Martha, El Raval neighborhood of Barcelona, Spain

Rental bike from Barcelona Rent a Bike. Photo: Jeremy Bolen

Barcelona is an ideal city to explore by bike.  Not only do they have well established cycle tracks and bike lanes— they have a massive bike share system with the coolest looking shared bikes on the planet.  Check out tomorrows post to see what I am talking about.  We opted to rent bikes at Barcelona Rent a Bike because is was the closest place to our hotel, but there are many good bike rental spots scattered throughout the city.  We managed to pop our "puncture-resistant tires" by running over glass, and I learned a universal truth: No matter what country you are in, bike shop employees have the power to make you feel like and idiot.  "Geez bike shop guy, I have ridden a bicycle before, and I know you should avoid glass, but it was just everywhere."

 ** Side note– my bike shop, Boulevard Bikes, doesn't make me feel like an idiot.  

For the sartorially minded I am wearing a thrifted navy and white striped shirt, American Apparel high-waisted shorts, and Worishofer 251 Sandals.

Martha, S State St & W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL

Photo: Nicole Radja 

Chicago in the spring can be challenging (though it has been unseasonably warm).  This season brings the weather man's credibility to the level of the psychics and tea-leaf readers.  Case in point: I was planning to post this today because it was supposed to be rainy, but now it says clear skies the whole the day (not that I am complaining).

My ABSOLUTE least favorite weather condition is rain, specifically cold rain, and I have been looking for ways to cheer myself up while riding in it other than my normal use of positive self deception (i.e. the rain make my skin look fresh and dewy, or rain water does wonders for my hair).  

My quest has been to find the the perfect rain trench because hopping on my bike, wearing a bright rain coat, is a perfect antidote to rainy day doldrums. I was thrilled when I found this Happy Rainy Days trench  on the site Cycle Style. (thanks Mary for the Christmas gift!).  I also love my Saltwater sandals which are built to withstand any amount of water. I just found out that the Happy Rainy Day brand has United States distribution on the site Hip in the Rain, so check it out.  

I pretty much want everything on the Cycle style site (bike wine rack, why not!)

 ~ Happy riding everyone!

First Time Stitches

Yesterday, in a weird twist of fate, I almost got run over by a car and ended up with stitches after impaling myself on a part of my bike (the fenders?) .  I was just sitting at a fresh red light when a car came careening straight towards me through the red light.  To avoid a collision, I threw myself (with my bike) to the left.  Sheer adrenaline kicked in and after the narrow miss I realized I had impaled my leg on my bike down to the bone, yech. I'm doing fine, and only needed five stitches, but so far I think August should be National Bicycle Crash Awareness month.

Don't want to be a downer, so I promise no more graphic injury photos after this ; )   I have lots more Bike Fancy photos waiting in the wings.

*** Northwestern Urgent care center is the BEST.  In and out in about an hour, and all the doctors are dreamboats. 

Good by to ASIA, Back in the USA

Me on the banks of the Thu Bon River, Hoi An, Vietnam.  Motorbikes are EVERYWHERE.

While my trip to Asia was fantastic, I have to admit, I much prefer photographing the cyclists of Chicago.  One if my favorite things about posting local images, is learning tidbits about each person, and seeing how they bring their individual style to their bike.  The language barrier really prevented that in Vietnam and Cambodia.  That said, I'm really glad to have seen how seamlessly the Vietnamese and Cambodians incorporate their bicycles into daily life, not for any political or environmental reasons, but for sheer economic reason.  Cycling is the most efficient and cost effective form of transportation around.  They don't think they are "exercising," it is just the best way to get from point A to point B.  No one rides anywhere fast (except the occasional teen boy), they take their time.  One day back in Chicago, and I am being cut off, from the inside, by some dick on a mountain bike that couldn't possibly be shown up by a girl in heels.  I propose mandatory etiquette classes to some of the new cyclists of Chicago.

I am very excited to start posting pics from the sweltering heat that is now Chicago.  Coming soon: another Guys week.  Gentlemen, I have been remiss in ignoring you.  Please, if you are feeling particularly fancy, flag me down and make me take your picture.  I'll be the girl heading down State St. with the tripod strapped to the back of her bike.

Martha, W. Quincy St, Chicago, IL

Photo: Andrew Nawrocki

It's February here in Chicago and we here at Bike Fancy (okay its only, me but lets pretend) are decidedly less fancy.  I'm really loving my Christmas gift of Cole Hann rain/snow boots, and on the really blustery days I wear these Ski Goggles.  The amber lenses block blue light, and make winter look about 100% more beautiful. They seriously improved my mood, so I did a little research and found this study:  http://www.healthforworld.com/amber-colored-lenses.  I guess they seriously improve a lot of people's mood, crazy.  Now I'm scouring Ebay for vintage Blueblockers to extend the bliss into spring.  It is probably too optimistic to hope for a set of full fenders for Valentine's day, but damn this Chicago slush.

Happy Biking!

Martha, Pierce Ave and Damen Ave, Chicago IL

Martha rides an WorkCycles Oma, first experienced in Amsterdam, purchased at Dutch Bike Chicago

 Martha Says: "Recently, I found a picture of myself from around 1982, joyfully riding my new silver Schwinn 10-speed (and wearing really, really embarrassing multicolored suspenders).  Part of my spine is fused now, so there is no way I would fit on that Schwinn, but when I am out with Oma, I get to be that girl again.  Without the suspenders."

Thanks for sharing your photo Martha.  I thinks some Chicago hipsters would like to borrow your outfit!

Martha of Bike Fancy, Grant Park, Chicago, IL

Photo: Nicole Radja

Who knew I'd be wearing open-toed shoes in November!  Best. Fall. Ever.  And I grew up here.

Photo: Nicole Radja

Ice Pink Schwinn Prelude 1987

Had to share.  This is my bike from way back in 1987!  Check out some of my self-portraits to see what 8 years of hard riding and getting stripped by a bike thief will do.  Thanks to Boulevard Bikes in Chicago for keeping it rideable.

Photo: Andrew Nawrocki.
I photographed Chicago Mayoral candidates so I decided to wear by best conservative office wear.  I love this hat www.floydboberg.com.   Its locally made with reclaimed wool, has a velcro chin strap, and it fits under my helmet!