The need for tweed
Bicycle ride just for fun
A convoy of more than 50 cyclists received some confused looks from people as they toured the city Sunday afternoon dressed in traditional British tweed.
It was the first-ever Windsor Tweed Run. Bicyclist enthusiasts were invited to dress up in Victorian-inspired fashions polished with a vintage flair, particularly tweed, and take part in a group ride through the city.
“It is essentially just to embrace the spirit of a bygone era,” said Stephen Hargreaves, a co-organizer.
“That was a really exciting time, and to go back to that, where there was a lot of hope and spirit, and also this very kind of quintessentially British tweediness, it’s just kind of fun to play with.”
The free event turned the clocks back to the 1930s as the group sported tweed jackets, skirts, vests and flat caps. Bow ties, scarves, suspenders and knee-length knickers with high socks were also popular costume choices.
The group flocked to the heart of Walkerville at Chilver Road and Wyandotte Street to enjoy a light English breakfast before heading out on their trendy jaunt. The retro-clad riders rode through the city and stopped for some afternoon pints along the way at the Manchester Pub downtown, the Dominion House in Olde Sandwich, and ending back in Walkerville at the Walkerville Brewery.
Rob Thibert took an old pair of corduroy pants and had them tailored just past the knee so that he could have knickers for the event, which he wore with a pair of long socks.
“I like the historical aspect,” said Thibert of the unique event. “And that it’s environmental.”
Thibert’s riding partner, Elizabeth Hanes, borrowed her niece’s vintage-style bike for the ride and said it was a fun opportunity to “enjoy bike riding while having some scones and a pint.
“It’s just fun to dress up and meet other people that are like-minded — just out to have some fun.”
Nicole Noel brought her 1925 CCM bike that she bought 20 years ago at a yard sale for $5. She said she jumped on the deal, especially having just returned from a trip to Amsterdam, where cycling is very popular but there isn’t as much of an emphasis on the fastest or lightest bike. Most people just ride bikes that get them where they want to go. She said her classic bike needed some work to make it safe to ride again, but it was perfect for the Tweed Run.
“Any excuse to get people out and thinking about riding their bike in a way that’s fun, not just sporty,” said Noel.
Hargreaves said he hopes to see the Tweed Run become an annual affair. Only about 20 riders were initially expected to participate, but that number quickly grew to more than 50.
“I think people just want an excuse to do something lighthearted and fun,” he said.
It was an opportunity to go back to an era where if you need to go somewhere, you jump on your bicycle and pull on your tweed jacket, said Hargreaves.
“So I just think it’s a nice little escape.”