The Tweed Run 2017 and Cordings of Piccadilly

I was invited to take part earlier this month in The Tweed Run, that annual tweedy/vintage bicycle ride around London, by my friends at Cordings* who sponsored the event.  Here are a few images in case you'e looking for tweedy/vintage inspiration to replace those Lycra shorts:

With Hillary of Cordings. I'm wearing all Cordings except the vintage Fair Isle jumper (image Cordings)

A very dapper gentleman. Image Grey Fox

Am I allowed to show smoking on a family blog? Fine 'tache if I may say so, Sir! Image Grey Fox

Tweeders and tweedlets crossing Westminster Bridge. Image Grey Fox

A handsome couple on The Tweed Run. Image Grey Fox

*Cordings is one of my favourite menswear suppliers. The original store has been on Piccadilly, London for decades. Stocked with tweedy and country goodies, and much more besides, it combines a comforting old-school approach to service (and store decor) with products that veer from very contemporary to heritage menswear.

My favourite pieces are their genuine heritage rubberised cotton mackintoshes (made in Scotland), the Cordings x Grenfell Shooter jacket, their tweed suits, pocket squares, colourful well-fitting chinos and.... well, you get the idea. Visit their lovely new website here or, even better, make the journey to their Piccadilly, London or Harrogate, Yorkshire stores.

I was a guest of Cordings, Piccadilly.

Vulpine Cycling Clothing: Fit for Purpose

[Note: I'm sorry to report that Vulpine went into adminisration in May 2017.]

Vulpine is a British business making technical and stylish clothing for cyclists. I recently had the opportunity to ride with business owner, Nick Hussey and Designer, Eloise Adler. On a very chilly day we rode around Richmond Park, trying out some of their products and chatting about everything from cycling to photography.

I tried a mix of clothing, from the highly technical road-wear in their Chris Hoy range to the more relaxed commuter and daily wear such as my favourite, a British-made waxed Harrington jacket (shown middle above and below). All were perfectly designed and cut for the particular needs of the cyclist. Longer backs and arms, stretch where required, pockets in the right places and collars closable against the elements. They are well-made, comfortable and, layered with merino base layers, warm on a very chilly day.

Since the ride, Vulpine have introduced their spring/summer range and this includes a lightweight French worker's jacket (it's the jacket that's light, not the French worker) which Nick bravely wore on our ride and which looks stylish and practical. A perfect top for the casual ride or commute, this marks for Vulpine a future in less race-orientated cycling clothing. I haven't seen their new merino softshell cycling blazer, but this is the essence of the development of practical clothes that are wearable on the bike or off it in office or home. 

See Vulpine [I've removed this link as the company went into administration in May 2017] to browse and buy their wide range of styles and products.

A note about wearing a cycling helmet (for the cycle helmet police). I get comments on the wearing of cycle helmets every time I appear near a bike without one. I feel the choice whether to wear one is entirely personal. I always wear a helmet on the open road and usually do off-road. For this photoshoot we were on safe, quiet roads and I wanted to show Vulpine's products.

This feature was unsponsored. I received some clothing to try for the review, but all opinions expressed are my own.

Eroica Britannia 17-19 June 2016

Rider entries for this year's Eroica Britannia close tomorrow (1st June). Based in Bakewell in Derbyshire, the rides take place on Sunday 19th June alongside an event-packed festival lasting three days. Many Grey Fox Blog friends will be there, including British Boxers, Best of Britannia and Brita Hirsch, tailor. A highly recommended weekend, you'll enjoy it whether you ride or not. See below for links to more information.

With linked themes of The English Country Garden, vintage lifestyle and cycling, there is something here for everyone. Go to Eroica Britannia for more information or to register as a rider. See here for my previous reports on Eroica Britannia. I rode the first two Eroica but sadly am missing this year's - I hope to be there next year. If you're going, have a wonderful time.

This post is unsponsored.

R.E.W. Reynolds cycling shoes: made in England

Now that spring is in the air it's time to drag out that bicycle, dust it off, oil it and set off along daffodil-lined roads to seek new horizons. For this you'll need a pair of quality British-made cycling shoes. In this feature I try out a pair of classic cycling shoes from R.E.W. Reynolds.

