Courtnee - Globe Experience

Check Out My Fabulous Giveaway!

2010-11-19T15:26:00.000-08:00

Today is the first day of The Sweet Georgia Brown Grand Giveaway!

"Soon" Is A Subjective Term

2010-06-28T14:17:00.000-07:00

That says, "Hi," just in case you can't see it.

In the months that I've not posted anything for your dear readers, I can assure that I've been riding, learning, and having adventures that are quite blogworthy. I just won't be blogging them here anymore. Happily, gainful employment is in my immediate future as is relocation and I won't have time to blog here and at "Sweet Georgia Brown" so head over there for lots of information on and anedoctotes regarding my valiant steed, Brown Betty.

Not to leave you high and dry, I'll still be composing that Brown Betty album so that if you're thinking of getting a Globe Live 2 Mixte, you can get plenty of views of this beauty. If you have questions, I'll still be answering e-mail at courtnee.globebikes@gmail.com. I've also got some bike wisdom for you [vicariously] from Josh, bike mechanic extradinaire from Out Spokin' Bikes who is as patient as he is strong.

You should go through the ABC's before every ride: A is for air, B is for brakes, and C is for chain. Because the rubber of your bike tires is porous tiny amounts of air can escape from them in between rides and, depending on what kind of tires you're riding on, it can be quite important to make sure that they are inflated to the proper pressure (like those skinny road tires). Checking brakes is simple--just squeeze the brakes before you head out to see if they feel good. To check the chain, look it over to make sure that it's not dirty and that it's oiled properly. Oiling it once a month should cover your bike's lubrication needs.

There's actually more to be posted from the Basic Maintenance Clinic I attended at Outspokin' Bikes on my other blog (or there will be soon). I hope this helps you have many fun rides in the meantime.

Coming Soon

2010-04-03T11:09:00.001-07:00

Betty, with both wheels on the ground for a change

I definitely have some more posts to write and I think I've figured out a way to link to a set of bike photos on Flickr as a little gallery for this blog. (I thought I might use Blogger's new tabbed pages tool, but I don't like the way it looks.) I also hope that I get a lot more photos of cyclists. As the weather gets better, I'm sure I'll see more about.

Boats and Bikes

2010-03-11T14:30:00.000-08:00

This post has been ages in the making because my computer has decided to say the long goodbye one failing component at a time and the library only allows you so much time on their computers. Since I'm in the midst of a job search this post has been shuffled to the bottom of the priority list for many days, but with a few moments to spare I bring it to you at last.

Tuesday was a bright spot in the week, literally. Everyday since then has been rainy, windy, and overcast. Lots of folks were out trying to enjoy the last day of nice weather, like these boaters (and their dog).

I met two cyclists! Marc studies Georgraphic Information Systems (stuff that regards maps, he says) at Kennesaw State and was able to figure out a practical route from there to Acworth Beach (that's about a nine mile jaunt). I hope he puts some of his routes on Bikely! Of course, he also rides his bike to classes, but he doesn't live nearly as far away.

I loved the kiddie seat on Scott's bike. He said that he often takes the grandkids for rides, but today he was out for a pre-workout ride. He's getting back into triatholon shape--like his daughter and son-in-law who are training for triatholons! Wow!

Bikes Around the Globe #4

2010-03-04T22:39:00.000-08:00

via Hanneli shot by Tommy Ton

This Norwegian fashionista knows that it's much easier to ride a bike in those wedges than walk in them.

Toodling

2010-03-01T17:35:00.001-08:00

I guess you could call this a "slow bicycle" shop. Adeline Adeline is a new bike shop in New York City that sells, "toodling-around-town bikes and not bikes that climb mountains or race. Bikes and bike accessories with style." "No Lycra," declares owner, Julia Hirschfeld.

What a welcome development! Toodling seems to get lost between talk of commuting or cycling as a sport. Who would've thought that there would be a shop catering to toodlers? I didn't even know that "toodling" was a term thrown around widely until I just looked it up. However, I was toodling the other day and as I approached group of teen girls one shouted out, "I like your bike. Girrrl, you killin' that thang!"

Toodling definitely has its rewards.

Are there any other toodler-affirming bike shops out there? Do you know of any bicycle manufacturers that make products for the toodler market? I'm sure toodlers are good shoppers like commuters so let me know!

