Happy Holidays

Bike Fancy is on Winter Holiday!  Please browse the archives, and look out
for lots of new photos in the New Year.

Leavitt Ave. and North Ave, Chicago ,IL

I ran into this lady while walking my pup.  I didn't have a chance to get her 

name, but when I asked her how the ride was, she said it's not 

that cold, just snowy.

Heather, Chicago Ave. and Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL

Heather Rides a Surly Cross-Check Road Bike.

Cycling Tip from Heather: Don't be afraid of the cold.  

Throw on lots of wool and get riding.

Martha of Bike Fancy, West Town, Chicago, IL

With snow on the ground, cycling has become a much messier endeavor.  I'm preaching the gospel of thick wool socks to anyone that will listen.  I've got some new cold weather running tights that are a nice back up for my wool long johns and a little sleeker.  (I've got some "wet" leggings layered over).  I'm hoping for some real winter boots for christmas, in the meantime, I'll keep ruining my vintage boots from ebay.  

*** I'm running low on my reserve of photos, so tell all of your cycling friends I want to take their picture!  Email me at: mafaw1@gmail.com.  

I will also be stalking the bike lanes, so look fancy ; )

Samantha, North Ave. and Oakley St., Chicago, IL

Samantha rides a WorkCycles Oma from The Dutch Bike Co. on Armitage

Cycling Tip from Samantha: Wear windproof/waterproof gloves or mittens for winter riding, and always carry a bungee cord. Always. They're more useful to carry around than possibly even an allen wrench. 

** check out Samantha's cycling blog  Ding Ding Let's Ride

Julie D., Jackson St. at 90/94, Chicago, IL

Julie rides a 2007 Raleigh Rush Hour road bike.

Julie's Cycling Tip:  Get some snow tires, fenders and proper clothing to stay warm:  

ride all winter long.  The roads aren't as bad as you might think. 

** Another tip from Julie:  Check out this amazing local charitable organization

www.worldbicyclerelief.org/

 

Lauren V., N Leavitt St., Chicago, IL

Lauren rides a vintage Schwinn cruiser, but sorely misses her stolen vintage black ladies' Dunelt.

Cycling Tip from Lauren:  Especially if you have decent tires, winter biking isn't nearly as scary as it sounds. Just budget some extra time and bundle up with lots of layers.

Jasmine, W Iowa St, Chicago, IL

Jasmine rides an aluminum frame Trek with, carbon fork and aluminum handlebars from Working Bikes Coop

Cycling Tip from Jasmine: If you are cold, bike harder.

Taryn, N. Fairfield Ave., Chicago, IL

Taryn rides a Vintage Gazelle Populair Dutch Style Step-through.

Cycling Tip from Taryn: Not everyone has a fast bike or wants to ride like Lance Armstrong, so have some patience for those of us on the commuter bikes or cruisers who might just be enjoying the ride.

Shay, Sacramento and Diversey, Chicago, IL

Shay rides a Single speed early 70's Peugeot road bike she calls Claudette.

Cycling Tip from Shay: Get to know the folks at your local bike shop.  It's especially nice if the shop offers a ladies' night like West Town Bikes.  It's so great to be able to go in and work on my bike with a bunch of awesome women to help and give advice.

Megan K., N Oakley Ave., Chicago, IL

Megan Rides at Gary Fisher Simple City 8 named Francis with a a rear internal hub and front basket.

Cycling Tip from Megan: Avoid alleys in the winter. The city doesn't plow or salt the alleys and with a little precipitation they quickly turn into dangerous ice slicks.

Note: The steel basket on Megan's bike is large enough to haul most things she needs.  Since she doesn't own a car, she does all her shopping by bike.

** Check out Megan's travel blog at  me-go.net

Amanda, N. Hoyne Ave., Chicago, IL

Amanda rides a rebuilt, mid 80's, single speed, 430 St. Tropez.  It has bullhorn handlebars flipped and cut for an upright position.

Cycling Tip From Amanda: invest in a couple of good smartWool socks.  You can pretty much wear all types of shoes and keep those toes warm.

