tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810099708146569685.post3720998571914299426..comments2024-02-20T00:55:18.782-08:00Comments on Change Your Life. Ride A Bike!: Silly GirlAdrienne Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16658593098911314756noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810099708146569685.post-78492762451853042017-06-27T04:38:08.432-07:002017-06-27T04:38:08.432-07:00Hey, that’s really a good post on pets for sale in...Hey, that’s really a good post on pets for sale in Delhi, i really like your blog as the information is very useful if you are a pet lover. Well, there is one more site for the same service <a href="www.helpadya.com" rel="nofollow">www.helpadya.com</a> you should check it for more detail.<br />Helpadyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16307112421366002054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810099708146569685.post-32565433416266526362010-11-30T09:14:21.242-08:002010-11-30T09:14:21.242-08:00Great post.Great post.carlita deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12275266663950634890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810099708146569685.post-5570724697208568712009-11-10T19:03:58.300-08:002009-11-10T19:03:58.300-08:00more biking is good for everyone, no matter what w...more biking is good for everyone, no matter what we choose to wear. <br /><br />(not to be snark-tastic, but what of our lesbian sisters - are they dressing to appeal to men, too?)ginevrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17441441797411016872noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810099708146569685.post-2855894119721778402009-11-09T11:43:50.325-08:002009-11-09T11:43:50.325-08:00Take the bikes out of the pictures. These are peo...Take the bikes out of the pictures. These are people walking down the street or getting out of cars. Do they look different to you? What is it that makes these pictures difficult to accept (in some circles), the people or the bikes? I contend it is the bikes that make the people in these pictures seen exotic and that without the bikes, no one would give most of these people a second thought as none of them is wearing anything that special or are groomed to the nth degree.<br /><br />What do you think?Adrienne Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16658593098911314756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810099708146569685.post-82112947596347022702009-11-09T07:04:44.828-08:002009-11-09T07:04:44.828-08:00I'm going to have to both agree AND disagree w...I'm going to have to both agree AND disagree with Thomas! :)<br /><br />A blog like Velo Vogue (where I disagree w/ Thomas... check it out when you can!) really stands out in a discussion like this b/c of all the shots of different kinds of people: kids on scrapies, bmx riders, tweed rides, etc. A lot of the cycle chic I've seen pushed in the last year or so--particularly the mainstream media stuff that becomes part of the larger "acceptance" discussion--seems really specific, and limited to pushing able-bodied attractive people on clique specific bikes. Which is funny, b/c the "authentic bike culture" depends on people of all kinds riding whatever, as seems to be the thing in places with higher concentrations of bike riders.<br /><br />When people wearing work uniforms riding crappy mountain bikes are not shown on blogs that purport to be about aesthetics or personal experiences, it's annoying (more so in the former case) but understandable. When the blog's mandate is supposed to be about widening and democratising bike culture, then it's frustrating. As much as I enjoy cycle chic, the last thing people need is more cliques and rules if they are going to think of riding a bike the same way they think of other kinds of transit.<br /><br />Some of the backlash is definitely the prescriptive tone of some blogs. It's not just that you can bust out a Sartorialist-worthy look for riding a bike (and that certain bikes will aid and abet this), but that it's some personal failing if you haven't. Your capitulation to spandex and safety gear is both imminent and lamentable. But outdoorsy clothes/PJs all day/safety nut/no-look IS some people's look. Judged for not having a pricey road bike that would one would neva deign to use for anything as base as getting groceries, or judged for not having the interest or inclination to dress up for a snack run on a beautiful old-school bike? In a place with lots of bike riders, both are beneath notice, I would think, much less be controversial. Cute outfits and cute bikes should be both a source of enjoyment and optional. YMMV.