Here’s a wine box in use on an extracycle. That’s even more darling than my wine box for shopping. Other photos in the flickr stream show that there’s even a nametag for the little pooch.

Photo by jithas

It looks like there will be some kind of financial incentive to bicycle commuting as part of the plans being discussed in Washington: PDF file (see pages 205-207)

Section 211 of the “Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008” allows for a “qualified bicycle commuting reimbursement” for “reasonable expenses incurred by the employee during such calendar year for the purchase of a bicycle and bicycle improvements, repair, and storage, if such bicycle is regularly used for travel between the employee’s residence and place of employment.”

I look forward to seeing what actually happens!

For local readers:
The 3rd Bow Tie Ride of Cambridge is happening on Sunday. It looks like a fun community event. I hope all chic cyclists will don a bow tie, just for the fun of it!

I’ve been writing more personal posts this week than was ever my intention. Yet here’s one more, hopefully the last for a while.

Last night I volunteered again for Bikes Not Bombs. Let me tell you, that’s the cure for anything that ails you. The people are all so cheerful and welcoming, the work so rewarding and fun at the same time, and the recycling of bikes for the betterment of the local and international community is a cause anyone can get behind. I left so much happier, and very excited about bikes again. Yeah bikes!

While I was there I was honored to meet one of the original chic cyclists. Having spoken with Harriet Fell herself I can say that she is gracious and generous, indeed it was her generosity that helped inspire this blog. When I thanked her for that she warmly and quickly pulled a pen and paper from her purse to take down this web address. I could not have been more honored. From her family I have learned that sharing a passion with the world, giving of oneself, is a gift that goes both ways. Teaching is the traditional way to give like that, but I’m learning there are other ways too. I know of three women who have contacted me through this blog and now have their first adult bicycles. I hope there will be more.

Today the commute was fine, a crisp fall day, no one tried to kill me, I really can’t complain. The skies are grey, there may be rain, but in the meantime we have this rolling rainbow. With the dull grey frame looking like storm clouds, the tires are a fun reminder that you need rain to find a rainbow. I’ve been saving this photo for a day like today. Here’s a rainbow for you!