VV Profile: Erin

Name: Erin
Occupation: Nurse Practitioner
Hometown: Mill Valley, California
Current city/Neighborhood: San Francisco, Noe Valley

Favorite city to ride a bike in in the world: San Francisco
Helmet or no helmet: Helmet
Type of bike: Specialized Hardrock from a very long time ago
Describe what you like best about your bike: It was my high school graduation present
Describe your urban cycling experience: Recreational with a toss of utilitarian
Favorite time and/or place to ride: On a windless, quiet morning with no cars around
Artist most commonly played on iPod at the moment: Leon Redbone

Tell us a funny story that happened to you on your bike: I was on a bike ride with friends in the Santa Cruz Mountains and we got pleasantly lost. That went on for some time until the crankiness of low blood sugar, muscle fatigue, and dehydration reminded us we had no idea how to get back home. None of us had a map but we did arrive relatively easy at the conclusion to head west, in the direction of the ocean where we knew we would find Highway One. We ended up several miles north outside of Santa Cruz at the city dump. Trick was we were on the same side of the locked fence as the teeth gnashing guard dogs. Somehow one of us volunteered to serve as distraction bait for the scary dogs while the other made a bike hurling run for it. All made it home safe and sound.

Describe your personal style: Stylish and comfortable with boots
Vélo Vogue tip of the day: That helmet looks cuter on your head than on the handle bars

Bike Beautiful

Check out this fun project from Tuscon Bike Beautiful.   Yes, we do.

Bernadette and Kacey

From the Vélo Vogue photo booth at the Disposable Film Fest Bike-In Movie:

For the Bike Wardrobe Remix:
On Bernadette-
Her man's sweater
Jeggings
Riding A Bike

On Kacey-
 Ralph Lauren Polo blouse
 Vingtage mens blazer
royal blue pants with awesome belt & buckle
chucks
riding a vintage Schwinn

Roberto

From the Vélo Vogue photo booth at the Disposable Film Fest Bike-In Movie:

For the Bike Wardrobe Remix:
Roberto dons everywhere wear featuring
Tom's grey flannel shoes
Riding a Trek

Shawn

From the Vélo Vogue photo booth at the Disposable Film Fest Bike-In Movie:

For the Bike Wardrobe Remix:
Shawn wears a cold weather, slightly dressed up look and
rides a 50's Schwinn, his get around town and go drinking bike

Deep

From the Vélo Vogue photo booth at the Disposable Film Fest Bike-In Movie:

For the Bike Wardrobe Remix:
Deep didn't tell us what he was wearing, but it looks like
a t-shirt with his last name
jeans
rainjacket
sunhat
Pictured here on Trikeasaurus 2.0, delivering sound to the DFF.
Thanks Deep!

Sebastiaan

From the Vélo Vogue photo booth at the Disposable Film Fest Bike-In Movie:
For the Bike Wardrobe Remix:
Sebastiaan wears a batman T-shirt (he insisted upon it in fact)
A hand me down orange vest (go go Nederlands!)
Retrovelo shoes (retrovelo is a bicycle brand that Sebastiaan decided to name his shoes after)
Sebastiaan is the youngest member of MyDutchBike.com in San Francisco and is pictured in the cargo box of a Bakfiets.

VV Profile: .nobi

Name: .nobi

Occupation: filmmaker/photographer

Hometown: London

Current city/Neighborhood: NYC

Favorite city to ride a bike in in the world: Paris

Helmet or no helmet: ride it raw!

Type of bike: Dahon Eco

Describe what you like best about your bike: Ease to fold and get on train

Describe your urban cycling experience: The big difference between Paris and NYC is that in Paris pedestrians and cars (somewhat) respect the cyclist...in NYC they sometimes go out of their way to knock you over and pedestrians use the bike path as an extension of the sidewalk and give you the stink eye (and don't move) if you dare ring your bell

Favorite time and/or place to ride: Paris - Alongside the Seine at any time . NYC - 8th ave

Artist most commonly played on iPod at the moment: Mixed Arabic artists compilation gotten on Egypt trip

Tell us a mysterious and intriguing story that happened to you on your bike: Well just like in the movies...was biking down 8th and this woman flings open her car door, if not for my good brakes i almost went over the hood... weirdest part is that she just stared at me like i inconvenienced her by daring to be on the same road without any horsepower under my butt! (which could segway to another story but i digress)

Describe your personal style: Urban Cowboy meets Nerd Jock

Vélo Vogue tip of the day: Your brakes are your friend. Love them.

