Feather Brigade

Bike Love on Valentine's Day!

2012-02-14T16:02:00.000+11:00

What do we love on Valentine's Day? We love bikes, we love the people who ride them, we love cycleways and we love Clover Moore! So what better way to show our love and appreciation than to stalk a busy Bourke St Cycleway intersection armed with flowers and lollipops...

A few people were a little afraid of such positive enthusiasm aimed their way, on an early Tuesday morning (this can be an uncommon occurence in car-heavy Sydney), but we got lots of smiles and waves soon enough!

It was great to interact with the bikelists that you normally just pass by and we did enjoy seeing bike traffic at the lights!

There was no alternative motive for us other than to share our enthusiasm for bicycles and to capture some of our community in action using the cycleway...

And while we were there, what better time to deliver one's own Valentine to their love... S-boy travels on Bourke st each day, so we waited and waited...

Then spotted...

And delivered. Ahh romance and bikes!

And to top off a happy, love-filled morning who did we see? Clover Moore - Who could love bikelists more?

Happy Valentine's Day to you and your bike!!

xxxxxx

Bicycle Bliss!

2012-02-07T14:51:00.001+11:00

When I first decided to buy a bicycle in Sydney, 2 years ago, the selection was limited. Bike shops held much of the same stock and finding a nice dutch-style bike was difficult. J-bot bought her beautiful Electra from E-bay at that time, and when I was looking none of the bikes really jumped out and screamed "BUY ME"! S-boy and I ended up buying two cheap bicycles on line, as we weren't sure if we would use them enough to warrant the spending.

Well we used them excessively and then decided to upgrade because bikes had become part of our life.

Last May, I got rid of my car and purchased a beautiful Gazelle Toer Populair with 8 speeds. I couldn't be happier with my bike, it is beautiful to ride and the service I have recieved from Gazelle Bikes Australia has been excellent. However I am amazed now, even less than a year after purchasing my beauty, how many new brands of bicycles have come on the scene. The choice... the variety!

As artist William Morris put it “Not on one strand are all life's jewels strung.”

The most exciting bike store that has recently opened can not be outdone in terms of the variety of jewels it contains within. Even better, the bikes are very reasonably priced due to their loved history. What do I mean? Well Omafiets Dutch Bicycles imports second-hand dutch bikes directly from the Netherlands, this means lots of different quality brands that you may have never heard of and won't find anywhere else in Oz.

Like Omafiets on facebook here.

When it came time for S-boy to upgrade we headed there, even before the official opening. We were like kids in a candy shop. So much choice and features to admire and test ride. We decided on a beautiful Koga Miyata bicycle and bought it there and then. This is a popular brand in Holland but we had never heard of it. I rode it home and am pleased to say I beat S-boy home (him leaving at the same time by car)!

So if you are looking for a bike, Omafiets should be on your list to visit. Here are a few of my faves from their current stock...

http://omafiets.com.au/store/product/133

http://omafiets.com.au/store/product/176

http://omafiets.com.au/store/product/177

http://omafiets.com.au/store/product/49

BVP at SFFN 2012

2012-02-02T15:47:00.000+11:00

If you're in Sydney you'll have noticed that after a week of debilitating humidity, the rainy weather has closed in again, spoiling any "Summer" we might have hoped to experience. For a week or two though, in January, if the clouds didn't necessarily part, the weather at least partly relented, and we enjoyed Sydney Festival.

Like last year, Sydney Festival First Night, with the help of Sydney Cycleways and Bike Sydney set up free Bike Valet Parking, trying to encourage people to leave their cars at home. Considering that a large chunk of the city around Hyde Park and the Domain was closed off to make way for stages, roving performers, swing dancing, etc... two wheels were definitely the preferred mode of transport for a lot of Sydney-siders.

K-star and myself had such a good time last year, we made sure to volunteer early for a shift at Bike Valet Parking. The sun was miraculously out for the day, we had a picnic loaded up to enjoy after our shift, and we had Milky Joe "spoke cards" (read: postcards) ready to "distribute" (read: pimp) among the bikes we parked.

Our two hour shift flew by, almost too fast. We hung out with uber awesome bike peeps, like David from Bike Sydney and all time bike guru, Yogi. We met heaps of people, parked heaps of bikes (perved on heaps of cute bike boys- well, at least I did...) and had heaps of fun. When our shift finished it was only late afternoon, but between our station at Hyde Park and the BVP station in the Domain hundreds of bikes were parked for Sydney Festival First Night! Go Sydney! Towards the end of our shift we whipped the cameras out to take some close-ups of some of the good looking bikes and bike accessories we spied, as well as share the Milky Joe love...

After BVP it was time to relax, hang out with other Sydney-siders in the Domain and enjoy the sunset and the Festival First Night concert. More of these days please!

j.xoxo

Just look!

2012-01-31T22:15:00.001+11:00

Cruising into town the other week for the Sydney Festival and I rode up behind this guy! Check out his cute pommeranian dog hanging out, totally chilled (IN A BABY SLING). So so awesome! I also love the bike and accessories (look at the number plate and cool mirror)...

S-boy has captured a this photo on Bourke Street Cycleway on his way to work. Puppy backpack! Just a bit of imagination and no doubt some training and love, and you and your pet could be on a bikeling adventure...

Do you have a pet that travels with you on a bike? We would love to see a pic! Send any photos to featherbrigade@gmail.com.

Pish Tosh xx

A Bike-riding Picnic Adventure!!

2012-01-14T21:52:00.000+11:00

Our growing kitten, Picnic Jeeves, is now almost 5 months old, happy and healthy... So I think it's time to start bike training! We have taken her around the carpark on the bike before and she had no issues with it, so it's time to give it a serious go. I looked on the net (always a valuable but somewhat dubious source of info) for encouragement and thought I would share the findings with you.

Picnic Jeeves has been playing in our bike baskets since we brought her home.

Look how chilled this cat is.

Ha!

Best use of a helmet ever!

Ummm, not like this...

Just had to put this one up!

Postman Pat and his black and white cat!

So we tried it. Picnic Jeeves is happy to chill out in any basket so we had no problems settling her in. She also loves going for walks on the harness so was happy to be strapped in, snuggly on top of her blanket. If she was to meow or be distressed in anyway we would not be continuing. But again our little cat surprised us. She peered out with her big eyes, and took it all in.

She even started to play! So we headed out onto the street (very quiet streets - no cars) and pedalled slowly around. Picnic Jeeves liked it, she looked around, checking out noises and was comfy and content.

What a superstar cat!! And we are totally amazed that she likes bike riding too!!

A bike-riding Picnic!!

Pish tosh xx

Yeah Girl (c.1890)

2012-01-05T15:14:00.000+11:00

I can't help but steal this from a funny little web comic which I highly recommend everyone wasting an hour or so browsing, Hark, A Vagrant

As the author/artist/creator Kate Beaton puts it, in her commentary "The greatest thing about the invention of the bicycle and ladies starting to ride them is: everything. The clothes! The bikes! The attitude! But perhaps especially: the scads of satirical cartoons made at the time that were supposed to make women look shocking and inappropriate but just makes them look super stylish and badass instead."

And how!

I want in on some of that Mutton-Sleeve action!

j.xoxo

Get Festive... Or Else!

2011-12-21T10:44:00.000+11:00

You'd better not shout.

You'd better not cry.

You'd better be good, I'm telling you why...

Santa Claus is coming to town...

