I'll let you in on a racing strategy of mine. When I'm doing a bike race of any sort, I like to dress down. That way, if I finish dead last, spandex-clad people will think, "Well, she must've not been that into it -- look what she's wearing."
Cyclocross race? I'm wearing baggy shorts.
Road race? I'm wearing diva glasses.
Pedal vs. Metal race? I wore jeans and
TOMS.
A couple weeks ago, I participated in Missoula's 12th Annual Pedal vs. Metal, an event where cyclists and motorists race against each other in scavenger-hunt style. Looking around at the starting line, I measured up the competition based on their outfits: Spandex, rain paints, cycling shoes, tights, etc. There was one other guy wearing jeans with a button-down shirt. While the sleet pounded down on us, I wished that I had worn a different kind of pants -- or at least socks.
They gave us the "On your mark ... Get set ... Go!" and we were off! I darted off and didn't catch my breath for the next 26 minutes. Running into local shops, I would pant, "Can you sign this piece of paper, please?"
At one bike shop, there was no one at the front desk, so I just jumped up and down in place and shouted, "Please! Please! Please! Please!" (Competition does weird stuff to me.)
After completing all the stops, I made my way to the finish line. When I turned the last corner, I could see a commotion that meant there was already a winner. In my head, I pictured someone in a sponsored head-to-toe get-up, complete with an aero helmet.
But when I got to the finish line (26 seconds after the winner, if I do say so myself), to my surprise, it was the jean-clad guy who had beat us all! Jason Wiener, Missoula City Council member, schooled everyone in jeans and a button down.
And then we watched third place (a driver!) make his way to the finish line.
The race was a blast and a half. I love how "Team Jeans" took first and second. I came back to the office, glowing from the event, and still
wearing my medal.
Not too long after sitting down to my desk, we received the May issue of
Adventure Cyclist here in the office. How humbled I was when I perused through the history-filled issue and realized what cyclists used to wear -- long before the days of spandex.
In the late nineteenth century, they were riding hard and styling harder. I love looking through this
Adventure Cyclist for fashion tips -- especially from one of our co-founders, June Siple ...
This is one of my favorite photos ever. I'm so proud to work for an organization spearheaded by this styling visionary.
All this goes to show that it doesn't matter what you wear on your bike -- it's all about the love for those two wheels.
What do you wear on your rides? Spandex head to toe? Wool? Jean shorts and a pearl-snap?
Photo 1 by Derek Gallagher. Photo 2 and 3 come from the historic collection of John Weiss. These photos and more amazing oldies can be found in the May issue of Adventure Cyclist. Photo 4 was taken by one of our co-founders, Greg Siple. This photo from their Hemistour is also in the May issue of Adventure Cyclist. Become a member today and don't miss out on this great issue!
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ART + ADVENTURE = AWESOMENESS wishes to bring enthusiasm to your Mondays every other week. This column is written by Rachel Stevens, a graphic designer at
Adventure Cycling Association.
Source: http://blog.adventurecycling.org/2012/05/function-of-fashion.html
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