Skinny Dippers of the World Unite

Ok so these are a nice bunch of bike riders, we like them at Cycle Chic.  They're doing a crazy night ride from Sydney Observatory Hill to Newcastle Ocean Baths where they will be greeted by a tea lady (rumour has it...) and why not we say.

We also like skinny dipping at the Cycle Chic Republic.... which is why we are awarding a lovely ibikeSYD t.shirt to the first skinny dipper in !

I will need photo proof and may the cutest bum win!

More ride info here.

Cycle Chic Bloggers Conference Barcelona - Part 2

So Friday saw us all up at the crack of dawn, yep ok, 7.00am after a night of sangria felt like the crack of dawn on the slowly undulating yacht I was lucky enough to be staying on.

Our first official business as guest bloggers in Barcelona was to photograph the city's cyclists at a Cycle Chic Breakfast organised by BACC, the Bicicleta Club de Catalunya.  Held to celebrate Bike Week in Barcelona, free breakfasts were given to riders along with some well-deserved red carpet treatment. People in Barcelona really know how to dress and judging the chicest rider was a tough but pleasurable exercise.

We took thousands of photographs between us over 3 venues through the city and then there was Paulette. Just brilliant.  Hand painted bike and all.  She is now the proud owner of a new Hood Bicycle and a rain coat from Italian brand Abici.

Raul and Greta were obvious choices for the most fun category and won a selection of bicycle accessories from cool Barcelona brand Ramonas and a rain coat from Bordeaux brand Nooc.

Such a fun day, there were prizes for the runners up too.  

I was interviewed by Spanish newspaper El Pais who featured the event in this article and this blogpost and TV1 Espana shot a film of the breakfast for morning tv.  A more Almodovarian experience I have not had!

More tomorrow.....

SHEBAM! POW! BLOP! WIZZ! - Cycle Chic Does Gainsbourg

Summer in Sydney's just not Summer without a trip (or two) to an outdoor cinema.  After being rained off once we braved temperamental January with a repeat visit to Moonlight Cinema to see French film Gainsbourg.
Interesting film, flimsy characterisations but gorgeous to spend an evening under the stars with a gaggle of cycle chicsters.
We did a little photoshoot to amuse ourselves (and the candy bar guys!) before the film started and awarded Miss Phoebe with the Cycle Chic Calendar for exhibiting some pretty sexy Parisian inspired cycle chic.  Yep she even came with a bottle of Chanel No.5 as a prop!

   

   

French Film Cycle Chic!

Great shot of Jeanne Moreau and Henri Serre from Francois Truffaut's classic film Jules et Jim courtesy of our favorite vintage bike photo site Rides a Bike.

A little gallic chic to get us in the mood for tomorrow's Cycle Chic ride to Moonlight Cinema to see French biopic Gainsbourg.

Hope you can join us - bicycle or no bicycle!

RSVP to the facebook page or email so we know you're coming.

A gorgeous Copenhagen Cycle Chic Calender will go to the most suitably attired chic rider there so don't be shy to show your chic'ey side...

And the Winner Is....

As if you hadn't guessed, Milky Joe swings away with 80% of the votes for his witty self portrait - Milky TrumanO.

Good work Milky (and the Feathers for styling tips) and to everyone who voted.  The lovely Beauty Shopper will be yours !
[and yes, normal programming featuring human cycle chic will now resume...]

Cycle Chic Sundays Movie Photo Competition - the entries!

Well Chicsters, though the competition post seems to have had over 1000 views on Facebook alone (ie a lot of you are looking, thanks...) and has been tweeted about the bikeosphere there have been only 2 entries - WHAT???
I know everyone is getting over Christmas and New Year, and it's school holidays and Sydney Festival is on and well you're probably all at the beach but really, I'm a tad disappointed.
Truman doesn't seem to care but he's fickle like that....

But we at Cycle Chic are never disillusioned and there will be no tears shed.  So without further ado here are the entries and yes they deviated from the theme a little but I'm still doing a poll just 'cause I said I would and they are poll worthy in my humble opinion.  Good work - you know who you are :-)

Voting is easy, just click in the box next to your favorite image in the poll on the right hand column of the blog.  Vote for one or both, log in to different computers and vote more than once - go crazy, vote away and NO EXCUSES NEXT TIME!

Polls close at midnight on Friday 21 January and the winner gets the beautiful Basil Beauty Shopper.

