Cycle Chic isn’t always about pretty bikes and pretty people. Cycle Chic is about being on a bicycle, connecting with your environment, moving your body and joy. Now doesn’t this photo represent all of that? We’ve seen this parti-colored tandem bike around town, but only met it in person last Saturday during a Lowcountry Local First urban garden agricultural bicycle tour. The little boy is CJ the Master Gardener, and he was more than happy to show us his lemon verbena, mint, rosemary and tomatoes. Love it.
I was lucky enough to catch this adorable twosome on a bike ride yesterday. Check out their matching bikes and baskets with Betty Basket Liners.
Filed under: Cycle Chic | Tags: Healthy Community, Inspiration, Seen around town
I know that most of you out there thinking about Cycle Chic might assume that expensive bikes with expensive clothes makes Cycle Chic go round. But if you’ve been reading up, you know that this Cycle Chic-er loves all things that show a zest for life, so I had to include what you see below….
This picture was sent in to me by a reader, and let me tell you, I love it. It’s old school, new school and being-one-with-nature-school all in one. This is his ‘fishing bike’ and he and his 7-yr old daughter like to ride to the shore of the Wando river and try to catch anything they can.
Lowcountry Livin'
Ladies and Gents, you don’t have to buy a fancy basket to get things done. Get creative in the spur of the moment. Try a tomato box strapped to the back if you can’t hold on to all your organic farmer’s market supplies. Or rummage up an old Coke Bottle container like this gentleman did to hold your fresh caught dinner as you ride back home smiling with your kids and feel good about being alive.
Filed under: Cycle Chic | Tags: Bikes, Cycle Chic, Fashion, Photos, Seen around town
A reader of Charleston Cycle Chic sent this beautiful photo in of her beach bike! I love the story behind this – her husband pulled it from the neighbors trash and fixed it up for her! It goes to show you with just a little ‘umph’ you can turn someone else’s throw away into your very own little gem. Check out all the daisies…Did you know they are a symbol of childhood innocence? Perfect.
The Cycle Chic ladies are out in force. It seems like every day I see more and more loveliness on the streets of Charleston. Check out the latest additions to ‘Seen around Town’ – they are the object of my envy and admiration!
I do admit – I covet this woman’s sparkling handlebar streamers. Once, many moons ago, I owned a blue and white banana seat bike, with matching streamers that rustled in the wind. The love of them has stayed with me since, and I am thinking that perhaps they should become the new hot accessory – like earrings or a belt? There is something so joyful about them! I caught her pulling up to a party, dressed-to-the-nines (no spandex in sight!). Perfect example of Charleston Cycle Chic don’t you think?
Bobbi Jean Dulcie Fitzharris with her 1960 Flightliner - Wow!
As I was riding down King St one day, from a distance this delighful turquoise and white creation caught my eye and I screeched to a halt with my handy iPhone camera in hand. This is what I like to see – shopping on King St with your best friend by your side, especially when she is sporting impeccable whitewall tires. I heart whitewalls!
Kathleen Stewart with the vivacious Pearlanne
Everytime I see a fabulous bike, I actually start salivating. I feel a yearning inside of me coupled with an “I want to have it all” kind of feeling. (Can anyone relate to this or am I just weird?)
It reminds me of how I feel about dessert. Oh glorious dessert.
So here is a small selection of bikes that caused my salivary glands to spring into action. I love them all for different reasons – but mostly because they are reminiscent of some of my favorite things.
This first one is a bit hard to see, but if you look closely it’s worth it. Check out the liquid chocolate color and the beautiful green. This bike made me think of a Creme de Menthe Brownie.
Creme de Menthe
This next one screams summer time fun to me and makes me want to have an Orange Creamsicle. She’s available to be had at the Charleston Bicycle Company on East Bay St. Say Hi to Jana!
Orange Creamsicle
This next little angel is just so pure. I’ve always been attracted to the all-white bike – it seems so sophisticated and of course, it goes with everything. Yes – my first thoughts when I saw her were Marshmallow Fluff, or even a light and fluffy Meringue. Delightful.
Marshmallow Fluff
So does your bike remind you of dessert? Send a picture in! I know someone out there has a Dulce de Leche or a Raspberry Sorbet….
So who says as soon as you have a child, you can’t have any fun? This Cycle Chic woman proves it is not so and she looks great too. Check out her Vintage Raleigh bike complete with a toddler seat on the back. She rides her daughter to school and back every day, around town, to the grocery store, and just for fun. And yes, she has a car too and a kickin’ full time job. So if there are other Moms out there – explore the options for biking with baby and don’t forget the helmet. It’s a whole new world!
Filed under: Cycle Chic, Events | Tags: Biking Lifestyle, CCC, Events, Fashion, Seen around town
Here’s a conglomeration of several people’s great photos of the June 24th Cycle Chic Ride. (Click the Flickr Photostream link) Thanks to Karen, Dustin, Kristy, and Traci for being shutterbugs! 35 men and women showed up dressed to the nines and showin’ off their rides. Around the town and back again, off to Fuel we went to enjoy a refreshing post-ride beverage. If anyone out there has more pics -send them in!
And some of my favs….
Sully rides again!
The lovely Amelia is always Cycle Chic
Pinstripes and Bowties vs. Spandex
Palmetto trees go well with bike shadows
Getting around to this later than I would have liked but I am starting to gather all the great photos from Charleston Cycle Chic Ride #2. Thanks so much to everyone for showing up and supporting the biking lifestyle!! The best part about the ride was the meetup at Fuel afterward – it was so fun to talk to everyone in person. I feel like I met some greatness! Also, a shout out to the Holy City Bike Coop for being there in force. You guys are doing a wonderful thing.
So – if you have pictures, send me the photostream or feed or files what-have-you and I’ll round them up right here. chscyclechic@gmail.com. In the meantime, here’s a placeholder – perhaps the new official beverage of Charleston Cycle Chic.
Oh Fat Tire we love your bike!
Cheers!
Filed under: Events | Tags: CCC, Charleston, Chic, Events, Seen around town, Slow Bicycle Movement
Ladies (and you chic gents), how about another Charleston Cycle Chic Ride? We had so much fun with the last one and met some great people, I thought what the hey – we should have another! This time we’re doing it after work with a post-ride social hour included so we can laugh and chat and while a beautiful Charleston evening away. Direct your eyes below for all the lovely details:
When: Wednesday, June 24th @6PM
Where: Meet at Marion Square (the corner of King and Calhoun). We’ll ride down King St, left on Market, right on East Bay, around the Battery and up Ashley Avenue to end at Fuel Caribbean Cantina at the corner of Rutledge and Cannon. Yes, the fine people of Fuel have kindly offered to take care of our bikes (and provide service with a flair) in their beautiful outdoor courtyard!
Why: Because we love to ride pretty. Because we all know it’s the best way to see our beautiful town. Because we definitely like to support local business. Because we are hip to the new biking culture of Charleston. And most importantly, because we want to have some fun!
RSVP: on Facebook or leave a comment below.
Where do we go?
