Side by side is more fun

A sign of social cycling conditions is riding side by side. It's just more fun that way, isn't it?

Gentlemen cyclists of London

Guys look great on two wheels too, especially when they're as dapper as these chaps...

Hooray for man chic - it's just dressing for your destination, not your journey after all.

London winter cycle chic

For just a couple of hours on Saturday afternoon the sun came out in London and for a few brief fleeting moments it almost felt as though spring was in the air.  The grey, dull clouds parted and the sun shone through, and it seemed that everyone was taking the opportunity to get out on their bikes.  Of course, we all know that winter isn't really over and that it will probably come back to bite us on the bum, but after the days of hideous head winds we've been having it was just good to get out there and get the wheels turning again...

Friends were out together, chewing the fat and catching up...

...and it was even warm enough to grab a bite to eat outdoors (trees make great bike rests, you know)

Someone asked me recently what the point of 'cycle chic' photos are.  "Are they chosen selectively?" they asked, "Why do you only show attractive people on bikes in their normal clothes?", "Where are the people in lycra, and helmets, and cycling gear?"  My answer was simple.. firstly, have you seen a car advert recently?  Do you think that it shows the reality of the situation on our streets?  And secondly, if we want to make cycling appealing to the masses the last thing we need is to show cycling as something which needs special clothes, or special kit, just in order to get from A to B.  As the aim of this blog has always been to rehabilitate the bicycle and show everyday and ordinary cycling, cycle chic is right up our street.

This is a duplicate post from London Cycle Chic's sister blog, i b i k e l o n d o n, where you'll find plenty more about getting about on two wheels. 

Btwin babe on Broadway

This stylish lady's bike is a brand I hadn't heard of before, but I like it a lot.  Emminently sensible, and of course the fully enclosed chain and gears allows her to ride in whatever she likes.  As they say over at Copenhagen Cycle Chic one dresses for the destination, not the journey after all.  The company who make these bikes are called Btwin and are from France - vive la velorution!  What's your ride?

London Cycle Chic takes it up a notch!

I thought it was about time we took things up a notch and, well, there's only so much one can do from the wrong side of the North Sea...

I'm Mark, the writer of the London cycling blog i b i k e l o n d o n and I'll be guest contributing here by adding photos and content on all things cycle chic in London. Staying true to the original cycle chic manifesto principals I'll be looking to capture the best in chic citizen cyclists from around town and bringing you the latest news and views - look out for me with my camera at Broadway Market, the Bethnal Green Road, Spitalfields, Shoreditch and around town. If you see me, give me a wave! I've also got big ideas for this blog's future, including getting London to join the global Cycle Chic Sundays movement - who wants to look sharp and come for a ride? It's about time we caught up with the likes of Sydney on that front!

You can also be a part of London Cycle Chic by adding your own snaps from around town to the London Cycle Chic flickr group - there are some great images there already for you to enjoy and who knows, your photos might even make it on to the blog.

Ride on, chicistas!

Envious glances at Broadway Market

I'm so fabulous I touch myself

A rose between two thorns