Last NYC Bike Commute

These are the official last commute to work in New York City commute pics. Ever.
This wasn't my official last day of work, because on thad day, I wore flare jeans and felt too dangerous to take pics (in case the flares caught in the chain b/c I just half-assed tight rolled them.)

The X over the bike is where the DOT is changing the paint to make the 72nd street transverse in Central Park 2-way. Hooray!

There will probably be a few more NYC bike rides, but no more to my NYC job!

Bike NYC Progress

Bad picture - EXCELLENT NEWS! Check the lower-right corner. Witness the birth of a freshly painted bike lane! 
The bike lane up 1st Avenue, the one that I went to Community Board meetings to speak on behalf of. One of which I prepared a little statement and got on a stage and stood at a lecturn and used a microphone to speak on behalf of... is now sketched-out in fresh paint up to 72nd street (and surely beyond) on the Upper East Side.

I was overjoyed to see this on my way home Thursday afternoon while I was stopped at the light. I quickly pulled out my camera to capture the good news. Democracy at work, babes. Get up, speak out. Bike Polite. We the people? Julie the people? Either way- people can feel a little bit better biking up crazy wild 1st Avenue if they feel the safety of some painted lane just for them. I definitely feel more cozy in a bicycle lane.

Back to the Bicycle Share meeting I attended on March 26th. I bit my tongue on social media and didn't slander the trouble-maker at my table who put "No" red arrows on every proposed bike share station location on the lovely map the DOT brought for us to see and comment on. You could put a red arrow to say "Not a good idea" or put a green arrow to indicate "Great idea!" - In regard to proposed bike share station locations.

One woman in our group put red "NO" arrows on every proposed sidewalk location. She didn't want bicycles on the sidewalks. Ever. She even "No"-marked sidewalks that she wasn't that familiar with against the advice of the group leader. (We were asked to weigh in on locations we were familiar with. I put a green arrow next to the ramp for the river-side pathway. How convenient will that be?!)

Saturday morning I observed this excellent example of a sidewalk with plenty of pedestrian room and bicycles parked perpendicular to the street and thought back to that lady. There are seriously bikes everywhere, all over most streets in Manhattan. That crazy lady.  Can't we all just get along? Who cares- NYC Bike share is coming and it's going to be rad.

First bike skirt on Viva

I wasn't sure about riding this bike in a skirt, so I wore opaque tights and a long (to me) skirt. I think it went fine. This bike can go so fast - it's crazy. Crazy scary a little, but you don't have to go fast you know? You can take it easy. But I made it home about ten minutes faster than normal. Which was crazy!

Outfit details: Mackage coat, H&M orange pleated skirt, gap booties, dalmation sweater vest is from some cheap-o shop. L.A.M.B. neon pink quilted handbag, bern watts helmet, viva urban deluxe bicycle. Vans cat eye sunglasses.

This is a silly comment on this bike, but it's something wonderful to me. I really like the pedals. They're not pink, but they small and tidy and they don't snag tights!

Valentine's Day Pussy Bow

I looked like a little old lady of the 1960's today in my heart-printed pussy bow and glasses.  Advanced Style is rubbing off on me.


I love this blue blouse - Those are hearts, not polka dots. I of course found it at a thrift store in Arkansas. It has those wonderful Made in U.S.A. tags you don't see much anymore.

I got the new TOMS ballet flats in pink suede and they are really sturdy and fantastic bicycle riding shoes. They have a really serious sole for ballet flats. Non-skid supreme. 

Yes, I had to ride my girlfriend, Kate the Bicycle, for Valentine's Day. The pink tires had to be out for the holiday!

Tonight we ate a heart shaped pizza and Matt passed out super-early. We stayed out late last night at out weekly The Bachelor watch party. Yes! We totally hate Courtney and we're disenchanted with Ben, but we can't stop watching. Can. Not. Stop!

New Fyxation Hot Pink Pedals

I have a sweetie boo boo honey child at Fyxation who sent me these new Hot Pink pedals to go with my outfit bicycle. I love 'em.

I like big pedals. You don't have to pay that much attention to "land" your foot on it. Especially if you have crazy shoes on.

Pussy Bows are all in the news lately and I gave pussy bow and suspenders on Tuesday.
Full force.

I'm in a fitting room, not a bathroom, and I learned that no one bothers you when you shop with your helmet on. 


