Urbane Cycle Toronto

Toronto's first Tweed Run looking good

They were called “scorchers,” and they were the terror of the countryside and the cynosure of all eyes. When the bicycle first appeared on the scene in the late 19th century, cycling aficionados — women as well as men — were seen as daring, stylish, sexy adventurers whose athletic joie de vivre has no contemporary equal. It was, among other things, the defining movement that freed women from corsets and long skirts. In fact, if it hadn’t been for the bicycle, the subsequent history of women’s fashion as we know it — from flappers to miniskirts to meat dresses — might never have happened.

Tweed was their lycra. It was the same sturdy material, woven in the Hebrides and cut in Savile Row, that served as the fabric of choice for the great adventurers of the time — not merely the moor hikers and grouse shooters, but also the Everest climbers and African explorers of the day.

It was, therefore, perhaps in the spirit of recalling past glories that British cyclist Ted Young-Ing organized the world’s first “Tweed Run,” in London, England, in January 2009.

The event its organizers call “a metropolitan bicycle ride with a bit of style” has since grown into a worldwide movement of fashion-conscious ladies and gents mounting their wheels for a leisurely spin to show off their sartorial savvy and raise money for a charity. Tweed Runs or Rides have been attended by hundreds of vintage-clad cyclists in such cities as Boston (naturally), San Francisco, Sydney, Paris, Philadelphia, Florence, Chicago, Sydney and Tokyo.

Although Young-Ing was born in Toronto, this city has never had a full-scale event until Saturday, Oct. 15. Toronto riders can pay $15 to register, and are invited (though not compelled) to help raise additional funds. Proceeds go towards Bikes Without Borders, a charity that uses bikes for development work around the world.

Otherwise, the only requirement is to show up with a bicycle (vintage preferred, but not essential), a teacup and “yourself in costume,” says Bikes Without Borders executive director Tanya Smith, who notes that the latest London edition sold its 500 spots in seven minutes, with famous faces such as Ewan McGregor among the throng. Toronto expects about 350 participants.

Today is Bike Messenger Appreciation Day | Biking Toronto

Our Dear Leader, Rob Ford, has defied expectations and the tradition continued with the official proclamation of October 9, 2011 as Messenger Appreciation Day. In doing so, Rob joined Mayors throughout North America paid tribute to the work and thehard-Fearless (dreaded?) Men and women who cycle Toronto streets for a living.

As October 9th is a holiday, we’ll honour our brothers and sisters on  October 11, 2011 from 10am – 2pm outside Roy Thomson Hall

We’ve brought together the Toronto Cyclist Union, Roy Thomson Hall, CLIF Bars, Mountain Equipment Co-op, Orontas, Charlie’s Freewheels, Urbane Cyclist, Trelock, Community Bike Network, BikeSauce, ING Direct, and many more to ply Toronto’s 500+ messengers with free caffeine, energy bars, and great bike swag.

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