Chicago's annual Bike Winter Fashion Show will take place this Friday, as part of the closing party of the Bike Winter Art Show.
I will be participating in the fashion show for vintage shop Lucite Box, owned by bicycling-and-brunching lady Holly. Last week, the group got together for a dress rehearsal, complete with hair and makeup magic by Christopher Conner. Then we had a photoshoot by bicycle style photographer Martha Williams of Bike Fancy fame. She is the best!
I'm in love with the Pashley Prince...
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One of my favorite things to do on a weekend is get out of my jammies, bike to the bookstore, and return home to my jammies and a day of reading new books. (I'm a wild woman, I know.) The ride to my favorite bookstore is about 3.5 miles roundtrip - the perfect distance for an easy ride that nevertheless allows me to feel like I've accomplished enough physical activity for the day.
As much as I love this bookstore, I would shop there less often if I could not ride my bicycle, because 3.5 miles is a bit much to ...
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The shining sun this morning lured me out to the Lakefront Trail, away from my usual route to work. Once I got onto the trail, I realized that there was an extremely strong headwind, the kind that slows me down by half.
I started to feel grumpy (this was pre-coffee, people!) but I stopped myself and decided to focus on all the good. My path was clear, the sky had a subtle pink tint, and the spindly trees looked cool. I could turn my face up to the sun and feel the slight warmth on my skin.
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Last fall, I had the pleasure of test-riding for two days a completely new bike to me, the Pilen Lyx Step-Through from J.C. Lind Bike Co.
The Pilen is a beautiful and utilitarian bike made in Sweden. The ride is super sturdy and smooth, while also being pretty swift, and the bike has loads of utilitarian features. I will point out all those features below, but first, here is my main thought on the bike: if I were forced to choose only one bike to own, I would choose the Pilen Lyx. My WorkCycles Oma is...
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Yesterday the Chicago Women Who Bike Brunch descended upon Haymarket Brewery in the West Loop.
Haymarket is a great place for big groups and easily accommodated our table of 25.
The food was delicious, especially for a brewery, and I enjoyed some of the best French toast ever.
The mimosas each came with their own mini bottle of champagne!
After a long and luxurious meal, we headed outside to chat and slowly unlock our bikes. The weather was partly sunny and 40 degrees, so there was no bi...
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As the mild weather continues, I've been dressing for spring and removing my light jacket during rides. This weather really feels like April.
The warm weather also makes it a good time to ride with friends and take the long way home, instead of the usual winter feeling of "Get me home as soon as possible, Ms. Bike!"
After work on Tuesday, I met up with my friend Sara downtown and we meandered home up the Lakefront Trail, riding side-by-side and chatting.
But not before fueling up on cupcakes at Sprinkles.
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After mentioning that I have not put my studded tires on Oma yet, I missed them this weekend. Some mild precipitation on Friday night caused patches of black ice to form all around the city.
I had to walk Oma over black ice several times while getting around on Saturday - biking to Logan Square to try on vintage outfits from Holly's Lucite Box for the upcoming Bike Winter Fashion Show (found a gorgeous blue velvet dress), back to Lakeview for Heritage Bicycles' grand opening party (crowded!), and to Wicker Par...
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If someone asked me last year what kind of business I would most like to see open in my neighborhood, I might have said {deep breath} a combination bike shop and coffee shop that sells steel frame mixtes made in Chicago, cupcakes, and fancy coffee, with a friendly atmosphere and a communal table where I could gather my bicycling friends.
I mean, that's awfully specific, but I could have said it.
Either someone read my mind or I am not the only lover of bikes, coffee, community, and local goods, bec...
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Six inches of snow fell on Chicago yesterday afternoon and evening. As I mentioned in my previous post, I had no intention of cycling in that mess. My plan was to take the L train, but a co-worker mentioned that she and a friend carpool along a route that passes by my L stop. She offered to pick me up anytime and I gladly accepted the offer. The car is already on the road anyway.
In the morning, I walked a block to the L station and a couple of minutes later she pulled up. I sank into the heated passenge...
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Have I mentioned that winter's finally come to Chicago? And she is not messing around.
This morning I biked to work in 15 F temps. My alley was an ice rink, but the streets and bike lanes were clear and dry. That's good, because I haven't put studded tires on Oma yet. I was totally comfortable throwing a puffy vest over a wool skirt suit and wool undershirt, plus cotton tights, snow boots, scarf, gloves, and earmuffs. I stuck heating packs in my mittens and boots, otherwise I wouldn't have made it.
By...
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