Sunflowers

Most of the Tuscan sunflowers were faded by the time we got there, so these cheerful sunflowers in Rome had to suffice.

Relaxed and Elegant

I just love how relaxed this lady looks in her white ensemble with the Electra's chaincase and skirt guard protecting her clothes and that cute Basil bag on her bike. Her ballerina flats are perfect for cycling these days.
Ultimately her one-handed posture says it all.

Wisteria Lane

I can report with authority that the Wisteria Lane bicycle now has a white flower garland. It looks fresh and lovely.

Trondheim Skirt Guard

This lovely submission comes from my world-traveling friend E, who noted the charm of what appears to be a home-made skirt guard on this folding bike in Trondheim.

Ever since I examined the skirt guard of that Pinarello in Washington I've been taken with the idea of giving it a try. Could be fun!

Pretty Electra Bike in the South End

Summer City Cyclist

What a handsome chap! I spotted him in the South End last night.

Follow that bike

I noticed her bike first, skirt guard and helmet second, shopping last.

This blurry photo was taken as I tried to keep up with her, take a photo, and not fall in a pothole. You can see that we've been having grey, cold weather. Her gold lamé bag was my only bright spot all day.

Lilacs on a Lilac Bike

From my friend E, it's a lilac seller in Toulouse who was transporting the flowers with a lilac-colored bike. How perfect is that?

I love the white fenders-grips-saddle with the lilac.

Not-so-perfect is that skirt guard, though it does inspire me to consider making one of my own, particularly now that I'm wearing more skirts.

Man in Black

While all in black, I like his gentlemanly choice of white gloves. Must be good when he signals. Isn't that a handsome bike?

Cambridge, MA or Paris, FR?

It's hard to tell!

Jolly Bike sighted in Cambridge!

The name is apt - when you see a jolly bike you can't help but smile. I can now report that the owners club must be the most jovial group of people ever, they all chose to share their lives with Jolly Bikes!

This lady loves hers. She says it is an ideal Cambridge bike because the area is flat and you don't need a zippy bike, but the roads are terrible. This bike is sturdy enough, with hefty enough tires, she feels confident taking on anything Cambridge can throw at her. She then pointed out to me that with a Jolly Bike she can ride in white trousers, no problems! (Hasn't she got great shoes too?)

DIY skirt guards

For ladies looking to keep their garments out of the rear spokes, here are directions for making your own fabric skirt guard.

Other interesting skirt guards:
Spoke skirt guard by Ant Bike Mike
Jasbeschermer from Jolly Bike
Making a pattern for a metal fender skirt

I'd love to see a beach bike with a sail-inspired skirt guard - white canvas with lacing to the fender. It would seem so fitting.

I'd also love to see a metal lace skirt guard. There are simple ones on eBay, but I'd like to see something like Ministère de la Culture in Paris.

Jolly Bikes are bringing happy Gazelles to Boston

Are you looking for a custom bike purpose built for commuting, and don't want to build it yourself? A pair of ladies in Boston (Jolly Bikes) will import a Dutch Gazelle just for you, in your choice of an array of colors. This legendary Dutch brand Gazelle (in business since 1895) has a reputation as the "Mercedes Benz of bikes."

Because Gazelle thrives in the fertile soil of Dutch cycle culture they've thought out every aspect of bikes as transportation and so they are practical, thoughtful, stylish, and not cheap in any sense.

Here in America the Jolly Bike ladies then take your order a step further, with a custom painted jasbeschermer (coat/dress guard). What would you have painted on yours? I might have mine painted to match their cute panniers/saddlebags.


This bike looks like it was custom made for my mother. I wonder if I could get her riding with a bike that was this personalized? For her I'd have the jasbeschermer painted to reflect all her children. I think she'd like that.