i’ve really been wanting a new bicycle since my move to noe valley. the old 3-speed motobecane i have just doesn’t quite cut it on these hills. so i’ve been looking around. a lot. for a vintage-looking bike, but a practical and functional one, as well. and on the first day of my vacation i ended up buying a new one! i had actually just gone out for a walk, over to the mission district, and ended up riding home on a brand new raleigh roadster i got after dropping in at valencia cyclery.

valencia cyclery were super nice to work with (thanks, s.b.!) and i test drove a few. but the raleigh felt right, and so home i rode her (along with the fresh squid, dulce de lece, chiles, and everything else i picked up strolling around the mission that day!). here’s a peak at ‘sophie’ my new bike (above shots), and a whole bunch of other bikes i’d been thinking about, along with some great bicycling accessories.

{from me to you}

beatrice holiday upholstered seat cover; public’s donghia striped messenger bag; kate spade covered & lined basket; the carrie front basket from design house stockholm.

the very colorful plato dutch bike.

the pristine pashley princess sovereign.

the pashley basket.

the swedish designed note bike.

nut case bike helmet (i had to have this one!); public’s knee socks; camper red Peu Rambla sneakers; and the beautiful brooks engraved bike saddle.

beatrice holiday upholstered seat covers, and handlebar bags (which also convert to shoulder bags).

the new public bike.

tretorn’s comfy riding sneakers.

swedish skeppshult bikes.

the hi-tech bent basket.

denver covered basket; a classic nantucket basket; cute gypsy wicker basket; and the Peterboro Basket.

the gary fisher simple city 8.