Bicycles + Summer Girls at the Beach

Girls of Summer and their bicycles headed for the beach....

On my way to the beach I passed by these two girls locking up their beach cruiser bicycles. We chatted, I really liked her bright orange bag - I guess because I have a pink one like it.
Funny, latter I noticed I ended up just a few towels over on the beach...

Fantastic Bamboo Bicycle

Downtown Los Gatos - Summer California Cycle Chic Girls and one amazing bamboo bicycle ...

Very warm day today, sun was blaring down hard. I squinted my eyes at just what kind of bicycle was ahead?

It was this very pretty bamboo bicycle I soon discovered! The owner told me she loved her bicycle but because it was bamboo it required dedicated upkeep to keep it looking good and at it's best. But then again she loved her bicycle!

Oh, and that's her friend waiting sweetly and patiently as I tried to quickly snap photos before the traffic light changed again...

p.s hope you can see/notice - 1) the beautiful flowers in the basket, 2) the pretty cornflower blue shade of nail polish on her fingernails and 3) the best wicker weaved bicycle seat I have ever seen!

Summer Colors- Purple Bicycle

Summer Colors- Purple Bicycle...

Close up - pretty floral print, purple bicycle handlebar and her jewelry! ...

Jesse Autumn's Bicycle and MUSIC! - a Cafe Day

You may remember seeing this bicycle and it's rider Jesse before - that is if you've been reading this blog for awhile...

Well as is often the case I spotted the bicycle well before seeing the bicycle's owner! I was so drawn to the contents inside the basket, those lovely strawberry print linens, well I just got giddy admiring them- so vintage, so perfect.

Next simply turn around (Shelly) and there was Jesse herself - a stones throw away seated at a charming outdoor cafe table at Lulu's where she was contently painting away...

As it turns out Jesse is an artist and musician. The best part of our chance meeting was the CD Jesse gave me. It's her brand new release. What a surprise I was in for! I have been listening to her CD non stop. I can't recommend it enough. It's so delicate, haunting, romantic. My BF says Jesse kinda reminds him of Tori Amos while for me she reminds me distantly of a female Nick Drake*.

"beautiful emotive and ethereal acoustic alternative folk/pop on piano, harp, organ, and glockenspiel" -- via her facebook page

Besides, the first track on Jesse Autumn Live EP is entitled 'November 5' (that's my birthday) and it is sooo pretty.

Jesse Autum's CD - go ahead and click it!

(*Why does someone always have to remind you of someone else anyway??!!)

Surfers, Boards, Bikes, Pleasure Point

(you naughty surfer boy!)

This past weekend it was all about vintage long boards, Pleasure Point and living the beach life. Enjoy!

PedX Girl

(photo by Mike M.)

PedX Girl doing her delivery thing via bicycle! And looking so cute in her practical but quite cute outfit. Her skirt had a little dog motif on it...

Stars on her Bicycle Spokes

(photo by ridingpretty)

If you look closely you will see stars on her bicycle spokes. She is about to taste something scrumptious being offered her at the local Farmers market. . .

Loving the soft gray 'over the knee socks', same coziness as her sweater. Her shoes too - black suede pumps with a short little heel to them. Oh, and her bicycle is a vintage Schwinn mixte. For a photo of a mixte see here and here.

Laundry Night and the Bicycle

(photo by ridingpretty)

Caught this on laundry night. She and her trusty bicycle waiting for the laundry to finish.

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more detail of her bicycle....

(photo by ridingpretty)

I really like the polka dot seat cover (for the rain) and that front rack on this bicycle is outstanding. Very practical for carrying the big laundry basket on!

Metallic Stripes Dress - Vintage Raleigh Bicycle with Wine Basket

(photos by RidingPretty)

Straight away I noticed the Raleigh bicycle with that back wicker basket ideal for transporting two bottles of wine with an extra compartment for food and flowers. I couldn't help but wonder who the rider might be?

