Monday, November 19, 2012
Thursday, October 4, 2012
October days
Campus chic
Footbridge chic
Rideau Canal chic
Barklay's in Ottawa? Yes, that's one of London's bike share bikes in Ottawa. But why is the seat on backwards?
Monday, October 1, 2012
Friday, September 14, 2012
Music for your bike ride
Ottawa Cycle Chic is not normally in the habit of deviating too much from the script. That’s to say that the blog is pretty much focused on street photography of cyclists and I tend to not wade into advocacy or debate on this blog. However, not one to be too rigid I will make an exception on this occasion and venture into the realm of the music reviewer. But just this once. Or until I'm sent another freebie!
Nora Schlang and Linus bike
Recently I was sent a copy of the CD “bicycle” by Nora and One Left from Washington D.C. Had it arrived at the beginning of the summer it could certainly have been the soundtrack for my summer. I’m not sure when I last heard such an infectious pop album.
The World is a Wonderful Place is an upbeat ditty and a good antidote to all the garbage going on in the world today and a great way to kick off the disc. Track two is the first of many bicycle-related songs and what a Cycle Chic song it is. Take a tour around the Cycle Chic world through the lyrics and try to see if you don’t want to hop on a bike in some of the great cities of the world. Trevor Exter’s cello opens the next bike track, A Winter’s Ride. This was the first track (but not the last) where I thought I might be listening to Leigh Nash of Sixpence None the Richer. Riley McMahon’s twangy guitar work on this song blends so well with the cello. I’m thinking we don’t hear enough cello in pop and rock music these days!
Big Red Bicycle is one of those sing-along good-time Christmas songs. Who wouldn’t want a big red bike? More twang here (by the way, I love twang) mixed in with what I’m pretty sure were sleigh bells. Out in the Rain, while superficially a bike song, is a bit more hard-edged with some great guitar work and a solid driving (or maybe I should say, cycling) beat!
Things slow down a bit with So Far Away. A beautiful plaintive call for a loved one to come home. Nora Schlang has a heck of a voice and it’s at its finest form on this song. The Morning Sun with its banjo and accordion, chimes in with a bit of Celtic feel but also with very much the folk sensibility (and a hint of his vocal timbre) of a Steve Forbert song.
My Bike and Me is the album's anthem. All ringing guitar and positive bike propaganda. If I was inclined to ride around town with speakers blasting from my bike this would be the song playing. A cycle anthem for the ages!
Nora and One Left have put together 14 wonderful pop songs that blend and flow as well as the instruments of the multi-talented band members. Give it a listen and then get out and ride!
Nora Schlang and Linus bike
Recently I was sent a copy of the CD “bicycle” by Nora and One Left from Washington D.C. Had it arrived at the beginning of the summer it could certainly have been the soundtrack for my summer. I’m not sure when I last heard such an infectious pop album.
The World is a Wonderful Place is an upbeat ditty and a good antidote to all the garbage going on in the world today and a great way to kick off the disc. Track two is the first of many bicycle-related songs and what a Cycle Chic song it is. Take a tour around the Cycle Chic world through the lyrics and try to see if you don’t want to hop on a bike in some of the great cities of the world. Trevor Exter’s cello opens the next bike track, A Winter’s Ride. This was the first track (but not the last) where I thought I might be listening to Leigh Nash of Sixpence None the Richer. Riley McMahon’s twangy guitar work on this song blends so well with the cello. I’m thinking we don’t hear enough cello in pop and rock music these days!
Big Red Bicycle is one of those sing-along good-time Christmas songs. Who wouldn’t want a big red bike? More twang here (by the way, I love twang) mixed in with what I’m pretty sure were sleigh bells. Out in the Rain, while superficially a bike song, is a bit more hard-edged with some great guitar work and a solid driving (or maybe I should say, cycling) beat!
Things slow down a bit with So Far Away. A beautiful plaintive call for a loved one to come home. Nora Schlang has a heck of a voice and it’s at its finest form on this song. The Morning Sun with its banjo and accordion, chimes in with a bit of Celtic feel but also with very much the folk sensibility (and a hint of his vocal timbre) of a Steve Forbert song.
My Bike and Me is the album's anthem. All ringing guitar and positive bike propaganda. If I was inclined to ride around town with speakers blasting from my bike this would be the song playing. A cycle anthem for the ages!
Nora and One Left have put together 14 wonderful pop songs that blend and flow as well as the instruments of the multi-talented band members. Give it a listen and then get out and ride!
Monday, August 27, 2012
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Out and about
Perfect posture! As you can see from the grass we've had a dry summer. Drought actually. But recent rain has greened things up.
And we're off!
Why do handlebars like this make me think of bulls?
The popular black Linus bike
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Monday, July 23, 2012
Chic weekend
No shortage of chic cyclists out and about this past weekend. And with the great summer weather we've been having, why not?
The green painted bike lanes along Laurier make for some nice photos.
Bike: Skeppshult
A bit of a long-range shot but the style caught my eye.
Some flair at the Corktown Footbridge
Coming off the bike lane...I think I've been spotted!
Bike: Avenir
Doing some shopping.
Bike: Electra
The green painted bike lanes along Laurier make for some nice photos.
Bike: Skeppshult
A bit of a long-range shot but the style caught my eye.
Some flair at the Corktown Footbridge
Coming off the bike lane...I think I've been spotted!
Bike: Avenir
Doing some shopping.
Bike: Electra
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Summer biking
Some shots from the last few days
A nice comfortable posture
Waiting on the light
Taking the Laurier Avenue segregated bike lane
The busy Laurier and Elgin intersection
A nice comfortable posture
Waiting on the light
Taking the Laurier Avenue segregated bike lane
The busy Laurier and Elgin intersection
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Looking for a nice chic ride?
I saw this wonderful rack of Bobbins bikes when I stopped by Tall Tree Cycles to pick up some chain lubricant. They're really an eye-catching group and reasonably priced. The colours certainly have the wow factor.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Friday, May 18, 2012
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Monday, May 14, 2012
Sunday, May 6, 2012
May weekend
Our first really nice spring weekend.
Ottawa's bike share bikes were big hits this weekend. They were everywhere.
A quick stop for ice cream. By the way, it's about time the National Capital Commission allowed some refreshment stands along the multi-use pathway.
A stylish purple cruiser
Ottawa's bike share bikes were big hits this weekend. They were everywhere.
A quick stop for ice cream. By the way, it's about time the National Capital Commission allowed some refreshment stands along the multi-use pathway.
A stylish purple cruiser
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