Looks like there's a tweed ride in Coral Gables this month.

Say what you will about fixie-trendie-hipsters, but I'm breaking out the Philips and plus-fours - until I can get to Lake Pepin, this will have to suffice. Hope it won't be too hot for the proper attire by then...

You'll see me with the '51 Raleigh Sports "C" Tourist. Cross your fingers that I don't puncture a tube.

-Kurt

There should be a 'Miami Vice" ride, pastel shirts and bikes with neon decals, fade paint jobs, etc.

Centurion owners ride?

-Kurt

I wish there was an Indianapolis tweed ride. I'd totally rock out.

Hey Matt, the British Bicycles of Chicago group of thechainlink.org puts on periodic tweed rides, the last one being the Cozy Hearth Tweed Ride held on January 23. This group, led by the well-known Garth 'da Square Wheelman,' really gets into the tweed ride phenomenon. If I had a British bike or any of the attire, I'd be into it.

grrrr

Miami ... Tweed?

That's just not a good fit.

The Miami bikini ride ... yeah, I like that.

Did someone say Centurion 'Miami Vice' Edition? Sorry, gents, I know you all want it, but it's sold...

I'm totally in as well!

You coming to Lake Pepin? Bringing the Phillips?

Kurt, how about you?

No immediate plans, though I'd love to! Our weather has been great for a ride like this since December, but it's getting back to normal again - I'm just hoping it won't be sweltering for our tweed run.

Oh, we can do that any time.

Our inaugural tweed run went on this morning with perfect weather and a good turnout. We started out in the low 60's and rode from the University of Miami campus through Coral Gables, stopping at a few historical points of interest. Professor David Rifkind from Florida International University gave us a series of narrations at each stop detailing the city's evolution. We had a great time and met a bunch of people (there were over 70 riders,) but there wasn't much vintage (or English) equipment on hand for a tweed run. My bikes were the only three-speeds and were the oldest ones on hand, followed by a '76 Raleigh Record, and quite a few 80's bikes. Chatted with the owner of a beautiful red DeRosa, and the professor rode a nice Bianchi touring bike.

I spent most of this week cleaning up a Sport for my wife to ride, so were were pleased when it won the Best Vintage Bike prize (a nice wicker basket) in the lady's bike class. The prize for the men's bike went to an Electra Amsterdam which the owner told me he bought yesterday.

My wife and I got plenty of complements on our bikes and attire, we did our best to look the part. I knew it would be pretty warm by the end of the ride, so I wore a shirt and vest with some wool faux plus-fours. Lots of other riders made a good showing with the tweed-themed attire, especially the fixie and single-speed contingent. Pics:

My wife with the Sports:


Me with my Phillips:








In front of the Biltmore Estate for a bit of well-mannered frivolity:

What's with the jerk in the red t-shirt and shorts? Won't wear the tweed, he's too good for the tweed, you tell him to wear the damn tweed next time. It's completely ruined now!

Looks as if it was a dandy event - quite sore that I wasn't able to make it.

-Kurt

Yep, we missed you Kurt! I'm hoping to participate in more of the 305 Critical Mass events, this is the second time I've ridden with them and they seem pretty sensible.