Help! I see a rain date and a rain date's rain date, but not a date date. Is it buried under layers of chiffon?
Bridesmaid Dress Ride
Introducing the Bridesmaid Dress Ride!
October 15
6pm-end
Meet at 3410 Penn Ave
Ladies always complain about bridesmaid dresses because they are almost always expensive but single-use only dresses that languish in the closet after a wedding.
If we all put on our ridiculous dresses together and ride our bicycles around the city in a fancy fashion we will:
01. Have fun
02. Meet new people
03. Wear that dress one more time.
04. Reduce the financial waste of the dress. If you buy a $200 dress and wear it once that is $200 per wear. If you wear it to the bridesmaid ride and you’ve cut in half the money you wasted, now it’s $100 per wear. If the Bridesmaid ride is popular, you can wear it again and again and even trade with friends for better outfits.
05. Prove that it is possible to ride fancy clothes on a bike.
06. Look fabulous.
This is not a ladies-exclusive ride. Dudes will be warmly welcomed, particularly those that embrace the sprit of the ride and wear a dress!
Clothing swaps will be held in the weeks before the ride to encourage the sharing and exchange of dresses.
Starting time / location subject to change. I'm going to try to find a lovely place for an after party.
Rain date: October 22
Rain date's rain date: October 29
(There's a facebook page with all this same info but since plenty of folks eschew facebook, here it is again!)
(edited to add date..)
right! it's October 15 · 6:00pm - 11:00pm
Anyone have something in a size 18 with A cup size?
I look best in blue.
that size is not in my closet but those dresses are practically free at thrift stores around the city!
Sweet, that fill the bonus flock of the month.
If Nick rolls with a dress, I'll be there as well.
I volunteer to lend Nick this:
This is totally a bonus flock of the month activity. I'll be there. I'll be rocking a tuxedo. I need to find a tophat that fits over my helmet.
Hmmm...while I certainly yearn to see you in taffeta, Mick, I'm thinking you'd be a natural in the role of wedding singer.
If you ladies / dudes know anyone who might be interested in this bike ride, please let them know. It will be very low key, leisurely, and perfect for beginners.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=131233906920886&ref=mf
Maybe I can scrounge up some prizes for crowd-appointed best-dressed
if nothing else "prizes" can equal items spraypainted gold.
Heck, I'll wear a long dress and go on a ride! I'm about 5'8" and 150. If you think you have something that might work, PM me.
Stefb on the tandem on her wedding day ... (introductions thread) ... that photo is priceless.
we murdered that dress, it was way too long and kept getting caught in the chain. fortunately that wasnt the actual wedding dress. that is nice and safe until we take it on a wreck the dress mtb ride next spring after the baby arrives (stef is understandably nervous about going on any sort of fast or technical mtb ride until then).
i have a bridesmaid dress i can wear to this ride. i am interested. can i wear the yellow shoes i wore to the wedding also?
stu - there are also pics where i am making the "i am going to strangle you" gesture, and colin was unaware cause he just had to ride in the front.
I was aware. And you were way too scared to be in the front. You almost tipped us over from the stoker seat several times as it was.
actually this ride doesn't allow yellow shoes, sorry!
What's the dress without the shoes! I say yellow or other color coordinated shoes are part of the fun!
yeah that wasn't funny on the internet even though it seemed funny in person.
everything's allowed, particularly fancy shoes
those are the shoes. not so much fancy as YELLLLLLLOW
That's a Pgh wedding raht thurr.
I'm looking for someone to help me out with a flyer for this ride. Any designers with time on their hands?
That's a Pgh wedding raht thurr.
Not if it didn't have a 50/50.
Dont for get the reception at the local moose with the chicken dance
man, chicken dance music at a Flock ride would totally rock.
If the Moose is booked, try the fire hall. And order up some riggies and piggies.
It seemed like in my family that if the moose was booked you rescheduled the church. Priorities
Well played, sir.
Dress: check. Shoes: mmmm, still looking, shouldn't be a problem. Bike: Umm, that is gonna be a problem. I have four ridable MEN'S road bikes. Not compatible with an ankle-length dress.
Anyone out there with a ladies' bike I can borrow for a couple of days? Preferably in pink or red? (Hey, the bike's gotta match the dress, too, right?)
We need more dudes doing this ride.
I'm definitely looking forward to this! I'll be rocking te tuxedo and tophat. And if the unicycle skills have improved enough by then...
