The Bike Ladies Picnic was Rad

Everyone was really cute, really cool and everyone already rode bikes so it was just a good old, lady biker jam session on a beautiful sunny afternoon. Rad, I tell you!

I'm really tired but I wanted to digest what I feel was a great success and a very nice time - My Bike Month event - the Ladies Brown Bag Bike Brunch Picnic. (Back in the cold of winter, I was invited to a TA bike month planning event and I was compelled to host a little something-something and this was my event.) I had such a nice time and I'm so thrilled with the awesome ladies who turned up. Thank you! We have a wonderful community of stylish ladies on bikes. I'm so proud of us. 

I was really busy talking and listening and eating things so I didn't get the most thorough pics but I stole Malaika's pics, per usual.



Malaika and I were hanging out for a little bit after the event, and I realized how amazingly coordinated she was today - Helmet looks fab with dress. She's the best.


I wanted to have something so the ladies could find me, so I went to Party City and got a dozen balloons. It was fucking insane riding with a dozen balloons. The wind was hearty today and the wind resistance of riding a bicycle made this really exciting in the obnoxious way, but man, they looked cute, and I think they were awesome for my visibility going down the street.



After balloons, I went to pick-up cupcakes. When I came out, Ethan Hawke was on his cell phone in the bike lane. He totally watched me balance a huge bag of cupcakes on the left handlebar and wrangling a dozen balloons kind-of behind me (so I could try to see) with my right hand. Luckily, I wasn't going far in this precarious arrangement. I'm not looking for boys, but I'm pretty sure Ethan Hawke was impressed with what a boss I am.

I loved everyone who came out today and they were all cool ladies who I'd love to see again.


Everyone who attended already had bikes and rode in either Manhattan or Brooklyn or Queens regularly. Some were daily commuters. Some were getting started in commuting. Nobody was a scaredy cat - everyone seemed confident about riding. We talked accessories, cargo and helmet hair.

Oh! I loved how most everyone showed-up in a helmet. Safe chic, baby!

Amanda is such an awesome girl. I've met her before and I enjoy her through many internet outlets, especially the tweeter. She's floral everything and a faux chanel fanny that I'm quite envious of.


Totally unrelated to the topic at hand, but really cool and we were excited was a plane flew over and spelled-out a marriage proposal in smoke letters or whatever-you-call that stuff.

Christine Hall will u marry me? We hope/imagine she said yes. We couldn't readily locate her from our post.

I made it home with just two balloons, a lot of string and shreds. It was all good riding home with just two. That's probably my max.


I want to say again, THANK YOU to everyone who attended. I feel so happy that we have such a nice community of stylish ladies on bicycles- Seriously, everyone looked so stylish. Made me so proud and happy!  We should have organized and had a little photo shoot, but we were so busy talking and talking.

Chantal, Gabrielle, Krista, Jen, Amanda, Adrienne, Malaika, and Gigi, Thanks for making the afternoon so great! 

5Boro Bike Tour Review

This video is dedicated to my friend Malaika. 

5 Boro Bike Tour Review from JPH on Vimeo.

I hated the tour for myself, but I loved it for the tourists. It was neat at times to see the skyline from different angles and ride on safe, car-free streets.

I think I just don't like bike tours, but I love summer streets.
Summer Streets is a more ideal scene for me. 

It did freak me out a tiny bit to be so far south of the State of Liberty on my bike.

This is me in Staten Island. Normal clothes. It was not difficult.


The real highlight of my day was taking this pic of Bill Cunningham. I should have just gone back to bed right after this.


I was really miserable on the tour though, as in, mental anguish. I thought it would be more social for me. It was sad and lonely and everyone's faux Tour de France get-ups made me grossed-out, as in, how did I get myself mixed-up in this?!

Someone said to me at the end, "god bless you, you don't have bike shorts" and I was like "I am fine. You didn't have to wear that." -A sexy beer gut and full spandex.


People said "I can't believe you did this without any gears on that bike!" and again, I was really irritated and could barely respond with "I'm fine. This was just fine. " I was advised that the entire 40 mile tour is very flat and slow, and it was, and I was totally prepared. Seriously, my strapless bra to avoid tan lines was the most uncomfortable element of my day. I never had to get off and walk my bike. Please. 


I also saw someone in clip-in pedals fall smooth over before the tour even started, so I'm sure all the people who buy that stuff feel the need to justify those purchases by breaking it all out big-time for every event possible.

I'm happy to be home here!


This is a 5 Boro Bike Tour Bike - Single speed, coaster brakes, panniers to hold snacks & sunscreen, handbag up-front to hold wallet, camera, phone.


Glad I raised money for Planned Parenthood through my fundraiser. Glad I saw Lindsey's new bicycle.

Over and out! 


5/15/12 Update: I got a bunch of angry feedback on this post. This is "The Julie Blog" not the "Angry Anonymous Jerks" blog. This blog is about my opinions and life experiences. 
Click away if you don't like it. 

Fundraising with a Twist

A few clicks of fate and I signed up for the 5 Boro Bike Tour as a charity team rider for Planned Parenthood of NYC. A few signs led to me the conclusion that I should make the craft necklaces that I appeared on Martha Stewart to teach. I just finished building my online store. If you want to donate, but don't want a necklace, you can go to the Planned Parenthood donation page.

My fundraising goal is $750 and the event is on Sunday, May 6th. 

My Bike Month Event: Ladies Picnic

When people ask me how I got started biking in New York City, I explain that I worked with a badass little Japanese lady who rides a bike pretty much every day. I thought to myself "If she can do it, so can I" and the rest is history.

I want ladies who are interested in biking in NYC to come and see me, and think that same thing themselves:  If she can do it, so can I.

With that, I invite those interested to my bike month event:  

So bring a brown bag of snacks or lunch and join me for some Lady Biker Sisterhood on May 20th at 2pm. 

After being invited to the TA Bike Month planning meeting, I felt inspired to host my own little event.  My event is engineered to be educational and I encourage ladies who do not yet bike, but want to get started biking in NYC to come. My event is a sit-down hang-out, not a ride. I wanted to have something not a ride, so ladies who are interested in becoming lady bikers can come and learn and socialize and not have to stress about not having a bike or whatever.

I never want to pressure anyone into riding a bike. But I love teaching my tips & tricks! 

PS- I'll come up with a more specific location or a marker to denote how to find me, like pink balloons or signs or something. In case of rain, convene at Trailer Park Lounge. I'll send out some tweets #BrownBagBikeBrunch beforehand, so save the search if you're into that.

I want to stress that Bicycles are not required for this gathering. 

I'd love to get RSVP's:  Please email picnic@jphardee.com

I want to be able to gauge the size of grass we'll need to take over.