



I’m searching for the first signs of spring.
Inspired by Copenhagen Cycle Chic, in this past years observations I have been able to document that the bicycle on the streets of Toronto has inspired a culture of awareness of both two wheeled simplicity and street style.
With the upcoming Fashion week and Alternative Fashion weeks in March and April, I’m calling out to all the Toronto Fashion Bloggers, Designers and Cycle Chic manifesto followers to send in their submissions on how two wheels have influenced their Toronto frame of mind.
My bicycle was there during first kisses in Trinity park. It supported my early morning rides for spring lattes at the café curbside to the design studio. While riding I've found alleyway shortcuts to where flowers bloom on side streets and the smell of 3am baked bread still lingers past noon.
I recall as a teen getting chills watching flowing skirts, and drinking in wafts of perfumed sweat on summer breezes as the red changed to green. Even now I hear the same distinct ding of vintage bells whose sweet alarm teases of upcoming conflicts, or flirts of the unknown around each turn.
Bicycles crossed the beaches at 2am with bottles of wine to rest amongst strangers and the flicker of skyscraper fireflies. Their two wheels have heard the slander of lovers quarrel and felt the side swipe of oncoming traffic during periods of emotional insanity.
My Bicycle took me away through rain wind and snow, always without a care to the destination.
Bicycles have inspired fashion, films, music, poems and photos. Its simple stencil holds a gentle strength in its slender spokes. It creates a relationship that can bind a stiletto to the pedal and fuel a fire that pushes one leg to mimic the other in a rhythmic dance bringing reason to the here and there.
Ride.
If you ride a bicycle and are a Toronto Fashion Designer, Fashion Photographer, Blogger, Musician or any Torontonian in Canada or abroad, whose style has been inspired by the simplicity and sexiness of two wheels please join this virtual ride to somewhere.
Please send any photos of you and your bicycle and a brief description of who you are to 416cyclestyle@gmail.com We will show case your inspiration with links back to your website on upcoming posts.
If you Flickr please join this group http://www.flickr.com/groups/torontocyclechicsearch/
Please forward this post to any Fashion Friendlies who you think may be able to contribute.
Ride on.
'Xander
We are starting to thaw, March is bringing us a week full of sunshine.
Soon scarves and sweaters and lovely spring layers will grace our streets.
Have a great weekend!


Bicycle, compliments of,"lebicichic"
The olympics are on. Looking forward to the rest of the week..
Start thinking pink.
Valentines day will creep up like a Door Prize on a windy day.
Door Prize= when you ride into a car door.
Door Prize + no Valentines present = not a great prize.
I’m not one to get into the safety debate over whether or not to wear a bicycle helmet, so I’ll stop right now.
(photo courtesy of FlickrAudioblog)
Some will say,“ its only a helmet”. But if you’ve ever spent time with someone trying to pick out the perfect pair of eyeglasses you’ll understand where I’m coming from. Personal style can be a big factor.
The appearance of style and safety concious helmet and helmet cover designers and manufacturers are starting to seep into the North American bicycle culture, and with abundant choices available to match the personal tastes of individuals, I feel that putting on a helmet can soon be as normal as wearing shoes while riding a bike.
At night the options are all there.
You can just feel the drama in the air.
goodbye January, February here we come.

Their portfolio of two wheeled treats combined with their amazing selection of thingamabobs for bikes makes "On the Fourth", the perfect catalog to curl up and daydream with.
Their vision and goal below may soon be a reality. It's time for North American cities to wake up.
"As North AmericAN cities become more dedicAted to bicycles, our goAl is to provide North AmericAN cyclists with dedicAted city bikes"
-Fourth Floor Distribution
My first impression of Copenhagen via Google Street view, was that they have almost as many cars on their roads as they have bicycles, However if you focus on how they have integrated their streets to follow a "complete street" strategy, you'll understand that there is a clear and harmonius integration of a viable transportation philosophy. How sexy is that?i woke up today to the rattle of wrapping paper and a flurry of a 4 year olds rapid fire kisses. The handmade card which was hiding under my bed with a wrapped can of coke was a clear indicator that i had just turned 34.
If i make it to the age where a front loader tractor has to eat my dust i'll be more than happy.
this photo snapped today on my birthday illustrates that you are never too old to do the things you love.
ride.
Happy Birthday to me.