Bolzano, Brogues and Boyfriend Blazer

We are loving the new satchel style Bolzano Pannier, £55. It's the perfect size and shape for your daily commute and teamed with brogues and boyfriend blazer will complete your classic spring look.

Topshop £65

Clarks £69.99

With it's box shape the Bolzano is ideal for keeping your laptop or ipad safe and secure and has various inner compartments for paperwork or other bits and bobs. It attaches to the bike with robust plastic hooks and can be on and off in seconds. The hooks are then concealed with a canvas cuff and there is an adjustable shoulder strap for easy carrying when off the bike.

A New Chapter for Bobbin Bicycles

Congratulations to our friends at Bobbin Bicycles on the launch of their own range of branded Bicycles. They are available in shops from London to LA and have the likes of Florence Welch as proud owners. Check out their website for details on the fantastic range of beautiful bicycles,  I have my eye on the blue shopper. More detailed reviews coming soon...

Creme de la Creme

Lovely photographs of lovely looking bicycles from Creme Cycles

Rebecca Rocks it on BBC3's Free Speech

Rebecca with panelist, actor Adam Deacon

I got a call from a customer on Wed afternoon telling me she was appearing on BBC3's new panel show, Free Speech, talking about cycle safety AND that she would proudly be sporting our TwonFro Hi Viz Vest So I tuned in at 10pm and spotted Rebecca straight away in the audience, looking the epitome of East London cool, with the hi viz vest over a Flouro orange top. The host obviously noticed her to and she was the first person he went to for their point of view. She leapt up and gave Radio 1 Xtra DJ and newbie cyclists Gemma Cairney some sound advice on what she should wear on her bike to be both visible and stylish.

She carried off the Hi viz vest with such aplomb that even the Radio Times mentioned her in a review of the show ""On last night's Free Speech Rebecca revealed the hottest cycling accessory in town... NUCLEAR BRACES"
Go Rebbecca! And thanks so much for the mention xx
Here's the link to it on iplayer, Rebecca steals the show about 21 mins in)

Wardrobe tips for cycling in the rain.

1. A Helmet is your friend

If like me you HATE getting wet hair go for a helmets with fewer ventilation holes. The Bern helmets, Sawako Furuno's and Yakkay Paris are all great for keeping your hair dry and the peak at the front prevents rain from going in your eyes. If you have a regular cycle helmet with large ventilation holes, you could try wearing a skull cap underneath. Although it might be tempting to wear a jacket with a large hood and pull it over your head to block out the miserable rainy world, don't do it. Hoods (the bigger and fluffier the worse) can seriously affect your peripheral vision and can cause you to miss traffic to your left and right.

2. Caped Crusader

A regular raincoat, might not always be right for cycling as it may get too hot once you're pedaling away. Light and breathable is the way to go with layers for warmth on underneath. We love Water of a Ducks Back cycling specific Mac £129.99 or go for a rain cape or poncho that folds away neatly into its own pouch once you get to your destination. Check out our NEW Festival Floral Poncho £23.99. All these options are designed to keep your legs dry as well as your upper body so you don't end up with soggy jeans for the rest of the day.


3. Say No to soggy feet

If like me you HATE getting wet feet almost as much as getting wet hair, you need to go for waterproof footwear. Wellies, if they fit properly and you're not in too much of a hurry can work well but can be awkward once you get to the office. A great option, that we are loving at Cyclechic, are The Georgia in Dublin Leggits £49.99. You simply pop them over your regular shoes or boots and they keep your foot & lower leg completely dry and they look like a pair of funky snow boots. You can also get a matching Georgia in Dublin Dorothy Cover £19.99 for your basket.

Safety Tip
It goes without saying that when it's raining you need to be extra alert and take extra care on the roads. The roads can be slippy so be very careful on corners, take it slow and keep as much weight as possible on the outside pedal to ensure you are balanced. Resist the childish urge to plough through puddles, submerged potholes can catch you out.

And finally here's my all time favourite rain/dance sequences, this will be sure to put a smile on your face on a rainy Wednesday.

Welcome back to the Cherry Pine Deluxe Pannier... we missed you

We are terribly excited here at the Cyclechic office to have our star pannier The Cherry Pine Deluxe, £55, back in stock. It has long since been our most popular pannier and we have been quietly sobbing inside whilst we've not had it in stock.
We have a limited number in stock now and we will have the new improved version with longer straps in early May.
In the 4 years I have been running Cyclechic I have not come across a Pannier that has such a winning combination of vintage charm and everyday practicality. Its is quite simply a Cycle Chic staple.

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.

For your Velo Valentine

I never thought I would say this about a bike lock but the new Knog Strongman Lock is Damn Sexy! The perfect pressie for the strongman in your life. If he's obsessive about his bike this could be a good way to his heart or you could use it to lock him to he bed...

Ensure the love of your life is reflecting their pretty little selves safely while cycling at night with the cute as a button SpotMe badges £9.99.

But enough about presents for your other halfs what about your precious bicycle. Show your trusty steed some love with the 'I Love my bike' Bell £5.99.

In an ideal world I will be cycling in...

So January is almost over, thank goodness. It's been bleak and somewhat depressing. Can't wait until February begins and spring starts to become a reality rather than a distant dream. Time to start looking ahead and planning the ideal spring cycling outfit. My first choice pictured above is this exquisite Mulberry anorak, (the skirt may be a little awkward though and one probably shouldn't hitch a Mulberry skirts in ones knickers)

This Louis Vuitton dress would be idea for spring jaunts on my pastel Blue Pashley Poppy.

