NEW YORK—Adorned in bowler hats, breeches, leather riding gloves, and wicker baskets on handlebars, about 200 bicyclists rode out of the 21st century and into the turn of the 20th century in Brooklyn on Sunday. Inspired by similar events in London and Washington, the Big Apple Tweed Ride was an excuse for a fancy-dress party, a Sunday afternoon outing, as well as raising money for charity.
“Tally ho and away we go,” was the call to action as the group moved from Grand Army Plaza to afternoon tea at Flatbush Farms.
Ragtime tunes followed the roaring crowd. The music came from a speaker on a tweed-clad gentleman’s handlebars, but without the source in sight, it seemed to exude from the troupe itself like a spirited theme song.
The music continued at Flatbush Farms, now flowing forth from a clarinet and a booming bass that had some in the crowd swinging and bopping along. Participants made donations at the door to Virginia’s House of Hope, which helps families access the basic necessities of food, clothing, and shelter.
Sponsors Brooklyn Circus and Ron-N-Ron specialize in men’s fashion with an old-time flair. In addition to contributing to the charity, they provided prizes for costume and theme spirit. Modern touches were celebrated as much as the vintage flair. Some awards were handed out for authenticity, catering to those cyclists who had raided their grandmother’s closet or hunted through vintage shops for the real deal, but those who reinterpreted the old days with a modern twist were also rewarded for their efforts.
For some, the style was not much of a departure from their daily lives. Lori and Darren Milnes pieced together a full tweed and turn-of-the-century style attire with items from their weekly rotation, with the exception of Darren’s yellow bow-tie, which he had bought especially for the occasion. Darren’s British accent and Lori’s old-school bicycle shipped over from England added authentic touches to the British-inspired ride.
Representatives of the Corduroy Appreciation Club promoted the next year’s corduroy celebration as continuation of the “textile-based social events” calendar in the city. Their event is scheduled for Nov. 11, 2011—11/11/11—a date that resembles corduroy.
The first Big Apple Tweed Ride drew about 50 participants in June. Organizers say that it is a growing phenomenon that is likely to become a regular rendezvous.
“What better way to jump into the ridiculous Brooklyn hipster culture?” asked Lee Rowland, who just moved to Brooklyn from the West Coast and was happy to sport some accessories that didn’t make it out of her moving boxes in time for Halloween.
“Tally ho and away we go,” was the call to action as the group moved from Grand Army Plaza to afternoon tea at Flatbush Farms.
Ragtime tunes followed the roaring crowd. The music came from a speaker on a tweed-clad gentleman’s handlebars, but without the source in sight, it seemed to exude from the troupe itself like a spirited theme song.
The music continued at Flatbush Farms, now flowing forth from a clarinet and a booming bass that had some in the crowd swinging and bopping along. Participants made donations at the door to Virginia’s House of Hope, which helps families access the basic necessities of food, clothing, and shelter.
Sponsors Brooklyn Circus and Ron-N-Ron specialize in men’s fashion with an old-time flair. In addition to contributing to the charity, they provided prizes for costume and theme spirit. Modern touches were celebrated as much as the vintage flair. Some awards were handed out for authenticity, catering to those cyclists who had raided their grandmother’s closet or hunted through vintage shops for the real deal, but those who reinterpreted the old days with a modern twist were also rewarded for their efforts.
For some, the style was not much of a departure from their daily lives. Lori and Darren Milnes pieced together a full tweed and turn-of-the-century style attire with items from their weekly rotation, with the exception of Darren’s yellow bow-tie, which he had bought especially for the occasion. Darren’s British accent and Lori’s old-school bicycle shipped over from England added authentic touches to the British-inspired ride.
Representatives of the Corduroy Appreciation Club promoted the next year’s corduroy celebration as continuation of the “textile-based social events” calendar in the city. Their event is scheduled for Nov. 11, 2011—11/11/11—a date that resembles corduroy.
The first Big Apple Tweed Ride drew about 50 participants in June. Organizers say that it is a growing phenomenon that is likely to become a regular rendezvous.
“What better way to jump into the ridiculous Brooklyn hipster culture?” asked Lee Rowland, who just moved to Brooklyn from the West Coast and was happy to sport some accessories that didn’t make it out of her moving boxes in time for Halloween.
