The day I got my cape on... well, capes. The Tweed Run 2013.

I am somewhat of a fair-weather cyclist (who wants to go out in the rain really?) but that didn't stop me looking forward to spending the day astride a velocopide of my own, taking in some of London's most iconic landmarks.  The event I am talking about is of course TheTweed Run, an amazing day when the streets of London are filled with be-tweeded (?) folk going for a leisurely jaunt, all in aid of charity.

The first time I'd attended the Tweed Run was the Ralph Lauren Rugby sponsored event in November 2011 and we returned for the April edition last year.

Competitor for most English photo ever?

 The route this year took in some of the most iconic sites in London including the Houses of Parliament, Regent Street, Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace - the tourists really got their money's worth that day!  We also revisited a few places we've filmed in the past, including the Athenaeum Club and Savile Row.



 

I am indebted to AuntieMaureen, who answered my plea for a tweed outfit at short notice.  The weather was quite changeable, so for the ride itself I wore a combination of a 1970s tweed cape suit, a lovely knitted woollen top and the tweed jacket I wore last year.   During the tea break, I got a bit chilly, so I changed the short cape for a knee length houndstooth number, which I also wore when I went to see The 39 Steps earlier in the week.  To complete my outfit, I wore a 1960s (I think) Edward Mann felt hat, which I had to stretch the night before because it was just a tad tight, a green snood, my 1940s dead stock brogues, elbow length leather gloves and a scarf that I got from Lush when I used to work there.  Being the rubbish blogger that I am, I didn't get any proper photos of my outfits (yes, plural) so this will have to do (also see the picture of me during an interview further down). 



Courtesy of Jim Moore



 My camerawork and presenting skills were really put to the test, as I was filming and doing pieces to camera - all while riding an unfamiliar bike (a beautiful Pashley I may add) in a pencil skirt! 



Courtesy of Jim Moore

 My formative years were spent listening to punk and new wave (this is going somewhere), so when I had the opportunity to interview David Vanian, lead singer of the Damned, I was a little over excited!  We had a lovely chat about bikes and tried very hard not to be a total fangirl!  

Look at that contained excitement!

 I touched upon it in our newsreel, but all of the riders owe a huge thank you to the marshals who kept all 500 of us out of harm's way - quite a task when you imagine so many cyclists of varying levels of experience, careering across Oxford Circus in the middle of the day!



The marshals all gathered at the start

I had so much fun, even when it started raining towards the end of the ride and it was lovely being able to catch up with a few London friends (and one cheeky chap from Brighton of course).

The lovely Katie and Mai, who came for an impromtu jaunt
down to Brighton after the Run



I'm not sure why Jenni is quite so excited,
she gets her photo taken all the time!



Zack, on Regent Street, in one of my favourite photos of the day

I can't wait to take part next year - perhaps my bike mounted camera work will have improved by then?!  Anyway, here is the film we made if you fancy seeing more of what the day is about.  Let me know what you think, were you there or would you love to attend a Tweed Run near you?

 

Tweed Re-Run

After a fairly chaotic morning (we erroneously thought the start of the Tweed Run was in Covent Garden as it had been in November) motoring around London, we eventually found our be-tweeded brethren outside the Imperial College London.   



 

 After all of the cyclists had posed for pictures outside the majestic ICL building in South Kensington, they went to collect their steeds from the green nearby. 

 

 

I had elected to take the train to get to the metrop. while the boys pootled along in our two-tone ‘30s car, Betsy.  Once the riders had taken their leave (led by three gents on penny-farthings) we followed suit with Les filming out of the sun-roof. 

 

 

 

We found our own way to the half-time location, opting not to follow right through the middle of Hyde Park!  The half-way ‘refuelling’ took place in front of the magnificent Imperial War Museum. 





 

 

 Awaiting the cyclists were stalls from the various sponsors of the Tweed Run; Cordings, Tyrrells and Murcock of London (who were also at the November event).  There was also a tent set up for a string quartet to accompany the aforementioned refreshments with some Pachelbel and Vivaldi. 

After a few of quick interviews with organiser Teddy, the charming Christopher from Cordings and the elegant Sarah, whom we had met at previous events including the protest at Savile Row, the next leg of the Run was under way. 

 

 

Again we got lost, but eventually we found the final destination – it’s quite hard to miss 500+ tweed clad cyclists congregated outside a pub.  The pub in question, the Blacksmith and the Toffeemaker (fantastic name) was lovely and I think if ever I’m round Clerkenwell way again, I will be sure to pop in. 

 

 

Prizes were handed out for most Dapper Chap, Best Moustache plus others, but I’m afraid I missed them as I was busy sampling the whiskey and gingers (from a further sponsor, Auchentoshan) that were floating about.  I did, however, catch up with Pandora who deservedly won the most dashing dame in her absolutely splendid 1930s reproduction hunting tweeds, cape et al. 

 

I was quite pleased with my outfit for the day.  I had on a mint and white striped men's shirt, a mint cashmere tank top and a J G Hook tweed jacket that I think is for a small boy!  I also found some cropped trousers the day before, which I turned into plus-fours (surprisingly easy to do and surprisingly comfortable to wear).  I got to wear my ox-blood Dr Martens brogues and my new (well, new to me) felt hat.   The Dr Martens were new but everything else were charity shop finds. 