When I was a kid Christmas carols were just Christmas carols, to be sung at things like Carols-in-the-Domain, reasonably innocent, although slightly confusing with their manically joyful songs about fun-loving Santa, and serious, somewhat dour songs about this baby called Jesus. But as I've grown older, and consequently more cynical and bitter, some of these songs have taken on a much more sinister air, as per example above. Lets not even go into frosty the snowman-we'll just say one word: Nightmare. Considering a lot of kids find Santa terrifying anyway (A big, old, fat guy who watches you at night and breaks into your house? What's so scary about that??) I've been thinking Christmas should get a make over... with the help of bicycles!

Christmas Inc. needs to take a course at the school of modern marketing and get on board the bicycle band-wagon.* Because if you can tell one thing from a plethora of recent advertising for all sort of products it's that BIKES SELL!

(Super-Hot-Girls on bikes also helps "sell", but I don't think we need to include S-H-G with Santa's new Image... It'd be all sorts of wrong.)

Cotton On Body has launched it's swimwear range this week, employing the locale of Byron Bay, Dancing Man, hot girls, and bikes of course! Bondi Beach Cruisers have their great trailer also using the holy trinity of girls-beach-bikes (sacrilegious pun intended, sorry god). Even lots of recent car advertising has used bikes, and that's the one that really confuses me, because most car drivers hate bicycles...

Back to XXXmas-

At least with all the pedalling he can work off all of those cookies and ~~milk~~ ~~brandy~~ milk. He might even loose the paunch, get healthy and live for another million years. And that's the story of how bicycles saved Christmas. Yay!

j.xoxo

*A Bicycle Band-Wagon would be very cool.

Oh the freedom...

2011-12-02T13:24:00.001+11:00

Browsing bicycle images on the internet and I was struck by how many feminine hygiene products use bicycles to show how comfortable and active you can be, while suffering the 'womanly curse'. I have put together a collection of ones from different eras. Each one makes me laugh, honestly who creates these commercials? I even include some that didn't have bikes but were too funny to miss!

www.ebay.com

pzrservices.typepad.com
Am I supposed to be at work today?

Getting pushed on bike on sand is just stupid.

For that yodeller behind you...

Do we really have to wear white in order to be free?

www.menstruationresearch.org
She also doesn't care about flashing...

www.kitchenretro.com

Its all about throwing a leg over..

www.mum.org

Still with the bicycles...

pzrservices.typepad.com
Had to make this one big as it's just so so bizarre!

www.flickr.com
This lady could wear anything under that dress and considering the era,
it was probably nappy-sized.No white dress for her!

The picture below is recent. Two girls from Melbourne entered a competition to promote Libra and did so by riding around with a giant tampon on the back of a bicycle and handing out samples. I don't know about you but someone wearing white, riding on horseback or bike and frolicking in some sort of way with a smug smile is not really going to make me pick one brand of femine hygiene product over another. Had the girls below turned their giant tampon into a tampon/rocket launch-pad then maybe I could be persuaded but thats just me.

speakertv.wordpress.com

In researching this blog post and all the commercials of menstruation's past, I was disturbed to discover that I don't know every femine hygiene product still in production. Boys if you don't want to be enlightened, now is the time to stop reading...

www.3.bp.blogspot.com

No not the product in this ad, but I felt someone should have mentioned it to me like this ad is scripted...

This picture below is the only commerical I could find for this product and my face looked as uncomfortable and somewhat disgusted as hers does when I discovered this...

What is it you ask, well its a menstrual cup (google it if you don't know, because I don't really want to explain). And because there are weirdos on the net who crochet tampons just for fun (see below example)..

You can bet that another weirdo will crochet a menstrual cup.

www.whipup.net

Oh yes, check it out.

Image from www.touchinglynaive.wordpress.com

(if you want the pattern its included on their page)

Now how to promote said product you ask? Well you can do what these two girls did and travel across America by bicycle to hand out menstrual cups... Not only that but they take everyone's email addresses who they hand them to so they can check up how they are going... Over-sharers unite!

Read all about their feminine hygiene adventures here: www.sustainablecycles.wordpress.com

The two sustainable cyclists bringing their message of eco-friendly virtue to the world... If I was wearing one of these I think I would be hopping on my bike this awkwardly as well..

So the supposed benefit of these menstrual cups is they are more eco-friendly than tampons but you know so is the pill. The cups are re-usable, just boil them in some water after use. Yep, think of how much fun this would be to do in a share-house, in the kitchen, in a saucepan or living with your boyfriend. And so my final word on this is: be eco-friendly, its a great thing, but do it riding a bike, recycling, growing your own vege patch, the 'Diva Cup' is one carbon-reducing step too much for me.

www.kitchenretro.com

The Stylish Mums of Cycling!

2011-10-30T17:50:00.000+11:00

I am paying homage to some stylish Mums I know who make bikeling part of their lives, despite being busy parents and they do it with flair! In fact I think we should coin the term SMOBs (Stylish Moms on Bikes). Here are a few lovely ladies that we know...

Miss Saskia from Sydney Cycle Chic

Miss Sonja - always elegant and lovely

Miss Chem - Street savy style

In the true spirit of Cycle Chic, these ladies are stylish on or off their bikes. Its riding in what you wear, not dressing to ride.

The perfect name..

2011-10-18T08:27:00.000+11:00

The year of 2011 has been interesting for the Feather Brigade so far. Nearly every event we have organised has been rained out. Strangely this phenomenon only seems to affect our picnics. So we need a sunshine-filled day, just one, to fulfill the desire for bike hangs, park antics, photo pranks and all other types of mischief.

So when J-bot, S-boy and I recently adopted a rescue kitten, what else could we name her but... Picnic Jeeves.

So we will be organizing a Picnic in the next few weeks... So what do you need to get ready? To help us break the curse? Just one thing...

A Picnic basket!

Awww but when you have such a cute kitten, how can you leave her behind?? Well, we haven't been attending bike events while she settles in. But Picnic loves baskets and with a bit more harness practise and a lot of build up, may just be a bicycle-riding cat hero (*please note that this will be strictly up to Picnic Jeeves). She has just the right palate for it too, disregarding all the usual cat treats preferring Brie cheese and prosciutto, both picnic staples!

Pish tosh xxOh and In being the nutters we are,of course Picnic Jeeves has her own Facebook page. Like her here... https://www.facebook.com/pages/Picnic-Jeeves/229616970428153

FABRIC BIKE

2011-09-24T18:34:00.000+10:00

I'll let you in on a little secret... I'm a little bit in love with the girls from The Deadly Nightshades.

Why? Well, their Toronto based (Torontoan? Torontoist? Torontonian? I dunno... someone let me know what the correct term for a Toronto resident is...) bike gang has to be one of the coolest out there. The girls are artsy and craftsy and have a whole bunch of bike love. Plus their gang colour just happens to be my favourite colour, seafoam green! Ummm, are long distance gang memberships available?? 'Cause I want to join!

Their film FABRIC BIKE recently premiered at the New York Bicycle Film Festival, and I'm so excited that it's showing as part of the Urban Bike Shorts programme at our very own Sydney BFF. I can't wait to see the full thing, but until then here's the trailer...

FABRIC BIKE Trailer from The Deadly Nightshades on Vimeo.

There is sooo much happening in the next few weeks, bike and BFF related. It's going to be a busy month, can't wait!

j.xoxo

The Great Helmet Debate

2011-09-20T22:29:00.000+10:00

Oh helmets. To wear or not to wear. Ever since getting back on a bike again I have been confused over the pressure to wear helmets in Australia. Compulsory helmet laws prevent a lot of people from taking up bikeling as a means of transport, after all who wants to end at their destination battling helmet hair? Yes, this is more true for females but it's not vanity so much as looking respectable while out in public, something men's short hairstyles allow for but women's do not.

