Dallas Cycle Style

The 2013 Cycle Style Census and Bike Party!

April 9, 2013 in Bike Event, Cyclist Census | by APopken | Leave a comment

Spring has sprung and it’s that time of year again!

If you’d like to be a Cycle Style volunteer at this year’s fashion event or if you have some exceptional bicycle-hanging skills, email dallascyclestyle{at}gmail. We’d love to have you on the team. And for the rest of you, come party with us.

Who will be the 2013 Face of Biking in Dallas?

Cyclist Census

Saturday 4.20.13, 5pm to dusk

Have your photo taken this Saturday 4.20.13, or submit your own photo to be nominated for the 2013 Face of Biking in Dallas. Email a photo of you with your bike, or nominate a friend by submitting their photo to dallascyclestyle [at] gmail.com by 4.2013.

Visit one (or all!) of the photographers 4.20.13 from 5pm till dusk (7:30-ish) at:

Katy Trail, near the Icehouse (Brandon Schrader)
Bishop Arts, near Eno’s (Elliott Munoz)
Taco Fest in Deep Ellum

Then visit the Cycle Style voters page to vote for the person you think deserves to flaunt the title for a year, Tuesday 4.23.13 through Saturday 4.27.13 at high noon. We’ll announce the winners at the after party!

After Party & Awards

Saturday 4.27.13 8pm, 2526 Main St

Taking the fashion show from the streets to the runway, it’s one night of local beer, bikes and ‘best-of’s, announcing the 2013 Face of Biking in Dallas with photos from the Cyclist Census and a fashion show of Dallas’ own.

Join DJ FlightSchoolNurses, the ReGeared spare parts shop, the Durty Laundry DJ van, your favorite local bike shops and all the best folks in Dallas for our Cycle Style show in Deep Ellum. $10 donation at the door gets you drinks all night.

See our Facebook group for all the details as it comes together – & add your vote for which local microbrewery brew we’ll have at the party.

Face of Biking in Dallas 2013 winners will receive:

Bragging rights
Free bike tune up (worth $80!)
Bicycle tool bag and fix-it-on-the-fly tools (from Shannon Page and Richardson Bike Mart)
Cool swag from your favorite local bike shops and businesses, including Bicycles Plus, Richardson Bike Mart, Transit, Oak Cliff Bicycle, Dallas Bike Works, and Switching Gears, Rozik, and more!

Spokes of thanks to our 2013 sponsors:

For a look at the evolution of Cycle Style in Dallas, the 2012 census and party and the 2011 census.

Superhuman Cyclists

February 5, 2013 in Cycling Fashion, Cyclist Census | by APopken | Leave a comment

You don’t have to be Superhuman to ride a bike as your daily transportation. That’s the idea behind the blog #bikeNYC documenting photos and stories of the variety of New York City cyclists.

Though these photos are of everyday cyclists in NYC, I’m pretty sure I’ve seen all of these people in Dallas.

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Which gets to my point: Cycle Style is about being yourself in all your normal-person glory.

We at Dallas Cycle Style could care less whether WE would personally rock YOUR style, as much as we appreciate people who avoid pulling out the workout wear just because they’re leaving the car in the garage.

Which reminds me, the Annual Cyclist Census is coming up in April! More details to come come but this year we’re looking at what makes the Dallas cycling scene unique. We’ll be asking for YOUR nominations of who should be the Face of Biking in Dallas, and highlighting all the home-grown bicycle style we can find.

We’re not all supermodels nor have superhuman commuter capabilities, but we all have our own style. Even you, in the spandex at the coffee shop. Embrace it. We’re all cyclists.

Deep Ellum Rocked Our Holiday Ride.

December 20, 2012 in Bike Event, Cycling Fashion | by APopken | 1 comment

We had such a great time Saturday, we’re still living in the afterglow. Aside from the great mix of shops we visited on our holiday boutique tour, there was a great group of folks, and the casual pace and booze at the stops really made for an entertaining afternoon! I wrapped up a good bulk of my shopping list, and a few of us even got ourselves Christmas gifts too!

