Allons-Enfants de la Patrie!

In honor of Bastille Day, I offer you a few choice vélo pics from Paris last time I was there.

Stylishly pausing for un appel in front of Notre Dame:


I wondered if this was Bertrand Delanoë's vélo:



Vélo joli et typique:

Enough!

I went to San Diego for July 4th weekend and stumbled across a small group of protesters at the local mall (a necessary destination, it seems, when visiting southern California).

I don't know how much good it does to protest in California, since we're a blue state, but I applaud their initiative at bringing light to an outrageous situation. I particularly love that this gentleman decorated his bicycle. He took up traveling this way when he retired, and carfreedom is such an obvious solution to dependence on foreign oils and the wars (with their dire human and financial impacts) that result. From a strictly VV-prespective, he also looks cute in his red beret and collar shirt.

Uggs

These warm boots get a lot of flack. I read somewhere someone calling them excellent "birth control." Likewise, I also read that "Ugg" is Aussie slang for "ugly." And more than that, I thought they were out. This woman provides a compelling argument to the contrary.

I also like the way she wears her purse like a backpack. Clearly, the woman knows how to combine elegance with utility.

(GDH) Bicycle Music Festival

I spotted this guy at the Bicycle Music Festival. If you're going to look the part, make sure the bike matches.


This is Eco from the The Ginger Ninjas (a band that get around the country by bicycle.) The Extracycle makes bringing the dog along a lot easier.


Collared shirt, sensible shorts and a nice leather shoulder bag. Presentable and practical.


Flops, nice shirt, matching trousers and a tall bike. What more can I say?


I saw this couple in the park when the father was putting the helmet on his daughter. The seat rigged into the basket makes for good dual purpose use. He rode that bike, his partner was just holding it for him.


She: Strappy shoes, red dress.
He: Comfortable shoes, shorts.
It was only after I took the photo that I noticed they had matching bike frames.


You shouldn't let a helmet get in the way of fashion. This guy was relaxing in the park in his weekend ensemble. But he didn't forget to bring along his hat for when he was done riding.


P.S. Lilia has more photos of this event forthcoming.

Shiny

This girl looked great in her blue patterned dress, opalescent helmet, and silver shoes.

World Movement Outta Oakland: Scraper Bikes

This Sunday, July 13th, bikes from all over (and of all types) are meeting at Lake Merritt to ride for peace, a gun truce, and BBQ in an event called Ride for Life.

Ride 2 PM
BBQ 3 PM
Lakeside Park Playground, 468 Perkins St., Oakland CA
Sponsorship opportunities still available

If Everybody Rode a Scraper Bike, Gas Would Go From Like $4.50 a Gallon to $2.50... For Real.

Voguin' for realz.

let freedom ring!

This is Erin.

She and her friends were buying provisions for a July 4th barbecue or picnic, as we Americans are prone to do on Independence Day, at the Potrero Hill Safeway.

I get the feeling that there are more and more cyclists on the roads and bikelanes these days in SF. I'm not sure if it's just because it's summer, or because gas prices are at nearly $5 per gallon, or if it's just because riding a bike is the most patriotic mode of transportation if you love this country and want to keep it beautiful.

Riding around on July 4th reminded me that cycling is synonymous with life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. So I applaud Erin's way to celebrate independence by showing off your red, white and blue (and green) on her bicycle, with silver antennas reminiscent of fireworks on top of her helmet.



God Bless Amerivélo!

Heat Wave

This woman probably caused our recent heat wave -- totally hot in purple mini-dress at 16th and Valencia, San Francisco's version of that corner in New York last century where if you stand long enough you will meet everyone you will ever know in your life.

Everything about her was awesome: her dress, her bike, its seat and basket, her sandals, her self.... What can you do?

color coordination

I love it when cyclists match their bikes. Like this girl in her mustard yellow short coat with three quarter length sleeves with red cuffs and purse to match her red ride.

And this guy's turquoise Adidas reminded me of the Pleasantville special effect, the way they popped out against the grey ensemble he paired with his silver chrome frame. Bike advocacy doesn't always have to be in high heels.

And away he goes on the runway!

3 kinds of plaid

This girl was so cute, I wanted to take her home and display her in my window (bay, Victorian style, of course). I walked up and asked to take her picture as she unlocked her bike, and she said "Is it because I am wearing 3 kinds of plaid and I match my bike?"


"Yes," I said as if there was another answer.

She wore a plaid top, skirt (light green, which matched her Centurion bike) and plaid flats. She got the bike 2 months ago and gave every indication of being completely in love with it.

(GDH) Foreign Correspondent

I'm here in the South of France where finding VV candidates is, as Lilia pointed out, "like shooting fish in a barrel." In the space of about 2 hours I was able to spot the following :

Sensible shoes and dress pants


A nice leather pannier (and something about only old men and children can wear shorts in France)


It was 29 degrees, but that shouldn't stop you wearing heels


Nor getting the kids home from school


And yes, you can even ride in chunky heels.

Knee socks with short brown dress

I loved this woman's look with white knee socks, loafers, and short brown dress. Who knew that would look so good on a bike?

(Dustin) Floral conversation

What could possibly look more natural than a woman in a floral print dress and summer hat chatting on the phone straddling a bike on a street corner in upper market?

This photo is the third in Dustin of My SF blog's submissions... for now.... We're looking forward your next one, Dustin. Thank you!

(Dustin) Mini-mass

Dustin of My SF actually sent us 3 submissions. Here's the second one.


This is a neat shot of a San Francisco mini-mass (or is it the Critical one?), and a girl wearing a cool hat. Their bikes are nice too.

(Normally, I like for the bike/bicyclist to occupy at least 25% of the frame, but I couldn't bring myself to mess with his composition.)

(Dustin) Big Yellow Taxi, I mean hat

Joni Mitchell's song Big Yellow Taxi, where the chorus runs "they paved paradise to put up a parking lot", has long inspired me. You may want to avoid bringing it up over drinks as I'm likely to sing it for you. VV reader, Dustin, who keeps his own blog called My SF, sent us this submission.

This woman looks awesome in a big yellow hat, jean jacket and red mini skirt with boots. I also love the way her hat matches the Mini in the background and the crosswalk. Go Dustin! We love submissions.
-Lilia