review of Fyxation’s Session 700 Tires

My review of Fyxation’s Session 700 Tires is up over on Commute by Bike's site!

bike friendly knits via the Lower East Side

FTLOB reader Ileana Montalvo starting riding a bike in NYC last year (!) and has shared two great knitting projects for winter riding... an extra long cowl + calorimetry headbands. You can find the patterns and details about the yarns she used on her blog: www.loisaidanest.com 

Thanks for sharing, Ileana!

mild winter wardrobe adjustments

This being the warmest winter cycling weather in recent memory, I've only had to dip into my real hardcore gear for (very small) handful of days! Since December I've found myself relying on a these accessories to keep from over heating yet stay warm enough on my daily commutes. Its pretty much all about micro adjustments...

♥ armwarmers i.e. socks for your arms
I love theses by DeFeet, they never slide down your arm and they easily fit under most clothing + made using CoolMax® Eco Made™, a materials derived from recycled plastic bottles

♥ fleece vest
So versatile - I've been wearing one on top of a long sleeve but when it gets really cold I like keeping one in my commuter bag as a backup layer. Mine is ancient and from Mountain Equipment Co-op -- if I were to buy a new one I'd look for one that had a longer back panel

♥ headband 
The moment its below 60° I wear one by Pearl Izumi. I find it to be essential + it helps to protect your eardrums when the wind is strong

+ just in case the temperature does drop dramatically by the time I leave work in the evening, I like to keep these readily available in my commuter bag:

♥ windproof jacket
Which you can throw on top as an extra buffer - but so compact can remove and stick it in your bag the moment your warmed up enough

♥ extra pair of wool socks
Hiking liners are great since they are thin for layering. I haven't even touched on those rare snowy NYC days but these are also super helpful to have around in case of slush/rain. (I ♥ Smartwool)

image sources from above: DeFeet arm coverings / Pearl Izumi MicroSensor headband (the same version I have) /  retro Patagonia fleece / SmartWool hiking liners

lovely bike friendly knit gifts

Thanks to a very sweet and crafty friend, this holiday I received this wonderful set... a knit cable headband (perfect under my bike helmet) and crochet cotton washcloth accompanied with lavender face + body wipes (to use once I arrive to the office). What perfect gifts for cyclist!

♥ Merci, Evelyne ♥

i heart my winter commute: a guide

Check out my post Sucking It Up in Winter on Commute By Bike... and BRING ON winter!

A note to those you may be intimidated and feel they have to get all geared out to cycle through it all... you shouldn't! Try different things out on short trips to see what works for you. And while I personally opt to wear mostly "performance" apparel/gear in cold climate, you def. can get along without. When I started commuting year-round as a university student I just had a pair of ski gloves, waterproof rain jacket, army surplus rain pants, and wore plastic bags on over socks in my shoes. Really.

And for those of you who have a system down, it would be great to hear about it!

goodbye winter, hello spring... animated

This past winter presented us New Yorkers with a record snow fall - which spurred me to document my commuter in all its glory. A little belated but none the less I present to you... my first GIF! Thank you to Nesli for showing me the ropes... I think I'm officially hooked.

Speaking of GIF animations, you have GOT TO CHECK OUT these incredible ones by photographer Jamie Beck which Joy posted about yesterday. Real beauties.

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??!

a dusting

Tuesday's commute.

winter booties

The freezing temps in NYC this week got me digging in my closet for my winter booties. I love these -- water proof + wind proof shoe covers with reflective detailing. I used to just use them with my SIDI road bike shoes -- and then one day it dawned on me that they already had the heel cut out AND fit perrrfectly over my favorite heels I wear riding to work!

This version by Sugoi has high-visibility yellow grip material on the heel + toe along with reflective piping on the zippers...

cover up

Matthew w/ his day-glo helmet cover on one sunny day

While it's officially ♥ summer ♥ rain showers are still abound (the forecast is for hail in NYC today!) therefore I have practical rain covers on my mind - both bright and waterproof...

Deuter Rain Cover made of a fine-weave Taffeta-Nylon with a PU coating, the Deuter Rain Cover I is designed to fit day packs and smaller backpacks with up to a 2150 cubic inch capacity. Tape-sealed seams help to further ensure protection against precipitation.
+
Zap Helmet Cover by Sugoi made of two-ply laminate fabric with spandex stretch with 3M Scotchlite reflective detailing on front and back.

hot pink snow

I could be accused of getting carried away with (hot) pink these days... but just loved coming across these pink accents with a bright white snow backdrop.

Swiss wool

Came across this photo of a cyclist in Antwerp posted on Cycle Chic Belgium... and was immediately drawn to the reappropriation of a classic - the (beloved) Swiss Army wool blanket.

Designed by Jan-Marc Stührmann, this bag is part of a line using recycled Swiss Army blankets and canvas sails. While lovely, what's even more interesting is that the bags are assembled by female prison inmates in Vechta, Germany!

snow bright

The lovely sight of a bike in the snow- particularly this black frame Dutch style amongst Hank De Ricco's 27 poles on campus photographed by Matthew Burger...

slush covers

TX FrontPoint Gaiter, Black Diamond®

This morning's beautiful snow fall in NYC (i.e. instant slush on the streets) made me wish I had worn gaiters. Or even better, a pair of these...

Reflective Spats by Two and Fro

ice queen

Let's Go Ride a Bike, a blog by 2 women in 2 cities (Chicago & Nashville), posted these exquisite photos taken on Chicago's icy lake shore in 10 degrees F (-12 C). I adore the sight of a white dress in the white snow... and the kelly green mittens make for a perfect accent.

the lobster

Louis Garneau's 2 In 1 Vital Glove

PEARL IZUMI's P.R.O. Lobster® Wind Mitt

PEARL IZUMI's Barrier Lobster Glove

Hestra's Heli 3-Finger Glove

An essential to many year-round commuters... the lobster claw glove! Once the temperature dips, the mitten/glove combo can make a huge difference - particularly in sub-zero temperatures. The advantage of the lobster style, over a full on mitten, is the gained movement - i.e. shifting gears. For years my PEARL IZUMI Amfib lobster gloves have worked magic - though these days their seem to be even more options... including the convertible styles.

Yarn + Yokoo

8 foot long SoopaScarf

The weather has been steadily bone-chilling these days... just want to drown in one of Yokoo Gibran's knits while riding around. Her super successful Etsy store recently landed her a feature in the NYTimes. All of Yokoo scarves and accessories are made by hand and can be ordered in one of 20 different coloured yarns.

one cool kooky craft queen!