Fit for a Princess?

Only 1 month left until I return to the US and get my Pashley Princess. The anticipation is so keen, that madness has set in: I decided to get the Brooks B18 "Lady" saddle for my precious Green Beauty.


A recently re-introduced limited-edition model that was last produced in the 1930s, the B18 is embossed with a floral filigree pattern. It is a traditional lady's design that is extra wide and has a short, wrap-around nose, to accommodate riding in a skirt.



Here is the B18 in her presentation box next to the leather washer grips, before Harris Cyclery attached them both to my Pashley. Over the top? Yes, I think it is... But then, let's face it -- so is the Princess herself, so I might as well take it all the way!

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Bike Check-ups from the Green Party

The Austrian Green Party offered free bike check-ups to cyclists outside of the Augarten in Vienna today.

"Grüne Radrettung / Check Your Bike!" The Green Party also hands out seeds for planting flowers in your garden. The EU Parliament elections in Austria are on the 7th of June.

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Can We "Ride Away" from Marketing?

[image from goldenoldy.com]

An article appeared today on Copenhagen Cycle Chic discussing the ironies of advertising "cycle chic" gear and merchandise, when the whole point of the movement is, in fact, not to do or purchase anything special for cycling. "Looking for cycling clothes, Girlfriends? Open your f---ing closets!" suggests the author; "If anybody tries to sell you cycling clothes... run... or ride away!"

Personally, I agree. However, I am not surprised at the development against which Copenhagen Cycle Chic laments. The way I see it, the explanation lies in American culture and its perception of cycling. The US-EU cultural differences in this respect should not be underestimated. Let's explore the central assertions made by Copenhagen Cycle Chic:

1. Cycling in regular clothing is not a new concept

One point that the article stresses, is that the idea of riding in regular clothing isn't new, citing that it has been done in Europe all along and even in the US at the turn of the 20th century. I have heard this remark before from my European friends, and I think it is mis-applied here. Keep in mind that most Americans never have a chance to visit Europe (especially beyond the context of being a tourist), and also most of them certainly were not alive at the turn of the 20th century. So for the collective memory of mainstream American culture, the idea of "chic" cycling is fundamentally very new, very shocking, and difficult to fully process. Until two years ago, most Americans did not know that bicycles with dress-guards and chain covers still exist.


2. It's as simple as "getting a bike and riding it"

I would say that riding a bicycle elegantly has been more difficult in the US than in Europe, for several reasons:

Availability of comfortable bikes: Until very recently, American bike shops only sold very sporty types of bikes: basically, road and mountain bikes, with the hunched-over seating position, male horizontal bar, no fenders, no chain covers, no lights, etc. I invite you to try riding such bicycles in your office clothing or pastel summer dress!... Even today, purchasing chain covers and dress-guards in the US is not a simple matter. Two years ago it was nearly impossible.

Geography: Most American cities have more hills than Amsterdam and Copenhagen. Also, typical commuting distances are much longer. In the US it is entirely normal to work 30+ miles away from where you live. Try arriving to work fresh and dignified in your office clothes after a 30 mile ride up and down hills! On the blogs out there, I have read comments from several American bike shop owners, stating that customers who buy heavy Dutch bikes are often not satisfied with them -- they find using them in their local terrain too physically challenging.

Infrastructure: Cycling on American roads is more intimidating and dangerous than on European roads. This causes people to feel that it is necessary to outfit themselves with athletic gear and helmets, in order to feel up to the challenge and be less vulnerable.

3. The advertising industry is using the "cycle chic" movement to sell us unnecessary stuff

I am not so sure that I would blame it on the predatory advertisers. Keep in mind that the United States has a more consumerist culture than Europe. When people have a new hobby or interest, part of the fun is buying lots of special stuff for it, and manufacturers oblige by providing that stuff. The idea that you do not need any special accessories for chic cycling is sad and boring American consumers. They don't want to open their closets, they want a reason to go shopping. Pushing the anti-consumerism aspect of cycling might actually reduce the rising public enthusiasm for the activity.

It might seem that I paint an unflattering picture, but really I am just being realistic. Cycling in North America has its own unique set of historical, cultural and geographical influences that must be recognised. The recent articles and advertising campaigns that may seem ridiculous to the European mind, make sense when the American point of view is considered.

