During Bike to Work month last May, the San Francisco Bike Coalition sponsored a Dress Up Challenge. Compared to other bike challenges, like the CLIF 2 Mile Challenge or our local Drive Less Challenge, the Dress Up Challenge was an easy, one-shot deal. Simply photograph yourself with your bike all dressed up for work and post it on the SF Bike Facebook wall. A winner would be selected by random drawing at their Bike to Work Day after work party.
Since I dress up for work and ride my bike to work every day anyway, all I had to do was pick a favorite outfit and convince my husband Dick to get up early and take the photo. I did my best to imitate the natural easy style of Dottie and Tricia’s bike photos on their Let’s Go Ride a Bike blog. It wasn’t easy, since I’ve never been that comfortable in front of the camera (I’m better now). Fortunately, writing the caption was much easier: “Timeless Charm: Pearls, pleats, and polka dotted stockings on Juliett, my Dutch bike.”
So I posted the photo to the SF Bike Facebook wall and then posted it to my own wall with a message asking my friends to join me in the challenge. I don’t know if anyone took the challenge, but the compliments I got were addictive. So for the 15 remaining work days leading up to Bike to Work Day, I posted a dress up photo on Facebook and ignored that little voice that told me that people would think I was vain.
When it was over, my friends asked if I had won, telling me I deserved to win. I explained that it was just a random drawing, and that no, I didn’t win. While I was relieved to not have to plan photo-worthy outfits each day, I wasn’t ready to stop. So I started posting a photo a week on “Fashion Fridays” and Dick regretted he’d ever agreed to take that first photo.
Then I started this blog about my bike fashions and bike adventures and I forgot about the contest that inspired it all until last Saturday when I came home to a couple of packages from the SF Bike Coalition. “You were chosen as our Dress-Up Challenge Winner for 2011!” the letter said, “your enthusiasm for bicycling was inspiring and contagious.” The package was a sweet Nutcase helmet and a top tube sleeve from Rickshaw that happened to match the herringbone mini-bag I had just bought at their warehouse. Awesome! I didn’t take the challenge to win prizes, but surprise gifts are always fun.
For those who missed my Dress-Up Challenge photo series on Facebook, here’s what I wore to work for the two weeks or so leading up to Bike to Work Day last May. Click the thumbnails for high-res photos.
What’s the dressiest outfit you’ve ever worn on a bike?
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- Old West: Horny Toad dress and Old Gringo boots on Zella Mae, my workhorse bike.
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- Rainy Days and Mondays: Threat of rain means a wool cap, boots, and raincoat for me and full fenders for Zella Mae.
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- Suitable Pants: Tassel moccasin heels and a cropped pants suit with Liberty, my go-anywhere bike.
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- Updated Classics: Navy blazer with toggle buttons and a touch of orange on me, and touring racks on Lily, my first road bike.
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- Riding with a Fast Crowd: An after-work ramble has me sporting a racing team kit and riding Black Beauty, my thoroughbred.
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- Fit for a Royal Wedding: Hat, gloves, and a smart day dress for me and a lounge suit for him, on Juliett and Greg, Dick’s
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- April Showers, May Flowers: Pedal pushers, floral print kitten heels, and a Po Campo bungee handbag on Lily.
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- To Market I Go: An easy knit dress, teal tights, and Mary Jane heels on me, and grocery bag panniers on Zella.
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- Dirt Divas: Special edition Cobalt wheels, Noir crankset, and SRAM X-O components–all in ruby red–on Scarlett, my plush mountain bike.
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- Ready to Ramble: Despite its understated style, my Rapha super lightweight wool jersey offers serious performance, just like Black Beauty.
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- On Location: A bright trench jacket and a classic gray sweater kept the early morning chill off as we watched NBC 11 shoot live from downtown Palo Alto with Juliett and Greg.
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- Latin Spice: A Sheila Moon bolero and Spanish lace stockings heat up a little black dress, while Juliett flashes wild orchids.
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- Street + Dirt: From my Sheila Moon cap to my SPD-compatible DZR high tops, I’m ready to ride the Baylands trails on Blaze of Glory, my cyclocross race bike.
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- Tribal Wisdom: Tribal jersey and sleeves by YellowMan over yoga wear make an easy transition from bike to asana, with Izumi, my vintage ’86 racer.
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- Weekend Getaway: Low-key bike duds on me and touring panniers on Liberty are perfect for a train + bike tour of our state capital.
Charles
November 3, 2011 at 10:22 pm
You are amazing Janet. What an inspiration!
Helena
November 4, 2011 at 7:26 am
Janet, that’s so cool! Congrats! You set the gold standard for commute style and grace.
NadiaMac
November 4, 2011 at 9:07 am
woohoo, congrats!
Lisa
November 6, 2011 at 5:23 am
Love your style!
bicycletravels
March 4, 2013 at 2:26 am
I want to have your wardrobe… 🙂