Semi-prepared for a rainy day

I swear up-close my tights didn't look this intense. 
I looked at the forecast and dressed in a way that would tolerate being rained on. Layers of light jackets and tights because they dry quickly. -No wet jeans. I have clear garbage bags in those panniers :)

Here's my tripod/glove for self-timer trickery.


After work, I parked my bike at the Ace Hotel, which I knew had nice bicycle parking from that Levi's event over the summer. I went to get a sandwich at No.7Sub but I had no idea they have no seats. It's a grab & go spot. So I walked over to a church and sat on the steps and ate my delicious sandwich. I had the Filet o' Fish. Loved it. 

Then I went to the offices of TA, where I attended a meeting on the planning and social networking needs of NYC Bike Month, which happens in May. They showed us this very cute new website. I think it's safe to say that everyone at the meeting does Bike Month all the months, but May is a great time to introduce new people to the loveliness of the bicycle life. I'm happy I got to see a bunch of my Bike NYC friends. I couldn't hang out afterward because I had to get home to walk Bonnie-dog. 

My slightly rainy, night ride home tonight was very pleasant. I'm really happy I have use of the East Side Esplanade again. It was closed for construction for a while. I'm talking East 60th - 78th Streets.

Here's a pretty montage.


I didn't even have to put on a garbage bag!

That Bicycle Fit Diagram

Here's that diagram. I couldn't explain this speaking so I had to draw it. 
Saying something nice: Those freakin' chromoly tubes are amazing over bumps. If I do buy a bike in the future, I will not overlook the goodness of them. This bicycle is also very lightweight and even though the handlebars are wider than my Linus, it's easy to maneuver this light guy into the storage closet where it hangs out while I work.

Monday I rode the Nirve bike. I'm trying to feel better about it after my exhausting ride around Central Park last Sunday.

My coat is Jordache vintage. Gap jeans, dolce vita pax boots. Headband and gloves are from K-Mart. 

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!

Nirve Mixte Review Diary

I took the Nirve Wilshire Mixte on probably the biggest single ride we will go on before my review is due to Momentum. I've been doing my daily work commute, which is about 8mi. round-trip.

Today was 29º and very windy and I took it around the big loop in Central Park - about 6miles, plus getting over there and coming back. 


Doing the big loop was a lot more work than I expected on this bike. I'm just not sure about the gears on this bike. I feel like 1 and 2 are really high gears and 3 is quite low.



I don't want to be all, like, "On my single-speed, blah, blah, blah-" So I won't.

I made a video immediately, to collect my thoughts and because I was exhausted for some reason, but there was a lot of wind so watch it if you like, but I'll re-cap below.


Riding this over to Central Park and doing The Big Loop felt like a lot of work.
This bike has 3 gears. 1 and 2 feel higher than I would like, and 3rd gear seems really low.

It is fun to put the bike down in the 3rd gear on flat, straights and get crazy speed.

However, I am not a fan of speed because I envision however fast I'm going correlates to how fast my delicate, precious skin could be skidding on asphalt, so I do prefer to keep it slow.

I have a geometry issue with this bike. I'm going to have to make a diagram to explain it.
I've struggled to get the seat-height right and I need to show you a diagram to justify my conclusion.

I think these fancy tubes are why it handles bumps so gracefully. This also shows you the glittering green paint.


A portrait.


I got a bell added. I feel less-lawless and this is the most polite-sounding bell ever. I need to find out exactly what it is. It's not as blaring as you sometimes need among the noise in the city, but it's a really pleasant sound. If you're shy about being rude ringing your bell, this is your bell.


I put my basil brand wire basket-pannier on the rear rack and secured it with a bungee.


That's it for today. Please let me know if you have any questions because I've never reviewed a bicycle before. My first draft is due in about a week and I should have a few more commuter-rides on it 'til then.

Insides & outsides

Getting dressed in the winter is hard because you have two different outfits. You've got your outside look and your inside look and they have to sort-of make sense. 

