Portraits of Cyclists: Aviaja: "I grabbed this hat to keep my saddle warm"

A woolly hat to keep the saddle warm.

More pictures of Copenhagen every day on Byliv in CPH.

The Little Things

Instagrammed loveliness from Zurich


Even a work horse like a long john gets dressed up too.

Life in the Hot Seat - Cycle Chic Guide #8 - Funky Bike Seats

When you're pedalling about your city, soaking up the fabric of life on your urban landscape, it's nice to know your ass is sitting fine and dandy upon a groovy bicycle saddle. Here's a little guide to some of the derriere options available to cycle chicistas and chicistos.

We heart this seat. The heart is a major cultural symbol in Denmark. They have featured country's coat of arms for centuries, we hang hearts on our christmas trees and we even have hearts on our coins:



Don't get us wrong. Vintage saddles have a charm that is almost impossible to replicate, but sometimes you just need to funk things up a bit.


Ride on a rainbow or on flames of passion. Whatever works for you.


Ride on delicate pink or ride right on target.


Some Danish bicycle brands are now producing bike bits that match, like the seat and handlebar grips from Taarnby Bikes, at left. At right, you can't often go wrong with a classic Brooks saddle, which are all the rage in Copenhagen. Classic leather that ends up fitting your bottom and your bottom alone. Now THAT'S personalising supreme.


If you and your bottom fancy the saddle you have now, then you can always use a seat cover for added spice and style. Fluffy or grassy are only two options out of kabillions.


Funk up your seat with colourful, kitsch colours or feel the urban beat with a seat like the one on the famous Copenhagen Drum Bicycle.


You can choose from a fine selection of animals to keep your saddle dry in the rain or snow.


In Copenhagen many people shove a plastic bag under their saddle and pull it out if the saddle is wet. It's a simple, no-nonsense approach to keep bottoms dry.

The great thing in this city is that if you don't want to use a plastic bag or can't be bothered buying a saddle cover, you'll be given free ones several times a year.

Because there are so many bicycles in the world's cycling capital, advertising printed on saddle covers are an effective marketing tool and you'll often see bike racks where all the bikes have been given a free saddle cover for this or that product.


Here's one from a political party wanting safer routes to school on the left and the text on the right reads, "Does my ass look big on this?!". It's an advert for a light cream cheese.


These two are for a new organic soft drink and a university, respectively.


Lest we forget the artsy/crafty option. Crochet your own bicycle seat cover and create your own personal style, like this one from Carina's Craft Blog.

We have some more accessory ideas in our Cycle Chic Guide to Choosing a Bicycle post from a while back.

Tokyo is All White

Another series of Tokyo Chic Chic brilliance from Stephen Crawford.


From the looks of it, everything's all white in Tokyo these days.

The fashionistas of the city go hand in hand with the thriving bicycle culture.

Style over speed, indeed.

DIY Cycle Chic

Get crocheting out there! Spring is up and your saddles should reflect that... These DIY saddle covers might not be rainproof, but they sure are chic and spring-like.

See the 'how to' (in Danish) & credits on the website for Hendes Verden - a Danish women's magazine. Here's the same page translated from Danish by Google. I doubt it helps... :-) There are lots of crochet abbreviations that don't translate well. But hey, we tried.

Which bike would you prefer to ride?