Fashion Blogger Beauty and her Vintage Bicycle

I guess I just couldn't keep myself from resisting - I re-posted them ALL! - The Freelance Fashionblog's photos- the ones where she is wearing these adorable vintage outfits with her vintage bicycle. I just love these pictures!....

(all photo credit: The Freelancers Fashionblog)

But Alas, she has left her lovely vintage bicycle in the snow since November...

(all photo credit: The Freelancers Fashionblog)

Now leaving your bicycle covered in snow is sad, everyone agrees especially The Freelance Fashionblogger... but spring is on it's way with delightful warm days ahead (to dream about for now)... Warm days where you just feel it in your bones that you just have to ride your bicycle!

With that in mind here is some help to get your bicycle ready for spring. I've written a post called Green Clean Your Bicycle sharing my tips - for instance on how to get rid of rust. It will get you started on the road to recovery - for the sake of your dear bicycle!

A Romantic Homage - Girl on the Bicycle

(via shinelikechrome)

A photo that speaks to me on all sorts of levels.
If you look closely you will see pretty 'antique' dolls in her bicycle basket. I love her heart patterned leggings, the little fur shrug and of course the black balloons

I hope to be posting more this week...hmmm. Thanksgiving is such a busy and fun week with family and friends and travel. Holidays are upon us and it's just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day.

Vintage Bicycle Photo Inspiration- Strange Story Photo?

(vintage photo circa 1900)

In keeping 'mood wise' and complimenting my most recent post with its beautiful tintype photo, I decided to share this old vintage photo today.

I melt over the little girls bicycle...ah, ha now I know why I've been leaning towards big, beautiful cream colored tires (Schwalbe Delta Cruiser Tires in creme 40-63) for my vintage Raleigh DL-1 bicycle!!!

Actually there is a lot in this photo if you take the time to look. I believe there is a story.
Fashion wise I love the side buttoned knee high boots, the white ruffled portrait collar on her dress as well.

Do tell.... what story do you think the photo is saying to you?

Metallic Stripes Dress - Vintage Raleigh Bicycle with Wine Basket

(photos by RidingPretty)

Straight away I noticed the Raleigh bicycle with that back wicker basket ideal for transporting two bottles of wine with an extra compartment for food and flowers. I couldn't help but wonder who the rider might be?

Off I went on my next errand. A few minutes later voila!... the rider and I conveniently convened at the intersection. She'd borrowed this 1970's Raleigh bicycle and 'yes, isn't the wicker basket on the back just the best!'... It was filled with (mail?) manila envelopes and other purchases, no wine bottles just yet. AND her dress with it's metallic flecks had the best sparkly effect as she rode through the streets. Her fab green bag in the front basket was so color complimentary to her Raleigh as well. (I just wish my camera had captured the sparkly dress a bit better for your viewing pleasure... sigh ..)

***
This is number four 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've shared the photos of the other stylish riders from (hot) Friday, one each day. This was the last one. Very good day for stylish riders, don't you think!

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...

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

Alice's Polka Dot Bicycle

(via Alice Point -- photocredit: Marika)

(via Alice Point -- photocredit: Marika)

Meet Alice and her (borrowed for now) vintage POLKA DOT bicycle. She's a stylist living in Krakow Poland, and into all things vintage....especially magical vintage bicycles!
I adore her style!

Vintage Bicycle, Extreme Gladiator Sandals... Desert (Burning Man?) with Jena Malone

(actress: jena malone - photo source unknown)

Sure do love the bicycle, AND the gladiator sandals the newly emerging actress Jena Malone is wearing here. What a coincidence after posting only just yesterday the photo of Mary Kate on a cool vintage bicycle wearing gladiators sandals too!

I'm also liking the shorty 'riding gloves', and the deep brim on her hat for blessed relief from the intense sun. This shot inspires me.

SF Tweed Ride - A Reminder

Reminder: Thursday Tweed Ride!

Today, February 12th
6:30 pm — Start at Dolores Park (at the 19th St. Bell)
7:00 pm — meetup with East Bay Tweed at the 16th St. Mission BART*
Ends at Tosca Cafe.

I'm not sure at this point if I'll be able to attend. I'd be coming up from Santa Cruz and there is a glitch in my travel plans for today, AGHHHH... I so miss living in the City especially at times like this. I really love Tosca's too (where the ride ends up). I've spent many wonderful times there.

Plenty of great prizes to be won! (I've got this outfit all planned out, so while my riding attire is not tweed it is appropriately vintage )...and boo hoo I wanted to win 'Most Snappy Lass'.

