and perhaps had one too many glasses of bubbly!)In my hazy state I manged to purchase The Observer and a cold can of Iron Bru... my mood suddenly lifted. What a treat to see a picture of my business partner, Lavinia and myself gracing the front cover of the Review!
We were part of The Observers Cycling special, celebrating the 'New two wheeled tribes'. It was a smashing Review that really captured the wonderful diversity of cyclists on the streets today and we felt very privileged to be a part of it.

New Product! The Minnehaha Utility Pannier

They don't make them like they used to.. But now they do with these marvelous Minnehaha Utility Panniers! I have always been a big fan of traditional, classic panniers.
I bought a fabulous second hand number from a shop in East London about 2 years ago. Despite it looking the part, it was was not terribly practical as the attachments had broken. After failed attempts to strap it on with bungees, it now has a second life as a magazine holder.
Any hoo, the Minnehaha's are ruggedly handsome and eminently practical and available now at cyclechic.co.uk for the respectable price of £67.95.

Bike Couture

The Love affair between Cycling and high Fashion continues. Fabulous Pictures from US Vogue and Australian Vogue proving that the bicycle can be the ultimate fashion accessory. And our very own Queen of fashion, Vivienne Westwood arriving at the premiere of 'The age of stupid' by bicycle.


Lovely pics from fellow Cycle Chic blog Riding Pretty