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In Absentia: Boston Velo Sightings

My thoughtful Co-Habitant has sent me some photos of lovely bicycles that he took while I've been away:

Velorbis Scrap Deluxe, spotted in the wild in Cambridge, Mass.! This bicycle is absolutely gorgeous, and I especially love the pairing of the silver frame with the cream tires and the warm brown leather of the saddle and grips. I like a bicycle that will look good when dirty. This one looks great dirty! One question however: Is that rust on the fenders and rack?..

Edited to add: a reader forwarded me an email with the following message from Velorbis: "The bicycle in question is a Scrap Deluxe limited edition we made in 2007 WITHOUT any rust protection nor powder coating hence the name scrap deluxe. It was an intentional design and it was meant to rust to give it a 'scrap' look. We quickly realized that people didn’t get it and we quickly reverted to rust protection and powder coating of all our models in 2007 so today you will not have any issues with rust on your bicycle from Velorbis." Hope this response on their part is helpful to those wondering about rust.

Here we have a Biria Classic, parked in Harvard Square. A very stylish bicycle that can be had for a fraction of the price of imported Dutch bikes.

And the same Biria Classic, only in red, for sale at Cambridge Bicycles. The price tag says $450. Next to the Biria is an orange Batavus transport bike. Very cool, and I bet that stands out in traffic!

And what do we have here? Yes, it's is the Rivendell Betty Foy, casually displayed at Harris Cyclery. Each Betty Foy is finished according to customer specification, and it is interesting to see the differences between the floor model at Harris and Dottie's beloved Betty at Let's Go Ride a Bike. I like Ms. Foy best when she is fitted with fenders, a rear rack, and brown leather saddle and grips -- but I absolutely love the red brake cables that Harris put on her; they are the perfect touch!

And finally, here is my Co-Habitant's Pashley Roadster again, in the glorious greenery of Boston Commons!

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What's Old and Green with Herons All Over?

... and made in Nottingham? Why yes, it's a vintage Raleigh!

There was an old dusty bicycle lying around in my parents' garage when I was growing up. I had nearly forgotten it until they mentioned it recently. I asked my father to take some photos, not expecting anything special. Well, these are the photos he sent!

I don't want to get my hopes up, but from the pictures the bicycle appears to be restorable. Look at that beautiful head badge!

The brakes and the 3-speed gear shift (which I hope is the original Sturmey-Archer) look like they might be functional.

The chain ring with the herons design! Of course the rusted out chain will need to be replaced.

Decals are largely intact. The model can be identified as the Lady's Sports. Going by the information here, I am thinking it is late 60's-early'70s.

Saddle is the Brooks B72, most likely original.

So... It looks like I have a vintage bicycle to restore! And just over a week ago, I was commenting on how much I loved green vintage Raleighs on Chic Cyclist's blog. Coincidence?... Or the universe smiling upon my bicycle obsession? Hmmm!...

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Tender Is the Night

Coming home the other evening, I was charmed by the grace of this lovely cyclist in the Vienna twilight. With her silver flats, tutu skirt and perfect posture, she looks like a beautiful ballerina.

And on a nearby street, a woman walks her bicycle past a stationery shop, looking longingly at the illuminated display of fountain pens and leather journals.

Maybe it is the blinking lights mingling with the streetlamps, or the sound of the spokes in the dark, but there is something about bicycles and the city at night that evokes a sense of tenderness and magic.

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Lugs. Chicks Love 'em!

...Well, at least this chick does. I think lugs are absolutely beautiful. Plain or filigree, generic or custom, I love them all. Here are some nice ones I've photographed around town:

... on a powder blue Dusika

...on a sage green Puch

... two-tone red and white lugs, on an unusual Glockner Rad with a cool headbadge depicting a mountain range. Notice the pretty filigree work on that pedal! Where can I get pedals like that?

... on an old KTM in olive drab (I love green bicycles!)

... and some simple, austere lugs on a silver Hercules.

To me, a bicycle frame without lugs just seems to lack soul, and this is probably why I can't feel any attachment to the modern bikes whose manufacturers do not use lugged frames. Seeing those welding marks grates on my nerves like hearing nails on a chalkboard.

Is my love of lugs unreasonable? Not according to Rivendell Bicycle Works. They understand! Have a look at their articles "Why Lugs Are Good" and "A Lug Primer".

See also "Lugs: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" by Bohemian Bicycles. Lots of useful information and photos there!

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