Maybe I'll pull a suit out and really freak people out on the tall bike. (I will not be seen in a dress)
Anyone willing to rock THE wedding dress. I don't want to be the only one in white(ish)
i just found out that i won't be in town. i don't think my bridesmaid dress is gonna fit at that point anyway.
Apologies! I still need to finish putting together the poster/flier for this!
What is the final-ish wording/text for this? Lolly? Anyone?
@Stu - I've got a "unisex" hardtail mountain bike that would work for you, maybe -- colors are orange and white. We may want to swap the knobbies for something slicker for this purpose. The Miyata is also available. Almost vintage, step through design, beautiful raspberry color. All it needs is for me to put the new tire on the rear wheel.
I'll probably either use the one you decide not to use, or go with a shorter dress design and use a mail/mixte road bike.
Alright, you guys got me.
Looks like I'll be in town that weekend.
I'm 6foot3, 160lb, 32" waist. Not sure about my chest and hip measurements. Can I find a dress in 2 weeks?
Is there a route planned yet? I'm not sure I'm going to make it before the start time after the 40 min ride (thats what google maps says).
Also, plans for an after party yet?
Joe -- you can definitely find a dress in two weeks. Every thrift store in the world is lousy with bridesmaid dresses for cheap.
Bikelove2010-- I'm doing route tests on Thursday at lunch. Maybe Friday too if you'd like to go on either.
There's not going to be a specific after party. There are a lot of events in Lawrenceville that night so we'll stop the ride in the middle and fan out for fun. Mary Mack is dj'ing at Wildcard for an art opening so I'd like to end there and then anyone who is interested can make their way to one of the various watering holes. I'm going to see if I can get some drink specials somewhere.
I was kinda hoping for at least a brief get-together afterward, even if the ride has to be a bit shorter. The ladies might be dressed to paint the town, but those of us in, um, non-standard attire might have a bit of a time trying to get into one of Larryville's watering holes right off.
Can we just loop around town for a bit, come back to BPgh for a little best-dressed ceremony, and then go whooping it up somewhere? That'd also give some of us dressed-up folk a chance to "slip into something a little more comfortable".
Stu, I can't believe you'd like to slip into something more comfortable than a bridesmaid dress!
I'll see what I can do...
I'm going from a "no" to a "very likely"
Although, as the photographer, I might wear something a bit more conservative than I had originally intended, so I don't kill myself.
Here's the flyer (sorry it's so big, my tech skills are limited)
And the riveting blog post with more information.
If anyone would like to volunteer to help lead / sweep this ride, determine the best route, or help promote, please send me an email: lolly@bike-pgh.org
it's Trisha! that would be fun if she would join us on the ride
Love love love this!!!
You should come!
if only i hadn't sold my completely heinous bridesmaid dress to the avalon..
Maybe you'll see someone else wearing it on the ride. I've heard people are shopping at Avalon for dresses.
You don't have to wear your own dress for this event. There are so many sadly languishing in thrift stores that would be perfect for this ride. Then you can swap with friends for the next Bridesmaid ride in the spring.
I'd wear my wedding dress, but it's not white, and if temperatures don't improve, I'd be seriously underdressed.
I'm a definite yes, regardless of what I find to wear.
Tip of the Day: Try using safety pins, binder clips or rubber bands to secure your dress at the ends to eliminate flowing dresses from getting stuck in the wheel.
If you're into facebook, here's the invite for the dress ride here: bridesmaid dress ride Friday!
nevermind.
@Joe, I'm sorry about the switch to the other facebook invite, but I was asked to move it to the Bike Pittsburgh event from my personal account so we could invite more people.
Annoying? maybe. Life-changing? no. Still the same event? yes.
I tried to post a working link to the new invite. Your link above isn't working and mine failed as well.
Link fixed!
I found this picture which I really like.
Lolly - I love that picture
I tried to convince my family to let me bike to my wedding, in dress or to change there, I didn't care which. They threatened to chain my bike up, and my sister's family drove me. Day of - turned out to be a very good thing, I was not in a condition to walk in a straight line let alone bike ~17 miles along unfamiliar state roads to an exurban park. My future husband ended up walking me down the "aisle" himself so we both made sure we both made it ok.
Would anyone be interested in helping lead this ride? I'm looking for about two people in front and two in back and I'm going to be pretty busy during this time to handle that part.
Fancy new bike Pittsburgh water bottle for the volunteers.
I'll take the back, but you can keep the water bottle. I'm sure it's cool, but I just don't need one.
I'll be there with camera, riding front and back to get some good photos.
I'll be there with camera, riding front and back to get some good photos.