Founded in 1921, Reynolds started by making bicycle frames but later started to manufacture cycling shoes as well, no doubt because of their location in Northampton, the heart of the English shoemaking industry.

Some of the colour choices for the R.E.W. Reynolds Classic cycling shoe

I've met David Smith, who now owns Reynolds, on a couple of occasions and his passion for cycling and shoemaking sits well with the business's concentration nowadays on shoe manufacture. He gave me a pair of their classic cycling shoes to try. 

This model of shoe is used for flat pedals with or without toe straps. David Smith explained to me how they've been carefully designed and constructed out of a supple full grain leather with a leather sole with resin stiffener and fluted shank to allow efficient pedal action without sole flex. The result is a shoe that I found comfortable for pedalling but also stylish when worn at home or around the office. 

Sizes are true to size; if anything slightly generous. They are not like vintage cycling shoes that were made very narrow and often small for size, so don't be tempted to go up a size when ordering. Ideal for cycling to work, touring, going shopping or enjoying that classic bicycle ride at L'Eroica Britannia, these are beautifully made and comfortable shoes and are available here in a choice of colours for men and women priced from £149.

Shoes for cleats (for clip-in pedals) and wonderful brogue-style SPD-compatible boots are on the way, so keep an eye on R.E.W. Reynolds website here.

Lancashire Pike Ventile cycling jacket: a fifties classic reborn

Last year I was approached by Stephen Ball of Lancashire Pike, a business that designs classic outdoor clothing, making it in Bolton, Lancashire. Stephen had spotted that I own a vintage cycling jacket, a Bertram Dudley Greenspot, the staple of every cyclist in the fifties and sixties and he asked to borrow it in order to remake this cycling classic in Ventile.

Bertram Dudley & Son Ltd cycling jackets

After some weeks the jacket was returned and Stephen sent me a sample of his Ventile homage to the fifties British cycling jacket to try out. I wore it at L'Eroica last year (image below) and it was warm and comfortable on a chilly day's cycling. Sadly I had to return it afterwards as it would have been stylish, waterproof and wearable on or off my bike.

Wearing the Lancashire Pike Ventile cycling jacket at L'Eroica Britannia 2015

This is a superb updated version of a classic cycling coat. It has arrived just as the popularity of classic cycling has taken off, with rides like L'Eroica Britannia going from strength to strength and driving demand for retro cycling jerseys, cycling shoes and equipment. Available in green, blue stone or cinnamon from Lancashire Pike £330. See also their range of up-to-date retro climbing and ski wear.

Manufacturing the jacket

Lancashire Pike's modern classic Ventile cycling jacket

Eroica Britannia: vintage cycling - what to ride, what to wear?

Eroica is a bicycle ride that can only have originated in Italy, where age, beauty, elegance and history are venerated. Ridden over the dusty, white, gravel roads of Tuscany on bikes made before 1987 by cyclists wearing knitted wool jerseys, it offers romance, companionship and cycling heaven.

Image L'Eroica

Last year Eroica came to Britain and was ridden over the rough limestone trails of Derbyshire, offering a similar experience to the original - even down to the weather. The next edition of Eroica Britannia is in just under two weeks and many riders will be checking their bikes and wondering what they will be wearing for the great event. 

The limestone trails of Derbyshire, L'Eroica Britannia (image Grey Fox)

Last year the majority wore vintage jerseys and equipped their bikes to relive the golden days of cycling (see image below). A few didn't, and they stuck out like sore thumbs, so entering into the spirit of the event is important and, indeed, expected by the organisers.

Image L'Eroica

So, what to wear and where to find it? The images above and below give the feel of cycle racing before the seventies and it is this era that many try to recreate. There's no need to go overboard slavishly searching out contemporary equipment and clothing. Your bike must be pre-1987 and there are other specific requirements, including that 'vintage or era-specific clothing' is worn. 

Inspiration - cycling in the sixties and seventies

Here are some ideas:

Headwear - vintage cyclists didn't have helmets. They aren't compulsory and many wear them. The alternative is the traditional cycling cap or casquette.