There was even some talk of making this a monthly event, riding to locally-owned boutiques scattered throughout the in-town neighborhoods, changing up the mix each time…. We’ll keep you posted.

Thanks to all the wonderful shop owners at Switching Gears, NSFW Clothing, Modern Relics, Dallas Pin-up, Factory Girl, Far Fetched Imports and of course everyone at the Deep Ellum Outdoor Market. And thanks Patrick McDonnell for these fantastic photos!

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2012 Holiday Boutique Ride – This Weekend

December 12, 2012 in Bike Event | by APopken | Leave a comment

Bike Friendly South Dallas, Bike Friendly Oak Cliff &

Dallas Cycle Style present

If you haven’t been to Deep Ellum or Exposition Park in the daylight lately you’re in for a pleasant surprise. There are some real niche boutiques, owned by Dallas locals, nestled between all the great bars and restaurants. We have 8 on our list, including the monthly gem, the Deep Ellum Outdoor Market!

We’ll depart from Switching Gears around 12:30. We’ll make our way to the exclusive by-apointment-only NSFW Clothing, just around the corner on Exposition, and by 1pm will be departing Expo Park.

This year we’re providing the list of shops ahead of time so you can feel free to take your own pace, ahead or behind the group. We understand, some stores will draw you in while others won’t fit your fancy. And some stores will keep you enthralled with their drinks and snax and you may just….. but before you get carried away, keep in mind that the Deep Ellum Outdoor Market will close around 5pm. That’s our final stop, so you can gauge our pace on that. SO here’s the list:

The nature of this ride’s value isn’t so much in calories burned or exercise as much as in the camaraderie, and the pure joy of biking and holiday shopping at local boutiques.

These shops are a great mix of funky vintage and eclectic clothes (from the high-end Factory Girl and the sexy glam Dallas Pinup, to treasure trove Urban Relics, one-of-a-kind NSFW Clothing, and artisan-made DE OutdoorMarket shops.) Mixed in with the best antiquey all-inclusives (Lula B’s which didn’t make the tour because it deserves an entire day unto itself, and Urban Relics.) With some straight-from-Nepal genuine silver-and-stone jewelry and clothes at Far Fetched Imports (my personal favorite find in this neighborhood) and everything else that’s on your gift-list to be found at the Deep Ellum Outdoor Market.

So come early to Switching Gears, get your tires aired, get that uber stylish helmet you’ve been wanting (they have a great selection) or go ahead and find the perfect basket, rack or pannier to carry your treasures. And if you’re at all concerned about the logistics of carrying a larger-than expected purchase, I hear we’ll have some newly-minted cargo bikes joining us.

Thanks to Bike Friendly South Dallas, Bike Friendly Oak Cliff, and all the wonderful shop owners in Deep Ellum and Expo Park.

See you all Saturday the 15th at 12:30pm!

2012 Holiday Boutique Ride – Dec 15th

November 26, 2012 in Bike Event | by APopken | Leave a comment

It’s that time of year again! Since last year’s Holiday Boutique ride to West Village and Knox St shops was such a hit, we’re doing it again. Only this year we’re spreading the love to Deep Ellum and Exposition Park!

And, since we have a new bike-friendly group in the neighborhood, we’re partnering with Bike Friendly South Dallas too.

So grab your basket, panniers or milk crates – we’re going holiday shopping Cycle Style.

You’re going to be blown away by the collection of places we found nestled between restaurants and businesses over here. Some real gems you’ve probably never heard of! Best of all, our ride will end at the Deep Ellum Outdoor Market.

We’ll announce the full list of boutiques shortly, meanwhile block-out your calendar:

Deep Ellum Holiday Boutique Ride

Saturday December 15th 1:00-4pm

On Saturday Ashley and Linda and I found the Santa Fe Trail connection – and the first green bike lanes we’ve seen in Dallas! Then biked all over Deep Ellum and Expo Park looking for boutiques.

