South End Simplicity

This is perhaps the most elegant stripped-down beautiful basic bike I've seen. While I personally like my bikes with brakes, this isn't my bike, and the aesthetic is just wonderful from the cream tires to the black frame to the custom leather accents.


This custom leather-accented U-lock is perfectly matched to the saddle.


My husband thinks the saddle came this way, I think that the owner carved off the skirt his/herself. The hammered rivets look lovely on this bike.


The inherent classiness of this bike is eye-catching from behind...


... and from the front.


Bravo to the person who put this bike together, it's beautiful!

Good Looking Bikes

There have been a lot of good looking bikes out recently. We're guessing this is a Surly? It was hard to tell. Good looking commuter bike! I like the reflector/light down by the hub. I think the more the tail lights are spread out the better. Helmet, seat, hub would make a good collection.

Seen on the sidewalk

The only bike I've had stolen was locked with a cable lock. Be careful out there.

Breezy White

She looks cool and relaxed at MIT.

Confidence

I was struck by this woman's confidence on the road. She wasn't aggressive, but still had a forceful presence (in a good way!).

Summertime: patterned skirt and flip flops

Docking Lock-Rack Combo

Ooooh, this is clever! It's an aluminum rack with a U-Lock that docks under the rack. What a great way to keep your lock accessible (even when your rack is loaded) and not having it clunking around in a bag, or on your handlebars. Those folks at Topeak get points for this one!

Starched but not formal

This lady was leaving work at noon, I like to think she was off for a mid-day joyride. She looks like she's having fun!

Rain Predicted, Trench is Ready

Such a grey day!

She looked lovely in her trench, I wish I had gotten the photo more from the front to show her lapels and her blue and white dress. So far the rain has held off...

The bike was a gift from her boyfriend's father. She loves the basket on the back for hauling home the groceries.

Aqua Schwinn in East Cambridge

All this talk recently of Schwinns reminds me of a Schwinn I see a lot in East Cambridge. The old paint has a gleam to it that I don't see on new bikes. A bike store employee told me the shimmer is a property of old enamel paint. At any rate, I just love the color of this old bike.

I once saw the girl riding this bike. I ran to catch her but she was too fast for me. I'd love to hear the story of her bike.

Still Blue in Boston

This charming Swiss Miss was doing a great job staying cheerful in Boston despite our terribly cold weather. Her bike is new to her, another English-made 3-speed, because she misses her green Raleigh in Basel. She bought it from Menotomy Vintage Bicycles, which has installed in the antiques building near the Lechmere T stop. The electric blue really pops in our red brick city.

Lock your bike

You know you need to lock your bike. But how? It is true that there is a right way and a wrong way.

Sheldon Brown's advice on locking your bike should be required reading for all bike commuters.

I have a keycode-access shed at work and a locked shed at home, so I just need to carry an ordinary cable lock for quick stops. I have a boring black lock but I can't help but think that there must be something better!

Here is one option: For the lightweight cable lock that one carries all the time, these French snake locks are fun (if you can stand snakes!) The snake is available in many colors to complement your bike.