Bikes Around the Globe #3

2010-02-23T16:19:00.001-08:00

via Fashion Tadpole

via Jak & Jil

The place: Paris, of course. Stylist Catherine Baba brings her iconic and daring(!) style to cycling. Très chic!

Bikes Around the Globe #2

2010-02-15T17:58:00.000-08:00

The older gentlemen in this picture is helping a youth repair his bike. Now that's a valentine.

All of these lovely photos are from The House In Marrakesh--pink backdrops (or pink scarves) and bikes are featured for an especially romantic look at bikes in far-flung lands.

Skirtguard Installation #2

2010-02-08T17:08:00.000-08:00

I haven't been in the mood to blog for a few weeks, but I wanted to share the success of skirtguard installation #2. Opening the package I was incredulous. I didn't see how these skirtguards were going to stay put. Thank goodness Michael included a bunch of zip ties in the box! Actually, the skirtguards stayed put long enough for me to put the zip ties around the tabs the stretched over the fenders; it was an easy installation. The zip ties gave me a sense of security when I went on my test run. My skirtguards didn't move (!) and they didn't rub against my tires or rattle at all. Initially I wasn't sure about the black against the brown, but I think they look pretty spiffy on my bike.

Skirtguard Installation #1

2010-01-20T10:31:00.000-08:00

I just got a nice little e-mail from Josh of Out Spokin' Bikes today which reminded me that it's time for Betty's 90-day check-up. I haven't had any problems with her, but I figure that after my unsuccessful skirtguard installation, it might not hurt to have her looked at. Maybe the middle of next week will be a good time since I'll have the opportunity to try another set of skirtguards on Betty.

Yep. I'm going to try again--this time with a metal set of skirtguards. They should sit on the surface of the fenders making their spare design a non-issue. After talking the matter over with Michael (the warehouse manager at Morgan Imports), I think a few zip-ties should further secure the skirtguards to Betty without much of a problem. He also advised me to heat the plastic skirtguard that was bent with a hairdryer to straighten it. It turns out that I had my skirtguards turned inside out too; I'm sure putting them on the bicycle the right way can do nothing but help!

I'll definitely have news of installation #2 when I get the new set of skirtguards, along with any troubleshooting tips required. Wish me luck!

Snowy Scenes By Bike

2010-01-12T15:38:00.000-08:00

These were the snowiest spots that encountered on my ride Friday--my first ride in snow. I had to bypass a patch of ice at the bottom of my driveway, but that was the most dangerous thing I saw on the roads. The other patches of ice were striped with tread marks which I followed with my tires to prevent slipping--it seemed to work. The only threat of slipping came when I rode through an icy patch of grass.

Hardy Cyclist

2010-01-12T15:10:00.000-08:00

I haven't yet composed my list of winter tips and helpful items for cycling in the cold although it is coming. First, I just want to discuss the act of winter cycling. In my experience, people seem to think that it shouldn't be done. It's simply too cold and it's foolish to be outside in such temperatures. It has been cold for Georgia lately, but I've seen that our "normal" or average temperature for this time of year is in the 50's. The upper 30's that we've been "suffering" may feel extreme by comparison, but it's nothing in the face of what people up North are dealing with--and they're still on their bikes. These are the complaints of the soft and I feel pretty hardy by contrast.

Winter is always cold. Even in Georgia where "cold" means temperatures in the 50's. Given the cyclical nature of what we're dealing with it should be easy enough for us to come to terms with the season with the proper hats, scarves, gloves, and coats--and still spend time outdoors. I think it's rather unnatural to believe that one should spend an entire season indoors. Are we mice or men? I'm not saying that there aren't temperature too low for cycling, but I'm not countering such a rational argument. Most of the people who comment at my cycling in our current temperatures seem to think that winter itself is too cold for being outdoors. I reflect upon my counterparts spending their leisure time in their heated TV rooms and feel quite tough. I like feeling that I'm doing something that others don't have the heart or the vigor to attempt. I wouldn't say that I was a girly-girl growing up, but I wasn't a tomboy either so to discover this inner grit is a pleasant surprise.

