Caltrain bike shoes...

I used to be afraid to bike in good shoes. I thought they would get scuffed up. Now I realize that it's like Peter Pan and flying, you just have to believe... and occasionally shine your shoes.

Look! Everyone sitting in the bike car this day has cool shoes. Go figure.

Isn't She(ena) Lovely?

Meet Sheena.

I was having lunch with an old friend of mine from my Grenoble days at La Boulange de Hayes Valley when this stunning woman whizzed by, a blur of elegance on a 10-speed in a very chic neighborhood. Luckily, she was finishing up shopping when I finished lunch and I had the chance to tell her how lovely she looks in a long pleated plaid skirt, gorgeous grey sweater with puffy sleeves and ankle high brown cowboy boots.

She has style. She has grace. She is Very. Vélo. Vogue.

Happy Birthday to me!

A year ago we made our first post, and we'd love to celebrate with our SF cycle community with drinks and cake!

Help us celebrate Vélo Vogue's birthday tonight at the Orbit Room at 7 pm.

vélo tubby

SFers are indeed inventive, using all sorts of household items in artistic and handy ways! Shining example, this pretty woman's use of a shiny aluminum wash tub for a rear basket. It's got me thinking about the very visible inventiveness of our city's cyclists, and wondering when our city's officials will open their eyes and see how simple solutions - just like this washtub - could make our rides so much more convenient and fun.

The Rainbow I saw on BART

I couldn't zoom out far enough to capture this look on BART the other day. Orange skirt with hot pink tights? Right on, girlfriend.

It was only after I tried to capture her striped socks that I noticed the colored beads on her spokes.

outside the VRC

I've been hanging out a lot at my favorite SF cafés lately (singing the unemployment blues). Half of the time you will find me at Velo Rouge, located on the Arguello Street bike lane just a few blocks from my house. It's both bike-themed and bike-friendly, and in my opinion, has one of the best cappuccinos in the City. They always play cool music too.

I was hanging out there sans appareil photo a few days ago when I saw this pretty girl in red chatting with her buddy just outside. My new cell phone has a halfway decent camera, and I think this shot, with the afternoon sunshine streaming down, came out quite artistically.

More Caltrain Vogue

When I asked her if I could take her picture, she said "I look so dorky." Nothing could be less true! I loved her brown boots, blue skirt and pea coat. Maybe the outfit was incomplete, but I couldn't tell how. The vintage ladies frame didn't hurt either.

Vogue Mamma

I shot this woman once before, but I don't remember when. I love repeat impressers!

She reminds of Elle Macpherson.

she's like a rainbow

It seemed fitting that a pink-haired woman with vibrant tastes in color would be spotted locking up her bike in front of Rainbow Grocery (where SF Bicycle Coalition members get a 10% discount on everything year round).

SF cycle moment: waiting for the light to change

Lights change every day before our eyes. Red lights, green lights. The sun sets and the sky changes from light to dark. The sun rises and the black of night is pierced with an orange glimmer on the eastern horizon (a.k.a. Oakland, for us SFers).

While we wait patiently at intersections, we may see cars go by, the Muni, cop cars, pedestrians and, yes indeed, other cyclists. We hear the streetcars rolling along tracks, a street performer on the accordion or bagpipes, the jingle of a bicycle bell. We have time to stir the many thoughts we carry in our busy brains, just like the bundles of personal items we carry in our messenger bags, panniers and baskets. We inhale the buzz of urbanity, and we feel a heightened awareness of what it means to be a city dweller, and an appreciation of being part of it all.

stop and chat part deux

When this cute cyclist stopped on the sidewalk to chat with her friend, I noticed she has the same red boots that I have (which I find to be very comfy for walking and cycling, as well as for vacuuming, dancing and going on dates). Her wide black belt reminds me of a utility belt, but I don't think it is. In any case, her overall look has got attitude!

Vélo Vogue's birthday approaching....

Next Wednesday, February 11th, is Vélo Vogue's first birthday. Help us celebrate at the Orbit Room at 7 pm.

winter in SF

After visiting Cycle Chic's recent post about subzero temps in Copenhagen, and hearing the news of blizzards back east, I am guiltlessly enjoying near 90 degree Fahrenheit temps in SF. It's like summer in the middle of January. And what better way to enjoy the heat wave, but to ride to the Park to relax in your bikini with your sweetie. I took this shot two days ago near Hippie Hill.

All I can say to the rest of you is that we are very sorry (sort of).

disco sparkle

Everyone seems to (still!) be talking about the First Lady's gold lamé inaugural dress. So this véliste is very en vogue in her sparkly gold, silver and black striped mini-dress and leggings paired with Pat Benatar boots. Totally awesome.

it's fun to be Obama-crazy

It seems like the population of the entire country is in love with our new and much improved President! The Obamamania makes it feel a bit like Spring is in the air, and you know what? It's fun to be in love! It's fun to be crazy about someone! And it's about time that our leader doesn't make us feel depressed and sick to our stomachs!

On the afternoon of the inauguration of #44, I was relaxing in the sun at Dolores Park when this girl in an Obama t-shirt started doing "O's" in the grass on her cruiser.



Celebrations continued throughout the evening, with people dancing in the streets. And if you didn't hear about it already, some cool SFers changed all the streets signs along Bush Street to read Obama Street for the day... before the cops changed them back.

Laughing Squid posted some cool pics of the signs going up, too. It seems like everyone's happy to ride down Obama Street, and I'll tell you what, so far, we're enjoying the ride.