cycling – The Cultural Exposé

Functional fashion: the gloss white helmet from Electra

Matilda — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 18:00:14 +0000

Someone stole my bike helmet. How, you ask? Well, I accidentally left my helmet somewhere – and at that ‘somewhere’, I learned that the helmet was put into the lost and found. Brilliant! I called up lost and found a few days later to collect my helmet and I was told it was collected by someone the day before. That someone wasn’t me. And there we have it – a stolen helmet.

But hurrah for swings and roundabouts. Electra happened to get in touch recently to let me know their range of helmets had finally launched in the UK. I’ve given one a whirl, so here’s my thoughts on the gloss white helmet from Electra:

The style

Hailing from the US, Electra does a set of very cool, very quirky, multi-purpose helmets, but the gloss white ticks all the boxes for me. It’s easy to clean, lightweight and a great one for visibility. The helmet also has gray straps with reflective stitching (another point for high-vis), as well as a detachable visor. I’d be lying if I said I loved the little peak (and it’s pretty convenient that it’s gone walkies – I never use it). Another feature I wasn’t bowled over by was the Fidlock magnetic buckle.But once you get the hang of it, it locks quickly and is very secure.

The fit

It’s pretty comfy, thanks to squishy, washable padding and an easy-to-adjust fit retention system. Sometimes I wish it could fit a tiny bit tighter in the back, but that’s a minor qualm. I also would’ve liked a smaller helmet shape. The medium is the right size for my head, but it’s a bit bulkier than say, the Bern range of skater-style helmets.

Ventilation

Pals have warned me about these types of helmets – apparently they’re not great in hot weather due to the lack of air holes. But I’ve been using it on some fairly hot days and I haven’t had any problems.

Price

They’re currently retailing for £49.00 which, I’m sure you’ll agree, ain’t bad for a bike helmet. Especially if you’re looking for top quality headgear that’s as fun as it is serious about protecting your head.

To find where Electra Helmets are stocked in London visit: locator.electrabike.com

Or check ’em out at Triton Cycles.

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Bike repairs, languages and DIY – life skills I’d like to develop in 2016

Matilda — Mon, 11 Jan 2016 22:07:48 +0000

A photo posted by Matilda (@megerecooper) on Aug 22, 2015 at 3:25pm PDT

I recently wrote a blog for Time Out about the eight life skills Londoners might want to learn in this sparkling New Year. Bt if I could narrow it down to my top 3, it’d be bike repairs, languages and DIY. The sad thing is, I’ve dabbled in all of these, of which my DIY game is probably the most on point. I own an electric saw (I once put down my own floorboards in my studio flat, check me) and can paint a room or build some Ikea furniture like a boss. But imagine being able to build a cupboard or a coffee table from scratch? That’s what I want to learn!

As for the others, I took a 12 week Level 1 French language course about four years ago and I can’t even remember what we covered (where was that French friend when I needed them?). And I’ve had way too many tire punctures to not know how to fix one already. So I’m hoping 2016 is the year I can get my act together and give these skills a good polish.

What about you? Are there any life skills you’d like to learn or develop this year? Or do you have any suggestions for learning bike repairs, French or DIY in London? Leave a comment!

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Cycling chic: the new cap collection from onenine9teen

Matilda — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 08:30:56 +0000

I know some of the most talented people – like Ollie, who I met a few years ago through Run Dem Crew. He’s worked as a tailor on Savile Row for a few years but recently decided to branch out and create a brand that combines two of his loves: quality design and cycling. The result is a new collection of unisex cycling caps for cruising around town that are modern and luxe, made with 100% cotton or merino wool.

Photo by Adam Corbett

I’m wearing the black cotton cap, but to check out the other styles visit onenine9teen.com.

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Functional fashion: that long jersey dress (with the high slits) from H&M

Matilda — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 08:55:43 +0000

I think it was two or three years ago that I stumbled across the concept of the “capsule wardrobe”. It’s a simple philosophy: you commit to buying a few quality core items that can help you work a number of looks whatever the weather or season. Tones are kept neutral to get the most out of the swappage (accessories and make-up can provide the colour pop), and in the long run, you always have something to wear. It saves money too (which you already know is crucial to living this London life right, okay somebody?)

