By Leslie Collins
Northeast News
April 27, 2011

For brothers Mark and David Rainey, a traditional bicycle race wasn’t good enough.

They wanted something with tweed.

The brothers, who own Groody Bros. Restoration Project, a shop that restores old bicycle frames, wanted an event to reflect the “golden age” of bicycles.

When Mark learned about a London tweed ride several years ago, he wanted to bring the concept to Kansas City.

Now, in its second year, the “Velocipede & Tweed Indeed! The Kansas City Tweed Ride” will be held in Historic Northeast at Kessler Park’s Cliff Drive from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 30.

Last year, 150 bicyclists flocked to Loose Park for the event, including Eric Rogers of the Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation.

“He (Rogers) was a big fan of the Tweed Ride last year and he proposed this route (at Cliff Drive),” Mark said. “There are some places along the route that match up with the period we’re representing, what we consider the golden age of bicycles from 1890 to 1910.”

Both the Colonnade and Corinthian Hall were built during that time period, along with a number of homes in the area, he said.

Antique and modern bicycles are welcome at the event and bicyclists are encouraged to wear late 19th Century and early 20th Century period clothing, which includes tweeds, wools, silks and argyles.

“It doesn’t have to be authentic,” Mark said of the costumes. “We really just want people to come out and ride.”

The leisure bicycle ride is free of charge, but donations are welcome. Donations will benefit BikeWalkKC, an organization aimed at bicycle and pedestrian education and promoting a healthier and more active lifestyle for those in the Kansas City region.

Participants are asked to gather at the Colonnade at Kessler Park at 10 a.m. for pictures and to enter contests. Contests include the best costume, favorite bicycle, favorite mustache (both men and women can participate) and the most novel picnic carrying contraption.

At approximately 11 a.m., cyclists will depart from the Colonnade for the five-mile bicycle ride through Cliff Drive and area neighborhoods.

Children are welcome, Mark said, and the ride will travel through residential areas with low or no vehicle traffic.

During the race, cyclists will stop at Scarritt Point for a picnic, which is “bring your own food.”

The ride will conclude at Corinthian Hall near the Kansas City Museum, where there will be a group picture and awards presentation.

“This is all just about getting on your bike and having a good time,” Mark said.

For more information, visit http://kctweedindeed.wordpress.com. Those interested are encouraged to RSVP to TweedRideKC@gmail.com.