Tweed freaks take to the saddle for nostalgic ride through London streets
RIDERS donned their finest tweed and most stylish attire as the annual Tweed Run cycling event returned to the streets of London at the weekend.
Staged by creative lifestyle company Bourne & Hollingsworth, the event, which started in 2009, has continued to draw in crowds and has now been extended across the world, but its spiritual home is in London, say the organisers.
The sold-out event, which was held on Saturday, saw around 1,000 participants cycle past some of the capital’s most famous landmarks including, the Houses of Parliament, the British Museum and St Paul’s Cathedral, on a 12mile route starting and ending in Clerkenwell.
What distinguishes this bike ride from others is the fashionable tweed outfits donned by riders, the vintage and antique nature of some of the bicycles and the essence of yesteryear adopted by those involved.
Even the publicity for the event harks back to the past, offering the advice: “Now look here, proper attire is expected. The term ‘overdressed’ does not exist in our vocabulary. Tweed suits, plus fours, bow-ties and jaunty flat caps are all encouraged.”
This year’s event was not short of stylish clothing, which included plus fours, cravats, flat caps and even a jaunty handlebar moustache or two, with prizes awarded for the best men’s and women’s outfits.
A wide range of eras appeared to be encompassed by the riders, from Victorian times through to the 1920s and 1950s.
One cyclist was head and shoulders above fellow participants as he rode a penny-farthing while dressed in bright orange kneehigh socks and a tweed blazer and trousers.
A cyclist riding beside him sported a green check blazer with matching trousers, as well as mustard-coloured shoes.
One woman seemed happy to pose for photos ahead of the event as she showed off her beige beret, which featured a feather, as well as a beige poncho and brown trousers.
Another woman rider provided a pop of colour with a red outfit, featuring a bright hat, coat, tights and gloves.
Participants were also treated to tea and lunch during the quirky event, which usually ends with “a bit of a jolly knees-up”, according to organisers.