Vintage Photos of Rita Hayworth Riding a Bike With Friends to a Picnic in the Hollywood Hills in June 1940

Summertime is picnic time. And a new wrinkle in picnics—or perhaps a very old one—is Rita Hayworth’s Hollywood bicycle picnic. Here is Rita, photographed by LIFE photographer Peter Stockpot, a bicycle to himself, as she started in on the potato salad.

Rita wore a white sharkskin playsuit, accepted Hollywood costume for bicycling. Despite the caterer’s paper container, Mr. Stockpole testified that the girls prepared the food themselves in Rita’s kitchen and has photographs to prove it.

Rita Hayworth peeling tomatoes while her friend Virginia Hovey prepares jelly sandwiches for bicycle and picnic outing.

Rita Hayworth leaving her house with friends from Pasadena: Minerva Griswold, Jane Hopkins and Virginia Hovey to embark on 10-mi. bicycle ride and picnic in the canyons behind Westwood, CA.

Rita Hayworth trying out some new tricks on her bicycle during 10-mile trip with friends through the hills.

Rita Hayworth warming up before the picnic starts.

Rita Hayworth warming up before the picnic starts.

Rita Hayworth smiling while riding her bicycle.

Rita Hayworth eating chicken leg as her friends Minerva Griswold, Virginia Hovey and Jane Hopkins enjoy jelly sandwiches during picnic on the grass in the Hollywood Hills.

Rita Hayworth wiping her hands off on a towel.

Rita Hayworth, dressed in white sharkskin playsuit, starts her bicycling picnic with potato salad while sitting on red and white check tablecloth.

(Photos by Peter Stackpole/ LIFE archive)