Green coat is vintage, Jeans are from that spot in the mall where everything is stretchy and under $20, booties are from Forever21, Leopard fingerless gloves are from K-Mart. Bern Helmet. Forever21 polka dot blouse. 

I love that little toto dog running through. When I ride through the park to go to work, the unofficial "off leash" time for dogs is still going on. 

Black coat is vintage, jeans are J Brand, flats are H&M, black tee & belt probably also H&M. 

Biking Late January

I don't want to pressure anyone into riding outside of their comfort zone, but people who think "Oh, it's January..." Need not pay attention to what month it is, because this winter is tricky. She's warm! Who cares if it's January?

So break out your skirts and let's ride. It was 57º today and it was awesome.



This skirt is always a hit - It's old Forever21. The jackets were both thrifted in Arkansas and the muscle tee is from the little boys section. My Gap Booties are still really comfortable and fine for bicycle riding, I just have to deal with being extra tall when I wear them which makes me feel weird sometimes. Like a giant.

Here's the busy bike lane I take home. I didn't even have to wear gloves so I could take danger zone photos like this. Going up 6th Ave. 

This is from Jan. 27th Last Year. The buses weren't even running and I had to walk all the way to work. 

This faux fur coat was also thrifted in Arkansas. That big black bag is my old trusty L.A.M.B.

I remember being on the phone with another person who lives close to the office and we were laughing like "Yep, walking in... see you in an hour or so..." and no one could get to work and I was barely biking 3 days a week because of icebergs.

I never say stuff like this, but I think God is watching out for all the Occupy Wall Street campers and sparing them a blizzard snowpocalypse like we got last year. Amen.

Small Gifts

It's a small and lovely gift when Central Park is closed to vehicular traffic. It really gives me a little thrill when I turn the corner to enter the park and find out that it's exclusively for bicycles and people and doggies. (It is closed to cars on the weekends and late night, but not M - F on my commute to work.) I guess all that snow on Saturday was the cause for this treat.

I saw this double-scary stuff right before the park - DIRTY SNOW + DUMP TRUCK so I stayed back. Yuck. Getting dirty will not be tolerated.


When I saw the barricades at the Park I was so happy. No cars. Peaceful.


It set me off to a great start on Monday morning.

I pull my glove/pot-holder off with my teeth so I can operate my camera.
A red jacket is excellent for visibility. 

I never take pictures of this view of Central Park South because it's usually too stressful and congested.


Before I put my helmet on, I took pictures of my all-the-way-around-my-eye eyeliner. I never do eyeliner on the bottom and wanted to check it in the camera. I blurred or smudged it pretty well. I thought I looked more EMO but I look ok in the picture. My outfit was all black. I wasn't trying to be EMO, but I do like themes.


Monday I also tried out some new super-cheap-o glitter oxfords.

These guys are pretty excellent bicycle shoes. 

I'm Snow Crazy and Adventurous

I never peer-pressure anyone about riding a bike. I don't pressure anyone, but I'm happy to share and teach what I know. And I'm full of opinions.

Dressing for this snow-day ride wasn't a biggie since it's actually been much colder recently. 

I don't want to make anyone think they should ride in the snow like this. I think I am crazy. I know I am crazy and that's how I do my commute every day through Times Square and down 7th Avenue. I think it takes a little insanity on my part to ride where I ride.

I only did this little experiment because I was not going far, and I knew I would be home before dark.
I took it easy on the small side streets and tried to stay in the ruts.

Sometimes there wasn't really a rut at all and I went extremely slow. I did a little pedaling just to keep rolling smoothly which I think kept me going straight. Delivery guys kept me company for most of my adventure.


I went straight over to 5th Ave. which was pretty clear.


Slightly messier and tighter spot on 5th Ave.


You bet I took the lane where I felt like it. I was utilizing the bus lane a little down 5th Ave.


No one honked at me, and I actually got one nice gentleman who rolled down his window (on a side street) to tell me to go ahead. It was still the ultimate in politeness toward a lady on a bicycle and I appreciated it.

