Monday, August 31, 2009

Checkered Dress -- Red Diamond Frame Bicycle


(photos by RidingPretty)


(photos by RidingPretty)

She rides a diamond frame bike in a dress ( really cute checkered dress BTW) with no problem! I know some out there wonder if this is an easy thing or not?...meaning how do you get on and off a bike with a top bar while wearing a dress? I see so many girls handle this effortlessly... so it never occurred to me to ponder over this. However for a 1st person report on the art of mounting/dismounting a diamond frame bike visit Lovely Bicycle as she goes into detail about her experience. Also visit Chic Cyclist, the bicycle she rides très chic around Boston is a gorgeous vintage Dawes ( a boys bike geometry or diamond frame.)

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This is number three of the four stylish riders I spotted on (hot) Friday, and all in less than one hour, all downtown Santa Cruz. The temperature was in the 90's.


p.s I'll be sharing the photos of the other stylish riders from (hot) Friday, one each day. Now there is one more to go.

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Sunday, August 30, 2009

Pencil Skirt Sarong on a Bicycle


(photo by RidingPretty)

The skirt she has on is like a pencil style skirt. It was in a lovely, batikish print, very sarong like. The skirt fell to her ankles but once she was on her bicycle she gracefully maneuvered it so that the back split opened up giving her plenty of room to ride. I completed her on this fete. She said, 'oh this skirt is nothing, you should see the stilettos I wear at night on my bike.'

This is number two of the four stylish riders I spotted on (hot) Friday, and all in less than one hour, all downtown Santa Cruz. The temperature was in the 90's.

p.s I'll be sharing the photos of the other stylish riders from (hot) Friday, one each day. Now there are 2 more to go.

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Saturday, August 29, 2009

Vintage Dress - Hawaiian Motif...Downtown Santa Cruz


(all photos by RidingPretty)

What a start to the weekend... within less than an hour I was able to spot & photo 4 stylish ladies on their bicycles. This all happened yesterday (Friday) whilst on my way to catch a big sale at one of my favorite thrift stores.

Speaking of vintage, you've got to love this Hawaiian motif vintage dress. The dress looked so good flying out as she cruised down the street on her bicycle. By the time I caught up to her she was headed into the door of Incognito. You can probably guess where the dress came from...

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

p.s I'll be sharing the photos of the other stylish riders from (hot) Friday, one each day.

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Friday, August 28, 2009

Hello! Red Cruiser Bicycle....


(photocredit: RidingPretty)
Intersection Pacific Avenue @ Beach Street, Santa Cruz.
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Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Bicycle Sexy



(via phantamagoita photocredit: Mert & Marcus)

Bicycles and High Fashion - Fall 2009. Featured Models are Lara Stone and Guinevere van Seenus. That incredible dress in the top photo is Balenciaga.

From time to time I do Bicycle Pin-ups for inspiration and sheer fun...

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Tuesday, August 25, 2009

iPhone app for Virtual Ergo Bike Fit ...PLUS The Deadly Night Shades Invite YOU


(via f**K f**k yeah yeah and the photo credit: wildlab.com)

The best way to get a virtual and yet totally ergonomic fit to make sure your bicycle is optimized for the best ride is available as an iPhone app.

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(photo: TheDeadlyNightSjades)

The Deadly Night Shades, one of my very favorite group of Ladies on Bikes want you to know about their upcoming Bicycle Fashion Show this Thursday @ The Drake Hotel in Toronto.
The Deadly Night Shades are girls after my own heart. They are designers as well as very entertaining and amazing on their bikes/bicycles. Check them out if you haven't.
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The Top Chic, Most Stylish Bicycles from Fashion Designers & Retailers

Image and video hosting by TinyPic
( sampling of bikes lft to rt: Paul Frank, Hermes, Anthropologie x3 , Chanel, Comptoir des Cotonniers, Club Monaco, Gucci, Cynthia Rowley)

Any chance that perhaps like me, you've wondered just how many Fashion Designers and/or Retailers out there have offered lovely, stylish bicycles for sale?

I'd been curious about this very thing. Luckily I've been keeping notes all along. I started the list quite awhile ago. I'm hoping you will find that this list has historical value and that it helps put it all into perspective. I also hope it helps you out if you are looking to buy your dream bicycle!

Importantly, would I buy from a Fashion 'Name' instead of my LBS (local bike shop) is a question to mull over. Just maybe.

At any rate, anything to get more bicyclists on the road is a good thing! Keep up the good work all you Fashion Houses and and smart Retailers! It pleases me there are
so many offerings and such a wide range of bicycles!

