Shopping Around in a Long Blue Dress

I like to go shopping during off-peak hours when fewer people are clogging the stores. so I crept away from work a little early and went in search of a few goodies. I put my quick release basket on the front with a blue reusable shopping bag and set out on my journey.

The temperature was about 85 degrees with 66% humidity. I wore a very long, floor-grazing, blue print sundress with blue flip-flops and Dior light-tinted sunglasses. (Note the absence of heels. I decided to "rough it" in flats, lol.)

The dress is long and flowing. I had no problem riding my bike in it. Actually, I loved the way it caught the wind and added instant "air conditioning".

It's really hard taking photos of myself on my bike. I really need to practice my "panda shots"...

My first stop was Sahadi in Brooklyn Heights. They didn't have what I was looking for so off I went...

... Onto Fairway... A huge store with a ton of great items. They have everything from organic food to fresh produce to live lobster. They even have a cafe. It's always good shopping at Fairway.

I chuckled when I saw the sign hanging over the olive bar (pictured below). Among the olives I picked were ones stuffed with Habanero chili peppers. I'm the only person I know that can eat them without batting an eyelash. (I love spicy food!)

After my quick run inside, I emerged to see these two cuties loading up their backpacks with their groceries and heading off on their bikes.

I took a little ride down the road to a nice little pier along the waters' edge... And, yes, that is a freshly-cooked, french baguette sticking out of the top of my basket. :)

There I found lavender and other flowers. Among them, the bees were working hard. (I like bees.) :)

In the photo below, you can see the Statue of Liberty off in the distance toward the top left...

Leaving the pier I turned down a street with the most curious shop on it... I loved the way they had a child's tricycle mounted on the facade (along with a lot of other things).

 

I cycled home, happily, looking forward to a great meal tonight...

Two for the Road: Chic Cylcing x 2

 

As I cycled down the Hudson Greenway on Manhattan's west side I came upon this gorgeous couple...

They were riding a black cruiser-style bike that had bars sticking out from both sides of the rear wheel which the girl perched herself upon. The pretty blonde was wearing a pair of designer "Chip & Pepper" jean cut-offs, a simple blue t-shirt, brown tinted aviator-style sunglasses, flip-flops and a yellow grocery bag slung over her shoulder. She gently draped her arms upon her boyfriends' shoulders, confident in his ability to ride safely with her behind him. The boyfriend was wearing a beige t-shirt, cream shorts, brown tinted aviator-style sunglasses and flip-flops.

They were the essence of simple, fun, chic cycling. As I rode past them I told them that they were the cutest couple and I loved their style. They thanked me, smiled and laughed. Just a gorgeous couple out cycling and enjoying the day.

Later down the Greenway I was witness to a little girl that threw her chain right in front of me. I immediately stopped and went to help her. Her mother was a good deal ahead. As I bent over, the cute couple above slowed down and asked me if I needed help. The couple started making their way back towards me.

While I was putting the chain back on another nice gentleman stopped and came to our aid. He said he knew exactly how to get the chain back on so I stopped and allowed him to do his magic. It took just a few seconds... By that time the mother was at my side explaining that this was the second time today that the little girl had thrown her chain. The gentleman said that it was due to the rear brakes being too tight. I mentioned that I had a multi-tool and could fix the brakes but the mother said that it was ok. I mentioned that there was a bike shop down the road on Hudson that could fix it for around $5. She declined. The gentleman and the couple rode off.

The little girl looked up at her mother, baring her hands and said that her hands were dirty. I looked down and offered to give her a handi-wipe (moist towelette). Again the mother declined. I said that it wasn't a problem, that I always carry handi-wipes and proceeded to open the wipe. The little girl clearly wanted to clean her hands and reached up for the wipe. I happily handed her the wipe knowing that I only had one and my hands were filthy, covered in black grease and dirt from the chain. No problem. I said good-bye to the mother and little girl and rode off with dirty hands. Having dirty hands never felt so good. :)

Further down the greenway near Battery Park I stumbled upon another couple, one of which was riding a beautiful black Gazelle with full chain case, rear rack, coat/skirt guard and a dynomo headlight. His partner was riding a turquoise bike.

The gentleman on the Gazelle dutch-style bike looked so regal and relaxed. He was wearing a polo shirt, simple beige khakis and leather slip-ones. Simple, effortless, stylish.

 

I happily rode further along in Battery City Park when I came upon these beautiful flowers in bloom. They reminded me of the two chic couples that I saw on their bikes. Both the flowers and the couples made me very happy to see... I love flowers, I love happy couples and of course I love cycling! Mixing all there is just heaven.

