Cycling Fashion, Chic and, well, Otherwise

Quite a while ago I did an experiment with virtual cycling style that proved to me that I will never really look good on a bike no matter what I do. I didn't know it at the time, but some of the pictures I was altering were textbook examples of the newish trend sweeping the globe called Cycle Chic. Just because Cycle Chic doesn't work for me doesn't mean it shouldn't for anyone else. I have been schooled in that fact recently right on this very blog... but enough about that. Some people make it look very good, which, I suppose, is the point of, um, fashion. I think the phrase Cycle Chic itself has a ring to it that may be partly responsible for its current popularity.

Anyway, I was thinking if Cycle Chic might be represented by images like these recent ones from copenhagen cycle chic:

pic source

pic source

There are many other images out there of cyclists doing their thing. Are there names we could give to other cycling fashion choices that would give them more widespread appeal, like the ride painted thing?

pic source: wikipedia

Or the ride knitted thing?

image source: blog.craftzine.com

Or, god help us, this?

image source: pasty.com

You know what? What the hell was I thinking? Wave off, wave off! I don't want these things to become any more popular. We should all probably avoid giving them appealing names of any sort, and just file them in the "Life's Rich Pageant" folder. That folder is getting huge. Maybe I should alphabetize it... wait. That would require names. Better not.

By Any Other Name, I Remain Yer Pal,

R A N T W I C K

I've Got It! Well, not really. But soon! I hope.

The Autumn Tree Smackdown is becoming much more real for many of us. No submissions yet, but that is to be expected. The King, for example, remains green while close neighbours get down to business. I know he'll come through. Or I hope so. Because I want to keep the awesome prize (the one I don't have yet) for myself.

The prize for the winner of the First Annual Rantwick Autumn Tree Smackdown will be a very small bottle of Canadian Maple Syrup!

For those of you who are thinking, "well I guess that's fitting; kind of boring, though", the maple syrup I mean to acquire is something else. Most people have tried real maple syrup before. It is fantastic in almost any grade, from the heavier Ambers all the way up. The vast majority of syrup sold in little gift bottles (like the one pictured above) here in Canada is "Canada #1 Medium" grade. What I'm talking about for the prize is Canada #1 Extra Light maple syrup. For a listing of Canadian maple syrup grades, click here, but don't believe the "Uses" column. More on that in a sec.

I hope I'll be able to find some local stuff. It is quite possibly the most exquisite thing I have ever tasted. We've only ever had a bottle in the Rantwick household once. I consumed most of it while researching the best way to enjoy it, the results of said research I am happy to share with you now.

In my opinion, putting Canada #1 Extra Light on something is an insult to the syrup. Unless that something is some sort of uberpancake that doesn't exist. Or does it? Anybody got an uberpancake recipe?

Anyway, I have come to believe that the best way to enjoy this stuff is cold from the fridge, sipped straight from the bottle or for the more hygienic among you, from a teaspoon. More than one teaspoon per hour is a waste and disrespectful. I know I'm a weirdo, but to me it seems the closest I've ever been to consuming some sort of supernatural "essence of tree"... if you love trees like I do, that is a powerful statement. Wish me luck as I try to find some from around here. I don't even know if anybody will have stock, since Spring is the season for harvesting.

Stay tuned for more fascinating tree news,

R A N T W I C K

PS - From those of you living in Maple country in the USA, I hope the opportunity to compare is appealing, if the prize less than exciting.