THX Curitiba Cycle Chic - "Bicycle" by Steve Blanco

Thanks to Curitiba Cycle Chic for first sharing this gorgeous, romantic video...




"Bicycle" by Steve Blanco is simply the perfect little treat just in time for Valentine's Day! Warning: it's quite possible to discover yourself flushed with fresh yearnings, or flooded with sweet memories of love ...ah, Bicycle Romance!

Enjoy!

'Finders' Credit goes to Curitiba Cycle Chic - with a just wonderful knack for finding some amazing 'firsts '- so go and visit soon!

Fashion Blogger Beauty and her Vintage Bicycle

I guess I just couldn't keep myself from resisting - I re-posted them ALL! - The Freelance Fashionblog's photos- the ones where she is wearing these adorable vintage outfits with her vintage bicycle. I just love these pictures!....

(all photo credit: The Freelancers Fashionblog)

But Alas, she has left her lovely vintage bicycle in the snow since November...

(all photo credit: The Freelancers Fashionblog)

Now leaving your bicycle covered in snow is sad, everyone agrees especially The Freelance Fashionblogger... but spring is on it's way with delightful warm days ahead (to dream about for now)... Warm days where you just feel it in your bones that you just have to ride your bicycle!

With that in mind here is some help to get your bicycle ready for spring. I've written a post called Green Clean Your Bicycle sharing my tips - for instance on how to get rid of rust. It will get you started on the road to recovery - for the sake of your dear bicycle!

Bicycle Love Ambassador

Sometimes when I'm out having my day I get accosted by the merely curious, the grossly misinformed or the flat out jerks. Sometimes this just involves weird looks and hasty remarks shot my way. Other times I am actually face to face - in a situation where I can choose to speak - engage in a conversation with this other person before me.

I've developed over time a mind set in these situations. I purposely see my self as an Ambassador of Bicycle Love. Every encounter is a chance to do Out Reach. Out Reach that might just change a person's life. Forever.

To start, my first assessment is if this person before me is giving off psycho vibes, I've learned to trust my inner gut. If it's psycho or rageaholic vibes I am getting outta there . Simple.

Now if it's curious questions as to why I wear heels and how do I do it, then I'm prepared. I hand them a business card, invite them to visit my blog. Ditto for the whole gander of merely curious type questions; what bicycle I am riding, where did I get it. Or my favorite-- "how fast can you go on that thing".

I generally try to be as helpful and friendly as I can be. Spread the Bicycle Love.

Note: if I were riding a brand new Abici bicycle or some other ballpark $$ 2K bicycle - Pashley, Oma Workcycle, Batavus or the like I would hand them a card too. This one with the bicycle shop where they could go buy a bicycle just like mine - with this caveat - that they go tell the LBS/Manufacturer that RidngPretty sent them. I would like to earn brownie points (I'd deserve them!) with said bicycle manufacture and LBS. After all I am a BIG talking, walking (rather riding), stylishly attired, blogging billboard for them!

Onto the grossly misinformed, if I can stand it I would try to talk my way through whatever misunderstanding they present me with. I actually haven't had to do this yet but if I continually got the same repetitious question again and again I would print up a card with a quick faq answer. One with either my blog address included on it or not. My choice.

(via schoolofill)

For the flat out jerks (those that aren't in the psycho category) I size up what my chances are of making a positive impact. I won't stand down but I won't let them escalate me so that I'm ranting/screaming as loudly as they are. It really is a case by case situation. Thankfully I encounter this situation rarely. My community is a very bikey town and always has been.

Portland Tweed Ride - 'Wish You Were There' Video

This is too good. It really has a 'Wish You Were There' quality about it- meaning I wish I was there! Perhaps next time.

Enjoy!

Longevity and The Bicycle

Jeanne Louise Calment rode a bicycle until she was age 100. She went on to live to be 122. This makes her very rare, one of the longest lived persons ever. She was neither athletic nor an obsessed bicyclist...riding a bicycle was merely habitual for her. Riding a bicycle was part of her lifestyle as was walking and these were the means by which she got herself around her town, her community. Her community? - She lived for a time in Paris as well in Arles where she was born.

Truth be known...she did smoke ciggies to the age 117, I can forgive her that. She is still an inspiration. I can just imagine her on her bicycle...yes, perhaps doing her market shopping trips to the center of her village.

(photographer/credit: unknown- this is not a photo of Jeanne)

I find myself happier knowing that a huge portion of what I need to accomplish and where I need to go within a day can all be done via walking and/or riding my bicycle. It's come down to a matter of proximity and localization. Beautiful bicycle paths with an ocean view help make my ride a dream come true.

I want to emulate Jeanne - To the good life, the simpler lifestyle! To riding a bicycle to age 100!

Ice Ahead - Dutch Bicycles Watch Out!

(Via)

Is there a lesson in all this? You be the judge.

Cool Cruiser Bicycle

(photo by ridingpretty)

Giving a little bikey love ... xoxo for the beloved beach cruiser!