Comments on: Winter Cycle Wonderland

By: Ixpg66

Ixpg66 — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 03:10:00 +0000

According to numerous individuals, Prof. Ron Takaki passed away this week. Share your thoughts on Ron’s legacy on Facebook. We’ve lost a giant in the Asian American community. Join with me in wishing his family and friends our condolences.

By: Norms

Norms — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 11:58:34 +0000

See thrse recent posts by Henry from Workcycles:
http://www.bakfiets-en-meer.nl.../
and David Hembrow:
http://hembrow.blogspot.com/20...
I'm sure they'll be able to explain why the Dutch are so fond of this type of bicycle no matter what kind of weather.

By: the curmudgeon

the curmudgeon — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 18:37:55 +0000

Very pretty photos. I appreciate the dutch bicycle. It's intrinsic components are perplexing to me, though. Why protect a $7 chain with a $70(?) fully enclosed chaincase? Especially when the chaincase makes servicing the bike that much more unapproachable? If the bike is internally geared the chain simply needs to function (It can be rusty) and the utility of what is essentially a vacuum surrounding the chain seems more than a bit of overkill. It seems the full chaincase only enables the rider to adorn a $2k Mark Jacobs WWI inspired full length greatcoat with matching herringbone wool pants, uninhibited by the risk of getting grease on the hem. I'm also perplexed by the wheel/ tire size (seems like an antiquated 28″ imperial standard rather than the globally supported 26″), lack of any kind of studded tire countermeasure for winter riding, and widespread use of a coaster brake in conjunction with a front drum or roller brake. To speak on the last bit, and I'm sure I'm wearing out my welcome as it is, anyone who has ridden a bicycle in the snow knows that your rear brake alone is really only used to test the road surface. You will immediately fishtail in packed snow using only your rear brake. Think about how this issue is further complicated by having a free hand to sip fair trade coffee, hold a genuine vintage umbrella, talk on a cellphone?!?!?!
Disclaimer: I'm not going to advise a centuries old cycling culture how to ride or outfit a bike. It just seems the recent glamorization of the dutch bicycle and the apparent high-end clothier models who ride them is, quite simply, a way to get people to buy more stuff. You might say, “at least their buying (and, perhaps, subsequently riding) bikes”. I'm not sure I want more 4 mile an hour commuters lazily shopping along my 13 mile ice/ snow wrought bike commute to work. Don't get me wrong, cycling shouldn't just be for the brave, athletic and/ or insane. It's just hard for me to see the lack of preparedness and utility illustrated in the above photos. I'm very sure most of the riders depicted have less than a 2 mile trip in front of them.

By: stunt bike games

stunt bike games — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 13:42:22 +0000

I think the future of the cycle is very bright.
I like all the photos.
Thanks for sharing it.

By: Coffee of the Month Clubs

Coffee of the Month Clubs — Thu, 06 May 2010 11:45:48 +0000

Very nice set of photos. To ease the coldness of the body a good coffee cup could keep you warm and energetic.

By: Wendy

Wendy — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:27:33 +0000

I doubt it that coaster brakes are illegal here in Australia. Are they different from back brakes? My daughter's bike was bought here and she's got them. Our bikes, which we bought in Holland, and brought back with us have drumbrakes. They are great. I got used to the helmet but it's one of my great pleasures to get back to Holland and cycle without one.

By: 24 oranges » Bicycle Mania Photo Contest winner

24 oranges » Bicycle Mania Photo Contest winner — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:02:18 +0000

[...] called ‘Amsterdamize’. My favourite photo of his is this one, from a series about biking in the winter. That back tire is almost flattened by the peer [...]

By: 24 oranges » Zwolle lends commuters electric bicycles

24 oranges » Zwolle lends commuters electric bicycles — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 12:50:17 +0000

[...] Slightly off topic, cycling awareness blog Amsterdamize (aimed, obviously, at non-Dutchies), recently had a very nice photo series on how the cold and the snow and the ice manage to stop cycling in Amsterdam, i.e. not. [...]

By: Frosty Transition | Amsterdamize

Frosty Transition | Amsterdamize — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 18:09:24 +0000

[...] already 7 days old, time to move. What I’ve been up to you, you ask? Oh, you know, the usual. Kicking back in my peculiar way, seeing relatives for xmas, spending quality time with Lauren and celebrating [...]

