I forgot to show you the photo that I submitted just for fun, in the photo competition that the fine site candycranks held.
The contest ran through the month of December 2010.

This is in front of the Asian Art Museum, and I had forgotten all about the timer. I’m not very good at that, I get easily distracted.
Looks like I’m picking my nose, perhaps. But I’m removing my shades, I ran into a friend. Read on, and check out all the entries here: candycranks.com/…

Who wore what is a weekly series. And if you have any submissions, questions and of course fotos, feel free to share. All fotos taken in San Francisco.

This is not necessarily about being chic or into fashionable things or trends, but if you want, it can be.
It is about being yourself, what works for you and what makes you comfortable, confident and happy to ride your bike!
-xxo♥m

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Well on this occasion, it is my turn to show what I was wearing for butterlap 2 weeks ago, first ride of January.
The temperature was in the low 40°s. I dont think it was lower than that, but it could have been.

The ride is about 18 miles and dressing for butter lap, as I would typically for other rides, layers are key. Often during the ride I get overheated if I overdress due to the monster hills (the one up to the Legion of Honor never gets easier…) but then I like to be nice and warm while just hanging out at a bar or with friends. For this particular ride, butterlap pretty much goes from side to side in the city, so it could be clear by the Ferry building, Crissy field is typically windy during the winter and by the time we get to Ocean Beach, the fog could be super thick.

Anyways, this is what I wore to earlier that day.
Before I headed back out, I switched scarves, threw a vest on and changed to my black mini skirt (which I think is a ‘running’ skirt) I like it because it has reflective little strips on the side. Pretty handy as most of butterlap during the winter/fall begins when it is already dark out and we don’t ride past very busy or too-brightly lit streets.
The bright orange layer I have is thin merino wool which I am a HUGE fan, keeps you dry,warm,stink-free. Icebreakers are awesome.

There are some photos and events I didn’t get to publish last year, I will post them in the first couple of weeks of the new year so, some kind of my quasi-review of 2010.

I have enjoyed all the boot riders around town, specially cowboy style. We don’t really get the extreme winter snow blizzards here in the Bay Area, so a change of pace such as snow clothing is not really so necessary, I wear most of my clothes year-round (our summer would be September) and for the winter season, adding a few layers often time a heavier coat and some gloves for when it gets to the 30°s. In my case, I’m a huge fan of merino wool for not-so-cold days and chilly nights. Here I am riding with one of my favorite cowboy-style boots, the best for walking long distances and riding all over these hills. I am also a huge fan of wool socks.

The evenings are getting darker, people are layer masters and the evenings are getting crisp, though fairly nice, the Bay Area remains at a pleaseant weather.
I find the period between Thanksgiving and the end of the year, one a little hard to deal with. While riding so often on the streets and around multiple districts in the city, you can certainly sense people are very distracted, stressed, in a rush, and often just super drunk.
The city during the Holidays can be super fun, but it never goes out fashion to stay safe. Make sure those bike lights are at max, be aware of your surroundings and all those basic safety measurements.

I feel relatively safe as a woman riding alone at night. Someone recently asked if I was scared of the city at night. I see women riding late as night as well. A few riders here and there. Sometimes I am riding alone for many miles before I get home and that is OK.

A bad situation could present itself anywhere, in any big city. 
To be safe is to be aware of your surroundings at all times.
OK, that is all for now. Have fun +Ride on!

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(From November 10, 2010)
♥xxo.meli

Ok, so I’m still on a new year high energy spasm. Bikes and the City turns 2.5 years. RAAAAH! =)
Happy new year to you all. That’s all. besos
xxo♥meligrosa

Because it does feel insanely cold after a heat wave of mid-70°s spoil Fall season treatment, oooookay!!!
Last night after finishing butterlap, I saw the temperature had reached 40°. It didn’t feel too cold, but my cheeks were nice and crisp. I love that feeling.
One of the mornings before the Thanksgiving break, my girlfriend Muffin and I got together for another one of our early morning coffee sessions. We try to chose different locations around town from time to time. The weather indicated 39° that day and it was also pretty windy. As a whimpy native Californian, I knew it was remarkably cold when my fingers got a little numb while riding.

Layered.

Well that was before 8am or so, after I caught some warmth and got rid of that jacket after taking this shot that morning. I almost that silly jacket which is not really functional but to feel like a mix of a Michelin-man and a human burrito at the same time. This jacket is not even water-repellant, a total FAIL in the lands of fog maximus. I never wear it, but I can almost say it was nice to wear it that morning and my friend loves to tease me since I have been saying for almost a decade that I will soon donate it. So I wore it to make her laugh about it. Soon…

I didn’t find money this time, but came across an unoponeded pack of ciggies. More than likely fell out someone’s pockets while riding. No cars parked in the vicinity. 

Both shots taken within 5 seconds from the window. Opposite trains. Oakland rains

Was hoping to capture some raindrops on the window, but Bart windows can often times display the sunset, a storm packing up and leaving for the next town, the train’s remarkable filthy carpeted seats, and a the Bay view. This was right after taking off from the West Oakland station and going into the deep black infinte tunnel that lies underneath the Bay, connecting the East Bay with San Francisco.
Unintentionally, the guy and his pink bike made it into the frames.
Then I got back to my book.
This evening was the first day of daylight saving times, about 2 weeks ago.