WHAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW......
By Eleanor Jaskowska
Cycling, like being a woman, is full of rules, expectations, and conventions regarding how we should look, behave, and exist in the world. I’ve never been confident with how I look or how I dress. I remember dreading non-uniform days in school – so much judgment and scrutiny from my peers based on my outward appearance. Sometimes, I found life easier when everyone wore the same black trousers and blue polo neck.
From Eleanors’ early ‘try hard hipster days’ to taking up rowing, and lycra, like a duck to water. Also, the only style you need growing up in Wales is good waterproof clothing!
When I began road cycling there was something about the Velominati’s rules which appealed to me. No more ambiguity or awkwardness, some hard and fast rules on what was ok and not ok. Look like this and you are a ‘real cyclist’, no questions asked. They promised certainty, but they never sat right with me. Partly because Rule #5 (harden the f*ck up) stank of toxic masculinity and partly because my astigmatism (blurred vision) put cycling-specific sunglasses off the table for me. So despite the initial appeal, I forgot all about the rules and started to find my own way.
I was pretty lucky; my first club was incredibly welcoming towards uncoordinated newbies sporting helmet visors and chainring tattoos. The pink flames on their club jersey fuelled my rebel heart. My stem remains un-slammed and there’s a 50% chance my shorts will be purple, not black.
Club kit has always been something that makes me feel like I ‘belong’ in cycling.
How we dress is a form of self-expression. It’s what we decide to show ourselves to the world and, to some extent, how we shield ourselves from it. Being able to wear cycling clothes that are bright, colourful and full of personality is integral to being ‘me’ when I’m in the saddle. When I discovered IRIS I felt like I’d found my community.
The first time I pulled on a purple jersey covered in colourful squiggly patterns I felt like I was going out to play. I might chase the odd QOM but I cycle for the friends, endorphins and snacks. Bright colours spark joy, not just in me, it’s now scientifically proven. Wearing bright colours and bold patterns makes me feel happy and confident, even if I wasn’t necessarily feeling these emotions before. It hadn’t really occurred to me how important this form of expression was to me until I found it. Being able to show up in this way, in a community that supports everyone for doing their thing is empowering.
South America was a great place to embrace all colours, clashes and patterns. Sometimes I coordinate my colour to the flowers around me.
How we show up in the world does matter and the only thing worse than bad rules is following them.
Here’s to ripping up the rulebook and riding with colourful confidence!
If Eleanor is your new ‘style guru’ or not, it’s worth giving her and her adventures a follow! Read here more about El and her ‘School of Rocks’ project.