Best part is, you don't have to dress up; you'll be the wedding photographer!
I went to the Century Three Salvation Army last night and snagged a nice light blue number.
Got the dress, got the bike, figured out transportation. All systems go!
OK, all y'uns uncommitted dudes, you will -not- be alone!
I will, however, need some help with the zipper in the back. Ladies, I don't know HOW you do this! 8-O
YES! If only I had a wedding DJ... Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?
Stu - tie a string to the zipper pull, then tuck it down inside when the zipper is up. Just like a formal wetsuit. That's how I know that. Honest.
Yoga helps with doing weird arm things behind your back.
This is going to be so oooo fun! I just found out my two little sisters are coming, too! YAY!
I was just offered a cotton candy pink number (I'm pretty sure I won't fit into my last remaining actual bridesmaid dress - 17 years is a difference). I think this merits trying to find a hat to set off the outfit. I'm a big helmet advocate, but a giant plastic daisy covered sunhat... we'll see.
I HOPE the weather holds because I am so excited to see everyone's get-ups!
Route forthcoming!
I thought about being in the wedding band but I don't know how to convey that short of lugging along an instrument
Noah - Wedding DJ. Just blare chicken dance and polka music louder than anybody wants to hear it.
Hmm. HMM... and the Electric Slide
Dont forget the hokey pokey, after all it is was it is all about
@Noah - I could bring a pennywhistle you could "play" along the way. It's the most portable "real" instrument I know...... (kazoos don't count for weddings). In fact I have pennywhistles in several sizes/colors/keys. I also have a battery powered keyboard that might be small enough to bungie to handlebars, or a front basket that might also work.
Don't worry about it. Flu vaccine made me sick, I have to miss the ride. Thanks though
If nick is still riding we might have a DJ. What do we consider good wedding music these days? I'll try to put together a playlist in case he or someone else has speakers.
anything from the Wedding Singer seems appropriate, but that could be me showing my age.
I can't make it. Germs suck.
I have two unusual versions of the chicken dance on 45s. Kinda late to rip them for this ride, though; wish I'd've thought of it a month ago.
I'll checking out the wedding singer, I'll toss in some chicken dance and some electric slide. Anyone else?
The Macarena?
White Wedding...Billy Idol and/or the Abney Park cover.
Oh, god, there's this new(ish) one, the Cha-cha slide. Trying to be the next "Electric Slide". The horror, THE HORROR!.
Why do people play horrible ditties at weddings? I hate all those jams. I just have an extra bridesmaid dress and want to ride bikes with people.
Half of the wedding singer soundtrack is the stuff we played at the first flock anyway, haha.
I like the song that is covered in old school (maybe)?
Louie Louie by black flag?
damn, i have the black flag louie louie on 45 - i haven't heard it in forever but it rules. i've also got a tape of my high school band covering it which contains the most amazing burst of feedback i've ever produced on stage. sucks to peak at 17.
Got total eclipse! Anything else?
Heres hoping after all this someone has speakers.
i hope everyone is having fun! i am sick and could not attend. someone post pics after the ride please!
Went well, loads of people showed up, only a couple of hitches at stop lights. I'll have oodles of pictures up later.
Loved the Ride. Loved the People, This was my first big ride with you guys. (went to the Don Parker Ride) It was a blast. from getting to meet all of you to seeing the faces of all the people in the cars and on the sidewalks.
After the Ride I went to the subway on penn for some foody goodness. the guy making my sandwich saw my helmet and asked if I was on the 'Dress Ride' He said he heard about it on DVE.
well well well
I was expecting maybe three guys in dresses. How many were there, six? seven? Wow!!!1! All y'uns ladies looked positively smashing in your finery. Truly cool that the family with the little girl showed up, too.
This was the first ride I can recall starting and ending at Bike-Pgh's new digs. That worked out really well. Thank you for the use of the, um, "changing room". There's simply no way I could have participated without preparing on-site.
During the ride, I stopped to talk with some incredulous pedestrians, much as we did on the first Flock ride back in May. Just as we did then, I explained what we were about, talking up Bike-Pgh, bike advocacy and bicycling in general.
Afterward, I dashed to 9th St and caught a 12A right away, so was home before 9pm.
Kudos to Lolly and everyone else who made this thing happen!
dbacklover
that was you on the fabled orange bike? i should have known
hit up the flock of cycles party ride next friday!
Holy cow, I wonder what they said about it on WDVE?!? And how they heard about it?
Whatever it was, somebody should find out and use that channel in the future.
