happy (white-ish) halloween

image via Mission Bicycles

A few timely mentions...

San Fransisco-based Mission Bicycles did a sweet post on a few ways to dress up the ol' two wheels for the occasion. Their website includes directions on a few tricks, including crafting wheel disc above.

Team Estrogen, one of my go to places for (womens) cycling apparel, is have a 'SPOOKY SALE' until midnight TONIGHT... 20% off any one item! What a good opp. to grab a pair of lobster gloves, shoe covers or even windproof thermal layer before it starts getting seriously cold.

And meanwhile on the East Coast, this past weekend's nor'easter left us a white coat... of snow! Little remained today but is was nearly a full on White Halloween in NYC -- meanwhile other parts of the country are still shoveling. Crazy. Sadly the wet heavy snow downed trees and branches all around here... including Prospect Park below. All this weather (tornado and hurricane) has really paid a toll on this city's trees.

 

Feats Per Minute spins... records

Such a fun concept by group of Dutch designers -- who rigged up a record player onto a bicycle's rear wheel! Video below. As they point out, you need a steady cadence to have it properly play... oooh, they could partner up with BBOX Radio and broadcast a show with guests 'spinning' their favorite records!!!

More about the project via their website:

What if you would be able to generate music by the simple act of riding your bike? This project started with that question. We have build the first prototype and thanks to Jeffry Sol and Vincent Beijersbergen we were able to do so in a month. And yes it was pretty difficult, but loads of fun…. the idea is pretty simple; basically, a wheel and dynamo work the same way as a record player. But it was not as easy as it looks. First, we had to come up with a solution for the wheels; how can we change the records? The fork was blocking the wheel. That’s why we changed a 30 year old bike into a lefty bike; and build a construction that would still support the weight and would be strong enough for people to ride on it. The biggest challenge of all was to make sure that the needles would stick to the record and follow the grooves, without skipping too much. Therefor we bought two vertical record players and took them apart, to see how they worked. Also; we wanted our bike to be as low tech as possible; that’s why the only “extra” energy we used was a 9 volt battery to support the amplifier. In order for the records to run smoothly, we also had to change the crank of the bike and the chain. After that, we build our own horn, to have some extra volume, and we sprayed the whole bike black. We had some sponsors like bike stores, handy people and DJ’s and that’s how our dream in progress turned out to be real… Here’s to the crazy ones; thank you guys, you rock. - Merel, Pieter and Liat

video via Adverblog / image source of record player
THANKS, Michiyo!

gearing up for post-summer rain

Ortlieb / Performance Ripstop Rain Pants / Loeffler Randall rain booties

Unlike warm summer rain falls, when one can dry off easily wearing shorts and sandals,  last Wednesday's commute forced my rain gear favs out of the closet...

• waterproof backpack by Ortlieb   I never ever worry about water getting into my Ortlieb Velocity. No exterior pockets or zippers - just a simple top loading bag with a roll top (and a very convenient pouch that snaps inside for your cell phone and such).

• rain paints from Performance (on sale right now for $29.99) There are few things worse then arriving to work after riding through the rain in completely drenched clothes - which is why rain pants rock. Yes, you can't care too much about what you look like in them but they are SO EASY to throw on top of whatever pants (or tights) your wearing that day and have articulated knees making it easier to pedal. I have a black version but love this version in HELLO yellow!
  
• rain booties I was so excited when Loeffler Randall came out with these slip-on versions of their rain bootie. Reminds me of my father's galoshes. But these are so cute they can be worn even on a sunny day! The 35mm wedge also gives you a little lift. If the price tag scares you, Jeffrey Campbell makes a similar version I spotted on Refinery 29.
  
  

• clear rain jacket by Louis Garneau An awesome option at about $24 -- made translucent to keep racers jersey sponsor logos visible, but also allows your rear red light on your belt loop to shine through! Since it's waterproof, if you perspire there will be condensation but the mesh sections help with ventilation. I have an older version made of PVC but these days they're made of EVA -- a waterproof material that contains neither cadmium nor lead.

And a rainy day item I have on my wish list...

