Global Cycle Chic - Sacramento

And yes, Cycle Chic is not exclusive to Europe so we're still hanging out for Lorena from Sac Cycle Chic to make it to Barcelona next week....
still time Lorena......... :-)

[photographs courtesy Sac Cycle Chic]

Cycle Chic Sundays Does the Bondi Beach Farmers Market!

A little last minute ride if anyone Bondi way wants to check out the new Bondi Beach Farmers Market opening tomorrow!

We do love a farmers market at Cycle Chic and we're especially happy to have one in our 'hood!

We'll be riding from the Rose Bay Foreshore up to the markets so meet at the start at 10am or meet us at the market - very casual.   It's on rain or shine and we'll ride unless it's bucketing down (entirely likely given this week's weather) - rsvp and leave a message on the Facebook page if you're coming and we'll arrange where to meet.

Check for rain update in the morning if it looks wet!

Market Info here.

  

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!

   

   

Cycle Chic Does Moonlight Cinema - Encore!

Seeing as how we got rained out last time just before the end of Breakfast at Tiffany's, the lovely folks at Moonlight Cinema offer us tickets to another session so WE'RE GETTING THE BAND BACK TOGETHER!

If you missed us at the last one - we'd love you to join us this time for some Gallic fun.

WHAT:     An evening viewing of hot French biopic Gainsbourg

WHO:       Anyone who would like to lounge around on a balmy Sydney summer evening under the stars

WHERE:   Moonlight Cinema, Centennial Park (entry via the Woollahra Gates off Oxford Street)

WHEN:     Tuesday February 8th.  Meet at the gates at 7pm.  Film starts at sundown.

NB: We advise you to pre-buy tickets in case the session sells out.  Those that came last time are entitled to a "Rain Out Ticket", info here.   Buy and redeem tickets from Moonlight online here.  Bean beds can be hired at the venue and there is a licensed bar but feel free to bring blankets, picnic and booze.

We all seem to ride in from the four corners of Sydney so like last time, leave a message on the facebook invite page if you'd like company on your ride and we'll hook you up.  Bikes can be brought in to the enclosed area too so no need to leave them in the street, just wheel them on in.

Any questions, leave a message or email me.

Gauloises, berets, Breton sweaters and baguettes entirely optional though strongly recommended, especially as there will be a prize for the most stupendously chic rider!

Thanks to one of our most loyal fans, the very generous and lovely Miss Fiona, I will have a copy of the 2011 Cycle Chic Calendar to give away on the night.

So, dress up, remember the Manifesto and may the chic'est rider win.

À la prochaine fois mes amis vélo chic :-)

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 Does the Moonlight Cinema

Time to get the New Year off to a rolling Cycle Chic start......

WHAT:     An evening viewing of that all time chic film classic Breakfast at Tiffany's
WHO:       Anyone who would like to lounge around on a balmy Sydney summer evening under the stars.
               Vintage Audrey/George chic if you so desire....
WHERE:   Moonlight Cinema, Centennial Park (entry via the Woollahra Gates off Oxford Street)
WHEN:     Meet at the gates at 7pm

NB: This film may sell out so it is advisable to pre-book.  Tickets can be purchased from Moonlight Cinema online and bean beds are available for hire at the cinema.

For anyone who has never been to Moonlight Cinema, it is wonderful.  If you haven't seen Breakfast at Tiffany's, well now is your chance.  The films start at sundown and there is a licensed bar and food available.  It is also BYO so feel free to bring your favorite beverage and picnic food - anyone else think a Martini sounds like a good idea?  Blankets and rugs of course go without saying.

This is really just a good excuse to catch up and plan some fun events for the New Year so I'd love to see you all and some new faces too.
As we all seem to ride from the various corners of Sydney perhaps some of you will join up and ride to the park together?  Leave a message on the facebook invite page when you RSVP if you'd like company on your ride and we'll see who we can hook up.  You can also leave a message here or email me.

I'm checking with them to see about bicycle parking too so will post an update on the facebook page.

January is a busy old month in Sydney with the Festval and Flickerfest so expect more rides through the month.  Let me know if you're planning to be anywhere that needs a visit by Cycle Chic!

