Changing of the Guard

Dear Readers,

We are having a changing of the guard (well, bloggers) here at Alpena Tweed and Bike Club. So as I sign off I would thank you for reading, and hope that you have found the blog both entertaining and informative. I am sure the new bloggers will continue this tradition, and build up a great resource for Tweed Rides all over the world.  I hope to see you on the road. P

Buster Keaton, 1924 Sherlock, Jr.

Some Nice Caps

I have done a few posts about things that “look” cool, but in fact I have not used… well this time I am going to talk about a few things I have. So here is my ode to caps.

Cycling Caps:

If you want to go with the classic cycling look, something you can tuck under a helmet, and is still easily look stylish in at stops, you can’t beat a cycling cap.

First I will go with an obvious call and say Walz Caps makes wonderful caps… but I feel like that's saying Pepsi or Coke make wonderful colas. Walz, who seems to have their ads all over the place, carries two basic styles, a three panel that makes ones face seem thinner, and a four panel style that gives a great rounded look. They all seat deep on your head, and I find the wool sucks up a lot of sweat on a warm day. If you aren't a wool person, they also have cotton, hemp blends, and wick away poly caps.

Three Panel

Four Panel

A lesser known maker is Alloneword, a small shop out of California, that makes custom caps. While the cotton cap I bought doesn’t really fall into the Tweed Ride style (it is really on the loud side), Mary Elizabeth the owner/operator of this Etsy shop will pretty much make you anything you like. Her cap fits well, and rides higher on my head than my Walz Caps, something people with smaller heads may prefer. Half the fun of this cap was that the owner made me exactly what I wanted. So while you may buy yourself a sweet Our Lady of Guadalupe cap, I am sure it will not look just like mine. Now if you want something more tweedish, there are also wool caps (see below).

Flat Caps:
Unlike cycle caps, flat caps (in their vast array of styles) need to be tried on before you buy them. There are many makers, but they are not all equal, not only is there a difference in quality, there is also a difference in shape/fit. While some are cut to fit someone with a round head, others are cut to fit someone with a long, thin cranium like the author. It is also important to think of the look that you want to pull off. Some caps are intended to have "puffy" side, while others to give a streamlined effect.

My original venture into the Flat Cap arena was with two high end caps from TLS Classics. Both were form there Harris Tweed Collection, made in the USA, and of the classic Ivy Cap cut. While many people make similar caps, I have found none that fit my head as well.

A few years later I picked up two Pub style caps from Stefeno, and while I also like these caps, the main selling point at the time was that they cost about one sixth of the price of my  originals so I didn’t care if they got used or abused. I did not realize until I started writing this post that Stefeno/TLS are apparently the same company. (I don't think this was always true, but it is hard to find info about the hat/cap market.) All four caps are well built, and have gotten many complements over the years.

Ivy Cap

Pub Cap

While I personally think the Ivy Cap cut is more sophisticated, and I will almost always wear this with a suit coat, the Pub Cap, with its deep seat, works better while riding your bike fast, or on windy days. Lately I find myself choosing the Pub Cap more often than not.

I have also picked up a nice pub cap from New York Hat Company. The wool is much lighter then the above listed caps (definitely nice on hot summer days) and also has an elastic hat band that gives it a more universal fit. Where the elastic on most cycling caps is pretty obvious, this hat hides it in a way that you are the only one who knows it is there, but it adds to the security of the hat on a windy day.  (This seem trivial until your hat is blown in a multi-lane road,  then it's not as funny).

While most warm days I don't mind a light wool cap, there are those days were fashion is not worth the heat. For this reason I picked up a 100% linen Ivy Cap form Cavanagh Hats. While they are better known for their wool/fur felt hats, I really liked this linen hat not only because it is light, but because unlike many cotton/linen/summer Flat Caps, it kept the streamlined look of the wool caps that I love.

There are other great hat companies that people have recommended to me like Scala, Kangol, Broner, Bailey and others that I don't recall off the top of my head, but so far I have not invested in their wares. Feel free to leave a comment about types you have tried! 

Care of Wool

While doing some research for a blog post, I ran across a post that had all the information I was looking for, so instead of rewriting it I will just direct you there...

Rivendell Bicycle Works has a great post about "bike clothing" that might help people looking at joining us for the Seersucker or Tweed Ride. While it's not about fashion, it is about function. 

More importantly, after you make the leap there is also a great post about cleaning up your wool and seersucker.

Three Cool Clothing Ideas

Disclaimer: No one at Alpena Tweed and Bike Club has actually tried these products, think of this as a Christmas… or better yet Presidents’ Day (!!!) Wish List!

Skirt Garter – CYCLESTYLE

Honestly, this is the product that prompted this post, the perfect way to show a little leg, but nothing else! Ideal for the lady who wants to wear a cute skirt or dress to their local Tweed Ride, but wants to keep it modest. It opens up a whole plethora of outfit options for our dignified ladies!

