she makes it look so easy

When I tell out of towners that I bike all over town, this is the image that usually comes to mind. I'm sure you've all heard it before ("You bike SF? What about all the HILLS?")

Piece of cake! ;-)

San Francisco Autumn

The light is changing. The days are shorter. The layering has begun in earnest.


I really want a pair of boots that work well with jeans tucked in.

Green footwear

More from my summer vacation in Paris... This sweet couple grabbed their Velib's and headed off into the busy streets.

I was surprised by the color of her footwear (chartreuse), and I loved that her purse matched combined with all black clothes.

If she decides today's garbs don't suit her, all she has to do is change her shoes and her purse. That's so much less work than when I have a similar crisis. Although it looks like she's doing fine....

Parisien Children a velo

While in Paris last summer, I took these photos of people riding with their children.

This woman merits VV on her own.


These kids are a bit on the sporty side, but I loved seeing the whole family ride together. I think they're American expats. What do you think?

preppy panhandler

The end of the day on a bright Sunday afternoon, cyclists return home from spending the day in the park, like this classy, preppy lady, carrying what appeared to be a Louis Vitton purse over her shoulder, and the perfectly paired step-through frame to match her elegant style.

VV Profile: Kristina Sherwood

Occupation: Actor (working/aspiring) and Business English Teacher
Hometown: Lake Crystal, Minnesota
Neighborhood: Paris 10th Arrondissement - Canal Saint Martin
Helmet or no helmet: Doh! no helmet. stupid, stupid girl.
Describe your bike: VELIB! - heavy, sturdy frame, three speeds, lights, basket and a bell all courtesy of the city of Paris
Favorite color: earthy colors...blues, greens, browns...
Describe your personal style: depends on the day...I'd say classic with tones of hippie-chic, punky-brewster, professional Parisian, or Girl Next Door...i love knee high boots, leggings, skirts, hats, scarves...
Describe your cycling experience: nervous. haha. If I have a wide open road or a clearly defined bike line, I'm lovin' it. If I'm weaving between traffic, I'm a hate hate hatin' it.
Favorite artist: no music on the bike...gotta be alert! but when I'm not on my bike... Radiohead, Feist, Devendra Banhart, Beirut, and this week Kings of Convenience, Matt Elliott, and Jose Gonzalez...

purple shoes/pink purse

Another photo from earlier in the year. This woman either has a liberal sense of color (which I applaud) or this is some kind of hybrid outfit based on something else before/after her ride.

More on Elle

Here, Elle rides with her son on her handle bars. In most photos, he's on the back in the kids seat. But she's a competent rider; so, they can have a little fun. These photos remind me of what Tolstoy said "Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way."

Cheryl Brinkman says: "I remember Gil Penalosa showing photos from Ciclovia and pointing out a well off family; Dad on a bike, son in a bike seat, and a not so
well off family; Dad on bike, child pretzeled into a plastic milk crate on the rack, sharing the street. Happy as clams."

photo by someone else

ankle allure

I just found out about these ankle purses by Chanel. The perfect accessory for Friday night cruising on the town! Nice alternative to velcro straps and rubber bands if you want to protect the pantlegs. Great for disco-dancing too!

In fact, they'd go really nice with one of those $12,000 Chanel bikes.


While we're on the subject of ankles, I saw these fabulous ankle cuffs at a fashion show/martini party at 440 Brannan last week.


They not only look great with high heels, but I imagine they'd be a great alternative to rubberbands and velcro straps when you need to protect your long pants.