Martha of Bike Fancy, Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL

Photo: Andrew Nawrocki

Winter weather has hit and all day it was hovering around freezing.  In the winter weather I love my Sugoi outer shell, my Detours TOOCAN bag, and my 100 % merino wool tights. Good wool tights are as warm as jeans, and look great with dresses.   I also have a ridiculous amount of thrifted thin wool and cashmere sweaters to layer with.  The snow is coming so hopefully I will have some fun winter bike photos to post on Monday.

Shar, N. Clybourn, Chicago, IL

Shar rides a 2009 Masi Speciale with bull horns which keeps her torso upright and comfortable.

Cycling Tip from Shar:  I ride in all types of weather, so having the right layers for rain, snow, wind and heat is important. All my jackets are set for rain, wind and all temperatures. Being able to bundle up and shed some layers or unzip an air vent is great. It keeps me prepared and comfortable no matter what.

Jessica, Division St., Chicago, IL

Jessica rides a Schwinn Sport 10-speed converted into a single speed with glider seat and handle-bars.

Cycling Tip from Jessica: stick to bike-friendly streets and wear a helmet (even though I am not wearing one here)

Emily, Wood St. and Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL

Emily rides a Schwinn Le Tour frame with a teal powder coat.

Cycling tip from Emily:  Be courteous and stop at stop lights- gaining respect from drivers is the fastest way to make things safer on the roads.  

**Like Emily's bag?  I know I do!  She designs locally made, fashionable, and functional bike bags and accessories.  Check it out at  www.pocampo.com

Kellie, Lakeview, Chicago, IL

Kelly rides an Origin 8 single speed for her casual rides around the city.

Cycling Tip from Kelly:  Braiding my hair when its fresh from the shower makes it fit nicely under my helmet. As the day passes, my hair dries and I have an awesome wave when i undo the braid. Come time to put the helmet on again, braid it up. It keeps it knot-free and provides body for when off the bike.

Kristie, Smith Park, Chicago, IL

Kristie rides a 1986 Cannondale ST400, purchased from Working Bikes.  She loves it's red color!

Cycling Tip from Kristie:  Make sure you have lights on your bike for riding at night, especially now that the daylight hours are so short.

Rachel, Wabash and Harrison, Chicago, IL

Rachel rides a beat-up Free Spirit bike named Chadwick.

Biking tip from Rachel: The CTA will let you take your bike on the L!  It's great if you're going further than you want to bike, you can take the L partway.

Kellie, N Broadway, Uptown, Chicago, IL

Kellie rides a Jamis Coda Sport hybrid road bike, covered in stickers.

Cycling tip from Kellie:  Be in tune with the oncoming season, always keep a plastic bag handy to keep your seat dry in rain or snow.  This has the added benefit of making your bike look junky, hopefully making it less attractive to evil, evil bike thieves!!!

Caroline, Green St., Chicago, IL

Caroline rides a vintage Schwinn she calls "Sportin' Life" after the slick pimp in Porgy and Bess

Cycling Tip from Caroline:  First get a helmet, second get a basket (especially if you carry a purse) and third, get a warm jacket.  You can ride much farther into the cold weather than you might imagine.

Alexis, Kinzie at the Chicago River, Chicago, IL

Alexis' hat is by Kindred Honor, Her Jacket is Nau, and her helmet is made by Bern.

Alexis rides a track model Soma Rush with Velocity rims built up by Marcus at Yojimbo's Garage.  The five layer powder coating was painstakingly painted by UV Metal Arts in Bridgeport.

Cycling Tip from Alexis: Learn to fix a flat. There is something incredibly empowering about being able to repair the vehicle you rely on, realizing that it's something you are completely capable of. I never cease to get that feeling of accomplishment, being closer to my bicycle, and stronger as a person. 

Alexis is the Founder and Producer of  TyK [Thought You Knew] a bicycle chick pinup calendar, the proceeds from which go to support The Chicago Women's Health Center [CWHC].  Check out their Gala Launch Party this Friday at The COOP from 5-10pm at 845 W Fulton Market, Chicago.

Julie H., Congress and State, Chicago, IL

Julie Rides a Redline Conquest 24 road bike

Cycling Tip: Biking can be for recreation and transportation.  It means something different for each person who gets on the saddle, so it's easy to make it work for you.

