Ride Happy - Bike Bling for Everyone......

It's been a long time since WOOP! so we're a bit excited to be rolling out the cargo bike of bling again this month to the East Side Ride.

We'll be in the cycling hub with recycled, up-cycled crafty stuff to festoon your bikes and ride day sale specials on our lovely ibikeSYD t.shirts & bike bags....

So Cycle Chic Kids big and small, come and join the fun.

It's fun, it's free and you'll be guaranteed to ride away happy!!

Just Another Sunday in the Park....

Someone remarked on facebook that Tanja looks like she's in a Yoplait ad - we say that's the funniest best comment ever... but so true.

Sod the Bike, Let's Kiss

Ah romance..... aint it grand.

Ride in the Park

Another steamy hot Sydney day, perfect for a breezy ride in the park.  This is becoming quite a common sight now and not a moment too soon I say.

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...

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 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!

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.

Cycle Chic Kids Are Go!

One more sleep to go and everything is set for the launch.  We have rummaged through Reverse Garbage, begged and borrowed recycled bits and bobs from friends, scored great crafty supplies from the wonderful Wardrobe Department at Opera Australia and now we're ready for the blinging and biking to begin.

There are cute bike baskets to give away for the most imaginatively decorated bicycles, thanks to our lovely supporters at Gazelle Australia.

Perhaps take a spin in their Cabby too!

My 'Queens of Craft' will be on hand to help with the bike blinging and have all sorts of fabulous ideas - are you ready for unicorn bikes?  Perhaps a robot bike is more your thing?  Paper flowers, beads, bells? Just bring your bike, scooter or tricycle, raid the recycling box for fun stuff to bring and share and be prepared for some F U N!

WHAT:   Bring a family picnic, do some crafty bike decorating and have a fun ride in the park
WHO:     Kids of all ages and their families and carers (with bicycles!)
WHERE:  Near the Learners Circuit at the southern end of Centennial Parklands (map link below)
WHEN:    Sunday 28 November from 10.30am to coincide with Centennial Park's Spring Car-Free Day

Please like our facebook page here and RSVP to the event here or leave a comment or drop us an email

Centennial Parklands information here and map here

Storms are scheduled for late afternoon so fingers crossed for good weather in the morning - we will only be rained off if it's actually raining at 10am.  Check here for an update if unsure!

Bling Bling - Are You Ready for Cycle Chic Kids?

We've been planning this for a while and the momentum has been building and now we're ready.
Sydney is ready, indeed it seems the WORLD is ready for kids to get back on their bikes. 

So welcome the newest kid on the block.

We want our kids back on bikes and we're evidently not the only ones as there have been some great global initiatives lately. 

Kidical Mass started monthly rides aimed at children and families in Eugene, Oregon in 2008 and has now spread to other cities along the West Coast of America.

Another American bicycle advocacy group Bike Friendly Oak Cliff (BFOC) in Texas set themselves a challenge recently to get 100 children riding to school in just one week - they succeeded.  Have a look at their video, wonderful stuff.

As parents, we have an obligation to make the streets safer and above all, to make cycling fun again for our kids.
We all remember what it felt like to cruise the streets with friends in the early evening with nowhere in particular to go,  just for the hell of it - no wait, I do that now - fun right ?

My son Felix is four, loves his bike, wants to ride it all the time.  My neighbours Simon and Sonja have three kids between three and ten years old who all ride everyday but there are still too many parents who rely on cars for short trips and relegate bicycles to sport and occasional use.  Time for change.

[Velvet at sunset in pink converse and spokey dokes]

[Felix, far too cool for 3]

So come and join us for our inaugural event in Centennial Park on November 28 be part of the movement of change!

WHAT:   Bring a family picnic, do some crafty bike decorating and have a fun ride in the park
WHO:   Kids of all ages and their families and carers (with bicycles!)
WHERE:   Near the Learners Circuit at the southern end of Centennial Parklands (map link below)
WHEN:   Sunday 28 November from 10.30am to coincide with Centennial Park's Spring Car-Free Day

Please like our facebook page here and RSVP to the event here or leave a comment or drop us an email

Centennial Parklands information here and map here

We are planning all sorts of exciting things on the day so stay tuned for more details over the next few weeks!

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?

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.