I recently changed jobs and now work much closer to home, swapping a two-hour train journey for a 20 minute bike ride, which is bliss. I get more sleep, have more leisure time, and I'm trimmer and fitter thanks to my new regime. Through summer and autumn riding into work has been a pleasure – and I'm still enjoying it even now its colder, darker and wetter. But I'm finding out that cycling to work during the winter months takes a bit more preparation. All of a sudden it seemed as though I'm permanently wet, cold, and invisible in the early darkness. So begins my quest for warmth, dryness and visibility. I'm determined to stay on my bike and not let the weather put me off, and so I need weapons to help me in the grim battle against the elements.
I had it in my head that the first casualty of bad weather is style, and so was pleased to find some pretty and practical solutions to the wet and the dark. Bobbin's Bikes make some seriously cute hi-viz reflective gear, a brilliant Miss World-style sash, and a cheeky sailor-suit collar, which will get you noticed on your bike – stylish, fun and safe. On Etsy I found sweet reflective bows for helmet, hair and lapel. Slightly more traditional, but still distinctive, are these hi-viz vests from Georgia in Dublin, which kind of put me in mind of a Piet Mondrian painting. Also available from this store is a high waisted, wrap-around waterproof skirt, which doubles as a picnic blanket. Marvellous.
T-cycle do a nice range of t-shirts for women, men and kids, made from re-used fabric and water-based dyes. The long sleeved women's tops look particularly inviting for this time of year. For outer layers, there are some amazing cycling capes available, in reflective tweed, from Cycle Chic and from Bobbin's Bikes an origami inspired cape in recycled-plastic fabric. From my own experience, capes rather than anoraks are the way to go, there's more freedom of movement and you are less restricted as to what you can wear underneath.
It's great to be able to lock up your bike quickly and with the minimum of fuss when the weather is bad, and so I really like the look of these u-lock holster belts made from reclaimed seat belt material. This store, Urban Hunter, also has some cool wallets and bags made from recycled inner tubes, some excellent organic t-shirts, and post-ride natural massage oil for aching muscles. More tough, waterproof bags for bikes made from upcycled agricultural packaging, are available from Organic Bikes: ethical, sturdy, waterproof, colourful, with reflective stripes for visibility, and each one is unique.
Although there are lots of options for keeping your feet dry on your bike, my wellies are more than equal to the task. And if you don't think it's possible to be chic in gum boots, think again! Danish women wrote the book on looking fab on two wheels, and if wellies are good enough for them, they're good enough for me!
Sophy