Jacket - vintage, sweater - sample, jeans - hoochie girl store at the mall that doesn't have a real sign, just a banner, booties - Gap. Polka-dot blouse - H&M, suspenders - Claire's Boutique. 

Transportation Alternatives Photos

I got asked to be a model citizen Polite Biker in the Transportation Alternatives end-of-year fundraising mailer. You can donate to them here if you would like to do so. Follow TransAlt on Twitter and like them on Facebook.


Andrew Hinderaker took these photos. I was a little intimidated of how serious he might be, after looking at the subject matter on his site. He was much younger than I expected and he was fast and fun to work with.

Transportation Alternatives works on many fronts to reduce car traffic and promote better bicycling, walking and public transit.

They have a lovely Bike Ambassador program, they keep me in the know about local transportation news, community board events that need TA support-presence and other rallys that pertain to my ideals about how we can grow the numbers of safe cyclists on the streets.

These photos were taken at the end of September when it was still really warm outside.
This was also right before I went to Miami and let myself get tan.



I didn't actually receive the mail piece in my mailbox but some of my friends let me know they received it and I was on there. Sheryl scanned it in so I could see.



I feel a little embarrassed that they called me the "cycle-chic ambassador" since I've had issues with that term and the person who trademarked that term and put non-inclusive restraints on what he thinks that means. I also don't like how squinty I look. The sun was blazing! 


But I'm glad I got asked to participate. I hope their mailer helps them raise a lot of money!
Lately, I really want to support the Car Free Central Park campaign. I ride through there every week day morning and most weekends when we go out and about and cars just don't really belong in there.

When the marathon stuff was up, it wasn't the biggest deal for me to go around the park on a bike, so I really don't think cars should be too put-out by being kicked-out.

This fella, Scott, is on my Community Board and his presence soothes my soul- I only went to 2 meetings, but he made me feel good about things, like, someone who is totally on the right page has a voice in here. He tweets a little.

I've said it before, and I'm glad to say it again- More young people need to run for office!

Follow TransAlt on Twitter and like them on Facebook.

Sheryl's post on this is more exciting so go read it here! 

Bike Times with Matt

Morning stop through Central Park - High visibility in my red tee and pink helmet.
American Apparel tee - J.Crew skirt - Forever 21 Bow flats - Pro Tec Helmet

I've been feeling kind-of down about the Pro-Tec helmet. I really miss a brim/visor/bill when I'm wearing it. It just feels a little nerdy and what's up with all this overage?

Who's head is this long to need this much slack? But I do appreciate the color of the strap - it won't show dirt. 


THE LAST THREE NIGHTS ME AND MATT HAVE BEEN OUT RIDING BIKES TOGETHER.
This is news, only because we typically just straight-up commute on our own, or I go do something but he has to go home and study. 


This is me picking him up from work. He terrorizes me riding around in shorts with dark socks and Danskos. See how he lets me photograph him when he's dressed crazy? 



Tuesday I locked myself out of the apartment so I needed him for his house keys.



Wednesday we went to see Mortified at the 92Y Tribeca for a friend's birthday, and took the west side greenway home.
The show was pretty good Oh! So a bunch of Matt's co-workers left (from work) before him or around the same time and we were the first ones there - BIKES are EFFICIENT! 


Here's Matt Wednesday night way downtown approaching the greenway.
At least he's got on long pants to cover-up the dark socks.



Thursday, we went to get our asses-beat up and beat-down too at a Shiatsu massage parlor.
They seriously made both of us want to cry, but it was overall fantastic. After we were dressed and on our way out, everyone lined-up to say "Goodbye" and my masseuse said "OH! You came on bike!?" -Because they spotted our helmets. 


Yeah, girl! And we rode our bikes together into the night and giggled about how much you hurt us. 

Biking in the Rain Unexpected Sabotage

Biking to work in the DRIZZLE was fine. It looked like this-

Pretty prepared, right?
Something terrible happened on my way home. I made it home safely, but not without interruption and betrayal. 

Biking in the Rain Fail from JPH on Vimeo.

Sorry if it gets a little loud. These bike in the rain videos happen when I get home and have no one to talk to and feel the need to document my misery/triumph. 

Missoni Pop-Up Shop in Bryant Park is Cuuute

This is a better post and I love this blog but I saw this on my way home from work Friday and got EXCITED! But on the other hand- I know it's going to be a mess to wait in line and kung fu fight for affordable pieces, so my excitement quickly faded.



