{Le Tour!...}

It's official! The 2011 Tour de France course has been released. What better way to celebrate than to imagine ourselves high up in the Alps. From the cozy restored 1771 farmhouse, Mas de Coutettaz, we can get a marvelous panoramic view of the mountains and phenomenal access to the riders!Looks like winter would be pretty wonderful at the farmhouse too! I think I may do better skiing downhill in the Alps than trying to tackle those climbs on my bike, n'est-ce pas?!

{an autumn pedal with Audrey...}

Ahhhh... what could be better than a bike ride with Audrey Tautou? Trombone & company at the end are my favourite!

Found via Riding Pretty.

{mañana in texas...}

Hello lovelies! Thank you so much for still popping over to lovelyvélo even though I've been ignoring her for weeks, gah!

After Vegas, I jumped back out West to work in Vancouver for a few weeks and attend a stunning vintage-styled wedding in Kelowna (pics coming soon!).

In the meantime, get a load of this boho-chic getaway in Texas. Remember PUBLIC bikes? Well, they've teamed up with the H2 Hotel in Healdsburg, California and this quirky spot, the El Cosmico in Marfa, Texas. Each property hosts a fleet of PUBLIC bikes that you can take for a spin anytime. Imagine your vélo parked outside your yurt or teepee?! I'm game to embrace mañana and set up camp! Are you?

*photos via here, here, here, here, and here.

{bike love...}

Nothing like a little wind in your hair to make everything better in the world. Even though it's still scorching hot here in Toronto, there's a hint of Fall in the air. I was thinking about these great little film clips as Olive and I rolled into work this morning:

A girl and her bike.
A boy and his bike.

{duathlon officially dabbled...}

I did it! I completed my first duathlon and I met my goal. I was a little disappointed with my performance relative to the others in my age group, but heck, I can always do another one, right?!

PS - of course, this is not me. Just a classy pic by Erik Frideen from Vogue Brazil. I love her socks!

{ready to ride...}

I did my last training ride up Toronto's Humber River last night and am set to tackle my first duathlon on Sunday! Ghost (that's my bike) is all tuned up and ready to roll. Wish us luck!

*Photo via here.

{and then the rain came...}

Finally. It has been so hot and muggy here for weeks. And last night, it poured. And poured.

The sun is trying to peep out this afternoon, hopefully long enough for a BBQ with friends. Wouldn't mind a little rain tomorrow so I can have a sleepy Saturday and a wee break from duathlon training. My little bike is exhausted from carrying me around ;)

* Photo via flicker

{dabbling in a duathlon...}

Well, it's not exactly dabbling if you're going to run 2km, bike 25km and run another 7km! I'm not expecting a first prize ribbon in my August 8th race, but I do hope to finish with at least a little class ;)

Photo via here.

{birthday wishes to Miss L...}

Remember the lovely Miss L? It's her first birthday as a MOM today and I'm hoping she enjoys every minute. She just sent me this photo of her old living room. She and her new family moved 1/2 hr north of the city last month and I still haven't seen their new home! If this adorable space is any indication, I'm sure the new space is amazing.

Happy Birthday Mrs. Fergs! Can't wait to see you soon :)

{countdown to Mallorca!...}

The countdown is on! Just 5 more sleeps until we arrive on the beautiful island of Mallorca to celebrate my Mom's 60th. I am so excited!

Sadly, we won't know if C can come until the very last minute (gggrrrr work!), but I'm holding my breath and crossing all fingers and all toes!

{vélo accessory!...}

It's only fitting that this birthday brought me a sassy accessory for the best-gift-of-all-time - last year's beautiful Olive!

C got me a perfect helmet (I wear an extremely nerdy one now), that doubles as a ski helmet in the winter! While searching for a photo of it, I stumbled on this frumpy little melon-head and couldn't resist adding him to the post. "Seriously?", he grumbles...

{happy long weekend!...}

Ok, I'm not one for tassles on bikes, but if you look as chic as Meaghan Smith while you pedal, I'll make an exception ;)

Happy long weekend!

{PUBLIC announces winner...}

Remember the PUBLIC bike giveaway contest I entered? They've just announced their winner, Lauren Gerrie of NYC. A great entry for your reading (and riding!) pleasure. Congrats Lauren!

