Completely!! I should say--i also love adventure cycling/bikepacking and i DO have clothes/gear dedicated to that (riding 80+ miles over the mountains in jeans is not it haha). But most of my riding is around the city for errands or for fun, and for that I wear whatever I feel good in that day! Love that we share this!
I cannot say riding in jeans is ever fun (maybe a really spacious pair or ones with Lycra?!) - I did a 12-13 mi trip up the coast from where we used to the college in jeans exactly once. It felt like I’d cut my circulation off by the end. So, a big NO thank you.
I love this and your inspiring writing on urbanism x style so much!
I fell in love with urban cycling when I lived abroad in Sweden. Since coming home to Canada, I’ve definitely gotten some raised eyebrows concerning my commuting attire (as someone who used to exclusively wear skirts and dresses in the summer). Apparently, it’s cool if a finance bro bikes to work in a sweaty three-piece suit, but I look impractical zooming around in a breezy silk skirt. I also made a Reddit post about this topic years ago and got a bunch of flack for it. Your brilliant piece makes me feel seen and understood!
that's amazing!!! i literally never understand why there's so much pushback against women in particular cycling however they feel, but i do know the best thing to do is keep doing it, and show others that it's possible! <3
You’ve nailed it Eillie! Although I come from a family of cyclists, with half brothers and a father who donned Lycra (not sure about the emblazoned jerseys) and still to this day believe 100+mi is a fun little jaunt, the cycling in your quote never appealed to me. I like the feeling of adventure riding my bicycle allows me. The sounds of the giraffes as I ride by our zoo or the view down the coast as I huff up the hill to the college campus where I teach. And, to feel most like myself, I wear (with a few exceptions having learned the hard way some pieces cannot withstand the ride) what makes me happy - typically a treasured pair of shoes and my qood (quirky outfit of day).
Completely!! I should say--i also love adventure cycling/bikepacking and i DO have clothes/gear dedicated to that (riding 80+ miles over the mountains in jeans is not it haha). But most of my riding is around the city for errands or for fun, and for that I wear whatever I feel good in that day! Love that we share this!
I cannot say riding in jeans is ever fun (maybe a really spacious pair or ones with Lycra?!) - I did a 12-13 mi trip up the coast from where we used to the college in jeans exactly once. It felt like I’d cut my circulation off by the end. So, a big NO thank you.
I love this and your inspiring writing on urbanism x style so much!
I fell in love with urban cycling when I lived abroad in Sweden. Since coming home to Canada, I’ve definitely gotten some raised eyebrows concerning my commuting attire (as someone who used to exclusively wear skirts and dresses in the summer). Apparently, it’s cool if a finance bro bikes to work in a sweaty three-piece suit, but I look impractical zooming around in a breezy silk skirt. I also made a Reddit post about this topic years ago and got a bunch of flack for it. Your brilliant piece makes me feel seen and understood!
that's amazing!!! i literally never understand why there's so much pushback against women in particular cycling however they feel, but i do know the best thing to do is keep doing it, and show others that it's possible! <3
Bringing urbanism & low carbon transit into personal style writing, has been an aspiration of mine, with lacking imagination holding me back.
Your storytelling style nailed it. Cant wait to see what you write.
Also, hello from Oakland.
<3 so nice to know it's of interest, and i'd love to see your writing on it!! and yay, another oaklander! lovely to meet you!!
You’ve nailed it Eillie! Although I come from a family of cyclists, with half brothers and a father who donned Lycra (not sure about the emblazoned jerseys) and still to this day believe 100+mi is a fun little jaunt, the cycling in your quote never appealed to me. I like the feeling of adventure riding my bicycle allows me. The sounds of the giraffes as I ride by our zoo or the view down the coast as I huff up the hill to the college campus where I teach. And, to feel most like myself, I wear (with a few exceptions having learned the hard way some pieces cannot withstand the ride) what makes me happy - typically a treasured pair of shoes and my qood (quirky outfit of day).