<br /><br />GlossyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810099708146569685.post-39140554460799096322009-11-09T05:52:00.921-08:002009-11-09T05:52:00.921-08:00I appreciate what contributes to bike culture. As ...I appreciate what contributes to bike culture. As far as pictures of good looking people on their bikes, who can argue with that? They probably inspire some people to take up biking. They say 'yes, biking is cool'. And that is a good thing. But lets not pretend its not about the attractiveness of the young people on the bikes, and about 'confidence' or some other catchphrase. Not when not a single picture shows someone who is NOT young, attractive, and hip looking. I ride my bike quite a bit, and I see quite of bit of very ordinary looking people wearing very ordinary clothes. Sometimes I even see men and women in their 50's and 60's, working class people,poor people on ugly bikes,ugly people on nice bikes, young dark minority kids riding tattered bikes - but somehow none of them wind up making the pages of any biking blogs, which mostly seem to emulate glossy magazines in style. Oh, I know, they just dont have that 'confident look'. Or that 'windblown, casualness, that implies a LIFE,'look. Or whatever. Maybe in truth they just arent pretty enough. <br /> I want ordinary people to hop on their bike, be it for excercise, or better yet, for transportation.Bike culture will never be taken seriously until it moves beyond a silly hipster vs sportster debate and starts putting unchic, unathletic ordinary people, often wearing helmets and riding on department store bikes- onto the streets. Ordinary people- there are millions of em.My journalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09782117369179420554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810099708146569685.post-23395144189797535542009-11-08T06:01:50.642-08:002009-11-08T06:01:50.642-08:00Btw. I forget to say I enjoy reading your posts. T...Btw. I forget to say I enjoy reading your posts. Thanks ;)<br /><br />Lemony - the above 'Anonymous'Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810099708146569685.post-71050242810265419962009-11-08T05:42:08.489-08:002009-11-08T05:42:08.489-08:00I ride my bike in whatever clothes I find myself i...I ride my bike in whatever clothes I find myself in at the moment of time - and I don't 'specially' make-up my face /groom myself etc.. ect. etc for my bike-ride. For every hour I use my car I spend about 6 hours on a bike .... So though I'm not a cycle'chic', I certainly belong to the 'cycling clique'... don't I?;)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810099708146569685.post-70277320312357093922009-11-06T21:25:34.452-08:002009-11-06T21:25:34.452-08:00Not sexist ; )Not sexist ; )Adrienne Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16658593098911314756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810099708146569685.post-80556274647269214982009-11-06T21:12:32.139-08:002009-11-06T21:12:32.139-08:00A great post. You, Dottie and LovelyBicycle have ...A great post. You, Dottie and LovelyBicycle have been on-target, wise and restrained in responding to the ugly "i hate" post.<br /><br />Is it sexist to say, "nice gams, sister?" I hope not. <br /><br />I'm with you 100 percent on bicycling leading to a better self-image. Today, I put on a favorite jacket that hadn't fit me for years!<br /><br />Keep up the great work.Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03825454524437359677noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810099708146569685.post-86037317868920439022009-11-06T05:22:09.399-08:002009-11-06T05:22:09.399-08:00@Adrienne,
Your last comment about the targeted gr...@Adrienne,<br />Your last comment about the targeted group just clicked on a memory. In the US if you don't own a home you are some times considered a failure or at least a pariah. This is another prime example of something being targeted as "the only way to do it" I rented for years because it made more sense. When the time came to buy...I did.<br /><br />Infrastructure would be nice, but in the meantime I intend to ride my comfortable bike in my comfortable clothes, if I am fashionable, so be it. If people ask me about it I tell them I do it for fun and speed. A bike is always faster through traffic.<br /><br />Aaron2whls3spdshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16954543886269776858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810099708146569685.post-71268040095772448302009-11-06T04:29:44.773-08:002009-11-06T04:29:44.773-08:00Adrienne et al,
