so long and thanks for all the good times... for now

I went to my last Giants game of the season on Monday night. Parked my bike at the valet bike parking for the last time in 2011.


Liam and I ran into a bunch of Germans while getting beers.


Giants were winning, so I was in an especially good mood.


So were my pals, Adrienne & George...


& Laura.


It's always a party when you have record-breaking attendance.

My sister-in-law, a Red Sox fan said to me last night, "Red Sox Nation hate the Yankees more than they love the Red Sox." I told her that one of these days she needed to feel the Giants love!

Then this morning, my dad sent me a message. He went to the last game of the season yesterday, as the Giants waved goodbye to a few players, who might have just played their last game.

This is how Giants fans say goodbye:

"Big ovation for Pat Burrell yesterday when Bochy took him out, applause all the way to the dugout. He disappeared into the team, but the ovation got louder and he came back out for a curtain call and tipped his hat. At this point it got really loud. He stood there for a moment to this standing ovation, then bowed his head and headed to the clubhouse. It was pure love. I think it got to him."

Ta-ta for now, Gigantes! Until March...

Little Black Backpack

Some things never go out of style.

Win or Lose - Together We're Giant

Even though our team has been wrought with injury and disappointment this entire season and brought the Torture to a whole new inconceivable level, the Giants are still our team, and we're riding with them to the very end, wherever it leads us.


What I love about this team and our ballpark is that a whole baseball culture has come about in San Francisco, especially along the Embarcadero before a home game.

You can hop on a pedicab and get a free ride to the park.


Or meet up with friends at the bike valet on McCovey Cove.


Once inside the park, there ain't a bad seat in the house.


And while watching our national pastime, you create memories with friends old and new.




Oh yeah, and our pitching is pretty awesome.


Winning or losing, I will almost never say no to a ballgame and the entire experience the evening brings.




What a long strange trip baseball season is.

SF Humor FTW!

Le Rouge et Noir and I met up with a wall of famous Orange and Black men the other day in the Mission.


I am riding the wave of Giants World Series joy as long as it carries me!


And since SF is a savvy kind of town, with a snarky sense of humor, we can't allow ourselves to gloat too much. Even baseball gets scrutinized by the politically correct magnifying glass.

Indeed, these countries are part of the World as we know it, and yet in baseball, still, 29 American teams + 1 Canadian team = The World.

My BF Buster and I think that's pretty funny. (Actually I think I'm laughing at this unflattering portrait of him).


Or maybe we're laughing because the Huffinator looks like Sergio Romo...


And G-Mo looks like a Vampire.

We Wish You a Merry Christmas and an Awesome New Year!

Thought I was done? I'm just getting started! B Weezy and KT warming up for 2011!

F*ck Yeah!

VV Profile: Robin Carlson - More Cowbell, PUH-LEASE!

photo by Booker T. Kyle

Name: Robin
Occupation: Artworld Elitist
Hometown: Southern Humboldt
Current neighborhood: Sunset
Favorite city to ride a bike in in the world: Any Mediterranean island city, San Francisco, Rome
Helmet or no helmet: Helmet!!!
Type of bike: SS Surly Cross-Check, DeRosa Planet, Waterford (touring), Specialized FSR XC

Describe what you like best about your bike: I love them all for different reasons. My DeRosa is beautiful and super fast. My Waterford is like a Cadillac- I could practically take a nap on it.

Describe your urban cycling experience: When I worked at the Legion of Honor I never went straight home from the museum. I rode Land's End and GGP or the Headlands every day on my cross bike, and was always grateful that my commute was one of the best rides in the city.

Lately, I've been exploring different corners of the local bike scene. I played polo for the first time last week and raced cyclocross for the first time the week before before that. I started modeling for Pedal Panties over the summer, and recently did one of the Pedal Savvy fashion shows. I'm sure that my velo-fetish didn't need to be encouraged but finding new ways to geek out has been making me really happy.

Favorite time and/or place to ride: AT&T Park for Giants games is always at the top of the list. I go on road rides in West Marin whenever I can. I love rolling around the city on random weekdays exploring the neighborhoods and finding cool shit. Nothing beats a sunset on the west side of the Golden Gate Bridge, but sunsets in the Mediterranean come close.

photo by Robin Carlson

Tell us a funny story that happened to you on your bike: Eddy Merckx kissed me on the cheek. (Admittedly, it's not funny, and I wasn't actually on a bike, but it's still worth sharing).

