With a flair for fashion and a passion for cycling, Amy Fleuriot decided that it was about time that women should have more stylish options than luminous lycra when cycling and so started her business – Cyclodelic. Her mission is simple – to create high quality and imaginative clothing for women who love cycling. Here the “Cycling Diaries” asks her how it all began:
Q: With your talent and flair for fashion design what inspired you to create fashionable clothing and accessories for women cyclists?
I was studying for my degree at London College of Fashion and began cycling to and from my lectures. The further and faster I rode the more I realised how important it was to have technical apparel and accessories. After a lot of fruitless searching for some nice things I could cycle to university in I saw an obvious gap in the market for women’s cycling accessories that looked and worked as well off the bike as on it. Later the same year I took part in the Dunwich Dynamo a 120 mile cycle ride from London to the coast, this inspired the clothing collection which is all styled with road cycling and touring in mind but works equally well in an urban environment.
Q: Is your clothing and product range just for women cyclists?
Yes, but we have been talking to another well known cycling brand about collaborating on a few mens pieces so watch this space!
Q: Do you think its important for women to look stylish on a bike – after all it is just a functional journey
Stylish cyclist
Credit: Photos by Ben Broomfield
Q: Any plans to design clothes for men or do you think they should just stick to Lycra?
Lycra certainly has its place and that’s why we use it in our collections. Our Sports Dresses and Tunics are all lycra based products engineered to withstand some serious miles but styled in a more thoughtful way that compliments the female form. If we have the opportunity to do the same in the future for men we certainly will!
Q: Do you think your range of clothes and accessories will inspire more women to cycle?
We put a lot of effort into cycling advocacy. Everyone that works or interns with us has to ride a bicycle, its part of their job description! There has been so much positive media around cycling over the past 5 years and I believe that anything that promotes positive images of women and cycling will inspire others to give it a try. I like to think that we have and will continue to be a large part of that.
Q: Why do you think that more women should cycle in their daily lives?
Cycling is such a fun and social activity, it can save you time, money and is one of the easiest ways to get fit. I have made some of my best friends and greatest memories through riding a bicycle. I would say that deciding to ride a bicycle regularly is probably one of the most simple yet beneficial lifestyle choices you can make.
Q: And are you an outdoor girl?
Running and exercise rangeBorn and bred. My dad is a climber and mountaineer. I was brought up hiking, climbing, cycling and running in the hilly peaks of Derbyshire and take any opportunity to get out of London and into the countryside with my dog, Hiro, who I couldn’t live in London without!
Q: And lastly Cyclodelic is a great name – with overtones of the swinging 60′s years back – does your inspiration come from that era?
I love bright colours and patterns, although we’re serious about design and function we never want to take ourselves too seriously and Cyclodelic is all about getting out and having fun.
For details on how to order Cyclodelic products click the logo 
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