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Have a look at my list (listed in no special order or sequence):

Cynthia Rawley
Introduced spring 2008, bicycle exclusive to Cynthia Rawley, and ongoing in 2009.
bicycle link
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Paul Frank
Introduced 2005, made by Paul Frank Industries, (and/or bikes made by Nirve) and ongoing in 2009.
bicycle link
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++==
Chanel Bicycle
Introduced 2007, limited edition.
bicycle link
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Hermes
Introduced 2007 limited edition (50), bicycle made by Batavus.
bicycle link
**
Introduced a 2009 limited edition,bicycle made by Batavus and available in select Hermes Stores.
bicycle link
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Gucci
Introduced in 2007, special in store bicycle.
bicycle link
**
Introduced 2008, limited edition.
bicycle link
**
Introduced 2009, limited edition and ongoing.
bicycle link
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Club Monaco
Introduced 2009,bicycle made by Royal Dutch Gazelle and available in select Club Monaco stores.
bicycle link
++++++++++++++++++
J. Crew & Jolif Scott
Introduced 2008, bicycle made by Jorg & Olif and was available via the J.Crew Spring 2008 catalog.
bicycle link
++++++++++++++++++
Comptoir des Cotonniers
Introduced 2008, limited edition, available online spring 2008.
bicycle link and bicycle link
++++++++++++++++++++++++
Anthropologie
Introduced January 2007, Anthropologie's Grocer's Bicycle was available via catalog and select Anthropologie stores.
bicycle link
**
Introduced 2009, Gran Turismo Donna Bicycle, bicycle made by Abici- available via catalog, online.
bicycle link
**
Introduced 2009, Limited Edition Fold-Up Bicycle, made by Strida available via catalog, online.
bicycle link
++++++++++++++++++++++++
Urban Outfitters
Introduced 2009, Fixie Style custom bicycle made by Republic Bike via catalog, online.
bicycle link
++++++++++++++++++++++
Fendi
Introduced Spring 2009, bicycle Amante Donna by Abici, available in select Fendi stores.
bicycle link
++++++++++++++++++++++
Paul Smith
Introduced 2006, available online, ongoing.
(track bike) bicycle link and (touring bike) bicycle link
++++++++++++++++++++++
Field and Stream
Introduced 2009, available via Custom Order 877.221.6889 or info@fieldandstreambrand.com
beer bike link
***
Hope you found this useful!

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Sunday, August 23, 2009

NY Times - Bill Cunningham says Bicycles are Stylishly IN!!


(photo by Bill Cunningham via NY Times.com
my fav photo from the slide show..)

Just returned from a leisurely Sunday brunch and sat down with the New York Times...
Woo Hoo!

Bill Cunningham's piece in the Style section of the New York Times is just too, too good.
Everybody stop now and go here, NOW!!!! ....On the Street - Happy Trails

Bill Cunningham has been riding his own bike to capture street fashion in NYC for years. He narrates his slide shows .... his words are gems of astute observations that make for a good sneak peek and understanding of the newest fashion trends.

p.s you don't have to be a fashionista to enjoy this. It's got a great bicycle advocacy message to it.

p.s.s. Even a doggie wears his bicycle helmet!

Oh, and what's your favorite look from the slide show?

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Saturday, August 22, 2009

Bike Skirt




I tried this Bike Skirt on in the dressing room, as you can probably guess from the photos. I decided not to buy it. At any rate it was way too cute not to at least share the photos with you.
Should I have bought it? Hmmm....
Better yet, I think the BikeSkirt girls should be on the look out for this skirt.

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Friday, August 21, 2009

Summer Bicycle Odds & End-- Plus Shamelessly Excited!

Some more 'Where I Live' photos ---The Boardwalk Bicycle Parking lot....



Cruisers are everywhere....




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The biggest wicker basket I've seen ever. This is on a trike...


(all photos by RidingPretty)

I really do like trikes. There is this Chictopia /TopShop Bicycle Club girl who raves about her vintage trike. She uses her trike to transport all her fashion outfits and accessories to her photo shoots. She works as a stylist in NYC.


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Why am I so shamelessly excited? RidingPretty Blog has passed the 100,000 visitors milestone!



This also coincides with passing the 100 subscribers to this blog via blogger/blogspot users alone. Thanks everyone!

This is also the place where an apology is due. Way back in Jan/Feb of 2009 I was trying to improve the page layout. Unwisely I used a combination of incompatible 3rd party page layout 'helpers'. The end result was that I nearly destroyed everything. (It's still so buggy and you can see this if you go into archive pages where you will notice the font size on the sidebars is hugely overblown).

At any rate in my efforts to salvage and save my blog, I had to basically start over. Thankfully I was cognizant enough to backup some of it, so I had bare bones to work with. This had several effects. I had to disable and then later reset my visitor counter (at the time I disabled it was approaching 40,000 visitors). I also disabled the feeds. That means anyone who once had RidingPretty on their feeds was abruptly shut off. By the time it was all said and done I'd reset this blog at zero visitors and zero feeds! So to anyone way back when and to who ever wondered what happened, now you know! Word to the wise, don't mess with a good thing unless you are sure of what you are doing!!!

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Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Summer Flower Dress -- Downtown Santa Cruz


(photo by RidingPretty)
There is nothing quite like a big graphic, eye popping! black & white flower print dress -
No small, little liberty print flowers here!

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Sir Paul McCartney -- Bicycle Dad



(images via Curitiba Cycle Chic)

What a lovely sight to see Sir Paul McCartney taking Daughter Beatrice for a bicycle ride! According to Curitiba Cycle Chic these photos were taken just last weekend in the Hamptons.