Vintage Village Bike Photo Booth

October 17, 2012 in Bike Event, Cycling Fashion | by APopken | Leave a comment

The Deep Ellum Outdoor Market is expanding this weekend to include a Vintage Village, and we’ve teamed up with Revolutionary Pants to host a bicycle photo booth. Come snap a shot looking all top-shelf on your bike and in new vintage diggs from these swank vintage sources.

The Last Ride of Summer, Sept 29th

September 13, 2012 in Random | by APopken | 3 comments

The cold fronts have begun coming in and even though we’re just below three-digits, I can foresee the day when the shorts and tank-tops take the back rung of the closet again.

The *official* Last Day of Summer 2012 is Friday September 21st, but we’re pushing it back a week. The city’s Complete Streets project is transforming Knox for a weekend and it’s the perfect excuse for one last outdoor summer fling – sun, shorts, beer, bikes…. So we’re biking over to Knox for the afternoon to check out the cycle track bike lanes and have a drink on the patio.

We’ll start at Main Street Gardens, leaving about 4pm, and this time we’re opening the route to folks who want to simply join us along the way as we ride through the neighborhoods. From Main Street Gardens we’ll be biking up Olive, through the Arts District, and up Routh to McKinney Ave, then straight up McKinney to Knox.

And although we’ll be taking a leisurely pace and are sure to hit a few red lights, we’ll also linger at a few spots along the way in case you’d like to meet us at: the Arts District, Routh & McKinney, in the parking lot of Albertson’s, or at Cole Park.

Join us Saturday September 29th for one of the last and best chillaxing rides of the summer to check out a vision of Knox Street’s future.

Le Tour de Bastille & Tandemonium Bike Race, July 14th

June 26, 2012 in Bike Event, Cycling Fashion | by APopken | 1 comment

Timmy & Christa, our 2012 Face of Biking in Dallas, this one’s for you!!

Timmy & Christa rocked a tandem for the Cyclist Census.

On July 14, 7:00 PM, the third annual Bastille on Bishop event celebrating everything French will take place in the Bishop Arts District. This year Bike Friendly Oak Cliff is adding a bicycle element to the mix of crepes, wine, mussels, music, French cars and more!

Le Tour de Bastille will be a group ride to the event from the Main Street Garden. Meet up is at 6:00 PM and departure is at 6:15 PM. Riders are encourage to dress in their best French style, including Tour de France new or old, high fashion or whatever French means to you!

After arriving at Bastille on Bishop, the Hot and Sweaty Tandemonium Bike Race will kick off at 7:30 PM. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED HERE . No Entry fees. Race check-in begins at 6:30 PM. Racers will be required to race through the streets of north Oak Cliff on a tandem bicycle they provide, following a prescribed course with check points throughout the route. At each checkpoint, there will be a challenge question or activity. The winner will win the Yellow Jersey, with places for 2nd, 3rd and Best Style!

The Fine Print – Tandemonium Race Rules:

18 or older
dress in French inspired clothing
2 participants and 1 tandem bicycle per entry
use a tandem bicycle
adhere to all traffic laws, including traffic signals and stop signs
stay on course (on the honor system)
have front and rear lighting
wear helmets

Friday: Swimsuit Ride to KXT Summer Cut, Get Discounted Tickets

May 30, 2012 in Bike Event | by APopken | 1 comment

From the Bike Friendly Oak Cliff blog….. We’re co-hosting a ride from Main St Garden to KXT’s fantastic Summer Cut concert in Fair Park this Friday the 1st. Join us in your coolest summer-esque attire. Details below on discount tickets too!

Headlining the KXT 91.7 music festival are the Flaming Lips. Now when the Lips went to Portland to shoot their latest video they called upon cyclist to ride nekked and carry lead singer Wayne Coyne in his giant plastic bubble. I’ve edited a picture so you cant see the pit hair and dreadlocks of these north-westerners.

Wayne Coyen riding a wave a hippy cyclist.

Dallas has more style than that. We like our rides sexy, but accessible to all riders no matter the condition of their posteriors. So, in conjunction with Dallas Cycle Style we will be riding from Main Street Garden to Fair Park in bikins, boy shorts, banana hammocks, 1920’s wool swim trunks or whatever you might don for a beach party.