More Cylists Need More Bike Mechanics

2010-01-05T18:19:00.001-08:00

via NYT, Eric Shofield, manager at Bicycle Habitat

Eventually we're all going to need the assistance of a bike mechanic whether we're riding a vintage gem rescued from the curb or a brand new bike. Unfortunately, not all of us have a bike shop at hand. When I lived in Cartersville, I saw my local bike shop come and go rather quickly. For those of you in a similar situation, I urge you to take advantage of the New York Times' kind gesture, "Ask a Bicycle Mechanic." This week, Eric Shofield, manager at Bicycle Habitat, will be answering questions asked him in the comments section. He starts posting responses tomorrow.

And now for some British bike repairman appreciation:

Bikes Around the Globe

2010-01-04T11:50:00.001-08:00

Stay tuned.

A Bright New Year

2010-01-03T15:27:00.000-08:00

I like the bell's kawaii packaging and lovely shade of blue, but its sound doesn't live up to its looks.

I got my new lights and [nearly] matching neon bell on New Year's Eve--a very foggy day and the perfect conditions for testing the Knog skink headlight and taillight. I went for a short ride during the day and conducted a short ride in the evening. (It was cold, dark, and wet--an extremely unappealing combination). Of course, I tested the bell too. I wasn't too pleased with how it sounded, but it's such a close color match I can't bear to send it back.

I think that the color makes a bigger impact when all the elements are close together...

...but placing the bell on the basket may be the safer choice.

I couldn't decide between putting the light on the basket or the handlebars. During daylight hours it seems like an aesthetic choice, but at night it's a matter of safety.

My bell still looks smashing...

...but apparently my light lost some of its radiance behind all of those break cables.

My aunt said she couldn't really see my headlight on the handlebars when she drove towards me so it's going on the basket. It didn't help me out on the darkest street in the neighborhood either. I don't know if that's because of the location of the light or its limitations. It's probably a combination of both because the more powerful headlights are pretty expensive.

Chic Couple

2009-12-30T14:20:00.000-08:00

I noticed these bikes a couple of weeks ago as I was riding to Acworth Beach and I thought they were so adorable-- they had the appropriate color and accessories for the holiday season and were sweetly romantic at the same time. I wasn't able to capture it in my first photo, but when riding by it almost looks like the his-and-her bikes dovetail into a heart-like shape.

Luckily, one of the bike owners, Cindy, was home when I rode by yesterday and I was able to come onto the porch and get some good shots of the bikes. She told me that her husband's bike was a new bike and hers was an old one. His head badge said, "Next," which I believe is a brand carried in Target stores. Her bike is an old Schwinn with skinny red tires that I would never have expected to see on a vintage bike. Both are single speeds. Cindy said they ride in warmer weather around the lake and that it is at that time of the year when you see most of the cyclists in town. She even said that there's a group--I don't know if it's an organized ride or a cycling club--that comes through the area every Summer.

2010: Year of the Bike?

2009-12-28T22:10:00.000-08:00

On Christmas Eve, Andrew Ritchie, inventor of the Brompton folding bike won the Prince Philip Designers Prize , formally known as the Prize for Elegant Design. Today, it appears to reward a lifetime of achievement in design and, on its fiftieth anniversary, Ritchie was chosen as the prizewinner. England seems to have a greater affinity for cycling than the US, but if they take bikes as seriously as such an award would suggest, then this country is bound to start thinking more seriously about cycling. I've chronicled the bicycle's increasing role in the fashion world and noted its emergence in some American lifestyle magazines and blogs on my other blog never doubting that the trendiness of those worlds couldn't hurt cycling. Now Design (yes, with a capital "D") has taken note of the bicycle and I'm thinking/hoping that in addition to innovative or stylish new bikes we'll see new bike infrastructure. Atlanta just got its first sharrows which is a delightful surprise, but just a small step towards realizing what's needed in the city and this, of course, is the case in many cities across the US. I'd like to believe that in 2010 there will be a lot more safe space for cyclists to ride their folding or classic French-inspired (see Brown Betty) bikes.

60's Cycle Chic

2009-12-21T20:04:00.000-08:00

The fashion photography of F.C. Gundlach via Grapes

I really like the contrast between the model's refined ensemble and the street art. I also like the fact that this proper lady in hat and gloves is riding a bike.

Calling All Chic Cyclists

2009-12-21T19:35:00.001-08:00

I've been meaning to post about the bike wardrobe remix Flickr group for a few days now. I think I got so excited about it that I went and took this picture even though it was freezing. I had a jacket of course, but I took it off to better take a photo of the outfit. Oh, what I do for cycle chicness!

