Cycle Chic, the fashion movement that began in Denmark in 2006, finally has a Sacramento chapter. Sartorially-inclined local cyclists can now gather in their designer jeans, shirts, shoes and hats for a leisurely ride on the third Sunday of each month.
The inaugural ride of the Sacramento Cycle Chic collective took place on August 22nd. It was organized by Sacramento-resident Lorena Beightler, whose blog - Sac Cycle Chic - features an extensive manifesto which echoes that of the original Copenhagen chapter. Notable points include pledges to "ride with grace, elegance and dignity", "choose style over speed" and "refrain from wearing or owning any form of cycle wear".
For the first ever Sacramento Cycle Chic Sunday, Beightler took her handsomely-attired disciples on a gentle ride from Practical Cycle on J Street to Chocolate Fish Coffee on 3rd and Q. After an elegant Kiwi-influenced snack, the riders headed to the Leland Stanford Mansion for a tour to wind up the inaugural meeting.
Cycle Chic is a grassroots movement with followers throughout Europe and the United States. Copenhagen is a well-known cycling-haven, and resident filmmaker Mikael Colville-Andersen (who coined the phrase, Cycle Chic) saw an opportunity to promote stylistically-aware cycling for a new generation of sartorialists. Sacramento, with its existing bike-culture, is well suited to Cycle Chic, and the city joins San Francisco and Los Angeles in hosting regular rides.
Beightler has been using Facebook to promote Sac Cycle Chic Sundays, which will convene again on September 19th. Cyclists who wish to join the free ride are asked to RSVP at the Facebook group page.
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