Fashion Friday: Pretty in Pink & Cool in Cream

Full-skirted and full of fun, Corinne’s ladylike 1950s-style summer dress helps her beat the heat riding around downtown San Jose on her lovely mixte. Classic dresses and classic bikes never go out of style for a reason.

Corinne can been seen riding all over the valley as the Executive Director of the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition.

The 1950s full-skirted silhouette is fresh, flattering and flirty, especially on a pretty step-though bike.

The essence of feminine chic: a fitted bodice and box-pleated skirt accented with a narrow bow belt.

A slouchy bag and some strappy gladiator sandals bring the look out of the 1950s and into today.

About Fashion Friday: Inspired by a 2011 Bike to Work Day challenge sponsored by the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, this series highlights the broad range of “dress for the destination” bicycling fashions.

 

Bike Commute Diaries: One Giant Step for My Mixte

Forgetting to look before you leap can get your day off on the wrong track. In a mad dash to catch an early bullet train I jumped on the local by mistake. “Easy fix,” I thought. “I’ll hop off at College Park and make up time on the bike.” Good thing I looked before I leaped off the train. The platform didn’t reach the last bike car.

About the Bike Commute Diaries: Launched in May 2012 for National Bike Month, this series explores the unexpected and surprising things I’ve learned about bicycling for transportation.

 

Anything Goes Challenge: Painful Learning Curves

I got up a few minutes early this morning so I could take my little scooter to the VTA. Now that I have two trips under my belt, I left my helmet at home and cruised down the sidewalk with confidence. My husband got up early too, so he could try a Caltrain + bike commute as part of his entry to the Anything Goes Commute Challenge. So when I crashed right outside my home on my scooter, he was awake to see the damage fresh.

Today’s lesson #1: Don’t brake while turning on wet pavement. Maybe don’t turn on wet pavement at all.

Other lessons I’ve learned on my scooter + VTA commute: The street is smoother than the sidewalk, so take the street if it’s wide or low traffic. Rubber soled flats work as well as sneakers, skirts that are a little short on the bike are fine on the scooter, and that little handlebar bag is much easier to access than the messenger bag.

Today’s lesson #2: The VTA smartphone app really helps when you get on the wrong train and end up in East San Jose. That’s what happens when you get engrossed in writing and don’t pay attention.

Whenever you try something new there are learning curves. If a skinned knee and coming home 45 minutes late are the worst of it there’s no reason to write off riding my scooter and taking VTA. Besides, how often do you get to see East Valley hills from a vantage point over a Chevron gas station and a McDonald’s parking lot?

The other big lesson I continue to learn is that assumptions we make often turn out false. When I started bike commuting in dresses I assumed I’d have to carry my heels. When I started working in San Jose I assumed I wouldn’t be able to grocery shop easily on my way home. When I started this challenge I assumed I couldn’t ride the 14 miles to work comfortably in street clothes on my city bike. All false assumptions.

I assumed that light rail would be too inefficient to be useful except as an emergency backup. With WiFi it isn’t, provided you get on the right train and you don’t get motion sickness reading while riding backwards.

Quick Update on the Anything Goes Commute Challenge: We’re just under a week from the deadline of April 30 and the entries have already started to come in. Margaret from Los Angeles sent me hers today, and I know Pep and Dick are working on theirs. So send your stories to me at ladyfleur500@gmail.com!

What about you? Have you tried anything new on your commute? What have you learned?

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Bike Commute Diaries: Footloose and Fancy-Free

On a clear and warm spring morning like today, why take the train when I can ride for miles along the quiet Guadalupe River Trail with the breeze blowing through my hair? My little mixte was up for the 14 miles and so was I. With a water bottle in the basket we were good to go. Who says city bikes can’t do longer commutes?

About the Bike Commute Diaries: Launched in May 2012 for National Bike Month, this series explores the unexpected and surprising things I’ve learned about bicycling for transportation.

 

Fashion Friday: Cowgirl Denim and Ruffles

Whoopee ti yi yo, git along little dogies! There’s a little cowgirl in me, from my heavy cotton twill jacket, ruffled shirt and gored denim skirt down to my fancy cowgirl boots. Feels just right as I keep rolling along the trails in San Jose, drifting along with the tumbling tumbleweeds. (yes, San Jose has tumbleweeds)

The denim skirt was a size too big but I bought it anyway. Good ones are hard to find.

I’ve had these boots for years. Every time I wear them I get compliments.

The ruffles and puff sleeves are fun, but it’s the sage green color I love most.

The denim skirt is full for pedaling but heavy enough to stay down in the wind.

About Fashion Friday: Inspired by a 2011 Bike to Work Day challenge sponsored by the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, this series highlights the broad range of “dress for the destination” bicycling fashions.

 

Bike Commute Diaries: “She’s Home!” said the Cat

I miss my dear old cat Belle. She would come running when she heard the sound of my car pulling into the driveway, tail in the air and a bounce in her step. My new cat Blackie hasn’t learned that trick. Instead, it’s the sound of the garage door opening that has him sauntering lazily down the walkway to greet me.

About the Bike Commute Diaries: Launched in May 2012 for National Bike Month, this series explores the unexpected and surprising things I’ve learned about bicycling for transportation.

 

Bike Rack FAIL: Hide and Seek on Castro Street

What good is bike parking if you can’t find it? I’ve visited this small retail plaza in downtown Mountain View for over 15 years. With no bike rack on the sidewalk out front, I’ve always locked up to a sign post or tree. The other day I stopped at the dry cleaners and found a bike rack, hidden behind the azaleas. I don’t think it’s new.

If the dry cleaners had an entrance was on Castro Street like the other shops, instead of only an entrance from the back parking lot, I would have never found the inconspicuous rack facing Church Street. Who knew?

The rack, big enough for six or more bikes, seemed fine at first glance.

One big problem: it’s impossible get in and out without walking through dirt.

After struggling to get past the other bike, the stairs were no big deal.

Location: Castro Street at Church Street, Mountain View, CA, USA.