A Family of Cyclists

2009-12-21T17:04:00.000-08:00

Kenny, the dad's bike

Michael, the son's trike

All the sons' bikes

After seeing all of those bikes in the backyard as I roll by everyday, I had to stop and ask about who was riding them and where. Kenny was nice enough to go out back and unchain the bikes so I could get some pictures. (He didn't want to pose with his bike so I didn't ask for any other rider with bicycle pictures). I also met his two sons, Stephen and Michael.

Kenny has lived in Acworth for about thirty years and he got his 70's era Schwinn Suburban from a neighbor who was putting it out for trash collection. The paint job looked great and all the parts appeared to be original except maybe for the old-fashioned horn. Kenny said that he likes to ride around town for pleasure--he added that it doesn't hurt that riding keeps his weight down. His son, Michael, rides his trike to work just down the street at a restaurant called, Henry's. I don't know how I missed that magenta beauty, but Michael said he's seen Betty and me around town. I complimented the size of the trike's seat mentioning that my mom thinks that today's bike seats are not big enough for real people's butts. Both father and sons heartily agreed. Kenny said the seats are probably sized for the sporty, spandex-clad cyclist. In true cycle chic style he wears his everyday clothes on his bike ensuring his comfort by wearing baggy jeans.

I'm glad that I had the courage to ring the bell at Kenny house today--I haven't been good about asking the few cyclists I've encountered for photo opportunities. I saw an elderly cyclist today at the library. He walked with a limp, but he rode effortlessly--now that's chic.

Haven't I Seen You Somewhere Before?

2009-12-21T11:40:00.000-08:00

I'm guessing this is a Carmel 1 Low Entry.

The woman at left definitely has a Roll 2, but if the woman on the right has a Vienna 4 they must have shot this photo with weird lighting.

Matching the Haul 1 Step Through to the model's outfit: very clever.

The last place I'd think I'd see Globe Bikes or any display of cycle chic is Utah, but here it is: Cycle and Style is "an online women's magazine bringing together Cycling, Style, and Health." Not only is it grand that women, in their everyday clothes are shown riding bikes, but it's even better that it's implied that any sort of bike can suit the purposes of a utility cyclist. All you have to do is get on the bike and ride it.

Kudos to you, ladies of Utah! You are doing a great service to your state--not only for the environment, but for the state's image because, frankly, when I think of Utah polygamy and the Osmond family come to mind and I can't say that I approve of either one (especially after Donnie Osmond's undeserved win on "Dancing With the Stars").

The Ride: What I've Learned So Far, Part II

2009-12-14T21:01:00.000-08:00

from the dog painter's blog

Avoid braking on gravel-covered surfaces. I'm lucky not to have fallen, twice. The second episode of wild skidding pretty much emblazoned this little tip in my memory.
Old dogs don't chase you very far. I don't think it's because they're tired, I think it's because they know better than to stray too far from their yards.
Avoid big sticks. (I learned that by observing Dan).
If you roll the bike forward, the Pletscher kickstand folds up by itself (but sometimes not all the way up).

Frustrated Friday

2009-12-11T20:49:00.000-08:00

After figuring out a safe bike route to my nearby park & ride, I was excited about the possibility of taking the bus (with my bike on the front rack) into Atlanta for today's Courteous Mass. Since I'm hoping to relocate soon, I thought it might be a good idea to get involved in the local cycling scene. Alas, my multi-modal trip to the city was not to be because while Cobb County Transit seems pleased enough to get one into the city, the last bus leaves Atlanta for Acworth at 7:05 PM. Not enough time to socialize at all.

On the bright side, it looks like Courteous Mass is going strong with a ride every second Friday of the month. There's also a 3rd Friday Commute that sounds like my kind of ride. As eager as I am to attend a group ride, I guess I'll just have to wait until I move, but at least I know that there will be other rides.

The Woods Are Lovely, Dark, And Deep

2009-12-09T21:24:00.000-08:00

This trail provided a nice respite from riding on the sidewalk.

I broke about six rules--I have a hard time not talking to strangers. I'm glad I wasn't wearing headphones because that would've been a seventh violation. Considering the anti-headphones policy and the British media's demonization of iPod use while cycling maybe I should rethink new headphones for Xmas.