Describe your personal style: I have an extensive collection of miniskirts, including a skort for riding, and I wear tons of jewelry. I usually carry 2 or 3 hoodies at any given time. My bikes are an extension of my style. My 1-speed is black and has pinstripe bartape that matches my favorite hoody. If I'm not in Sidis, I'm wearing high-heeled black boots.


photo by Booker T. Kyle

Favorite color(s): Black


photo by Robin Carlson

AND how 'bout those Giants??? Damn Dude! I was on Polk when they won, and rode through the city ringing my orange cowbell. Of the five cops standing at the 3rd street bridge, one thanked me for stopping at the red light & yielding for a car and another shouted "More Cowbell!"

Cowbell aside, I'm still not quite sure how to sum up this season (like it wasn't enough that Jon Miller was inducted into the hall of fame). I am still basking in the afterglow and enjoying the shortest off-season in SF Giants history.

Vélo Vogue tip of the day: Fortune favors the well prepared.

Game 5 Good Wishes

Let's send our Gigantes into Game 5 with some homegrown love from SF!

KT & Mike say Let Timmy Smoke!


I caught Adam Pastana of Rock The Bike on the way home from a game lo-fiving Giants Fans in the Panhandle! Rock it!


This is the second time I've caught this hip dude decked out in Orange & Black - A TRUE FAN! We love it!


And hey - it can't be denied that Giants fans are sexy. Like this smokin' hot Orange & Black chica in her high heeled boots!


This is how my team makes me feel!


Giants Fever hits the street!

DON'T STOP BELIEVIN'! Knock 'em dead in TX! Smoke 'em, Timmy!

Guest photo: Laurie Berliner - Orange & Black Biketober

Biketoberfest, beer, and Giants playing post-season baseball: it doesn't get better than this!

Knickers by B. Spoke Tailor
Bike by Curtis Inglis
Vest by me!

Photo by Nan Easton

Authentic Giants Fan

Authentic Giants Fan, originally uploaded by Kristin Tieche.

Went to the game the other day to the tune of 3-0! VAMOS GIGANTES!!!!

For BWR: Black and Orange till I die!

Tee: Upper Playground
Mini-skirt: H & M
Tights: Shop on Haight
Mary Janes: Naot
Authentic Giants Fan sign: Giants ballpark, baby!
The latte gave the Giants the lead!
Let's Goooooo!!!

Feeling Giant

In unbridled support of SF's hometeam - The Giants - Los Gigantes! Vamossssssssss!!!!!

We believe in you!!!

I'm glad to have this guy on my side:


Let's knock 'em dead in Atlanta!

every girl loves a Giant

Baseball, anyone?

I'm a sportsfan. A Giants fan to be particular.


I love our ballpark. It's downtown, easy to get to by public transportation...


AND we even have free Valet Bike Parking (as you may know by now).


I love our fans - laid-back but sometimes wild San Franciscans just being themselves. The game will speak for itself. We simply enjoy having a fancy beer and watching our orange and black team kick ass.


And look - I'm not the only chick who likes a ballgame!


Oh hai! Harajuku lovers purse!


My awesome t-shirt is a limited edition design from Upper Playground. Can't wait to see what unique Giants tees they come up with this year!

rouge et noir renouvelé

Treat Street Bicycle Works (a.k.a. Bike Man Ben) fixed up le Rouge et Noir with some new upright handlebars and new butterfly pedals.

I got the black leather grips with red stitching at Freewheel on Hayes.

Riding around with all these changes makes me feel like I've sprung onto a new bike!

This photo was taken on Sunset Blvd in SF on Sunday, Feb 28, 2010 on the NOPA VELO ride to the site of the Broderick-Terry Duel.

one less car on market street

This holiday season I am celebrating with many other SFers the awesome changes to our city streets, thanks to the amazing efforts from bike advocates and the cooperation of the powers-that-be!

How refreshing to cruise down several blocks on Market Street without having to fight for space with cars, and hello! Our first separated bike lane!!!

What a way to roll in the holiday season!

trouble in paradise

Although my friend Sarah sent me this link about the decline of Vélib', the ever-popular, transormative bike-share program of the City of Light, mon amie Audrey still seems to be fabulously enjoying the bikes.


Vive le Vélib'! Vive la République du Chic!

glamour girls

Because I was too busy partying and getting ready for today's big Halloween ride and visit from the King, I decided to borrow pics of a couple of my favorite gals on two wheels.

Everybody loves Meli:

It's Saturday night & I'm going home.
Sleeping sounded appealing for once.

And introducing Úna, the lovely and intelligent daughter of Adrienne:

Úna decided to go girly today : ) You can't see the gold flowers printed on her helmet.


From our VV Flickr Photo Pool.