Street Scene: Castleberry Hill

Carving Out a Safe and Comfortable Place to Exist in the World While Missing all the Shooting Stars
Annie Lou

In Southern Living: Daily South

Today Julia and Louie had the honor of representing Atlanta among regional city style blogs selected by Southern Living.

Castleberry Hill Stroll: Act III

Castleberry Hill Stroll: Act II

Castleberry Hill Stroll, Act I

On Castleberry Hill: Atlanta 'Zine Fest, Act II

Scale Highly Eccentric: Flannery O'Connor Portrait Zine

On Castleberry Hill: Atlanta 'Zine Fest, Act I

pixie collar blouse: Kohl's
skirt: Urban Outfitters
shoes: Forever 21

Race Day Dressing

Of Bike + Syle And A New Blog

This portrait of a good friend to Atlanta Street Fashion now graces pages 38 and 39 of the July|August Momentum Magazine. Once again it is my pleasure to share with the larger cycling community what we are doing in Georgia.
Blogger Jess Smith of Lady Flashback lent Atlanta Bicycle Chic a strong start when her posting was blogrolled by Copenhagen Cycle Chic. Now she has joined forces with Editor Sarah Lawrence of Paste Magazine to produce I SPY ATL. Their exploration of the Atlanta zeitgeist offers both a listening ear and gives voice to the neighborhoods and neighbors that make our city a vibrant home.

Street Scene: Castleberry Hill

Roll Model: Julie Andrea Borders

Spelman alumna Julie Andrea Borders has a penchant for Peugeot bicycles. Her first, which came from SoPo, was a road bike called Peuney. Thus began two years of car-free living in a city renown for its motor traffic. Now native Parisian Benjamin Stimis of Atlanta Beltline Bicycle is building her dream bike. Pierre will be a European-style shopper with fenders for its 22-inch wheels and a rack for her panniers. Borders frequently incorporates MARTA into her commute and favors the compact size even as her yoga practice makes light work of hoisting her rides into the bus bike carriers. Men, she says, are often willing to help but most just express amazement at her prowess.

The daughter of PATH Foundation director Gloria Borders, Borders' adult riding began, appropriately enough, on the West side’s Lionel Hampton Trail. Following her mother’s lead, she lent her time to PATHRocks, then a next generation auxiliary to the board. “I recruited a Georgia State University marketing class student group to complete a trail usage survey.” Today her advocacy is less formal. “I entertain and engage graciously with curious MARTA passengers” while mindfully sharing train space with those in wheelchairs or freighted with luggage.

An Atlanta Bicycle Coalition Confident City Cycling class put her on the busy city streets but only native pluck would have compelled her to turn a wheel inside Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Late for work one day, she made up the lost time by pedaling Peuney through the terminal ”like APD, AFD officers!“ Arriving at Brighton Collectibles in the nick of time, her dramatic entrance inspired Boot Blacks to safeguard Peuney until she could lock him properly to a North Terminal bike rack.

Borders’ generous spirit shone at a Chick and Transgender bike clinic taught by Atlanta Bike Tech. “I think I left Peuney at home and worked with two other chicks on one of their bikes,” she remembers. “It was collaborative, hands-on and even taught by a woman. Estrogen-powered bikes, bike repair and maintenance ROCK.”

“More bike lanes” tops her wish list for safer cycling in our city and she is grateful for the advocacy of Kwanza Hall and the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition. Apart from following traffic rules and seeking less trafficy routes, her advice should resonate with readers of this blog. “Wear bright, stylish, eclectic gear to be noticed and therefore safer!”

Street Scene: Castleberry Hill

Street Scene: Castleberry Hill

The Great Atlanta Bicycle Expedition

Her 1970's shirt was thrifted in Castleberry Hill, which is the start/finish of The Great Atlanta Bicycle Expedition. Friday's rain promises a delightful, cool Saturday for riders, who may choose from routes of seven, seventeen and thirty-five miles. Registration fees support the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition in its mission to provide Free Neighborhood Bike Classes and are your ticket to the after party at Elliot Street Pub. See you there!

Heels On Wheels March Ride

For their March ride, the ladies met at Boxcar Grocer on Peters Street before touring the Castleberry Hill neighborhood and attending the 1st Annual SHE is Icon Awards Celebration. If such fun and fellowship appeal to you, please visit their facebook page to stay apprised of developments. Better yet, an opportunity exists for someone to organize the rides. Says Atlanta Bicycle Coalition Executive Director Rebecca Serna, "Hey everyone! It's time for me to pass the torch as one of the most active Heels on Wheels ride leaders. (I need to spend weekends with my kiddos - they grow up so fast! - and it's been hard to find time to organize and lead successful rides.) So I'm opening this fun and rewarding opportunity up to the group! Do you have a gorgeous route or perfect picnic spot you'd like to share with a group of rad women who ride? Create an event to remember and invite the women of Heels on Wheels to come with. Message or call me if you want to discuss. Thanks!"

Street Scene: Atlanta Heydays

Journalism is the life-long passion of native Atlantan Patricia Heys, whose many hats worn have included print and television. Now a blogger and photographer, she publishes loving vignettes of Atlanta and interviews that build our community through story telling. Charmed by her jumping portraits, I proposed that we take a sort of busman's holiday. Castleberry Hill juxtaposed railroad for historical context to latterday skyline views with lighting for the late hour determined by our schedules. Please follow this link to my reciprocal appearance on Atlanta Heydays.

In Castleberry Hill

Some people have all the luck. Her embroidered silk blouse was thrifted yesterday at the Goodwill on Northside Drive. Velvet shorts from H&M turned up at Rag-O-Rama. Way to mix them with Target flats for complementary floral appliqué and a pop of color.

In Castleberry Hill

dress: Free People
shoes: Steve Madden
bag: Lulu Townsend

In Castleberry Hill

dress: Belle du Jour
scarf: Banana Republic
bag: Coach
shoes: Aldo

Friday Is Bike To Work Day

jacket: thrifted
shirt: J. Crew
tie: from web
trousers: Dockers
shoes: Bostonian
Whether you are a seasoned bicycle commuter or someone who might enjoy company for a trial run, the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition has a route for you. Check their website for times and places.
On Sunday, Atlanta Streets Alive opens Virginia-Highland and parts of Inman Park and the Old Fourth Ward to all sorts of merriment from 2pm 'til 6pm. Dress to impress and roll with AM 1690 when the Great Atlanta Bicycle Parade lines up at 2pm on the corner of North and Highland.