But maybe I'll check it out. My Fashion's Night Out plan has not materialized, but I will be celebrating it on the streets as a civilian. (The first year of FNO I was an event organizer and it was a nightmare for me.)

Somewhere we go every day

The freight elevator at work is a place where me and the Kate bike go every day. We aren't there today, because it's Labor Day in the USA. We are on vacation! I'm on vacation. Kate is resting. That's what she's supposed to be doing anyway.

I am very bad at names, but I made the most serious effort to learn the names of the gentlemen who operate the freight elevators at work, and I learned them almost immediately. I think I know what area they live in, and I usually have a general idea about their plans for the weekend.

The freight elevator guys are awesome because they quickly got beyond the redundant questions like "I guess you like pink!" and "You didn't bike in those shoes did you?" And that makes them all the more lovable. 

Rando Monday Stuff

Cooler temps, cycling fast to be the rain - Great success! 
There were so few bike commuters today I kind-of thought it was a work holiday. No? I was just a crazy girl gambling with the rain.

Monday outfit. I thought it was cool enough to wear pants but I was pretty wrong.
It was mad muggy.

My hair/bangs now long enough to be warn backward.

I'm fake-tanned. Don't even worry about my skin health. SPF all the time.

Clear safety shades from Vans - Fakie Glasses.

Forever 21 bows & hearts necklaces.

This little piece of Times Square is still a section of my morning commute that I have to consciously remind myself to "Beee calm" 


Just some Monday rando-pics. This is going to be a pretty full week. Full of fun! 

How We Do Summer Streets

Two Summer Streets Saturdays down - only one to go - and it appears that we just ride downtown, meet-up with my #BikeNYC friends, hang out, take pics then ride off to get something delicious to eat, go home.

Dmitry took the best couple-photo of us. Ooh la la!

See all of his Summer Streets portraits on Flickr.  

We bailed out of the protection of Summer Streets to use the broke-down bike lane on Grand Street going to Doughut Plant.

I got a tip from Sharon's NYC Taught Me blog. She's mostly dealing with children- but I think like a 7 year old girl, so her advice helps me. 


We passed 4 different flavors back and forth to each other like maniacs and shared a Thai iced tea. 

GET READY FOR SOME CRUNKNESS BECAUSE AFTER DOUGHNUTS WE GOT SNO-BALLS! 

I've had Imperial Woodpecker Sno-Balls four times this week. I met the sweet little owner and we swapped southern-accent-love for one another. I did not tell her I've had four sno-balls this week. 

Matt went nuts and got ice cream inside his shave-ice/sno-ball! He had root beer & ice cream flavors with real ice cream tucked inside. Dopeness. 

We felt sick as hell from all the sugar, but we had to get our ill-selves home for an emergency nap and Summer Streets turn back into danger alleys at 1pm so we used the West Side Greenway of Love to get home. 

Next weekend is going to go down a lot like this too. Yaaay SummerTime! 


I suffered so many snowy, wintry bike rides...


Like this 24º commute and this snowy New Year's Eve spin around the city.

PartyHardee's Bike Style

Let's talk about Matt, my husband, @PartyHardee (not very active) on twitter.


He wears a shirt, tie and dress pants, dress shoes every day for work but he commutes in casual outfits like this:


But Friday I heard about a show- Radio Happy Hour - and he wasn't prepared so I had to bring him a shirt to put on outside.


I'm REALLY GLAD I told him to take some extra shoes on Friday. He rides his bike in his black socks and dress shoes and gives me a sartorial anxiety attack. He put his TOMS in his backpack, thank goodness!
So he ended up like this on Friday night and that was fine. We went to the show at Le Poisson Rouge, which is pretty casual but you could be a little fancy and then we got Sno-Balls. (My 3rd this week!)

Friday late-night Matt.

I have a very thoughtful co-worker who picked these up for me in Ohio at a store called Ollie's for $1.79 per package/set of 2.


And this was the first night I knew I would be out in real darkness and had fun using them. I could have crashed checking them out.

Yeeee! Fun!!!

And who cares but this is what I wore to work on Friday. I got these new vans hot pink sneakers to replace a pair of my fake keds. I felt very athletic on my commute in these sneakers if that makes sense. I'm definitely more passive and slow when I have on crazy shoes.


Friday night I put on some casual stuff and Matt gives all of this business the finger. :)

-But he's jealous of my new bike lights. They don't fit on presta valves.