Cycling is cool – it’s official. It’s become much more than a mode of transport, in fact you could say it is a la mode. And nowhere more so than London, where heads haven’t turned so much at the sight of two wheels since the penny farthing wobbled its way into town. Here we look at some of the factors that have made a cycle in London the thing to do.
CELEBRITY CYCLISTS
More and more celebrities are being spotted on their bikes in London, whether they are doing it for charity (Jeff Brazier), filming a show or movie (Hugh Bonneville) or simply getting from A to B (Vivienne Westwood). Ms Westwood even designed an autumn winter collection inspired by cycling which was described as being “designed for the alternative urban commuter”. And the star cycling phenomenon seems to be a global one – Chris Hemsworth, Naomi Watts, Leonardo DiCaprio, Hugh Jackman, Paris Hilton and Pharrell Williams are among those who have been seen in public on two wheels.
COOL CLUBS
If you have seen the movie Premium Rush, starring Joseph Gordon Levitt, you will have noted that our cycle courier hero goes to a cool looking bar full of attractive looking people with one thing in common – they are all cyclists. The film is set in New York, but London too has a thriving cycling scene and one of the most prominent hubs for this is the Rapha Cycle Club on Clerkenwell Road. Part of a global network stretching from San Francisco to Sydney, Rapha has a shop selling its own brand clothing and accessories and a trendy café. It is a great place to meet people, with regular rides starting there and screens showing all the top cycling action.
ECO HEROES
Of course your appearance isn’t the most important thing that cycling can boost – there’s your health, and then there’s the environment. Let’s face it – London’s getting bigger and busier and with that comes more vehicles. Yet the electric car hasn’t totally taken off yet. The best way to reduce your carbon footprint and still get from A to B quickly is to cycle. And you don’t even have to invest in a bicycle of your own now, with the Barclays Cycle Hire scheme in place across the capital. The great thing is these pieces of kit look good too – rusty old bone shakers they are not.
SPINNING AROUND
The good old fashioned exercise bike has been a staple of keeping fit for years but, well… spending time on one can be a bit boring. Far from boring though is indoor cycling – or spinning as it is more commonly known. Instructor led spin classes are available across London, often with music pumping on the speakers as you burn around 400-500 kcal in 40 minutes. With clubs that offer spinning bearing names like Boom Cycle and Good Vibes, you know you are in for something different.
THE WIGGO FACTOR
Beckham, Ennis-Hill, Farah, Murray – we truly do love all our sporting heroes here in Britain, but there is one guy that stands out as being simply the coolest. That man is Sir Bradley Marc Wiggins, CBE. The modern cycling legend – a Tour de France winner and Olympic gold medallist – is effortlessly cool. He is stylish without being a slave to trends; he doesn’t seek famous friends to be seen with, but has won a legion of celebrity admirers. In recent years he has added to his haul of medals and accolades an appearance playing guitar at a Paul Weller charity concert and a Fred Perry clothing collaboration bearing his name.
Don’t be left behind in the style stakes – join the London cycling revolution.
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