Cycling Snapshot// Chiapas, Mexico

My sister and I on our Mexibikes in May 2013.

San Juan Chamula is a 10km cycle from San Cristobal de las Casas through the mountains of the Chiapas Highlands. Most of the journey is along a quiet track where the landscape ranges from lush to almost prehistoric looking. 

Chamula is home to the largest indigenous Tzotzil Mayan population and it holds autonomous status within Mexico. It has its own police force and no outside military are allowed in the village. 

The famous church of San Juan is full of statues holding mirrors. Some say it's to ward off evil and others say it is so you look for the saint's qualities in yourself. There are no pews but people sitting in groups on the pine needle covered floor performing healing rituals. There is fabric draped from the ceiling and so many candles providing the only light. Some weird things happen in this church. They sacrifice chickens and believe burping helps expel evil spirits. To aid this, they drink a lot of Coca-Cola. The glass bottles are everywhere. Apparently, Pepsi tried to get in on it and become the preferred carbonated drink. It's also known as the Coco-Cola church, so I guess Pepsi failed.

You won't see any pictures of inside the church as photography is strictly forbidden. We were told a story about how someone had taken a few stealth pictures and when they had checked them later, they were blank. I KNOW. 

When we were back in San Cristobal de las Casas having dinner, my sister said, "That was a weird place to ride our bikes to."

Happy 5th Birthday Ecobici

 So Mexico City's public cycle hire scheme, Ecobici, celebrates its 5th birthday. I have such fond memories of my time riding around that amazing city with them so here is my homage in photographic form. Cue music....

Nice Rack

It's been a while since I bigged up a bike stand. I spotted these corten steel guys near the Zócalo in Mexico City. They are by the Italian company Metalco who make lots of other cool urban furniture.

Boneshaker Magazine Issue #15

 Just in case you hadn't heard enough about my obsession with Mexican bikes and Beetles, issue 15 of Boneshaker Magazine is out now.

Marvelous México

My little exhibition at Look Mum No Hands has been featured on the Marvelous México blog. Check it out. Also, let's all start saying 'marvelous' more. Marvelous.

Here's a bit more about it.

Dia de los Muertos

Bringing some Latin colour to the streets of London. Here's my pimped up BMX. 

The day after Halloween is not only a hilarious time to watch witches do the walk of shame, it's the Mexican Day of the Dead festival. As my blog is refusing to change back from Mexican time I thought I should give it a Dia de los Muertos post.

My uncle in Mexico City sent me this picture of someone painting some bike street art.

This was a gift from my friend Natasha last time I left Mexico. It takes pride of place on my wall.

This guy hangs out on one of the Ecobicis on Reforma.

Remember this guy from last year?

Mexico's Bikes & Beetles at Look Mum No Hands

When you go around with a name like 'Jude' you get A LOT of Beatles references thrown/ sung at you.  It's no wonder I feel an affinity with VW Beetles. I feel like they understand.

If you drop by Look Mum No Hands on Old Street you can say 'Hello" to my pictures of Mexico's Bikes & Beetles that will be on display until the end of October.

I first visited Mexico in 2000 as an excited 18 year old on a gap year and fell head-over-heels in love with the country. Over the last decade (plus a few years) I’ve been lucky enough to return to Mexico several times. While I was cycling around Mexico City a year ago, I noticed that there were many more bikes on the road than VW Beetles. 

In the 1960s a Volkswagen Beetle factory opened in Mexico and they soon became the country’s standard box car. VW Beetles, or ‘Vochos’ as they are lovingly nicknamed, were a symbol of modernity and Mexico’s economic growth. Green and white Beetles (vocho verdes) even became the official taxi.

I thought it was interesting how over the years these cars have begun disappearing while cycling has taken off. I started taking pictures wherever I saw a bike and a Beetle together. The car usually represents modernity while the bike is seen as traditional. These pictures question that perception.

Look Mum No Hands, 49 Old Street, London , EC1V 9HX

Boneshaker x (iL) Soigneur Musette Bag

Every morning in Mexico, I picked up a newspaper and cycled home with it in my Boneshaker Magazine musette bag. To pay homage to the importance this bag played in my morning routine, here are some snaps of me rocking it in Parque México. Thanks Boneshaker musette bag for  preventing me from having to carry my paper home in my mouth.

Boneshaker x (iL) Soigneur Musette Bag £25.

boneshakermag.com 

Cycling to Frida Kahlo's house

I keep reading about how statement eyebrows are like so hot right now. Well if that's the case, Frida Kahlo was well ahead of the trends. She was in French Vogue don't you know? Today is her Birthday so I thought it right and fitting that I pay homage to one of my favourite artists. 

A few weeks ago I got on my Mexibike and cycled across town to The Blue House (La Casa Azul) she shared with Diego Rivera that has been made into a museum. 

It is in Coyoacán, a beautiful colonial district of Mexico City which is great for cycling. Away from busy main roads, most of the streets are quiet, residential, one way and have special bike lanes.

The museum is on Calle Londres so I felt right at home.

You can lock up right outside.

If you are in Mexico City you should definitely check the Museo Frida Kahlo out. They recently discovered a suitcase of her clothes in the attic so these are on show at the moment along with pieces from famous designers that have been inspired by her style.

All around Coyoacán there are maps and information signs in lots of different languages near bike stands so it's easy to navigate your way around and see the the area by bike. There are also different bike tours available incase you don't want to go it alone.

La Casa Azul- Museo Frida Kahlo

Bike Street Art// Mexico City Road Signs

Here are some things that caught my eye as I was riding by.

Perro Peloton// Dogs and bikes

I thought my blog needed a bit of cute. Then I saw some dogs and it got a bit out of hand and, well, here is a whole lot of cute. The last dog has panniers. How adorable is that?

Next week cats. Maybe something with bikes and cats in dreamy soft focus a la this photo shoot of men and cats by my sister.

Bikes from a Bird's Eye View// Ecobicis

I had to google 'bird's eye view' to see if it had an apostrophe. It does. It's just one bird. 

I was being a massive tourist the other day and went on an open top bus. YES I was that girl wearing a 'I heart DF' t-shirt. I heart 'I heart' t-shirts. I recommend doing a tour bus in every city you visit. Every year I do it in London with a few friends and we have so much fun. It's nice seeing a city from a different perspective even it it is your own. 

I've spent a lot of time recently looking at DF from between my Ecobici handles so it was nice to see those handles from high up. I hope those dudes without hats or helmets remembered to put sunscreen on their heads.

Get your tats out// Bike Tattoos

"If your body is a temple, you may as well decorate the walls."

I don't know where I read that quote, probably off a tattoo, I get a lot of my quotes from tattoos these days.

I met this guy cycling around Mexico City. I want his tattoo. On my face. Maybe my eyes can be the wheels? Not really, I think  as a girl, getting a bicycle tattooed on me would invite unfair comparisons. Plus, I would never be able to settle on which bike to immortalise on my flesh. Urgh, 'flesh', I hate that word.

If you are a massive wuss but want to look cool, you can either get the biros out, or try one of these Tattly temporary tattoos. Because nothing needs to lasts forever. 

Tattly Temporary Tattoos $5 for a set of two.

Also, check out @Shittats top 10 shit London tattoos on the Time Out Blog.