You don't have to ride your bike

As I reflected on the view you see here, the street in front of a favorite café this morning, I found myself dreading my commute. Rain, puddles, harried drivers, it just seemed like such a drag.

Then I remembered a post from Chicago Bike Blog, Justyna's position on how we don't HAVE to ride every day and I gave myself permission to not ride into work this morning. Then the funniest thing happened! As I began contemplating my alternatives I decided to ride anyway. It really seemed the least of the evils. In the end it turns out that was for the best, the rain ended and this has become a beautiful day. I strolled outside at lunchtime without even a jacket.

I'm grateful for this morning because it allowed me to remind myself that I don't have to be a hero, and that riding almost all the time is good enough, and simply making it a choice is sufficient to bring back the joy.

So go ride your bikes! (but only if you feel like it)

Rain rain go away, come again some other day

Well, I looked just like this today, except I wore my new Frog Boots. It was fun to splash in the puddles, but as you've all noted in the comments, this blog is getting a bit waterlogged.

I get lots of happy smiles from other cyclists splashing through the puddles with me, but I'm surely not going to take out my camera in this downpour! So you'll just have to take my word for it.

I apologize for the lack of posts, I hope to have a writeup from my trip to Eugene, OR shortly.

In the meantime, anyone else have cheerful rain gear to share?

Ode to English Bike Gear

Today is English winter weather - cool but not nippy with a cold, soaking rain. As I rode in, profoundly appreciating my

• Barbour Bedale jacket,
• my Carradice Bike Bureau waterproof bag,
• my wellies (which are not Hunters - yet), and
• my dear English Dawes fitted with mudguards,

I resolved to break my guidelines and post another photo of yours truly, soaking wet and not looking particularly chic, but still out there in weather that kept most bicycles at home, all thanks to timeless English design that knows this weather inside out and backwards!

There was a certain affinity among the cyclists who were out today - they mostly all smiled at me, and I was grinning and splashing in puddles the whole way in (and getting drenched by passing cars). I got into my office, peeled of my jacket, rain trousers, and galoshes, and was completely dry underneath. Today is a good day.

(photo taken by a colleague, bag is open to fish out camera from dryness inside, this is our bike parking at work - something I intend to post about on Thursday because I'm so very thankful for this wonderful space, which is the only place I could take a photo that wouldn't get my camera completely soaked)

OK, a bit of not-really-fashion advice: my Barbour dates to my more active equestrian days and it is perfect for a cycling posture - sitting on a saddle with your hands in front of you. The more modern ones have 'handwarmer pockets' which is an important improvement. Get that style if you can. I wanted to take off the visor on my helmet because that's what the cool kids do, however today it was invaluable in keeping the rain out of my eyes. And I say I don't have Hunter wellies yet because I don't think it would be possible for my English colleague to rave about them more. She clearly adores them and they're trendy enough right now to be on sale soon. I expect to pick up a pair. I'd be interested in additional datapoints if anyone has worn them. Thanks!

Good Looking City Bikes

We watched this couple ride up to where my husband and I were enjoying breakfast.


I love the his&hers black and pearl bikes; we'd already decided that if we had bikes made my husband wants a black one and I want pearl. They are living the dream!


The Broadway Bike has serious home-town cred.

Rainy Day Portrait

It is raining today, and I didn't see a single fellow cyclist on my way into work. I'll try again on my lunch break. In the meantime, here's my bike in his raincoat.

Phantom Rider

I guess we probably look a bit like that to the drivers of cars sometimes.

Going Green (with a brown basket)

Bike Boston is looking chic, even in the rain. An ensemble that coordinates with her bike indicates the bike was probably chosen for its aesthetics, in addition to it evident practicality.

Bostonians in the Rain

Any day is a good day for Boston by Bike.


It was raining by the cyclists are out anyway. Cycle chic or practical, rain is no reason to stop riding.


Some braved the weather in leather coats.


Some stopped to put on a hoodie...


A white shirt and bag coordinate with a white-tipped fender.


And others had head-to-toe rain gear.


We hauled things home, even if they get wet.


And we counted on our fenders to protect light-colored shorts...