Globe-Trotters

Q: What could be more beautiful than a rainbow of bikes in pretty colors?


A: A group of beautiful peeps riding those beauties!


I was honored to be invited by Globe Bikes to take part in an exclusive urban bike tour offered by the brand spankin' new company SoSF!


They led us to some prime SF spots! A KT fave:

I was riding the Globe Haul, though I didn't haul any heavy loads until later that evening (stay tuned).

We all paused to contemplate the mural laden Balmy Alley in the Mission:


I got to meet some cool bike peeps from other cities, like Matt from Bicycle Times.


And the fresh new bike racks on Valencia Street were even a surprise to us locals. Jessica Meek from Globe admires!


We were all treated to a tasty catered picnic at Dolores Park... this head tube tells all!


A fun event to launch Globe's new line of 2010 bikes! I've had a Globe Daily (new for 2010) to test ride this week, and so instead of writing about it, a film is worth a thousand words. Riding to the music of Alex Cuba, "Directo."

Cycle Chic and Beyond

Elizabeth Press from Streetsfilms made this great film about the Cycle Chic movement. Your own KT even makes a couple statements! Some fantastic inspiration from the streets of Copenhagen, Charleston, SF, Budapest and Lodz.

Where will the movement take us next?

Guest Blogger: Nic Grobler of Bicycle Portraits

Stephanie Baker
Pretoria, South Africa


Stephanie Baker is one of the most peaceful, open and captivating ladies I've ever met. She somehow manages to grace the streets of what many see as a 'dangerous' neighborhood with a touch of vogue.

"I think it’s wonderful for public relations! I really do. I enjoy it, I'm happy on the bike. I don't find this area hostile, I really don't. Some people living here get a bit frightened and well, I don't think you can go about looking over your shoulder and expecting trouble. I've only had one incident years ago where my bag was snatched, out of the basket, but that was the only time. That was retrieved fortunately. No, I'm not going to go around being frightened of things. Most people have good will. Some people here are very scared, even to walk down to the shops. They sometimes ask me if I'm alright. If I didn't have the bicycle, well I'm not very good at walking, I'd be more or less in retirement. At least I can get around and see the beauty of the place too. This bike suits me, it’s quite old now and I'm 82 and three quarters. I'm not sure If I'd manage with the new bike having all the gears. You know I'm from England, I often think when people see you, and you hear 'haauw', that it is only mad dogs and English women that ride a bicycle, ha ha. People know the bike around here now."

It was a privilege meeting Stephanie, spending some time with her and taking her portrait. I'm all the more convinced that seeing our neighborhoods, meeting our neighbors and passing by strangers from the seat of our bicycles somehow has a powerful positive social effect on us, and whoever we meet along the way.

Visit Bicycle Portraits and contribute to their Kickstarter fund.

Love, American Style

Gotta love it!!

Clark

From the Vélo Vogue photo booth at the Disposable Film Fest Bike-In Movie:

For the Bike Wardrobe Remix:
Horizontal striped sweater
Vertical striped pants
Vintage wrestling gloves from the dollar store
Bike in midnight sparkle with full sparkle saddle

Emma

From the Vélo Vogue photo booth at the Disposable Film Fest Bike-In Movie:

For the Bike Wardrobe Remix:
Gearhead wear
REI- rain jacket
Patagonia pants, they've traveled the world
Specialized Crossroads wears top tube cushion made from curtains

Kenny, Royce, and Monster

From the Vélo Vogue photo booth at the Disposable Film Fest Bike-In Movie:

For the Bike Wardrobe Remix:
On Kenny:
Monster sweatshirt
Free bike- Get's him from point A to B

On Royce:
Local Motion T-Shirt
Specialized bike- Fast like Nascar

On Monster:
Michael Jordan paw pads

Lydia

From the Vélo Vogue photo booth at the Disposable Film Fest Bike-In Movie:

For the Bike Wardrobe Remix:
Wearing black comfort wear
Riding beloved red and white Holdsworth made with 531 tubing

Ian

From the Vélo Vogue photo booth at the Disposable Film Fest Bike-In Movie:

For the Bike Wardrobe Remix:
Shoes & Messenger Bag: Chrome
Sweater: Warriors of Radness
Pants: Ben Sherman
Hat: Volcom
Bike: Cannondale, fixed

heroes of bicycle fashion

When I tell people I have a blog about bicycle fashion, I usually must explain that it's really about being fashionable on your bicycle. But they still don't get it. People always ask if I show people wearing lycra and fluorescent colors.