1 - Truman MilkyO

2 - Holly [hearts] bikes

Cycle Chic Sundays Chic Movie Photo Competition!

We though perhaps it was time for another competition over at Cycle Chic and have come up with something fun to honour this Sunday's film outing.

The challenge is to photographically recreate the classic opening scene of Breakfast at Tiffany's with one addition - it must include a bicycle somewhere in the shot.

You can photograph someone else, get a friend to photograph you, use models/dolls/lego, the choice is yours.  Be as creative as you like.  Black and white or colour, in vintage or modern clothes, no rules.

We're not looking for carbon copies of this photograph but rather your own witty interpretation.

• The competition is open to anyone not just those attending the film on Sunday.  
• One entry per person please, with all photographs emailed to me no later than 8am on Monday morning. (So yes you can take photographs en route to the film on Sunday outside Deus on Oxford St if you so wish.....).  Please ensure you include your name and contact number in the email.
• Photographs will be up on the blog on Monday and voting will be by online poll with the winner receiving this lovely vintage style Basil bike basket (thanks as always to our friends at Gazelle). 

Easy.  Go wild.  Be creative and above all be cycle chic..... 

* U P D A T E * U P D A T E  * U P D A T E *



Due to popular demand the closing date now Sunday Jan 16 so you have time...... some great entries in already!

The Happy Smiling Face of Cycle Chic Kids

We were so glad to award the Basil basket to Hannah and this is why.

Can't wait to see it on her bike, or the tagalong on the next ride!

     

The Blingtastic Launch of Cycle Chic Kids!

What a wonderful way to roll off the first Cycle Chic Kids event.

Despite the overcast day which may have kept some families away, we managed to sidestep the rain and spent a very happy few hours in Centennial Park creating magic.

It's funny when you organise a kids event, you can never quite tell if it will work - they're funny creatures (never work with kids or animals right?) but when it works ?  Boy it works.

Within five minutes of unpacking the tubs of craft supplies, all 20 or so kids (plus their eager parents...) were into it, up to their little arms in fabric, flowers, ribbons, foil, paper, bells....you name it we had it.

   

It was hard to keep a smile off my face as I snapped away and watched them festoon their bicycles and scooters and tricycles with their finds.  Talk about creative ?  We had a doll in a basket wrapped in paper complete with a foil cupcake in case incase she got hungry.  We had flowers and leaves stuck like peacock feathers from saddles.  Silver starts threaded through spokes.  Space helmets and rocket boosters attached to training wheels....I could go on.

    

The wonderful Paul became No 1 King of Bling and was sweet-talked by all the kids into driving them around (and around) the park in the Gazelle Cabby.  Who doesn't love a ride in a cargo bike, it's the modern equivalent of the bouncy castle I reckon.

And the fun didn't stop with the kids.  Quite a few parents tried out the Cabby and my Velorbis.  Nice to see adults having so much fun with bikes too - it really is infectious.

  

So fun was had by one and all  and plans are already underway for the next one.  BIG plans.  Please make sure you like the facebook page to be kept upto date with details or drop me an email and I'll add you to our new Cycle Chic Kids email group. 

It was impossible to judge a winner out of the kids as they all made such an effort so we decided to award a Basil basket to Hannah who made the longest journey to join us with her Dad.  We loved meeting you both and Mark you have been voted the coolest Dad on two wheels (or three in your case....) - hope you survived the long trip home?

It's been impossible to edit the 300 odd photographs from the day (see the rest on flickr) but the kids speak for themselves, so here the are - some of the first Cycle Chic Kids from Sydney.

    

I am endebted to so many people for helping to make this a success and offering their support.  What a wonderful bicycle community we are a part of.  Without wanting to turn this into an Oscar acceptance speech, permit me to say THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to (in no particular order):

The Lord Mayor, Clover Moore MP who was due to launch the event but her recent foot injury prevented her from attending.  She has been a great supporter of Sydney Cycle Chic as we are of hers!  Her speech is here.

The entire Cycle Team at City of Sydney who tirelessly give me their help and advice.  Elaena Gardner from BIKESydney for her wisdom and loaning us their Cabby (sorry about all the stickers....). Kathi from Feather Brigade for her crazy craftiness.  The supreme Queen of Craft, Liane Rossler for just being the most creative and generous person I know.  Liz Nield and Lyn Heal from Opera Australia for getting behind me and digging out those pink leaves.  Neroli for being so wonderfully generous.  Miss Sonja for being my fellow cycle chica from the start.  Milou for being calm and keeping me in Gin. Jim for being there and giving me free reign of the UTS faculty guillotine.  The kids and parents at Montessori East for getting into the spirit.