• helmet cover by Louis Garneau Visibility in the rain is difficult - whether your cycling, walking or driving THUS I try to always have my front and rear blinking lights on. The icing on the cake would be this bright helmet cover which would also keep my hair dry, like Matthew's!
  

happy riding - rain or shine

view from a Manhattan Bridge bike commute: UVA for The Creators Project

This photo is one of the reasons why I bike - just can't get enough of magnificent views and serendipitous moments. For the past few evenings, while biking over the Manhattan Bridge's south side bike path, you've been able to get a glimpse of magnificence... not only of the glowing Brooklyn Bridge and Jane's Carousel (the glass jewel box housing the newly restored 1922 carousel), BUT what really took my breath away was that red glow to the right. It's the view into open air Tobacco Warehouse where the UK collaborative UnitedVisualArtists (UVA) installed a gigantic interactive LED cubic sculture sponsive LED cubic sculpture as part of The Creators Project -- which hosted a bunch of live concerts last weekend in DUMBO. The photo above doesn't it do it any justice so check out THIS video!  

image via thecreatorsproject.com

a minimal Bicycle Purse Rack

When it comes to women and biking in the city, it's difficult to escape the issue of what to do when carrying a purse. I recently wrote about this very topic on Oregon Manifest's blog... and was very excited to come across this super simple spring loaded rack to keep your bag safe and secure! The Bicycle Purse Rack is an exclusive product of CycleChic in the UK and their sister site The Bicycle Muse in the USofA. It attaches to your handlebar stem with just 2 screws and bolts and is chrome plated steel to prevent rust. Pretty simple.

Now I haven't tested it out myself but I wouldn't go overboard and throw on my largest/heaviest bag (after all the rack itself is W: 22cm, H: 21cm, D: 13cm) but a medium sized one with the necessities should do fine. Plus, carrying an extra little bungee cord would not hurt!

Tulip Fun Fun - the bendable bike rack

images via Keha3'

Just cracked open this week's New York Magazine and came across Keha3's 'Tulip Fun Fun' designed by Margus Triibmann. Yeah, FUN! The Estoni-based designer developed the rack from metal cable, covered rubber hose, and hot galvanized metal plate -- allowing you more options when locking up while also protecting your frame with it's rubber coating. Love imagining tons of these racks installed in the city, bending like wheat in a field. You know?! Well, anyhow, while looking at some of  Margus' other designs, I recognized the 'Sea Buoy' which I've admired in the past for it's cleverness, 'vandal-proof/impact-proof housing', possible indoor/outdoor applications, and after all it's waterproof. While not bike specific, it would be awesome to carry around in your bike basket (like so)!

images via Keha3'

a DYI bike light in a pinch

When leaving the office last night I realized I had not one bike light with me! Panic I did. Sure, I could have ran to the nearest bike shop but with a drawer full of bike lights at home and honestly do not need to add to that collection. There are a few things that I REALLY hate doing and one of those is biking (at night/dusk/dawn or in the rain) without my bike lights -- thus I started combing through my filing cabinet of oddities and fortunately found... a small yet powerful LED flashlight!

One light is better then none and since my commute route is hardly speeding car free I decided to rig up a rear red light with supplies around the office...
1. small flashlight
2. red film (which I used, but you can also turn any piece of white paper bright red with a red Sharpie)
3. clear tape
4. electrical tape
5. scissors

The clear tape helped secure the red film and electrical tape to secure the light onto my frame. Would have been awesome if the flashlight had a blinking mode -- but I'll be returning to my fav light set up tonight.

Oregon Manifest's Utility Bike Design Challenge glory

Love looking through the results of Oregon Manifest's Design Challenge -- all the features frame builders incorporated in making the ultimate utility bike to encourage more people then ever to... bike!  Loads of great ideas were presented -- I particularity enjoyed spotting U-lock slots integrated in the frames or racks, use of (Halo Coatings) patented retro-reflective powdercoat finish, accompanying bag systems, lockable storage compartments, double kick stands galore, three wheels for load distribution, considerations for carrying kids, and a sweet lil' sidecar.

