The Snake - KT was in Copenhagen! from Kristin Tieche on Vimeo.
Complete with musicians cycling, waterways, cobblestones and a serenade from yours truly!
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
12.01.2014
5.31.2014
Le Camping à Vélo
Over Memorial Day weekend, I went bike camping for the first time. Voici my trusty steed Seabiscuit all loaded up and ready to go!
Inside the panniers were: a lightweight one-person tent, a sleeping bag, a thermarest mat, a change of clothes (which doubled as a pillow), a couple snacks, a headlamp, travel sized toiletries and a few more camping doo dads. I also used this list on Bicycle Touring Pro to help me pack. You can also glimpse a corner of my po campo purse that I hooked onto my rear rack which carried my wallet, sunblock, lip balm, camera, phone and keys.
Luckily I was not alone on this adventure. I joined a group of 20+ bikey friends and so we had plenty of seasoned campers along on the ride who also brought essential camping gear to share. As you can imagine, we made quite an entrance wherever we rolled through!
To slice a few miles off, we took the ferry from San Francisco to Vallejo.
The rest of the ride was fairly flat and, as always on a bicycle, I got to see corners of the Bay Area I've never witnessed before in an up close and personal way.
The most beautiful part of the trip was when we arrived on the Silverado Trail which meandered through vineyards.
I decided to wear a helmet for this ride because I was carrying a heavy load and our route has a tendency to be windy with occasional gravel, so I wanted additional safety measures in case I lost my balance.
I knew it was going to be hot, but spending hours pedaling with a heavy load in 90+ degree temperatures is grueling. I would recommend a shorter ride in cooler temps for other bike camping newbies. Also, fit some extra water in your panniers. I'll do that next time.
So it was joyous and momentous when we finally reached Velo Vino, the wine tasting café owned by Clif Family. It's an excellent pitstop for bikey people. The staff was welcoming and accommodating to our large and rowdy group.
And their wines are tasty! Very refreshing on a hot, sunny afternoon.
One of the reasons I picked Seabiscuit was to have a suitable bike for touring and camping. I found I was not alone! Surly bikes were the majority in our large group. A group shot of all the Surly riders:
When we finally arrived at Bothe State Park, I set up camp ASAP before it got dark. One of my campmates noticed that my bike, tent and beer can were color-coordinated. But of course, I'm Vélo Vogue!
One of the best parts about camping is the chance to meet and spend quality time with kindred spirits. I made lots of new connections with inspiring people who are open to challenging themselves with new bike adventures, who also know that getting there is all the fun.
Thanks for the bikey memories, Napa! I'll be back soon!
For more bike camping tips, watch my friend's how-to video for beginners here.
Inside the panniers were: a lightweight one-person tent, a sleeping bag, a thermarest mat, a change of clothes (which doubled as a pillow), a couple snacks, a headlamp, travel sized toiletries and a few more camping doo dads. I also used this list on Bicycle Touring Pro to help me pack. You can also glimpse a corner of my po campo purse that I hooked onto my rear rack which carried my wallet, sunblock, lip balm, camera, phone and keys.
Luckily I was not alone on this adventure. I joined a group of 20+ bikey friends and so we had plenty of seasoned campers along on the ride who also brought essential camping gear to share. As you can imagine, we made quite an entrance wherever we rolled through!
To slice a few miles off, we took the ferry from San Francisco to Vallejo.
The rest of the ride was fairly flat and, as always on a bicycle, I got to see corners of the Bay Area I've never witnessed before in an up close and personal way.
The most beautiful part of the trip was when we arrived on the Silverado Trail which meandered through vineyards.
I decided to wear a helmet for this ride because I was carrying a heavy load and our route has a tendency to be windy with occasional gravel, so I wanted additional safety measures in case I lost my balance.
I knew it was going to be hot, but spending hours pedaling with a heavy load in 90+ degree temperatures is grueling. I would recommend a shorter ride in cooler temps for other bike camping newbies. Also, fit some extra water in your panniers. I'll do that next time.
So it was joyous and momentous when we finally reached Velo Vino, the wine tasting café owned by Clif Family. It's an excellent pitstop for bikey people. The staff was welcoming and accommodating to our large and rowdy group.
And their wines are tasty! Very refreshing on a hot, sunny afternoon.
One of the reasons I picked Seabiscuit was to have a suitable bike for touring and camping. I found I was not alone! Surly bikes were the majority in our large group. A group shot of all the Surly riders:
When we finally arrived at Bothe State Park, I set up camp ASAP before it got dark. One of my campmates noticed that my bike, tent and beer can were color-coordinated. But of course, I'm Vélo Vogue!
One of the best parts about camping is the chance to meet and spend quality time with kindred spirits. I made lots of new connections with inspiring people who are open to challenging themselves with new bike adventures, who also know that getting there is all the fun.
Thanks for the bikey memories, Napa! I'll be back soon!
For more bike camping tips, watch my friend's how-to video for beginners here.
