wishing you a lovely holiday

What an awesome year it has been! Alas I'll return in 2012 with more cycling love... until then you can get psyched about the new year (and as of today register for the next D2R2 among other rides)!

City Bakery's Holiday Cheer

The City Bakery's 'bicycle-powered rickshaw' fleet got into the spirit of the holidays with these tiny Christmas trees. Note the ornaments include their famous pretzel croissants!!! Spotted these two parked on 18th Street yesterday.

+ NYC cyclists (and skateboarders), don't forget to show the cashier your helmet at City Bakery/Birdbath Bakery to get a 20% discount! A beautiful bike friendly business model ♥

sweet little holiday packages

A colleague gave a couple of us in the office who bike these beautiful little bird adorned bike-centric packages. So sweet!

Thanks, Laren!

Fifth Avenue's Holiday Windows + bicycles (naturally!)

David Byrne's high heel bike rack at 5 Ave. and 48th St.

Last Wednesday, after watching a screening of the new and fantastic French silent film The Artist at The Paris Theatre, the holiday window displays along 5th Ave were awaiting me. If anything, the heavy wind and rain that evening made for even more beautiful reflections and no crowds!

First off, Saks Fifth Avenue's windows never disappoint. This year their kinetic installation features a spiky stiletto wearing mannequin pealing her way seamlessly from window to window on a high wheel style bicycle!!! So super awesome. I simply don't know why I didn't take advantage of my phone's video function?!?

In the window at Gucci an Italian bicycle and (high) fashion brand collaboration... the single-speed leather and chrome detailed "Bianchi by Gucci"...

Okay, so while not bicycle related, a few others... Bergdorf Goodman's life sized animal themed windows which are so incredibly detailed they are worth a lengthy visit to take it all in. Here is just a snippet...

Louis Vuitton opted for a non-holiday circus theme while taking advantage of their two story vitrines...

And the fabulous carousel theme at Tiffany's - so incredibly dreamy and well executed...

shoe covers to the rescue

Last night's rainfall had me pulling out my wind/water proof Louis Garneau shoe covers... though designed to fit over cycling shoes, I'm continually amazed how well they work on top of just about any shoe in my closet!

They've been so versatile that I've been keeping them tucked away in my bag -- along with my gloves and tool/patch kit.

via DC: (coloured) paper clip bike racks

My friend, brewer extraordinaire, Nathan sent this over to me -- new bike racks at the corner of 21st and L in DC! Can't help but love these racks which reminded me of these around here.

All this ample bike parking would make most NYers super jealous (there's even a naked standard city rack in the distance). People - take advantage of downtown parking and get riding!

via Turin: cheerful flowers

Especially with Winter Solstice around the corner, I can't help but smile whenever spotting a flowering bike basket. A reader from Turin, Italy shared this photo of a bike they pass by everyday. So seasonally unappropriated - love it!

Grazie, Simone.