But my challenge is the need to have clothes in the capsule that are not just multi-purpose, but multi-lifestyle. They need to be functional for the times I’m going from the bike to the boardroom and can’t afford to be a sweaty mess. And if I’m off to a restaurant launch in the evening, I still need to be representing in the style stakes without looking like I’m about to race the Tour De France.

So big up H&M for my new favourite capsule item right now, their long jersey dress. It’s my kind of minimal (I bought it in gray), a good price (only £14.99) and I love the 3/4 sleeves. But the clincher for me is the high slits. I wore Ms Thang with a pair of leggings and my black Nike Lunar Glide 6‘s as I cycled into work yesterday, and let me tell you, freedom reigned.

The decent length meant the dress didn’t get caught in the chain (like my other jersey maxi dress, RIP). And it’s extremely breathable, thanks to the 50% rayon which also makes it quite comfy to wear. The other 50% is polyester, so it’s pretty hard-wearing and should see me through many more commutes. But more importantly, it can easily go from day to night with nothing more than a shoe swap and a belt. Win-win!

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Cycling in style: those leggings trousers from UNIQLO

Matilda — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 13:00:52 +0000

I don’t know what would become of me if I never discovered UNIQLO’s leggings trousers. Dramatic, but true. I’m at that age where the body shape has decided to do its own thing depending on what I eat or drink (You enjoy that burger? Here’s a side of body fat to go with that), so if the jeggings aren’t well made, they’re not going to last very long.

Now that the weather’s changed, I realised I needed some quality pants for the winter season (especially for my cycling commute to work or wherever), and as always, the LT’s never disappoint. I picked up a pair in black from the High Street Kensington branch of UNIQLO last week and I’ve practically worn them every other day. They’re the stretchiest, comfiest, prettiest hybrid bottoms that 1) make my riding romps around London that little bit sweeter, thanks to the spandex 2) help me avoid the whole top and leggings look, which is quite the faux pas when you’re packing runners thighs like mine and 3) are friendly on the pocket: they’re only £14.90 in various colours. The only thing I needed to watch with these are the sizings. Vanity insisted I was a Small or a Medium, but a 30-32″ waist is in fact a Large. I tried not to take it personally.

For more details, visit the UNIQLO website.

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Autumn bike rides, Goodbye Pavilion and Sunday brunch at Rum Kitchen

Matilda — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 07:45:01 +0000

My weekend was ridiculously jam-packed with art shows (1:54, Moniker, The Other Art Show, Multiplied at Christies AND Art Goes Pop at the Tate – phew!), but I managed to meet up with my fellow cycling buddies on Sunday morning to “ride for brunch”. Joining them at the Selgascano Serpentine Pavilion (which now heads off to LA for good), we hit the streets en route to Rum Kitchen on All Saints Road in Notting Hill. They offer a special Sunday brunch menu (which includes chicken and waffles!) Many thanks to cinematographer Dale McCready for capturing a lovely morning – you can check out his video below (Music credit: “Tired Eyes” by Gengahr)

[fbvideo link=”https://www.facebook.com/dale.mccready/videos/10153036409145426/?pnref=story” width=”700″ height=”XX” onlyvideo=”1″]

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Win a pair of tickets to Spin London!

The Cultural Exposé — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 10:00:34 +0000

With the first Spring bank holiday nearly upon us, we’re pleased to hear there’s alot going down over the 4-day weekend – including a brand spanking new festival for all you keen cyclists out there. Spin London is the world’s first urban focused bicycle show and festival, featuring talks, music, installations, demonstrations, films, food, static cycle racing (!!) and an opportunity to feast your eyes on some of the leading fashion brands in the world of two-wheeled transport.

We’ve got a pair of tickets to giveaway for this ground-breaking new event, so for your chance to win simply ‘like’ us on Facebook, and post this on our wall:

“I’m all about that cycling life this weekend!”

Simples. The competition closes on Thursday, May 2nd at midnight and a winner will be chosen at random. Good luck!

For more info about Spin London, visit www.spinldn.com

Click here to read our Competition T&Cs…

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