Part one is Social Cycling-from May 17-June 6

• Go on a group ride
• Leave a nice note on a bike, or say hi to a cyclist at a red light
• Schedule a bike date with a friend or partner — dress up!
• Recruit a non-biking friend for a ride
• Ride with your family

You must complete at least 2 events to be entered into the drawings.  Well, this week I did that and so much more.

Group Rides: Ride of Silence, check.  Bike to Work Day, check.  Tour de Cure (post coming), check.

Some photographic evidence supporting these.

Ride of Silence

Tour de Cure flat!

Bike to Work (from the Birmingham News)

I sure do hope I win.  These prizes are KICK ASS!  Check out the Flickr Pool as well.

I haven’t been talking much about my own riding.  Being out of town for a month will do that to you.  This week I am back (for a good while) and have been riding a bit.

The weather here is ridiculous…waking up to 40 degrees to warm to 75 by midday.  Rainy off and on…I have to keep a rainjacket in my bag nearly every trip.

I finally attached a rack to Freddy and am loving it.  Thanks P-clamps!  A friend (who also owns a Bakfiets and 2 Dutch bikes…more to come on he and his wife) gave me a laptop bag/briefcase for the rack and Heath ordered me some of these wonderful straps that I first saw on Dottie‘s bike in Chicago. Much better than bungee cords and look a bit classier as well.  The three straps make carrying things of various sizes much much easier. $5 well spent.

3 straps are better than one bungee cord

One bad thing going on has been looking at my checkbook.  As this is my first fall and winter car free, I needed to get a few things…rack, straps, merino wool clothes stuff, boots for riding, tights, rain jacket, fender, warm baselayers, hat… and these things are not cheap.  However, the total of them has been less than one car note (well, maybe not if you include the clothes.  oops).  some of these things, ok most, were not essential but make being car free a lot more enjoyable.  A lot. This week I need a new headset as mine is in bad shape.

I rented a car to go to my sisters house and it was EXPENSIVE!  4 days was $230.  That is a lot when you are unemployed.  Hell, it is a lot for anyone.  This was my first car rental and I don’t think I will be doing as much as I had originally thought.  Hello Greyhound, Amtrack, Southwest.  I had to pay for the supplemental insurance as I cancelled my own car insurance.  All this to say, renting a car is an option but an expensive one.  If you keep it to weekends only it is a bit cheaper but not much.  Lesson learned. Has anyone else dealt with this?  we need a zipcar!!

My knee is acting like a bitch, so my riding this week has been sporadic.  Hopefully that changes soon.

What has your October looked like?

Copenhagen Cyclery

While in Chicago, Dottie was kind enough to take me to Dutch Bike Chicago and Copenhagen Cyclery.

I’ll take one of each, please.

We have no Dutch bike shops in Alabama, and I am not sure we even have anywhere that sells Dutch bikes here.  So I was really excited to get to see and ride these wonders on two wheels.  I was not disappointed…at all. Despite the rainy, cold day I had a wonderful time.

Tiffany's makes bike racks?!

First stop was Copenhagen Cyclery where we met up with Braxton and Ashley (also from Al), who were in town simply to test ride a Velorbis.  Phil at Copenhagen was friendly and knowledgeable.   We all took turns test riding the Scrap Deluxe and it was so comfortable and surprisingly fast and nimble.  I will be honest…I was never sure that a Dutch bike was my style, as I like speed and agility.  I was proven wrong on this bike.  The balloon tires were cushy but fast and wow was it pretty!  While not riding or admiring, I was listening to Phil rave about Chicago and the great people and neighborhoods.  I picked up a great handmade wool cycling cap, Dottie got a seat rain cover and we all fell in love with the bikes.  They did not have a Leikier in stock, but I am intrigued by the design and concept. After spending about 2 hours in the shop, we moved along to our next Dutch bike stop…

Copenhagen Cyclery

Ashley and Braxton test riding

Dutch Bike Chicago. As soon as we walked in the greeted Dottie with a “Hey there, what will you be test riding today?” It was awesome.  We pretty much rode every bike in the shop.  My personal favorite was the Workcycles FR8.  Rode smoothly, quickly (do you sense a theme with me?) and could carry anything.  They had one with 3 kids seats on it!  It was hard to leave this one behind.  I also test rode a Bakfiet, Gazelle Toer Populair, and a Gazelle Chamonix Pure.

Dutch Bike Chicago

The Chamonix Pure was really interesting, as it is a more “modern”, light and quick take on the Dutch bike.  Aluminum, with adjustable handlebars that can go from low, mustache like state to a more upright classic Dutch bike placement.  It was a pleasant ride, a bit bumpier than the others, but much quicker.  I think that if I were to try to “go Dutch” in Birmingham, this may be the choice for me.

Workcycles FR8

alternative to the mini van?

For a more thorough review of the Gazelles, check out Dottie’s write up on Let’s Go Ride a Bike.

adjustable handlebars

I had a great time and everyone was kind and willing to answer questions, raise the seats and let me take them all out for a test ride.  Braxton ended up ordering himself a Scrap Deluxe and I have been dreaming about that bike and the FR8 since I returned home. I was taken with how utilitarian yet beautiful they all were.  Here you see pretty bikes…that don’t carry much.  To see bikes used as child carriers, grocery getters, beer holders and the like was refreshing.

