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CYCLE CHIC FLAGS
12/25/10
12/9/10
Vancouver Cycle Chic Indoors: Paul Boechler
I've taken VCC indoors this month and Paul's is the first of many upcoming Vancouver Cycle Chic Indoors portraits. I want to get a quick peek at who these chic Vancouverite riders are so that we can encourage more stylish riding and have something to read on these dreary dark days of Winter.
His name is Paul Boechler (pronounced: BECK-LER, not BOE-SHLAY) and he's a good friend and colleague of mine. We've had many a great ride together.
Work:
Fadermaster Studios (the first page that opens is quite worth it). He spends his days and nights at this beautiful little studio endlessly tracking, editing and mixing for all sorts of great Canadian bands. Some of the bands that have been through are Bend Sinister, Treelines, City of Glass, The Pack A.D., You Say Party! and tons, tons and tons more.
Ride:
Brown IRO Mark V fixie, Brooks B-17, Orange Deep V's, Sugino cranks and MKS cages/straps.
Why he rides:
"I've always hated driving but I had to do it for work for a while. Once I was in a position where I didn't need a car it was kind of my revenge to sell the car and buy the bike I always wanted.
My work keeps me busy 99% of the time, so most of my biking is just commuting to and from work. But I need to be able to bike regardless of the weather and I find most of the time I ride in the early morning or late at night when it's raining the most, so I just needed something that I could pretty much put through anything.
The reason I bike is "technically" because I need a way to get to and from work, even when the skytrain isn't going. The ACTUAL reason why I bike is because I love it. It's great exercise. After being cooped up in a studio all day, biking is such a great way to get out and actually burn off some energy at the end of a long day.
Biking comes easy to me because (especially with a fixed gear), its just simple. You don't have to think, you can just zone out and pedal as hard and fast as you can. If you want to slow down, slow down. You want to go faster, pedal faster."
Piece of note:
"The t-shirt I was wearing today was from a band whose records I mix called Black Wizard, they are pretty rad and gave me an awesome shirt."
Location: Fadermaster Studios, East Vancouver
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11/20/10
Approved
Photos by Kim
The rides, the outfits, the pace; these are the kinds of photos that come to us and get the VCC stamp of approval!
Location: Graveley Street, Vancouver
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11/15/10
11/13/10
Fluevog Cycle Chic
Mr. Fluevog needs no introduction. The Vancouver style staple and internationally renown shoe designer was closing up shop on Water Street for the night when I nearly blasted past him. I waved quickly and he returned the gesture. I hopped off my bike to ask for a few shots for the blog and he happily accepted.
At this point I should add that I never knew what John Fluevog looked like. Standing before me was just an impeccably dressed photo opportunity about to embark on the only Pedersen Bike I've ever seen in person in my city. He was well dressed, upright on his bike and apparently without the delusion of helmet urgency that North Americans have become infected by.
I tried my best with the camera considering the lighting, but I am confident that I captured some serious awesomeness here.
Me: "And what's your name?"
John: "John Fluevog."
Me: "Im so sorry, I feel so stupid."
John: "Why? Don't feel stupid!"
Me: "But you're John Fluevog! I just didn't know what you looked like."
Check out the shoes here!
Destination:
Leaving work.
Location: Water Street, Gastown, Vancouver
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11/3/10
Figments
I call this one Figments.
But the truth is, they're a collection of panicked, clutzy and/or drunken moments. Beautiful, beautiful moments.
Location: Subconscious
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11/2/10
Ou es le Livre? A la Biblioteque!
I went to the library, opened my laptop to do some work and promptly fell asleep. When I woke up, troves of people were exiting the building--it was closing time! Productive times.
I went to get my bike at the (now empty) racks and noticed the only other bike: a clean looking Sekine roadie. As I was unlocking, I saw the owner of the bike approaching and I quickly whipped out the camera for a little VCC style photo shoot.
His name is Jordan.
Reason for being at the library:
"Just lookin' for a good book."
Location: Vancouver Public Library Central, Downtown
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11/1/10
Accessory
Taking your bike with you everywhere is easy AND stylish.
Location: Robson and Cardero, Downtown, Vancouver
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10/31/10
10/28/10
At the Art Gallery, Looking at a Painting, Standing at a Distance, Head Tilted to One Side
Photo by Victoria
I love the art gallery.
Location: Vancouver Art Gallery, Downtown
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10/12/10
Thanksgiving
Giving thanks for somehow holding a bottle of wine and pulling my camera out of my bag and snapping these within 10 seconds of sensing these fine folks' presence.
Location: Powell and Victoria, Vancouver
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9/28/10
Gotta get the Slow Ones
Photographing cyclists who are on foot is my favourite because I don't have an autofocus lens. This lack of modern equipment reduces my chances of catching anyone going faster than 3km/h. If I do happen to get a great action shot, I don't even understand how it happened.
Location: Gastown, Vancouver
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9/26/10
9/23/10
9/20/10
Look to Berlin
Photo by Jessica
Guilty! I don't have new photos. It's been hard; between people hiding away from the rain and my crap photo skills in cloudy skies, I can't get much. Rest assured, I am trying.
In the meantime, I'm very pleased to post some photos that my friend and fellow chic cyclist Jessica, contributed for the blog. She just returned from Berlin and took some photos with me in mind. I'm happy that she wanted to share these photos from Chic Berlin because it's a great reminder for me and--though it's not a post from Vancouver--it's all that we at VCC strive for.
For more Berlin:
Berlin CC
Copenhagen Cycle Chic (search "Berlin")
Location: Berlin
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9/15/10
New Westminster
... I tell ya, New West isn't generally very highly spoken of. I, for one, have always had a soft spot for this city that happens to be very accessible by Skytrain from Vancouver. It's not hip yet but it will be. It is lined with some of the oldest buildings and streets in the GVA and is currently home to great little secrets such as Antique Alley, privately owned cafes and a HUGE Salvation Army that isn't pillaged by consignment cool-hunters. I bought my bike from an antique store for a very reasonable price here.
Today, I shared an elevator at the Skytrain with this gentleman who, upon quick assessment, possessed all the qualities I look for in Cycle Chic: well dressed and on a bike. His name is Nathan and he is a college instructor. Would it be shallow if I thought it kind of made sense? We chatted quick about shoes and I made off with some photos.
Pieces of note:
Bally shoes (Switzerland)
Destination:
To work
Location: New Westminster Skytrain station
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9/14/10
Bike Ride to YVR/Iona
We organized a giant group ride that included friends of all levels and all types of riding. we rode approximately 32km (ain't no thang). In as few photos as possible I think this describes how well the day went, but more importantly how well the day ended.
Location: YVR/Iona via Ontario bike path to Canada line bike path to YVR bike path then return to Gastown via Heather bike path.
9/13/10
10 Days of Summer
Photos by Victoria
Summer is coming to a close, folks. Fall is my favourite season--it's jacket weather!
I will roll out these archived photos anxiously as we count down the days. In the meantime, I will start practicing shooting in the rain and in cloudy conditions; keeping a sharp eye out for those brave ladies and gentlemen riding to work, to parties and to nowhere in great autumn outfits.
Location: Commercial, Vancouver
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9/12/10
Walking
Photo by Victoria
I've gotten so I don't even think about walking anywhere, anymore. Remember the ancient art of walking? You mean, every step I take DOESN'T propel me 15 feet forward?
It's always nice when someone I know doesn't have a bike and I get to walk with them--it kinda grounds me. I do, however, secretly wonder when my next breakaway will come.
Location: Commercial, Vancouver
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