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.

Tanja - Converted!

Since I started this blog almost a year ago, I've seen changes, great changes with an increase in numbers of people, especially women, riding bicycles.  Sydney's landscape has changed and with the development of the cycle ways continues to edge closer to the liveable city we all crave.  Change and growth is a good thing.

We still have a long way to go before we are close to some of our European counterparts but we're moving forward and as Copenhagen can attest to, major changes to infrastructure and attitude don't happen overnight.  But they do happen.

So I thought I'd start a little regular post and share with you some of the many people I come across who have recently rediscovered the bicycle.  The new riders who are not weighed down by the ways of the past but instead, inspired by the potential of the new and by their sheer visibility and enthusiasm for the humble bicycle, are helping to transform this city.

Welcome to the new happy face of bicycle Sydney!

No1 is my good friend, work colleague and fellow blogger Tanja.

What/who inspired you to get back on a bike again?
I was inspired to get back on the bike again by two things - a work colleague (YOU) and the increasing number of people riding around my neighbourhood in Surry Hills. At first, I thought I would just try and score a cheap, second-hand pair of wheels, just to check that I still COULD ride (!), but then I happened upon a BEAUTIFUL Danish bike on ebay (a Velorbis) - it was a great deal + I just couldn't resist. 

Can you remember how it felt, that first time?

I think having a really delightful, upright, euro-style bike really helped make the transition back to riding a very fun one ! I fell absolutely head over heels for the bike + just couldn't get out and about ENOUGH ! What really surprised me was that all that FUN that you have as a kid on bike is still there to be had - cruising along, wind in hair, utter independence - there is nothing quite like it ! 

What do you say to anyone thinking about getting a bike?
Before I bought the bike, I had been fearful of riding on the roads, but this, too, just takes getting used to. I don't ride on 'big' roads with my lady bike, but I really get around ! I love riding down to Kings Cross, Taylor Sq or across to Eveleigh Mkts on a Sat morning, I love riding to work when I'm down at the Opera House but it is also just fun to cruise down to the bakery to pick up a baguette for the basket and to ride back home again !

How did you decide what bike to buy?
My two pieces of advice for ppl thinking of getting a bike would be: GET A BASKET ! There is so much more freedom in being able to plonk anything in the basket - makes shopping v easy + you don't have to worry about trying to balance carrying a bag. Secondly, buy a bike that you will LOVE. This extra bit of investment will definitely be worth it - I think it would spell the difference between being someone who just rides occasionally and someone seeks out new routes to anywhere and everywhere ! I just can't get enough.


Check out her cool blogs too I [Heart] My Food and I [Heart] My Hood or follow her on Twitter @iheartmyfood @iheartmyhood

PS: If you happen to be watching Masterchef tonight - you might just spot this familiar face!

Yep Today is All About the Fashion

It's nice to see someone taking notice of the little things.  Killer blue heels and matching rims - nice.

We'll be seeing more of Amanda and her beautiful Electra as she's another Opera Australia buddy.

I'm converting them all, one bike at a time....

Sydney Cycle Chic Does Art Month Sydney!

Now in it's second year, Art Month Sydney is a brilliant festival celebrating the city's thriving contemporary visual arts scene.
Each week during March the focus will be on a different one of Sydney's diverse arts precincts.  From Waterloo to Woollahra, Marrickville to Potts Point, some 80 or more galleries and venues will fling open their doors with exhibitions, artist talks and studio tours.

In a first this year, the festival is also introducing weekly curated bicycle tours of each precinct.  Brilliant idea.  Can't think of a better way to explore the city's galleries than by bike.  So we are very excited to be taking part as we join with Art Cycle for the Surry Hills ride on March 19.

In true Cycle Chic style, you can expect a slow ride through the back streets of Surry Hills as we wind our way from Charles Hewitt Gallery, via Flinders Street Gallery and First Draft up to Chalk Horse for a series of gallery talks.  With any luck we'll have time to explore some street art and stop for a quick coffee en route...

Rides are free but you do need to register - details here - and make sure you check out the rest of the festival too - a whole month of art events?  We call it artalicious!

We've had some fun doing some pre-festival filming - yep, we always ride our bikes in art galleries, we're crazy like that!

Lawlessness in the Pursuit of Edible Delights

I often see good friend and Sydney food blogger Tanja cruising carefree through Surry Hills on her Velorbis on the hunt for some seasonal deliciousness or other.  

Even better when she brings something in to the office for tasting!