Unique” - an adjective – being the only one of it’s kind; unlike any thing else – particularly remarkable, special or unusual …

Cycle and Style likes to share with the readers what’s new and unique out there. Something that tells a story or sparks a conversation between two people. Something that is special, unusual, one of a kind and particularly remarkable … different!! How about “Unique”? How about Tireless Hearts?

So in pedals Bronwen Mauch of Tireless Hearts this month with a heart-warming story that touched my heart in a special way. Bronwen started creating and making these unique hearts in 2008 while she was teaching in New York City. She worked in a very unique school in Brooklyn which allowed her to run a bike shop, similar to wood shop or metal shop.  Obliging bike shops sent in  regular donations and when Bronwen noticed pink tubes showing up in the donation bags from bike shops and it gave her a great idea: “I started an informal  jewelry making  class as a way of keeping way of keeping the girls invested in the shop during seventh and eight grade”, said Mauch.

It was then that the first hearts were born: small, heart-shaped charms made from reclaimed inner tube rubber and bicycle hardware. The heart charms became the core of the Tireless Hearts line. Mauch harvests the unusual pinks, oranges, and reds of the inner tubes and selects the small hardware with care from her local bike shops. Each piece is cut, embellished, and hand stitched individually, and there is no pattern or mass-production of any kind. It is as green and sustainable as you can get. Each of these pieces is a tiny, wearable piece of art.

What is the inspiration for making her pieces?  “I am an artist, but like many artists I had a demanding full-time job that left me little time for big, time-intensive art making. I found, however, that I could make a couple of hearts during my subway trip to and from work. At the time my father was coming to the end of a long battle with heart disease, and sewing together that was more intuitive, and dare I say, poetic; the heart, after all, is invested with such powerful meaning in so may cultures. Making them has provided me a way of refilling my reserves and nourishing my spirit, too.Teaching junior high takes a LOT out of you!”

Mauch,  who lives “car-free”  in the Bay Area, commutes, runs her errands, and enjoys living the two-wheeled life. She adds, “I love all sorts of bikes; at one point I had six and I loved riding each and every one of them.” In fact when she goes to set up for a craft show, she rides her bike. Everything collapses down and fits into two panniers and a backpack!

As if to underline my point about uniqueness, Bronwen told us that she loves to collaborate with customers to make custom pieces.  What’s also unique about these pieces and this line is that its worlds away from the more frequently seen “bike part jewelry.” It’s subtle. Mauch says she doesn’t want to be a bicycle habit, but rather have it as a piece that draws someone in  with this unique piece and awakens their curiosity. As she says, “This gives the wearer an opportunity to tell a story and start a conversation – or remain enigmatically silent!”

Another Great Giveaway!

What will your story be? Bronwen Mauch of Tireless Hearts will be sending one of our readers the “black and red chain-plate heart”. This specially packaged piece will arrive at your address … but first you must be chosen. Enter by Tuesday, September 27th for your chance to have a unique piece of jewelry/art by simply making a comment below!

Buying your first new bicycle doesn’t have to be expensive.  Specialized has a great little “hardtail” mountain bike priced at an entry-level price named “Myka.” The 2010 Myka has 21-gears, and a lightweight aluminum frame (and a lifetime warranty on the frame). If you are a road cyclist, put those skinny tires away for the winter and take this bike out. Its wider, knobby tires are much better suited for the winter roads. Come spring time, you can enjoy the dirt roads and mountain trails and may find yourself really loving cycling off road! The Myka is expressly designed for women with women’s specific geometry, a lower stand-over heighth, optimal seat and headtube angles and a women’s XC saddle for better pedaling efficiency and fit. It also features splashes of pink in the paint design. It is priced at $389.  This would be a great Christmas present.

Note to Want-t0-be-Winter Commuters: This can be your winter commuting bike with the addition of fenders on both tires to keep the slush and snow off of you, front and rear lights for better visibility and if desired, a rear rack to keep some of your stuff on. You may also want to lower the tire pressure to give you better traction on slippery roads.

This very bicycle is available at Bingham Cyclery. The Myka HT is also available at your local bicycle shop that features the Specialized lineup of bikes.