Snappy Tweed Lass by Roxy Dammit

Many a cyclist has said to me “but I don’t have any tweed.” Fortunately for those facing this debacle the Bay Area is ripe with solutions for the upcoming SF Tweed Ride!

I suggest initially perusing the numerous thrift stores in the Mission: Community Thrift and Thrift Town both have several varieties of tweed wear. Once you have scavenged the racks of these and other thrift stores, I recommend adding the finishing touches at vintage establishments such as Mission Thrift or any of the number of dashing vintage shops on the Haight.

What is tweed you may ask?

Tweed is the rough unfinished wool you found in classic informal outdoor jackets. Tweed can be designed plain or patterned in check, herringbone, plaid, or other styles. Moisture resistant and durable, it is perfect for cycling in all kinds of weather! Of course any wool jacket can look just as dashing as tweed, but it won’t keep you as warm.

Of course, Tweed-style is not only about tweed. A proper cyclist looks good from head to toe: from the dashing wool cap, to the silk scarf, ascot, or bow tie accenting the neck, to the snappy knickers or skirts, and or course the argyle socks! For socks I highly recommend the online shop Sock Dreams. For inspiration, I suggest perusing photos from the lovely London Tweed Run.

Oh I almost forgot to mention your motivation! We will be having a Tweed Ride Contest! Several contests to be exact! With brilliant prizes!

SF Tweed Ride Contest!

• Most Dapper Chap
• Most Snappy Lass
• Most Stylish Vintage Steed
• Most Inspired Interpretation of Tweediness
• Best Mustache ‚Äî open to both lads and inventive lasses
• As Feb 12th is also Darwin’s Birthday, we may have a special prize for any Darwin look-a-likes that show up!

Numerous smashing prizes!

You could win an adorable baguette saddlebag, luscious elkhide handlebar covers, and more bicycle accessories donated to us by the fabulous Velo-Orange, purveyors of fine parts and stylish accessories for randonneurs and cyclo-tourists; and in cooperation with Manifesto Bicycle, selling quality new and rebuilt cycles to the fine citizens of Oakland!

We have several dashing cycling caps which we are honored to have donated to us by The Freewheel Bike Shop, a San Francisco bicycle institution the Hayes St. shop was established in 1978 and the Valencia St shop was opened in 1997.

Also donated by Freewheel Bike Shop, we have an amazing pair Blue Argyle Deep V Rims that have to be seen to be believed!

And we have a couple more bicycle surprises on the way from Refried Cycles! Refried offer some of the best rebuilt bicycles in town along with honest quality service and accessories.

For the follicularly challenged, Prof. NifNaks has kindly donated one of her patented Prosthetic Moustachios!

So come to the SF Tweed ride in your best tweed! Win prizes! Carouse with the a dashing crowd of fellow Tweed Riders! And enjoy a fine ride through this lovely town of San Francisco!

Thursday Tweed Ride!

February 12th
6:30 pm — Start at Dolores Park (at the 19th St. Bell)
7:00 pm — meetup with East Bay Tweed at the 16th St. Mission BART*
Ends at Tosca Cafe.

*NOTE: The first BART train that allows bikes into the city arrives at 16th St. at 6:45pm. For more schedule info visit Bart.gov

Knickers from the London Tweed Run (photo by Matthew J. Shaw)

It’s about time our fair city celebrated the fine pleasures of Herringbone, Bow Ties, and Bicycles! We refuse to endure anymore spandex! Nor will we sully ourselves by “corking” — or whatever it is the kids call it these days.

Our fine brethren in jolly old England really know how to sport a cap, so I say, so shall we!

Thus, February 12th will mark the inaugural Thursday Tweed Ride!

Break out your dashing wool finery, smartly set that cap on your head, straighten your tie, and join us for a fine ride through the grand city of San Francisco!

We will sally forth from the gorgeous Dolores Park near the majestic bell at the 19th Street entrance. The ride will begin at 6:30pm and from there we will peddle a winding course through the streets — waving to all the beautiful faces we see along the way.

Of course as it is February, it may be brisk out and maybe even a little wet, but your wool should keep you warm and dry! However, if the cold still seeps through never fear as our destination is Irish coffee at the marvelous Tosca Cafe!

As a note to all you Tweed Riders: Thursday’s weather shows a small chance of light showers. While dry would be ideal, this is fine as Tweed’s great in rain — it’s made for the outdoors. Also, if it begins to really rain, we’ve planned spirit stops to stay warm!

UPDATE: Contest Details!

• Most Dapper Chap
• Most Snappy Lass
• Most Stylish Vintage Steed
• Most Inspired Interpretation of Tweediness
• Best Mustache ‚Äî open to both lads and inventive lasses
• As Feb 12th is also Darwin’s Birthday, we may have a special prize for any Darwin look-a-likes that show up!

With smashing prizes donated by Velo-Orange, Manifesto Bicycle, The Freewheel Bike Shop, Refried Cycles, and Prof. NifNaks Fine Moustachios!

More contest info and prize details can be found on A Tweed Primer.

Qarly in Tweed Rider Summer Attire (photo by ioerror)

For more Tweedy inspiration, traipse on over to A Tweed Primer. Also, I suggest perusing photos and video of the recent Jan 24th London Tweed Run:

• Write up and photos from the London Tweed Run on Arkitip
• London Tweed Run photos by Matthew J. Shaw
• London Tweed Run photos by Roxy Dammit
• Video from the London Tweed Run (via the Riding Pretty Blog)
• The Tweed Cycling Club
• The London fixed-gear and single-speed forum post that started it all The Tweed Run

*NOTE: The first BART train that allows bikes into the city arrives at 16th St. at 6:45pm. For more schedule info visit Bart.gov

NEW WEBSITE! For more Tweed and info about the next Tweed Ride visit SFTweed.com