What do you get when you cross a bicycle geek with a girl who loves sundresses?
A cute commute.
Inspired by the genius of Copenhagen Cycling Chic and bikeportland.org, along a bit of a Texas twist, you get The Cute Commute Calendar. Afterall, who can go wrong with a calendar full of cute chicks on bikes? Especially ones that could drop you on a hill and look good doing it.
The calendar features a variety of cute local Austin bicyclist chicks who ride for transportation, racing, and recreation. Photogaphy is courtesy of local professional photographers including previous Butler Bros intern JB Sauceda. Currently in production, the calendar itself will be designed by the Bros, showcasing six Austin photographers, and 15 of Austin’s own cute bicycling gals.
What started as a suggestion from AB, “Hey, how about a project with something related to bicycles. You like bicycles”, has exploded into collaboration of many individuals associated with the cycling community. I am continually amazed and excited by the enthusiasm of individuals I have met in the month and a half the project has been in existence, not to mention how interesting they all are as people who ride bikes.
When I announced a bikeSummit in my own home, I had 16 of the most diverse bicyclists arrive at my doorstep (by bicycle) to have a productive AND positive conversation about the cycling community over dinner. There was a web programmer from Oakhill sitting next to one of the unofficial leaders of Critical Mass, sitting next to a bicycle shop owner, sitting next to a bicycle messenger, sitting next to a PHd candidate at UT, sitting next to a… And it was one of the most informative, exciting conversations I had the chance to be a part of.
So what’s in store the next couple of months?
The photographers will start shooting the lovely ladies later on this week and on through September. In the mean time the Bros will be designing the look/feel of the calendar and I will be recruiting resources to produce the final print version of the calendar by the end of October. Why the end of October? Because with the launch of The Cute Commute Calendar will be the launch of the bike+austin website. Sneaky huh.
The purpose of bike+austin is to unite new and experienced Austin cyclists by connecting existing facets of the Austin cycling community including advocacy, transportation, racing, and recreation. Bike+austin also strives to inspire the general public to view cycling and cyclists as a valuable part of the transportation ecosystem.
The goal of the website is to create an interactive virtual space for the community to find useful, current information regarding all things cycling in Austin. Bike+austin will feature local bicycle rider profiles to create a positive, personal connection between the general Austin public and the cycling community. Bike+austin will also include a calendar listing various cycling events, and a space to report stolen bicycles and aggressive driver situations.
The current atmosphere of the cycling community consists of fractioned groups that have minimal dialogue with one another. While the increase of gas prices and interest in cycling for transportation has started some lines of communication, no central information hub connects everything cycling in Austin together in a simple, yet appealing way.
In the meantime, my gal pals and I will be hitting the streets in our cute, cute, cute sundresses as we commute to work, the grocery store, the spa, for errands, for fitness, and for FUN. Come join us and be a part of something amazing.
M
bikeaustin@gmail.com
