The World's Only Gourmet Kitchen With A Puncture Kit!

Yes that's right - you are not being deceived, this really does exist. Morten, one of the craziest and happiest Danes I've ever met, has something that no-one else in the world has. A gourmet kitchen on wheels. After twenty years as a professional chef he decided to take his culinary skills to the next level. The bicycle-kitchen - the love child of combining two of his passions: bicycles and cooking.


At first I didn't believe that this stallion of a bicycle-kitchen could weave through the tight and narrow streets of his Copenhagen neighbourhood. He proved me SO wrong.


Casual scene of a kitchen gliding down the street. Nothing unusual about that at all...


So how did this begin? Well Morten loves to cook and as much as he loves working in a kitchen he also loves being outdoors. He also happens to have a long-established love for Long John bicycles. So one day it became painfully obvious to him to combine all of his passions: An outdoor kitchen designed on a Long John - I mean why not? So together with a friend they decided to take on the challenge of transforming his beloved bike by adding a sink, a stove and kitchen units.


Morten is a firm believer in buying fresh local produce and even does his grocery shopping using his other Long John bike! Even just by looking at this collection of vegetables makes me feel healthy and terribly 'eco-chico'...


Morten preparing for the meal he's about to cook. He even uses his bicycle parts to hold his herbs! Talk about being innovative...


Then there was that moment when we all suddenly felt a few drops of rain come out of nowhere...decision time, will the flood gates open or not?


They did. And this is Denmark so it rained HARD!


Not to worry as this guy is always one step ahead! He just steered his kitchen over to an unused cycle passage and set up his dining space there.


Making the place 'hyggeligt' or 'cosy' by lighting a few candles...and cracking open a bottle of vino!


Bon appétit! Or in danish 'Velbekomme!'


Morten has really found an alternative way to enrich his family, friends and customer's experience of fine dining. So here's a testament that some of the craziest ideas can really become some of the most ingenious and fascinating realities. Congratulations Morten - so dinner at yours next time, yeah?

He's known as the cycling chef or 'cykelkokken' - don't forget to like his Facebook page!

Finally the launch of the Cykelkokken website! Click Here.

Over and Out!

K.E.G. x

Bicycles, Beers and 'Hygge'. Welcome to Ølsnedkeren.

If you're ever walking around parched in downtown Copenhagen be sure to drop by Ølsnedkeren. It's a bar. They sell beer. But it's not just any bar or any beer - they actually brew the beer themselves down in the basement and every week the manager, Simon, experiments with new ingredients and flavours. I was lucky enough to come along to see just how it's done.


Upon entering the place I couldn't help eyeing up the bicycle hanging up on the ceiling. I think I'm gonna like it here...


When you go up to the bar you can ask for a taster of some of the beers that you may have never heard about before. It's Simon's thinking that by tasting a few of the experimental beers you can better make that all important decision of which pint to order. I had never tried 'Rhubarb beer' but it quickly became my all-time favourite.


I was also shown the microbrewery downstairs. The idea behind this half-bar-half-brewery was developed so that Simon could embrace his passion for brewing and experimentation whilst at the same time work behind the bar and engage with his customers. Especially to find out what they have to say about his beers and special concoctions!


So one of the fabulous reasons to visit Ølsnedkeren (amongst many) is that the manager and staff are always looking for ways to be incredibly innovative. One way this microbrewery transports their special beers across town is by an old-fashioned Long John bicycle. But wait, it gets even more 'eco-chico', the barrels themselves are light weight and recyclable. Here's Simon showing just how easy it is to attach the barrels to his bike.


Why take up street space and pay for gasoline with a van when you can deliver small goods around town by simply using a cargo bike? It's this line of thinking that many Copenhageners share. It's also how Simon runs his business and is an example of the new movement of alternative business transport and supports the collaborative European project CycleLogistics. To learn more about CycleLogistics Click Here.


Ready to roll...


Ølsnedkeren. Yes, it may be hard to pronounce but all you need to remember is that one very important danish word "Øl"...meaning "beer". Hmmmm, it sounds like "Ooool", no wait, "ulll"...good luck.


Does it get any better? Oh yes, the prices here are very friendly. More reason to have another pint!


Congratulations to Simon and the staff at Ølsnedkeren for their one year birthday. That calls for a pint. Skål!

Where? Griffenfeldsgade 52, 2200 København/Copenhagen. Check out their website here!

Over and Out!

K.E.G. x

Vintage Couple heading for Freetown Christiania

Well, hello there! Meeting this cute couple just outside Freetown Christiania. 

Looove her boots.

Let's have a look inside this self-proclaimed autonomous neighbourhood of about 850 residents – it's like entering a completely different world. 

Colorful - mind-blowing... what do you think? Please comment this blog post with your impression of Christiania - thanks, Copenhagen Friend, appreciate it!

Oh, they love wine, too (-;

Live music - and bicycles everywhere.

You have an awesome weekend!

Peace & Blog Love,
a-g

Ps. More Christiania photos right here.



Whoaah... here I'm back again to another completely different world. Not so much graffiti on the walls of Louis Vuitton at Copenhagen Strøget...

Portraits of cyclists: Vintage bike & boots - “My bike is old and needs some work but I love it”

"Everyday I drive my two kids around the city. They love this bike.

This bike could share a lot of stories as you can see. It is old and it needs some work but I love it. I bought it when I was a single mum. It was my only way to get around. I didn't have a car back then. I have been cycling a lot!".


Vintage leather boots

More pictures of CPH everyday on Byliv in CPH.