Pic sourced from www.funcage.com

There is plenty of research for and against helmets. But I believe in personal choice especially in a situation where only I am affected by my choice, I am not putting anyone else at risk.

For me, I never wore a helmet until I recently started commuting to work. Why? Well because I was nervous about commuting and didn't want the extra worry of looking put for police or park rangers on a power-trip.

www.everydaynodaysoff.com

However now I am comfortable with my route, and with riding longer distances everyday and can't help question my choices regarding headwear. Previously when riding bare-headed, I have been at the receiving end of yells from cars and pedestrians shouting "Wear a helmet". This is such a bewildering behavior, and is almost a tourette-like, people who would other-wise be minding their own business suddenly scream at you and then continue on with their day. I am sure the same people do not yell at random strangers otherwise and find it quite amusing why helmets bring this out in people.

www.cycle-helmets.com

So I decided I would stop wearing my helmet for my work commute and to see what reactions I would get. It was an interesting experience. I got the normal abuse, and I do believe people are quicker to yell at women on bikes then men. But I realized what a helmet meant to me - a great safety placebo! And most interesting was the reaction of other cyclists. Helmet-less riders are not taken seriously by fluro or Lycra-clad cyclists alike. Never mind if your bike is decked out with lights and you are wearing a reflective sash, it's all about the helmet. Apparently the helmet will give you a veneer of cycling-respectability in Australia.

Here is an example of conversation I recently had with a helmet-clad cyclist while helmet-free:

Her: Hello

Me: Hello

Her: Did you know you should be wearing a helmet?

Me: Yes, I am aware of that.

Her: Oh but did you know it's illegal?

Me: Yes, but I believe in personal choice.

The light goes green and we ride off, her and her partner (also wearing a helmet) followed by my partner and I who are not. We have to merge into traffic as we get through the lights and while we used hand signals to let the cars know our intentions, they did not and just changed lanes. At the next lights I could not resist...

Me: Did you know you should use hand signals?

Her: no response.

So what's more important here? Obeying road rules, using common sense or just relying on the bit of foam strapped onto your head to provide all the protection you need?

The other conclusion I came to while on the receiving end of car-abuse (this happens if you wear a helmet or not in Sydney generally), is that people in cars over-estimate the protection helmets give cyclists and therefore do not give you adequate room on the road. Car drivers want cyclists to wear helmets so they feel better about not leaving a metre or nearly hitting you.

Cartoon sourced from www.prash.net

So at the end of it all, what conclusion did I come to? Well sometimes I don't mind wearing a helmet and sometimes I do. When I wear my helmet it will not be to make others feel better. To the car drivers who yell out their window - if you are so concerned for my safety you will give me the space I need on the road. To the people who yell and rant at me on the street - you may want to look at your own behavior after all you are screaming at strangers in the street. To the other cyclists - wearing a helmet can be a choice and I will respect your decision so please do like-wise.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lomokev/4692925194/

Happy bikeling!

Pish Tosh xx

Bicycle Songs of the Past

2011-09-11T21:09:00.000+10:00

S-boy with his on-going quest to know every song ever made that's worth listening to, helped me discover this beauty to add to your playlist to ride. The video is not great but the song is and is definitely up in my top five!

Here is the only pic I could find of them. Why weren't these guys more popular?

Pish Tosh xx

Bondi Beach Cruisers

2011-09-11T20:35:00.001+10:00

So I know, I know! It's been a while... Our adventures have been few and far between this wet, windy, busy winter. Pesky real-life gets in the way of our goal to spread the bike love across the population, like some sort of contagious disease- except happier and better dressed, on wheels...

Considering it is now officially not winter (hooray!), I thought it was about time the Feather Brigade shared the love for Bondi Beach Cruisers. If you're on the internets and like bikes, you've probably already seen this, but I feel compelled to re-blog because I love their trailer! What a great vibe! Can't wait for summer. Bare feet, wearing swimmers everyday, picnics, long evenings... Plus the CutCopy soundtrack puts me in a dancey, party mood.

Bondi Beach Cruisers from +61 Collective on Vimeo.

Oh, what a fantasy. Bikes, beach, booze, boys... I now have crazily high expectations for this summer.

Go here for Bondi Beach Cruisers.

Go here for more CutCopy.

Come back here for more bike love. I promise it won't be so long until next time...

j.xoxo

Wild thing!

2011-08-06T15:13:00.006+10:00

Last weekend I was a gorillagram as a surprise for my neice's 18th birthday. It was a hit. When I hired the costume, I found out I had it for the entire weekend. So what else could we do but GORILLA BIKE RIDES AROUND THE PARK!!!
The reactions from the sunny Saturday park-goers were of surprise and then amusement. We took some videos which we will blog later but in the meantime check out the fun we had!

First some Gazelle action...

Then on J-bot's Electra...

Milky Joe enjoyed his ride with dad.

Some sexy monkey moves...

Meditating monkey style...

And for no real reason at all...

All that bike riding made this gorilla more than a little hungry...

Whats your craziest fancy dress that you have ridden your bike in?

Pish Tosh xx

Tweed Ride 2011

2011-08-02T21:20:00.008+10:00

Twas a lovely Sunday, beautiful and sunny which was lucky because we have never dragged ourselves out of bed so early for a bike ride. But this was the Sydney Tweed Ride and our reward was the sight of hundreds of dapper gents and ladies on beautiful bikes descending upon ye old Town Hall...

It was bikeling paradise.

If you must wear a helmet, either own it - like this beauty, or disown it like J-bot (below).

Milky Joe in a Tweed twin-set.

Kidlet tweed.

Stylish quirky attire was matched by the number of gorgeous and eccentric bikes...

OMG!

Bourke Street cycleway had never seen such splendor!

So within two minutes of being at the Tweed Ride, I felt I had developed an attention disorder, so overwhelmed I was by the sheer effort and amount of detail put into each Tweedie's outfit and ride. So I just snapped... loads of pictures that is.

Will, the man who crochets (see scarf!).

So glad Bob Dylan could make it..

Congrats to MC Cyclery and Rocket Fuel for making the day huge as these huge photos prove! They did a splendid job..

Sydneysiders had certainly seen nothing like it as we rode to Tweedom (ha!).

Sydney's most infamous rider!

Believe it or not but the tangerine bike is called 'Dave'.

So what did we wear? Well the big revelation for me was that looking around at the Feather Brigade peeps, we realised that we weren't really dressed different from our normal day wear (see blog). In fact, everyone's clothes were stuff we had in our wardrobes and worn on our bikes before.

So we added parasols to make an effort...

And how should a good Tweed Ride end? With a picnic.. Just follow this dude!

And while aiming for some guerilla tweed action to celebrate our 100th blog, I may have got it a little wrong...

Or maybe just right.

Pish tosh xx

Ride in Reverse!

2011-07-22T14:50:00.003+10:00

Have you checked out Reverse Garbage? It amazes me that some people still haven't heard of the ultimate craft destination for Sydneysiders! I have decorated bikes and share houses from the treasures found within. It's like a magical mystery tour bike ride. This is because Reverse Garbage receive different stuff each week - off cuts from various factories and donations. You never know what you might find, hence the mystery!

Where bikes go to get re-bicycled...

There is a book cave, a record cave and a costume cave as well as sculptures from local artists...

Now don't forget to visit The Bower which is right across the car park. Here you will find old furniture, typewriters and more bike treasures...

Come prepared and bring your own bags, find your own treasure or at least something you can make a treasure out of. Just add imagination!