These wood aren't very deep, but they make a pretty picture don't they?

Today was a beautiful day for a bike ride--it was unseasonably warm with a bright blue sky and cool winds. The wind gusts were pretty forceful, but it was a practically perfect Fall day otherwise. I found a safe route to the park & ride and since Cobb County Transit has bike racks on their buses this could be a means for me to get into Atlanta more often. I also found a new trail, the Logan Farm Park Trail. Unfortunately, it's not very long at all, but it's nice while it lasts.

Does Wearing Headphones Make You A Rude Cyclist?

2009-12-03T11:19:00.000-08:00

so beautiful...

even the box has garnered praise

I don't ordinarily wear headphones while riding because I ride on the streets more often that on a bike path. However, I think wearing them on a bike path is fine. What I'm more concerned about is what happens when you get off of the bike. For example, a bike path I used to ride ended in Little Five Points where there were lots of coffee shops and boutiques. A little further down Moreland Ave. is a shopping center with a Kroger, Target, etc. It didn't seem rude to me to walk into the shopping center, the post office, or let's say, Wish, with earbuds on. They're fairly discreet even with conspicuous white wires. But what about getting off of your bike and walking in a shop with big turquoise headphones on? I wouldn't want to sully the cyclist's reputation for being smart and nice.

Ready For The Tweed Ride Since 1983

2009-11-30T12:16:00.000-08:00

The preponderance of knickers is another reason why I'm especially enthused about Tweed Rides. If nationwide Tweed Rides usher in a knicker renaissance, people will have to credit cycling with yet another environmental benefit. This time it will be the fashion landscape that reaps the rewards of motor-less, two-wheeled transportation.

A big thank you to Cosmo at Los Angeles Cycle Chic for the wonderful photos!

Now to find another snappy ensemble and a local Tweed Ride!

Tweed Envy

2009-11-25T19:32:00.000-08:00

via The Bike Blog Book

I want to be this woman! Not literally, but

I want to go on a Tweed Ride. I want a Tweed ride in my area and I want to live in the type of area that would host a Tweed Ride.
My tweed needs to be appreciated: one of my pieces is pink and the other is merlot and grey. They are colorful tweeds with personality that the world should take notice of!
I need vintage fur. I adhere to my grandmother's simple philosophy: "if you don't eat it, don't kill it." Vintage fur causes no qualms of conscience.
I also need a nice pair of oxfords.

The Ride: What I've Learned So Far

2009-11-20T18:55:00.001-08:00

If you put your left foot on the left pedal first--just as one advances the left foot first in walking--you can get off to a pretty graceful start, especially after coming to a stop at an intersection. I never thought about this before when riding a bike so I thought I'd share.
The "graceful start" seems nearly impossible to achieve on an incline. Perhaps with more practice...
I think even drivers see how cool my bike is and that's why so many of them stopped short in order to stay out of my pictures. (One guy even got out of his big, green SUV to help me with my kickstand when he heard me ask it for cooperation. I think he heard me).
I love this bike!
Betty does not love my shoes. My mom and I had admired her pedals as merely being "fancy," but after perusing the manual I found that they were designed to grip your shoes and help your feet stay in position on the pedals.
I'm getting better at composing pictures but the execution is still lacking.

The Lost Weekend

2009-11-18T15:20:00.000-08:00

My mom with my sister.

Praline Supreme: the senior member of the Sable Stable.

Apparently, my mom is the carrier of the blurry picture gene which afflicts me so.

She insisted I pose for this rustic picture at the old train depot.

I'm trying to take a cool picture like meligrosa and failing.

Like, I said, my mom, my sister, the Yorkshire terrier, and I went riding. What I didn't say is that I need a Courtnee-proof camera. Hopefully, I'll get a camera that takes good pictures despite me for Xmas. (They do make those now, don't they?)

Also, in spite of a little test run on Betty, my mom's ride didn't get off to a very smooth start. I should've shown her how to come to a start after she'd come to a stop--I had a lot of problems with that initially too. Well, at a stop sign, my mom was trying to get started again and she and Betty went down--Mom went flat on her back. It was no one's fault, but a lady driving an SUV paused at the intersection kept apologizing even though we told her she had nothing to do with it. I hope I find such sensitive drivers in the future when I'm actually moving.