People. PLEASE.

Personally, I have started choosing clothing by imagining how awesome they will look when I'm on my bike - a new definition of bike-friendly apparel.

Case in point - these flowy pants on a girl in Barcelona.

by Bart Omeu

Walking in these pantalons just wouldn't do them justice. You gotta see the breeze.

And here I am in my new purple blouse.

When I saw it on the rack in a shop on Haight Street, I knew that it had to get on the rouge et noir aussitôt que possible. Just looking at it now, I can feel the air flowing through me!

And while we're on the color purple...

by we are photo

If you're going to go for cycling gloves, how about some sexy petite purple leather gloves that match your lilac scarf as it flows behind you in your tailwind (and once again, riding across cobblestones in high heels is much more graceful than walking).

It's all about bold statements. Cycle chic from Santiago - the long hooded cape.

by Quiltro Elemento

You only need about 5 mph to get some air underneath that one, and she'll become the superhero of the bike lane, flying to her destination.

Oh... wait, maybe SHE's the superhero:

by jay_dagar

Dress up. Get on your bike. We can be heroes.

Guest Blogger: Stan Engelbrecht of Bicycle Portraits

Morné Hendricks by Stan Engelbrecht

And in the spirit of bicycle portraits, Nic and Stan from South Africa contacted me a few weeks ago, and I became eager to share their project with our VV readers. Here's the first in a series of guest blog posts from the creators of Bicycle Portraits.

The first time I saw Morné Hendricks he was buzzing past me on his Western Flyer Jean Machine down Church street, the main road of a small South African Karoo town to called Prince Albert. He had a small paper bag in his hand and a big grin on his face. I had to spin around and give chase. Turns out the small brown bag contained a tub of Aqueous Cream ('for my body') he just got at the pharmacy.

Morné loves his mom, chess and the freedom his Western Flyer gives him, and he wants to become a mechanical engineer when he finishes school. His only worry is that he might not be able to take his bike with when he leaves for university because he has to take the train.

People like Morné are the future of South African commuter culture. They love their bicycles and what it means to them. They understand, perhaps subconsciously, how empowering owning and riding a bicycle can be. People like Morné is exactly what the Bicycle Portraits project is all about.

Bicycle Portraits will be a photographic book exploring contemporary South African bicycle commuter culture. Please visit http://kck.st/c09uOF and support us by pledging for a reward on our Kickstarter fundraising initiative page. For a pledge of $50 you are essentially pre-ordering a copy of the book. Please have a look! It's easy!

Daniel

From the Vélo Vogue photo booth at the Disposable Film Fest Bike-In Movie:

For the Bike Wardrobe Remix:
Wearing his own hand painted Chimowitz blazer
A camera for taking photos
U-lock
Bike: Schwinn ladies model

***

Ed and Jennifer

From the Vélo Vogue photo booth at the Disposable Film Fest Bike-In Movie:

For the Bike Wardrobe Remix:
On Ed-
Summer hat and kicks
Richmond SF brawlers tshirt represent
Riding: Raliegh 29'er, the Dominatrix
she beats his ass and he loves it

On Jennifer-
Rocky Balboa t-shirt
Boby Dylan pin
Riding: Ed's Mistress

***

Carlina

From the Vélo Vogue photo booth at the Disposable Film Fest Bike-In Movie:

For the Bike Wardrobe Remix:
wearing what she wears on her
Bianchi single speed

***

Erin

From the Vélo Vogue photo booth at the Disposable Film Fest Bike-In Movie:

For the Bike Wardrobe Remix:
Skirt and turtle neck sweater- thrift store scores
bike -old specialized
Caramel popcorn nom nom nom

***

Greg

From the Vélo Vogue photo booth at the Disposable Film Fest Bike-In Movie:


For the Bike Wardrobe Remix:
Greg from Chrome wears
American Apparel hoodie
Chrome slip on sneakers
Chrome Messenger Bag
Soma Rush fixed gear bike w/ gold wheels

