San Luis Obispo cyclists traveled back to the turn of the 20th Century, yesterday, for the second Tweed Ride.
Riders put on their finest tweed, wool, trimmed facial hair and pageboy caps before meeting at Triangle Park, near the Amtrak Station, and embarking on a leisurely bicycle tour of the city. The event is about uniting vintage style and love of cycling, Tweed Ride coordinator Leslie Bloom said.
“It’s all about the fashion of riding your bicycle; turn of the century chic, if you will,” Bloom said.
The Tweed Ride is one of many events for San Luis Obispo Rideshare’s Bike Month, which is held in May to celebrate cycling. Bloom was inspired to start the Tweed Ride after finding out about a similar event held in London, called the Tweed Run, established in 2009.
“We’re just trying to channel the British style I suppose; tea and crumpets, a jolly fun time,” Bloom said.
As a part of Bike Month, the Tweed Ride also helps raise awareness about alternative transportation, and celebrates San Luis Obispo’s bike-friendly streets, said Sara Malloy, who is putting on her own ride for fashionistas called the Cyclista Ride on May 27.
“Bike Month is to create awareness and honor San Luis’ bikeable attitude,” Malloy said.
Malloy found out about the Tweed Ride from the Bike Month schedule of activities, while planning her own ride, she said. Malloy knew she had to participate and dress up.
“Every day is an excuse to put on a costume,” Malloy said.
Last year, everyone who participated enjoyed the ride, Bloom said, and this year, approximately 100 people showed up, many of them first-timers, to participate.
All cyclists met at Triangle Park at 1 p.m. where the Crustacea Jazz Band was playing music from the beginning of the 20th century. Children and adults danced and played lawn games before setting out on the ride at 1:30 p.m.
The festivities help make the ride appealing, said Anne Abler of the Crustacea Jazz Band, which also played at last year’s Tweed Ride.
“They’re just getting together for a Sunday afternoon of fun,” Abler said.
The Tweed Ride’s path, which created a loop around San Luis Obispo, followed Santa Barbara Street down to Meadow Park, before taking Buchon Street back up to Morro Street and through downtown.
All in all, the ride took an hour-and-a-half to complete, because the group purposefully goes at a leisurely pace, Bloom said.
“We ride nice and slow so that everyone can stick together,” Bloom said.
The cyclists were all ages, from young families to college students to retirees. Retired judge Chuck Porter, who was riding for the first time, said he’d read about other Tweed Rides in the past and was eager to participate in one for himself.
“I read about the one in the New York Times, and then, I happened to see about this one, so we’re here,” Porter said.
Other cyclists found out about the Tweed Ride from friends, such as Kiara Egan, who was invited by Bloom. Egan is a self-proclaimed bike enthusiast, so a chance to ride with friends is always appealing, she said.
Dressing up for the event was a little challenge, Egan said. She had to borrow to find a bike-appropriate outfit from the era.
“I just raided my roommate’s closet and found something that wouldn’t get stuck on my bike chain,” Egan said.