A godsend to those who don’t want to look freakishly fleuro or like a lycra lout when hitting the streets on two wheels, I got talking to the founder of new bike fashion brand Cyclodelic on the way home from Ridley Road Market (she lives in Hackney too!), and turned it into an interview for your delectation…

I’ve always thought that there are two style camps cycling-wise. One that is slightly more concerned with looking good, and the other more focussed on comfort and safety. Would you say I was being a bit simplistic? What’s your experience?
My first cycling outfit for going out on my bike around London was a horrific clash of builder meets girl in gym clothes. All flouro, reflective and sports gear. I think when a lot of people first start cycling they put on “safety” gear almost like armour to go out and do battle on the city streets. Protective gear can be important and of course everyone wants to be comfortable but as I became a more confident cyclist I shed a lot of traditional cycling gear in exchange for a combination of my normal clothes and own designs for Cyclodelic ( which tend to be bright anyway!). Qualifying as a cycling instructor also taught me how to be a safer cyclist and make myself visible to other road users without the flouro. I highly recommend it to everyone!
Now when I saw you in your dress and blue Sidi’s with your green and gold bike at the Dunwich Dynamo, I thought ‘now that is what cycling style should be about’ – was it actually comfortable though?
Absolutely! I cycle in jersey dresses a lot. They’re comfortable, flattering and hide the padded shorts I wear for long rides. I teamed the dress with a glamourous kimono style cycling jersey that will feature in our forthcoming clothing collection, a pair of super merino wool leggings and one of the silk scarves from our current accessories collection which I alternated between using as a headscarf and neck tie when it got cooler.

When you first came up with this idea,  was the initial demand you anticipated for cool bike stuff for girls high?
When I first started on my quest to transform cycle style for women three years ago it was with a small group of fellow designers and cyclists. We were all working hard to put on London’s first Cycle Fashion Show ‘Pret a Rouler’ that took place at the Village Underground.

There was definitely a buzz around it and the more people I talked to the more I could see it was a trend that was going to continue to grow. Plus we were all so passionate about what we do and so wanted to carry on regardless. Thankfully I was right and  womens cycling and Cyclodelic has gone from strength to strength over the past few years and looks set to continue.

I personally find that long rides do terrible things to your nails. All that fixing slack chains acquired from too much trackstanding etc… any chance of you starting up a cyclist’s nail bar in the future?

Ha Ha! I actually had my nails manicured at Frame in Shoreditch the night before the Dunwich Dynamo. One hand last, one was destroyed. I don’t know what the answer is but in the meantime I’m going to get on to designing a good pair of gloves.
I must admit i did look at your lovely red and pink sac and think; my god the mud, smog and general dirt of London is going to destroy that! But you mentioned to me that it’s dirt repellent (did I get that right?)…
All the bags are made from Cordura which is water and abrasion resistant. Its the same stuff that most messenger bags are made of and is a fantastically durable fabric. Being a cyclist myself aI get to road test the bags in all weather in London. The trick is to give them a good scrub before the dirt has fully dried off and they’ll stay bright for a lot longer.
What new things do you plan to add to your collection in the near future? And where are your concessions?
The clothing range which we’re launching in September is a collection of key waterproof or windproof top layers and some stylish breathable and wicking base layers. There will also be new bags and a lot ore soft accessories for the cooler months. Our concession recently moved from Topshop to Velorution on Great Titchfield Street. Cyclodelic is also sold in Bobbin bicycles in London, 2 Wheels in Dublin and online through tokyofixedgear.com, chainreactioncycles.com and soon through our own website cyclodelic.co.uk
What is your favourite colour, and how much of it do we see in your collection?

Gold, a lot. Green, not so much – i need to work on that one!

If you have one, tell me an embarrasing bike fashion story.

Never!