Lane's Raleigh Sprite Bicycle via LugsChicago

(photos: LugsChicago)

Sometime back LugsChicago left a comment mentioning he was going to be doing some 'NextGirlFriend' bicycle building -- more in keeping, and with an eye out for rebuilds he could do for the ladies. I responded with sure send some pictures in when you do. Looks like he has kept good on his word...

"I built up this pretty Raleigh Sprite last week. The gem goes to Lane, who looks Divine in the saddle."

Ah..."vintage bicycles", "steel", "lugged", "531", are all words that are pure music to my ears.

Now if you are looking for a vintage bicycle yet don't have the desire to hunt down the bare bones of a 'beautiful bicycle in the making' - let alone have the desire to learn the skills to rebuild it---
Well, see if you can find some one like LugsChicago to give you a hand. It could be a solution for you. I learned (with a lot of help from the Bike Church) how to rebuild my own bicycle. This is not for everyone though.

Bicycle Trash to Vintage Bicycle Treasure

---"1970's or 1980's Cyclops Vintage Ladies bicycle I found in a park near my home, most people, well, everyone leaves it for garbage but it can truly be turned into a gem, with a lot of hard work!!"

via antonioscheel

Stay tuned as antonio says there is more to the story with more video and pictures to follow ...

Fashion Blogger Beauty and her Vintage Bicycle

I guess I just couldn't keep myself from resisting - I re-posted them ALL! - The Freelance Fashionblog's photos- the ones where she is wearing these adorable vintage outfits with her vintage bicycle. I just love these pictures!....

(all photo credit: The Freelancers Fashionblog)

But Alas, she has left her lovely vintage bicycle in the snow since November...

(all photo credit: The Freelancers Fashionblog)

Now leaving your bicycle covered in snow is sad, everyone agrees especially The Freelance Fashionblogger... but spring is on it's way with delightful warm days ahead (to dream about for now)... Warm days where you just feel it in your bones that you just have to ride your bicycle!

With that in mind here is some help to get your bicycle ready for spring. I've written a post called Green Clean Your Bicycle sharing my tips - for instance on how to get rid of rust. It will get you started on the road to recovery - for the sake of your dear bicycle!

Vintage Bicycle Photo Inspiration- Strange Story Photo?

(vintage photo circa 1900)

In keeping 'mood wise' and complimenting my most recent post with its beautiful tintype photo, I decided to share this old vintage photo today.

I melt over the little girls bicycle...ah, ha now I know why I've been leaning towards big, beautiful cream colored tires (Schwalbe Delta Cruiser Tires in creme 40-63) for my vintage Raleigh DL-1 bicycle!!!

Actually there is a lot in this photo if you take the time to look. I believe there is a story.
Fashion wise I love the side buttoned knee high boots, the white ruffled portrait collar on her dress as well.

Do tell.... what story do you think the photo is saying to you?

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!

Kate Hudson - Looking Adorable on a Vintage Schwinn Bicycle

(photo credit: unknown)

So Simple & Fresh...What more to say? Kate is wearing a look so reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn. Take note of this classic, beautiful Vintage Schwinn bicycle she is riding. She looks so casual yet playfully elegant

The Heron and The Heron

The Heron and The Heron....

( my 1970's vintage bicycle)

Until I can purchase a proper upright commuter bike like the very popular Batavus... (You know THE ‘must have’ bicycle as ridden by several of the cycle chic cognoscenti), well until then I ride my beloved 'PrettyBritty'. I've never seen another ladies 1960's Raleigh step through like mine around town. And by around town I mean Berkeley, San Francisco and now Santa Cruz my latest hometown. My bicycle is unique and a head turner, and so very recognizable. The artisanal helmet cover prototypes which I am always testing out always get heads turning as well!

I am a lollygag rider. I have no bike to work commute to speak of. I mainly work out of my home studio. Occasionally I work with a hi-tech start-up. Either way I have an indecently short bike to work commute.