By: SueWithoutHelmet

SueWithoutHelmet — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 19:29:57 +0000

i have just bought a dutch bike with coaster brakes! – had no idea they were illegal here! – however given that i refuse to wear a helmet, i'm already a convicted criminal because of 'the no helmet' crime'!!

but wow! though, the full benefits of the coaster brakes had not dawned on me until i read your post so now i'm plotting next trip with coffee and umbrella – brilliant!

By: amsterdamize

amsterdamize — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 05:59:07 +0000

my bad, I forgot :)

By: meinamsterdam

meinamsterdam — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 02:33:52 +0000

I'm sure I'm not

By: amsterdamize

amsterdamize — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:30:20 +0000

Huh…no, I can't! How is that even possible, why?? You know, mandatory helmet crap is one thing, but prohibiting coaster brake bikes is insane.

So yeah, a real shame your Royal Enfield got stolen.

By: beckly

beckly — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:11:52 +0000

Wish my bike had a coaster, it has all the other accoutrements of the good life like a basket and a chain cover but a coaster brake would just make it perfect for coffee-ing. Can you believe they are ILLEGAL here in Australia. My beautiful old one speed Royal Enfield was the best coffee bike ever. Stolen by someone with good taste.

By: David

David — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 07:36:30 +0000

Thanks Marc! Glad to hear, can't wait! The ending to Sinfonia is pure genuis. Now I'm intrigued by the musical selection….

By: amsterdamize

amsterdamize — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 05:36:07 +0000

You're a bold salesman, Josef, pitching something so alien in unchartered territory, kudos :)

By: amsterdamize

amsterdamize — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 04:06:09 +0000

Thanks so much, David! Actually, I'm editing the sequel to Sinfonia Cyclissimo as we speak! I'm dealing with footage from October (wind/rain), as I haven't had time to shoot the last few months, but I think it will work out. Will wait with naming it after finishing it, work in progress and all :)

By: David

David — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 04:00:53 +0000

Yes you do live in a christmas card! Excuse me, sir, but what is the name of this magical, wonderful place you live where everyone dresses in stunning outfits and rides bicycles in the snow.

Once again, awesome pics!

Have you've given any thought to Sinfonia Cyclissimo 2? Awesome video.

By: amsterdamize

amsterdamize — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 03:28:21 +0000

August is hardly less appealing, Geoff :)

Yeah, it's easy to be that way when the circumstances allow that. Just like walking down the street without a worry in the world :)

By: Geoff

Geoff — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 18:17:25 +0000

mooie fotos! Makes me wish our upcoming trip to Amsterdam was in the winter. But alas, it'll be right in the middle of August! Probably for the better. :)

I particularly like the woman holding the coffee cup. Everybody looks so wonderfully relaxed.

By: Josef Bray-Ali

Josef Bray-Ali — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:59:30 +0000

When I am trying to sell someone a dutch bike with a coaster brake, I bring up the ability to “cycle irresponsibly” by holding a hot cup of coffee, a cell phone, or an umbrella while riding (maybe all three at the same time if you're Dutch) and still be able to brake. It usually get a chuckle, and for those that ride everyday on their bikes to work (like I did and still do) they come to understand the purpose of a coaster brake on a commuter bike. Hand brakes are fine – but sometimes I want to hold an umbrella while riding slowly in the rain!

By: amsterdamize

amsterdamize — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:07:16 +0000

These are types of scenes you'll encounter more than once, quite familiar. Lots of students on bikes and you know how it goes, they all ride beater bikes, so eventually one or two will break down. Or they just thought it would be fun to go to the supermarket this way (that's where they were actually heading). Nonchalantly is the word. Basically every Dutch person is highly skilled, so they trust each other pulling off a thing like this. I don't even think they give it a second thought.
Nope, no cup holder and you will rarely see one here. Less fuss and easier to just hold it up. The same way they'd transport any kind of object, text/talk on their phone (some have found a solution for that), or hold an IKEA lamp...and use their coaster brakes, yes ;)

By: amsterdamize

amsterdamize — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:50:07 +0000

You're very welcome, John, it's a joy shooting these, only 'downside': almost every time I put away my camera to ride to the next location I see something even more beautiful ride by and then I'm too late…:-p.
Sounds like a great tour, and I can actually imagine that one. Last time I rode around SF was during Xmas and NYE and loved how the city looked, really something special. Enjoyed a light drizzle then too :)

By: amsterdamize

amsterdamize — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:45:16 +0000

thanks, Wilma, you'd certainly have enjoyed yourself! I'm sure studded tires have their purpose in a real winter wonderland, so to speak, in a city not so much, you can easily go round with standard issue ones. Happy you can still ride, dress up…I mean layer up! ;)