Cycle Chic Films at Huckleberry Bicycles on December 21st

Earlier this year, Vancouver Cycle Chic produced a series of short films to highlight the diversity, creativity, and humanity of two-wheeled transportation, and inspire others to consider giving it a try. Producer Chris Bruntlett is in town for an exclusive screening and party at Huckleberry Bicycles, and to talk briefly about how and why they were made. Please join us for a drink, a bite, and a chat.

Saturday, December 21st. Doors are at 5pm. Films start at 6pm.

Huckleberry Bicycles is located at 1073 Market Street, San Francisco

RSVP on Facebook!

See you there!

Vélorution - PARIS!

On my hunt for Space Invaders in Paris, I stumbled upon this bike pile not far from Hôtel de Ville.


At close range, some stickers looked familiar...


with a French twist!


At last - I found the Parisian bikey people!


The location is l'Atelier de Réparation Participatif - Vélorution, a cooperative bike repair workshop much like SF's very own Bike Kitchen.

Vélo en panne? Pas de soucis! They got the tools you need.


Laissez les Bons Temps Rouler! (Wait - wrong town! Hope you had a jolly Mardi Gras!)

How to Choose a Bike - a webisode from Mind The Gap

With so many bikes to choose from, how does a new cyclist make the right choice?

If you've got a friend who's thinking of buying a new bike, please send him/her this video produced by my friend Laura, director of the upcoming documentary about public transportation Mind The Gap.



Her webisodes are always quite insightful, so I can't wait to see her completed film! In the meantime, she's offering us these entertaining and useful videos while we wait til the film makes it to the silver screen.

Flavor of the Month: Ube

MTV Shows

Ube's Ice Cream Shop has got the SF flava, and it's delicious.

Don't judge a bike until you've ridden a mile on its saddle

I've officially begun my search for new wheels! I stopped by My Dutch Bike this week to say a quick hello to Soraya. What better time to start test riding bikes than the present, I said to myself. I noticed that most of Soraya's bikes had suspension seat posts, which is what my Motobécane lacks and probably what caused me most of my tailbone issues.

The first bike I selected to test out was the Gazelle Chamonix. Watch the video to check out all its features.

What drew me in was the sporty look slapped onto a Dutch bicycle. Priced at $1,500, the bike might be out of reach for me, but with all the ergonomic features, I also believe it could be a good investment. The Chamonix also has front fork suspension for added comfort over the bumpy SF streets. Furthermore, this bike not only has that European look, but offers the stylish cyclist a chain and skirt guard to protect your clothing from ruin.

I took the Chamonix for a spin around the block. I intentionally rode over bumps so I could feel the impact on my tailbone. The verdict? Way better! This bike offers a smooth ride over potholes, manholes, train tracks and any other kind of uneven pavement. I missed the feeling of sitting directly on my sit bones that I get on my Specialized Ariel saddle though.

I didn't test out the adjustable handlebars yet, because I wasn't aware they existed until I watched the video. There are 8 gears so that would make it easy to attack the SF hills on the Chamonix.

In the long run I might be looking for a ride that's a bit more sporty than a Dutch bicycle so I can bolt around The City, but I plan to go back and give it a longer spin around downtown and test those handlebar positions, and also check out Soraya's Workcycles, a sturdier and heavier model that would certainly turn heads. The German Retrovelo models she has in the shop are pretty badass and worth checking out too.

To be continued...

Back in the Saddle!

Your precious behind on the wrong saddle...


plus a dose of urban cycling...


can lead to some serious issues. Don't let cycling become a pain in the ass!

Luckily for my sake, my coccydynia symptoms haven't progressed much past my tailbone. I've seen a doctor and a physical therapist, and have resorted to old fashioned pain relief - sitting on ice and taking painkillers. Though it's going to take a while to heal, one can avoid chronic coccydynia.

Start here: Measure your butt! At Mike's Bikes, you can get specially fitted for a saddle. They have this nifty contraption they refer to as the "Assometer."

It measures the space between your sit bones, so they can determine the right sized bike seat for your tush.

When you're actually sitting on your sit bones and not your tailbone, you feel like your posture is a heck of a lot better and in my case, there has been an instantly noticeable reduction in the tailbone pain. KT is a happy girl again!


The sales rep at Mike's picked out this Specialized saddle for me, and it seems to be helping. So far, those notorious SF potholes haven't felt like the jackhammer they once did.