Pish Tosh xx

More First Wheels

2011-07-09T17:40:00.005+10:00

Following on from the previous post...

My cousin's pretty purple bike. She lives out on a property in country NSW where the land is super flat and she has almost unlimited acres to roll through...

j.xoxo

First Wheels

2011-07-09T17:05:00.005+10:00

Unlike K-star I don't have a fantastic picture of me on my first bike (Unless you count, uh, the rest of this blog- 'cause, you know, Florence is close enough to being my first bike...) Anyway, while digging through old photos I came across this fantastic picture of my mum, my aunty, their cousin, and their superb bike and scooters.

From a time before the "slip-slop-slap" rap...

I was once told by my mum of a time when the three kids decided to take the bike, a scooter, and a billie cart up to the top of the massive hill their street was on. They tied the three vehicles together with a bungee cord and took off down the hill. The billie cart, without brakes, soon flew ahead of the scooter and bike, and managed to overturn- onto the rough gravel road! Somehow they escaped with their skins intact...

Do you remember adventures on your first bike? Were you reckless and fearless? Have any accidents? Did you live at the top of a hill and feel tempted to race down? Share your photos and stories, we'd love to hear them...

j.xoxo

Why would you?

2011-07-05T19:49:00.005+10:00

Last week on Thursday I took the car to work. Yep, I left my bicycle behind and drove. I battled the scary drivers that seem to frequent Cleveland Street through Surry Hills to work. Was it easier, quicker, more enjoyable? Will I be driving more in the future?

More cars made of cake.. I say!

No, and the most simplest reason is time. I assumed like a lot of people driving in a car do... that I was going to get there quicker. Well i did but it was only 5 minutes quicker. Yep 5 minutes. So what is that 5 minutes worth to me?

Well if I was riding my bicycle, those 5 minutes would mean:

I was getting exercise that was fun and meaningful.
I felt alive and part of the world.
I could see the leaves falling from trees and the colours of the sky.
I could smile and engage with others.

In a car those 5 minutes were nothing as I waited at traffic lights looking longingly at others riding through the intersections. And to top it off when I stopped at my cafe for my morning coffee (my regular treat even when riding), I couldn't find a park. So any time gained was lost.

Found a quote to ponder for anyone thinking about that car/bike choice...

"Why should anyone steal a watch when he could steal a bicycle?" ~ Flann O'Brien

Pish Tosh xx

Oh and I forgot to mention that my drive home took 40min. Bikes win against Sydney traffic!!

How much can you carry on your bike?

2011-07-04T22:59:00.004+10:00

So now we have been relying on our bikes more for everyday chores, as well as bikeling to work (we have a car - but are lucky to use it once a week), and it truly is amazing how much you can fit on your bike with a bit of artful arranging!

L-Pop is a prime example of this. Her basket strains under the weight of her enormous bag, but it's all functional!

Not to mention how on a recent bike ride, spontaneous purchases (read absolute bargains - that you can't leave behind), were simply loaded on and actually made life easier then just walking home with said purchases...

Grocery shopping... No problemo! Just make sure you are balanced...

And the bicycle comes in handy, even for the most simplest of chores... S-boy likes to ride the rubbish to the bin (we live in an apartment block) on his way out. Bikes make chores FUN!

Even going to the ATM is easier. Imagine having to find a carpark just to do this!

So next time you need to tackle a chore, go at it on a bike and find yourself smiling with smug satisfaction (as seen below...).

Rainy Days

2011-06-30T18:48:00.005+10:00

I don't know if you've all realised, but it's been a cold, windy and rainy winter so far, and it doesn't look like it's going to let up any time soon. Winter picnics have been few and far between unlike last winter. Instead we've been battling the elements riding around Sydney- but of course, trying to do it in style...

Because we will ride our bikes in all weather, rain, hail, or shine (except hail, perhaps- and preferably shine...), we've put together a quick guide to help you in this inclement weather we've been experiencing.

First up. Don't ruin you beautiful shoes with splashes of dirty gutter water. Gumboots are your friend. Whether they are traditional, colourful, or stylish like these:

Gloves are essential on dark winter mornings to stop you suffering frostbite while the mercury struggles to get above freezing!

Rain coats don't have to be garish. There are some really nice non-seven-year-old-on-their-way-to-school raincoats out there.

Capes! How stylish! How elegant! How functional! There are heaps of capes around at the moment. Some vintage, some brand spanking new, We love them all.

Check out CycleStyle, a lovely Melbourne based online store for cycling paraphernalia. Not only do they have made-to-order capes, but they also provide a Lumatwill option. (Please excuse me while I have a fabric-nerd moment) Lumatwill is a superb fabric that includes luminous yarns in the weaving stage of the fabric's production, so anything made is hi-vis, but made of Saville Row quality wools and tweeds. No need to add stripes of 3M reflective tape to those works of tailored art!

CycleStyles "Jenny" Cape

Dashing Tweed's Lumatwill Cape

CycleStyle also stock “oilskin” pannier and rack/basket friendly bags in bright colours for waterproof portaging... handy!

Lastly, if you're sewing inclined yourself there are some nice sewing patterns for capes from the 50's 60's and 70's floating around on places like Etsy and eBay. They make a nice weekend project while the rain hammers against the windows. My favourites are:

So, don that urban armour against the elements and don't be afraid to get a little damp, it's only water after all...

j.xoxo

Angles

2011-06-30T12:59:00.004+10:00

I have to admit my inner-industrial-designer really likes bikes because of the clean, simple lines. A little bit of close-up, abstract bike frame in a photo produces pretty interesting results...

j.xoxo

A Vivid Night of Lights!

2011-06-06T22:10:00.008+10:00

Wow... We are still recovering from the buzz of our bike ride to Vivid. All our lovely attendees did a fabulous job of pimping up their bikes with lights. Such a good job in fact that many people thought we were part of Vivid ourselves ("What exhibit no. are you?) or trying to sell glow sticks ("How much?"). Believe me we could have made a fortune! The crowds made things a bit difficult when we go to Circular Quay (next year we will head in a bit later), but it was worth it to hear the exclamations of astonishment as we went past and the looks of amazement from small children everywhere! The ride itself was fun, with bells ringing we cruised by gawking bystanders at Darling Harbour and then around the Rocks to Circular Quay! Sadly we did have to park our bikes as their were so many people about but I wonder how many people took a photo of them all locked together lit up like a Christmas tree. Check out the pics...

J-Bot with fairylights on Florence

Darling Fred on his gorgeous new bike... a glow stick bike birthday!

The lovely Sister Abernathy, my girl.

S-boy's ride... trippy like him.

The effervescent Kerry!

Miss Nina's wild ride, more fairylights ta da!

A glow stick attachment frenzy went on and the night only got brighter!

Bike decorations were as individual as their owners!

Even my witch celebrated by donning a light saber.

The gorgeous Kerry, a true lady and our bike-buddy-to-all friend Yogi's ride.

Group Shots!

Then it was time to check out the lights of Vivid while confusing the hoards around us who still thought we were part of the exhibits themselves...

Proof - Kerry takes her bike everywhere!

J-Bot lit up like a Christmas tree next to Darling Fred.

Yogi and Kerry showing us how bikes are always part of the action.

Oh Darling Fred you look so dapper here!

J-bot doing her best impression of the Statue of Liberty.

Customs house... just a little light change makes all the difference.

Bike sweatshop in order to power the lights.

Kerry joined in to help.

Yogi styling it up, working it.

Kerry's most tripper lights.

Miss L-Pop riding in style, nice beanie Miss!

The city looked amazing as did all the other Vivid lights!