SO all of you who ARE attending take LOTS of good pictures. I can't wait to see all of you ( in pictures) anyway! I will be eternally grateful for any pics and photo links sent my way.

SF Tweed Ride Update -- A Letter Reprinted in its Entirety ..

Hi Shelly,

Thanks for promoting the Tweed Ride! It stands to be a brilliant outing.

I thought your readers might like to know that I've added a new Tweed Ride update entitled A Tweed Primer.

It mentions some tweed-style tips and advice for quality establishments for tweed, but most importantly it gives more motivation to join our tweedy adventure:

SF Tweed Ride Contests and prizes!

• Most Dapper Chap
  
• Most Snappy Lass
  
• Most Stylish Vintage Steed
  
• Most Inspired Interpretation of Tweediness
  
• Best Mustache — open to both lads and inventive lasses
  

With smashing prizes donated by

Velo-Orange, Manifesto Bicycle, The Freewheel Bike Shop, Refried Cycles, and Prof. NifNaks Fine Moustachios!

Sincerely Yours,

Colin Arbuthnot Winer Fahrion

CatCubed.com
twitter.com/catcubed

p.s. we will be meeting up with East Bay Tweed at 7:00pm at 16th St. Mission BART (earliest BART that allows bikes arrives at 16th St. Mission at 6:45pm)

SF Tweed Ride …Tweedy Inspirations - Clothing Sources

I like this photo from last fall, the Oct. issue of Marie Claire. Hoping to give you a little fashion inspiration especially if you're wanting to join a Tweed Run, like the San Francisco Thursday Tweed Ride on Feb. 12th.
So I've revealed some of my favorites San Francisco designers... listed below. More than likely the time required to have something whipped up specifically for the SF Tweed Ride is not possible...but you never know.

Al's Attire. The place to go to get a custom coat, handmade and one-of-a-kind. Wonderful selection of premium woolens, tweeds included. You can spend a good hour pouring over fabric swatches.

Theresa LaQuey Couture. Theresa is a pattern designer for Simplicity’s retro line. She custom sketches and creates designs for her clients with a keen eye for quality reproduction garments. She is a well known fixture in San Francisco/Bay Area and within Art Deco historical societies nationwide. She wears a lot of tweed.

For an emphatically less traditional look, check out: Five and Diamond, a collective of designers. Surely you'll find what embodies the spirit of SF and Burning Man style via Valencia Street. Find some sailor style knickers or a Steam Punk Pin Stripe Suit look.

***

Note: If you have to consider your budget, yes question the rationality of the $ spent on some of these wonderful designer's clothing -- say perhaps you can’t (you know) afford it … however in other words the prices are normal for exquisitely made finery. Bespoke.

Otherwise thrifting is always a good option. I’ve been extremely lucky in that way!

Dapper Cyclists - Tweed Run London - SF Tweed Ride

photocredit/source: www.arkitipintel.com

Tweed Run, you must go check it out for the incredibly dapper and chic gentlemen riding the streets of London! Check here for for rest of the photo story from Arkit Intel, I'm Roxy Dammit and especially Prolly is Not Probably.




Please enjoy these fine looking Gentlemen!


***************

No sooner do you wish it, then it happens ...this just in for all of you swooning over these fine cycling, tweed wearing gents...
Guess what just came in from Colin. An Invitation to an inaugural San Francisco Tweed Ride:

February 12th will mark the inaugural Thursday Tweed Ride

DIY Vintage Bicycle Care and Repair...Guest Blogger: Old Bike Blog

Guest Post: Getting Started on that Vintage Bicycle

This series is about getting started on refurbishing an old bicycle, oriented primarily to beginners. I won't be talking about "restoring" a bicycle to original new condition, but getting an old bike cleaned up, tuned up, and ready for the road again.

I believe strongly that everyone who rides a bicycle should know how to take it apart and put it back together again, replace worn-out parts, and diagnose basic problems. While I'm not going to try to cover all of that ground, I can at least get you started on that old bike project, and point you towards helpful resources.

Step One: Getting Familiar With Your Bike

By the time an old bike gets to you, it's likely to need some cleaning (see RidingPretty's guest posts on my Old Bike Blog for some green cleaning tips). With cleaning, you begin the process of becoming familiar with your new machine. This bicycle is going to carry you faithfully all over the place, so you should get to know it.