Jacket - modern lightweight race capes weren't available in the day, so heavier cotton jackets were worn. I've seen a superb recreation of the classic fifties Bertram Dudley Greenspot. Based on an original which I own, this lovely cycling jacket is made in England from Ventile and can be bought from Lancashire Pike. It makes a stylish jacket off the bike too. I'll be writing more about this in a future post.

Fifties Bertram Dudley cycling jacket, now recreated by Lancashire Pike

Jersey - a knitted wool or acrylic jersey is essential. I love the colours and designs of these and those with embroidered woollen lettering are best. I have collected them for twenty years and bought most of mine online (some illustrated below). Prices have rocketed since L'Eroica came to the UK and good, well-known team designs can cost over £100 but you will find something good for under £30 if you persevere. Modern reproductions are available, but try to buy knitted wool or acrylic.

Part of my cycling jersey collection

Shorts - some wear vintage woollen shorts. These are hard to find in anything other than a disgusting state. Use a modern Lycra short as they are similar in style to older ones.

Shoes - pedals with toeclips and straps are obligatory (although a foot injury means I can't use them). Finding vintage cycling shoes is not easy, The come up online frequently, but are usually available in smaller sizes only. Luckily modern equivalents are available. Some excellent traditional leather cycling shoes are still made in the UK. Try Mamnick, VeloHeaven, REW Reynolds and the Arturo from William Lennon & Co. For shoes made elsewhere try Dromarti or Quoc Pham. Some of the larger cycling shoe makers now sell classic style shoes, try Giro Republic (Sigma Sport), Vittoria or the Exustar Stelvio (I think these are coming back into production, see SJS Cycles). This isn't an exhaustive list, so you will have to dig around yourself. Note that not all modern shoes will be suitable for clips and straps, so ask.

Mamnick Hibell shoes

If you are riding one of the editions of Eroica (it now takes place all over the world), have a wonderful day. I hope to see some of you at Bakewell later this month. If you're not riding, think about trying an old steel-framed bike and some vintage cycling kit; it's fun reliving the glory days of cycle racing. See Eroica Britannia.

At last year's event with my 1956 Claud Butler

Summer Jackets 6: Two from Oliver Sweeney

Oliver Sweeney is in my good books. Its use of an older model for the current spring/summer advertising campaign shows a creative, confident and cool approach to menswear. This is a brand that sees its clothes on men of whatever age and is not afraid to be open about that. I like its products and attitude and urge you to support them.

Oliver Sweeney Beaumont Redwood cotton blazer £295
Shirt, Dundas
Chinos, Spoke London
Egyptian cotton summer socks, Pantherella
Shoes, Cheaney

We were sent two jackets to try for this feature. A neatly-tailored cotton unlined blazer and a navy water-repellant cotton and polyacetate cycling jacket with reflective trim, action back and a number of details such as an attachment for a bike light; ideal for that ride across town for a meeting. Both were nicely-made and well-designed.

Try Oliver Sweeney's new store in Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, London if you are visiting the capital. There's much to see, enhanced by delights like a bar, interesting collaborations and a display of vintage watches for sale.

Oliver Sweeney Langton navy cycle jacket £295
Jeans Made in England, Quantock
Trainers Made in England, Norman Walsh
Socks, Pantherella

Cycle jacket back detail

Suppliers

Oliver Sweeney
Dundas Shirts

Spoke London

Pantherella

Cheaney

Quantock

Norman Walsh

With infinite thanks to:

Styling - SartoriaLab

Photography - Nick Maroudias

This feature is not sponsored.

Carradice tweed bike bags - made in Lancashire, England

Carradice have been making cycling bags out of cotton duck for over seventy years in Nelson, Lancashire. They now have a special edition range of bags made from Harris tweed.

Anything that combines my loves of cycling and tweed gets my attention, and I love the variety of colours and shapes in these bike bags, ideal for the commuter, vintage cycling nut or tweed fanatic.

See the Carradice website for more information.

Shinola - American manufacture and style for sale in the UK

I came across Shinola recently for the first time when I saw images of some of their products on Instagram. Founded in 2011 in Detroit, Shinola sold only only in the US until September 2014 when it launched European e-commerce stores. It now has five such outlets around the world, with the last opening in London's Carnaby Street earlier in November. 

