Rise and Shine!

Have always loved cycling in all kind of weather. Still, nothing beats sitting up on your bike and seeing the sun is out to welcome you. Taking it easy while you ride to the office, school or your shop. Cycling lets you clear your mind and prepares your soul for the day ahead. Above; A golden crown of sun rays. Below; Tinkering with thoughts.




Slowly letting those sleepy eye lids work their way up with every stroke. A peaceful struggle and you will win in the end!



Happy cycling!

How to Carry Your Stuff Cycle Chic

Cute guy carrying his stuff with a messenger bag.

Got it all in front…

Designer bag nicely parked.

Spacious!

The Handlebar Lady & her friend.

Peace & Love,

a-g and www.cphblonde.com

Portraits of cyclists: Pernille - "“In Boston we'll cycle even if we're the only ones to do it ”

"I'm from Copenhagen. I cycle every day, all year long. With my family, we'll move to Boston soon and we will bring our bikes with us. We will cycle there even if we're the only ones to do it. Transporting myself by bike is a natural part of my life. It's a nice way to get some exercise".




Beautiful Chanel shoes.

More pictures of Copenhagen on Byliv In CPH.

Boa Constrictor Scarves

Scarves do not get much longer than the ten feet long Boa Constrictor Scarves that girls are wearing this Winter in Copenhagen. Compared to the seventies when super long scarves were in high fashion these go around and around just like the real thing. Above; nicely matched scarf and warm half-long leggings. Below; colorful lightweight to go.




Tucked in nose high - and a little more.



Happy Cycling!

Topping Up

Still the season to top up with a colorful cap, hat or favorite bun. Above Dangerously Red. Below Shocking Pink - and a bag to match!




For the gents Fluffy Flaps to go.



Happy Cycling!

Touch My Shadow: Poetic Bicycling

Guest blogger The T.R. aka Thomas Rousing shows the poetic side of biking. Please click on the photos to view them in a larger size. Enjoy!

Touch my shadow.

Thomas Rousing on Flickr

Peace & Love,
a-g and www.cphblonde.com

Fort Worth Bicycle Fashion Show

Copenhagenize Design Company was in Fort Worth, Texas last week, attending Bike Texas' Texas Trails and Active Transportation conference. The good people from Momentum Magazine were there, too, and they put on a great Cycle Chic fashion show for the attendees. Showing cycling as normal, stylish and accessible to the 99%.

I kicked off the evening with a talk about the history of bicycle marketing and how lessons learned a century ago can apply to the modern situation.


The models were both locals as well as a number of conference attendees and it was a great event with a cool DJ providing the tunes. The clothes were sponsored by a local store and the bikes were of a great variety.

It was great to be a part of it.

Visiting Amsterdam like a cousin

For a Copenhagener, visiting Amsterdam - the other city of cyclists - is like visiting a cousin. We feel at home but we like to spot the differences between the two bicycle cultures.



People cycle slowly side by side


No worries about safety, people cycle with kids sitting as they want. The view is actually better from that perspective.









Even the black bikes are spiced up with colors

But whatever the city, riding during the sunset after a day of work remains the nicer moment of the day.


Cycle Chic in Utrecht too


Thanks to Meredith from Amsterdam Cycle Chic for sharing with me a perfect watching-cycling spot.

Clo

Portraits of cyclists: Kata & Signa: “Cycling is not an identity, it's freedom”

(woman on the left) “I'm from Iceland. I cycle at least once a week. I live in a very small town in the south of Iceland and I'm almost the only person who cycle often. I cycle even if it's windy and even if my bike and I tilt. People look at me thinking that I'm a little bit weird to cycle. But still I keep on cycling. The weather doesn't matter, the opinion of the others doesn't. I love to cycle.”

(woman on the right) “I'm from Copenhagen and I cycle every single day.”

“As a Copenhagener, do you feel that you belong to a city with a specific identity related to cycling?”

“Cycling is not an identity, it's freedom!

I don't like to take the subway and to be underground. I prefer to enjoy the city and be able to stop when I run into a friend.”

More pictures of Copenhagen on Byliv in CPH. 

Color Combos

Love the color combos that Copenhagen cyclists bring to the city scene. Above Red / Black / Gold. Below understated White with Starfish Orange / Marine Blue contrast.



Guy's tend to be more casual with their choices. But here's some Sparkling Red with complementary color strips.



Happy Cycling!

Easy Elegance

Chic Cycling in the dark Copenhagen winter does not take anything more than just being yourself and enjoying your ride. Above; Simply charming. Below; Engulfed in Red.




White bike and accessories.



Happy Cycling!

Colorful Cycle Chic Mamas

BAM – even the baby bike seat is covered with neon flower power love.

Waiting for that classic red Danish hot dog… bicycle and bag showing crispy love.

A colorful beanie gives edge and energy to a classic black outfit.

Peace & Love,

a-g & www.cphblonde.com

Copenhagen Free Bike Rental

A German couple giving back the bicycles after a trip until Arken Museum


Copenhagen Free Bike Rental is a great way to get a bike to use for a few days for free in Copenhagen. You just fill in the form on their website and turn up by City Hall Square. If you have visitors to Copenhagen, it's a great way to get around the city.

Everyone involved is a volunteer, and they fix up old battered and unwanted bikes until they are ride-able. Then they can feel the wind in their spokes and be loved again. You donate if you can, to help fix more.

Copenhagen Free Bike Rental is based on trust. It is based on strangers meeting, and giving a key. The key unlocks the city. On a rescued bike like one of these, even if it is raining, there will be sunshine in your day.

The full story of the Copenhagen Free Bike Rental here.

As easy as giving a key!


A couple from Hong Kong visiting Copenhagen

A Dutch young girl visiting a friend studying in Copenhagen

A ladies golden bike to get around town during a week-end

Portraits of cyclists: Johanna & Caroline:"When I cycle, I like to recognize people and stop to chat"

"We are from Copenhagen. We cycle everyday to go to school and to work."

"Do you cycle when you visit cities abroad?"

"Sometimes, in Barcelona for instance. But it seems that Copenhagen is a better city to cycle thanks to the bike tracks. In some cities, it seems kind of dangerous."

"What do you like when you cycle ?"

"I like to be able to recognize people. Then, you can just give them a wave or stop to chat with them. You can also spot stores easily."

"I have lot of good memories of biking with friends around the city to go to a party."

The Bicycle Flower Pot

Flowers and bicycles go hand in hand. One of the loveliest events we've seen anywhere in the world is the Bicycle and Flowers Festival in Riga, Latvia. But what about if you want some permanent plant growth adding some green to your machine? And the Bicycle Vase just isn't big enough for your green thumb needs?

Two Danish designers, Mads Busk Larsen and Jacob Bang Korsholm have been thinking about this and they have developed a design for a bicycle flower pot. They were kind enough to let us test it out, above. The first thing we noticed is how many people smiled at us at red lights. Above, the flower pot looks lovely on the handlebar of my Bullitt cargo bike, together with the little wooden bike bell.


The flower pot is designed so that the small plants and flower pots you can buy at supermarkets will fit. With the earth and roots in a small fabric bag, the plant is stable in the pot. You can attach it to your handlebars, but there's no reason you can't attach it elsewhere on your bike, like on your back rack, for example.

While many Copenhageners park in bike sheds in their back yard, bikes are often parked out in the open, so the plant will grow under the same conditions as if it were in your garden.

Mads and Jacob are looking at a series of colours to suit different tastes. Colour coordination is always important.

We love the Bicycle Flower Pot. Nothing wrong with some more green in any city.


Of, course, if one lovely plant isn't enough, you need to go BIGGER.