Jay Hunt, the glamorous, blonde, 41-year-old controller of the BBC, is a
Wonder Woman. Jane Shepherdson, the British high street’s favourite fashion
impresario, is another. We’re not only talking about their business prowess.
Both women cycle to work, and in the words of Hunt, this involves a “Wonder
Woman lifestyle involving a ridiculous transformation, where I try and look
like a credible executive out of two panniers”.
We all know cycling is cheap, green and keeps you fit. Yet the thought of
breaking into a sweat before you’ve even got to the office is enough to put
most of us off, not to mention all that thinking ahead when it comes to your
working wardrobe. The dilemmas! Squeeze your handbag into a rucksack and
risk a sweaty back, or put it in a wobbly wicker basket on your front
handlebars and risk having it stolen? Dress normally and hope your nice
trenchcoat doesn’t get caught in the spokes, or brave cycling shorts and
hope you don’t cycle past anyone you know or — worse — fancy? Then there’s
the whole faff of showering at work, and the challenge of turning hair
that’s been under a helmet into something approaching a style.
Commuting by bike needn’t be an ordeal, however. Three high-flyers talk us
through their Wonder Woman routines.
NAHID DE BELGEONNE
42, owner of Good Vibes Power-Plate studios
“I started cycling a year and a half ago, and I’m a bit of a pootler. Luckily
I run my own business, so I can arrive at work in my own time. I get up at
6am to avoid the traffic, and go through parks if I can. My bike is pink
with stars on. I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it. It’s a little
large for me, but I like that because I feel protected. It’s a bit like
driving a Range Rover — I’m nice and high up.
I’ve had a huge shopping basket screwed to the back, which is where I carry my
outfit for that day. I roll clothes loosely to transport them so they don’t
get creased, and I keep outfits at work as a backup. I actually built an
extension to my office to house clothes and shoes, because I ran out of
space at home.
I have a core uniform to cycle in — an American Apparel unitard, or leggings
and a vest, which I can throw things over the top of, maybe a Phillip Lim
shirt with a Lara Bohinc belt. Often, I’ll wear a tunic on top, then swap my
leggings for tights, add a great pair of shoes and I’m done. I always wear
boots on the bike to protect my ankles. Mine are by Anna Sui — they’re like
biker boots, but more elaborate. I’ve stopped cycling in heels as I was
ruining them all. You put the pedal in the instep, which pushes against the
heel and loosens it.
I also have a small, on-the-go make-up bag with eyeliner, kohl, lipstick and a
pair of tweezers, and at work I have a stack of stuff. I’ll sometimes have a
quick shower when I get in, but if you leave home in good time and pootle
like me, you needn’t get sweaty. You’ll feel warm because your muscles are
working, but, generally, a hot flannel, a bit of perfume and you’re away.
To keep warm, I wrap myself up in a three-quarter-length Vivienne Westwood
coat. If it’s raining, I’ll just wait for it to stop, but we don’t have that
many downpours. If it’s spitting, I’ll wear a beret, and there’s an amazing
Japanese hairdresser around the corner where I can go for a blow-dry if I
need it.
I still think of my daily cycle as exercise, even though I’m not really going
for it. I believe in being active — if you sit down all day at a desk,
that’s the body you’ll end up with — and cycling is a credit in my activity
bank for the day.”
CRISTINA BELMONTE
36, account director, Camron PR
“I cycled semiprofessionally at university in Madrid, and then in Colombia,
where I went to live after I finished my studies. It was very dangerous
cycling there. They don’t know what health and safety is, and I had a really
bad accident with a lorry and nearly lost my leg. I stopped cycling
competitively after that, but I’ve always cycled for transport.
I’ve had my current bike since 2004. It’s a really good one, very expensive,
and weighs only 4.5kg, but I never wash it and I had the seat changed for a
beaten-up old one to deter people from stealing it. I live near Canary Wharf
and cycle whatever the weather — my attitude is that once you’re wet, you’re
wet! My journey to work takes me along several canals, which can get quite
muddy, so my cycling outfit is pretty grungy — a pair of jogging bottoms
I’ve had for 10 years that have lost all their stretch, an old T-shirt and a
big puffa jacket with something reflective on top. Because I’ve had an
accident, I always wear a helmet.
People think you have to be very organised to cycle to work, but I’m not at
all. I decide what I’m going to wear when I get up — it only takes two
minutes — and put it in my bag. I have a big rucksack, and I fold my clothes
in tissue paper to protect them. I normally wear dresses because they’re
easy to pack, and have about 25 that I rotate. I don’t wear a lot of shirts
because they get creased, and I avoid silk, too, although I love wearing it.
I’ve thought about finding a dry-cleaner close to work, so I can drop
something off in the evening to be pressed and pick it up to wear the next
day. I keep shoes and a good coat in the office, as well as my make-up and
deodorant towels, which I use to freshen up with.
If I have an event in the evening, I go to Vidal Sassoon for a blow-dry. And I
always wear heels — mine are by Paco Gil, Moschino and Miu Miu, and there
are always three or four pairs under my desk.
It’s not that complicated to cycle and still look smart. People think you get
all hot and bothered, but if you’re fit, a 30- to 40-minute cycle ride won’t
make you sweat — especially if you give yourself plenty of time and go at
your own pace. Because of the recession, I’ve noticed more cyclists out on
the roads, and still only one in 10 are women. But it’s good exercise, saves
you money and gives you freedom from the stress of public transport. For me,
it’s the best way to travel.”
VANESSA CHILTON
38, gemologist and co-founder of Robinson Pelham Jewellery
“My husband persuaded me to take up cycling 10 years ago, and I do it mainly
for the exercise. Of course, it saves on the congestion charge, too. He’s a
real enthusiast and has cycled all the way to John O’Groats on his handmade
bike, but I’m more of a fair- weather cyclist. My journey from Pimlico to
the studio in Fulham is probably about six miles, and only takes me 25
minutes — but if it’s really raining, I’ll try and get a lift in with
somebody.
I have a two-year-old son, and mornings are hectic to say the least. It’s rare
that I’ll be organised enough to pack my bag the night before, so I decide
what to wear when I get up. I don’t have an iron in the office, so I have to
fold my clothes loosely — they don’t get creased in the space of 25 minutes,
though. My make-up also goes everywhere with me. I don’t keep anything at
work because I don’t see the point of buying two of everything.
As well as my rucksack, I recently invested in a pair of panniers to carry my
files and laptop in. My cycling outfit, which doubles up as my gym kit,
consists of a pair of three-quarter or full-length leggings by Sweaty Betty
or Nike, a fleece, reflective jacket and a helmet. It all needs to be nice
and tight, as I don’t feel safe if there’s anything flapping about, and I
believe in investing in nice things.
When I get in, I freshen up in the bathroom and get changed. I wear a lot of
dresses. My favourite at the moment is a petrol-blue one by Jaeger, and I
love The West Village, Zara and Paul & Joe. Shoes tend to pile up under
my desk, so I bring the car in once a month to do a bit of a clearout.
My day consists mainly of meetings with clients, so I always like to be
wearing our jewellery. It’s the best way to market the product. The girls
and I will raid the safe in the morning, and wear earrings, a necklace, a
bracelet and ring — the bigger and more colourful the better. If I have to
transport jewellery on my bike, I’ll always wear it. It’s much safer that
way.
I find cycling very relaxing — it’s lovely to be able to start the day with
some time to think. But if I’m not in the mood, or I have an event after
work, I’ll leave my bike at home. Cycling every day isn’t something I beat
myself up about.”