Patty, Grace St., Chicago, IL

Patty Rides a Ross Euro Tour from the 1970's

Cycling Tip from Patty: Just do it. I got my first bike when I was 23 in Chicago. I was terrified to ride on the street at first, but I just kept riding and eventually felt comfortable and now I ride everywhere.

Patty's 1970's Ross belonged to her mom that passed away in 1988.  She said "It's a cool way to connect with my mom when I ride it around."

Rebecca, N Clark, Chicago, IL

Rebecca from Active Trans rides a cotton candy blue 2010 Jamis Satellite road bike from Roscoe Village Bikes.

Winter Cycling Tip from Rebecca: Leg warmers will change your life (again - if you are a child of the 80s)

Martha of Bike Fancy, Grant Park, Chicago, IL

Photo: Nicole Radja

Who knew I'd be wearing open-toed shoes in November!  Best. Fall. Ever.  And I grew up here.

Photo: Nicole Radja

Tiffeny, Lincoln Square, Chicago, IL

Tiffeny in Lincoln Square on her vintage Triumph named Oliver J from Nottingham, England.

Cycling tip from Tiffeny: If you’re always going from point A to point B, change your route.  That is the best part about riding your bike in this city is the freedom! Not only can you change the scenery but you can find a bunch of Chicago’s hidden treasures that way. 

Nicole, Wabash and Jackson, Chicago, IL

Nicole at Wabash and Jackson with her Schwinn World Sport from Working Bikes Coop

So I had to ask Nicole how she biked in such wide legged pants.  Tip of the day: Just roll them up and secure with a regular office binder clip!

Dana, Paulina and Roscoe, Chicago, IL

Dana at Paulina and Roscoe with her Pake track frame fixed gear bike built at Bicycle Station, Brooklyn.

Krystle, Sunnyside and Western, Chicago IL

Krystle and her 1972 Raleigh sprite named Walter

Madison and State

Utility meets fashion.  I LOVE the sunglasses

Kristine, East Randolph, Chicago, IL

Kristine rides a Gravity Avenue B Road Bike

Cycling Tip from Kristine:  I love wrapping long scarves many times around my neck to help shield from the cold.  And it's a playful way of adding color and style while riding. Especially with a red one and pretending to be the Red Baron!

Sara, Canal St, Chicago, IL

Sara rides a 2010 Jamis Commuter from Roscoe Village Bikes

Cycling Tip from Sara: Add a basket to your bike. From groceries to impromptu shopping on my commute home, it's my favorite and most utilized accessory.

Ice Pink Schwinn Prelude 1987

Had to share.  This is my bike from way back in 1987!  Check out some of my self-portraits to see what 8 years of hard riding and getting stripped by a bike thief will do.  Thanks to Boulevard Bikes in Chicago for keeping it rideable.

Photo: Andrew Nawrocki.
I photographed Chicago Mayoral candidates so I decided to wear by best conservative office wear.  I love this hat www.floydboberg.com.   Its locally made with reclaimed wool, has a velcro chin strap, and it fits under my helmet!

Clinton St. Chicago, IL.

Clinton St. Chicago, IL. November 2010

Chris, Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL.

Chris on Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL.  October 2010

Dottie, Chicago Lakepath

Dottie of letsgorideabike.com with her Workcycles Azor Oma from Dutch Bike Co. Chicago

Cycling Tip from Dottie: Don't let anyone, from honking SUV drivers to condescending bike shop employees, dissuade you from riding a bike.

Janet, Lakeview, Chicago, IL.

Janet in Lakeview, Chicago, IL. October 2010

Logan Blvd., Chicago, IL.

Logan Square, Chicago, IL. October 2010

Ellen, Logan Square, Chicago, IL.

Ellen, Mega Mall in Logan Square, October 2010.

Taylor St., Chicago, IL.

Taylor St., Chicago, IL. October 2010

Lorena, Wicker Park, Chicago, IL.

Lorena Cupcake, Wicker Park, Chicago, IL. October 2010

Lorena rides a Specialized Globe Live Mixte. Singlespeed, frame-integrated rack, coaster & front caliper brake, head tube badge cut out of a box of Hello Kitty cookies.