Scwhinn Television Commercial!

A television commercial for bikes! Wow! Can you remember the last time you saw one? And it's so cute! My favorite part (of course) is when the Blackberry turns into a pug puppy. It really captures that feeling of fun and freedom that one has when cycling. And of course I like the fact that the commercial features a cute girl who manages to even be cute while wearing a helmet. Positive messages abound!

Moi A Poseur?! The Chrome Messenger Bag and Me.

I'm just not this cool.

(Photo via Chrome)

When I was growing up one of the worst things you could call a person was a poseur.  There were surf poseurs, skate poseurs, punk poseurs, arty poseurs, gangsta poseurs and goth poseurs - all of them reviled. This has instilled in me a great fear of being a poseur.

I read all the blogs wherein hardcore-urban-cyclist-warriors who have been trolling the mean city streets on their trusty fixed-gear steeds (apparently since the time they were in diapers) wax poetic about the demise of their beloved, idiosyncratic culture.  Just google "Walmart Fixie" to get a taste.  And I get it.  I really do.  It's an awful, sinking feeling when the little rock band or gritty neighborhood or underground artist or bizarre subculture (pick your obsession) you love goes mainstream.  You no longer feel special.  There's nothing to set YOU (the awesome, cool person who is clearly way ahead of the unwashed masses in both style and intelligence) apart from THEM (the poseurs!)

Look, I'm new to this cycling thing.  I was never a bike messenger in San Francisco.  I had never even heard the term "fixie" until I started researching bikes last year.  Therefore if I ride with a Chrome Messenger Bag strapped to my back does that make me a poseur?  The horror!  I received a beautiful Chrome Messenger Bag from my boyfriend for my birthday back in November and I have yet to use it because I fear I may not be hardcore enough to rock it.  How sad is that? It's fluorescent pink, totally over the top, and utterly cool. I've never seen another one like it.  Maybe this Spring I'll screw up the courage to use it - poseur or not.

Sadly, along the same lines, I got a sweet swrve wool cycling cap and it is also collecting dust in my closet.

Not this cool either.

(Photo via swrve)

Coveting this.

(Photo via Barneys Co-Op)

OK.  It's not exactly cycling related but I saw this bag at Barneys Co-Op and it has me drooling.  It's by Italian maker Sissi Rossi and it's just gorgeous. It's buttery soft, floppy and expensive.  The feature I really love about it is the long strap that allows you to wear it cross body. It would work so well on a bicycle!  I can't possibly justify spending $800 on a bag (especially if it doesn't say "Chanel" on it) so I won't be buying this bag but I will be looking for something like it that doesn't cost a fortune.  Sigh.

If you have any suggestions please leave them for me in the comments.

Sorry, Lissette!

When my good friend Lissette (the wonderful artist who created my banner) read my last post, she kindly reminded me that actually she was the first friend of mine to get a "bike consult."  Oops! A few months ago I helped her pick out a Fuji Palisade 2.0 from Orange 20 Bikes.

(Photo via Fuji Bikes)

Her bike is Gun Metal Gray, not Cranberry.  It's a fun, zippy 7-speed bike with a pretty upright riding posture, and it's very reasonably priced.  It even comes with a beverage holder.

Sorry, Lissette!  Let's go riding soon!

Welcome, Dave!

Dave and his new Electra Townie 7D

This is my friend Dave.  He asked me to go bike shopping with him to help him pick out a new bike.  It's been many years since he's been on a bike.  It was the first time I've done a true "bike consult" and it was so much fun!  He wanted a bike that was comfortable and easy to use for tooling around town and the beach on the weekends and perhaps riding to work on occasion - work being just a few miles from his home - and he knows himself well enough to know he's not a speed demon.  After considering several options at a few different bike shops he settled on the Townie - which I think is a great choice!  I was seriously considering the same bike when I first started shopping.  He especially loved the orange accents on the black bike.  It really is quite stylish, and it's a great value to boot.  It's definitely a bike to consider if your new to the world of cycling, or you're considering any kind of cruiser or comfort bike.

He also got a helmet, a pump, a lock, a bottle cage and bottle, and a set of lights.  He's all set!

Now I'm going to e-mail him a link to Bicycling Street Smarts so he'll feel safe and well-equipped on the road.

Wisteria Lane.

No bikes in these pictures.  This is just an example of the kind of beauty that's easily missed when you're driving in your car.

Happy Spring, Everyone!