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.

First Friday on Bikes.

My boyfriend and I rode our bikes over to Abbot Kinney Blvd. on Friday night. The first Friday of the month is knows as "First Fridays" on Abbot Kinney. The restaurants and shops stay open late and there are a lot of gourmet food trucks parked up and down the street. We had dinner at one of our favorite restaurants The Tasting Kitchen. First Fridays can be a bit overwhelming - the streets are packed with people, many of whom have had a lot to drink.  Parking is a nightmare which is why biking there is the best option.

My bike date.

He loves his Masi.

His super cool Chrome cycling shoes.

I didn't enclose any pictures of myself from this night because I forgot to take off my helmet for the photos and I looked like a super dweeb!


This post is an entry for the "Let's Go Ride a Bike" Summer Games. (Social Cycling - Schedule a bike date with a friend or partner.)

The Ladies of Masi.

(All images via Masi)

When I was browsing the Masi website today I was impressed to see that they used women in many of their pictures.  In fact I saw more pictures of female models than male models! These pictures were so great I couldn't use just one.

These pictures feature the steel single speed/fixed gear Speciale Commuter.  I love the bike but I worry that even the shortest (49) might be a bit tall for me.  My boyfriend rides the Speciale Fixed which is a very similar bike but is geared higher and may have a bit more of a track geometry (this part I'm not sure about).

I think it's pretty cool that a hard core bike company like Masi chose to use women in their promotional pictures.  And what makes it extra great is that they are real-looking women wearing normal clothes and that the Speciale Commuter is not a women's specific bike. Kudos, Masi!!!

If you've never ridden a Masi I suggest you find your LBS that carries them and go test ride one.  They are SWEET!

(P.S. Don't you just love her t-shirt in that last picture? Where do I get one of those?)

Mar Vista Turkey Ride.

My boyfriend and I enjoyed our first group ride on Thanksgiving morning.  The Mar Vista Turkey Ride includes eight impressive hills.  After conquering them, we felt better about filling our bellies with turkey.

Preparing for the ride.

Topping off the tubes.  My boyfriend's ride: a Masi Speciale Fixed (2009)

The cyclists begin to gather.

Pre-ride chit chat.

Ready to take off!

Here we go.

The finish line.  I got back before my boyfriend (center), but I think may have skipped a hill!

Feeling good after the ride!

We did it!

The reward!