Rarely will there exist a chance of community riding in such a capacity as this.
— From TweedPDX.com
As we kindly mentioned back in November, it brings us great pleasure to share the splendid details of Portland’s first annual Tweed Ride which will commence at eleven o’clock in the morning on the 30th of January.
To mark the occasion, our dear acquaintances behind this endeavor have prepared the following bit of literature:
This is quite clearly going to be a smashing affair and we hope you’ll consider coming along. There will be an abundance of respectable activities, appropriate prizes, and of course, marvelous tea.
For additional details, you’re encouraged to view the website TweedPDX.com where you’ll note that this ride is generously sponsored by a variety of complementary local businesses like Rich’s Cigar Shop, Clever Cycles, and Portland Design Works as well as The Boneshaker Almanac and local headwear purveyor The Dapper Cap.
You’re strongly encouraged to make haste to your local haberdashery, cycle shop (if they’re classy enough to carry tweed!), or re-used clothing merchant to secure the necessary abundance of appropriate attire and accessories.
Peruse TweedPDX.com and follow TweedPDX on Twiter for full details.
Cheerio!
Hopefully they won’t get soaked to the herringbone. Sorry…..
I’m somewhat shocked that Austin beat Portland to the Tweed Ride scene if only by a few weeks. To Tweed Ride organizers, please see my write up of the Austin version for a guide on how not to do a social ride.
Quite lovely.
Beautiful poster, Gabriel!
I love it. The poster just made me chuckle.
On a side note I’ve been thinking it would be fantastic if there was a race series where in everyone dressed in era appropriate clothing. Maybe some 1940’s style track racing or some other such nonsense. Anyone with me?
Sweet…tweed and powercranks…
Must one wear tweed? I don’t own any. I’d be willing to pull out a suit or even my tux if was allowed.
*sigh* my bike fun will go way up the day I no longer work Saturdays.
boo.
Have some tea for me.
Seriously?
Jim F: No, not seriously. I think that’s the point right?
Amos / Jim Lee: Thanks!
Nick: Hilarious! I’m going to have to steal that one…
John L: Nope, tweed in this case is open to interpretation. Dress nice, put on airs, look good, feel good!
Oh, and thanks Elliot! I think the essence of Tweed is a mellow pace and casual riding. Speed demons will be sent to the opium den.
Awesome!
I’m the organizer for the Tweed Ride here in Sacramento (sactotweed.blogspot.com), and we’ve already had two rides–and the third will be at the end of March!
We had 80-100 riders for the first ride, 40-ish for the second (not bad for the morning of New Years’ Day), and we expect an even better turnout in the Spring. It’s a terrific way to meet like-minded people, get in a little exercise, and toss back a couple of pints… what could be wrong with that?
Gabriel, if I can be any help to you, please don’t hesitate to drop me a line (you can find my address on the website.)
Cheerio!
I was going to bag on this as being another excuse for Portlanders to dress up, but seeing as it is Gabe bringing the fun, I completely support it!
I would attend, but a haven’t got a stitch to wear…
And would a tallbike be considered “period-correct”? Lamplighters were very 1890’s.
Greetings to all from Ashland, OR.
Here’s a bit of Tweed-on-Wheels chronology in the “New World”. Feel free to add/contribute to this if you care…
First ever Tweed Rides: San Francisco, Feb. 12th 2009, Eugene, OR. March 15th 2009, Ashland, OR. May 1st, 2009, East Bay, CA. June 4th 2009, Sacramento, CA. Nov. 9th 2009, Washington, DC. Nov.15’th 2009, Austin, TX. Jan. 10’th 2010 and Portland next…
Our lil’ claim to fame in Ashland is that ours is a monthly event. We’ve had nine rides so far. The December ride made good use of all the Tweed we could wear as temps were in the low 20’s. A few of us mean to travel to Portland on Jan. 30’th to celebrate with our stylish brethren up-North… Let’s all put style and manners back into cycling where they belong!
Hey, Egon –
Would you be connected with the United Bicycle Institute there in Ashland? One of the organizers of Austin’s Dapper Dan Dash / Shannon Tweed Ride is a graduate.
Roll Playing Games, and marketing; not ‘scene’
Dandies in seersucker beware…your lack of fashion comportment could result in a challenge to a duel!
Role-playing Games, not ‘Roll Playing Games’
wow. Roll… because of the rolling motion of the bicycle wheels… I don’t share the enthusiasm of the Tweedbs, who may yet be redeemed by their sense humor. At least it’s not pets.
Ooo! So you really did mean the verb. Ouch! Good one.
Hey Dan,
Ashland is a small town. We all know each other, we ride and we hang out. I know well everyone at UBI, but I’m not connected in any formal capacity.
Too bad they let a tobacco advertiser sponsor it.
I love this idea…but how could anything be “1st Annual”?
Inaugural.
Some people get upset when the “first annual” occurrence of some event is announced, arguing that it doesn’t become annual until it’s been repeated. But “first annual” simply means “the first of what is planned to be an annual series of events”—it’s a fine expression.
http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/firstannual.html
Love, love love the poster – – have put it on the calendar – looking around for tweed inspired gear to dress the boys in – long, mule train tandems allowed I hope?
Egon: I live over in Grants Pass, and haven’t heard of your monthly rides. Where and when do you folks meet up?
And Joe K: how about sweaters and corduroy pants?
Wardrobe issues?
For those without “tweed”, cheap gabardine slacks will do, and you can find tons of them at Goodwill. If you or someone you love is handy, turn the slacks into knickers.
Add an oxford (button-down collar) dress shirt, sweater or vest and perhaps a tie (all of which can also be found at Goodwill).
Top it off with a suit jacket (buy one size up to allow for a heavier sweater underneath if you’re worried about the cold), a wool cap and — if you’re feeling daring — some argyle socks. If you don’t have wingtip shoes, a pair of loafers, boat shoes or maybe even VERY plain brown or black sneakers will serve.
I’ve assembled just such an outfit for the occasion and spent a whopping 18 bucks for the entire ensemble. Most of it came from Goodwill or yard sales, in pieces over the last ten years. Totally doable on a budget.
And if you’ve managed to put together an ensemble on the cheap, you might have enough money left over to look for a waxed cotton rain cape…
Cheers!
Great idea. Looking forward to it. But why hold it in a month when it’s almost guaranteed to rain? How ’bout in the spring or fall?
pom pilot – yes – I’ll take you and David Sedaris’s advice and dress my family in corduroy – and some sweaters – perfect. I bought a tweed jacket off the guy who picks thru my cans. It only held the hint of American Spirit cigarettes in its fabric He pedaled off with $20, some cans and bottles – and a good feeling about whatever the hell a tweed ride is.
PomPilot
Here’s my email: egon@mind.net Send me yours and I’ll put you on our email list. It’s on every First Friday of every month.
Egon