Classic Canadian cyclists or a Plaid Ride?

It's a small wonder you see cyclists looking so comfortable along the canal pathway. Segregated bike infrastructure has a tendency to make people feel safer and more relaxed. As you can see.

I spotted this chic pair on a busy road and was impressed with their confidence and style. The kids looked like they were really enjoying the ride home from the beach too...and why not?

Enjoy the tulips while you can, spring has sprung

Well I never thought I'd see the day but here we finally have Ottawa's first rebuilt street that includes not only segregated but grade separated bike lanes in each direction. These green lanes are hopefully the beginning. Churchill Avenue.

Almost November

Still time to grab a coffee and sit outside



Elgin Street Chic

Summer styles

Sunday pics

Sidewalk cycling is always a sign of poor cycling infrastructure. I lay no blame. Especially if your bike matches your clothes.




Breezy Sunday cycling

Hats are in!

It's nice to see so many men wearing something other than a ball cap on their heads these days. Plus a stylish Swedish Kronan bike!





I'll be hat shopping soon!




No hat but a flower will do.

We're back...

It's been a while and there have been some technical difficulties and there never seems to be enough time...but we're back.

Bike: Skeppshult

Spring has sprung!

Yes, it's cycling time again. Warm sunny days...finally!




Nothing puts a smile on your face like a new job and a brand new bicycle! R and her new shiny Bobbin.





Clean lines of a Miele

Eye-catching bike on the Laurier SBL

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?

Hula hoop

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!

Wellington Village cruiser





Rideau Canal cruiser

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

Elgin Street style

Friday night on Elgin Street
Bike: Biria

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