Double Dutch

Just as I was wondering where all the citizen cyclists are hibernating, suddenly two Dutch bikes cross my path? On a cold night, no less. Like seeing two American eagles in this town, at least in the cold months. Ok not both Dutch, Alan's was a beautiful Pashley, Meg had a full-on WorkCycles step-through. They said they lived in Arlington but were up in Petworth for a party.

Let's call Meg and Alan City Zen Cyclists of the day (or evening). I wish I had taken a better picture, maybe I was dazzled...

A Brooklynite in Amsterdam

Meet Bakfiets en Meer, a cool and wide-ranging cycling blog by an American in Amsterdam:

How to Carry a Tree by Bike: Established vs. Emerging Cycling Cultures

Another difference between an established cycling culture and the emerging one is that people don’t look for excuses to ride, nor do they often gather for the purpose of riding (a certain type of) bikes. Critical Mass, Tweed rides, Cycle Chic rides, bicycle house moves etc are certainly all harmless fun and, depending on your perspective, good or bad for the promotion of cycling. But for me there’s just something artificial or staged about them.

Another post with the blogger's interesting backstory is here:

An American with a bike company in Holland? Part 1

Bike of the Day - WorkCycles Oma

The WorkCycles Oma is available at Adeline Adeline in NY. I'm pretty sure this is the bike I spied on U Street here.

From their website:

The iconic Dutch granny's bike with gracefully curved tube and tall head tube to sit upright or fit a front child seat. Our oma is hand-built in the Netherlands and constructed with large diameter tubing and a reinforced seat tube so it's much stiffer and stronger than similar looking frames from other manufacturers.

WorkCycles city bikes are practical, beautiful and durable transportation built to provide decades of reliable service in all conditions. Like all Dutch bikes they're equipped to ride comfortably upright, stay clean and dry in street clothes, and carry your groceries, gear and children.

It goes for $1599. Hey, no one said good bikes are cheap.