How a Bicycle is Made (1945)

They sure don't make them like they used to.  What a glorious snapshot of true craftsmanship. Wonderful.

Cycle-Skating - the New Sport of 1923

I just love coming across snapshots of historical craziness like this.   Just brilliant.

Is this the BMX stunt 1920's equivalent???

Mobile Moments - Series 2, Part 3

They just keep getting better and better...
The thing that fascinates me most is that you never actually see the Christianiabike they are riding in - but the facial expressions say it all.

See all the films here.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to the making of these films - wonderful.

Mobile Moments - Series 2, Part 2

More! More! More!

Happiness is a cargo bike.....

Mobile Moments - Series 2, Part 1

More happy smily people in the Christianiabike, sailing across the Perth Cultural Centre for the followup series of film portraitures for the Proximity Festival as part of Fringe World 2012.

This is a fascinating series - loving each film a little more each time I see it.

Cargo Bikes Make You Smile - Part 1

It's film week this week at Cycle Chic.

Here's a gorgeous series of films by Road Physical Theatre.  This film portraiture project was conceived and developed by Sarah Nelson during a 2011 Artist Residency with DADAA Inc, a community arts project in Derby, Kimberly Western Australia.

The (mainly) unseen star of the films for us is the Christianiabike - how could you not smile...

The Man Who Lived on his Bike

Well here's an absolutely brilliant but insane video from Canada.  DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME.

THE MAN WHO LIVED ON HIS BIKE from Guillaume Blanchet on Vimeo.

Look Mum No Hands!

It's been a while since I blogged and though I'd never promote this kind of reckless bicycle abandon....... damn this is funny.  And great soundtrack too.
(no nasty internet commenters please....)

Will Self - On Your Bike!

Kinda love Brit author Will Self's sardonic wit and no surprise he's a bike lover too.   He (and other similarly obsessed lovers of the bicycle) spoke at the brilliant Intelligence Squared cycling festival in London last week.

Great stuff.

Cargo Surfing - With a Bullitt!

Thanks to the lovely guys over at Cheeky Transport for alerting me to this today - just brilliant.
They have a shout out to Bullitt owners so if that's you and you're game for a spot of cargo surfing get in touch!

Artalicious in the Rain

Personally, I don't mind a little rain when I'm riding - I've become quite adept at riding with a brolly and the centre of gravity on an upright Velorbis helps no end.  But heavy rain does tend to put people off so our much anticipated Art Month ride last Saturday was somewhat small but nevertheless perfectly formed.....

We seemed to narrowly avoid storms all day and rode from Flinders St Gallery up to Charles Hewitt on South Dowling Street and down to First Draft on Chalmers Street with barely a rain drop falling on us.

        

Surry Hills is art nirvana and chock full of galleries, artist run spaces and street art so I know we'll be doing this again - keep an eye out for our upcoming art rides.

And if it rains next time, I'm getting Yves Montand to hold my brolly for me.

Still another week of Art Month left and don't forget the Paddington/Woollahra ARTcycle ride is next Saturday March 26 with Nell Schofield, details 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!

   

   

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...

Joyful Cycle Chic Mini Movie for Monday Morning

Well here's a gorgeous way to start the week (or end it if you're in the rest of the world) thanks to the lovely Liane Rossler.
Just a simple early morning Byron Bay bike ride en famille captured by hubby on his phone.
21 seconds of heaven with a cicada soundtrack, leaves you yearning for more - wonderful.

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 :-)

Vintage Québécois Cycle Chic

Super chic photograph of French Canadian actress Geneviève Bujold from the fabulous Rides a Bike blog.  
Too much fun on a bike??  C'est pas possible!

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!

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.

     

Classic Audrey Cycle Chic

It seems all you really need to ride in style is a classic blouson sport jacket, cigarette pants and a pair of loafers.  Add a classic bike and a cute puppy in your basket and you have it made.