Scottish version of L'Eroica - now The Bravo Scozia Ride

[highlandsflyer]

I've got a nice bolt of Harris Tweed in the attic - made by my uncle 30 years ago - trouble is it has a bit of purple in it, but maybe I should get it turned into a jacket and breeches. I've been looking for a copy of the original CTC patterns from the 1890s because the designs were for practical use on the bike as opposed to fashion. I think they used Norfolk Tweed for that.

If you can find the patterns that is all good, or if you can locate an original pair my wife could copy them.

A lot of the costumes she has made were based on original pieces from museums, etc.

There seems to be a lot of misinformation about tweed here. It is just a woven cloth, traditionally made of wool.

No big deal.

Very easy to find a light tweed jacket in the charity shops. Not so easy to find breeches or waistcoats, but they are out there.

As has been pointed out it is an extremely well suited material for outdoor wear.

As far as Savile Row goes, the trade there are not at all effete. They make a quality product that lasts many years.

My better half undertook her apprenticeship at Hayward tailoring in the eighties, when he still had all his Hollywood clients and such, specialising in pattern cutting, button holes and finishing, until she completed her diploma and began taking on her own client base. After ten years working with Doug she moved on to costume work, but frequently helped out when things got busy at Mount Street.

So if anyone has deep pockets I could persuade her to crack out the Juki and knock up anything you fancy.

I have been thinking about some cycling wear with a retro look yet modern tech.

We shall see.

The last suit she made for me is linen and silk. I tend to wear modern outdoor gear out and about.

Even the gamekeepers nowadays are tending to modern outdoor wear, the tweeds are unfortunately being relegated to Sunday best more and more.

Jamie, you would have to be married to a tailor to realise their pockets always have holes in them.

Now look how cool you could look for this event!

 

[epicyclo]

...As far as Savile Row goes, the trade there are not at all effete. They make a quality product that lasts many years...

Sorry, didn't mean to insult your wife's profession.

Just a bit of bile on my part because my family were amongst those violently dispossessed in the Highland Clearances, so I'm a bit prejudiced against the estate owning folk etc etc

She could be on to a good product there if you get in early enough. Sadly my pockets are not very deep.

 

[highlandsflyer]

Hey, if I wanted to start taking offence on behalf of others I would pop on over to STW!

Both myself and my wife have connections with the clearances, in very different ways. We have no need to book accommodation in many of the world's nicer spots! Quite a small world it is too, when you start delving into your family forest.

Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, James Coburn, Robert Mitcham, Terence Stamp, Bruce Lee, and many others are amongst the past clientèle of Hayward's.

Not your run of the mill teapots, and not actually on Savile Row!

The craftsmen of the sartorial elegance trade can't really take responsibility for the actions of those who don their clobber anyway!

 

[Foxfan]

Up speaks Da Organiser! It was being invited to Goodwood for the Revival and meeting two of the guys organising Eroica Britannia that made me realise that we have all the tools here to carry off an event that celebrates Scottish culture and landscape. It often takes an outsider to fully appreciate what is on offer and so it is with me. I'm Welsh by birth but have lived near Inverness since 1966. I love the Scots and Scotland and classic bikes and clothes. I love the food and the music. The Bravo Scozia is a celebration of all this. That is the idea behind the clothing request. I want the riders to look Scottish and to look smart. Tweeds, tartans are not compulsory but Lycra, no thanks. Unless worn under a kilt. Jacobite shirts and cotton shorts, Fair Isle, Arran, Harris tweed etc all good. Mix n'match. A tweed or tartan waistcoat, a plaid. Scruffy, battered, care worn, Raid the charity shops. Caps and goggles. Yes it's all a pastiche but that's the fun.

 

[The History Man]

Sounds great! Working on the boss for a pass. Is an 88 Alves mtb ok as it will be local.

Tweeds and cap? What's the score with helmets? I take it the 'no helmet no ride' rule doesn't apply?

