When I was in Copenhagen a few weeks back, Marija and I came up with a great way to meet locals. Especially the men.

Seen my Slow Food and Biking Guide to Copenhagen yet?

We would approach, explain that I’m an Australian journalist and that the two of us were doing a small photo essay and could we take their photo. Well. It worked. The Danes are notoriously reserved (not shy or necessarily cold; they just keep to themselves), but once you approach them first, they’re really rather open and warm and chatty. And not judgy of a stupid tourist antic like the one I describe.

UM. Some of you might recognise these from somewhere? Those Danes…stylin’!

And so, a photo essay evolved.

The men are very handsome in these parts. We were dumbfounded. We named the phenomenon: CopenhagMen. And we coined our series of photos: “CopenhagMen with…”

How rad. David Byrne from Talking Heads is a big bike banger-on-erer. And he makes a good point. The New York Times just ran a video interview with him.

I’m a non-helmet wearer (I wear one on big rides or dangerous roads)…ditto Byrne for the same reason. Oh, people get arked up about it…for reasons that make no sense. For my take on why it’s safer and better not to wear a helmet, click here.

A few other things:

• Talking Heads take seven bikes on tour with them. So they can explore while there. I tell you, it’s the best way to see a city.
• He’s just written a book – Bicycle Dairies –  which chronicles riding in bike-friendly cities in the world…surprisingly he reckons northern Italian towns are the best.
• He advocates putting highways underground so bikes have more room and clean air. Friggen good point.

I truly hope more people get enthused about bike riding…not for fitness, not for making a point…just because it makes sense. That’s why I post these posts, in the hope it inspires more people to get on ya bike. And to not be scared of wearing a white pant on a bike.

Which city have you cycled in? I’m always on the hunt for new places in the world to explore…

It’s not quite winter but it’s already getting chilly. Time to get set up on your bike. We asked Joyce from Cycle Style to give us some tips:

The mornings and nights are getting darker, windier and colder – but that’s not a reason to hibernate with your bike. If Dottie can ride through the frigid Chicago winters, so can we! (This bike blogger is my winter cycling hero, check out her beautiful Flickr stream)

In my view, cycling through winter is the best fun – the air is exhilarating, pedalling warms you up in a jiffy, there are fewer cyclists on the road and let’s face it, winter fashions are more chic. All that incidental exercise also helps keep off the winter weight when you indulge in another helping of molten chocolate pudding.

Here are my top 5 tips for how to cycle your way stylishly through winter:

• Wear layers. The key to stylish winter cycling is to layer up in fabrics that breathe. My favourite base layers are garments made of merino wool and bamboo – they are thin, wick sweat, don’t smell and feel great against the skin. Check out the range from New Zealand’s Icebreaker.

• Accessorise with panache. Scarves and gloves will be your best friend in the cold, as they keep you warm during the initial chill and can be easily taken off on the bike at the lights as you warm up. We stock lovely scarves and gloves by one of Australia’s last remaining knitting factories, Otto & Spike and crochet