If you thought you knew the women who zip past you on bikes during your daily commute, or perhaps made some assumptions about that lady locking up her bike to go grocery shopping, this year’s TyK [Thought you Knew] Pinup Calendar may rattle you a bit.

Scheduled for release in time for Valentine’s Day, with a limited print run to be available starting February 13th at the 2009 Bike Winter Art Show, the TyK calendar will show you the ladies of the bicycle in ways you’ve never dreamed.

The idea for the Pinup Calendar first cropped up nearly two years ago. As a few friends enjoyed a warm Chicago fall night on their back porch they joked about guys’ perceptions of girls on bikes. If a girl was on a bike she was either cute or just one of the guys. But she couldn’t be both. Or could she?

Photographer Michelle Nolan brings to life the fantasy and reality of the classic 1950s pinup style, emphasizing the art of the tease and the allure of suggestion. Accompanying each pinup image are a series of black and white photos of that same woman as the world sees her every day . Would you recognize them if you were walking down the street when they pedaled past?

Proceeds for all sales of the TyK Pinup Calendars go to The Chicago Women’s Health Center. Calendars will be available for sale at the Chicago Bike Winter Art Show. Single prints of each month will be available, signed at the show, paired with a black and white ‘reality’ photo. Sales will also be available through the TyK website, thoughtyouknew.us, as well as at bike shops, coffee shops, bookstores and boutiques throughout Chicago. A list of where you can pick up a copy of these lovely ladies will be posted on the thoughtyouknew.us website.

TyK Works to raise women’s awareness of their strength and femininity while providing a supportive and informative community.