Béret Baguette 2011 - A Little Slice of Parisian Chic

This just makes me yearn for summer riding again....... gorgeous and so very French!

Skirts on Bikes ?!? Whatever Next?

We so wish we could be in NYC today to join the Official "Skirts On Bikes!" Ride - Celebrating Freedom and Fashion.

You may have read the reports recently about Dutch cyclist Jasmijn Rijcken who was visiting New York City on May 3 and was approached and questioned by a NYPD officer for wearing a skirt while riding her bicycle in Soho. Rijcken says the officer told her she was a distraction for motorists, told her to change into pants, asked for her identification and nearly ticketed her. 

What???  It would be funny if it wasn't true.

So in support of New Yorkers and cyclists across the globe who love to ride in style in a skirt or a dress, the New Amsterdam Bicycle Show are joining forces with Hudson Urban Bicycles to invite cyclists to take to their bikes for a ride through the bike lanes of Greenwich Village, Soho and Tribeca. 

So if you're lucky enough to be in NYC today I hope you're riding in whatever you choose to wear and standing up for freedom - I know we would be if we could.

RSVP and find out more on their Facebook page

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 from Gazelle 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....).  Paul van Bellen from Gazelle Australia for being King of Bling and such a good sport.  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.

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.

Keep it Wheel Baby!

Loving this and moving hell and high water to make it.......and I'm bringing my ladies with me.

If you haven't signed up yet, do.  At time of writing this they are 19 riders short of their target of 100.  That's a hell of a lot of sexy bicycles taking over the city on Sunday - get amongst it!

Hopefully see you there, somewhere at some point.

Register here.

If you are bike-less, there are bike hire companies offering discounts.  Check out their facebook page for more details.