If you haven't already, check out bike portraits of the winners, the people's choice award, and all the entries on Oregon Manifest's site and Core77's chronicles. As previously posted,  Oregon Manifest real-life factor competition didn't solely judge on looks, nor the fact they had to incorporate urban necessities: anti-theft devices, fenders, lights, load-carrying capability, and a stand while parked, BUT were also judged on PERFORMANCE carrying a predetermined baggage load (including a mailing tube!) -- on a 50 mile road (and trail) course that looked like serious fun...

photos above from Core77's photo gallery

this one via QuixoteCycles by S Mirk

Dekalb Market - open air market of all things Brooklyn

An empty lot + salvaged shipping containers + food vendors + design goods + a radio station... in downtown Brooklyn. A few weeks ago I rolled up to Dekalb Market on a Friday afternoon just before the evening commuters filed in and was happily surprised to find a number of interesting activities and vendors in the currently undeveloped lot at the corner of Flatbush Ave. and Willoughby which (someday, post-crisis) is destined to become the home to a high-rise. The space is so large it's also hosting events, workshops, has a farm and your likely to ask yourself, "Am I still in Brooklyn?!"

My friend Helene helped found BBOX Radio located in the market - they built out a container, fit out the space with equipment, crafted furniture, selected 20+ radio shows from an open call, and started streaming pre-recorded shows on their website. Loved hearing a live broadcast and watching the DJs through the containers glass windows.

The Pratt Design Incubator has a Pop-up shop which recently featured DARGELOS cycling accessories -- including the cool minimal Trans//Porter convertible tote/backpack which comes in this super nice bright red colour combo. 

And the ever popular... Lightning Vest!

3RD Ward's 'ShopBox' had a few cyclist friendly products on display including the Mopha Tool Roll and TOPO's mountain-meets-city street Klettersack -- both below.

Depending on your culinary mood, you'll find a cup of Joe, Sour Puss Pickles, 'international soul food' at Mazie's among the food vendors...

Pretty brilliant idea -- hope this becomes a trend with more vacant lots!

upcoming Montreal workshop... biking while pregnant/with small children!

spotted parked in Florence (Italia!) last winter

At this point in my life I have lots of friends with small children who are working on figuring out the whole biking with toddlers set-up. If your in the same boat and in Montreal... your in luck!

Saturday October 22nd, 10am-12pm

"Biking while pregnant/Biking with small children"

a FREE workshop/skill-share

hosted by QPIRG Concordia

1500 de Maisonneuve Ouest, suite 204 (metro Guy-Concordia)

Do you ride a bike?

Are you having, or have you recently had, a baby?

Do you want to keep on riding your bike just the same, despite the disapproving looks or comments you're getting when you say so?

(or you're just not sure what - if anything - you should do differently when you ride.)

This workshop aims to:
-bust myths about the 'dangers' of biking through pregnancy
-share tips about biking safely, comfortably, and confidently throughout
your pregnancy
-discuss the ways to transport your little one(s) with you as you bike
-provide a space for parents & parents-to-be to connect and to chat about
biking with child

co-sponsored by: Right To Move/La voie libre, The People's Potato, Concordia University Student Parents Centre, QPIRG Concordia

Right To Move is a non-profit organization that was started in the spring of 1997 by a group from QPIRG-Concordia who believed bicycles are a form of transportation that should be available to all, regardless of gender, age, wealth or ethnicity. They were an awesome resource for me when I lived in Montreal in the late 90's and I'm so happy they are still going on strong!

flyin'

While I don't sport much clothing that one may consider adventurous or daring... I do love dreaming. So when seeing this clog from Anthro (mighty reminiscent of Jeremy Scott's collaboration with Adidas last year) I couldn't help imagining cycling in them! They even have an ankle strap so they won't fly off. 

Thanks, Rosie ♥

a bike's new life w/ a new rider

Due to space constraints in our apartment and the recent increase in bike vandalism in my neighborhood, I forced myself to part with my Schwinn Suburban. It was difficult to say goodbye to the bike that got my through these past couple NYC winters -- but was thrilled to find it a perfect home!

Meet Nelly (above!)... she's a Brooklynite who hadn't rode a bike since childhood but wanted to start riding to her college campus and such. The moment she laid eyes on the Schwinn she said it was exactly what she had been looking for. Sweet! She was so excited that I threw in some essentials: helmet, bell, and rear red light. Nelly had a bunch of questions about staying safe, what's legal and not, good routes in Brooklyn... I also gave her the following advice -- two words little words that I think are key to cycling whether your on a bike path or city street:

be predictable.

Enjoy, Nelly!