chest of drawers by Raphaëlle Bonamy

French designer Raphaëlle Bonamy created this column of drawers which integrates the ♥ bicycle-chain ♥ as the  pulley mechanism to open and close each compartment. I also love how this totally evokes an image of a tall jewlery box overflowing with necklaces. Check out the video below...

via Daily Tonic

win a spot @ the 2011 Tour de France's 21 stages / 2,150 miles

king of the mountain cap / alpe d huez Tee / water bottle

Pretty freakin' cool competition Cannondale has going on right now... read on for the details on how to land (the job of a lifetime) working behind the scenes with the Team Liquigas-Cannondale team for one week at the 2011 Tour de France (!!!) + while your there, buy up all the Tour de France paraphernalia your heart desires...

Grand Prize Winner Receives the Following:

• A trip to the 2011 Tour de France to serve as an intern for Team Liquigas-Cannondale. (Dates TBD)
• A Cannondale SuperSix Hi-MOD with SRAM drivetrain: Ride like the pros!
• A Sugoi Team Kit (includes a jersey and bib shorts).
• 1-Year subscription to Peloton Magazine. 2ND – 10TH PLACE FINISHERS RECEIVE:
• A Sugoi team kit (includes a jersey and bib shorts)
• 1-Year subscription to Peloton Magazine
• Good luck from Team Liquigas-Cannondale! See you in France!

How To Enter:

Submit a short (one to two-minute) video on the RideCannondale Facebook page, explaining why you're the most qualified to join Team Liquigas-Cannondale. Great, what do I say?

• How the sport of cycling has impacted your life.
• Your greatest childhood memory while riding a bicycle.
• Your most memorable moment from the Tour de France.
• A bike MUST be visual somewhere in the video shoot (it doesn't have to be a Cannondale).
• Submit your video today! The contest runs May 1-June 3, 2011.
• The top five entrants will be selected & reposted on the Cannondale and Peloton Magazine facebook pages. The fans decide the winner – all you have to do is "like" one!
• One video entry per person.

All the details can be found [here] * * * Competition ends June 3rd 2011 at 11:59:59 PM ET * * *

ALLEZ ALLEZ!

in the heart of winter

Lou Mistraou

I wish my helmet looked like this!

Lou Mistraou's aviator style caps are available in lambskin and rain-proof wool felt.
via NotCouture

The caps (which to clarify - are not helmets) are made in in the region of La Rochelle by one of the last and most demanding hat producers in France, whose workshops have thrives for five generations. Perhaps helmet designs are next on their list??!

Alain Delorme's mobile Totems

Alain Delorme

While these photos taken in Shanghai by Alain Delorme (a bit of a Photoshop maverick) have been circulating the web - still wanted to take the opportunity to post a few. Ingrid at Aesthetics of Joy recently wrote about the emotional response of these photographs focusing on the transparency of the cargo, individuality and humanity of the workers.

And if in Paris, this series titled 'Totems' will be on view as of tomorrow through the 19th of February at Le Bon Marché!

Thanks, Ingrid!  

fabulousness in 1963

Melvin Sokolsky

The fashion photographer Melvin Sokolsky's 1963 shots. Pre-photoshop and, YES, an actual clear sphere hovering the Parisian streets among cyclists.

gradient coating

Digging these simple raw canvas bags by the French company Teddyfish - particularly the one with gradient latex coating. Just wish white canvas didn't get dirty so easily.

soft(er) impact

As my love for cork and vintage designs runs deep, this helmet concept by French designer Kévin Goupil caught my attention... while the form is based on an old steel French army helmet, the material of choice gives the helmet a gentler (soft to the touch) side.

+ if you looking to incorporate the shock-adsorbing and ecological aspects of cork on your bike, here are some options

via NotCot / via Stilsucht (in German, but translated here)

graphic legs

Even if we are months away from shedding our winter woolens and layers - something to look forward to once spring comes around... 
The French company Les Queues de Sardines hand screen-prints these darling tights and stockings in limited quantities.

preemptively graphic

via NotCot + nicely accompanies this recent post by BikeHugger

classic components - reproduced

Vintage Bicycle Press mainly publishes Bicycle Quarterly...

a magazine for avid cyclists, who enjoy their bikes, whether on a weekend ride, commuting, randonneuring, racing or touring the countryside. In Bicycle Quarterly, you find professionally written articles about a variety of topics rarely covered in the "mainstream" cycling press

+ they import some real gems - hard to find cycling components including the two above...

The handlebars are a reproduction of the 1940's Randonneur made in Japan by Nitto and retain subtle bends to allow for long hours on the saddle.

The hammered fenders are a reproduction included in The Golden Age of Handbuilt Bicycles. Made in small quantities in Japan by Honjo.

the golden age of handbuilt bicycles - en France

The Golden Age of Handbuilt Bicycles

168 pages of beautiful French bicycle design history during the height of custom building and bicycle touring in The Golden Age of Handbuilt Bicycles. Carrier bags included.

You can read a detailed review of the book [here] by Elden Nelson (a.k.a Fat Cyclist)

Thanks for lending it out, Matthew!

bike rack furniture

Hello multi-functional bike racks.
French designer Jean Royère's (1902-1981) furniture which would lend itself so well to lock a bike to. I could see these being transformed into outdoor pieces in Union Square.

via Elle Decoration South Africa

safety chic: French style

Recently came across the French company DOYOUvelo? which makes appeal and accessories addressing safety and style. Using reflective material (REFLECT’LINE®), zipper linings and reversible options.