Danielle Mustarde joins founder of indie cycling brand Goodordering, Jacqui Ma, for a ride through east London
BY DANIELLE MUSTARDE. ABOVE JACQUI MA. IN-ARTICLE IMAGES BY J.L. ARMSTRONG
When the women-led, largely-queer #TeamGoodordering invited #TeamDIVA for a “leisurely sojourn through Jacqui Ma’s London”, we couldn’t resist. The aim? To see just how easy it is to stylishly and safely scoot around the capital on two wheels – kids and all.
Originally from Australia, Jacqui created Hackney-based Goodordering (goodordering.com) back in 2012 after spotting a gap in the market for cycling accessories aimed at urban families – she and wife Mia regularly cycle through the city streets with their two young sons in tow.
Now, as just one of a number of women shaking up the cycling industry, Jacqui hopes to build a growing community of femme-tastic urban cyclists, all the while encouraging more women to get out on their bikes – sans lycra, but avec style. Fancy a spin?
1️⃣ tokyobike, Shoreditch
Kicking the day off, I meet Jacqui and the gang at the Shoreditch-based independent bicycle company tokyobike (tokyobike.co.uk) to choose our steeds for the day and get set up. Their bikes are bloody gorge, for want of a better word, and I immediately pray they’re feeling generous and let us take one home (understandably, they don’t). With our new Goodordering backpacks at the ready, we set off in the direction of Bethnal Green passing Haggerston Park to Goldsmiths Row…
2️⃣ Lock 7, Goldsmiths Row
Our first stop is queer-owned cycle cafe and bike shop Lock 7 (lock-7.com) Founded in 2007 as London’s first cycle cafe, Lock 7 came about at a time when cycle cafe’s were unheard of. “Looking back, we were something of pioneers on the London cycle scene,” explains founder Kathryn Burgess. “Since then we’ve evolved with the London landscape, moving into offering repairs and, our latest incarnation, a bespoke bicycle boutique focusing on quality hand-built frames and harder-to-come-by accessories.” Think reconditioned steel masterpieces, French farmhouse finds, and stainless steel bikes built by Kathryn herself. “The boutique provides an opportunity for me to focus on what I love doing – creating beautiful bikes for people to fall in love with.”
3️⃣Goodordering HQ, Goldsmiths Row
A short cycle along the row and we stop to take a sneak peek behind the scenes at Goodordering HQ, currently based out of a little flat above Hackney’s Broadway Market. Snug but packed full of their trademark Japanese-style “school” backpacks, panniers and bumbags – the lot – I think I’ve fallen a little bit in love. Before I kit myself out completely, it’s time for a shot of caffeine…
What’s in a name?
“The brand name comes from the joy of ordering well at a restaurant. Our family often went out for meals together and after a very satisfying meal, we would all call out ‘Goodordering!’ to mum. I wanted to capture that same spirit of delight and family togetherness in every aspect of the Goodordering brand” – Jacqui Ma, founder
4️⃣ Pavilion, Victoria Park
Jumping back on our bonny bikes, we cycle the row toward Victoria Park. One of north London’s loveliest green spaces, the park opened in 1845 and stretches across a whopping 86.18 hectares. Here, we stop at Pavilion cafe (pavilionbakery.com) a lakeside eatery serving breakfasts, lunch and sandwiches for a round of coffees before taking the time to practice our very best “Look mum, no hands!” moves, Jacqui’s eldest son, Otto, now in tow (or more accurately, leading the group!)
5️⃣ Regents Canal, Hackney
From Victoria Park, we cycle along Regents Canal and (on the day we’ve picked) the weather is bloody beautiful. Being part of a bike brigade made up of both creative and queer women is the stuff dreams are made of it seems…
6️⃣ Tonkotsu, Dunston Street
Now, my favourite part of the day: LUNCH. Locking up, we head into Tonkotsu (tonkotsu.co.uk) a hip, Japanese restaurant famous for serving three varieties of its made-on-site ramen noodle – Tokyo, Tsukemen and Tonkotsu. As we have the cycle back ahead of us, we stick to lighter bites – opting for sea salted edamame beans, a selection of gyoza and a round of pink grapefruit juice. Londoner? You need to eat here. おいしい.
…and then? It’s back to tokyobike
Completing the circuit back to toykobike, we drop off our bikes before saying our goodbyes. It really has been the loveliest of days out with Jacqui, Otto and the team and I can’t wait until the next time the Bike Brigade reforms, ready to safely and stylishly take on any city’s streets.
This piece was originally published in the January 2019 issue of DIVA magazine
For more visit goodordering.com or follow @goodordering. Want to follow the same route as Danielle and Jacqui did for your #dailyexercise? Click here to open it in Google Maps.
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