Tracey Neuls and Tokyobike
Footwear designer Tracey Neuls and Tokyobike have teamed up to create two new shoes that work on and off your bike. Both new styles are handmade and feature rubber soles molded in a single piece, which are designed to fit comfortably against bike pedals. The Fern is a laced ankle boot with small heels and a reflective strip stitched up the back, while the reflective Geek is a fresh take on a classic style.
The shoes are available at Tokyobike if you’re in London or online via Tracey Neuls. Have any of you tried them out?
Her Bike Style with Laura Solis
WE Bike NYC has been praised everywhere from League of American Bicyclists to Bicycling Magazine for their amazing work getting more people on bikes. Today, we’re going to call attention to their bike style, with our first New York Her Bike Style feature, Laura Solis.
Laura Solís
Title / Occupation: Outreach Coordinator for WE Bike NYC
Location: Bronx, NYC
Bike(s): Ernie Jr. III a Fuji Feather; The BFG (Big Friendly Giant) a Specialized Vita Sport; and Iron Pony a foldable Peugeot as old as some grandmas
Tell us more working with WE Bike NYC and what the organization is working to do. WE want to get more women, female-identifying, and gender non-conforming people on bikes by providing them with information and experiences. By doing this we hope to break down barriers that may be inhibiting them from riding how they’d like to. For some that means participating in a workshop on how not to arrive to work looking like a hot mess, for others it’s a social ride where our only objective was to visit as many ice cream shops possible. We get into the more technical stuff as well, like fixing a flat and how to clean your bike, and even show you how to true your wheel. Hosting track bike clinics and hosting happy hours, are also on our resume, those bring new aspects of cycling to some and help bring the community together.
How to Fix a Flat Bike Tire
Honesty hour. I’ve never fixed my own flat tire. It’s incredibly embarrassing, but I can’t resist letting the gentlemen at Back Alley Bike Repair take care of it for me. Though, before the year is over I’m determined to learn, and oddly, hoping for a flat sometime soon.
How do we learn to fix a flat bike tire, if not from our friends, peers or partners? There are quite a few organizations out there (like WE Bike NYC and REI) that host classes in your city or you can ask your bike mechanic to show you (though, we know that it might be intimidating).
For those of you who like to learn on your own, REI has an extensive tutorial online, Intown Bicycles has an easy-to-follow video tutorial. and I’ve pulled a straight forward tutorial from The Nest on how to fix a flat bike tire:
Croozer Dog Trailer
There’s a new face around the Iva Jean studio - Laika is a Shiba Inu and she is just about the cutest thing to walk the earth. I hate to admit that I haven’t been on my bike since we got her, but that is about to change. I just started looking for bike trailers, both branded and custom. My needs are pretty straight forward - she’ll get to be about 22-24 pounds, needs to be harnessed in, and we will be traveling short, though hilly distances to and from the studio.
The first contender is the Croozer Dog Trailer. It folds down pretty flat when off the bike, has a roomy cockpit, can carry 100 lbs, and doubles as a general bicycle trailer. It doesn’t hurt that it’s pretty good looking as well. How do you and your dog get around town?
Photo of Laika by Belathee Photography.
Biking Tights
Wondering how to transition your Reveal Skirt to fall and winter biking? Aside from oversized coats and layered tops, we’re stocking up on biking tights for the colder months. Merino wool is my best friend and I love these Falke tights from Saks Fifth Avenue. Riyoko makes mean footless biking tights that are stain and odor resistant as well as moisture wicking. Do you have a favorite pair of tights for biking?