Ohhh thank you to everyone for coming and making a Feather Brigade dream come true. Ever since we got our bikes we have wanted to do an insane Bike Light up, and well you all made it happen spectacularly. We can't wait to do it to our bikes again!

Pish Tosh xx

Our Market Mayhem Ride!

2011-06-06T19:56:00.005+10:00

We are regular Market shoppers on bikes so when we heard that the Finders Keepers Markets were going to be on at Carriage Works, we decided to make a day of it! So with a group of friends we headed over to check out the action and do what we do best... bike ride and bargain hunt!

Kerry, our most colourful cycling friend.

My beautiful sister K-sun.

It was incredibly busy as you can see from the pics. Luckily we had no trouble finding a park unlike all the cars milling around. After looking around and oohing and aching over all the lovely stalls, we escaped in style to Glebe markets for lunch and a rummage!

Bargains of the day included a hat... leather jacket and a bow headband that matches the panniers on Kerry's bike.

Our friend E-lis is out of bike practice but did very well riding our spare feathered bike...

That's not fear, but a look of determination and grit. Basically what E-lis is made of!

Inspired by her success at riding our out-for-council-dump-look-what-I found-bike, we all took turns when we got home around the carpark...

A very enjoyable day with great friends!

Pish tosh

Aaah... listen to what is on Rage just now!

2011-06-03T23:50:00.003+10:00

So sorry Architecture in Helsinki that I did not buy tickets to your show for Vivid. I went to Spiritualized instead. They were great too but watching Rage just now and seeing this clip made me so grry that I have solemnly vowed to go to your next show no matter how poor or woeful I am. And to make matters worse Architecture in Helsinki heart bicycles... a lot.

I would do the same if someone took my bike away...

Pish Tosh xx

Vivid - Night of Lights!

2011-05-23T13:21:00.004+10:00

Huzzah, it's that time of year again where Sydney dresses up in colourful lights for The Vivid festival. We have decided to do the same for our bikes and are planning crazy bike decorations with fairy lights and glow sticks for our own vivid ride in to see the sights! If you would like to come along our Facebook event page has all the details required. We would love to see you!

Photo sourced from travelpod.com

Photo hand-selected from the Daily Telegraph

Photo dug up from mecho.com

Photo uncovered at wandermelon.com

The photos from previous years look marvelous. This year, the Opera House lights up again, as well as a fire/music display at Campbell Cove, light sculptures at Circular Quay and Customs House. The Rocks Market will also be on.. great to pick up an easy dinner to eat while watching the lights. So rug up warm, bring your friends and join in the fun!

www.dvice.com

Photo unearthed at bidorbuy

Photo delivered from prime.org

Photo sourced from bog

Supposedly from sites.google.com

Photo from a dude on flickr

Photo again found at prime.org

So have we inspired you to break out your inner-raver? Or at the very least to come along? Remember to RSVP here bike-lovers!

Woop Times Two

2011-05-17T21:44:00.009+10:00

So many photos from the Woop Rolling Festival last weekend! Going through another camera I've found some more photos that showed off the crowds and the scenes on the cycle way. Eventually we'll have to get the rolls of film developed too, then we'll have Woop, Edition Three!

Like K-star said, the Autumn sun has such a lovely effect, the glare of the sun in the pictures making everything sharp and bright. Here are just a few of my favourite scenes and sights along Bourke St Cycleway.

Locking up outside the Beresford for a lunch break.

Bike gang assembles. L-pop and S-I-am.

Beautiful Bourke St.

The Hopetoun Hotel.

Bike traffic jams! Incredible!

Fantastic space and a huge old mirror at Lo-Fi Markets above Kinsellas.

Getting there and back through an empty Sydney Uni.

My new favourite colour, Cycleway Green...

Lovely terraces lining the cycleway.

One of my faves...

It's a bike riding bonanza with Woop last weekend and Finders Keepers on at CarraigeWorks this weekend. If you want to hang with the gang, check out le facebook, we're going to have a short and sweet, leisurely ride from Everleigh to Glebe. With markets at either end and probably picnic relaxing, I can't think of a more perfect Saturday...

j.xoxo

Wooping it up for the Woop Rolling Festival!

2011-05-16T20:40:00.008+10:00

It was a beautiful crisp Autumn day, the kind where the colours of the leaves and the sky seem more vivid than ever before. Add to this the colours of 1000+ bikes and their owners and you have a festival of delights! On Sunday the Feather Brigade headed to the most joyous of events and the first of it's kind in Sydney... the Woop Rolling Festival, held along the cycle way of Bourke street from Waterloo to Woolloomooloo (approx 4km). Our heads were spinning from looking at everyone while we pedaled along... Bike culture was everywhere!

So with our bike gang we set out to ride and to ride in style... And well if we bewildered the few serious, grim cyclists along the way... all the better!

J-Bot

S-boy

K-star

L-pop

S-I am

Milky Joe... crocheted bike-loving monkey friend!

We bumped into our Sydney Cycle Chic buddies, looking very busy and working hard helping children to bling their bikes!

The ever-busy Miss Saskia!

And the gorgeous Miss Sonja!

We watched in admiration at the hard work of bike friend to all -Yogi, who always works tirelessly at bike events. He was the bike mechanic of choice, and he was at it non-stop. Big thanks Yogi!!

We bumped into bikeling friends from other days.. and made some new ones who we hope to see again!

There were street entertainers, a vintage bike display (Wolfies), and unicyclists. Gotta love unicyclists!

There were cute matching outfits...

And loads of lovely eye-candy to admire...

Tokyo Bikes, always stylish!

Oh look I had to put mine in there.. ha ha!

Then there was this dude... Awesome!

Here we are wooping it up with sweets from Bourke St Primary's Cake Stall. YUM!

The Festival attracted people across a broad spectrum, and was family friendly. Clover Moore - Bikeling Superhero was there, gosh we really have to make her a cape to wear!

There is always time for bike love on cycleways xx

Aaaw shucks!

We made time to shop of course, checking out Sable and Argent as well as the LoFi Markets.

Then we wooped it up on the way home... cool tricks on bad bikes!

Big thanks to I heart Sydney Bike Lanes and Cycleways for all the effort put into making a great day! And should you want to keep the cycle vibe going why not join us for our upcoming Market Ride or follow us on Facebook.

Bikeling to Work!

2011-05-14T23:40:00.003+10:00

I have recently started a new job and this week has been my first week of commuting there on my bike. I used to ride to my old job but considering it was in the same suburb that I live in, it was hardly long enough to be classed as commuting. My new job is 8.6 km each way and takes me around 40 min to do. It's quite a scenic and pretty ride at times so I thought I would post up a few pics of what I see along the way...

Sydney Uni

Everleigh

Redfern

Bourke Street, Waterloo

Bridge to nowhere and everywhere.

Through one park...

And then another.

Lycra in the park still seems wrong.

Here I am bike commuter!!

Just gorgeous... sigh

Aaah Centennial Park... so nice to cruise through!

Morning coffee at Randwick.

So as you may have seen in the picture, I wear a helmet to work. Why..? Well, J-bot and I are quite anti-helmet orientated, but I have made the decision to wear one on the ride to work for two reasons and both have nothing to do with safety. Number one: I don't want to be harassed by cops on my way or looking out for them when I should be concentrating on the road. Number two: ditto for the rangers in Centennial Park who are worse then the police, and who puff themselves full of importance and lecture you endlessly while giving you the fine. I go through the park every day I work, so I really don't want to be paying through the nose for the no-helmet privilege!