10.13.2013
Vancouver Bike People
I just visited my other favorite city in North America, Vancouver, B.C., where I met the dudes behind Vancouver Cycle Chic and worked on my short film, The Spinster.
David Phu, founder of Vancouver Cycle Chic and composer of The Spinster's original score
Chris Bruntlett, Vancouver Cycle Chic editor with his beautiful daughter
Thanks for the bike tour + brews, guys!
Chris also writes about bike culture for HUSH, and recently expressed that he prefers not to be called the "C" word, so from now on, you're The Bike Man from The Great White North to me!
So here's a few pics of some two-wheeled Canadians I caught while riding around!
Such a great city for *ahem* cycling! ;-)
Except they have one funky law...
But you can still roll the dice and have a good time (the fine is $29 CAD).
9.15.2013
third time's a charm!
A series of selfies at Crab Park with the Vancouver Cycle Chic guys Chris and Dave.
One...
Two...
Three!!!
More sights from the bike lanes of Vancouver to come!
Two...
Three!!!
More sights from the bike lanes of Vancouver to come!
2.11.2013
2.07.2013
Conviva & CicloFaixa roll out more love!
When I visited São Paulo in 2010, it was a city screaming out for more love.
We all need more love, don't we?
And it seems like the love has finally arrived. Positive changes are afloat in South America's megalopolis! Enter Movimento Conviva and CicloFaixa - whose hope is to promote more harmony in São Paulo's streets, where cars still rule. CicloFaixa has made it possible for Paulistas who bike to own part of these streets, at least on Sundays and holidays, from 7 am to 4 pm, when people can cycle around a total of 149 km, with designated bike routes that pass through parks and nearby museums.
Bring your own bike...
or borrow one of theirs!
Conviva is the movement for pedestrians, drivers and bikers to coexist harmoniously. After all, all we really want is to get to our destinations safe and sound, so we can enjoy our lives.
But of course, on a bike it's not just about the destination, but the journey. Please enjoy this little video I made about CicloFaixa & Conviva, put the music of Chico Science & Nação Zumbi.
Happiness and harmony abound! Ding ding!
We all need more love, don't we?
And it seems like the love has finally arrived. Positive changes are afloat in South America's megalopolis! Enter Movimento Conviva and CicloFaixa - whose hope is to promote more harmony in São Paulo's streets, where cars still rule. CicloFaixa has made it possible for Paulistas who bike to own part of these streets, at least on Sundays and holidays, from 7 am to 4 pm, when people can cycle around a total of 149 km, with designated bike routes that pass through parks and nearby museums.
Bring your own bike...
or borrow one of theirs!
Conviva is the movement for pedestrians, drivers and bikers to coexist harmoniously. After all, all we really want is to get to our destinations safe and sound, so we can enjoy our lives.
But of course, on a bike it's not just about the destination, but the journey. Please enjoy this little video I made about CicloFaixa & Conviva, put the music of Chico Science & Nação Zumbi.
Happiness and harmony abound! Ding ding!
2.06.2013
2.01.2013
I'm On a Bike Party World Tour!
To kick off my reportage of my trip to Brazil, I'll start with Bike Party! Why? Because if it wasn't for all their Facebook invites to this monthly bike get-together & ride-around, I may not have gone all the way down there for my vacay!
This time, the theme was reggae. Time to adorn ourselves and our bikes in red, gold & green and feel Irie!
What's more, Bike Party São Paulo was inspired by our very own San Francisco Bike Party, which is happening tonight (wear red).
So when we finally found the starting point...
it was instant camraderie!
It was a long distance to travel for a party, but the cast of characters was worth the jetlag.
Meet the Bike Party São Paulo organizers!
Eduardo Grigoletto
Me & Daniel Spinelli
and Marco, the Sweeper!
And really, how could a girl resist hanging out with such fun and cute bike dudes? ;-)
And for every hot dude, there's a hot chick!
Thanks to Edu, Daniel & Marco for hosting such a great party, and for making your crazy city seem a little less intimidating, and little more inviting!
It was so fun to meet and ride with all of you, and to expand my global bike family!
Come party with us in SF! BIKE PARTY!!!
This time, the theme was reggae. Time to adorn ourselves and our bikes in red, gold & green and feel Irie!
What's more, Bike Party São Paulo was inspired by our very own San Francisco Bike Party, which is happening tonight (wear red).
So when we finally found the starting point...
it was instant camraderie!
It was a long distance to travel for a party, but the cast of characters was worth the jetlag.
Meet the Bike Party São Paulo organizers!
Eduardo Grigoletto
Me & Daniel Spinelli
and Marco, the Sweeper!
And really, how could a girl resist hanging out with such fun and cute bike dudes? ;-)
And for every hot dude, there's a hot chick!
Thanks to Edu, Daniel & Marco for hosting such a great party, and for making your crazy city seem a little less intimidating, and little more inviting!
It was so fun to meet and ride with all of you, and to expand my global bike family!
Come party with us in SF! BIKE PARTY!!!
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