So where do I go when I do ride my bike? I go for leisure rides to enjoy the beauty of the place I live in. I go downtown to partake in my favorite activity which is to frequent the excellent thrift stores in pursuit of recyclables for use in the making of my helmet covers. I also primarily dress from vintage and thrift store finds so I’m always on the hunt for a new vintage frock to wear! I go downtown to shop the art stores for supplies, downtown for café outings, downtown for Farmer’s Market, and so forth.

I am still in recovery from the ‘nervous nellies’ after several close encounters with near death while city bicycle riding some years back, PLUS caring for a friend after a head injury sustained from a bike accident with a car. So to cope, I began to seek out walk-able and bike friendly communities as a priority as to where I would be living ultimately. Now when planning all of my bicycle routes, what I do is to take the LONG way. I chose the quiet back roads. Here in Santa Cruz there are beautiful dedicated bicycle path ways. That’s what I am sharing with you in the pictures you’re seeing today. The bicycle path you see in the photo goes along the San Lorenzo River. It takes you downtown, though from the photo you'd never guess you were a just few short blocks away from the heart of downtown!

*****
Update: An anon reader over at Thom's Old Bike Blog suspected my bicycle was circa 1970's.

Anon...I bumbled back here and found your comment last night. Becoming OCD driven I researched and researched. Oh my gosh, you're right!

I purchased this bike off SFCraigslist. In the ad it was advertised & listed as circa 1968. I totally trusted the previous owner's word...he worked his entire life in bike shops and had a major collection of various bikes going back 30 plus years. He himself bought the bike from American Cyclery in SF in the early 90's, at least that's what he said anyway.

So What is the telltale identifier? It's the Raleigh lettering. Slanted (like what's on my bicycle) means it's from the 1970's and later and upright lettering means it's from the 1960's or earlier. So there you have it.

For about 2 hours I was really upset and thought about recontacting the person I bought it from. I decided against it. I like my bicycle, so that's that.

Thom... I guess if you want you can change the title of this post to reflect the correct age of this bicycle.

Alice's Polka Dot Bicycle

(via Alice Point -- photocredit: Marika)

(via Alice Point -- photocredit: Marika)

Meet Alice and her (borrowed for now) vintage POLKA DOT bicycle. She's a stylist living in Krakow Poland, and into all things vintage....especially magical vintage bicycles!
I adore her style!

Vintage Bicycle, Extreme Gladiator Sandals... Desert (Burning Man?) with Jena Malone

(actress: jena malone - photo source unknown)

Sure do love the bicycle, AND the gladiator sandals the newly emerging actress Jena Malone is wearing here. What a coincidence after posting only just yesterday the photo of Mary Kate on a cool vintage bicycle wearing gladiators sandals too!

I'm also liking the shorty 'riding gloves', and the deep brim on her hat for blessed relief from the intense sun. This shot inspires me.

Mary Kate Olsen in NYC - Riding a Pretty Vintage Bicycle with Wicker Basket

(image via olsen twins news)

Mary Kate Olsen looks like she is riding a vintage bicycle (or at least vintage looking to me). Plus the bicycle is outfitted with a nice wicker basket as well. Love her rounded glasses and they are very much like the ones I wear. I as a fashion observer, well I just love what the Olsen Twins are up to and have to admit I follow their style and fashions via various different fashion bloggers.

Anyway, great going Mary Kate. Love your bicycle!!

Bike Church- A Journal of Sorts—Finding and Rebuilding my Motobecane Bicycle

Day One
I strolled by Bike Church and on impulse decided to walk in and check it out. I met Ann & Josh; they were super nice and explained how Bike Church worked. There in the back I eyed this bicycle, the only step through frame they had (on that particular day). I saw the $10.00 price tag. Done. I bought my bike. Ann said it was a Motobecane and French.

(Bike Church - Ann )

Ann also said that because this was a slow time at Bike Church due to the Christmas Holidays that this would be an excellent time to rebuild my bike. She then explained what I would need to do in order to get this bike in riding shape. Oh, yes!! I signed up for the 'memberteer- get a bike' program. In the back of my head I also knew I would want to write about the experience and share it on this blog.