So when I found out about the Punk Commute - anti-helmet protest. I say count me in. Helmets blah! I work as a Nanny but I don't want to live in a nanny state, thank you.

I like my commute... I don't like helmets or potholes but that's ok, they don't like me either.

Pish tosh xx

Why Lycra shall remain forever b-grade!

2011-05-03T12:04:00.005+10:00

I am making a bold statement with a blog heading like the above, but I am standing firmly by it for two reasons.

1) The pictures below;

Unflattering bulges...

Photo sourced from rootsimple.com

Hungry bum syndrome...

Camel toe issues...

Photo found at a forum website.

What about a designer take on cycling lycra? Still ugly!

Pic from lutsdream.

Well then how about a wardrobe staple like denim in lycra form..? Still NO!

www.bicycles.net.au

2) Lycra cyclists rarely seem to smile whilst cycling making them look grim and a bit like a cyborg...

www.fr2day.com

In fact in my mind they closely resemble T1000.

Still I persisted, in the vain hopes of finding some sort of lycra cycle wear that looked good. I looked very hard but this was the best I could find. Rainbow gloves - great for hand signals!

www.thatsbadass.com

I think I will stick to lycra in my swimsuits only. If you can find a better pic, we would love to see it!

Pish Tosh xx

Trailing the Streets!

2011-04-20T21:01:00.004+10:00

Just recently in Sydney a great event unlike no other occurred. Of huge excitement to us bargain hunters and op shop trawlers was the "Garage Sale Trail". The community at large was invited to register their garage sale for the 10th April. We were all invited to do it by bike by all the great bicycle organisations here. Good idea, but like we needed any encouraging. Bah!

Here is a pic of us all meeting at the pre-arranged stop...

Cargo bikes were brought along for the shopping extravaganza... Someone would have made good use of them surely!

But an actual group ride didn't eventuate. Was this a problem..? No way! It all added to the thrill and camaraderie of the day. I mean who wants to descend on a garage sale with 20 or more people in tow and then battle to look at each seller's personality laid bare on a rug, table or rack? I was lucky enough to go with S-boy (ultimate bike minder) and Darling Fred (our elegant friend with excellent map skills).

It was much more enjoyable to search for treasures in small packs... To ride on up with a smile and to ring your bell and wave at the other cyclists about. I took the opportunity to photograph mighty fine bikes throughout the day...

A Gazelle special!

This one was actually for sale!

How good is the colour?

It was an enjoyable, colourful day. But the best part for me was the very pleasant vibe that perpetrated through the day. There was a lovely neighborhood feel, the sellers were all happy to have stalls and chat to their visitors. Some streets had a party vibe going with balloons and music.

So what did we find? Darling Fred did himself proud with a bike rack for his apartment for an itty bitty sum. I found jewelry and a ridiculous giant tulle skirt (inspired by J-Bot's tutu-wearing bike shot). But my ultimate best purchase especially since it is bike related is pictured below...

Admire how well it works on Sister Abernathy!

We covered a lot of sales on the day and a lot of ground. There was no better way. Too many parking problems for cars and too much time lost walking. We heart the City of Sydney's community initiatives!

Photo found at the clydesdale project

Pish Tosh xx

Pedal pushers

2011-04-17T18:19:00.006+10:00

I have been following a blog called 'Rides a Bike'. It has great photos of celebrities on bicycles. All are fashionable and most are old film stars which makes it's followers sigh with contentment at their classic ever-lasting style and grace... That is until we, the Feather Brigade, feel a bit mischievous and feel the need to find pictures of celebrities that we don't necessarily want to see with a bike added or not.

So here is our version titled 'B-Grade Celebrities who don't get any better even when pictured with a bike'.

Harrison Ford and Britney, pretty and personality matching?

Pics from lauratoogood and from www.susty.com

Sophie Monk and Phil Spector... scary individuals on bikes.

Photo from lowriderbike. Pic sourced from flickr.

Nick Nolte.. perhaps after he lost his license.

Picture sourced from where it says...

George Bush... please someone tell him what to do. He looks (as usual) lost.

Picture collected from bildungblog.

Billy Ray Cyrus. I am just bummed I couldn't find a pic of him with the mullet riding the bike. Aaargh!

Achy breaky photo sourced from zimbio.

Pamela Anderson... Look at this picture. It is obviously warm weather hence the shorts and t-shirt. Ugh boots in this weather while riding are ugh indeed and one can only imagine the sweaty toe action here.

Pic from yellowbikecompany

Prince Charles.. Clearly a toff.

Photo pilfered from celebrity2day.

Donald Trump... where is his birth certificate??

Pic trumped from somewhere in cyberspace.

Tony Abbot (Australian politician who 'likes' his daughters way too much).

Pic picked from ninemsn.

Justin Bieber... all artful hair and testosterone. Donald Trump, Tony Abbot and Prince Charles could learn a thing or two.

Photo reluctantly sourced from blastro.

Lindsay Lohan... Town-bike on bike in town? Too mean?

Pic found at couturecandy.

Charlie Sheen home from another bender. Yes this is a doctored pic but its Charlie Sheen and he is the ultimate B-Grade Celebrity alright?

Photo powered by 'Tiger Blood' and sourced from nerd nirvana.

Arnold... pumping iron, riding alloy.

Pic discovered at blogcollections.

Barbie. Plastic fantastic...

Sourced from binbin.

And even more plastic fantastic... the ultimate B-Grade celebrity.. FABIO (the bike is there somewhere, but look its FABIO!).

Pic gleefully found at sodahead.

Mischief done. Pish tosh xx

I'm with the Band...

2011-04-11T16:01:00.005+10:00

Vivid is coming to town boys and girls, and I have to admit I have a soft spot for this festival. Apart from the great vibe as everyone wanders Sydney between one light/art installation and the next, there's always a pretty good line up of bands... and this year is no different.

One of my all time faves is coming to town, ms. Bat herself for Bat for Lashes.

Tame Impala will be doing their psychedelic thing on stage.

Spiritualized are playing too.

ahem.. It's the best i could find.. ahem..

And even everyone's favourite (bizarre) kids television show Yo Gabba Gabba.

So if you've picked up on a theme, very astute of you... there are of course more bands in the line up, but these were the one's I could find doing their thing on two wheels. I highly recommend checking out what's on 'cause there are some excellent bands and dj sets happening.

j.xoxo

Bike Music

2011-03-22T13:05:00.007+11:00

It's time for Bike Music Tuesday! So named because this blog contains bike music and its Tuesday...

We have the earnest...

www.thefeeling.com

The travelling...

bakfiets-en-meer.nl

The angsty band shot...

(Listen to Wildbirds & Peacedrums here)

And a picture from a bicycle music festival (Great idea for sydneysiders!!)

Photo courtsey of www.seattlebikeblog.com

The super nerdy...

Australian cycle group 'The Cyclogists'

And the musos for who the bicycle becomes their instrument...

Frank Zappa as a 'musical bicyclist'
image courtsey of www.worldsstrangest.com

Then the somewhat whimsical bikeling interpretation by Elmo...

And to end Bike Music Tuesday... the ever so cool Queen song...

Enjoy! Pish Tosh xx

Inspiration...

2011-03-22T12:46:00.005+11:00

I love Winter. Love it. Love love love! J-bot is the opposite - a huge fan of summer. So when I found this pic of a cape with feathers well it had to be blogged...

via tfs; photographed by Tommy Ton and styled by Aurora Sansone

Not exactly practical for riding a bike... so maybe a toned down version like the one below.

The Lumatwill Cape from Dashing Tweeds

Think bicycle superhero... think cape this winter...

