The seasons are turning once more in beautiful southwest Colorado. Golden leaves, snow capped peaks, a crystal clean feel to the air. You’ve all seen the pictures. It looks just like that. It’s really just amazing. Yet, with this new nip in the air comes the chilly mornings, which always brings a new level of preparation to my bike commute — if we can truly call it a commute. I live minutes from my office. However, in my defense, I still have to prepare for cycling. You can freeze your knee caps off in under 4 blocks.

I recently read an article in the Financial Times on what the stylish female cyclists wears. Quaint and fun, but really? Who can afford, an albeit cool looking, wool tweed cape with glow in the dark fibers woven through it— at $400? I can see myself getting the edge of the cape caught in my cup holder and causing yet another self-inflicted and spectacular crash at the 4-way. Sour grapes. What the article didn’t cover, I noticed, was foot wear.

Not one to completely give up my ridiculous desire for heels completely, I have honed my shopping prowess into a new level of awareness. I am the self proclaimed expert on biking in heels. It can be done, with a measure of grace and finesse which does include getting on and getting off your bike. This year in particular has brought a flurry of new styles, bordering between a clog and a heel which has made me giddy with joy. What I have discovered is that its all about size and, well, sole. Too thin and spiky and you can pop through your pedal like a lawn aerator if you’re not careful. Too smooth a surface, you slide off and give yourself a nasty bruise on the calf. I have resoled many a shoe with Vibram to gain a little extra in the way of grip. It also helps for walking on ice. But finding a heel with enough girth, slightly chunky without going full 90′s is tough. Boot heels are easier and I sport plenty of Frye’s, but if you are looking for something a little more delicate, I recommend you check out these brands. They are a little retro, slightly funky but really quite fantastic. You’ll see me happily pedaling in them until there is too much snow to plow through and I have to give in to BogBootdom.

And girls, hold your ground. Since you do ride, you likely travel in groups with the bike kulture scene. Either swinging to full on roadie or single speeder to urban hip fixie. All the same in the grand scheme. You will have to defend your slightly poor decision to bike in heels to many who suddenly have something to say about your fashion sense. Be strong!

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This is not my photo, but if he can do it, well…

There’s this bad feeling that has been creeping up on me this past year. At first I couldn’t put my finger on it, but in the last week its been made crystal clear.

My profession has undergone a major transformation. It has gone from a profession that was thoughtful and careful of its steps, ensuring that work produced was effective and appropriate to meet the customer’s target audience. A craft if you will. A service that made smart decisions regarding the branding of a product or customers needs. It has gone from all that to a commodity, homogenized to the point of an instant gratification based, a la carte service for the all new price of less than you ever made as a babysitter in high school. While the big guns are still there going strong, many of the independents are signing up left and right for the online design express. Have you seen these sites? Customers can offer a price for a logo and as many designers as want to can submit until at the end of a time frame, the customers gets to pick a “winner.” Usually for the going rate of $200 to $350.

I know I sound like I’m whining. It’s because I am. Because what I don’t understand, is that when and if this big recession is over, how do we reclaim our craft? How do we go back to those customers that have adjusted to the new identity system rate of $200 to a more reasonable price that allows the designer to explore on your behalf and truly develop an identity or message that is meaningful? Or do we? Do we rather continue to knock out logos or ad campaigns like a copy machine and who cares if it works for your product or service. Its a logo for crying out loud and you got it cheap.

It makes me sad that so much of what is wonderful and creative, is becoming a commodity. Art, design, food, jobs, schools- you name it. The all American apple pie is now reduced to a McFruit Pie- rest assured that it will be the same wherever you go- consistently mediocre at best.

So for those of you out there that get it — those that understand that design is all around us and you can’t experience one item that hasn’t been touched by a designer — whether its a child’s board game, a community plan or a jet — who understand design is an integral part of our lives — cheers to you! Keep it real for all of us.

Wow summer has already come and practically gone— we start school this Monday. By we, I mean all of us with kids that live by the school calendar. It’s a time for regaining a semblance of a schedule, knowing where our kids are, mostly, and looking forward to some beautiful fall weather riding. Personally, I embraced the sauna like riding conditions thrown at me this summer. So you lose an extra five pounds in water weight each ride. Big deal. Bring it on.

Nevertheless, fall is coming quickly, and I’m not being a pessimist- just a realist. It just always seems to come quicker than spring. But we get the Fall Blaze. A beautiful tour around Durango at the peak of fall color. If you are inclined to ride a bike on the road, I highly recommend looking at this group tour. Its run by great people and has a most festive tone.

Find out more information at www.durangofallblaze.com