Brotherly Love: Bicyclists Go Dandy For Charity
By Ukee Washington
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- You might be in the habit of riding a bike in casual clothes, maybe Spandex or a T-shirt. A charity bike ride in Philadelphia later this month has a different and dandy dress code.
These bicyclists love the fashions of yesteryear, so they're inviting others to join them, dressed for a different time.
Maybe John A. Petty II was meant to be born at the turn of the century.
"I absolutely adore the civility, the manners of the age," John said. "I fell in love with it."
He's just one of the vintage aficionados who call themselves "Dandies & Quaintrelles Philly." Men are dandies, women are quaintrelles.
Drew Nugent, a Philadelphia jazz musician, said it's "kind of an underground society here in Philadelphia that's kind of bringing back classic fashion, history, music."
John's wife Dawn loves it too. On this day, she sporting a hat, bowtie, and vintage-style two-tone shoes inspired by the 1920s.
"I have to admit, I really enjoy the dressing up part," Ms. Petty said.
On Saturday, June 25, they're inviting people to dress up for a charity bike ride starting in Old City. They call it the Philly Seersucker Vintage Bike & Social.
"I think it's a great opportunity to get outdoors to experience, at the beginning at least, the historic part of Philadelphia," Dawn said.
The ride will end with a picnic, games like croquet, even contests for the best-dressed. Part of the proceeds will go to Neighborhood Bike Works, a charity that trains young people to restore bikes and develop a lifelong love of biking.
Drew said the bike ride is "not just about, 'We're all going to dress up in our threads.' Making it a little more charitable, I think it's great."
John assures us this isn't a bike race, "so there will be no vigorous workouts. We're going to be going 7, maybe 8 miles over about two hours, and it's right between the two rivers, so it's nice and flat."
Although you could say it's elevating the bike ride.
They hope to make it an annual event. The Seersucker Vintage Bike and Social is Saturday, June 25.
To find out more, go to www.phillyseersucker.com or email info@PhillySeersucker.com