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Tuesday, August 18, 2009

End of Summer Bicycle Inspiration












(top to bottom: via cassandrathegreat, via transmogrify, photo by stephaniewilliams, unknown, via sierracore, illustration by kevin cyr brooklyn ny)

As the end of summer is upon us I thought I'd share some of my favorite summer (awesome) photos and illustrations. I hope everyone is planning some last minute getaways, picnics and care free rides out in nature.... do this before summer slips away. As for me I like the last image almost the best of all. I want to have a dreamy gypsy camper on a bike, but maybe with a bit more of a rustic look like this one.

Enjoy your summer!

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Monday, August 17, 2009

Top Models Still Ride Bicycles -- NYC - Hana on a Vintage Bike


(photo via bloglovin via citzencouture)

This is Hana, a Top fashion Model on her vintage bicycle in NYC. This is a candid shot and not something posed for a fashion shoot. Actual life. Real, everyday clothes the model wears in her normal everyday life.

One of my earliest blog postings and one that continues to be one of my most googled postings was called Super Models Ride Junkers and Clunkers. It featured Agyness Deyn and in a large part it was she who made that posting so vastly popular. When I spotted the original photo via a LondonCycleChic, I picked up on the fact she was riding what looked to be a vintage bicycle and/or dutch style bicycle (or 'lovingly' called by some a 'clunker' when compared to sleek fixie bikes).
Another very early post I did was called Super Models on Bicycles OR ‘Don’t Hate Me ‘Cause I’m Beautiful’. It carried on along in a similiar (but funnier) vein.

I love this photo of Hana and I'm so happy to report the streets of NYC still has Models aplenty on "clunkers".

more related posts:

Be Safe: Super Models, and You the 1st Time Nervous Rider…

The Best Chic Bicyclist – SuperModel - Agyness Deyn

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As a side note: I couldn't help but notice the lovely vintage Schwinn bicycle Jennine (...fabulous fashion blogger extrodinaire!) of the coveted has recently acquired so she can ride the streets of Chicago in style.


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Thank You TOPSHOP & CHICTOPIA for the Bicycle!


Am I being just too improperly immodest?... WOW, I want to let out that I won! I just can't stand it any longer.


A big package was delivered to my door step last Friday night. It was the TopShop Bicycle from Chictopia & TopShop's Bicycle Club Contest!

Shock!I was stunned! Quite honestly given all the fine cycle chic photo entries, I'd decided not to permit myself any illusions about actually winning. Basically I'd forgotten all about the contest. Well not entirely true... I'd been expecting to read about the bicycle being delivered to some other doorstep(s)... you know to one of the other super chic, sister bicycle bloggers.

A question now pops into my mind; are the other winners just more properly restrained than I am?... or shy or simply less excited? Or are there delivery problems? I fully expect to hear of more winners!

Simply, I'm as pleased as punch ( this despite my upbringing that taught me modesty was a virtue and that people who tooted their own horn were bores). Ha Ha -- on the other hand I was also taught to say Thank You...

THANK YOU TOPSHOP AND CHICTOPIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


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Sunday, August 16, 2009

Flower Girl with Bicycle


(photo by RidingPretty)

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Saturday, August 15, 2009

BMX Bike Teen Crew -- Friday Night


(photo by ridingpretty)

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Friday, August 14, 2009

Surfer Mom & Beach Mom on Bicycles -- Plus...MomCafe & Bicycles






(All Photos by RidingPretty)

Awhile back I peeped in on MomCafe. They featured a Summer Survival Guide. Part of it included a Bicycle Giveaway along with other Bicycle Related prizes. For instance to win the bicycle the question was, "Where is your favorite place to go bike riding at?" Your answer to that gave you a chance at winning a Schwinn bike. Another question was, "Do you always wear your bike helmet when cycling?" Here the prize was a helmet. By answering several additional bike related questions gave you even more opportunities to win other bike related prizes.

What was so amazing was how many Moms did just that -- gave wonderful responses. I read only a very few of the over 900 comments describing 'favorite places to ride a bicycle'. I got all warm and gooey inside. A lot of Moms out there just melted my heart with their bicycle love stories.

Why am I sharing this you may wonder?

It felt like I was witnessing a ground swell of momentum taking shape. 900+ responses is a lot Moms who bike already or want to bike!! I liked this MomCafe's promotion because of the way it fostered an engaging way to get Mom's to share their personal stories and respond to each other in that wonderfully Mom centric, friendly way. I was just flat out inspired.

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To go with this post I purposely set out to find some great Santa Cruz Moms (role models) on Bicycles.
The first mom is just so awesome! I have never seen a surfer mom quite like her. She transported that big 'ole surf board so effortlessly, no big deal. Her son was so proud to have his picture taken with his Mom. I however, kept mumbling about how utilitarian and impressive she was...I hope I didn't sound too ridiculous. I was trying too hard to explain why I wanted their picture so badly! I also took a really long time to get this post up, so I hope Surfer Mom and Surfer Son get to see this!!

The second Mom is so wonderful too. They were headed home after a day at the beach. I like their big beach bags!!

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