11. For loving your skin

The first time I smelt this stuff I was in heaven. I know it's not strictly 'cycling', but it's always nice to treat your hands after they've been tucked away inside your riding gloves and gripping your handlebars.



How do you describe a fragrance on the internet? Not really possible, except to say 'divine'... and that it goes on like a dream and isn't oily. Aesop was born in Melbourne in 1987 and they combine botanics with science, splashed with whimsy and intellect.

> What is it? Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm, AU$25.00 from Aesop

5. Frame it

What could be better than pedalling downhill in bursts of sunshine? Framing that moment and hanging it on your wall, of course.



This art print comes from Adelaide artist and maker Naomi Murrell:
"Naomi’s work is big on hope, happiness, and the things that make us laugh. Her products are made with good choices based on a love of people and the planet. She believes in a sustainable future where all design is socially and environmentally responsible."

The print has been silk screen printed onto 300gsm uncoated recycled paper and is signed by the artist.

Comes unframed, but fits perfectly into IKEA Ribba frames, or another frame of your choice.

> Order one here! Costs AU55.00

4. Carry it around

Put your things in something and carry them around. Make it an over-the-shoulder bag by Crumpler: they're Australian. They're comfortable to wear/carry. They're great for pedalling around with. They come in different colours.

> Find out more about Crumpler here

2. Bicycle Ambulance

When you buy this bicycle ambulance, you don't actually get to unwrap it yourself - that joy goes to communities in rural Malawi who can then use it to get expectant mothers, the sick and frail to hospitals which can be 30km away. Better than the alternative, which is often in a wheelbarrow.

The gift of a bicycle ambulance can be made through Oxfam (check it out online here) and will set you back AU296.00

Pretty nifty, I'd say.

1. Fast carbon

I thought I'd post this one first in case you need to do some saving up! But hey, it doesn't hurt to dream and there's always next Christmas, or your next birthday...

This one comes from our kiwi friends at Avanti Bicycle Company. They've been making great bicycles for 25 years now and have put their experience, technology and design behind their new range for women, WISE.

This is from their website:
Women + Insights + Science = EXCELLENCE
We wanted to really understand what women wanted, what they liked and what they disliked when it came to cycling. We also wanted to get the inside information that would enable us to develop bikes that would quite simply be better for women to ride. And so we went out and talked to riders. Specifically, female riders.

So here we have the Avanti Questa Team (RRP AU6999.95)
Yes please, Santa.

'Tis the season, or something like that.

It's the first of December and I am wondering who let this happen so quickly?? All of a sudden the year is drawing to a speedy exit stage left and soon it will be 2011.

As usually happens this time of year, it's hard to escape any mention of Christmas and all it entails.

So you might be thinking of 'stuff': finding stuff, giving stuff, hinting about stuff you want, receiving stuff. And some of that may be bike stuff.

So let's talk about stuff and where you might look for it.

Each day from now until Christmas day I will post something tempting (presents for others, of course!). I'll try and feature things that are unique, crafted and designed specifically for females and locally sourced where possible.

Have fun and happy pedalling x

[image from www.cyclinginfo.co.uk]

The girl in the red coat

This brightened my day yesterday. Loved one of the early scenes in the British film 'Wild Target' where Rose (played by the most gorgeous Emily Blunt) cycles through London on a Dutch-style bike in a vivid red coat, weaving in and out of traffic, dodging pedestrians, setting off firecrackers to distract security guards before cycling through the National Gallery. Ha!



(image from www.wildtargetmovie.com)

Little Friday things.

Have a little look at these bikey vintage things made by Sydney-based Rocket Fuel from vintage and recycled fabrics. Great things to decorate your noggin'.

Bikes from other places (and times).

Bikes that have caught my eye somewhere, sometime.

This bike was waiting for its owner one night outside the Wheatsheaf hotel, Adelaide.

...

Wandering around Old Cromwell Town, NZ
...

Bikes are everywhere in Shanghai, China

Friday smile.

Bicycles make me smile. I was feeling a little flat, but with no good reason besides just a bit of the 'blerghs'.

This makes me smile. I hope it makes you smile too, knowing that bicycles are providing simple, sustainable relief to people in underdeveloped regions of the world.

oh my!

I came across this today via Twitter, posted by the author of this blog.

All I could think of was, "oh my!"

Have a look for yourself.



You can see more of this here.

little bit of history again.

A 'herstory' of cycling?

1. In the 1890s, one-third of those in the market for a bicycle were women.

2. Cycling aided the shift from tight corsets and long dresses, to shorter skirts and bloomers - much more sensible to cycle in!

3. In 1894-5, Annie 'Londonderry' Kopchovsky is the first woman to ride around the world.

4. The first womens cycling world champion was crowned in 1958 (50 years ago).

5. Susan B. Anthony commented: “Let me tell you what I think of bicycling…I think it has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world. I stand and rejoice every time I see a woman ride on a wheel. It gives women a feeling of freedom and self-reliance.”


6. The bicycle was considered by some to be a threat to the 'proper' social order. Women were travelling more freely and away from the surveillance of her husband!

7. Women cycled in the Olympics for the first time in 1984.

8. The first mountain bike world championships were held in 1990, in Durango, Spain.

9. This year there are 37 professional women's road cycling teams registered with the UCI (cycling's world governing body).

10. Cycling group 'Women's Mountain Bike and Tea Society' (WOMBATS) was formed in 1984 to provide a supportive and nurturing environment for women who like riding off road, but weren't sure how/where/who with.