WoolyWarm Buttnup Tweed Sweater - Rivendell Bicycle Works

Dear Mom and Dad, please buy me this sweater! Signed, Everybody

Classic low key, wool sweater (they have numerous styles) that no man or woman can go wrong with.  Doesn’t it just make you think “warm and friendly”?   

Classic Wool Knickers – Bicycle Fixation

We know everyone dreams of some classy knickers (ps, if you Google “classy knickers” these are not the pictures that will come up… be warned) and though you can really make them yourself, many of us do not have the time or talent. Also great for the man or woman that wants to look neat, but does not want to worry about getting a lose pant leg or hemline caught in the bike chain.

Do you have any suggestions? Let us know!

Harper House Patterns

Some of our readers have bemoaned the lack of riding cloths for the gentler sex. Well if you happen to be among the sewing inclined here may be a tip to help you out. Though the Alpena Tweed and Bike Club has never done business (that's our little disclaimer) with them, Harper House Patterns does carry some great looking outfits.

Harper House Women's Sports Patterns

We would love to hear from anyone who has had any, be it good or bad experience with them. For that matter, do you know of anyone else who is selling patterns that would work for a Tweed Ride outfit?

Bicycles in the News

Here is a cool article we ran across from the Detroit News, in part about bicycles in Michigan.

A bicycle built for 10 from 1896. This tandem bike is part of the collection at the Henry Ford Museum at Greenfield Village.

How the bicycle put Detroit on wheels

By Vivian M. Baulch / The Detroit News

http://apps.detnews.com/apps/history/index.php?id=21

"This fast crowd of cyclists were the first Detroiters to complain about bumpy potholed dirt roads and began lobbying for smooth paving. Historians attribute the automobile's explosion of growth in Detroit to the network of superior roads built for bicyclists."

Bicycle enthusiast Harry Shaw of Saginaw rides his new bike in 1880.

Ride Review!

The First Annual Alpena Tweed Ride was a success! We had approximately 35 participants, and about three times as much fun!   We would like to thank everyone who rode with us, and everyone who supported us through the whole event. These would include;


Alpena Downtown Development Authority--Donation and Event Assistance
City of Alpena-- Event Assistance
Alpena Area Chamber of Chamber-- Donation and Event Assistance
Alpena Convention and Visitors Bureau-- Event Assistance
Alpena 52-- Donation and Event Assistance
Cobblestone Bike and Vac-- Donation
Blue Phoenix Books-- Donation and Event Assistance
North Country Candy and Gift-- Event Assistance
Black Sheep-- Event Assistance
Carmike Cinemas—Donation

Alpena News--Promotional Support
Good Life—Promotional Support

WBKB- Promotional Support
WATZ—Promotional Support
WHSB—Promotional Support
Alpena 52—Promotional Support

Riding Safely

It is our hope that The Alpena Tweed Ride will be a SAFE and FUN ride for all involved. Since we are just a group of cyclists riding together, and not an organized ride, we do not have the power or desire to require participants to follow any sort of minimum safety standard.

Yet we do have a few suggestions. First, have a bicycle that is in good riding condition, and that you are used to riding. If you have not been in the saddle (fancy bike name for the seat) for a while, you might want to take it for a spin beforehand to make sure everything still works.  Second, make sure you are comfortable in whatever you are wearing. We hope everyone dresses up in some spiffy duds, but it is probably a bad idea to show up with a new pair of shoes, or try to wear a dress for the first time while riding. Even if you don’t want to ride around in your full getup, you might want to make sure you are comfortable with all the parts.

Lastly, there is the question about helmets and other safety equipment. The City of Alpena does not require the use of safety equipment. In fact to quote the City of Alpena News Release dated June 20, 2011 “Common sense and common courtesy go a long way. Use of safety equipment like bike helmets is encouraged.” You know your skill level, and comfort with risk better than we do. Keeping those in mind, and please use any safety feature in accordance to these personal comfort levels.

Three Speeds of Fun

Another style of bike that is both historic and has been gaining renewed popularity over the last decade or so is the internal geared hub bicycle. These dependable and long lived hubs have no exposed parts and are pretty much maintenance free. Their short coming is that they don't offer as many gearing options as the more common derailleur gear bikes such as a 10 speed. Many modern utility and “city” bikes offer 7 and 8 gear hubs, but the classic version is the English-three Speed exemplified by the Sturmey-Archer hub that has been around since the early 1900’s.

One place to see great classic three-speeds is the Old Three-Speed Gallery. Amongst the beautiful bicycles featured there is the 1959 Robin Hood Sport pictured above. While it might not be the highest priced or rarest bike they show, it does bear a striking resemblance to my own 1959 Centaur Sport pictured below. So I love it!

I guess with only about 50 miles between Nottingham and Coventry, the makers of their Robin Hood and my Centaur (the respective homes of each manufactures) must have had the same inspiration that year. (These cities were the heart of the bicycle
industry of England, and the world, for generations.)
 

Another place to find a plethora of information about the venerable old three-speed is on the page of the late Sheldon Brown. Sheldon (and those who now maintain the page) have a treasure trove of information about makers, models, age, and maintenance of these great machines.