And of course, last but not least, Mikael, the Godfather of Cycle Chic for the cute logo and the Felix's (Sydney and Copenhagen) for inspiring this in the first place.

Do Purple Bikes Go Faster??

Well Newtown Festival was HOT HOT HOT yesterday and I dragged myself away from Bondi just long enough to check out the entrants in their inaugural Bling Your Bike Competition.

The girls were out in force with their blinged purple bikes and it was great to see them get crafty and have fun.  Fun being what bike riding should ALWAYS be about.... at any age.

Maya and Georgia had decorated their Malvern Star with cupcakes and muffins - a nod to Masterchef Kids perhaps?? - and even had muffins and cookie cutter on their helmets! 
The only mishap was that some of the muffins got knocked off by their skirts while riding - the perils of riding in style discovered at an early age :-)

     

Samira's purple Southern Star was festooned with foil, streamers and sparkles galore and she happily posed like a true Cycle Chica for me to take her photograph.

Disppointingly, there were only two entrants, what's up with that Newtown???.  I have to say I was suprised but I think it was more to do with lack of publicity rather than lack of interest.  Certainly the parents I spoke to were well-informed and very keen to encourage the girls to ride as much as possible - but I suspect they don't need much encouraging....

Miss Nell (one of the City's Cycling Ambassadors) was there in fine form to do a lap of the park with the kids and the rest of the festival was heaving as it always is. 

My guess is that Sydney is more than ready for my next little project - it couldn't come at a better time - are you ready for Cycle Chic Kids???

Cycle Chic Sundays Does the Bicycle Film Festival!

We've been looking forward to this for a while and are planning a big week of bike F U N!

We'll be starting with the Opening Night Party at the Beresford Hotel on Wednesday and assuming we're still rolling at the end of the week, we'll be joining the Cute Commute for a ride and some beach fun followed by the final night of films at the Bondi Beach Hotel and the Festival wrap party.

So, time to get ready for some Summer beach lovin' and sand between your spokes. 

There will be a competition to find the most bikealicious beach babe so dress up (or down as you see fit....) and more surprises revealed through the week.

Hope to see you somewhere along the route on Sunday and during the Festival.

WHO: Anyone who favours style over speed and feels like some beach frolics
WHERE: Meet at Taylor Square at 1pm or the following Pit Stops / Cnr of Queen & Moncur Sts, Woollahra at 1.45pm / The top of Cooper Park Steps on Victoria Rd, Bellevue Hill at 2.15pm. Finishes at the Northern end of Bondi Beach (in front of the RSL)
WHEN: Sunday November 21

RSVP on our facebook page here and like us too while you're there if you haven't already.

Calling all Cycle Chic Kids - Bling Your Bike at the Newtown Festival!

Ok so there are a lot of bikes in Newtown, that's a fact. So at next Sunday's Festival, we expect to see some serious cycle chic.
The Festival is one of Sydney's largest and longest running free community festivals and will be a day full of the usual community shenanigans. World music, great food, an Eco Zone, the wonderful Great Aussie Clothes Swap, stalls, bicycle valet parking with free tune-ups, kids activities and.....no wait, kids activities?

Now there is something pretty cool happening for our little bicycle warriors at the Newtown Festival this year. Something that I have a very keen interest in, being mother to a mini bicycle maniac.
Kids are not only being encouraged to ride to the festival, brilliant in itself, but they are also being invited to decorate their bikes for the inaugural "Bling Your Bike" competition.

Open to kids of Primary School age, all they have to do is go bananas with the recycling and get crafty with their bikes, ride up to the festival and register and then join the parade through the park. The City of Sydney's Bicycle Ambassadors will judge the best bikes, there will be cool prizes and proud parents.

Kids love bikes, especially Cycle Chic Kids (as Mikael's son Felix from Copenhagen Cycle Chic proves) and they should be riding and having fun.  We were all kids once and we remember what it was like. So if you have small people, help them funk up their bike, pimp yours while you're at it and head on down to the festival next Sunday.  We'll be there with bells on.