Wed
MY TEACHERS: Quentin & Erik
All I did was work for 2 solid hours, sorted wheels, seat posts and other bike parts. I earned 2 hours. I learned in what bins you could find which parts by doing this sorting job. In the end I realized this is really an excellent way to get you familiar with bike parts!


Thurs
MY TEACHERS: Jason & assistant
Today's assistant was really excited by my Motobecane and exclaimed I’d gotten a REALLY good frame. Now for the first time I got very excited about the potential of my 'junker'. I removed the back wheel and learned how to repack the bearings on the back wheel. I felt extremely proud! I had to get my work checked no less than 6 times to get it just right. Only snafu was that I lost a part (forgot the name of it) and ended up spending ½ hour sorting through and cleaning out a junk box of mountain bike forks with tons of crud at the bottom. Never found the part. Jason liked my cleaning & organizing. He said I did a great job on my rear wheel.

Fri
MY TEACHERS: Steve & assistant
Steve helped me identify my frame type. He explained drop outs that are cast vs. stamped drop outs. He told me my frame was not double butted or 531 steel. He said it was a single butted job and explained tube thickness. He also explained the derailleur to me, telling me I needed to replace it. He showed me a bin which I looked through. Hey, the cost for a used derailleur is a mere $4.00! My boyfriend came in and said the one I picked with Steve’s help was crap. Steve said to try to get a long cage derailleur; it would give more options down the road? I was confused. Time now for a derailleur research on the internet when I get home, I decided.

So later when I got home I researched some 'period correct' derailleurs and found 2. One on craigslist (simplex) and one on eBay (suntour). Anyway back to Bike Church... Steve was VERY helpful. The assistant however, was being pulled off in 100 directions by all these demanding people needing help. Sometimes Bike Church just gets flooded with people and their bikes and all wanting attention and help. I went off and cleaned the Bike Church bathroom and swept the yard. I racked up 3 more hours of 'memberteering' work. I came home filthy and feeling like slime because this really was grunt work, but I was so happy at the same time. I was getting my bike built!

(Took a Bike Church break for one week)

More pictures of bikes in the back that are for sale or are project bikes...

(3 speed bike currently (4/21/09) available to buy & fix at Bike Church)

Fri
MY TEACHERS: Steve & assistant
My boyfriend came with me to Bike Church to help put on tires and to help speed things up for me since I only had an hour to spend at Bike Church that day. I wanted to get seriously down to work and at least get tires on my bike. Steve came over and helped out as well. I made a slight mistake and picked brand new tires when I was only entitled to use my accrued credit towards used items. All my parts so far I had gotten used and in trade for the work I was putting in down there.…So I put on 2 NEW tires @10.00 each, 2 inner tubes @ 3.00 each. The first cash I'd spent on the bike since buying it for that mere $10.00. So I was now into my bike for only a total of $33.00 cash out of my pocket.

Sat. Intro to Bikes
MY TEACHER: Ryan
Intro to Bikes. I was the only student. My teacher was excellent. I had a complete 'one on one' learning the 101 for bikes! The class ran almost 2 hours long. I learned a lot.

Sun. Women/Transgendered Safe Space
MY TEACHER: Ann
I was the only one there except for a '20 minute-fill the bike tires-girl' who came in. Ann spent the entire 3 hours helping me and doing most of the really tricky finagling work as I learned and watched. I picked out a used rear and front derailleur from the used bins completely on my own (yes, it was 'period correct' and suntour.) Ann confirmed my rear derailleur was an excellent choice, so no need for the EBay or Craigslist derailleur I'd been considering at 8 times the price. Ann had these friction shifters she'd stashed away for another project bike and decided to let me have them. We ran out of time (darn French bikes and their bolt threading!) I still have to do the brakes, but I wanted to take my bicycle home for Christmas. I rolled my bike out of there and walked home in the rain. Happy.

(Ann - Teacher at Bike Church)

(I spent the next few weeks doing a green clean on my bicycle. Bike Church was closed so what better time to invest and really clean her up. Still, I was so anxious and excited to get brakes on and actually ride my Motobecane.)


