Bicycles and Flowers in Riga

On a recent visit to Riga, Latvia, I was invited on two bike rides. One of them was probably the loveliest bike ride I could imagine. All around the world there are bike rides taking place. Celebrating the bicycle, riding in support of this or that cause. All nice.

In Riga, however, a local bike shop arranged a Bicycle Flower Festival. Encouraging people to decorate their bicycles with flowers and go for a ride.

For no other reason than bicycles and flowers are a match made in heaven and compliment each other brilliantly.

So simple, so lovely. We wish we had thought of it ourselves.















Getting a police escort for a Bicycle Flower ride is a fantastic irony.





The ride ended at the Dutch Bike shop for a barbeque and DJs. But there had to be a winner for most splendidly-decorated bicycle and here she is. What a brilliant decoration. She transformed her bicycle, using flowers, into a peacóck.