The Wrong Clothes

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08-13-2007, 05:21 PM
yellow

The Wrong Clothes

OK, so I acquired a new commuter bike from a friend's garage :rolleyes: and according to DH, I do not have the right clothing to ride this bike.

Today was my first commute on it and he saw me in lycra this morning and declared that it just wasn't right. So I think I need your help.

Here is the bike. It's 1976 (older than most of the whippersnappers I work with). It's from over the pond. It has six quad-busting gears. It's really cute.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c1...ikes/BJ001.jpg

A little guidance: I will not spend $100 for wool shorts from Vintage Velo (they are nice, but this is commuting, not a fashion show). I will probably stick with my bright yellow tops, so I'm mostly focused on bottoms. I'll need something for heat (it was 102 F on the way home today...niiiiice for climbing up the hill to get home) and for the fall/spring. My commute distance is about 7.5 miles each way. I've already thought of liner shorts and something over them for fall/spring, but what should that be? Even the thrift stores don't have circa 1970s stuff anymore.

OK, bring it on! :p
08-13-2007, 05:25 PM
Ladyrunner

My first thought was how about yoga pants or capris?
08-13-2007, 05:26 PM
yellow

I should add: must have chamois. I think yoga pants would be too floppy and certainly too hot for this time of year. But maybe good for fall with a liner short!
08-13-2007, 05:27 PM
SadieKate

How about a skirt (or skort) with a 70s-inspired print?

http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=24175

PS - That is one durned cute bike.
08-13-2007, 05:33 PM
divingbiker

I'd just wear what I already have if it's comfortable. Who makes these rules anyway?
08-13-2007, 05:33 PM
yellow

Quote:

Originally Posted by SadieKate

How about a skirt (or skort) with a 70s-inspired print?

http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=24175

PS - That is one durned cute bike.

I didn't even THINK about a skirt! I guess I need to get in touch with my girly side. That's a pretty cute skirt.

Glad you think the bike is cute, even with *gasp* reflectors!
08-13-2007, 05:47 PM
jobob

Quote:

Originally Posted by yellow

That's a pretty cute skirt.

Casual yet spunky :cool:
08-13-2007, 06:03 PM
BleeckerSt_Girl

NIce Bike!!!! :p :p :p

Hmmm....do you really need chamois for 7 mile rides?
These Spinnaker pedal pushers have a sort of Laura Petri/1970's look:
http://www.terrybicycles.com/detail.html?item_no=1822
I have them and they have a very thin chamois. They are not very hot in high temps, to me anyway.

These skorts are pretty 70's looking too:
http://www.terrybicycles.com/product...idc=dda3e3c31d
08-13-2007, 06:16 PM
Zen

Forget the clothes, that's a nice bike!
Free?
Are you sure that's a '70's bike? Or does it have a replacement front wheel? I didn't think they had those spoke reflectors then.
08-13-2007, 06:23 PM
SadieKate

Zen, it wasn't a restoration project; it was a build-to-ride project. I have a copy of the original frame order written in Bob's own hand.

I think it's wonderful that she's gone to a home where she'll get ridden, even if there are aftermarket revisions.
08-13-2007, 06:32 PM
BleeckerSt_Girl

Beautiful frame....is that pinstriping I see on the lugs? (drool drool....)

Too many gorgeous bikes lately!!! :eek:
08-13-2007, 07:21 PM
Veronica

Go for the skirt!

Are you sure you need a chamois for 7.5 miles? Maybe you need a Brooks saddle. :D

V.

PS Nice friend. ;)
08-13-2007, 07:24 PM
sulis

That is soooo cute!!!
I definitely see just capris or a skort...everyday clothes. this is a bike to be ridden in place of driving...so get casual, comfy, cozy.
And may I say again how adorable it is!!
08-13-2007, 07:30 PM
snapdragen

I was going to go with messenger chic - rolled up pant legs etc, but that wouldn't work for that bike. I think the skirt/skort idea is great.

You also need a basket for the front. For market day. I am completely serious.
08-13-2007, 07:34 PM
Trekhawk

Wonderful bike Yellow!!!
Go the skort it looks really cute.

PS - Yellow you know with your great legs no one is going to notice what your wear.:D
08-13-2007, 07:36 PM
SadieKate

Snap, you won't believe this. Well, maybe you will.

Yellow emails me last night that it needs a basket. I kept it because I thought she'd think it was too silly! So, now I'm lurking trying to figure out how to find out if she like traditional country brown English. If she wants white she's on her own. Brown I can do -- and get even more space in my garage!!!!!
08-13-2007, 07:40 PM
snapdragen

County brown english is perfect! I can see her riding home, fresh vegies and flowers in the basket. :D
08-13-2007, 08:37 PM
maillotpois

oh man!! what a fantastic bike!!

definitely capris, btw. with flowery print. and keds. :D
08-13-2007, 08:43 PM
yellow

Perusing the 'net, I found this great website about bicycle fashions in Amsterdam. Hubby approves, of course, since he's Dutch. How about something like this:

http://www.ski-epic.com/amsterdam_bi...cycle_dres.jpg

Lisa--funny, I have been looking at those Spinnaker capris, thinking they'd be good for fall-time-around-the-city riding. Maybe it was meant to be??

Re: the basket, if I get that, then I can't fit the coffee cup holder on there. I could put a wee daisy behind my ear for the flower effect. That might also help me get in touch with my girly side. :p

Zen--I put the refelctors on because it's dark when I leave for work and I want to be as visible as possible. Safety first (then fashion)!