You are, as always, right on poin...Adrienne et al,<br /><br />You are, as always, right on point and delivered an intelligent and thoughtful response to the 'I hate cycle chic' posting which, I feel, wasn't so well thought out in the first place.<br /><br />I can't confess to being a cycle chicista - I'm a scruff bag at the best of times, my bike is a piece of crap and I wear a helmet 'cos I promised by sister-in-law I would and hey, a promise is a promise. However, I do consider myself to be everyday and ordinary - a phrase I use over and over and over again on my own blog - because this is how I think cycling should be considered.<br /><br />The notion that you have to wear special clothes, or buy special equipment (often costing $$$s) is a failing self-fulfilling prophecy in my books that can only deter more people from cycling. Unfortunately, this "faceless" cyclist, as you so eloquently put it, has become so prevalent as the publicly recognised archetype of cyclists that it is now rare (away from countries like the Netherlands & Denmark) to see people just out there cycling & doing their thing - you know, being everyday, and ordinary. I wrote about this at some length here: <br />http://ibikelondon.blogspot.com/2009/10/public-face-of-cycling.html<br />That's why the cycle chic 'movement' is so important - for all those people turned off by the idea of getting dressed up in spandex gimp suits (which is fine for climbing mountains, but a bit off for a trip by bike to the dentists down the road), the cycle chic photos are helping to show that anyone can ride a bike in whatever they choose to wear any time, any place - which is how cycling should be. Cycling should be like driving - as prevalent and as acceptable and possible whatever you are wearing. You don't get dressed up in spandex to drive to work and neither do you have to wear special shoes just to walk down the road - cycling should be the same.<br /><br />So ride on ladies, and do it with good hair days, bad hair days, as high or low heels as you like - just do it.ibikelondonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06978714126105951294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810099708146569685.post-57027488064568311342009-11-06T00:26:29.379-08:002009-11-06T00:26:29.379-08:00Thanks for the comments everyone! Reading them I ...Thanks for the comments everyone! Reading them I have some thoughts- <br /><br />One of the things that has been prevalent since the early 80's is the "faceless" cyclist. We are shown endless pictures of the kitted out bike team member in wrap around sunglasses, bursting from the pack. I do not think this is the fault of those who prefer competitive cycling to utility riding. I think it is the same kind of very targeted marketing that we have seen in many other industries. The marketing has been put out there, and has been successful in its task, of convincing the public that they can not possibly measure up to the task of riding without a whole lot of help. The marketing shows us to be a marginalized group of "others" and, as a larger society, we have bought into it. <br /><br />So now comes the difficult task of change. Most people think they have to get others to change, when really, we have the task of changing ourselves. We have to stop saying things like "I can't because there is no infrastructure", and instead expand our ideas of what we need and how to get it. We have to stop providing ourselves, and others, with reasons to stop trying.<br /><br />Mostly we have to face our own fear of failure, or looking silly, or being different. We need to shine our shoes and take out our company manners and fake it 'till we make it. We all have what it takes to make a "bicycle culture" worth having out there for anyone to join any time they want.<br /><br />Done for tonight! See y'all later!Adrienne Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16658593098911314756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810099708146569685.post-6159547677534497962009-11-05T23:25:14.524-08:002009-11-05T23:25:14.524-08:00You are the best!
