Cambridge, MA or Paris, FR?

It's hard to tell!

Chic Cyclist Winter Photos

I am happy to unveil the wonderful submissions from intrepid winter cyclists from around the country.

I think you'll have to agree that there is no clear winner here. Everyone is so wonderful in such personal ways. I know that I'm inspired by these photos, and as I mentioned before I'm going to have to get help to choose just one winner. I think that task is impossible - aren't they all so great? It's considerably below freezing today, with a killer headwind, but I'm inspired to go ride my bike.

See you on the road, watch out for ice!



Update: I'm going to declare this one the winner. It was hard to choose, but I had to pick one. In this she's both chic in the snow and also in the act of transporting something (bonus! It's a cute dog!) so there's the criteria used to pick a winner out of a pool of awesome photos. Thank you everyone!

This dad has great taste in bikes

Dad and his nice bike just dropped Junior off at day care. He's not wearing a cycling cuff, he has a chain guard to go with what looks like an internally geared hub.

This photo reminds me a bit of the Porn for Women book (that link is safe for work). The Amazon description states:

"Give the fairer sex what they really want - beautiful PG photos of hunky men cooking, listening, asking for directions, accompanied by steamy captions: "I love a clean house!" or "As long as I have two legs to walk on, you'll never take out the trash." Now this is porn that will leave women begging for more!"

I wasn't so into the book, but this dad with the baby seat on a sexy bike?
Not bad... :)

Happy Friday!

Today is definitely a happy Friday!

I made a new friend today when I saw the pretty commuter from More Autumn and stopped her to ask on behalf of SunnyS where she got her helmet. Turns out it's a Bell Faction in Burnt Orange, with the Bell sticker removed, and that E is just charming. I look forward to continuing to see her on our commutes. E, I'll wave to you!


She wasn't feeling too chic when I took her photo, but on a drizzly autumn Friday I think the purple, gold, and orange are perfect.

She's a bit like Snow White, you can see that darling little birdies follow her wherever she goes:

Autumn Glory

Well, as they say, the early bird gets the... photo of the pretty bike with the pretty leaves and the pretty girl in front of MIT. I'm glad I resolved to rise earlier and photograph in the morning.

Would you call the color of her bike 'chestnut'?

Enjoy the last days of Summer

While the men are on the Esplanade, it seems the women are reading on benches in smaller gardens. I think Mike's right that they're less likely to be part of a "scene" while tucked into these smaller places.

Or perhaps this is all a gross over-simplification. Either way, I hope you enjoy these last stunningly beautiful days of summer.

Sunny day, red hot cruiser

This week's weather has been better than any weather anywhere. It is for this week that we live all year.

It's been such fun to see all the happy people on their pretty bicycles...

Golden Girl

Hurray for ladies of all ages on bikes!

White dress in the sun

Yesterday was a beautiful day for Bike Boston - lots of people were out. My noon meeting was canceled (due to perfect weather!) and even I got out for a joy ride. It was a perfect day.

Great legs, red shoes

Those great legs - nature? bicycle? or both?

Playful Polkadots

Boston isn't the easiest city in which to cycle, yet this lady was happily flying down Mass Ave on her three speed. I'm guessing that's her lunch in the pannier, she clearly doesn't need to change her clothes when she gets to the office.

Cool Morning Cute

We're getting some summer rain and a bit of a chill today. It's a welcome break from the humidity! This lady was looking sleek in her cardigan and slingbacks. I love how she's strapped her bag to her rack (it looks so rugged!) and she's clearly got a very nice saddle. Indeed all her choices appear to be 'quality over flashiness'. I approve!

That's quite the chainguard she has there.

Gracious Boston

OK America - If a lady my grandma's age can ride a bike this elegantly on the mean streets of Boston, there is no excuse for the rest of us.

I'll see you on your bike! If you're still there in sixty years? That's cycle chic.

A year ago today

Yep, that's me. My top and skirt were white eyelet lace, the helmet has white flowers on it. That's my husband behind me on the narrow path and rice making the white specs in the air. It was a magical evening, and we were glad to leave by bike - to hear and smell and taste and really see the night; after all the excitement all day it was the perfect finish.

Yes, my bike has many gears on it but somehow we still managed to cruise slowly, savoring the ride. All this time later there is still one piece of rice lodged in my stem, just on top of my handlebars.

Acidulé - Lemon Lime Remix

She's looking very fresh right after the thunderstorm.

Doesn't she have a pretty handbag?

Leather bag and boots

Here is another old friend, this time she's riding her own bike. I love how the leather grips and saddle match her leather bag and boots. Hot stuff!

Fitted jean jacket and heels

I'm starting to notice old friends around the city, still stylin'.
You're looking good, friend!

Ironic Juxtaposition

This lady we've seen before provides an amusing juxtaposition here.

Don't you just love her functional and loaded bike in the street next to the empty pickup truck?


As Sheldon Brown quotes Victor Hugo -
Le beau est aussi utile que l'utile
When you're both? That's cycle chic!

The white Raleigh Sports is named

K tells me that she's settled on on the name Maggie and that indeed, "the Lady's not for turning".

I want to add that the bike, however, turns as needed!

Happy trails to K and Maggie. Thanks to everyone for the suggestions and support.

Slim, Stylish, and Smiling

This is what 17 years of bicycle commuting looks like. As the French say, Pas mal!
She's definitely having more fun than the lady on her cell phone in the car.