There’s a new CEO in town and I had a private meeting scheduled with him today. A single hour to dazzle him with deep insights, brilliant program ideas and report my team’s amazing results. So, what to wear? And which bike to ride?
Well, if I’d listened to the recent “sometimes you just need a car” ads from the Zipcar car sharing service, I would have driven in to work. After all, in today’s job market you can’t risk not impressing the new CEO. And how could anyone possibly suit up and carry a laptop on a bike?
Instead of getting indignant at Zipcar’s limited view of the bicycle’s utility, I took it as a challenge. I’ve already ridden my bike in professional dress to a meeting at our PR firm and to a pub for a beer after work with an alliance partner. But a suit with a narrow skirt? That’s the real challenge, not the heels and the laptop.
So I dug through my closet for a narrow skirt that had a chance of being rideable and found this one with a cute border of pleats along the back hem.
Then I hopped on Juliett, my Dutch bike, and gave it a test spin around the cul-de-sac. Success! Between Juliett’s step through frame and upright position, and those cute little pleats, I pedaled to work feeling confident, successful and ready to impress the new CEO.
As I strapped my ordinary laptop messenger bag onto Juliett, though, I decided we need a more stylish bag, like these from Dutch company FastRider.
Which one do you think is stylish enough for the ever fashionable Juliett? Tell me quick, cause it may take a while to track down where I can buy it.
Cindy
October 13, 2011 at 11:58 pm
To be fair, they would all look quite stylish on Juliet, but for the transition from bike to you shoulder – I like the fastback black charm shopper. Its very slender and yet probably holds laptop and plenty more. Very stylish Janet!!
Brian
October 17, 2011 at 10:24 pm
This is a problem that men don’t really have.
At the shop, a father was asking why girls’ bikes have the dropped top tube. “Skirts,” I said. Suddenly, he saw the practical value of protecting his daughter’s modesty.
CD
November 21, 2011 at 12:57 pm
What shop did you purchase the Juliett from. I’ve been trying to find a red 52cm and have had no help (from distro) finding shops on the east coast that sell these.
ladyfleur
November 21, 2011 at 1:09 pm
I purchased my Juliett from Mikes Bikes in Palo Alto, California. But it looks like they’re out of stock there now. There’s a bit more information in this review a woman in DC posted on their site: http://mikesbikes.com/product/10viva-juliett-steel-7-speed-4751.htm (Click on customer reviews tab)
fiedlerin
April 6, 2012 at 11:17 am
They still have it. You have to use the search option, just type in VIVA and it will get you there
http://mikesbikes.com/product/12viva-juliett-7-speed-7159.htm
(in case you are wondering, I just found your blog and I am now reading just about every little snippet)
ladyfleur
April 6, 2012 at 12:00 pm
Cool. I hope they still have one in stock. My local Mikes Bikes no longer has any, so don’t delay if you want one. It’s a lovely, stable, sturdy bike.