Following on from the last post looking at where to get cool, original, and good quality bike t-shirts, this post is looking at some that I have already seen out and about. This has inspired me to start an Instagram photo collection called #biketshirtchampion.
Like most other rider, bikes are very central in my life.
As with anything that is at the forefront of your attention or your major passion, this means I see bikes everywhere.
Which I think is awesome!
It is easy to pick riders when they are with their bikes. Conversely, when most riders are not on their bikes, many wear bike-related clothing.
At most bike events, races and festivals you get to see some pretty cool bike designs getting dusted off – I know I always wear one of mine to events.
Going through my photo albums recently, I realised that I have heaps of pictures of people in bike t-shirts.
For example, when I was in Cairns last year for the UCI World Cup, I deliberately wore my ‘tandem t-shirt’. It was a great way to start conversations and people really got the quick humour of it.
While I was there, I saw heaps of other people walking around in bike t-shirts as well …it was awesome! I remember going up to a few strangers who had particularly funky bike prints and having a chat about where they got it and asking if I could take a photo.
As many regular readers know, since February, I have been building up my Instagram #bikes_CISTA project.
Starting a Bike T-shirt Photo Collection.
In a similar vein to the #bike_CISTA approach, I’m going to experiment with the idea that if I see a bike-themed t-shirt, I will make an effort to introduce myself, have a chat and ask if I can take a photo to add to a community bike t-shirt collection.
For the moment, I’m going to call it The Bike T-shirt Champions.
I’ll be using #biketshirtchampion to add to the collection.
My working premise for Bike T-shirt Champions photo collection at the moment is similar to #Bikes_CISTA
Eligibility for a Bike T-shirt Champion photo invite requires:
- my own t-shirt collection is not included
- needs to be someone I do not know
- have at least one person
- have at least one bicycle-themed t-shirt (not ride kit)
- subjects are happy to stop and have a chat with me
- subjects give their verbal permission for me to take and post their photo (up to them if they want to be identified or not – not means no face int he photo).
For the beginning, I’ve included my own bike t-shirt Instagram photos into the #biketshirtchampion collection, although I won’t be including them in the final collection – they have to be other people’s bike t-shirts!
Over the Holiday break, I’ll go back over my Instagram account and look for photos I have already uploaded that included a Bike T-shirt Champion. And from now on I’ll be keeping my eyes open for people who are happy to contribute!
Doing this project is my small way of documenting, collating, sharing and celebrating some of the awesome bike t-shirts I see in and around my community.
Its an experiment – so we’ll see how we go! I’m looking forward to seeing what may eventuate from this.
Check out bicycles_create_change on Instagram for more!
Here are some I already have that work as Bike T-shirt Champions… and I’m looking forward to adding some more and meeting some more lovely cycle-crazy, t-shirt-wearing bike riders!