 Loose fitting yet sleek and sophisticated, this outfit from Phillip Lim  would do rather nicely for cycling to the office.

The lovley Lady Velo trials our Handbag Hugger

If you've not come across her before Lady Velo is the blogger behind Velo-City-Girl. A girl after our own heart Lady Velo embraces the joyous link between bicycles and fashion and blogs about her advetures cycling around London town on her Pashley 'Frankie'.


She very kindly trialed our Handbag Hugger and took some great pics. We love the way she doubled it up with the wicker basket and adore her choice of handbag to be hugged. Read her full review here

Keep up the good work Lady Velo!

Windy blows and Rosy cheeks

Surviving the wind and the rain? Why not cheer yourself up with our top pick from the Cyclechic Sale. The lovely Rosy Cheek Red Bensimon Rucksack is now only £44.25. Having this cheery little rucksack on your back will put a smile on your face and a spring in your pedal.

A few tips for cycling in windy conditions
1. Keep both hands firmly on the handlebars, this is no time to be doing 'look Mum no hands' tricks
2. Avoid flowing dresses & skirts and hats that could blow off (I once lost my favourite tribly cycling in windy conditions)
3. Get your head down and bring your elbows in so you have a smaller surface area facing the wind.
4. Bit cheeky but try cycling behind someone. Or cycle with a friend and take it in turns to lead the way and face the gales!

Wrap up in style

From amazing blog The Sartorialist. I am so in love with her Camel coat.

Just because the temperature is dropping doesn't mean you have to drop your style standards on your bike. Having a mooch around some of my favourite blogs, here's some inspirational seasonal style...

Spotted on the fabulous San Fran blog Velo Vogue. The tartan boots and bags are to die for teamed with angelic cream sweater and Beret... the perfect outfit for the festive season.

Chunky knit cardy, retro Nikes and a lovely classic bike. This chap spotted on from Calgary Cycle Chic has got it right!

And from Copehagen Cycle Chic. This lady's green/grey beret is a perfect match for her eyes.

Free Delivery on Everything for 24 hrs!

Claqs £4, Ankle Claq £5, iPhone holder £5, Spokies £5 (set of 5)

 SpotMe badges £9.99, TwonFro Sash £9.99, Hooter £11.99, Dorothy Cover £19.99 

We'll pay the stamps baby... when ordering little stocking fillers online the postage can sometimes be as much if not more than the item and the whole things seems pointless. But until midday tomorrow you can order products from £2.99 to £200 and pay absolutely no postage, yay!

Shine on... Reflective gifts from £5

TwonFro Ankle Claqs come in Yellow, Pink, Silver and Neon yellow. Snap, shine and go, only £5 each.

Ding Dong indeed...SpotMe Reflective badges, £9.99 for a set.

TwonFro Reflective Sash for the Beauty Queen in your life, only £19.99

 Dashing Tweeds Reflective woolen legwarmers £40. Quite simply the most stylish way to reflect.

TieCycle £22.50. It's not often that vintage and reflective come together but they do with these fabulous customised reflective tie sashes.

Georgia in Dublin Basket cover, £ 19.99. Keep both you and your belongings safe on the road. A great pressie for the beloved basket-case in your life.

 TwonFro Reflective Vest £44.99. Our best selling Reflective item is sure be hit under the tree.

Reflective Spokies. Reflective tubes that slot onto your spokes. Your whizzing wheels will glow like a Catherine Wheel. £5 for a pack of 5. (great for the kids)

Po Campo spare pocket with Swallow reflective detail £23.99. It attaches to your ankle with a lovely leather strap and is the perfect size, for your cash, cards and keys.

Listen up ladies.. the Bern Lenox has arrived!

We always get excited when Bern launch a new helmet but the fact that the Bern Lenox is a women specific cycle helmet has us quite frankly beside ourselves. We are also the first retailer in the UK to have the summer Lenox available before it launches officially in the spring.
Finding the perfect cycle helmet is, I admit, an obsession of mine and I have a strict set of criteria. The Lenox is currently my top runner, here's why:

• Fully certified with EPS foam
• Flattering design with Visor
• Lighter, smaller shell to eliminate mushroom head syndrome
• Padding and new adjustable strap inside the helmet  for ultimate comfort
• Ventilation holes to prevent sweaty head
• Value for money. Two-tone colours (purple/white, turquoise/white, black/magenta) £59.99. Single colours (grey) £49.99

You can either go for the subtle Grey Lenox, a great colours for Autumn/Winter or try one of the bright  two-tones colours. I am loving the Purple with White Brim Lenox and am planning to brighten up my winter wardrobe with matching purple skinny jeans. Loving this pair at only £16.99 from New Look

Or for my annual 'New Year get fit' look I am thinking the White and Turquoise Lenox with these matching joggers from ASOS will give me that extra motivation to get out on the bike and burn the calories in style.

Christmas pressie idea 
Buying a Bern Lenox Helmet for your loved one this Christmas not only shows how much you love their precious head but also shows you know they are highly stylish and deserve nothing less than the coolest most ladylike helmet around. (Seriously chaps you'll score enough Brownie points to see you through to next Christmas).