I really only went about 20 small blocks and a couple avenues. I live on the far east side and my destination was the Paley Center between 5th & 6th.

I went to meet Malaika to see Carrie & Fred from Portlandia do a Q&A moderated by Julie Klausner.
It was pretty funny. Fred A. kind-of hogged it. Carrie should have talked more. He's nuts but he's really funny.
The Paley Center has a Project Runway All Stars dress display from the Miss Piggy challenge on view til Feb 2nd.


Outside the Paley Center.



This was an OK side street.

I think my little experiment was OK for the conditions I knew starting out - Saturday lack of urgency and traffic and daylight only.

I realized I was in serious danger of getting SPLASHED and thankfully, that didn't happen.
I also realized this is a terrible idea because if cars had lost control, I would have been smashed. I stayed the hell away from cars to the best of my ability. Even though I went slow enough to pretty much stand up and run, it was probably dangerous and maybe I shouldn't have done it. But it was OK.

Funky gray snow.

You know, I'm pretty down on Linus, so I'm just riding Kate Middleton into the ground like I did my old bicycle until it got mystery murdered.

I didn't want to shame the Linus Dutchie on the internet, but when I meet people in public, I tell them I don't recommend it. That comes as no shock to them when they notice the rust. Yes, my bicycle, Kate Middleton has rust at several points and she has never spent one night outdoors. She is 7months old, new out of the box.

I've also replaced so many parts on it. I love my cute pink parts, and I love the girly look, but I think the original parts were really quite shitty and there was really no question the Linus parts had to go.

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. 

Gosh it's cold

These cold days suuuuck, but what can we do? Layer-up and cover-up.

I've not been wearing scarves much it seems. I just get too darn hot. That little bit of icy air on my neck helps a little when I get the back-sweats.

I got a more season-appropriate carabiner to keep my keys clipped to my basket.
When they're not clipped to my basket- the carabiner holds my lights and keys together for quick and easy access. 

I got this at a hole in the wall key-cutting spot. 

Witch's Titty Times

This mangy polar bear coat was made in the USA and purchased at the Libby's R.O.S.E. thrift shop in Malvern, Arkansas. My Grandma introduced me to this gem of a shop. 

I felt visible because of the enormity of this coat. It was 13º on my ride to work this morning when I took this. I feel like a polar bear on wheels. 

My back got so sweaty, oh my god. But I did not get a watery-eye and have black tear fears.

I've been seeing some helmet-wearers with a knit cap under their helmet and it looks bulky and un-safe. I recommend this for a happy ear situation and a proper frontal lobe protection. 

Babushka Winter Bike Style

I knew I could easily ride in 25º on Thursday morning if I was prepared. I love that my helmet straps held the scarf close to my ears. Who wore it better? 


When I saw this photo, I was happy to realize I've got on two vintage, gifted items. Green coat is from my mother-in-law and the jeans are from Ms. Buys, who gave me the Betsey Johnson swimsuit that got donated to the museum at FIT this fall. That's one of the coolest things that happened in '11.


These feel like pot holders, but they're necessary and they make bike life very pleasant.
Marmot ski gloves. 


Riding through Times Square, I saw that the stage is set-up. I still don't really have New Year's Eve plans. I bet we'll lay very low and continue our streak of winter domesticity.


Wednesday morning I wore some new flare-leg jeans and I decided that I didn't want to jeopardize exposing my ankle-skin to the winter winds by tight rolling them. I used these ankle-clip things. It was a good move.



Flare leg jeans. Made in USA from J.Crew - ultra-clearance after Christmas purchase.



My right eye cried the whole way to work despite wearing sunglasses.

It felt awful but I guess it didn't look so crazy. It felt like black tears were streaming down my face. I think my face was too cold to really know what was going on.

Happy New Year!

If you're new to my blog and you need pink tires to jazz up your gray winter, they are from Fyxation.
I'm so glad I've got them. They're so pretty now that it's so ugly and gray outside!