> May 2010 | CITY GIRL RIDES

memorial day at the spot

5/31/2010



out on pier 11 there is a hot spot for cyclist where you'll find a bunch of fixed gear riders doing tricks.

red lips

5/28/2010

i think most people recognize me because of the red lipstick i wear while riding. it's bright and it turns lots of heads. for some, wearing makeup is an issue for most women when they ride; as they believe it will melt off their face from sweating. looking fresh is important and it's possible by not racing from point a to point b and just ride with ease. i also feel that the red lips give me a sense of empowerment as i ride next to the fixie boys or lycra wearing riders. i swear, no matter the circumstances, wearing red lipstick makes everything better, especially a cute outfit.

i'm free!

5/27/2010

for the last week, i have been locked up studying for hours for my exams. i have not biked for three days nor interacted with people besides internet. i have major riding withdrawals and i cannot wait to get back on my bike! yet, nothing feels so good than to be free for a whole summer to live and ride the way i want to!


cruise en la mission

5/25/2010

23rd and mission
womens building mural
balmy avenue
farmers tienda

i love the mission! it is full of great things to see via bicycle. it's my favorite place to ride to as the latino community gives me access to everything i love and grew up with as far as food and produce goes. it's loud with mariachi music, children running, people visiting with family or friends, taqueria aroma fills the air, and there are so many murals to see. it's by far the liveliest neighborhood in any district in san francisco. it reminds me of home in l.a. which is perhaps why i love it so.

5/24/2010


cycle chic is about advocacy.

welcome summer!

5/21/2010


summer is here and there are so many adventures i plan on having like taking a ride through the park, having a picnic, and finally reading all the books i've been longing to read. truth be told, i've been longing for summer to be here already as i long for the easy pace of life and the carefree fun. it's going to be a good one, i know it is. happy first day of summer aka summer solstice!

carpe diem!

5/20/2010

it's been a rather dreary weather and school week which is why my blogging has been rather lazy recently. yesterday, i got to spend some of my day outside as the sun started to peak out so i decided to carpe diem (seize the day)! i left my desk to take a ride and smell the roses, literally, because sitting in front of a computer for hours writing and analyzing poetry can be fun but also draining. i'm so glad i did because nothing can put me in a better mood than riding my bike in the sunshine.

10 Reasons Why I Love My Bike(s)

5/18/2010



1. riding excites me, it's fun!
2. i see more of the world on two wheels.
3. i have me time, clarity.
4. challenges my courage, increases confidence and self reliance
5. gives me countless adventures with friends on the road.
6. i get to make friends on the road and around the world with people who love there bikes too.
7. keeps me fit, strong, and healthy.
8. keeps the world healthy, one less car on the road.
9. convenient, front row parking, no traffic jams.
10. beats public transportation, never late, never breaks down, inexpensive.

lily allen on a bike

5/15/2010



love this music video of lily allen sharing london life on a bike.


LGRAB Summer Games!

5/14/2010

How to play, you ask?

It’s easy. There are three main categories, and six events in each category. Complete events in each category over a three week period, and tell about it via blog post link, email or photo addition to our Summer Games Flickr Pool. Entries must include a story and a photo of each event you complete. If you enter via a post on your own blog, please link to this announcement in your entry, include one of our badges and let us know via email.

Anyone who completes at least two events in each of the three categories will be entered to win the Batavus BuB by random drawing. We’re also giving away prizes as readers complete each category.

May 17-June 6: Social Cycling

Go on a group ride

Leave a nice note on a bike, or say hi to a cyclist at a red light

Schedule a bike date with a friend or partner — dress up!

Recruit a non-biking friend for a ride

Ride with your family

June 7-June 27: Learning Experiences

Perform a maintenance task — big or small!

Decorate your bike

Read a book about cycling

Carry a load on your bike — groceries, etc.

Test ride a different type of bike than you normally ride

June 28-July 18: New Territory

Ride a greenway

Have a bicycle picnic

If you don’t normally ride to work, commute by bike, or by bike/train or bike/bus

If you do commute, take the long way home: add distance to your usual ride

Explore a new part of town by bike

i'm going to do it just for fun, it can be a great way to get your friends involved and have fun for the summer. read more details here at letsgorideabike!

Bike To Work Day Commuting Tips

5/11/2010


With Bike To Work day just in two days, I thought it would be helpful to give tips on how to commute by bicycle. Recently, I had just finished my research on why women in San Francisco do not commute by bike and want to address the issues that many women shared with me and then give my solutions based on personal experience.

i bike sf

5/09/2010

this is so cool! I Bike SF is a month-to-month, neighborhood-based program geared to encourage bicycling and support local businesses. each month a new neighborhood in San Francisco will be featured and participating businesses in that neighborhood will offer bicyclists great discounts. all residents and visitors are invited: no fees, no sign-up, simply ride to participating businesses, present your helmet or bike lock key and get great deals.
May, I Bike Sf, is presenting hayes valley businesses here. happy biking sf.

music to ride to

5/07/2010


first off, i don't recommend riding the road with headphones on full blast but i do recommend a listen to this playlist, you can download songs on itunes. (if you can't see the print clearly just click on the image.) a good friend of mine made it for me and i cannot stop listening to it! i have this playlist on my phone when i ride and it plays out loud as i want it to, and without headphones. especially on sunny days in sf all i want to do is ride and have my soundtrack playing along with me, is that too much to ask for?

on a side note, i want to bestow a happy mothers day weekend to all the mothers out there. have a safe and happy weekend ride!

Commuter Bicycle Etiquette

5/06/2010


Whether you ride for your health, personal enjoyment or because of necessity, bike safety on the city road is a crucial element of your body of knowledge. Bicycle path safety and etiquette is important not just because it's considerate to acknowledge other cyclists on the paths and roads but because the safety and manners you use on the bike path can save your life. Many times on the bike lane, I've seen some bad etiquette that could have caused danger to both the cyclist and vehicle driver. There are ways to minimize the dangers of such as I will help you learn the basics of what you need to know about bike safety and etiquette on the bike path. Here we go!

study session

5/04/2010

now that the end of the semester is approaching quickly and spring seem's to be sticking around, i have an inkling to study outdoors, be it cafe or park. i pedaled my way to dolores park cafe to study but it's just when i'm out and about i become distracted with cute girls and their bikes, like the girls at the bottom. two sisters with their vintage bicycle's out for a picnic in the park. i love the fact that their in picnic garb and brought their bike along with them. what better way to spend a gorgeous spring day. oh my, i cannot wait to finish the semester off to start running into more chic cyclist's, sigh.

taking a ride to dolores park

5/03/2010


Dolores Park, there really isn't any place like it. it's beautiful, has a lovely view of downtown san francisco/east bay, and is filled with interesting and beautiful people. on sunny and warm weekends, dolores park is packed with crowds of people and their bikes, it's like a haven for bicyclist as almost everyone has one. you literally can spot a bike at every turn and it's a wonderful sight to behold. there's something magical about this park though, you'll see picnics galore (especially the vegan kind), hoolahoops, doggies, kids, kites, tennis, frisbee, wine or pabst beer everywhere, bbq's, pot dealers, ice cream carts, coffee shops, etc., it's action packed with an incredible energy that set's everyone in san francisco in a delightful mood.

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