Iva Jean Announces Spring 2013 Line

Be the first one to have one or all of the products from our Spring 2013 line.

Reveal Skirt // Two-way Reflective Vest // Daily Blouse // Waterproof Rain Cape

We are currently seeking funding through Kickstarter and offering
rewards for $10+, including signed prints from photographer, Kyle
Johnson, and items from our expanded line.

Support us today. 

New Site - ivajean.com

Onward and upward my dear biking friends - you can follow me over at ivajean.com or subscribe to the new blog here.

Time Out From Posting

For my few readers out there - I'll be taking a break from posting here for a while. Time is oh-so precious and I need to focus on other things for a while. I love cycling and have big dreams about what is next, but I hate to do thing half-assed. Have a wonderful winter!

Let me tell you...

“Let me tell you what I think of bicycling. I think it has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world. It gives women a feeling of freedom and self-reliance. I stand and rejoice every time I see a woman ride by on a wheel…the picture of free, untrammeled womanhood.” - Susan B Anthony, 1896

A great quote found via a great article by Elly Blue of BikePortland.org.

Winter Biking Tips from GOOD

There isn't much advice for Seattle Riders, but Chicago and further east, all get some winter biking tips from GOOD.

Image via Adamscarrol.

Velo Vogue

Go over and check out Velo Vogue - a great daily blog featuring, you guessed it, bikes and fashion from people of all makes and models.

The High Life

Sorry it's been so long. Let me apologize with this sweet advert from The Champagne of Beers.

Via Copenhagenize.

Winter Cycle Style

I have to admit that today was one of my first late fall/winter rides to work - a cotton skirt, tights and mid weight jacket with a light scarf seemed to be the perfect combo. During my commute I started to think about what my options are going to be for biking this winter and decided to hunt down some inspiration.

images via lars daniel, nabiis and bicycler69.

Bikery and Other Links

I just found out about The Bikery and couldn't be more excited. The Bikery is a non-profit organization that promotes and advocates for biking in Seattle - providing the use of tools at low costs, free (suggested donation) workshops and education, as well as work trade programs. I'll be heading to their Basic Bike Maintenance class on December 27 from noon to 2.

They also have a great link and resources page here.

Seattle D.I.Y.

Some of the best routes in Seattle can be found on page 4 of this PDF by Seattle D.I.Y. - the rest is a good read too.

The Sweat Factor

Topography and geography always comes up as a justification for Seattle's slow move to having a true bike culture. It's not Portland or better, it's not Copenhagen, we have steep climbs that sometimes extend for blocks. It makes a casual, easy ride seem impossible; never mind the idea of riding into work in a skirt and heels.

First, having a lighter bike with 5+ gears is a great start. I also found that having a basket or panniers takes the weight off of your back, making the ride easier.

Second, know your route and avoid huge climbs. The City of Seattle has a list of the highest elevations here. Some of the rides I've found to be the easiest to get from point a to point b are below.

• The Burke Gilman will get you back and forth from Ballard, Fremont, Gas Works, and University District.
  
• The Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop will be you between Eastlake, South Lake Union and Fremont.
• Stone Way is a  slow and steady climb to get from Gas Works to Wallingford.
  
• Getting from Downtown to Capitol Hill is easiest via Pine or Pike.
• Getting from Fremont to Downtown is easiest via Westlake or Dexter.
  

Finally, know the bus schedule. Now that the weather is colder and I'm not using my bike home as a workout - I've started to the 8 to get up Denny from the gym. If you become familiar with times and routes, it's makes those hills pretty easy. Check here to see how to load your bike.

image via ninjatira.

Velo Routes - Elevation Feature

A coworker sent me the Velo Routes link yesterday; letting me know that they've added an elevation feature. I mapped my commute home and discovered that I'm completing a 400 foot hike on my rides home.

Choose Create A Route from the left sidebar to start. Once there, you'll want to enter your start address or double click to get in closer. Left click on your starting point, then continue doing the same to mark your path. Once completed you can either save your route, export it, or create an elevation image (similar to that above, my ride in to work, a must easier ride).

Copenhagenize in Seattle

 

Mikael from Copenhagenize and Copenhagen Cycle Chic will be speaking tonight at the Seattle Nordic Museum in Ballard, along with other lectures to follow in Portland and San Francisco. Marketing Bicycle Culture Lecture is free & starts at 7pm tonight.

Climbing Pine

it was a bit rainy, but still a great fall day. walking toward downtown i had moments of admiration for these riders.