As many of you know I am an avid recreational cyclist. I have two bikes; one that is very old, very loved and very under-maintained, the other is a modern and more technical cyclocross bike. The former is my get-around-towner used for travel to meetings (when I’m not lugging samples), running errands, and for evenings of adult beveraging. The latter is for longer road rides that involve spandex attire. For the purposes of this post (and the series there-of) I’ll be focusing on my oldie-but-goodie and how to integrate cycling into your life and space.
I’m a professional on a bike, not a ‘professional cyclist’ and this certainly has it’s challenges; how to keep your fashion-forward reputation while riding (top priority!), how to accommodate a bike in your home and how to accommodate a bike at work. I quickly realized that this was a big topic to tackle. So, a series was born; The Two-Wheeled Professional. First up; dressing the part! White one-piece. End of story.
I think not, but she really does look like she’s having a great time!
The number one things that all cyclists need is … a helmet. The number one thing that people who want to look good while cycling loath is … a helmet. We have such a love/hate relationship with these dome shields, don’t we? We hate how they look/mess up our hair but we love having a fully functional brain. What a dilemma. Seriously though; NEVER RIDE WITHOUT A HELMET. You are not Farrah Fawcet, your hair isn’t THAT great.
Admittedly, when I’m on my little jalopy I wear an equestrian helmet, not a bike helmet. This is a fashion-based decision but one that I’m happy with. I take side streets mostly, avoiding traffic and go at a very slow speed so I think the level of protection suits the need. That being said, I have the space-age-y, aerodynamic counter-part for road riding … it just looks better with spandex (Note: if you don’t want to protect your brain is it really worth protecting?). For those of you looking for a stylish and functional piece to top your noggin, here are some great options:
Price: $129.00 CD
Local Dealer: Walrus, Vancouver
This is my top pick. It has a nice simple equestrian-inspired shape that’s not too bulky and it comes in some great colours. I also love the available matte finish.
Price: $125.00 CD for helmet + cover, $60.00 for additional covers
Local Dealer: Evolution Bikes, Vancouver
This is a pretty nifty idea. I like that you can switch up the covers – loving the fur beanie for winter! Of course, the hats do look out of scale but these are the compromises we make for safety.
Price: $650.00 CD
Local Dealer: none, buy online here
Note: You MUST watch the video!
We have officially arrived at the future. When people talk about ‘one day’ … this is the day that they are talking about. Mind blowing right? Granted, the cost is way up there on the helmet scale (like you went to the grocery store for a box of cereal and left with a 4 gallon drum of caviar) but you’re getting total neuro-safety without an actual helmet. No matter how many times I watch the video I still can’t believe that this is real.
With your brain protection covered, you could pretty much wear whatever you want … just ask Farrah. But when you’re riding to work and/or meetings it’s nice to not have to pull a Clarke Kent after just a short ride. I have scoured the interwebs for good-looking clothing that is bike friendly and although the pickin’s are slim, I have found a few clothiers who are doing it right.
Iva Jean is a Seattle based clothing company specifically geared (pardon the pun) towards fashion-forward women who cycle. I love every single piece that they make but my top picks are these:
Price: $220.oo US
Available at the online shop here
This is a better-looking version of the traditionally hideous rain cape that you may have seen around. With interior straps to hold on to, you can extend the cape over your handle-bars creating a kind of body umbrella with lots of room for ventilation. The colours are great and it has strategically placed cinching cords to give it shape when you’re off the bike. Want!
Price: $160.00 US
Available at the online shop here
Brilliant! A pencil skirt that unzips at the back to reveal more fabric so you can actually pedal. This designer deserves an impressive award of some sort.
Another company creating great-looking ride-friendly garments is New York based Outlier. These guys offer both men’s and women’s attire and here’s what’s on my shopping list from them:
Outlier Women’s Daily Riding Pant
Price: $220.00 US
Available in the online store here
These are a great looking pant. Period. But … on top of that they happen to be made of technical fabric so they stand up to the wear and tear of cycling (hello, reinforced crotch!) and resist rain, dirt, coffee … whatever you can throw at it. Their description says it all: ‘Classy enough to wear out for drinks and tough enough to ride there.’
Lastly, let’s accessorize, shall we? As a designer I lug around a lot of stuff so I need a bag that can carry it all, is comfortable while riding and it’s gotta look good. I may have found three checkmarks in this bag from Dargelos, another cycling-focused company out of New York. In addition to bags, they produce the Lightning Vest, a netted vest made from highly reflective material that can go over any outfit.
Price: $95.00 US
Available at the online store here
I love that this bag has the look of a tote but the wearability of a backpack – genius! (watch the video below to see what I mean). It comes in great colours too and it’s made of an all natural hemp/cotton blend with a waxed finish to repel rain and grime.
Now that we’ve covered safety and good looks, we’ll look at ways to make space for your bike at home and at work. Watch for parts 2 & 3 of The Two-Wheeled Professional coming soon. Happy riding!
PS: the title image is a print from Inspireuart, available on Etsy.