Sun. Women/Transgendered Safe Space
MY TEACHER: Ellie
I was so glad Bike Church was open again! I decided to work on my bicycle only during the Women/Transgendered Safe Space on Sundays and which only occurs once every three weeks. I like it because generally it has a whole lot less people vying for help and attention from the teachers, plus it has such a really cool vibe! Ellie helped me put my brakes on. (new brakes pads $4.00) She found used color coordinated cable housing (blue of course) for me. She also is the one who said I just had to go with cork grips ($8.00) and to be sure I shellacked them. I totally love Shellac now; I ended up shellacking my thrifted bicycle basket.

I rode my bicycle for the very first time out of Bike Church! I was thrilled and ecstatic!

Sun. Women/Transgendered Safe Space
MY TEACHERS: Ann and Ellie.
I brought my Motobecane with the new cork grips and basket in because I wanted Ann and Ellie to first of all see my bicycle all finished and pretty and also because I was having difficulty shifting. Turns out the shifting 'problem' required a very minor, minor adjustment. What I really needed was more practice with 10 speed shifting, not that its rocket science or anything, it's just that I've always ridden cruisers or a 3 speed. What a noob I am sometimes.

(Ellie - Teacher at Bike Church)

The bike collective is a way to find out where to find a bicycle coop near you OR how to start one in your own community. Thanks Ann for pointing out to me where to find this information at!

Some before and after pics of my Motobecane....

(before pic taken at Bike Church the day I bought my Motobecane)

(after or rather midway pic, the brakes, front derailleur, cork grips & basket added later)

I received requests to explain how I came by my Motobecane... So I hope everyone enjoys this back story behind my Motobecane 'Belle'. Thanks Bike Church!!!!!

SeaSide Bicycle Beauty -- Top Model... Abbey for AUSTRALIAN Vogue

(via 'starbucks and jane' blog)

Acai Cafe and Bikes...Monterey Cruiser

New discovery in Santa Cruz...

I promise to return soon to this fabulous new cafe and bring you more photos!!

I really love the built in bike racks that seamlessly meld into the wood wall. By the way the Acai menu is out of this world, .... the acai berry will fuel you up incredibly for any bike riding you're up for.

So addicted to the smoothies here. My favorite is the 'Hero', it's a mix of berries with acai berry, black berry, blueberry. YUM!



+++++++++++++++

Free, Gratis, Libre'.... That's the sign... it's how I acquired my Monterey Cruiser. Simple, simple bicycle but an honest to goodness cruiser.

A 'beater bike' by most everyone's opinion. But how I love this bicycle!!!! 'Monterey' has a bit of a sentimental ring to it for me ...awwhhh...it's because I live next to the beautiful Monterey Bay.
So an apt name for my new 'beater' bicycle is 'Libre Monterey'.

My Dream Red Beauty - fixed gear bicycle ...Tiffany's

This bicycle is in my dreams...I was looking for beautiful fixed gear (fixie) bicycles, doing my usual flying fingers research when her picture popped up. Possibly the most beautiful bicycle I have ever seen...Alas, she sold last summer at auction for $57,000.00

(1890s built Tiffany fixed gear bicycle via animalnewyork)

SanFrancisco's Melissa and Josephine the Bicycle

photocredit/source:birds.eye.view

Meet Melissa via birds.eye.view. I must say, I just loved the whimsical beauty of this photo. What also struck me was this funny little prose about 'Josephine'...Melissa's beloved bicycle;

"She’s a heavy old bike with three measely little gears. All the fixie riders in my neighborhood turn their nose up at her with her little cruiser build, but she’s one of my favorite things in the whole world, and it’s about time I take her out for a little fresh air."

Melissa gave me this little back story on how 'Jospehine' came to be in her life. Her husband found the bicycle at a flea market... Two girls were seriously eyeing the bike and just waiting for the moment to pounce. Afraid to take his hands off for even a second, 'Josephine' came home. A birthday present for Melissa!



More fun yet is this video of Melissa and Josephine out for a ride:

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note if the video is not showing up for any reason, follow this link to "Riding my Bike Josephine"