Featured Photo, Life in the Capital, Special Events, The District

The 2010 Tweed Ride in Photos


The Starting Line (and all other photos) by Max Cook

Sunday was a perfect fall day for another perfect Tweed Ride.  Five hundred lovers of vintage clothing and bicycles gathered for the second annual ride that was magical to say the least.  Organized by Dandies and Quantrelles, the pre-ride festivities began in the morning at The Fridge where people were treated to music by Maureen Andary as they mingled and admired each other’s clothing and rides.  At noon the entire group gathered at the starting line in Lincoln Park where the ride commenced in packs of twenty five.  It was a true delight to ride along the golden tree-lined streets of Capital Hill, past the Supreme Court, the Capitol, and the White House, ending in Adams Morgan.  The post-ride social at Stroga featured bottomless Hendrick’s gin drinks, food by Coppi’s, a tweed fashion show, dance performances, and lots of love between riders. As easy as it would have been to leave my camera at home, it’s basically impossible for me not to document days like these.

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Fashionable DC, Featured Photo

The Seersucker Social in Photos


All photos by Max Cook

This past Saturday was a crazy day in DC.  Despite the sweltering heat, dedicated soccer fans filled Dupont Circle to cheer for their favorite teams.  Hoards of people filled the streets to watch or partake in the Pride Parade.  However my choice of torture was to participate in the Seersucker Social.  What was supposed to be a delightful, dandy of a bike ride through Rock Creek Park was actually a hot, sweaty, feat of endurance.

As a witness to the Tweed Ride last fall, I was determined not only to photograph the Social, but to participate in it as well.  While my normal summer attire consists of shorts and a t-shirt, I purchased some seersucker pants, a matching belt, and a madras tie to add a little flare to the ensemble.  Had the temperature been 65 degrees and the humidity low, I would have been fine, however with temps in the 90’s and the humidity of a Vietnamese jungle, I was miserable the second I stepped out of my door.  That’s not to mention the fact that I had borrowed a friend’s vintage Goodyear, bazillion pound, single speed bicycle that I had to push uphill to the finish line.

Are you tired of me complaining yet?  Good, because I’m done.  Once I had taken a bath in the restroom sink at Hillwood Estate and drank a gallon of water, I was rejuvenated and ready to start documenting the affair.  This was my first visit to Hillwood and let me say that it’s straight out of the movies.  With stately buildings, manicured lawns, and acres of beautiful greenery, it was the perfect setting to socialize with other seersucker-wearing sweat bombs.  The sun soon hid behind some clouds, refreshing (amazing) drinks were served, and music began to play.  As for the rest of the afternoon, well, I’ll let my photos speak for themselves.

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Essential DC, Life in the Capital, The Daily Feed

Get Your Seersucker On


DC Tweed Ride 7 by maxedaperture

I say, old chap, have you heard about the Seersucker Social?  That’s right, it turns out that last fall’s Tweed Ride was such a huge success, Dandies and Quaintrelles has decided to organize another ride this spring that will be even bigger and better.  While the time and route haven’t been determined, the date has been set, so oil up your chain and mark your calendars:

“The Seersucker Social, scheduled for Saturday June 12, is set to offer the same delightful kind of unique and alternative entertainment experience by encouraging folks once again to mount their bicycles in high style. While the fall event called for tweed, seersucker has been selected as the ideal vintage fabric of choice to keep cool for the spring ride. Our event partner Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens will provide a fabulous dreamlike setting for the post-ride social.”

While the ride itself will be free, the post-ride festivities at Hillwood will set you back $20.  Check back on the Dandies and Quaintrelles website as well as Facebook for more details.