Ride-63:00
I am always early.
9th Street Espresso. Iced red eye.

60:00
You arrive. Introductions and firm handshakes are exchanged.

55:00
My iced beverage sits in a cup holder centered on the handlebars of my vintage burgundy Panasonic 10 speed.

We’re off.
Buying groceries for a dinner party my company, bigLITTLE Get Together, is hosting this evening.

50:00
Union Square Farmers Market: Ramps. Ronny Brook Butter. Fennel. Pears. Rooftop Honey

38:00
Bleeker Street between 6th and 7th Avenue.
Murray’s Cheese: Mascarpone.
Lobster Place: Mussels

30:00
First Avenue between 5th and 6th St.
Tinto Fino: Mar De Vinas Albariño. Muga Rosé

22:00
Houston between Orchard and Allen.
Russ & Daughters: Walnuts. Dried Strawberries

15:00
Avenue B between 2nd and 3rd Street.
Sigmund Pretzels: Classic Salt

8:00
3rd Street between Avenue C and D
My apartment.
Lock up.
Unload baskets.
Walk up six flights of stairs.
Unpack groceries and begin to make dinner.

Menu:

Roasted Ramp Compound Butter with Soft Pretzels
Albariño Mussels with Fennel
Whipped Mascarpone with Black Pepper Poached Pears and Honey
Toasted Walnuts and Dried Strawberries paired with Rose

Going to be in NYC this weekend? Check out PUBLIC's Design Ride Manhattan!

{cycle chic in México...}

México Cycle Chic is hosting a photo contest on flickr. A winner for best guy shot and best gal shot celebrates with a Danish Biomega! I've never owned a folding bike, but love the idea!

{tweet tweet...}

Hope you all had a lovely Easter Weekend. I'm off tomorrow to work in NYC for a few days... Wishing you a warm, spring week!

Oh, but before I fly off, a very special thanks to 416cyclestyle for the lovely little tweet this weekend :)

*photo via here.

{a weekend pedal in the t.dot...}

Inspired by PUBLIC's contest, I thought I'd guide you - my lovely readers - on a wee pedal through Toronto today. The sun is shining and Olive is happy to be out and about...

Because it's just a leisurely ride, we'll meet at the Harbord Bakery for a little pain au chocolat and maybe throw a baguette in our basket for a nibble later on.

We'll head south to my favourite 'hood, Kensington. Riding the side streets, we'll surely get a glimpse of some other great bikes of all kinds and vintages. You could spend hours skipping in and out of the eclectic shops of Kensington, but sometimes the people watching is better when you just breeze right through. We will, however, make one stop at Global Cheese. After all, we need a little brie to go with our baguette!

We'll take Dundas, a bit chaotic, but just far enough East to catch a glimpse of the oh-so-pretty AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario) before scooting up Beverly and crossing my favourite restaurant strip on Baldwin.

As Beverly turns into St. George, we'll pedal through the University of Toronto campus. I love winding through the small paths of the school's beautiful old architecture. We'll hop off here so I can show you my secret little find, hidden in the Knox College building, the most beautiful chapel in the city.

Lucky for us, there's a beautiful courtyard in Knox College where we can enjoy our baguette and brie. A perfect way to end our ride. Hope you enjoyed!

*photo via dace.

{PUBLIC...}

I received a lovely email this morning from the folks at PUBLIC, a soon-to-launch urban bike & gear company based in San Fran. Pretty. Simplistic. Green. Lovely all around. Oh, and they're having a contest.

Love the question: If we came to your hometown for a one-hour bike ride, where would y ou take us and what would we do?

If you enter, I'd love to hear your answers. Stay tuned for mine tomorrow!

{a poem to biking...}

I love this video from peopleforbikes.org



A very uplifting & feel-good diddy for bikers. Bring on flowers and glaciers and fireflies!

{time for bicycles...}

The snow is clearing in Toronto and the sun is shining just a little bit later... I pumped up Olive's tires this morning and rode her into work - divine - it's time for bikes again!

*photos by: alanmogensen, eyeshoot, peachesandream

{off for a few days...}

I'll be off for a few days working in New York and California. Hope to have some great discoveries to share when I get back next week.
In the meantime, to those at home enjoying tonight's big snowflakes, stay warm and dry!
*photo via Cycle Chic from Copenhagen