**** 

Ride of Silence Route

During bike awareness month it's important to remind ourselves that sharing the road can be a dangerous game and safety should always come first, followed very closely by lots of fun. Join us tomorrow for the international Ride of Silence, the San Francisco contingent leaving from Justin Herman Plaza at 7pm sharp! We'll be honoring cyclists killed or injured on the road and will be drawing attention to our cause for safe roadways. We'll be taking a route through the city that was planned partially using information from the MTA's 2008 Bicycle Collision Report. We'll be visiting memorial sites and the city's most dangerous intersections and we will be riding slowly and silently out of respect for those who have fallen. Wear white for visibility and to represent the spirits of those we are honoring, mourning attire, or safety gear. Bring candles, flowers, photos, ghost bikes. Don't forget your lights!


View Ride of Silence 2010- San Francisco in a larger map

Tyler

From the Vélo Vogue photo booth at the Disposable Film Fest Bike-In Movie:

For the Bike Wardrobe Remix:
Tyler works for PUBLIC Bikes and wears-
H&M Sweater
BDG Jeans
Volcom Shirt
Savers Shoes
on a PUBLIC bike, of course

Joe

From the Vélo Vogue photo booth at the Disposable Film Fest Bike-In Movie:

For the Bike Wardrobe Remix:
On Joe:
Leather jacket, Pendelton
Cap, Berkeley Hat Company
Guayavera, Berkeley Flea Market
Slacks, Dickies
Shoes, Florsheim Imperials from the Berkeley Flea Market
Bike: Vintage Diamond Back

Roni

From the Vélo Vogue photo booth at the Disposable Film Fest Bike-In Movie:

For the Bike Wardrobe Remix:

Roni wears an almost all thrifted outfit:
Jeggings
American Apparel shirt dress
Tweed blazer
Tom's shoes
Scarf from Israel
Bike: KHS

Omar and Danielle

From the Vélo Vogue photo booth at the Disposable Film Fest Bike-In Movie:

For the Bike Wardrobe Remix:

On Omar:
Leather jacket from 11th grade
Sweater Vest
Tie from his grandma that she originally gave to his uncle but that he didn't wear.


On Danielle:
Omar's sweater
Mom's scarf
Levi's
Boots from 11th grade

Bikes: Yes!

Ducky

From the Vélo Vogue photo booth at the Disposable Film Fest Bike-In Movie:

For the Bike Wardrobe Remix:

On Ducky:
Varsity Jacket
Levi's
Buck shoes
Bike: All silver Bob Jackson

Sarah

From the Vélo Vogue photo booth at the Disposable Film Fest Bike-In Movie:

For the Bike Wardrobe Remix:
Sarah wears:
A jacket she made with upholstery fabric
Vintage bling
Bike: San Francisco's own PUBLIC Bikes

Rebecca

From the Vélo Vogue photo booth at the Disposable Film Fest Bike-In Movie:

For the Bike Wardrobe Remix:

Rebecca wears:
All items except jacket under $10
Raging bull sneakers
Flamingo scarf
Bike: "Winner" mixte which wears a chicken in the coop

Emily and Joel

Emily and Joel from the Good Hotel are another reason the From the Vélo Vogue/BWR photo booth at the Disposable Film Fest was a success.

For the BWR: 
Emily wears a thrifted dress from Argentina and vintage boots
Joel wears all stripes in shades of blue
Bike: Specialized Globe

Soraya and Sebastiaan

Kicking off our series of Bike Wardrobe Remix Photo Booth shots from the Disposable Film Festival's bike-in movie are Soraya and Sebastiaan from MyDutchBike.com.   Soraya lent us a Bakfiets, long john style, cargo bike (pictured here) to haul our lighting equipment to the event.  Thank you!

every girl loves a Giant

Baseball, anyone?

I'm a sportsfan. A Giants fan to be particular.


I love our ballpark. It's downtown, easy to get to by public transportation...


AND we even have free Valet Bike Parking (as you may know by now).


I love our fans - laid-back but sometimes wild San Franciscans just being themselves. The game will speak for itself. We simply enjoy having a fancy beer and watching our orange and black team kick ass.


And look - I'm not the only chick who likes a ballgame!


Oh hai! Harajuku lovers purse!


My awesome t-shirt is a limited edition design from Upper Playground. Can't wait to see what unique Giants tees they come up with this year!