Cycle Chic is a worldwide sensation that promotes cycling as a way of life and always puts style over speed. It all started in Copenhagen when Mikael Colville-Andersen snapped a photo of a fashionable cyclist and posted it online. The movement has grown exponentially since, spreading across the globe to cities such as London, Charleston, San Francisco, and of course Sacramento. The idea is to encourage more bicycle trips by presenting powerful images of beautiful people using bikes as transportation while wearing everyday clothing. Each picture posted by a Cycle Chic blogger serves as a "flash card," showing oil addicts just exactly how fun, healthy, cool, attractive, green, practical, et

The Sacramento Bicycle Kitchen and the Friends of Fremont Park held the first Sacramento Bicycle Swap in Midtown on Saturday. Dozens of people turned out to sell, buy, trade or just talk shop at Fremont Park. The swap offered a little of everything, from well-worn Bianchis to classic banana seats and cutting-edge bamboo machines. Danilo Masuelli and his crew from Masuelli Bicycles in Stockton were there to show off their sustainably built, locally grown bikes. The bamboo frames take 40 to 60 hours to make by hand and use bamboo grown in Rocklin, said Masuelli, a native of Argentina. While Asia has long had bikes made of bamboo, the Stockton shop is one of no more than four making bambo

Bicyclists are gearing up for a Sunday ride to benefit the American River Parkway, which faces reduced funding this year. By Monday afternoon, 233 people had already signed up for The Rex Ride, a barbecue/party centered around an up-to 60-mile, low-key ride on the Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail -- also known as the American River bike trail. The 32-mile, multi-use trail is used year-round by virtually everyone in Sacramento's huge cycling community, said event organizer Steve Rex, who owns Rex Cycles bike shop in Midtown. "It's huge. It's the focus of the cycling culture that's really rich here in Sacramento," said Rex, 47. A serious cycling injury last fall isn't stopping Rex and his wi