Looks to me like they’re moving items for their office!

I found out too late about the Pre-Boston Marathon Bike Ride, organized on Facebook.

It was Sunday, at midnight, silly hats encouraged. Next year I’m definitely there.

If I can’t ride all night, maybe I’ll join the 5:45 AM group.

Another AP article I found before, but not now, reported that some people make it an out-and-back for 50+ miles. That could be fun and save me the train fare.

Next year, definitely.

Here’s a bike I’ve been seeing for the last few months, up and down Cambridge Street. I’ve been holding out on posting it, hoping that I will happen to catch a glimpse of it being ridden. No such luck.

How odd it must be to steer with that rubber-wrapped bar! I notice that there are no brakes, so it must be fixed-gear. (Updated: Ooops, I was wrong – it has a coaster brake, thank heavens!)

Here it is in January, still on Cambridge Street:

I couldn’t find any maker information on the bicycle frame itself. There are two forks being used to hold the two front wheels, it’s my theory that this is a DIY cargo bike. Isn’t it wild?

Here’s a bike I’ve been seeing for the last few months, up and down Cambridge Street. I’ve been holding out on posting it, hoping that I will happen to catch a glimpse of it being ridden. No such luck.

How odd it must be to steer with that rubber-wrapped bar! I notice that there are no brakes, so it must be fixed-gear. I hope s/he doesn’t have anything too heavy to stop!

Here it is in January, still on Cambridge Street:

I couldn’t find any maker information on the bicycle frame itself. There are two forks being used to hold the two front wheels, it’s my theory that this is a DIY cargo bike. Isn’t it wild?

“Sundress Day” – the first day in springtime where we all simultaneously wear too little clothing in the overwhelming joy that we just might get away with it. Usually accompanied by pasty white legs and eventual sandal blisters, but it’s a joyous celebration anyway.

Today in Boston is sunny with a high of 67 F (21 C). Happy Sundress Day Boston!

Maybe you’re like me? You enjoy seeing flowers on a bike, but you don’t want to commit to attaching them there for all time. Spring may be a state of mind, but sometimes I was to travel light and sleek. And sometimes I want lots of flowers! Heck, I don’t even wear my engagement ring all the time, but when I do I enjoy it.
Anyway, to get flowers on my bike sometimes I’ve just made a flower garland wrapped in pipecleaners which attaches to a handlebar or front basket with small velcro tabs (see photo below). It’s easy-on, easy-off, as the mood suits. I suppose that it is thus subject to theft, but if someone needs my bike flowers badly enough to steal them, then they should have my bike flowers… I can say that since adding the flowers I’ve had many more conversations with drivers waiting next to me. Maybe they take it as an indication I’m a affable cyclist?

OK, so the freebie part. Feeling so cheerful with the sun and good weather, I’d like to share the happiness. I have two of these garlands to ship free to the first two North American responders who publicly agree to send in photos of their bike sporting these flowers. Flowers will be mailed out today, digital photos should be sent on or before Mother’s Day (May 10). To win free bike flowers, just respond in the comments section, which has time stamps. I’ll check them and the first two will then need to email me privately with a mailing address at chiccyclist@yahoo.com.

Seen in the South End:
There’s something about the warmth of the brown and the coolness of the silver, making a sort of yin and yang, an intriguing complexity. Consider me a fan (even if the photo is, sadly, blurred).

Today the New York Times reports that the “new It object is the glossy black Dutch bicycle”. The article goes on to discuss many issues we’ve mentioned here, and other other bike fashion blogs. It’s heartening to see that this topic is going mainstream, and a good read. For the gentlemen, there’s even a Fashion Slideshow.

For the local Boston angle, I knew that Club Monaco was selling Gazelles, but I didn’t know that they’re all being imported by Somerville’s Dutch Bicycle Company.

I have seen some evidence that bike culture can be it’s own worst enemy, with assumptions about riders, etc. I hope the article is right and maybe “the kiss of fashion may help people embrace the idea of a more practical bike”… Come on everyone, let’s show them!

There have been a lot of good looking bikes out recently. We’re guessing this is a Surly? It was hard to tell. Good looking commuter bike! I like the reflector/light down by the hub. I think the more the tail lights are spread out the better. Helmet, seat, hub would make a good collection.

This makes me so angry! The Boston Globe reports that “Massachusetts has been allocated 5 million for bike and pedestrian funding since 1991, and has used .1 million.”

“Durrant said the historically low rate of spending on bike and pedestrian projects in Massachusetts reflects decisions by past administrations to channel every available dollar to highways, especially the Big Dig, the billion Central Artery/Third Harbor Tunnel project.”

When people complain that we don’t have the bike infrastructure to accommodate a bike share, the main reason cited is that the money doesn’t exist to create one. But it turns out it DOES! Garrrrr!