The festival is on November 14 from 9.30-5.30 at Camperdown Memorial Rest Park, Australia Street, Newtown.
Festival details here and full kids competition details here.

Cycle Chic Sundays Does Tea and Cake in the Park (and yes we're back to Sundays!)

I thought it would be nice to find an historical Australian female cyclist, someone who once embodied cycle chic and perhaps still has the power to to inspire women to ride.

So when Elaena from Bike Sydney (amongst other fabulous ventures) put me on to Sarah Maddox it was clear that we needed a ride in her honour and coincidentally, October 29 is the 150th anniversary of her birth.

I hope you'll join us for some scones and tea and a lovely ride through the park in her honour.
There will be another gorgeous Basil pannier up for grabs thanks to Gazelle Australia and this one's for all you cycle chic men.  Competition details to be advised (when I have come up with something suitably challenging....)

WHAT: A leisurely ride in Centennial Park followed by a picnic with tea and cakes - perhaps a game of boules.  Please bring something delicious to eat and share
WHO: Anyone who favours style over speed and feels like lounging around in the park on a Summer's day with other similarly relaxed bicyclists
WHERE: Meet at the Paddington Gates at the corner of Lang Road and Oxford Street
WHEN: Sunday October 24 at 1pm

RSVP on our facebook page here and like us too while you're there if you haven't already.
Centennial Park info here.

A little background on Sarah Maddox.  Sarah was Australia's first long distance female cyclist and in 1893, when she had only just learned to ride, she and her husband set off for a 300 mile jaunt to Bega - averaging 60 miles a day on pretty terrible roads.  The following year she cycled from Sydney to Melbourne in nine days and her visit to the city started a cycling craze amongst Melbourne women. 

In 1895 she rode to Brisbane and back and on her way home (a journey of 9 days), she rode through bushfires, tropical downpours and floods - all on dirt roads.

She also started the Sydney Ladies Bicycle Club and was a strong supporter of women cycling at a time when the media were scathing.  A real woman of her time, she advocated that ladies should always look ladylike on their bicycles - a long dark coloured skirt, white cotton blouse, straw hat and light coloured gloves were the suggested uniform.  No surprise then that she was known for her elegance and grace. 

While, thankfully, times have changed and Western women have the freedom to wear and do as we please, it's important to remember those trailblazers who paved the way.  I'm sure there are many more, if you know stories, I'd love to hear them.

And the Winner Is....

The delectable Miss Margaret is the winner of our inaugural competition and will now be the proud owner of a lovely Basil pannier courtesy of our supporters Gazelle Australia.
It's going to go very nicely on her classic cream Schwinn.  She scored a whopping 137 votes, 37% of the total.
Thanks to the 374 of you that voted from all corners of the globe and congratulations to all our lovely chicsters for being such good sports x

Cycle Chic Sundays Competition - the Search for Chic

Welcome to our first fabulous Cycle Chic competition!!
We had a hilarious photoshoot the other day after our picnic - thanks to everyone for being such willing subjects :-)
So now it's over to you - who do you think sums up Cycle Chicness ?

Bear in mind if you will these points from the Cycle Chic Manifesto:
- I embrace my responsibility to contribute visually to a more aesthetically pleasing urban landscape.
- I am aware that my mere prescence in said urban landscape will inspire others without me being labelled as a 'bicycle activist'.
- I will choose a bicycle that reflects my personality and style.
- I will, however, regard my bicycle as transport and as a mere supplement to my own personal style. Allowing my bike to upstage me is unacceptable.
- I will endeavour to ensure that the total value of my clothes always exceeds that of my bicycle.
- I will refrain from wearing and owning any form of 'cycle wear'. The only exception being a bicycle helmet - if I choose to exercise my freedom of personal choice and wear one.

The winner will receive one of these gorgeous Basil panniers thanks to our new supporters Gazelle Australia.

Voting is easy - just click the box next to the name in the poll on the right hand column of this page.  You can even vote for more than one chicster and yes, even for yourself!

All a bit of fun, we really don't take ourselves TOO seriously.....
Voting is open now and closes at 8pm on Saturday 9 October.  Easy.  And in no particular order, here are the finalists.
Bonne chance a tous!

1 - Margeret

2 - Alacoque

3 - Sonja

4 - Madeleine

5 - Katie

6 - Tanja

7 - Kathi

8 - William

9 - Michael

10 - Grant

11 - Garry