On my way along the platform to get my train last night at Charing Cross with the Brompton I was asked a question by a black man. He said, ‘Where are you from?’ My response was a quizzical ‘Excuse me?’ He then said ‘You don’t get many sisters doing what you do’. He was referring to the bike & cycling. I said that I did know a number of sisters who did cycle. But then he said ‘They don’t look like you’. This made me laugh. He added that ‘They all look the same.’ I assumed that he was referring to the standard uniform of the ‘I need to show I am a serious cyclist’ which is black Lycra, reflective vest, back pack and helmet. This was true I wasn’t wearing the uniform. I was wearing, my cream H&M raincoat, with cream coloured wooly beret from Topshop. I was in jeans that I had folded up to my calves and my black suede Hobbs boots. I also had my black leather gloves from M&S and slung across my back was my much loved Timbuk2 bag.
Most women cyclists on my travel route stick to the uniform which is the same as male cyclists. When I am sitting behind a bunch of fellow cyclists at traffic lights London Bridge or close to Liverpool Street I am the only woman in ordinary clothing and everyone else dressed mainly in black Lycra look the same.
Most women cyclists on my travel route stick to the uniform which is the same as male cyclists. When I am sitting behind a bunch of fellow cyclists at traffic lights London Bridge or close to Liverpool Street I am the only woman in ordinary clothing and everyone else dressed mainly in black Lycra look the same.