Even if you don't understand what all the little bits do yet, start making mental notes about where everything is and how it's attached. Photograph every part, nut, bolt, cable, doo-dad, everything. This will help you with reassembly, and also give you a sense of accomplishment when you compare the before and after pictures.

To help you learn all the parts, and get a basic idea of how everything on a bicycle works, here are a few links that I find useful. Some of this may seem a bit complex for beginners, while others may find it too basic, but bear with me, these are links you'll come back to again and again:

BicycleTutor.com (http://bicycletutor.com)

Great video tutorials to help you do your own bicycle work.

Sheldon Brown (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/)

The Internet guru of DIY work and everything bicycle-related. The glossary alone has become a standard reference. Unfortunately, Sheldon passed away about a year ago, so attempts to contact him through his site will not be successful.

Jim Langley's Bicycle Repair Page (http://www.jimlangley.net/wrench/wrench.html

A close runner-up to Sheldon Brown, and full of good information, clearly explained.

How Stuff Works/How Bicycles Work (http://www.howstuffworks.com/bicycle.htm)

A good introduction for beginners. Delivers what it promises.

Bike Jargon Buster (http://www.whycycle.co.uk/bike_jargon_buster/)

A helpful diagram of all the parts of a bicycle.

Next time, I'll talk about a few of the first things that should probably be replaced on an old bicycle before you ride it very much, and how to go about doing the work yourself.

********************

This is the first post by guest blogger Old Bike Blog. Visit his blog for the first installment of my series on how to green clean your bicycle.

Check Out My Bicycle

This posted over at Old Bike Blog as my project...there's another picture of her and a bit more of a story about my bicycle included over there. This was a Christmas present!

Classic and Vintage in Fashion

Photocredit/source:Cyclotoine/Anthony (bicycle owner & male model);

Matty Conrad (photographer);

Leah Orton (art director & hair stylist from ‘the fix’ Hair Salon, Victoria, BC)

The photos came from Anthony. He is also the male model…along with his two girlfriends.

"The bicycles are my own personal collection. That's me with my track bike and the other two are my girlfriend's rides. The raleigh I no longer own. Both the marinoni I am posing with and the GIOS are bikes I have built/refurbished to nearly show like condition. They are ridden occassionally for their original intended purpose. In other words, the GIOS is used only for recreational road riding (not commuting or any such thing) and the Marinoni is only ridden in velodromes."

You have to admit these photos can brighten up a winter day!!!

***** correction: Neither of these two women are the girlfriend of Cyclotoine (Anthony) They are models chosen to model with bicycles belonging to Cyclotoine and ridden by his girlfriend.

Buying A Vintage Bicycle Guide

Let me introduce you to one of the most helpful vintage bicycle buying guides I have ever come across! The next time you're considering purchasing a lovely vintage bicycle found off of craigslist, ebay, your local swap meet, even your local bicycle "flipper" please use this guide to help you be a very savvy vintage bicycle shopper.

Reprinted with kind permission from SydneyVintageBikes:

Buying Second Hand, Retro or Vintage Ladies Mens Bike

Buying A Vintage Bike

If you're buying a VINTAGE / RETRO BIKE and the seller has claimed that they have "SERVICED" or "RESTORED" the bike then don't be afraid to ask them to detail exactly what has been done.

We find it very frustrating when sellers claim to have carried out a "SERVICE" when in fact they've just pumped up the tires and given the bike a clean - there is a lot more involved in a proper "service" than you may think. Unfortunately MANY SELLERS are not experienced bike mechanics nor have the right tools to do the work correctly and some are simply misleading buyers in order to achieve maximum sale price.

Most vintage bikes will need:

New Gear and Brake Cables ( it's very easy to tell if this has been carried out - if cables appear rusty, corroded or frayed then the seller HAS NOT replaced them) good cables are paramount to ensure the safety of the bicycle.

An experienced bike mechanic should run through the gears to ensure they're working correctly as this could be a safety issue if they're not adjusted correctly. Vintages bikes should have New Tyres, if not then ask the seller if the rubber on the tyres has perished. If tyres have GOOD TREAD but rubber is CRACKED then they need to be replaced as they won't hold air for long! Remember to buy new tyres and get them put on by a bike shop will be an added cost to your purchase. Brakes and levers should be checked and adjusted to ensure that they work properly and that there is enough rubber on the brake pads. We have seen many bike sellers that have claimed to have serviced the bike but DO NOT know how to adjust brakes correctly - this could be a safety issue!!

