This cycling cloth of choice has long been seen on riders, while riding, but there is a growing effort to make it socially acceptable in settings that are more traditionally the home of by the cashmere's, the fine silks....maybe even cotton. Just look at these guys
They are obviously celebrities of some kind (I mean, just look at them!) because they are clearly wearing the hottest designs that are so new they are not even in the pages of Vogue, GQ, etc. etc. I can only assume that they are sitting in some exclusive VIP section of the cafe, or that an elite security team is holding back the throngs of adoring people who are clamoring for their attention.
Scenes like this are kind of rare where I live (especially in February). So, I must also assume that I am only one of a handful of the half million people that live here on the the cutting edge of fashion. In fact, the only other person I know of who for sure will hit the town dressed in full racing kit, is the guy who walked into Panera the other day while Patti was there. He caused quite a stir among the customers and employees. There was finger pointing, whispers and stares that are usually only reserved for B level celebrities.
Consider this your notice. Get on the spandex train before it leaves the station! You, too, could be the center of attention everywhere you go. Hurry before spandex goes the way of Crocs!
Coming back to life in the US has been a little bit of an adjustment. We went from living out of our car, to living without a car, to now not being able to live without a car. Southeastern Pennsylvania is a beautiful mix of piedmont hills, farms, rivers, lakes, streams, and ahem....highways and subdivisions. In fact, talking to ex-pat Brits and after myself living in the West Midlands in England, I can say that Southern Chester County is indeed very much like the Cotswolds (http://www.the-cotswolds.org/). The scenery makes for beautiful living, but sadly, residing in that scenery puts one about 30 highway minutes from anything besides historic stone structures and covered bridges.
Beginning last year, I put in to full swing my effort to live car free. I bought a bicycle, rode to work, ran home, and made just about every effort not to drive. It was not a 100% conversion, but I spent more time on the bike than in the car and loved it. Growing up here, I always noticed the bikers I was wizzing past on my favorite scenic drives, but I never thought much of it - that is, until I became one of them.
As the weather has allowed, I've gone on two extended rides, both through Brandywine Conservancy land (http://www.brandywineconservancy.org/) on one of my favorite roads of all time. Route 82 is miles of Chester County perfection rolling through woods, farms and horse ranches for miles on end. Thanks to the Brandywine Conservancy most of this land will never look different than it does right now. The only draw back to riding on Route 82 is that a lot more people live here now, and a lot more people drive the road. It's usually not too bad. As a PA bike route, drivers are used to passing bikes there. For me the other day, the traffic was only a minor annoyance (there's no peaceful, quiet riding) with the exception of one cement truck's engine break that caused an extended string of explatives as it passed.
So, once you've acquired your new spandex outfit, you'll only need a bike to be sure that everyone can see you in your new spandex. Come on out on the road, and I'll see you at the cafe.