Peace and Love in front of Copenhagen Coffee Room

Oh, there’s so much Copenhagen Love! Also in front of trendy cafe Coffee Room in Silkegade… Yep, I couldn’t help to hit the brakes of my bike when I spotted this funky and lovable foursome. Pascal, Carsten, Dion and furry Batman - you rock, guys!!

And speaking of funky. Approaching Carsten, you’re not only confirmed that he’s got the sweetest smile. He must also spend quite an impressive part of his wages on moustache wax. Looking good.

Peace & Funky Blog Love to you,
a-g

 

 

Ps. Let’s meet for Fredagsbar in Copenhagen Friday Sep. 27th – click here for more info! And maybe you will win this Lovely… a Charles Eames Rocking Chair from Lakeland Furniture… swag

Pss. Early bird? Join our contest by noon today – and maybe you’ll win a BAR7 Gold Card. Means 40% off your drinks and cocktails.

Cycle Chic, Cycle Hip, Cycle Cool on Venice Beach (LA)

In the car-oriented city of Los Angeles, Venice Beach is a small paradise for the cyclists. Not only because of the beach cycle trail along the waterfront but also since many cycle lanes cover the district.
Abbot Kinney boulevard is the street where a mix of chic, hip and cool cyclists appreciate hanging out.


Abbot Kinney boulevard in the daytime.


Denim mini shorts & leather boots remain a classic in California.




Abbot Kinney boulevard by night.


Abbot Kinney - himself - on a bike for the up-coming festival.


Nowadays, on Abbot Kinney boulevard, cruiser bikes are no longer the only choice as you can also find vintage city bicycles. Linus, a local brand, inspired by other brands from Europe, has its showroom there.

More pictures of cyclists from Venice Beach.

Portraits of cyclists: Sara - "I used to cross the French border everyday with my bike"

"I think it's nice to live in a bicycle-friendly city. I bike along the lakes. My husband advised me to take the straightest way, but I prefer enjoying the scenery view."

"Do you take care of your bike?"
"No, not at all. It has been standing outside for ten years now."

"Do you have a specific memory related to your bike?"
"I lived in France but I worked in Geneva where I was an intern. I used to cross the border everyday with my bike."


Filippa-K - chic outfits ... also made for cyclists.

More pictures everyday on Byliv in CPH

Wroclaw, Poland Cycling Promotion

Nothing like a bit of positive bicycle promotion to make our day.
This lovely video is produced by the Cycling Wroclaw organisation in Wroclaw, Poland. It's in collboration with the Do The Right Mix initiative and European Mobility Week.

Brilliant stuff. Although we noticed the opening shot is a cinematic nod to our very own video, produced for the City of Copenhagen back in 2009. We're flattered.

Do It Like a Dane. By Miami Artist Rose Miller.

That's right, for the first time there will be no Cycle Chic photos! That's because we're using a different kind of medium thanks to the talented Miami-based artist Rose Miller. I met this wonderful human being whilst attending Danish classes in Copenhagen and our shared passion of art and bicycles quickly sealed us as friends. She's now gone ahead and produced a series of paintings celebrating her love of Danish living, Danish design and of course, Danes and their bicycles!


"Think, Be, Ride, Bike, Design...whatever, just do it like a Dane." Like many, Rose Miller thinks it's a brilliant idea for everyone to get on their bike. However, unlike many, she wanted to express her reasons why by creating a series with vibrant colours and quirky touches. "Cycling - it's very 'green' but more importantly it allows physical activity to creep into our daily lives. It keeps us in shape, gets us engaging once again with the outdoors and this rejuvenation gives us a new lease of freedom. It's from this freedom and 'exercise high' that allows our creative gates in our brains to burst open."


"People are cycling all over the world - some places more than others. Amsterdam and Copenhagen are well known for it, they really are King and Queen of all cycling cities. However, it was whilst I was living in Denmark that I noted that Danes were not only known for their love of bicycles but also their love for design."


"Every Dane I knew had a bicycle (if not more than just the one!) but I also noticed that they all had a specific type of lamp in their homes. It's funny to me as I don't consider Danes to be nationalistic like we are back in the States..."


"...although Danes do always use their flag on birthdays and buy things made in Denmark. I totally came to understand why. Not because it's Danish, but because it's probably damn good quality and design. Design - that's where a lot of their pride and hearts lie."

A huge congratulations ("Tillykke!") to Rose Miller on her artwork and to say that Copenhagen misses her very dearly!

To see the full collection check out her website here

If you're on your cell or mobile phone check it out here

Originals are currently going for $150 but reprints are in the works.

Over and Out!

K.E.G. x

Gooo Tjili Pop – real Copenhagen hygge hipster

Ahh… grab your bike this weekend and spend some time at one of the trendiest cafes at Nørrebro! And yes – Copenhagen is a bicycle friendly city – just notice the bicycle (right) hanging down from the wall…

My co-blogger Wiola stumbled by this great place… this is what she told me:

This week I invite you to Tjili Pop. Great for a coffee and, this is call for talented people, showing your songs for public, as every week they have so-called speake’s corner (cphblonde: Oh gosh, I already get butterflies in my stomach, I’m SO lousy at singing:/ But I looove to listen).

Tjili Pop is the essence of Danish hipster world, so cozy, simple, posh is the word, which even cannot be whispered here.

If you like The Doors and old lumber stuff this place is for you.

***

Hey, short Friday update from CPH BLONDE here – visit my blog and win a BAR7 Gold Card; 40% off Copenhagen cocktails & drinks – hey, why not, Copenhagen Friend (O:

Peace & Blog Love,
a-g

Check out Wiolas blog, too