Noah
That was me, I thought I recognized your bike from the tag-o-rama photos but wasnt sure. I will be trying to get to more rides now that I know how much fun they are.
This one was kind of an experiment for me. after the ride I rode downtown and caught a bus home. (I dont fancy riding ARB on a good day let alone on a friday night) so know that I know I can get there, and get home it will open up many more chances for me to ride with everyone.
It seems like in the aftermath of every one of these rides, and the FOC rides, there is a post like Terry's. You guys are doing more to expand people's horizons of where and when they can ride. Which means they'll ride more, farther and later.
I just wanted to say what's probably on a lot of people's minds: well done, keep it up!
That was super fun: good group of people, human-powered PA system to start the ride, rice-throwing and prizes at the end. I took a rather inelegant spill @ the convention center, but my knee seems to be fine after spending part of the night w/ a bag of frozen peas.
I hope the Amish Bride enjoyed his/her rumspringa . There was quite a range of fashion on display.
This was great! Super posi vibes and nice weather.
I love the guy with energy dome (DEVO) helmet - I see him around from time to time and always admire
i love the energy dome too!
Thanks so much to everyone who came out, who told people about it beforehand, who talked to pedestrians and drivers during the ride, to everyone who dressed up, and everyone who had fun. Thanks also to Rob and Ryan for photo and video and general enthusiasm.
I'd definitely like to do this again in the spring when we can comfortably ride in dresses, during the day to show them off, and coordinate front, back, and middle sound systems so no one is ever without great jams on the ride.
You guys and girls are fabulous! We'll have some good videos of it eventually to accompany Rob's photos. Thanks again!
Those pictures are so great! This is one of my favorites:
Great dress, Stu!
That pic of Stu is a caption contest waiting to happen...
Especially given, as you will notice, that it is a maternity dress.
that it is a maternity dress.
hey now this was the bridesmaid ride, not the Maury "Baby Daddy Ride"
It was so elegant, I missed the different function.
Momentum did a little write up about the ride which you can see here. Nice pictures, Rob!
That's very cool.
Next ride in the spring?
June. June. JUNE!
Might as well make it as hokey as possible.
Mmmm, June might not be the best month. Too many weddings to go to. I'd go for earlier, like late April.
If we do it in the evening again, I don't think I'd want it to be any cooler than about 50 to 55 at the end of the ride.
Ladies, you all have a lot more experience in this department. Your word rules!
dback - any time you want company riding down ARB (or pretty much anywhere), I'm in (especially coming home). I was sick for this ride (dratted immune system failure ) but I usually bike to rides from our area, bike the ride, then bike home. I'm up for sharing any portion of that with you and your Big Orange Bike
Oh - and maybe you can help me get home by bus on one of the next ones, I'm still sketch on that and tend to default to biking 'cause I know I won't end up in Sewickley by accident. All the wrong busses go to Sewickley, unless that's where you're headed in which case they go to Century III mall.
@ Stu I'd go for earlier, like late April.
If we do it in the evening again, I don't think I'd want it to be any cooler than about 50 to 55 at the end of the ride.
Looks like you would have to chose one or the other on that.
http://www.weather.com/outlook/health/allergies/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/15213
There are plenty of late April/early May evenings that don't go below 50, but you can't really plan on that.
June is the month for Bridesmaids! Flocking outside Holiday Inns with the ruffles and satin.
I'd like to do it during the day so that it's warmer and we can see the road and each other. May or June seems nice to me.
Get your dresses now-ish!
Nice pics!! I think that Stu and Joe took the prize on the male's department! And on women's, I think Molly gets props for the blond wig!
Next time I'll try to make it for sure
Something to improve for the next ride: Practice before we head out. Make sure everything is stable where it needs to be. There was a slightly longer ride planned, but had to be cut short. I wasn't expecting it to go at less than walking pace.
yeah, i would have avoided ft. duquesne blvd altogether. awful pavement conditions, tricky traffic patterns and it happened to be somewhat heavy traffic that night which was a lil hairy
That's also where we had our ride's only mishap. I didn't see who (I think there's a mention above somewhere), or how (it occurred behind me), but the traffic, darkness, and the little bit of drizzle that hit at about that same time all must have contributed. I think I'd rather deal with 10 cars than one tractor-trailer, dress or not.
My dress was ankle-length and flared at the bottom, and the only practice I got in riding in it was a pair of 50-foot test rides in front of the building. I am really happy the tie-up-the-right-side-with-rubber-bands idea worked as well as it did. I had zero tangles with either chain or spokes. Kudos again to Lolly for saving the day!