If you have never been to a Lips concert make sure to head by the general store and stuff your pockets with inflatable beach balls, water guns and balloons. Oh yeah and if you want a reserved seat, we got the hook-up. No annoying service charges if you ride a bike to the event! Thank you KXT, be sure to donate for their summer sponsorship drive here. It only takes a minute and you are helping to support the only station in North Texas that plays local alternative music!

Maybe Owne Wilson will show-up? Kate likely will not!!

Details:

6PM Downtown Main Street Garden. We will splash around in the fountain and leave by 6:15 for Fair Park.

After show, 10PM or so meet where we parked our bikes and head back to Downtown.

Seats:

Buy a cheap lawn seat for $20 or use this KXT F&F Order Form to receive a discount on sweet reserved seating. A couple steps to this process…email bfoakcliff@gmail.com to get another email to then send the form to another email. Sorry bout that. You can also get four friends together and get a sweet deal!

Customized Bikes

May 26, 2012 in Cycling Fashion, Nice Bike! | by APopken | Leave a comment

Speaking of custom bikes, I just ran across another bicycle brand that will help you get a bike just the way you want it. RULE Bikes Britannia was recently featured on the catwalks of London’s Fashion Week.

London Fashion Week

Yes, bikes were going down the runway with models. They weren’t being ridden necessarily (that was my first question too) but they had some pretty impressive color schemes on these classy little bikes.

Through their website you can chose from the Elizabeth (women’s) or Horatio (men’s) model, then chose your color scheme – fenders, chain guard, handlebars, seat, and tires are all selectable – and number of gears, from the base price of £450 (~$770) with free shipping within the UK. I didn’t see where you can get the crazy cool print that matches your speckled pants though….

If you’re not into paying for overseas shipping for a uniquely custom cruiser nor going to the UK anytime soon,there’s Republic Bikes with a similar set-up and an inventive online mix-your-own bike 3-D viewer and great customizing options. Chose from the men’s or women’s version of their Aristotle fixie/mixtie road bike or Dutch-style cruiser as cheap as $399+shipping. You get to pick your tires, rims, housing, crank, chain, mud guards, grips, and even a bell on the dutch-style. They have some pretty great color options, though nothing like catwalk-inspired prints.

Free from shipping charges, don’t underestimate Your Friendly Local Bike Shop. I was surprised to learn that this guy got his fancy styled-out bike at Richardson Bike Mart.

He was cruising up Akard to catch the train downtown yesterday when I chased him down for a photo. Flames come standard with this Rat Fink bike. He self- customized with his personal collection of stickers.

If you’re beginning to get a good idea of just exactly the bike you’d be proud to sport around town, I personally know all 3 of our in-town bike shops can get you hooked up.

Two of the custom bikes at our fashion show were fully crafted by the good folks at Oak Cliff Bicycle Co (who are currently making a custom bike for my sister-blogger here at Cycle Style.)

Custom bike from OCBC

And the craftsmen at Transit Bikes can ensure your ride is as unique as you are, especially if your leaning toward the fixed-gear style. They supplied another one of the showcase bikes at the fashion show.

Custom from Transit Bikes

The stye consultants of Switching Gears also have a great collection of color coordinated pieces to upgrade your ride (and they’ll have even more when they get moved into their new space around the corner.)

So many options between these three shops your decision-making brain area could be thrown in a tail spin. No need to ride an ordinary bike just like anyone else’s. It’s so easy to style-out your bike and really make it you’re own.

With inspiration from Copenhagen Cycle Chic, visually embracing how urban cycling and style converge in our everyday lives, we began Dallas Cycle Style to promote Dallas cyclists flaunting their style.
Dallas has it's own unique urban culture, with it's funky southern flair, traditional values, obsession with fashion, and a pioneering entrepreneurial spirit that's made this region great.
Follow our biking adventures and tell us about yours. We'd love to highlight all the great people cycling in our city but we can't be everywhere at once. Hope to meet you soon.