Today I biked downtown to attend a fashion show for the Chicago Haute Couture Club, featuring the creations of a friend from work. I am so impressed by creative people and her designs were so chic and beautiful. I wish I had been more interested in my mom’s sewing as a girl, but I’ve never been at all crafty.
My work friends were totally unfazed by the fact that I rode my bike. Dottie riding her bike is perfectly normal to them by now, after six months of knowing me. I love that :)
{P.S. The picture above shows how I wait at red lights on Oma. Instead of dismounting, I simply put one pointed toe down. My legs are fully extended when pedaling, but I’m still able to reach a toe down while on my saddle. I’ve gotten this question a few times, so there you are.}
Let's Go Ride a Bike 
I find it interesting you put your left foot down. I put my right foot down. I guess there aren’t a lot of other choices…
I put my left foot down so I can use my dominant right leg to push on the pedal when starting…I guess. Never really thought about it before :)
I love the tights. That is how I wait at lights, too. My Pashley does not have a name, though. After a year! This is one of the many ways you can tell I have toddler.
I have an idea – let the toddler name the Pashley. Just don’t blame me if it ends up being Fluffy (I wanted to name everything Fluffy when I was small).
I LOVE LOVE LOVE your bike…and your helmet…and your basket. I am promised a new bike of my very own for Mother’s Day. I can’t wait!!!!!
Thank you! I’m excited for you and your Mother’s Day bike!
I love the swiss dot stockings. And I think you belong in the category of “creative people” yourself – judging by your wardrobe and by how quickly you seem to have taken to photography.
Aw, thanks. The stockings actually have tiny hearts on them. Maybe those are Swiss dots? :)
Cycling will not become popular via logical argument. Smoking was known to be very stupid for a very long time, but it only began to be less popular when it became less fashionable. Similarly with biking, I think the path to public acceptance is via fashion. Dottie, you are the one to make it happen…
Ha. Dottie: fashion leader. Never thought I’d see the day…
Yet again, you’ve surpassed my expectations, with beautiful pictures of that glorious springtime, you’re all enjoying there, and of course there’s yourself resplendently elegant and fashionable on your bike. You may not be a bit “crafty”, but you certainly know how to dress, perhaps a case of, “clothes maketh the woman”, and not “woman maketh the clothes”. Thanks again for brightening my day.
clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap
opps, hit submit before i finished typing. doh!
very classy Dottie!
Dottie- I’m in love with you and your philosophies and this blog. (I put my left foot down if we’re taking a survey.) Let me know if you guys want a NYC blogger to round-out your line-up.
I’m about to live out and photo document a lovely summer of NYC cycle chic.
Howdy, that’s one of the nicest compliments ever :) I look forward to following you NYC summer!
Don’t want to turn this into a debate over right foot vs left foot down, but will add that roadies (without chain guards/cases) typically put the left foot down to avoid any chance of picking up a chain tattoo.
interesting tidbit of info — I put my left foot down, too. But that’s just because I feel more comfortable pushing off in the pedal stroke with my right leg. Never analyzed it but I do usually notice when a rider puts their right foot down.
I can’t remember where I read this discussion, but I think just about everyone pushes off with their right foot, as we’re all accustomed to mounting and dismounting from the left (horse mounting/kickstand/tradition) so our left foot is accustomed to being on the ground.
I’d be curious to see that discussion, because I push off with my left foot, and so does my husband. I suspect it’s pretty much a matter of habit, whichever one you fell into when you are learning. I ride horses as well and don’t really see why or how mounting a horse from the left would be related to which foot you push off with on a bike.
Also, most bikes in this country aren’t the swept-back Dutch style and if your seat is at the right height it’s pretty hard to stay in the saddle and put only one foot down. I always have to dismount from the saddle when waiting at a light (with both feet on the ground intially and then raising the left pedal and placing my foot on it ready to start going again when I see the light change. But I’m not on the seat until I’ve started moving).
I put my right foot down. I always assumed that I favor my left foot because I am left-handed. In addition, if I am stopped next to a curb I can put my right foot on the curb and stay in the saddle. Otherwise I dismount, either leaving my left foot on the pedal (in a clip) or positioning it after stopping.
I didn’t realize, until I started reading bike blogs, that anyone had trouble starting and stopping/mounting and dismounting. I am shaky in other areas – I can’t ride without hands and I can’t start with my right foot – but I’ve never had trouble with that.
you put your right foot down, you put your left foot down– you do the hokey pokey — oh wait… :-P
I push off with my left foot, but I either balance at stop signs/red lights or dismount. With a full leg extension there’s no way my toes can touch the ground without leaning, which I find uncomfortable. Short legs AND short feet, I guess. ;-)
I love your dotted stockings. May I enquire about where you found them? I bought some at Target recently to wear with the polka dotted dresses I seem to be accumulating, but I’m not satisfied with them.
Absolutely. I bought them at American Apparel. They were kinda pricey, but worth it, because I’d been looking for heart tights forever.
I love your tights too!! Very chic.
I love your blog!!! Question: Where did you get your basket (and what kind is it), what sort of camera do you use and where in the world do you find all your cute dresses?
:)
Basket – a Hershberger’s Baker that I purchased online from Velo Orange. I don’t think they carry them any more. Made by an Amish family, so hard to find.
Camera – Nikon D3000, unless otherwise noted. 35 mm 1.8 lens.
Dresses – About half from thrift store, half on sale at various places I’m all about thrift stores and $8 dresses.
just like everyone else says – Dottie, you are simply too cute!! Loving the stockings, the dress, etc!
:)
Woo hoo! You made The List! (55 Bicycle Sites To Go Green and Get Fit) at 54 … After all its not winning the Oscar, it’s just being nominated, right?
Couldn’t happen to a nicer Lawyer…
Oh, is she a lawyer?? How very cool. Maybe she mentioned it before, but I don’t remember.
Beautiful! Again, wonderful photos & style…! I have tights similar to those and can’t wait to wear them as part of a cycle outfit!
I also do a similar “stop style” when in traffic… I don’t dismount – but it’s my right leg that comes off the pedal :)
I too wait at the light with the single pointing toe stance. Love the photos, the dress, and the idea of attending a fashion show.
I have been reading your blog for the past month. I like what are doing. Keep up the good work!
Thanks!
can “i” be “you” in my next life?
p.s. I think that first pic of Oma is her best shot yet! Looking good girl. ;)
Oma is very pretty! You must be so proud! Your stockings match her outfit well too…!
xx
How I love these images! That bike is amazing, and you look gorgeous! :)
Love,
Aya ♥ StrawberryKoi.blogspot.com