 

 

As I took in the beauty of the flowers a bumble bee buzzed gingerly from flower to flower. I managed to capture a picture of him as he flew by...

It was great finally taking photos of some chic cyclists "in the wild". I loved seeing the two happy couples out enjoying themselves on their bikes. I felt like that bumble bee floating from flower to flower, taking in their beauty and flying off...

Cophenhagen Cycle Chic's Author: Mikael

I received a nice little note from Mikael Colville-Andersen, the author of Copenhagen Cycle Chic:

"Copenhagen loves you. I mean REALLY loves you. You GO girlfriend!"

I garner inspiration from Mikael and his blog, Copenhagen Cycle Chic (CCC). I love his photos and his comments. He has traveled around the world chronicling cycling culture and catching beauty on two heels with his camera. It's amazing.

Mikael also added my blog to his list on CCCs front page. I really appreciate it and look forward to finding a little slice of Copenhagen here in New York City.

Thank you, Mikael. :)

AYHSMB!

Bike Snob NYC picked up my story about "Cycling 40 Miles in Heels". Thanks! Now, to pay homage to BSNYC, I say: AYHSMB! :)

Cycling 40 Miles In Heels? No problem!

Most people are shocked and amazed when they see me riding a bike in high heels. This was even more so when I went on a 40 mile ride with a group of 50+ people this weekend. 75% of which were dressed in spandex, many in full "kit", a bunch on expensive bikes and some more on very expensive carbon fiber bikes.

I showed up in a v-neck white t-shirt, navy blue shorts, 3" slip-on heels and a 25 year old, 34+ lbs, 3-speed, vintage Schwinn Collegiate with a Brooks B17 saddle.


I proceeded to drop every single one of the cyclists on the ride. Yes. Even the ones in full kit with carbon fiber bikes. The looks on their faces was priceless because minutes earlier I was receiving very snotty and vaguely hostile looks (and comments), many from the women. Most of the men were just amused and a bit bewildered, trying to figure out whether I was actually riding with them or just lost like the gentleman pictured below in the blue kit and new $3,000 full carbon bike!


I dislike "bike-elitist-wannabes". You know, the guys, and some girls, that think that having an expensive bike makes them "better" than someone with a less expensive bike or have the false assumption that having an expensive bike will somehow make them a better, faster, stronger cyclist. I laugh:

It's not the bike that makes the cyclist. It's the cyclist that makes the bike!

I chuckle to myself and say, "You go ahead and keep dropping $$$ on your carbon rig and I'll keep dropping your ass, in HEELS, on a old 3-speed Schwinn". Gotta love bike snobs getting owned by a chick in heels on a vintage bike. LOL! ;)


At the end of the ride we stopped at a Taco stand and had some great food. I had chorizo, fish and tofu tacos. The tofu and chorizo tacos were my favorite.



It was great seeing all those bikes jumbled together as we lined up and scrambled to get some food. Did I mention how much I love bikes, all kinds, and cycling? :)



After finishing my taco, I headed to the beach. Even though it had been overcast, very humid and threatening to rain all day it was still a great ride and a nice day to sit out on the beach just watching the waves and the seagulls...


I rode 40 miles in heels on a hot, humid day with ease. Never judge a book by its cover...

NYC = Absense of Chic Cycling?

I have been on a search to find chic cyclists in New York City but I am having the hardest time. I'm seeing poorly dressed riders, spandex clad cyclists, wanna-be messengers, dirty looking "hipsters" on fixies and just the general unkempt.

New York City is the fashion capital of the world yet fashion seems to be completely absent when it comes to cycling here. I'm confused and perplexed. Am I the only one here that knows you don't need to look like crap to ride a bike? That you don't need to dress up like a spandex superhero to ride a bike?? Am I the only woman that rides in a skirt and stilettos? A nice suit and shoes? A dress-shirt and slacks? It can't be...

I've been looking in Midtown, Soho, The Village, Union Square, Lower East Side, Gramercy, The Financial District, Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Chinatown, Greenpoint, Astoria, LIC, Williamsburg, Clinton Hill, Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Park Slope... You name it. Not one single well-dressed cyclist among them so far. I'm thinking, hoping, that it's partially due to the heat and humidity(???). Maybe those with style have left the city for hip destinations like The Hamptons, Miami Beach or even Europe for vacation??

I'm hoping that there are at least a few stylish cyclists still left to be found in this city... Because, right now, Copenhagen this is not. :(