Paris and the Tour the France

Sunday morning walk..Mr R and I wander the streets of Paris, in search for good coffee and a bit of shade in this unusually hot summer day.
We walked from my favorite Swedish Institute in the Marais, to Colette on rue St. Honore. We finally stopped for a decent espresso at Le Pain Quotidien (Mr. R was looking for a Pavlova, me just a coffee).

Finally we headed back, past Place Vendome towards the Tuileries gardens, before we realized we were in the middle of a mad yellow crowd. Le Tour was arriving in Paris!
People were everywhere, on the street, on the terraces of hotels, looking out the windows and climbing on the gates of the gardens.

I just stretched my arms and let the camera take a glimpse..

Back on two wheels (questions and observations about cycling)

My poor bike was parked outside for almost 4 months, during the rainiest Roman winter ever.
A couple of days ago I decided to pick it up and get it back in running shape. I took her (my bike is definitely of female gender) to the garage.

After a change of tire and and a few minor touch ups (get rid of rust, straighten the handle bar) we were on the road. Rolling down the viale Aventino, heading towards Piramide and via Ostiense I was reminded of the beauty of Rome, of the smell of summer and the craziness of my fellow users of the road.

On the same day I was approached by the friends at Bici Roma, and by a group of urban cyclists organizing an event in Garbatella.
On my way home (you can see my daily route here) I saw many other cyclists, of all ages and styles..and of course the question came to mind: what is the best gear to wear when cycling in town?
How can I get to work by bike and not look like I just got back from a war in a tropical country?
I like to wear dresses , so that my calves are free and can tan a bit, but I run the risk of flashing the whole town..
I shall find a solution soon, before the full Summer heat arrives. In the meantime, I foudn this interesting article on the Times