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As Denver’s population grows—thanks to all of you migrating mid-westerners—it becomes more difficult (and expensive) to navigate the city from behind the wheel of a vehicle. As such, more Denverites than ever are taking to the streets, even though biking to work or play on hot summer days can become a sweaty affair. Try these cycle-friendly street clothes to seamlessly transition between the office and happy hour from the seat of your Brooks leather saddle. Disclaimer: When you (and your newly toned calves) look this good, you might have to upgrade to a bicycle built for two.
Upright Cyclist Black Speedster Backpack, $179
Chrome makes one, Timbuk2 makes one—even the ever-colorful Topo Designs has gone black-on-black. But we like Upright Cyclist’s equally professional and utilitarian Colorado-made biking pack, which is arguably the first tread on the road to posh commuting. With more exterior loops than you could possibly find attachments for, you can be sure to have your bike kit and pump on hand in the event of a mid-commute mishap.
Vespertine Dash Dress, $138, the Bespoke Pedaler, 1550 Platte Street Suite A, 303-237-7653
When you work hard and play hard like a good Coloradan, you’re bound to spend one or two late nights at the office (to make up for last Friday when you went rock climbing). Don’t get caught in the dark without reflective gear to alert your less progressive commuters of your roadside presence. This bold and feminine dress, made of light-weight poly with a wicking finish, uses 3M Scotchlite™ reflective thread to catch the eye of passersby.
Levi’s Commuter Trucker Jacket, $148, REI Denver Flagship, 1416 Platte St, 303-756-3100
This two-part denim jacket uses Thermo cool fabric to enhance breathability. With a cropped water-resistant over-layer, the tailored and versatile coat is perfect for our temperamental Colorado weather. Plus, Levi’s commuter brand has the local seal of approval: Denver photographers Luca Venter, Mackey Saturday, and Jarrod Renaud featured Denver scenery in Levi’s and VSCO’s collaborative campaign.
DZR Men’s SPD Vegan Cycling Shoes in Midnight, $95, the Urban Cyclist Denver, 3519 Brighton Blvd., 720-838-3434
Any serious cyclist knows that clipless pedals are the way to go: They’re safer and optimize pedaling efficiency by allowing you to push and pull. Urban Cylist’s newest shoe allows you to have all the benefits of clipless pedals, without the eyesore of cycling cleats. These kicks have built-in fixtures for clipless pedals, which can be removed or covered for street wear—and they’re perfectly in line with Denver workplaces’ trendy and casual norm.