The Big Finish

The final stop on the First Annual Alpena Tweed Ride will be at The Black Sheep Pub, which is “The English Pub” of Alpena, MI. As you can see from the pictures, they pride themselves on the swanky brews they have on tap, but I know for certain that they serve other beverages as well.  

The owners, Paul and Kris, have agreed to serve our riders a fine fare (keeping in the spirit of the Tweed Ride) of English delicacies such as Fish and Chips, Bangers and Mash, and Shepard’s Pie among other things. Besides relaxing in the fine atmosphere, we will also have giveaways of fine prized donated by local businesses at the pub.

Kris, Paul and all your staff; we look forward to a relaxing end of our ride on September 17, 2011, and thanks for the support.

113 S. Second Ave, Alpena, MI 49707

Cool Publicity

We just got some cool publicity from Alpena Fifty-Two! They dedicated all of Issue 2.35 to the Alpena Tweed Ride! If you have a few minutes, click the link to their page and check it out!

Bamboo Bicycles!

We have said in the past that the style or type of bike you bring to the ride doesn't matter. So we wanted to show you a cool bike trend that is both old and new! The bamboo bicycle!

A bamboo bicycle from 1896

For those of you who follow bicycle and green trends the idea of a bamboo bicycle will not be new, but this blog has been written for those of you who really don’t care about either, but just like riding bikes. So here is an interesting idea: using bamboo, that giant member of the glass family, to build the frame of the bicycle. It is fast growing, renewable, strong and one of the first attempts to find something lighter than steel to serve the same function.

A modern Example form Jungle Supply Bamboo

Aluminum alloys, titanium, and carbon fiber have all been used in attempt to do the same thing, but there is now a trend to go back to the first attempt and use something that is fast growing, and in some areas even an invasive species

Example from Calfee Design

There are a growing number of shops who will build, or help you to build a bamboo bike including; Organic Bikes,  Bamboosero, Jungle Supply Bamboo, and Bamboo Bike Studio. They may or may not be something you would want to own, but they are pretty cool.

 

Also, check out the The Bamboo Bike Project

A Sweet Stop

As a midway stop, the Alpena Tweed Ride will take an 'Ice Cream and Coffee' break at North Country Candy and Gifts. The owners, Susanne and John, have agreed to pass on a discount to ride participants, and to feature a special Tweed Ride Sundae!

Last time we stopped in, North Country had 32 flavors of ice cream, and close to a million flavors of coffee that are roasted right at the store.

And we can’t forget the hand dipped chocolates and their famous caramel corn.

  

Here's a big thanks to John, Susanne and all their staff, and we can’t wait to see you one September 17^th, 2011!

1045 N. Bagley St, Alpena, MI 49707

A Place to Start

As announced before, the Alpena Tweed Ride will start in front of Blue Phoenix Books. We would hate to assume that everyone knows where that is and have a bunch of lost people dressed in tweed wandering around down town Alpena. So here is a picture of the storefront which is located at 106 N 2nd Ave, Alpena, MI 49707.

The owner, Kim, has agreed to provide a few refreshments to rides the day of the ride, and hand out fliers and maps to anyone who would like to know more the last few weeks before the ride.

A big thanks to Kim and everyone else at Blue Phoenix for all their help with the First Annual Tweed Ride.

You should stop by and give Kato a pat on the head!

Our Bicycling Heritage

Chances are that if you are reading this Blog you have at least a passing interest in the history of bicycles. One interesting group that specializes in this area is The Wheelmen. While they have many interesting things on their website, the category that caught my eye were the pages and pages of turn of the century bicycle themed sheet music. For those of you who don’t know, sheet music was that crazy way of passing around popular music before the invention and mainstream adoption of the radio and television. Here are a few covers to wet your whistle, and I encourage you to check out the full site.

Gorey Tweed

Well we are not talking about blood and guts, we are talking about Edward Gorey, the American writer and artist of macabre Victorian/Edwardian inspired art. Known to many PBS nerds (including myself) for doing the classic opening credits for the show Mystery!. Amongst his vast works are some great bicycle themed pieces.

There was a young sportsman named Peel

Who went for a trip on his wheel;

He pedalled for days

Through crepuscular haze,

And returned feeling somewhat unreal.

from; The Epiplectic Bicycle

from; The Broken Spoke

from; The Broken Spoke

Where to start?!

So for those of you craving more ride details: The Alpena Tweed Ride will begin (rain or shine) at Blue Phoenix Books (106 N Second Ave) at 4:00pm on Saturday September 17th.  We will travel through the beautiful city of Alpena (hence the name of the ride) primarily utilizing the Bike Path. We are planning a midpoint stop at North Country Candy and Gifts (1045 N. Bagley St)  for an Ice Cream and Coffee break and will finish at The Black Sheep Pub (113 S Second Ave.) at approximately 6:30pm, for drinks, food and good conversation.  We will post a map of the route in the near future.





The Black Sheep Pub