my latest obsession... retro cruisers

a few years ago, i was actually afraid to get on a bike. i'd had a couple of bad experiences riding when i was a kid, so i quit cold turkey when i was around 12 years old. at the age of 16, i was confronted by my nemesis while on a trip to germany. apparently everyone rides bikes there, but i was too chicken to get on one (meanwhile, my host stared at me like i was from mars as i stared at the bike like it was toxic)! more recently, bicycles were making a huge comeback as a mode of transportation, and i envied all the hipsters breezing by with the wind in their hair.

last year i finally decided enough was enough. i dragged my old bike out of my parents' garage and timidly started pedaling in the alley behind their house. and guess what? it was like riding a bike. all those years i'd been afraid for nothing... who knew the saying was true?

so now i'm in the market for a real, adult bike, and i'm totally smitten with vintage-inspired cruiser bikes. here are some stylish wheels that will have you riding in style in no time...

from top:

1. women's orange tahiti beach cruiser, $224.99 from overstock.com.

2. liberty of london for target "garla" bike... sadly only produced in a very limited edition, and now sold out. but if you're willing to spend a lot for a collector's item, there are a couple available on ebay.

3. custom-built dutch bike, $399 from republic. this baby is fully customizable, from the tires to the hand grips. pick your favorite colors and make it your own!

xoxo,

lesley