SF Cycle Moment: Morning Commute

Because of my freelance schedule, sometimes my commute is earlier than usual. And although it is tough to get out of bed, more often then not, those mornings I can catch a glimpse of the sunrise. On this particular morning, the sunlight beamed in rays through the cypress and eucalyptus trees in the Panhandle.


The other cyclists were silhouetted by the morning sun, so I couldn't tell if they were fashionable or not, and I didn't care.

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

the walk of ...

I was doing my normal morning commute when I caught up to this woman dressed like she was coming home from a party in a frilly black skirt with pink lace at the hem and matching pink jacket.


The thought crossed my mind that she could be doing the very inappropriately named Walk of Shame. Looking as hot she did at 8 am that morning, I'd say she was doing the Walk of Shamelessness (because wouldn't one want to be boastful at these moments?), as she sauntered along on the sidewalk, bicycle in one hand, perhaps recounting the memories from the previous night's adventures.

Tour de Cupcake

Great event supporting a great organization on Sunday October 19th. Be there or be square!

Here's the link for more information.

Hutchy Gas Prices

music video

Pamela Anderson rides too

Like Elle Macpherson, David Byrne and others, KT and I try to lead by example. Here, Pamela Anderson casually rides with her coffee.


photo by someone else

night moves

Gorgeous women on bicycles can be seen riding around SF at night! Strangely enough, however, I saw all these women on the same street corner (Market and Octavia), albeit on three separate evenings.

This one was riding home on a hot night in a mini-dress, tights and boots.

I was quite taken with her adorable shoulder bag and the appliqué on the back of her jacket.

Finally, I'm always impressed when I see a woman riding in a long skirt. She looked irresistible in red. Cute backpack too!

VV Profile: Susan

Occupation: Graphic Designer
Hometown: Dublin, Ireland
SF neighborhood: Inner Sunset
What other city in the world would you live besides SF: Buenos Aries, Wellington, NZ, Berlin Paris, Rome, Lisbon, Barcelona.....too many to choose
Describe your personal style: hippy, vintage, flowy, frilly, earthy, arty, with an occasional bit of punk
Helmet or no helmet: HELMET ALWAYS
Favorite designer or place to shop: Anthropologie sale rack
Favorite color: green
The artist(s) most frequently played on your iPod at the moment: Bonnie Prince Billy
VV fashion tip of the day: Do your own thing

Elle Macpherson rides London with her son

UK Guardian/Simon Jenkins: Elle Macpherson deserves a medal for defying the health and safety gods/The press are idiots to condemn the model for cycling without a helmet. The real villains are over-active traffic managers.

photos by other people

Fixed-Gear Dating Advice

Dating Advice from Fixed-Gear Riders
You'll get better advice on VV.

[Tony] My Style

Hello,

I live in a small town in Alberta, Canada where cycling and style are not high on the priorities, but I'm working to change that. I've recently started a cycle club and always try to dress stylishly on my commute and errand runs. Here's a photo that recently ran in my local paper (of myself with my bike). Keep up the great blog.

Tony

[brian] Temescal, Oakland

Brian submitted this photo without commentary. He's also the one who first suggested we post about the scrapper bikes. Go Oak-town.
Left to Right: Jahmaal, Ayana, and Ross making the scene in the hip Temescal neighborhood, Oakland, CA

top hat

I saw this guy at Sunday Streets a couple weeks ago.

Sometimes I love Burning Man.

folding bike vogue

I saw this woman at the corner of Valencia and 20th with her folding bike. I liked her shoes, anorak and general poise.


Speaking of folding bikes, I wanted to get one after my vacation to Alaska on the Alaska Marine Highway (awesome!), but I have never thought of getting one so much as after being bumped from Caltrain 2 days in row recently.

Oakland Infill

Years ago, my friend Brian and I took photos of a parking garage being torn down in Oakland. I met him for lunch a few weeks back, and he wanted to show me what they'd done with the lot.

But first, this woman in full summer gear biked past us. I love stripes... and red, but I loved her "salt water flats" even more -- I had a pair of those sandals as a kid. Where do you buy them in adult sizes?


In the background of this photo, you can see the Uptown, the infill development they put on the lot of that parking garage. We got a tour, and it is awesome.