While out and about, I took a number of pictures downtown. Pictures of downtown Acworth which looks a lot like downtown Cartersville and woodstock and probably a number of other places will be coming soon and I'll throw in some pictures of Lake Acworth for variety.

Hello, Acworth

2009-11-17T11:22:00.000-08:00

I must have only posted this on my other blog: I've moved. I haven't been able to get to the Internet much because we cut off our landline as one of the first orders of business and went into cells-only mode. It took forever to pack up the house--it used to be my grandmother's house and she used to have a cafe (which I just found out about) so I pretty much packed dishes and glasses for three days straight. Then there was the furniture, clothes, bric-a-brac, the dog. Of course, my bikes weren't important to anybody, but me, and I had to spend the night at the new house without either bike (even though I tried in vain to at least get Betty over to the new house along with me). Yesterday, some friends brought Betty, but Praline is locked in the old house alone. I hate that the Sable Stable isn't together.

To be honest, another reason that I haven't posted that much is because I've been out riding. I probably have a relative or two with Internet access and I could've asked them for a little time on their computer, but I hate to be a bother and it was soooo beautiful outside this past week. Today is overcast and drizzly, but it's still unseasonably warm. Maybe I'll get a picture of my new environs for this post. I still have a picture missing from my last post--I'll try to new pictures up tonight.

Oh yeah, some of the pictures I have to post are from a little weekend ride my mom my sister, Buttons, the Yorkshire Terrier, and I took. I let my mom ride Betty because I thought it would be easier for her to get up the hills with more speeds. Her ride didn't go as smoothly as I anticipated. I'll definitely blog with pictures about it later.

Anticipation

2009-11-06T18:15:00.000-08:00

I knew that my bike would be ready Wednesday or Thursday. Wednesday night I literally didn't sleep. It feels like I turned twice in bed, blinked my eyes a few times and, the next thing I knew, it was 6:40 AM. I had to get up and get ready for class. I was tired, but excited about the call I was expecting from the bike shop. I was at the library around five o' clock when my cell phone rang--it was Outspokin' Bikes. My bike was ready! Unfortunately, there's no bike shop particularly close to me in Cartersville. Outspokin' Bikes is about seventeen miles away. After riding Praline home and jumping in the truck with plenty of blankets and old tee shirts, I made it to the bike shop shortly before closing.

I asked the bike mechanic who assembled Betty to pose with my new baby. (The photo must have come out like this because I was trembling with excitement). Then he put her in the back of the truck on two old blankets and I put the tee shirts around any points that were rubbing up against the truck bed--she was swaddled like a newborn baby.

I'm the type of person who likes to maintain the newness of a new thing for as long as possible; I can get a little freaky about it sometimes. When I first got my iPod, I would only put it in a pocket in my purse by itself--I didn't want anything knocking up against it. I didn't want it to get scratched. I got over it eventually, but gradually. Very gradually. I'd planned on being just as precious with Betty, but my inveterate procrastinating took care of that. Last night, I was so excited about my first ride on Betty in the morning that I couldn't sleep again. It was exactly the same as Wednesday night. I got up late this morning, wolfed down my breakfast, and hopped on Betty. It wasn't a very gracious hop, but I got under way without a problem. Regrettably, I didn't secure everything in my basket before heading out. I thought I could grab my bike lock before it slid out of the basket, but as I raced across the railroad tracks to beat the train that, as it turned out, wasn't coming, the lock got away from me and took a little bit of my wooden basket with it (not a lot, just some sort of coating on the wood). Luckily, the big AT&T van behind me didn't smoosh my bike lock under its tires. The driver actually got out and picked up my lock for me. He was nice--he complimented my bike and advised me to get some reflectors since it was such a dark color. I thanked him and he drove away.

When I reached school, I was presented with another problem. The bike rack looked positively Lilliputian. In order to lock my bike to the rack, I had to back it up and hook the lock around the dropouts. In the process, I scraped the rear fender against the building. So much for being precious with Betty. But I guess it's a good thing because it would be difficult to enjoy my bicycle to the fullest if I was overly worried about "messing it up."