And serendipitously enough, I was introduced to the Pedal Panties gals, and I got myself my very own pair of stylish purple panties with a subtle butt pad so you can wear them under skirts and dresses with no VPL to speak of.


It feels good to be back in the saddle! Ride on!

public for the people

Unless you live in a cave, by now you should have heard about PUBLIC bikes, as well as have seen a generous smattering of these pretty bikes rolling along the bike lanes of SF in an array of jazzy, fresh colors. But have you seen their bike warehouse in the Mission? When you're riding down Harrison Street, keep an eye out for the baby blue banner and the cute boy sipping a coffee.


Repeating spirals of beautiful baby blue - simply mesmerizing.


And I find their bike mechanic Tyler equally mesmerizing. ;-)


And if you're in San Francisco on Saturday, August 21, make sure to stop by their Launch Party for all kinds of fun you can have in PUBLIC (har dee har har). See you there.

The Bakfiets Experience: Form & FUNction!

Look at how HOT this ride is!

And guess what, it's totally utilitarian! I cruised along Market Street from Soraya's shop to Adolph Gasser to pick up a lighting kit for our photo booth at the DFF.

Let me provide answers to your questions up front:

A: The Bakfiets is easy to ride and maneuver through traffic.
A: The heavy load in front doesn't bog you down. Steering was quite easy, once you get the hang of making wide turns.
A: The Bakfiets has 8 gears and you can stylishly ride at a normal speed.
A: The Bakfiets turns heads.

Look! I didn't just pose with it. I rode it! Self-portrait in window of the W. Hotel (where King Mikael stayed during his last SF visit - sniff!)

Tow truck avec tow bike.

And if a picture is worth a thousand words, than a video ought to be worth a million.


The Bakfiets delivered me to the Good Hotel safe and sound, along with my cargo. Thanks to My Dutch Bike, our Photo Booth was shining bright!

When all was said and done, we got to play around in the FUNfiets.


Dan Nguyen-Tan demonstrates the many uses of this functional bike.


Ms. Wheelright was not only carted around for show, but rode the Bakfiets home and will now offer us her very own Bakfiets Experience.

VV Profile: Soraya of My Dutch Bike

Name: Soraya Isabel Nasirian

Occupation: Owner, My Dutch Bike

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Current city: Sausalito, CA

Favorite city to ride a bike in in the world: Amsterdam

Helmet or no helmet: Sorry no helmet

Type of bike: Workcycles Omafiets 8 speed (yes, steel and heavy)

Describe what you like best about your bike: Rides smooth and steady and of course in Dutch Orange!

Describe your urban cycling experience: Used to cycle a lot in a mountain bike, bag on my shoulder not comfortable but easy. Went to UC Davis so lots of cycling there too! Now get around in my omafiets when possible avoid the hills like a plague!

Favorite time and/or place to ride: Love riding around 2 pm in SF when I can get out of the store. Traffic is light sun is warm. Also Sausalito almost anytime when the weather is great with my 3 year old son.


Artist most commonly played on iPod at the moment: Listen to Pandora, so lets see - Bonobo, Glass Candy...

Tell us how you started your company, My Dutch Bike: Been with my Dutch boyfriend Oscar, for 10 years always traveling to Amsterdam at least twice a year and riding our bicycles occasionally around but what sealed the deal was the birth of our son. It was just so easy to get around with him even at 8 months old on a bicycle even wearing heels or a skirt. Just made common sense to get these bicycles over here. I quit my job as a graphic artist and my boyfriend Oscar is just so supportive and 100% on board. It's the right time even if the economy isn't saying so. San Francisco is such a great hub for us. We have met some great people including our landlord who in her silent way as given us a chance to open up a store when otherwise would be almost impossible. She is our number 1 fan!



Any good bike date stories with your boyfriend? Actually yes, Oscar and I had our first date on a bicycle ride about 10 years ago from SF (where we lived) all the way to Sam's in Tiburon. First time we held hands and knew it was love forever after! ;) He also assisted me on all the hills by placing his hand on my lower back. Can't beat that!

Describe your personal style: Boots, boots, boots first then pick the outfit. Always works for me!

Vélo Vogue tip of the day: Riding a bicycle has to fit your lifestyle. It's not about how often you ride but that you just do it whenever you can. You'll be surprised how often that will be.

bike shops of the north pt. 1

The lovely Nicky of Sockeye Cycle Co. was my tour guide for the day I visited Haines.


When in Haines, make like a Sockeye and get on a bike!