Hope to see you all on the 9th - don't forget to get your tickets soon to avoid disaster and RSVP!

Cockatoo Island Chic

Well the ride on Cockatoo Island a few weeks ago turned into a (retrospectively amusing) exercise in logistics!
Around 20 or more of us met up at Circular Quay and took the ferry over to the heritage listed Cockatoo Island, collecting film-maker Mike Rubbo and friends at Woolwich with their own bikes PLUS an extra 6 bikes PLUS the "Sociable".... all in all about 30+ bicycles....

Sydney Ferries were fantastically helpful after they got over their shock and the poor ferry guys helped us find space for all the bikes as we headed over to the Island for our ride.
The sun shone, we rode, we picnic'ed, we filmed, I fell off my bike like a 12 year old and still have the bruised, scraped knees to prove it and a good day was had by all.

Thanks to everyone who joined the madness - couldn't have done it without you!
And BIG thanks to Dr Charlton for the vintage bikes that he kindly donated to Sydney Cycle Chic after the ride.  The "Charlton Collection" will be available for use on our future rides.....

Mike's film featuring the sociable is wonderful - not every day that one gets to ride a piece of bicycle history.  More on the ride and the "Sociable" over at Mike's blog.

How lucky we are, sunshine, boys, bikes AND Sydney Harbour.

Arriving on the island, checking we had all the bikes.

The Sociable in action - all about the balance!  And Meredith, who hadn't ridden a bike for many years but thought it might be fun to start again on this?

     

It was a bit gusty at times as Paul discovered.

Filming in the huge Turbine Hall.

     

Cycle Chic Sundays Does Cockatoo Island

Ladies wanted for dangerously subversive step-through bicycle experiment!!!

Film-maker, Mike Rubbo has a mission.  He wants everyone to ride sit-up/step-through bikes.  He has a blog dedicated to this cause and some might say he is relentless in his quest.

He has 15 vintage ladies step-through bikes and I said I would help him find 15 ladies to ride them and participate in a short documentary film for YouTube.  It will be along the lines of his recent documentary Bike It Or Not (featuring some of these bikes) and that wonderful British film Beauty and the Bike.

The aim is to prove just how accessible this style of bike is and how different it feels to ride.
So have you always wanted to try a step-through classic bicycle ?  Not sure what the big deal is ?
Now is your chance.  We're hoping to find women of all ages (so yes, your younger sister, your mother....) who have perhaps never ridden this style of bike, to put on a frock and come and try.
To make it even more exciting, we will be selling said bikes after the film shoot at low cost (max $100 each) with all proceeds going towards a worthwhile bike related initiative (to be decided).  So not only could you be part of a fun film but you could get to ride away on a new (old) bike!

On top of all that, we will be having a fun ride around the Island and sharing a picnic with our lovely friends the Feather Brigade so it should be a great day.

It's imperative that I know who would like to participate in the film and will require a bike before Saturday so we know we have you covered.

Please either RSVP on the facebook event page, leave a message here or email me if you have any questions.

WHEN:     Sunday 5 December

WHERE:   Cockatoo Island, Sydney Harbour

HOW:       Meet at one of these ferry stops

- Rose Bay (ferry dep.10.13am)

- Circular Quay (ferry for Cockatoo Island via Woolwich dep.11.10am)

- Woolwich (ferry for Cockatoo Island dep.11.34am)

Return ferries are very regular.  Sydney Ferries link here.

BRING:     Some yummy picnic food and drink.  Your own upright bike unless you'd like to ride one of ours.

Cycle Chic Sundays Wraps Up Five Days of Bicycle Film Festival Mayhem!

From the Launch Party last Wednesday to the Wrap Party on Sunday, the Sydney Bicycle Film Festival was a riot of good times.  It was so great spending time with what felt like a big old bike loving family by the end of the week.
Things I learnt - those fixie kids sure know how to party and my bike doesn't keep up very well..... but then that's what I love about her, the LACK of speed.  One day I'll get a single speed, promise.