Who needs a car?!

Who knows; maybe a Dutch bike is in my future.

Thanks to everyone at Dutch Bike Chicago and Phil at Copenhagen Cyclery.  You guys made my trip enjoyable and memorable.  If you are in the area (hell, even if you aren’t) go by and check out these shops and bikes.  You won’t regret it and will come back looking at bikes in a whole new light.

Dottie and I on our way Downtown on Oma and Betty

I am having a simply lovely time here in the midwest.  I have been here less than a week and may just stay for a while (don’t worry Bham…I am still coming home).  The weather is glorious, the people friendly and the coffee incredible.  A quick rundown on the trip so far (very quick…a longer post to come).

I spent the first few days walking around downtown Milwaukee and making plans, as well as see the people and drink the coffee (oh and shopping!). I was with Carrie Rollwagen for the first few days and that was so fun. 

Today I am in Chicago with Dottie from Lets Go Ride a Bike.  We spent the afternoon sightseeing, bike riding and eating.  I got to ride Betty Foy and we are fast friends.  Riding an upright bike took some getting used to, but I am getting the hang of it.  Chicago is so flat!  The ride downtown was raining the entire way, but we kept and on and had a lovely time.  Drinks at the top of the John Hancock building, shopping the Magnificent Mile and dinner at Giordano’s for Chicago Deep Dish Pizza!  Yes, I would say this has been a good day. 

Tomorrow we head to Wicker Park for bike shop visiting, meet up with some fellow Alabamian cyclists then it is time for the Cocktail Party Ride.  I hope to see some of you there. 

Phew…I am exhausted.  will report back more soon.  Look forward to a post about the Milwaukee Bicycle Collective, a bike shop tour of Milwaukee, test rides of Dutch bikes in Chicago, Cocktail Party round up, and more.  I am sucking the life out of the vacation (in the very best way)

Chicago on a rainy, foggy day

bike love from Chicago!

We’ll meet at a cocktail lounge in Wicker Park at 7 p.m. The ride will meander around the north side and stop at a few fine places for refreshments. Check back here for more details.

Dottie is so sweet to organize this to introduce me to the city and the awesome folks who live and ride there.  I am very excited!

Alas, Ellen won't be there.

Now…what to wear?  Must go shopping…

OH…and Saturday morning, Cyclin’ Missy and I will be celebrating Dottie’s birthday with a lovely ladies only brunch in Chicago.  It is like a dream come true; lovely ladies, bikes rides, brunch, birthday and blogging!  Please join us if you can.  Details coming for that as well.

Hope to see many new and friendly faces.  Boys, I want to see you in your best Friday night!  Ladies, Saturday will be just lovely.

To bikes and (new) friends!

My question for you:  What should I see?  Especially in Milwaukee, as I am sure Dottie is well in the know in Chicago; stay tuned for details about a possible cocktail party ride Oct 10!.  Bike shops, trails, coffee shops, restaurants, pubs etc. Of course I will be keeping an online journal of this for everyone to read, so I want to make it interesting.  I would also love to visit a bike coop or collective to see how things are run in other places.  A few cyclists from Huntsville, AL will be in Chicago that weekend as well, so it will be one fun meet up (we live 1 hour apart and have never met in person…such is life when neither of you use a car much!)

I will be there Oct 4-14, email me if you want to meet for coffee, beer, bike ride, etc (although I reserve the right to turn you down if you seem creepy!). elisa@bikeskirt.com.  I think I have a bike for both places, but the one in Milwaukee is a bit dodgy, so anyone with the hookup on a bike for a TALL person to borrow, let me know.  Think 58-60cm.

I am looking forward to cooler weather (tights! boots! hats!) and seeing how other folks bike and live. Some things on the agenda:

Copenhagen Cyclery in Chicago
Dutch bike Company in Chicago
**I have heard about a great neighborhood revitalization project in Chicago…does anyone have any details on that?  I can’t remember the name, but they are using transit and urban development to revitalize a blighted area to great success…**

Ben’s Cycle in Milwaukee
Milwaukee Bike Collective
Mocha Coffee Bistro

So Milwaukee and Chicago readers, show me what you got.

It was pleasure to meet all the riders!  I’m looking forward to seeing you all again soon at our next fancy dress ride.

Ride in fancy clothes…how fun.  We will also be imbibing drinks and laying by the pool at Anna’s friends house.  I love a good mini-vacay

Besides seeing Dave Matthews Band (who was INCREDIBLE!), I wanted to check out a bike shop or two. Obviously!

I only had time to see one, so I chose the only used bike shop in Nashville, that happened to be near our accommodations (which were kindly given to us by Trisha from Let’s Go Ride a Bike…what a cute place she has!), Halycon bikes.

It was lovely. Local artisan hip and saddle bags, beautiful used bikes and cool staff working. I highly recommend you go in there and say hello. They have only been open 5 months and seem to be doing very well. In addition to the shop, they are running a Youth bike program in the back with the Oasis Center. Getting folks on bikes and supporting the youth of the community; we at Bike Skirt approve!

I took some photos. enjoy!

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If you see Pinkie around, please a) kick said thieves ass, b) call the cops, c) let Trish know.

Help us return Pinkie to her home!