Off I went on my next errand. A few minutes later voila!... the rider and I conveniently convened at the intersection. She'd borrowed this 1970's Raleigh bicycle and 'yes, isn't the wicker basket on the back just the best!'... It was filled with (mail?) manila envelopes and other purchases, no wine bottles just yet. AND her dress with it's metallic flecks had the best sparkly effect as she rode through the streets. Her fab green bag in the front basket was so color complimentary to her Raleigh as well. (I just wish my camera had captured the sparkly dress a bit better for your viewing pleasure... sigh ..)

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This is number four of the four stylish riders I spotted on (hot) Friday, and all in less than one hour, all downtown Santa Cruz. The temperature was in the 90's.

p.s I've shared the photos of the other stylish riders from (hot) Friday, one each day. This was the last one. Very good day for stylish riders, don't you think!

Checkered Dress -- Red Diamond Frame Bicycle

(photos by RidingPretty)

(photos by RidingPretty)

She rides a diamond frame bike in a dress ( really cute checkered dress BTW) with no problem! I know some out there wonder if this is an easy thing or not?...meaning how do you get on and off a bike with a top bar while wearing a dress? I see so many girls handle this effortlessly... so it never occurred to me to ponder over this. However for a 1st person report on the art of mounting/dismounting a diamond frame bike visit Lovely Bicycle as she goes into detail about her experience. Also visit Chic Cyclist, the bicycle she rides très chic around Boston is a gorgeous vintage Dawes ( a boys bike geometry or diamond frame.)

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This is number three of the four stylish riders I spotted on (hot) Friday, and all in less than one hour, all downtown Santa Cruz. The temperature was in the 90's.

p.s I'll be sharing the photos of the other stylish riders from (hot) Friday, one each day. Now there is one more to go.

Pencil Skirt Sarong on a Bicycle

(photo by RidingPretty)

The skirt she has on is like a pencil style skirt. It was in a lovely, batikish print, very sarong like. The skirt fell to her ankles but once she was on her bicycle she gracefully maneuvered it so that the back split opened up giving her plenty of room to ride. I completed her on this fete. She said, 'oh this skirt is nothing, you should see the stilettos I wear at night on my bike.'

This is number two of the four stylish riders I spotted on (hot) Friday, and all in less than one hour, all downtown Santa Cruz. The temperature was in the 90's.

p.s I'll be sharing the photos of the other stylish riders from (hot) Friday, one each day. Now there are 2 more to go.

Vintage Dress - Hawaiian Motif...Downtown Santa Cruz

(all photos by RidingPretty)

What a start to the weekend... within less than an hour I was able to spot & photo 4 stylish ladies on their bicycles. This all happened yesterday (Friday) whilst on my way to catch a big sale at one of my favorite thrift stores.

Speaking of vintage, you've got to love this Hawaiian motif vintage dress. The dress looked so good flying out as she cruised down the street on her bicycle. By the time I caught up to her she was headed into the door of Incognito. You can probably guess where the dress came from...

p.s I'll be sharing the photos of the other stylish riders from (hot) Friday, one each day.

Hello! Red Cruiser Bicycle....

(photocredit: RidingPretty)

Intersection Pacific Avenue @ Beach Street, Santa Cruz.

Flower Girl with Bicycle

(photo by RidingPretty)

Farmers Market Day...Impressive Market Bicycle!

I love your bike! You have such great style. Let me take a photo or two....

(photo by RidingPretty)

Loaded up with farm fresh goodness from the Farmer's Market.

(photo by RidingPretty)

I admired her carry bike trailer. She said some people in San Luis Obispo make them. What an excellent design, when I get myself a bicycle trailer this is what I want. I will do some research and track down the designers/makers.

++++

Now check out the paint job...

(photo by RidingPretty)

'Look at that paint job' I remarked to her, 'it's so multi- layered'.... It reminded me of a another bicycle I saw last Indian summer.

"Well, I was pregnant when I first got this bike. Now my son is 21."

How Awesome.