You have nailed the idea perf...You are the best! <br /><br />You have nailed the idea perfectly, as usual. I read the I Hate Cycle Chic post when Streetsblog linked it, but moved on without commenting. Its lack of depth spoke for itself. Here you presented perfectly the kinds of thoughts that passed through my mind. Your boundless energy in eloquently calling out bs when you see it continues to amaze.Dottiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03984050970208363927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810099708146569685.post-40570321795644108392009-11-05T20:15:31.249-08:002009-11-05T20:15:31.249-08:00Great post, A.Great post, A.Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05686597906301214501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810099708146569685.post-36890799051190050732009-11-05T18:40:17.476-08:002009-11-05T18:40:17.476-08:00Agree! Its not about the sex appeal or being "...Agree! Its not about the sex appeal or being "chic". Its about people being able to cycle without having to join some club or "bike culture". There isn't alot of support in the US for people to cycle as they are. I think the "cycle chic" movement addresses that by saying one doesn't have to join an alternative bike culture to cycle and also addresses the issues alot of women (and men) think about in relation to cycling - sweating, looking good, being able to ride in regular clothes. Long before I found out about "cycle chic", I started cycling because I saw other people who biked around wearing their regular clothes and looking nice. That was an issue for me, because I wasn't going to go around changing clothes or carrying extra accessories just so I could bike somewhere.<br /><br />Also, for those who want non-cyclists to join the bicycling movement so there can be more people for social change - environmental, anti-capitalism, urban infrastructure, etc. - you have to get them first before they will start thinking about participating in change. And you can't get them if you start out by telling them how stupid and lazy they are. The majority of People join social movements because those movements accept them for who they are and they are somehow connected to the issues or benefit from participating. After they participate, then there is the potential for them to really be changed and revolutionized.cloudsofviolethttp://abasketcase.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810099708146569685.post-17378144837052928812009-11-05T16:56:46.809-08:002009-11-05T16:56:46.809-08:00I have been trying to write a post for my blog on ...I have been trying to write a post for my blog on this very same subject after reading that post and comments and I feel that you have said very nicely pretty much the same thing I am thinking. I always think that chic means to be stylish and fashionable which only apply to a certain person at a certain time in a certain place with a certain social group. So fashionable is different for everyone. In design school we had to take a class on sociology and fashion so I undersatand that "fashion" and "chic" and "style" and "elegance" aren't words or concepts that everyone can feel comfortable with. <br /><br />As a new cycle chic blogger I think I include just about every type cyclist that puts effort into their look when they leave the house. I don't hire models or anything they are just people I see on the street in the neighbor hoods where I spend time. Being from a fashion background and knowing people who refuse to wear flats and never wear pants or always have lipstick on or intricate retro hairstyles I know people who will never consider doing anything that they think that they have to look sloppy to do. I just want people to see that they have choices in what they wear on a bike. You don't have to change your style to ride a bike.Cosmohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08364487305473753277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810099708146569685.post-47850988543332042172009-11-05T15:49:37.950-08:002009-11-05T15:49:37.950-08:00hate is NOT a very pretty word.
also, I give free...hate is NOT a very pretty word.<br /><br />also, I give free hugs. :D :Dcarylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11175329294732754408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810099708146569685.post-63108087502729326742009-11-05T14:29:47.950-08:002009-11-05T14:29:47.950-08:00I hope my suede and faux shearling wedge booties h...I hope my suede and faux shearling wedge booties have me in the proper frame of mind to make a pertinent comment. ;)<br /><br />After perusing the post you linked to, I can't say that I get the writer's point of view. She seems to be saying that every woman who wears heels and dresses to look pretty/sexy makes such decisions based solely on the perceived desires and potential reaction of men. Is she kidding? I don't think about men when I shoe shop; does any woman? It's the last thing on one's mind at DSW, particularly as the only men you see in a DSW work there. <br /><br />Those who commented on her post seemed to hold the familiar concern about the transience of the bicycle-as-fashion-accessory fad. The fashion industry can't take down cycling with expensive bikes and all the magazine editorials, ads, and models cycling to castings can only help. Some people might ride only as long as it's trendy, but