Victorian Cycling
Thread started by
KataCyklsLA2NY at 03.21.08 - 10:39 pm
So how many ladies are up for riding victorian style' ?
Fashion-Bicycling
Arbiters of fashion prescribed a specific costume for cycling, for, as Mrs. M. Cooke wrote in 1896. "It is impossible to do good work or to practice comfortable unless you are properly dressed". For women Tricyclists, Godney’s recommended a straight, side pleated skirt of serge, worn over one underskirt and full trousers lined with flannel and made of material to math the dress. A warm jersey and jacket trimmed with fur, with a "Tricyclists" cap to match, completed the outfit. For riding in tandem, the stylish woman might wear a suit corresponding in color to that of her gentleman companion. Gray, brown, dark green, or navy wool were the most popular colors, and were worn with white flannel shirts and white Helmets. In Bicycling for Ladies (1896), Maria Ward recommended lightly boned but uncorseted blouse, a serge skirt, low shoes with spats (to keep the gravel out), and a walking hat with a few unobtrusive quills. Cooke favored a cycling costume known as the "Londonderry". Made of gray-green hopsack – a coarse, loosely woven fabric of cotton or wool- the coat had long, full sides which formed a kind of skirt when riding. This was worn over full knickerbockers and with either a shirt or a doubled-breasted "cloth" (wool) or leather vest. In addition, the well-dressed woman also wore leggings, a hat, doeskin gloves, and a pair of the broad, low, rubber-soled cycling shoes which had first come on the marker in 1891. A bicycle belt, from which hung a small leather purse, completed the outfit. Ward urged any woman taking a bicycling trop or expedition (defined as any trip over an hour in length) to outfit her bicycle with a lamp, and to pack matches, tools, a repair kit, sewing materials, and first-aid supplies.
reply
Yes, the ride could be called Sweatin' w/ Victorians. I count 3-4 layers of wool and flannel in the leg region alone. You may get more heat stroke victims on this ride than a mid-summer PIer Pressure.
Also, you better hope that none of "these people" can help you out, as they are all long dead and, if available present day, would be returning in some zombie-like fashion—would be more interested in your flesh than the Penny Farthing.
Maybe Cole can help you out, he has one of those bikes.
Eric Hair03.22.08 - 9:54 am
reply
No! These people are alive and well and living in London! Look, they have a quaint, diminutive
ride calendar!"!
They could learn a thing or two about the benefits of more regular exercise. Perhaps we and they could engage in some manner of informal dialogue.
katiepoche03.22.08 - 10:29 am
reply
Woops.
Ride calendar!
Six times a year! Or so.
katiepoche
03.22.08 - 10:30 am
reply
there's a small pennyfarthing bicycle at the pawn shop in Santa Monica right off the Promenade.
onethirtynine03.22.08 - 10:32 am
reply
Is anyone going to Peer Pleasure dressed as a Victorian ?
You can visit victoriannation.org for more inspiration.
KataCyklsLA2NY03.22.08 - 11:02 am
reply
I don't know if it's victorian, but the best 'victorian' accoutrement I've seen on a ride was Fuzz's Butterfly Hunter helmet. Fuzz, wear that thing more often!!!!!!!!!! Especially now that you have a beard....I mean bierd.
Butterfly Hunter
Eric Hair03.22.08 - 11:10 am
reply
I say it counts. Butterfly collecting was all the rage during the Victorian era. That, and not acknowledging the existence of sexual desire. I don't know if the two are connected.
katiepoche03.22.08 - 1:21 pm
reply
-->
Ridazz Roulette!
I want one of these bikes.
I'm down.