Rims should be trued and tensioned and spin freely, if they don't then they'll need the bearings serviced or will need truing by a bike mechanic. Bearings in the bottom bracket, headset, and wheel axles should be serviced on all vintage bikes and should be cleaned, repacked with grease or replaced with new bearings. Many sellers who claim to have serviced their bike do not do this. Often the cones or bottom bracket can be over tightened, the headset can too, if it has a "grinding feel" to it then it needs attention as your bike won't work for long. Drive train ie: chain & cogs should be thoroughly cleaned and oiled, some use degreaser in the wrong areas, degreaser can be harmful to some parts of the bike. Vintage bikes should be inspected for cracks in tubing, as some could have been in a front impact and or accident. Look for cracks or wrinkles in paintwork as this could be an indication that the steel tubing has been compromised. Also look around the lugs/joins in tubing as this is a common place for cracks. Ladies bikes usually have cracks or bends in the seat tube or head tube. Just run your fingers over the suspected area for creases in tubes.

Also we've seen plenty of bikes for up for sale on ebay that have BENT FORKS, ask the seller if they can provide a side shot/pic of bike so that it clearly shows the angle/alignment of the fork. If you're not sure ask someone who is experienced with bikes to have a look. Basically everything on a vintage bike should be checked over thoroughly by someone who knows what they're doing. Remember a bike mechanic will know what to look for and check.

Remember if the seller has performed a "service" on the bike they are selling or is claiming to be an experienced bike mechanic ask them
a) Do they work in a bike shop?
b) How long have they been repairing bikes?
c) Are they just a hobbyist? Unfortunately any "back yard bob" can call themselves a bike mechanic just to make a quick sale! Again if you're not sure just ask lot's of questions.
The experienced ones might even give you the name of the bike shop they are associated with or how long they have been working in the bike industry.

Lastly it's always nice to buy a clean bike that has been washed and polished. Although I have seen many bikes for sale that have been cleaned but haven't been serviced.

Remember, when buying a vintage bike to ride, ask the SELLER lots of questions and if you have doubts as to weather the work has been carried out, simply take your purchase into ANY bike shop and get a bike mechanic to check it over (they can usually tell pretty quickly if work has been carried out).

Vintage bikes that have been properly serviced will be a joy to ride.

Vintage bikes have a lot more style than the newer models and they are becoming harder to find and a lot more collectible. If looked after properly a vintage bike can provide many years of enjoyment and can actually increase in value!

sydneyvintagebikes

shelly | posted | Thursday, November 13th, 2008 |

Vintage Bicycles .... Girls Want Them!

Here is what Chung Pai of Landmark Vintage Bicycles had to say in this article by Lauren Murrow for her piece in NYmagazine...

"What kind of customers do you get?

It’s a hip, young crowd. I get a lot of twentysomething girls who act like they’re shopping for a vintage dress: “Oh, it has a basket for my purse, and it has a cute bell, and the color is pretty.” It’s not just a bike, it’s a fashion accessory."

There is more to the article so read it all here. Chung has lots to say about vintage bicycles.

Agyness Deyn ... Vintage Bicycle

photosource: animal talk

Agyness Deyn, supermodel...with a nice vintage bicycle. And Inspirational as usual.

Not sure what make, model and year this bicycle is. But it has all the right lines, sleek and of course the wicker basket makes it super utilitarian for shopping in 'your hood'.

**** For more on Vintage Bicycles getting even more chic check out this out...

"But the cool cats are going vintage, such as Chloe Sevigny, who has colour co-ordinated her Seventies bicycle with the green wallpaper in her hallway."

Read the whole article. Also congrats to Caz Nicklin of London Cycle Chic. She has made some great comments for the article "Cycling Goes Girlie".

Gold Fenders, Amazing Boots

The gold fenders on this bicycle were just outstanding. Then the boots!
The poncho...

A view that lets you appreciate how really great her poncho looks on her.
Same location as the other photo above, but this time looking the other way down Valencia St.

Turquoise Tandem

Out for a coffee, bicycling together tandem style on this fine bicycle.

Yes, it's definitely starting to cool off. I noticed her cable knit sweater vest and thought how it was just the right amount of cozy to keep warm with when the chill wind kicked in. Otherwise and weather-wise we're still having our beautiful Indian Summer.

Bicycle Pin-up Inspiration #4

photocredit/source: sam rapp/preen magazine

From time to time I post these pin-ups. It's a 'just for fun' category I've named bicycle chic inspiration -- pin-ups. You'll find a smattering of little finds there.