What attracted my attention was the interesting range of goods sold. Watches make up their largest sales, but they also sell leather goods, journals, bicycles and pet accessories. 

The emphasis is on bringing manufacturing back to the USA. Just as in Britain, there is a growing interest in reviving home production of luxury items. The watches, for example, are made in a new watch factory in Detroit. 

Good design is clearly at the heart of what they do, the products being attractive and practical. For more information on Shinola, and to browse their products, see the Shinola UK website here. 

I'm grateful to Shinola for their sponsorship of this post.

Karl Kopinski - a portrait painter captures the soul & drama of cycling

I can remember, as a child, hearing the news of the death of British cyclist, Tommy Simpson, on the sun-baked slopes of Mont Ventoux during the 1967 Tour de  France. While at the recent launch of Paul Smith's 531 cycling collection I saw a superb painting by Karl Kopinski portraying the suffering of Simpson just before he died. Look at Simpson's eyes in the image below.

Tommy Simpson - © Karl Kopinski

I met Karl Kopinski and, fascinated by his work, had the chance to ask him a few questions about himself and his art. Here is what he told me:

'I was very interested in drawing from an early age but didn't manage to land any paid work until my mid twenties. I attended art college in Sunderland but became very disillusioned with their lack of interest in figurative painting, only just scraping through to get a third in fine art.

After a while I managed to get a little bit of work drawing comic books I then went on to work in the sci-fi and fantasy illustration field at a local company's studio called Games Workshop. After 7 years I left to go freelance in order to look for a more diverse range of clients. In that period I've worked for many different companies and managed to sell paintings to people like Peter Jackson and Sir Paul Smith.

Fausto Coppi © Karl Kopinski

I've worked for people like Ubisoft on their Assassins creed black flag game, I've had private portrait commissions from several people incuding Keith Levett the livery tailor of Henry Poole, Savile Row, who paid me by making me a suit! I painted a small portrait of Sir Paul Smith which was used in the book released to coincide with his exhibition at the London Design Museum recently. 

I have also completed a pair of large scale paintings, commemorating the battle of Waterloo, to help raise money for the renovation of part of the battle field. These were bought by the film director Peter Jackson and are now part of his private collection. My favourite medium is oils, I also work digitally for some clients and also use watercolours from time to time.

Jacques Anquetil © Karl Kopinski

The past heroes of cycling in the "On the Rivet" series were triggered by my now obsessive love of cycling, I do a fairly large number of miles per week on my road bike, and my love of portraiture, I wanted to do a series which focused on the romance, pain and heroism of the tales of riders from the golden era of cycling.  

People can contact me via my On the Rivet Facebook page also via my Behance portfolio and directly by my email karlkopinski@msn.com. I'm available for private commissions and will be updating my sites as I complete more paintings.'

Many thanks to Karl Kopinski for sharing these wonderful paintings - I'd love a few of these on my walls! Read about Paul Smith's 531 cycle range here.

Roger Rivière © Karl Kopinski

Mr Porter launches the Paul Smith 531 cycle range

Last week I attended the launch with Mr Porter of a new cycle range by Paul Smith. The collection is named 531 after the Reynolds-made steel alloy that has formed the heart of the machines of millions of cyclists, from racing champions to shoppers. Sir Paul Smith is, of course, well-known for his love of cycling, as can be seen in this video.

At the heart of the collection is the beautiful, black, minimalist, limited-edition (two only, according to the video) fixed gear bike, hand-made by Mercian from steel in their Derby-based workshop. The bike, accessories and clothes are aimed at the commuter/weekend cyclist, rather than the carbon fibre and Lycra crowd. The shirts and jackets are made from Ventile, a water-resistant cotton fabric with an interesting history, which I've documented here on the blog before. 

I had a close look at the collection. The bike (see detail image below), clothes and accessories are all beautifully-designed and made; as you'd expect. The orange and black colour scheme is superb. The presence of a watch in a cycling collection is a novel idea, but why not? It's a chronometer, so you can time your daily commute or ride to the cafe.

Prices range from £60 for the socks pack to £4995 for the bike. See Mr Porter.

As you'd expect from a leading frame builder, the lugwork and construction are immaculate