Photo courtsey of unreality mag

Okay don't think bicycle superhero... that may involve the dreaded lycra. So here is a real life bicycle hero... maybe we should be making her a cape?

Photo courtsey of dynamic business

Congratulations to Clover Moore for getting re-elected as Lord Mayor of Sydney. Cycleway Superhero!!

Happy Birthday!

2011-03-19T16:03:00.006+11:00

Yesterday was J-Bot's birthday. What do you get a girl who rides a bike called Florence?

This...

Photo from www.spoke.ie

Except we don't wear helmets and I couldn't find the shop that sells it. So the next obvious choice is a pink ukelele... duh!

This easily could be going to be J-bot's first album cover except that she is stiving to become an angsty ukelele artist like this girl...

Now lets compare...

Hmmm J-Bot you have a little way to go yet. Especially when adding your bike into the mix and while wearing your favourite 5-year-old-party-dress.

I tried to find some inspiration for you. I think you will be pleased with the muses I have found for you. To help you identify your own ukelele style!

Elvis is always a classic as is this dapper dude in the suit.

Photo courtsey of humblebaritonics.blogspot

Photo sourced from flavors.me/loveslinus

Photo sourced from guardian.co.uk

What did surprise me was how well ukeleles and bikes go together. Check out this about bikes and ukeleles.

Photo courtsey of bikeandukelele.wordpress.com

I wish you a very happy birthday... and hope you get as much enjoyment out of your ukelele as you do your bike. Only sorry I couldn't get you cake on your birthday so here is a pic of the next best thing!

Photo from katerydesigns.blogspot.com

Pish Tosh xx

Bike Rendezvous!

2011-03-16T12:18:00.004+11:00

Its Friday night... you don't feel like hitting the town but you want out. You want dinner. You want waterfront dining. But you don't feel like lining up, paying through your nose or being overlooked by overworked waiters. What do you do? What do you do?

Photo sourced from www.vintagegent.com

Organise a bike rendezvous is what you do!

How? Its simple... Find friends with bikes, pick up a takeaway dinner and drinks and then ride to a waterfront location to be merry!

Halt fellow cyclists with your wit and charm and ask them to pose for photos!

Jai demonstrating her wit and charm perfected through many hours of practice.

Some lovely people we stopped...

Tawny and her delightfully blurry companion below...

And YAY for low riders with tassels and night bike riding with friends!

Pish Tosh xx

Bike Tart

2011-03-09T22:46:00.005+11:00

I love my bike. I do. But I have become a bike tart. Why? Because I am breaking up with my bicycle, poor Hildegarde. She did nothing wrong. It wasn't her it was me. Truly.

Hildegarde and I in happier times.

The story is that I thought about buying a new bike when Hildegarde was in the shop getting a new back wheel. I strayed... I shopped around... I, oops, bought a new bike. So I hope that Hildegarde will be loved by her new owner (whoever they may be) and I will always think fondly of her. Maybe with time the guilt will subside...

This cat is wearing my current guilty facial expression...

Sooo now, meet Sister Abernathy. She is my new shiny, beautiful bicycle from Gazelle bikes. I am not fickle people, I plan to stick with this one and for good reasons. Such a smooth riding experience, easy gear changes and in a lovely upright position to cruise along. As a new bike, Sister Abernathy may need some character building but I think I can manage that. The witch has already been added.

J-bot and I are both fans of Dutch bikes for obvious reasons, so if you are thinking of going that way I suggest you check out Gazelle's range of bikes. And say hi to Paul at Gazelle for us, he is the most helpful man on the planet and knows his stuff! As for Sister Abernathy and I, we will be riding off into the sunset happily ever after!

Pish tosh xx

Bike Dress Ups!

2011-02-28T12:48:00.005+11:00

So what do you do when a bike magazine wants pictures of you? Breakout the girliness - it was time to play dress ups! Now these pics are only a slight exaggeration of what we wear on our bike but we always want to push the limits of 'cycle wear'.

Yep, that is a tutu.

Yep, that is a kimono and a bad 80's dress.

Add props to make it look all the more impractical...

Remember good bike baskets for lugging your wardrobe around in.

And to give yourselves high-fives for no particular reason other than cheesiness.

This blog post was inspired by Sarah Wilson's blog post "What to wear on your bike?". Our answer is obvious... Anything you damn well want, GRR!

Send us a photo of your zaniest, wildest, craziest outfit that you have ever worn on a bike. You could win a signed poster of everyone's favourite monkey Milky Joe! Send pics to featherbrigade@gmail.com

Pish Tosh xx

We're All Going on a Summer Holiday

2011-02-20T19:15:00.011+11:00

slip, slop, slap!

A few weeks ago K-star and I decided to go on a Summer excursion, and knowing Manly is such a bike-centric area, we planned to spend the day in the ocean and spread a little Feather Brigade love over on the northern beaches. It just happened to be one of the hottest days of the summer, perfect weather to loll in the water and sip slurpees as we watched the cycling ladies and dudes of Manly cruise by.

We handed out our (infamous) calling card to a few bikes, took some silly photos, spent more time in the water then made our way home in the lovely afternoon light, via the Manly ferry of course.

Oh, Manly! What a beaching and bikeling nirvana. If it was possibly I'd spend all my time in a permanent summer, by the beach... and only a little bit because of things like this guy...

j.xoxo

Its a Party on a Bike!

2011-02-18T21:02:00.006+11:00

So in the mood for shopping... a little bike crazy and have a spare $180000 (AUD) to spend? Look no further friend. Your ultimate bike purchase awaits...

"The 7 SEATER CIRCULAR CONFERENCE BICYCLE"

Look, just look at the enjoyment on these people's faces. One person steers, everyone pedals and everyone has FUN! This has to be the best offer discovered on EBAY! (link to actual ad).
Described as 'The most enjoyment you will have with your pants on!' and 'This bike is a license to print money'.

Suggested uses include 'Team Building Excercises'.

Sometimes Rowan wished he wasn't self-employed... sigh.

So what are you waiting for?? Bid now. You could bike pool to work! You could be the team to beat at bike polo. You could have a picnic while riding (comes with table attachment). You could give 7 rude gestures to cars. You could, you could, you could! But remember to take us for a spin too friend!

Pish tosh xx

A Basket Case!

2011-02-14T20:50:00.005+11:00

Ever since I have had my bike I have also developed a compulsion for purchasing baskets. This has to STOP! Our apartment now has baskets in every nook and cranny and on top of each other. ENOUGH!

Our original bike baskets - decorated of course!

But how can I stop when there is so many great (and cheap) baskets out there... perfect for bikeling around with? The answer is to tell you (yes YOU!) where to buy them so that the temptation is removed.

"Trumpets sound"

So here is my secret.... VINNIES. Yes St Vincent De Paul (charity op shop for those not in the land of Oz). I took photos to prove it.

And more...

All of these baskets are being sold for less than $8. Crazy! Thats cheaper than lunch or lunch!

Here is some I have already purchased in my compulsive shopping cycles...

When you also happen to find shoes in your size that look great at the same time...

*Its an added bonus"*Huzzah!

They are great for decorating... (see J-Bot's Art-Attack!).

Here is E-gg's basket (also purchased at Vinnies that is still at our place *hint) waiting for her...

All you need is a back rack and an occy strap or two and off you go!

Milky Joe loves travelling in them too...

Baskets are fabulous for picnicking and can hold all sorts of treasures. Like Silly String... fun in a can!

Surely I have sold you on this by now.

Save me and please, please, please buy the baskets... !

Pish tosh xx

Uncycling or Unicycling?

