Back home at That's Not My Age Mansions with fuzzy-jet-lag-brain and a sore back. Flying is rubbish when you're tall and have to squeeze yourself into Cattle Class. One thing I'm looking forward to this weekend is going for a ride on my lovely bike, a Christmas present from Mr TNMA. So. I traded in the old mountain bike for a more upright European style - to help take the strain off my ancient back. But, round at a friend's house recently a panic attack ensued when, admiring the new bicycle, she said, 'It looks quite hipster-ish'. Oh dear. Do I look like a tragic middle-aged bloke on a skateboard? Is this the vehicular equivalent of dyeing my hair pink and embracing nail art? Am I too old for this bike? Your thoughts please.
And sorry, I chopped off the splendid view of London in the last shot:
One of our favourite bike rides is along the Embankment, past Battersea Power Station, over Chelsea Bridge and back.
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| Chelsea Bridge and Cheyne Walk (where Mick & Keef lived in the 70s). |
What are you doing this weekend? Have a good one.
The bike is perfect, I scoff at the "Hipster" comment. Being a 40 something I think it is charming and mature looking!
ReplyDeleteI have bike envy. When I grow up I want a red one just like that. Hipster shmipster.
ReplyDeletehahha. we just can't win can we? if we don't embrace a few new things then we are old foggies and if we do then we are hipsters. i think the bike is perfection.
ReplyDeleteI don't think anyone is ever too old for a bike (unless it's small, pink, and has streamers - but that's a practicality issue more than anything). I'm too old now for longer rides, but I got a folding bike last year, which has made city cycling a lot more manageable for me.
ReplyDeleteLove the bike. And no, you're not too old. (My back can't take the bent-over bike riding any more either.)
ReplyDeleteOf course you're not too old - it's a bit like saying an older man can't wear a Harris tweed jacket or a cardigan because they're "too hipsterish".
ReplyDeleteIf the young want to take on classic designs and claim them for their own it's because they envy past design and workmanship - maybe the question, which is for them to answer, is, "Is this bike too old for me?"
Enjoy a really classic set of wheels!
Best wishes,
Grey Fox
A man searching for style in middle age.
If you can ride it and not BREAK YOUR NECK, then you're not too old for it...or anything else for that matter!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes from across the pond in Wisconsin, USA
Susan
Oh good grief! Of course you're not too old for that bike! You go, girl!
ReplyDeleteNo! Now on yer bike!xxxx
ReplyDeleteI think you may be safe. Mr V (who considers himself an expert in these matters) would take issue at that being called a hipster bike (which he loathes) - perhaps your friend is not actually au fait with what a hipster bike is! It needs to be a "fixie" with extremely narrow handlebars and pimped to the max in colour scheme and flouro lighting. But Mr V is turning 40 so it's very possible he isn't in the know either!
ReplyDeleteLove your bike - I've been thinking of getting a similar one to replace my rusting "girls bike" from my youth, which I may add, is still in service!
ReplyDeleteNever too old to ride a bike.
Bisous
Seriously? I'd ride that bike in a heartbeat!
ReplyDeleteI love that bike (and it looks a lot like mine!) Ride it with your head high, my friend.
ReplyDeleteTotally not too old. Where do you think the hipsters learned it from? They aren't into vintage for no reason:).
ReplyDeleteNobody is too old for any bike -
ReplyDeletetake a look at:
http://www.thesartorialist.com/photos/on-the-street-bill-cunningham-new-york/
He's a famous fashion photographer -
that rides around NY city on his bike
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Cunningham_%28photographer%29
The bike is "vintage" not "hipsterish"
ReplyDeleteThe bike is just fine, please don´t worry about what someone said ( probably in envy ).
ReplyDeleteI get a stiff neck riding bikes, so I don´t have one.
Have a nice weekend!
Agree with everyone else-- the bike is great! Don't even worry about what other people think-- enjoy the bike!
ReplyDeletehip is hip at any age and if it helps your hips that's great too!
ReplyDeleteI think it's great, I have a similar one I have for most of my life, it's ageless. All you need is a nice basket on the front - got to be practical.
ReplyDeleteNo it's wonderful. And it has a 'sensible leather seat' so it is age appropriate!! ;-) Sorry about the jet lag - know what it's like. x
ReplyDeleteLooking for a similar bike and it's not too hipster - that's nuts. It's also smart for riding in the city, so you can see where you're going.
ReplyDeleteGreat bike! I love it! Mine has racing handle-bars which are a JOKE. But remember and wear a helmet - Tartarus always says that a helmet is a good thing. Broken bones heal, but broken brains rarely do.
ReplyDeleteAli x
My thoughts are the same as those I expressed in this post: http://wendybrandes.com/blog/2012/04/spartacus-madonna-aging-disgracefully-and-yolo-rings/
ReplyDeleteIf you like the bike and have fun using it, who cares what anyone else thinks? Fun is a good thing.
I think the leather seat gives it just the right touch of old world charm - kind of like an original mini from the '60s. I hope you've got a good lock - I'm still recovering from the theft of my beautiful old dutch bike - covered back wheel, light from a built-in generator connected to the wheel, and so on. Happy cycling!
ReplyDeleteOf course not! It is a cool bike, you are a cool person. Match made in heaven. x
ReplyDeleteOMG I LOVE that bike! I can't imagine something so lovely would be too young- it's retro fer chrissakes! I say yes! Nothing like seeing an older person who hasn't given up and can still rock it. You, my dear, still can rock. Please don't doubt the bike or how awesome you look on it!
ReplyDeletePS: ha ha! I just dyed my hair pink!
ReplyDeleteit's simultaneously hip and the equivalent of comfy sandals, like many good things!
ReplyDeleteVeshoevius - glad the bike is neither hipsterish, or a fixie - I'd never get up the hill!
ReplyDeleteLPC/Grey Fox - yeah hipsters just remember where you saw that classic design first.
Chris - Oh I love Bill Cunningham & hope that I'm still riding a bike when I'm his age.
Semi Expat & L'age moyen - it's a Brooks saddle, which is highly sought after according to the shop assistant who sold us the bike. She told me to put a lock through the saddle too to stop it from getting pinched!
Thank you all for your lovely comments - and the consensus is it's vintage, not hipsterish!
ReplyDeleteOf course you're not too old for it, you daft bat. Mind you, I'm just about to get my rollerblades out of mothballs so maybe I'm not the right person to comment. I fear the "No Fear" crash helmet may be going a tad too far.
ReplyDeleteOh! The bike I'm looking for is right here! Red and everything!
ReplyDeleteBy the way....I love your blog!
Greetings,
Gigi