I recently found two wonderful new blogs that have inspired me to make biking around town an even bigger part of my life. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you why the blog Copenhagen Cycle Chic really spins my wheels (if you know me at all you’ll understand), but allow me to show you a little something:
Winter fashions! So long forgotten here in steamy New Wye.
A city with real bike lanes? København, jeg elsker dig!
Photo credits: Copenhagen Cycle Chic.
Ahhh, that’s it. Seeing all these fashionable people cycling their way around the city inspires me to want to do more of the same.
Likewise there’s Sarah & her friends at Girls & Bicycles, who are both fashionable and socially conscious riding their bikes around in Edmonton, Alberta. (Why are Danes and Canadians always so cool? Is it because they all have health care? PROBABLY.)
Bicycling ladies of fashion!
Photo Credit: Girls and Bicycles.
So as you can imagine, with all this inspiration I was super excited about my bike this week. I planned to ride into campus every day without worrying over my fashion and maybe just maybe busting out a pair of chic heels like I used to do when I commuted around Zembla.
Of course it was pouring down rain when I left the house this morning, though, and (CONFESSION!) I do not even own a raincoat, so the bike ride of my dreams did not take place. There’s always tomorrow!
Raincoat Sidebar: You may be wondering why I, someone who lived in the rainiest region of the country for seven years, do not own a raincoat. Friends, your guess would be as good as mine. I just don’t. Call it a protest.
Raveling Out 
Canadians are cool?!!? Yes! I am validated!!
Incidentally, Europeans are big on cycling to work. They also enjoy Chateau Neuf du Pape of which I have had waaaaaaay to much of this evening. But yeah, European women are so delightful as they cycle to work. This is a cool cultural phenomenon that North America has yet to experience.
Sounds like you’re having a good evening then!
In some cities here we do have more of a cycling culture (on the west coast, mainly), but in my current city it is all either college kids on mountain bikes (why they need fat, nubbly tires for riding on the SIDEWALK is effing beyond me) or “serious cyclists” in their spandex shorts. And then there’s me. I think I shall make it my mission to bring chic cycling to New Wye.
Dear Dog. It’s morning and now I have “recovered”. My car insurance agent plied me with fine French wine. Ugh…
I think you have taken on a very valuable mission. Teach our fellow North Americans cycling etiquette and tell them there is no need for fat, stubby tires on sidewalks! How crass! The current Euro trend among the chic, young female set is to cycle to work in high heels and snappy dress. This can be found partout dans le centre ici. And it’s done on SLIM tires. Those with fat tires are committing a grave faux pas. You have this information from a first-hand source. They do it here, they do it in Paris. I think, Vague, you are well ahead of the herd.
I used to take my mountain bike to Canada on fat, stubby tires, but I had WILDERNESS to cross to get there. In the evenings I used to pass fox and beavers; once or twice a black bear. That’s stubby tire country!