 

After I’d decided I’d taken enough photos of all the wonderful outfits, we left the festivities to go and have a quick look of the Vivien of Holloway sale at their Holloway Road shop.  I was hoping to get another pair of trousers or a skirt but alas, I couldn’t find anything in my size.  Anyway, a splendid day was had by all.  I imagine I (if not the whole Vintage News crew) will continue to be regulars at the Tweed Run.  You never know, next time I may even be on a bicycle...

 

Have a look on our facebook page and our website for more photos.

Tally Ho! The Ralph Lauren Rugby Tweed Run

I’d heard of the Tweed Run before, but as yet had not attended.  That all changed when we (the Vintage News crew and myself) went to the inaugural autumnal Tweed Run in London.  The sponsors of this season’s “metropolitan bicycle ride with a bit of style” were Ralph Lauren Rugby and as such the hordes of be-tweeded ‘athletes’ gathered outside their first European shop in Covent Garden.

It was a very popular event, the initial 250 places were sold out within two hours of registration opening.  A further 50 places were then be won in the Rugby shop.  A call to a leisurely breakfast at 10am seemed to be taken up by the majority of the 300+ riders awaiting the off at 11.  We conducted a few interviews including Paul and Tina from Brooklands, along with some other splendidly dressed people. 

Although we didn’t have a chat with them this time, the Vintage Mafia ladies were looking lovely as always, kitted out for the most part by Ralph Lauren Rugby I believe.

After lots of milling about taking photos (which was made bizarrely difficult by being entirely surrounded at some points by a wall of other photographers) the official Ralph Lauren Rugby picture was to be taken.

All the cyclists, some astride their Pashley bicycles, gathered in front of the Rugby shop making for quite an impressive sight.  We were very kindly asked if we could be in the picture by the official photographer.  So there we were, right at the front next to the quite fantastic band, whose name I regret to say I never found out.  In between shots I kept turning round to try and take a few of my own!  Nb. they were called the Flats & Sharps - thanks Teresa Stokes). 

I was a little apprehensive when we decided we were going to cover the Tweed Run, mainly due to my lack of tweed.  All I had in my repertoire was a J G Hook jacket (which I have yet to decide whether it is a small ladies jacket – it has a nipped in waist, or a jacket for a young boy – the buttons are on the right?).  Anyway, it didn’t matter in the end as for many it was the overall look rather than an abundance of tweed.  By no means did this mean the event was in any way lacking in the “champagne of fabrics”. 

Along with my russet coloured jacket, I had a mid-grey calf length skirt, a deep pink and white striped shirt (courtesy of my Father, perhaps best not to tell him!) a brown tie (again, thanks Pater - I really should stop stealing his things) and a dark brown beret.  On paper this doesn’t seem like a particularly harmonious combination but it worked surprisingly well.  Teamed with the 1930s tortoiseshell sunglasses I have managed to purloin from Keiren, I rather had the look of a Weimar expressionist film maker.  Don’t you just hate it when that happens? 

Despite it being only a twelve mile amble through the metrop. (although I think it actually stretched to 13 by the end) it was deemed necessary in true chappist fashion that a break was needed half way through for tea and cakes.  I forget who supplied the comestibles, (I really should take more notes) but they were very lovely indeed. 

The tea party took place in a little square in the middle of Chelsea, where we were treated to two bands playing amongst the big dining room tables.

There were a few well known faces (including Erin O'Connor) among the cyclists, both those from the vintage scene and televisual personalities (Made in Chelsea anyone?).

On to the final destination, which was a mystery to those riding but we were given a nudge and a wink in the right direction as we needed to take our motor car.  

The finish line as it were, was the Caledonian club, just off Belgrave Square.  A beautifully decadent building, we knew we were in for a treat. 

We arrived there and hour and a half early, followed a few minutes later by all the cyclists.  After a few frantic minutes setting the rooms up, everyone was allowed in for more tea (of course!) and getting ready for the Best Moustache competition as judged by Murdocks.  As it took place in the month of Movember, there was quite an array of upper lip plumage to choose from.  Sadly we had to return to Brighton early so we missed the various accolades which were handed out which also included most Dashing Dame.

Well done to all the organisers (especially Teddy who we interviewed during the tea break) and marshalls for making such a successful and enjoyable event.

Similar events popped up in Florence and New York earlier this year which hopefully means Tweed clad bicycle rides may become more commonplace, if not the norm (ok, I may be being a touch optimistic there).  We’re very much looking forward to the next London event in April and hopefully at least one of us will be on two wheels!

For more information about the Tweed Run, these may be of interest...

http://tweedrun.com/

http://www.rugby.com/tweedrun/

Footage from the Tweed Run:

Part One: Pre-race and the starting line.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfbCBbc5ZXo&feature=BFa&list=UUk62f_ZaVYhZiu3QeAFiC_g&If=plcp

Part Two: The half-time tea party and finish line at the Caledonian Club

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOygOHd3Avo&feature=BFa&list=UUk62f_ZaVYhZiu3QeAFiC_g&lf=plcp