So as we plan madly for this weekend's launch of Cycle Chic Kids, here is our quick round up of the week.
More pics on flickr.

     
[l. Oh dear "bike polo is cool" says my Felix, age 4     r. Josh, Festival Guru]

     

[l. Waiting for the start of the ride to Bondi and loving my new vintage beachbag/pannier]

[r. Yogi and Axel, best seat in the house]

[Paulie with her very cool pimped up bike]

   

[l. Heading through Paddington on the way to Bondi    r. Great bikes down at the beach]

[The lovely Feather Brigade and the Gelato Cart!]

[The end of the ride]

   

l. The ride home is always my favorite part    r. The ladies camping it up outside the Beach Rd Hotel]

[Inspired bike parking in Bondi]

Hot Pink Bicycle Gelato Cart Deliciousness For Everyone!

Those lovely chaps at Gelato Cart will be joining us tomorrow for some Cycle Chic ice cream madness down at Bondi Beach.
They will be at the northern end of Bondi Beach in front of North Bondi Italian when the Cute Commute and Cycle Chic Sundays arrive for our beach party - just in case you need another excuse to join us tomorrow ??
Their list of flavours will get your tastebuds tingling, salted caramel, cherry-coconut nougat, lavender, rhubarb crumble, elderflower, sesame ginger, lime and mint, oh my.......

Organic creamy scrumptious gelato in a hot pink bicycle driven gelato cart - match made in heaven.

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.

Book 'em In - Cycle Chic Sundays' Upcoming Rides!!

Busy, busy, busy - it's a crazy time of year as Sydney starts to warm up for Summer and we are plotting and planning some great rides, so lock in these dates and we'll post more details as they come to hand!

November 21 - The closing day of the Sydney Bicycle Film Festival
If there is ANY strength left in us after the 4 days of festival fun, we'll be joining the Cute Commute from the city to Bondi for the final session at the Bondi Beach Hotel, followed by the final after party.
Too much fun being planned for one day - you don't want to miss this!

December 5 - Cockatoo Cycle Chic
We'll be taking a trip to the magical Cockatoo Island for a picnic and making a film for YouTube.
This will be a BIG one and there are beautiful bikes to be borrowed and auctioned so round up your chic bikeless friends.....

Sydney Bicycle Film Festival - 5 Days of Bikealicious Fun

Well the program has just been released, tickets are now on sale and my guess is, it's going to be five days of bike MANIA!

The festival kicks off with the Opening Night Party at the Beresford Hotel on Wednesday November 17 and finishes up with the final film session and after party at the Beach Road Hotel in Bondi on Sunday November 21.  There's an exhibition of artist customised wooden bikes at District 01, four film sessions at the Dendy Newtown, a street fair in Surry Hills with a BMX jam, more after parties than I've ever seen in a festival and the Cute Commute from the city to Bondi for the final session.

Cute Commute you say - yeah, sounds like fun.  I'm thinking babes, bikes, beers and the beach.
Needless to say, Cycle Chic Sundays will be joining the Cute Commute - how could we miss it?
I'll post details soon but keep the afternoon of the 21st free!

Check out the full festival program here and get your tickets here.

Someone Left the Cake Out In the Rain

Buggar, drats, and sod it all.  Looks like today's ride is officially cancelled then.
We waited until 11 for some sort of miracle but it's not to be, sadly.  After yesterday's incredible storms and the rain that's still falling heavily, a picnic in the park is not looking like a particularly fun idea, even with the suggestion of a game of water bike polo.....

I mean I like riding in the rain as much as the next person and I'm pretty good at riding with an umbrella, see below for some gorgeous rain inspiration from Copenhagen Cycle Chic, but it's not everyone's cup of tea.

So Sarah Maddox, I'm sorry, I wonder what you would have done?  Probably ride on regardless or perhaps you would have huddled under a tree with a cup of tea to wait out the storms.  Either way, we will all simultaneously raise a cup of Darjeeling and scoff a scone at 1pm in your honour.

Damn, and I was making my lovely flourless chocolate cake too.
Next ride details soon - perhaps a waterproof poncho making working bee?