Centurion Le Mans in Toronto.

When I was in Toronto last fall, it was my first trip there since I took up cycling. I couldn't believe how bikey Toronto is! I just never realized it before. I saw so many cool bikes including a lot of European style bikes and tons of vintage bikes. This Centurion Le Mans looks like it might be from the same era as my fixer upper (which I have yet to start fixing up). This looks like a very well-loved and well-used vintage bike!

CicLAvia Spring 2011!

CicLAvia is more than just a one-off now. Today was the second CicLAvia event in Los Angeles, with two more to come this year!!! It was another fantastic day. The weather was perfect. Sunny with highs in the 60's. Here a few choice pics from the day.

 The tallest (and most colorful) tall bike I've ever seen!

 My bike twin. Rockin' the Bianchi Milano.

 She went for a basket while I went for the rack and panniers.

 Just a couple of dapper dudes. (Check out the Swiss army bag pannier. Nice.)

 Lissette and Nick enjoying the food along the CicLAvia route.

 Havin' a great day!

 Belly full. Ready to set out.

 Looking a bit like a Swobo spokesperson.

 Cute girl with a Public bike.

 Cute guy and bike twin to my beau! (Riding a Masi Speciale Fixed)

 The sights at Hollenbeck Park - AKA the end of the line.

 Folks resting up after a long ride.

 Cute girl with a vintage Centurion.

 My CicLAvia buddies!

 How awesome is this? He made the frame himself (for $16!). The bike weighs 155 lbs.

 Nick bought himself a Bike Bucket. Nice.

:)

In case you're wondering why I didn't ride the new Pashley - there are a couple of reasons. First, I can't fit that bike in my car. Second, there are some hills on the CicLAvia route that I would not enjoy tackling on the Pashley! The Bianchi is decidedly lighter and zippier.

Rivendell Sighting.

Last week when I was out at breakfast I spotted a Rivendell Atlantis!

Hi I'm Pretty.

My jealous Bianchi in the background.

Even though Rivendell bikes come from California, I don't see them in the wild all that often. This one was parked outside my favorite breakfast spot (Nichols in Marina Del Rey). When I went inside I secretly checked out the clientele to see if I could figure out who was the Atlantis owner. :) Though the Atlantis would not be my Rivendell of choice (I'd probably go for the Betty Foy or the Quickbeam) it was still fun to see such a beauty up close and personal.

His and Hers Globe Bikes.

I spotted these his and hers Globe Hauls outside S&W Country Diner in Culver City - a very popular weekend breakfast spot. I think they are Globe Hauls, anyway. They have the frame of the Hauls but the disc brakes of the Globe Live. Maybe the Haul used to come with disc brakes and the newer model on the website does not. Anyway I have a soft spot for the "his and hers" bike idea. So sweet and romantic. I know for a fact that it was a "his" and a "hers" that owned these bikes because I saw them riding off later. :) These bikes seem like a great upgrade from the typical beach cruisers you see all over the LA area. With their cup holders installed on the handlebars, they are all set for some weekend fun.


Happy Thankgiving, Everyone!!!

November in L.A.

These pictures are over a week old but I still want to share. Los Angeles is particularly beautiful before or after a rain. On this lovely Saturday in November a storm was brewing, but my friend Gigi and I decided to meet up for a bike ride to Santa Monica using the Beach Bike Path. While I was waiting for Gigi to arrive at our meeting spot, I snapped these pictures.

Gigi arrives! Note how her pink shoe laces match her bike. So Gigi. :)

Surly Pop Physique.

Pop Physique is a new exercise studio in my great neighborhood of Mar Vista. It's sort of a fusion of mat pilates, barre method and light weight training. It's a great workout in an hour. I went on Sunday and my abs still hurt today on Tuesday.

As I was locking up my bike I spotted this lovely Surly Long Haul Trucker at the next parking meter. With it's small size, swept back handlebars and practical basket it seemed decidedly girly to me. It turned out the owner of the bike was indeed another woman who was in the Pop Physique class. I didn't get a picture of her hopping on and riding off because she was so quick! Maybe next time.

CicLAvia Report Part 1 - People Watching.

CicLAvia was truly a dream. I still kind of can't believe it was real. The most common refrain I heard all day was "This is so cool." Variations included "This is so amazing," "This is so dope," "This is the best day ever," and "Can you believe we get to do this?"


Today's post will focus on some of the lovely people spotted at CicLAvia.

Spotted: Cosmo from Los Angels Cycle Chic - Making even baby wearing look chic!

I love this guy's jersey - is that a Mayan calendar?

A Bike Twin!

This lovely lady above told me her name and I'm sorry to say I've forgotten it. She has a rose-colored Centurian Le Mans Mixte very similar to mine! Hers, however, is in beautiful condition. Mine needs, ahem, a little work. We had a nice chat about the bikes and she said she'd look for my blog so I hope she's seeing this!

Check out her "Beer View Mirror." How cute is that?!

Cycle Chic Perfection!

How cute is this girl? Check out how her little owl bag matches her olive green Biria bike. And those little yellow flats? Amazing. I'd never heard of these bikes before. It seems like it's a really reasonably-priced, cute city bike. The guy standing behind her is awesome too.