I was grabbed by this headline a little earlier today telling me that ‘the craziest, wildest most insane cycle event of the year is just around the corner!’

Intrigued, I clicked on the website and was astonished to learn that thousands of people around the globe are getting ready once again to cycle naked this June with a mission. And that includes Britain!

From Bath to Bristol, Edinburgh to Exeter, Manchester Sheffield and York.   These are just a few of the UK’s towns and cities that are to host naked bike rides this June! 

Hmm, am I brave enough to shed my body image hang-ups and let it all hang out? Maybe. I’ll write more about this another time!

Now a word of warning to those of you with delicate dispositions.... DON”T click here to find out more and see naked cyclists campaigning against  the ‘indecent exposure to vehicle emissions on people and the planet’. 

This phenomenon of naked cycling led me to thinking more about the connections between cycling, fashion and the emancipation of women so I did a little bit of research.

Cycling started in the early 1800’s at a time when fashions were cumbersome and dangerous for the rider, especially for women.  Think  BIG skirts, petticoats, whale-bone bodices, dainty shoes not to mention all the other paraphernalia a lady of that time carried.

It is believed that, just like open water swimmers who rejected the dangerously heavy swimwear of their day, many tried riding their cycles naked although evidence to corroborate this is scarce.

What is known however, is that an American lady called Amelia Bloomer, (1818-1894) caused quite a stir when she promoted the abandonment of the petticoats in favour of baggy trouser outfits as a more sensible and hygienic option to the boned-fashion bodices and long weighty skirts.

A year after Amelia’s death, these baggy trousers became known as Bloomers and caught the imagination of lady cyclists of the age who soon adopted the Bloomer as suitable cycling wear!   Has much changed?

This Spring/Summer season’s trend for Harem pants harks back to the age of the Bloomer, providing a 21st century twist for modern cycle divas looking for on trend inspiration combined with cool functionality. 

Cycle Diva Style Tips

Create this season’s hottest look by combining

silky harem pants with a cool cami and a crisp

over-sized cotton shirt for a cool diva on trend

cycle style.

Accessorize with chunky jewellery in burnished

bronzes or tarnished golds for eastern impact.

And never ever forget the one golden rule; harem

pants MUST be worn with heels to avoid a

style faux-pas!