2011-02-09T13:46:00.006+11:00

Ahh my bike... two wheel fun! I was caught unawares last week while out. Walking down a quiet suburban street in Glebe when a unicyclist passed me travelling on the road. He skillfully turned a corner and then avoided on coming cars. What?!?

Forgive me for my lack of unicycle knowledge but having only seen unicycle acts performed for entertainment (say clowns and those high-pant-wearing-fire-swallowing-juggling-carnies) and not as any form of transport. I had no idea you could propel so well along and without going backwards to stay upright. And of course that is providing you have more coordination and balance then I could ever hope for. I immediately told J-Bot who told me of seeing a LYCRA-CLAD-HELMET-WEARING UNICYCLIST at Manly on the weekend. Photo? Nooo, but she told how he rode casually weaving around traffic up the main street. Whoa!

I have found a photo to recreate this for you here:

This just proves that Lycra looks bad no matter what you ride.

So after registering my disbelief with J-Bot that these people exist I did some research on my numerically-wheel-challenged fellow cyclist. Here is what I discovered...

I found the entertainment types:

Clowns / Trippers

But then I found the riders. People who do it for the challenge, the skill and the means of getting from A to B or to Iceland. Yep Iceland. Check out Florian Kaiser's epic unicycle ride across Iceland. Why? Why ? Why??

So I googled crazy unicyclists.

Hmmm not helping but fitting.

I wondered if I could learn to unicycle to aid my understanding and my balance.

Aaah perfect.

But I needed some inspiration. I wonder if any celebrities have made unicycles look good?

Donald Rumsfeld and Jesus?

Not really, so I tried to think of the positive aspects of unicycling. Then I tried harder and googled more...

Less lycra was a must:

But it all looked so awkward. I mean what do you do with your hands?

Better! But where do you store that? I like this idea...

I am still craving handlebars though. If I was a man I would grow this:

And then hold on to it. Aaah the joys of a handlebar moustache! Like a low rider!
Then thinking of body hair I came up with my rule:

2 Eyebrows - 2 Wheels.

I mean there are just some things you should have two of!

Maybe if I googled feminine unicyclists...

This one reminds me that unicycles are funny and makes
male chauvinism even more funny.

But then I found girls. Gangs of girls. Gangs of girls getting around on unicycles. Check out this group from Japan!

It combines the glory and wonder of sychronised swimming, the atmosphere of gymnastics and cheerleading and when you think it can't get any better it adds unicycles. Perfection!

So while I don't profess to understand it and might occasionally have nightmares about this becoming trendy in Sydney, I do bow my head in respect to the balance-elite, the unicyclist. Although we always have to put the Feather Brigade twist on things...

Like baskets and spokey dokes, pinwheel hats and wings!! And tutus and, and, anything just might be possible...

P.S. Aldi stores in Sydney are currently selling unicycles for $69.95. And ebay is full of them. Oh and I am still yet to click a snap of this elusive breed of cyclist so if you manage to... send a pic our way PLEASE!

Pish Tosh xx

Bike in Lights!

2011-01-28T14:16:00.005+11:00

Summer in Sydney is sweltering... What good reason could there be to go for a bike ride in 33deg heat and 78% hummidity? To see your name in lights of course for the Sydney Festival or in our case our crocheted monkey Milky Joe's name!

To get there was a sweaty but enjoyable ride. S-boy practised his Tour de France waterbottle moves...

Whereas I just glistened...

We arrived and camped out in the 1 metre patch of shade we found. Phew!

While we waited for the big moment to arrive Milky happily posed for pictures.

And tried on new names that sounded cool...

Then it was time... Milky Joe SUPERSTAR!!

Then just for fun, our bike names came up...

(Florence miraculously appeared in spirit!)

Then ta da... The coolest bike gang in the world...

Oh the exhilaration, the overwhelming 15 seconds of glory. How can we ever top this? Oh thats how... by hitting the pool as soon as we got home. Good work Milky Joe!

P.S. I have to include a photo of this guy who we spotted on the way home. This is not the first time I've seen him but it is the first time I was quick enough with my camera to capture him. He rides around Darling harbour with the mask on, the mirrors and the flags creating a stir by tooting randomly at people. Nuisance or bike advocate? Hmmm...

Pish Tosh xx

Everyone loves bubbles!

2011-01-21T21:00:00.006+11:00

Okay so the big moment has arrived... it arrived in the form of a parcel from Ebay (as do all great things). With an air of anticipation, batteries were inserted, okky strap attached, mixture poured in.
Add one bike and then...

It is time for the launch of the ultimate summer bike accessory:

A BUBBLE MACHINE ON THE BACK OF MY BIKE!!!

As we took it a spin around the park, every single person we passed smiled as soon as they saw the bubbles. Proving my theory EVERYONE LOVES BUBBLES!

Here is J-Bot and the S-Boy looking cool riding into the bubble stream...

Looking pretty damn chuffed with my "Ultimate Bike Accessory" (or "U.B.A").

Warning* - one may be overcome with an overdose of bubble happiness as seen here happening with J-bot and Milky Joe..

There will be more photos soon... and a possible cult following!

Pish tosh xx

Bike Valet Team is GO!

2011-01-16T18:39:00.008+11:00

Oh, Sydney Festival, how I love how it transforms the city every summer. Parks become gig venues, streets host art installations, bands and artists from all over the world descend on the city so that every night something is happening. There is a really laid-back sense of pride that our city can be so beautiful and livable.

In the spirit of promoting a sustainable and livable etc. city, K-star and I decided to give a little back to the Syd Fest and volunteered for the fabulous free Bike Valet service that Bike Sydney arranges. (At the very least we thought we'd be able to get a bit of shameless self promotion done...) The bike valet corral is located behind the main stage at the Domain and central to most of the events and venues, you can roll along and drop your bike off and not have to worry about finding a pole/tree/bike park ring.

Yogi was our fearless leader and provided us with lollies, crackers, and ensured we had the skills to park bikes without hurting anyone/thing.

K-star and I soon got down to the serious job of parking bikes, with clipboards and surveys and all. We made sure to practice being efficient and professional.

Then we actually parked some bikes...

Meeting bike people is always fun and there was such a broad cross-section of the cycling community out and about on Saturday evening. If we parked your bike let us know! Did we do a sufficient job? Were we professional, efficient, and friendly? Were you a little freaked out about leaving your bike with some (strange) girls who had flowers and feathers stuck in their hair?

Were you slightly more relieved to see some more responsible looking people valet parking with us, like our previously mentioned supervisor extraordinaire Yogi, and our other valet volunteer Martin?

Martin (bemusedly) looking on as J-bot practices her clipboard/inter-personal skills

Once the lights went down and the music started up, we found we had plenty of time to entertain ourselves and others with some disco light action. Martin's superb photographic skills came into play when we decided we needed a photoshoot.

Our valet parking shift was over before we knew it. If you're thinking about volunteering I highly recommend it. Hang out for a few hours, make some friends, and if you're at all like-minded, dress up a bit! A great night out!

j.xoxo

Yes Please

2011-01-16T18:06:00.003+11:00

Bike + Cider. Favourite things of summer...

j.xoxo

Clog Blog

2011-01-05T20:58:00.003+11:00

Summer sunset rides:

Summer sunset rides around the harbour:

Summer sunset rides around the harbour and running into our friend N, the best dj ever:

Summer sunset rides around the harbour, running into our friend N, the best dj ever, and having a pit-stop for massive shoe sales:

$5 CLOGS! (we might have gone a little overboard, but they were $5, they needed a good home, and we managed to fit them all onto the bikes so it's A-Okay!)

j.xoxo