others will adopt is a regular mode of transportation because it looks so darn normal to ride in whatever you have on. More seats on more saddles--whether they are devoted cyclists or feckless fashionistas--may also give cyclists in general a little more leverage in trying to get better infrastructure. The media spotlight, even when directed from the fashion world, isn't such a bad thing after all.Courtneehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16640134967287947826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810099708146569685.post-72667343387330900622009-11-05T11:42:00.990-08:002009-11-05T11:42:00.990-08:00I believe that anyone that says looks don't ma...I believe that anyone that says looks don't matter are lying, but looks go deeper than "young and thin" or even confident.<br /><br />I don't know too many people that are out-of-shape that are confident enough to be good looking. Weighing a lot is one thing, but weighing a lot, riding a bike, and dressing & carrying yourself with confidence is completely different.<br /><br />And hey, if any of you out there can rock "proper" bike wear, then you're better looking than me, because as functional as it is I personally think bike spandex looks stupid.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08516319309127712432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810099708146569685.post-91456377320335772312009-11-05T09:32:15.975-08:002009-11-05T09:32:15.975-08:00For every action, there is a reaction, and I'm...For every action, there is a reaction, and I'm guessing that's part of what's going on here. To me, reading Copenhagen Cycle Chic and its kind has entirely changed the way I think about bikes - from feeling vaguely ashamed that I was not a 'proper' cyclist to understanding that the real problem was the infrastructure I was trying to ride in. Sure, the cycle chic thing can overshoot a little - am I now not a proper cyclist because I occasionally wear a hi-vis jacket, or am a complete scruff? - but it was a necessary corrective. It's aspirational, so it is a little unattainable for us ordinary mortals, but it's still a far better advertisement for cycling than lycra (or well meaning men in bike shops telling us we're doing it wrong...) But the point, as I see it, is not to say 'you have to dress up to get on a bike' but 'if you feel you <i>can't</i> be dressed up on your bike, then there's a problem - not with you, but with your bike infrastructure.' If the infrastructure were in place to make it easy and comfortable to ride dressed in heels, or whatever then all is good. You can still wear lycra if you choose, but you won't feel you have to. Frankly, I'm in awe of people cycling in America who still manage to look chic on their bikes (actually, I'm in awe of anyone who looks chic at all, but that's just me), well in advance of your roads being copenhagenised. I've only just got comfortable without my yellow jacket since I moved out of London. <br /><br />Anyway, sorry for the long comment! It's something I've been thinking my way round for a whiletownmousehttp://cityexile.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810099708146569685.post-39196333025311008682009-11-05T06:01:17.648-08:002009-11-05T06:01:17.648-08:00Uh...do they make high heels in a size 12...mens :...Uh...do they make high heels in a size 12...mens :-D<br /><br />Timely post and I completely agree. We (my bride and I) were out riding around a neighborhood yesterday near the location of our new boutique. When we returned from the ride, one of the girls that works in the store next door commented we weren't properly dressed for a bike ride. Excuse me? I had on slacks, shoes, socks, and a long sleeved button down collar shirt, my bride was wearing jeans, turtle neck and a colorful jacket. The bikes are our "city bikes" upright with fenders, lights, baskets and bags. I tried to get her to elaborate, but couldn't get anything other than we weren't dressed properly for riding a bike.<br /><br />Funny thing is we had several people wave to us from porches, tell us we looked like we were having fun (which we were) and generally seem pleased to see someone out and about. <br /><br />We will continue to ride in what we wear for everyday use, and enjoy the ride!<br /><br />Aaron2whls3spdshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16954543886269776858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810099708146569685.post-89856463402745970092009-11-05T05:38:52.159-08:002009-11-05T05:38:52.159-08:00I don't know, maybe 'chic' isn't t...I don't know, maybe 'chic' isn't the right word then,<br />Chic, to me always smacked of throw-away fashion,<br />which couldn't be farther from where you and yours<br />are coming from. It's more about celebrating our<br />individual tastes and who we are. Argyle socks and all.<br />Bikes are the thing we all have in common. The bond<br />we all have.<br />Jon C.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04169247929918392250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810099708146569685.post-49964779580841814152009-11-05T00:50:27.128-08:002009-11-05T00:50:27.128-08:00I'll bring my french press, then we can get ro...I'll bring my french press, then we can get rolling. I'm gonna have to see some IDs...MELI.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01871688353021351859noreply@blogger.com