Actually, I should be more worried about the damage my shoes might develop on Betty. No wonder Vivienne Westwood rides with her heels in her basket.
Nonetheless, I will ride tall. Literally. I feel so high up on this bike. I noticed it immediately and I thought, "I can look an SUV driver in the eye." Funnily, when I was on my way to the library after school I intimidated a younger SUV driver. I didn't even acknowledge her honk initially because no one has ever honked at me in town. When I casually turned to survey her through my sunglasses, I'm sure she shrank a bit. Her passenger passive aggressively yelled for me to get on the sidewalk before getting out of earshot. I've certainly felt more eyes on me today than usual; Betty really turns heads and, apparently, makes some chicks feel threatened. Sad. It would be so much easier for her to get a bike of her own than to try to spoil my good time. I'll be out and about enjoying myself tomorrow for sure.

About Us: Why's and Wherefore's

2009-11-05T05:17:00.000-08:00

I ride a bike because it's fun. Or at least the way I ride a bike is fun (in my estimation). I don't ride fast. I don't wear Lycra. I don't get dirty. I don't schlep anything on my person. I can easily wave at bystanders or stop and have a chat
(because I'm not gasping for breath). I carry whatever I need with me in my basket.

Unfortunately, I didn't always do things this way. In my school days, I tried to ride to campus sans basket or rack with a humongous bookbag on my back. It was a pretty miserable experience in a brief three mile commute. Of course, three miles carrying a bookbag doesn't sound that bad, but consider the fact that I was in Atlanta. In September. After arriving on campus and getting out of the heat, I still had my profuse back sweat to deal with. While I carried some fabulous body wipes and spritz (chilled in the refrigerator for the Atlanta heat), I still felt icky (and I was probably a little whiffy despite my efforts). I didn't have another shirt to change into because I couldn't have transported it unwrinkled in my bookbag. Needless to say, I didn't last long as a commuter cyclist.

Because of my fond memories of riding a bike as a kid, I figured that my arduous commute had to stem from something I had done wrong. Searching the Internet for answers, I found commuter cycling websites that represented a community of folks riding bikes with fenders, chain guards, racks, baskets, or panniers who rode in order to get from point A to point B, not to beat their own time. Looking a bit further, I found a website advising women cyclists on how to cycle in skirts and heels. This was my first inkling of cycle chic. Then I found Copenhagen Cycle Chic. It was a revelation. Next, I had to find my ride with civilized accessories. As luck would have it, I came across Riding Pretty's post on her rusty true love which directed me to Craigslist for a vintage bike of my own. I bought my gently-loved Praline from an older gentleman and the rest is history.

About Us: Nomenclature

2009-11-02T10:43:00.000-08:00

Hello,~~world~~ globe! I'm Courtnee and I'm so happy to be a part of the Globe Bike Project because it allows me to spread a little bit more cycle chicness across the blogosphere. I hope that anyone considering a Globe bike who checks out this blog knows that one can ride in any flight of fashion that he/she chooses as long as it permits free range of movement. More than likely, my first DIY
post will be about making skirt/coat guards for my bikes so that my flowy Fall skirts don't get
caught up in the rear wheel when going downhill (again). There is also a nice little assemble
in the works for my new Globe Bike-- henceforth and forever more to be referred to as Brown
Betty, Betty, or BB II-- that includes paisley reflective stickers, Japanese lace tape, and a lavender paint pen to start. For security purposes, I believe that my bikes should be as feminine as possible. I also like the pretty. I like the pretty a lot (I'll elaborate on this in regards to
bikes at another time).

Right now, Brown Betty is on her way to the Peach State from origins unknown and I'm so excited about her joining my stable. Actually, I'm just thrilled to be able to say that I have a, "bike stable."Since my other bike, Praline Supreme, is bronze my bikes shall be referred to collectively as the "Sable Stable: The Dynamic Duo of Slow Cycling." However, "Sable Stable," will suffice for daily parlance.

By now you're probably wondering why my bikes have names and titles. Who doesn't like having a title? Titles make one feel and appear important and my bikes are important to me. Also my bikes are mine. We have history (or we will, in Betty's case). We have a relationship--we're
road buddies. We're on a journey together, literally! Do you have histories or relationships with
unnamed entities? Pets have names. Ships have names. Some folks name their cars. It's just natural that bikes have names too.

I can't wait to meet Brown Betty and get to know her. Of course, I'll be detailing our little adventures here as regularly as possible. And no, your eyes do not deceive you, this blog is color coordinated with my future bike and my profile picture outfit because that's how we roll.