 

[Foxfan]

Helmets, Its up to you. I did suggest on the website that if you pose for photos, take them off.
Re the Bike, I would love to see everyone on old road bikes but realise that 60 miles on rough tracks is not going to do your pencil stays a world of good. I read the concern that if early MTBs are allowed it will ruin the 'purity' of the ride. That they may take over. that it will cause a split between 'roadies' and 'off-roadies'.
I am keeping a broad church this year, we'll see if it hangs together for next year then the rules will be tightened up taking into account popular opinion.
So yes, your Alves is welcome. This time.

 

[old_coyote_pedaller]

Up speaks Da Organiser! It was being invited to Goodwood for the Revival and meeting two of the guys organising Eroica Britannia that made me realise that we have all the tools here to carry off an event that celebrates Scottish culture and landscape. It often takes an outsider to fully appreciate what is on offer and so it is with me. I'm Welsh by birth but have lived near Inverness since 1966. I love the Scots and Scotland and classic bikes and clothes. I love the food and the music. The Bravo Scozia is a celebration of all this. That is the idea behind the clothing request. I want the riders to look Scottish and to look smart. Tweeds, tartans are not compulsory but Lycra, no thanks. Unless worn under a kilt. Jacobite shirts and cotton shorts, Fair Isle, Arran, Harris tweed etc all good. Mix n'match. A tweed or tartan waistcoat, a plaid. Scruffy, battered, care worn, Raid the charity shops. Caps and goggles. Yes it's all a pastiche but that's the fun.

Having first visited Wales when I was 16 to play rugby for my school against Abertillery (a mining town like where I came from), I can agree with what you say about being an outsider and appreciating another culture. Loved the fact that the Welsh when they talked about "football", it was rugby they were talking about not "soccer". Been back to south Wales, Llanelli, twice to play rugby and go to the Millenium Stadium (best in world )for international and in the intervening years several times to North Wales to rock climb and whitewater canoe. We're Celtic brothers.

If I seemed against the tartan thing I was not really serious but you widnae get me on a bike in a kilt though.

 

[Foxfan]

Thanks for that. Thats positive. Re Kilts. Ive had an Englishman ring me to say he definitely doing it in a Kilt. My friend Neil MacDonald -ex SquareWheels wrench - is doing some 'research' into the practicalities. I told him that was likely the only place I'd condone Lycra. I'd rather see Lycra upside down in a ditch.

 

[epicyclo]

...but you widnae get me on a bike in a kilt though...

Nor me. Some important prized parts could get caught in the chain.

Neil has previous for wearing a kilt. I'm sure he did the SS World Champs in one.

 

[Jamiedyer]

I think this sounds good if the do's and dont's are laid out black and white all in one place.
Again I must say I think I know where the desire and want for this run to go and be but it just seems a bit of a mish mash at the moment.
The period stuff I agree is very cool looking but the machinery is very broad from a period perspective. The helmet thing I have an issue with but thats just me. Its one of the very few rides where the organiser is discouraging helmet use.
If this was a veteran run I could understand but the dislike of Lycra and helmets, which I do understand why, seems a bit strange when mountainbikes up to 1988 are allowed. Dont get me wrong, as I wouldn't wear my lycra to this because of the ethos behind it but nobody in 1988 was wearing kilts or tweeds to ride their mountainbikes.
It seems its all about looking hip, more than the bikes or riding.
It might have been easier to open it only to pre 70 road machines or such, maybe follow the same rules as L'eroica or something along those lines rather than tell people how they must dress but leave the bike period open. I know its more than likely down to getting the numbers, but then what happens to those who supported it to get it off the ground, are they and their late model bikes to be excluded in following years once its a success?
Even if looking at Goodwood you wouldn't see a 70's Formula 1 driver wearing a 1920's pair of overalls with a thin leather skull cap for a helmet.
I'm just throwing a few things into the mix here while its being discussed as while I am personally looking forward to this on whatever my machines and dress to be decided, these are the sort of things that a few of the people I've spoken to have been asking.
Cheers
Jamie