Calling all Bike Slobs

Richard MasonerSeptember 30, 201022 Comments on Calling all Bike Slobs

What’s the inverse or opposite of sartorial and stylish? Slobby? Fred?

Me in my bike commute clothes on a decidedly non-bike mode of movement.
White & nerdy

Every reader of Cyclelicious knows that I appreciate the growing trend of stylish clothing while riding, but I have a secret: I’ve never owned a single article of bespoke clothing. My office wear is usually crumpled cargo pants, a 10 year old wrinkled t-shirt featuring the logo of a dead high tech company, and bike socks. I gawk at bike riding women in fashionable skirts, but I secretly admire commuter Freds biking with your wool socks, sandals and Hawaiian shirt with the yellow slow-vehicle safety triangle pinned to your bike shorts.

I’d love to feature a photo of you, your clothing, and your bike if:

  • If you like function over form, comfort over style, and cost is your primary consideration;
  • If your bike apparel comes from Kmart, and Kohl’s is upscale;
  • If you cruise garage sales and Goodwill for your athletic apparel;
  • If bike style is rolling up a pant leg or wide yellow ankle straps;
  • You favor tie dye, hairy legs, Hawaiian shirts, baggy shorts, jersey knit fabrics;
  • You in an obnoxious Primal Wear bike jersey.

Leave a comment telling me how / where I can find this photo of you, and please leave your email address in the comment form so I can get in touch with you.

Thanks!

Posted In Uncategorized

22 Comments

  1. Then the guy on Caltrain that has his bike – and the mike crate on the back of it – wrapped in Tony the Tiger colored “fur” probably doesn’t count. The bike is so cool he managed to get in print of Bicycling mag this month.

  2. It’s not just about wearing stylish clothing, it’s about wearing what you normally wear and not thinking twice about it. And repping your personal style (which may or may not include “stylish” clothing).

    Richard: Bike to work in your work clothes! If that means you have to ride slow, then ride slow! Take the Urbana!

  4. I am so looking forward to seeing the photos. I’m a female bike slob. I don’t have any bike-specific clothing, I wear ratty old thrift store clothes, and I use rubber bands around my pant legs. But no, I don’t have any pictures to send.

  9. There was that photo of me in the Chicago Tribune last winter… If being mistaken for a dude isn’t the opposite of cycle chic, then I don’t know what is. I could email you the original screen shot that I took, but I doing think I ever bothered to download an actual copy of the photo. Plus there are copyright issues, of course.

  15. My friend Kurt Ritchie fits the bill:

    Kurt Ritchie, portrait:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/markstos/2135452221/

    …hauling two Christmas trees on a homemade long tail
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/markstos/3165275904/

    and yes, a homemade recumbent, complete with shop googles for eye protection
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/markstos/2146866409/
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/markstos/3705193417

    For that matter, he built a back-to-back tandem recumbent:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/markstos/3605676414/

    And a $75 electric push trailer that attaches to a vintage folding bike:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/markstos/4930956212/

    And there’s me: You can find me sporting the hat-under-helmet look, wearing dress pants, while carrying the baby and a load of compost at the same time:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/markstos/4630617904/

  21. Here is a link to a photo of me on a recent overnight bike camping trip:

    http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4126/5013434097_c0480c9c9d_b.jpg

    Almost all of my clothing is from various discount sources:

    1. Neiman Marcus wool sweater, Goodwill. Used frequently, never washed.
    2. Long sleeve Performance brand jersey, Bike Works, which is a local used bike shop.
    3. Wool slacks, Value Village. Both legs rolled up. Also used frequently and never washed.
    4. Leather shoes, REI discount basement.
    5. 20 year old helmet, garage sale my girlfriend attended five years ago in Madison, WI.

    Of course, there’s the really dorky helmet cover, too.

  22. Here is a link to a photo of me on a recent overnight bike camping trip:

    http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4126/5013434097_c0480c9c9d_b.jpg

    Almost all of my clothing is from various discount sources:

    1. Neiman Marcus wool sweater, Goodwill. Used frequently, never washed.
    2. Long sleeve Performance brand jersey, Bike Works, which is a local used bike shop.
    3. Wool slacks, Value Village. Both legs rolled up. Also used frequently and never washed.
    4. Leather shoes, REI discount basement.
    5. 20 year old helmet, garage sale my girlfriend attended five years ago in Madison, WI.

    Of course, there’s the really dorky helmet cover, too.

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