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

Vintage bicycle posters

Who says bicycles are for outdoor use only. Brighten up your home with a few Vintage bicycle posters. There are some truly beautiful designs and they start from as little as £.6.99. A few of my favourites...





All of the above and many more are available from Art.com
Buy Vintage Bicycle Ads posters and prints at Art.com

There are also some irresistible posters on the RaleighArt Gallery website

London’s Alternative Bike shops, One East One West

‘Sick’ in Shoreditch sells a smorgasbord of French-Vintage paraphernalia from ball-gowns to bicycles. As with a lot of things when the French do cycling they like to do it in Style therefore there are a lot of beautiful bikes made in France. The eclectic mix of second hand bikes they sell range from £70-£200 they also sell frames, prices starting from £30.
The bicycles not only have a stylish edge but are good reliable city bikes and many of them come with rather splendid retro panniers. The only slight downfall of buying a French bike is that it may be a little difficult to get spare parts but this brings me to West London’s Alternative Bike shop; Notting Hill’s Bicycle workshop….

As a lover of vintage/second hand bikes I fully applaud this bike shop on the bohemian All Saints road in West London.
The owner of bicycle workshop, Nino is not interested in selling you a shiny new Hybrid with zillions of gears but instead would rather help you do up an old bike and join the vintage bicycle brigade. They are experts on older bikes and have a wide range of parts so they can get almost any bike back on the road.
You can take your bike down to the very popular Saturday morning open workshop although you may need to get there early as the workshop can get very busy in spring and summer
Another service they offer is to help you find a good vintage bike on eBay. Once you've bought it, you can bring it in and they will do any repairs necessary to get you on the road. This is such a great idea as there are so many wonderful, stylish ladies bike from the 70/s and 80's that are just rusting way in people garages crying out to have a bonny lass back aboard.
I have a friend who recently combined the services of both shops. She bought a beautiful white Peugeot from Sick, was struggling to get replacement inner tubes so took her bike to the bicycle workshop where she was fitted the right tubes and was merrily on her way.
Check out their website for further details The Bicycle workshop

Jackie O helmet cover

Loving this Jackie O inspired helmet cover from the creator of Californian cycle chic blog Riding Pretty . Not entirely sure how practical it is but quite frankly who cares... decadent and divine!

Tapered Trousers

Tapered trousers are very en vogue this year and are the perfect trouser for spring cycling. I especially like the jodhpur style like this wonderful Stella McCartney pair from Net a Porter

Or for a slightly more affordable option these back cotton Jodhpurs from Urban Outfitters for £45

..or these very comfy looking jogger style Hari Balloon pants from Browns

Kitsch Kitchen

My new favourite cycling accessory is this kitsch kitchen cycle bag solo. It attaches the side of your back rack and then unclips to be a wonderfully summery shopping bag and comes in the 4 fabulous colours below.
These bags are very popular in Holland but don't seem made it to the UK yet... but do not panic they will soon be available to buy from the forthcoming CYCLECHIC ONLINE SHOP. If you are interested in the lovely cycle bag solo or would like more details on the Cyclechic shop please email me caz@cyclechic.co.uk

Tip 12: Locks and Locking

A lock is one of the of the first bike accessories you will need to buy, not the most exiting by any means but very neccessary

A few tips on locks and locking

• 'D' locks are said to be the most secure but they can be quite heavy and cumbersome so make sure you get one with a bracket so it can be attached to your frame when you are cycling like the Abus Sinero. Or a smaller one like the Kriptonite Mini
To check the security of a lock before buying go not for profit website sold secure.

• Try and lock your bike to specific bike parking stands where possble but it is sometime neccessary to improvise with Lamposts and railings etc. This is fine but always try and lock your frame and at least one wheel to the stand or post.

• Although you are fully entitled to stay out all night dont leave your poor little bike out on the streets to fend for itself. Always try and get your bike home or to secure parking overnight. Very few bicycles are stolen from outside houses but if left on the street the risk of theft is much higher.

• If your place of work doesn't supply any secure bike parking suggest the ‘Take a Stand’ scheme where your employer can apply for cycle parking for up to 40 bicycles. Contact TfL on 020 722 1234 or the LCC office on 020 7234 9310 for more information. To gently put the pressure on take your bicycle in the office with you until the parking is provided.

• When parking your bike on the street go for busy areas as oppose to quieter roads or alley ways, it will be less easy for thieves to steal your bike if there's lot's of people around.

• The more money you spend on your bike the more you should spend on your lock

• Park your bike next to a more expensive one... a bit cheeky I know!

For more advice on security and insurance go to the LCC website

Model Cyclist

Everyone's favourite model Agnes Deyn looking fabulous on her bicycle with her usual effortless style. Apparently Agnes cycled between shows during New York City fashion week, flying a Union Jack flag off the back of her bicycle.. Good girl!

Basket Case

A basket can be a great addition to your bike. Whether your piling it high with fresh veg and a french sticks or more realistically throwing your handbag in it on your way to work, baskets are a practical option that add character to your bike. Basket pictured below from a range at Bobbin Bicycles. Scroll down for a few more suggestions...




The Klickfix wicker basket has both classic style and modern day practicality. The basket costs £38 and the lockable bracket is £17. This may be a little more expensive than others on the market but the advantage is that it's easily detachable when you want to use it for shopping but can be locked securely when you want to leave it on your bike. It's also a nice eco solution to avoid using plastic bags.

For something a little more decadent I rather like the Carrie bicycle basket from Design house stockholm. You can buy online or they have a shop on the Kings road, Chelsea.


For a quick, cheap and easy option go for the Basil rectangular basket from Fisher Outdoor for £23.99 . The hooks fit over your handle bars so although not entirely secure you can just order online and attach straight away.


This lovely Hershberger baker's basket was designed by an Armish family in the States. It is available from US site Velo orange but have yet to find anyone selling them in the UK... will keep looking.


If wicker is all a bit 'Vicars wife' for you, try this no nonsense Adie wire mesh basket from Discount Bicycles for only 14.99 complete with quick release mechanism


The waterproof options all tend to be a little boring, this is the best I can find The Reisenthel Bike Basket, verging on Mumsy, I know! definitely room for improvement in this area...

Wish you were here

I have just been to the seaside for Easter. I had visions of cycling along the promenade in a 50's dress hitched up, enjoying a bit of spring time sunshine and stopping off for ice-cream along the way. Unfortunately there was no spring time sunshine to be had only gail force winds and snow!! So re-enacting a scene from David Lelands 'Wish you were here' (pictured above) was out of the question.

Let me know your favourite bike scenes from films...

What a lovely evening

Thank you to all the wonderfully chic ladies and gents who came along for a drink last night to celebrate Lucky Saddles grand unveiling!

We hope our little display of bike-beautifulness will catch a few peoples eyes over the next 10 days and spread the Cycle Chic word.

LUCKY SADDLE, 79 Upper Street, Islington, N1