MP--I tried riding up the 16% hill here by my house on platforms with tennies in the 42x24 (the lowest gear)...no dice. Unless then make Keds with a really stiff sole that accepts a SPD cleat. Then maybe...
08-13-2007, 08:49 PM
Zen

Quote:

Originally Posted by yellow

Zen--I put the refelctors on because it's dark when I leave for work and I want to be as visible as possible. Safety first (then fashion)!

Reflective sidewalls!
08-13-2007, 09:03 PM
annie

Check out the local consignment shops or Goodwill and pick up an elastic waist, pull on skirt to wear over whatever shorts you choose. Quick, easy, cheap and versatile, depending on what color you find. I've got a blue, black with sparkles, and a zebra print. I wear my bikes shorts under them and most tops go with one or the other. Then, when I ride to work, I don't feel like people look at me as a bike "racer" (which I'm not anyway) but as someone who uses a bike for transportation. They may think I'm crazy - but most seem to treat with me with some respect, more than when I just go out to ride in my black lycra bike shorts and jerseys.

Annie
08-13-2007, 09:11 PM
SadieKate

I just hafta show-off yellow's bike because I know where all the photos are.

Double-lugged and pinstriped, plus a Campy cable guide.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...n/IMG_0422.jpg
08-13-2007, 09:17 PM
oxysback

Just wanted to say "nice bike!"

And I vote for the floral pedal pushers. :)
08-13-2007, 10:57 PM
aka_kim

I was really hoping this thread would be about forming some sort of support group for people who just can't ever dress appropriately. But, no...

(Anti-)Style (Wo)Man says - Bike-specific clothing should not be worn with this bike. But if you must have a chamois and wicking fabric, it must not be obvious to the casual observer.

Very cool bike, btw. :cool:
08-14-2007, 02:56 AM
LadyInMotion

I think the bike is a wonderful find; I have bike envy.... definitely can see a small basket on it.

and I vote for the print skort.
08-14-2007, 04:37 AM
Kimmyt

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...untain%20Shoes

They barely look like cycling shoes!
08-14-2007, 04:46 AM
Duck on Wheels

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kimmyt

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...untain%20Shoes

They barely look like cycling shoes!

Darndarndarn! Why can't cool shoes ever come in my size??? (43). I could do with some barely-look-like-bike-shoes to wear with a skort for commuting. Come Spring, that is. Now we're in Fall we're fast headed out of skort season here and into long pants, wool liners, rain suits. With those my clunky mtb bike shoes don't look out of place. Oh well. Sigh. Maybe bike sandals next Spring. That'd look ok with a cargo skort, right?
08-14-2007, 04:58 AM
lph

wow, already, Duck? I rode into work yesterday wearing my shortest shorts and a singlet... but then, we're having a very welcome late summer heatwave.
08-14-2007, 05:24 AM
Crankin

What about the Terry Scooter capris? They have a light chamois, come in black and gray and look pretty good off the bike, too. I wear them around town to do errands on my refit mtb that i use as a commuter. Not sure about the shorts; I have liners that go under reg. shorts, but the liners are longer than most of my shorts! I also wear skorts or mtb shorts with regular tops that are wicking.
I couldn't ride even 7 miles without a chamois. In fact, last week when i rode 1 mile to our community pond on my commuter bike, in my bathing suit, i was hurting by the time I got there.
08-14-2007, 06:29 AM
BleeckerSt_Girl

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robyn Maislin

What about the Terry Scooter capris? They have a light chamois, come in black and gray and look pretty good off the bike, too. I wear them around town to do errands on my refit mtb that i use as a commuter.

The Spinnakers are great for just wearing every day too. You don't really see the thin chamois.

I think a chrome metal basket would be nice on that bike rather than wicker or plastic. Then it would be more like a hip city errand bike than a country-girly bike. ;)
08-14-2007, 06:57 AM
SouthernBelle

The Harlot knicker would be cute!

http://www.harlotwear.com/
08-14-2007, 07:10 AM
Zen

I think we have a definite winner in the Lake shoe & Harlot combo though the sparkles and zebra mentioned do sound interesting.
08-14-2007, 07:58 AM
BikeDutchess

Look at these! Urban Capris On sale @ REI!!

And yellow, you have to meet my DH -- you 2 can exchange experiences about being married to Dutch spouses....
08-14-2007, 08:59 AM
mimitabby

great bike. Wear what you like!
08-14-2007, 10:31 AM
Python

Very nice Mixte.

I know it says Bob Jackson on the frame but the logo on the front - is that Raleigh?

One of my bikes is a Raleigh Mixte frame too (the one in the avatar), the only difference is she has dropped handlebars and I wear whatever I like on her depending on our changeable British weather. Sometimes I wear lycra, sometimes leggings (tights), sometimes a pair of tight-legged jeans I have - and always my helmet and gloves.

I'd say wear whatever you're comfortable in and enjoy your bike:D
08-14-2007, 10:46 AM
sundial

Ooooh, what a neat bike! It definitely needs the basket to go with it. I wanna ride!! I was just admiring the Electra dutch bike and seeing your cool ride has set the wheels in motion. Oh why do I have to be broke now? :o

I am a big fan of skorts and Terry has some with and without the chamois PLUS a wrapper skort you can put on over your shorts. TE carries these and I just ordered me another skort for the last month of summer.

Please post more pics of your beauty. I just love these vintage rides. :)
08-14-2007, 06:47 PM
yellow

Quote:

Originally Posted by Python

I know it says Bob Jackson on the frame but the logo on the front - is that Raleigh?

Nope, it's a Bob Jackson. SadieKate can tell you all about it. The bike and I just met last week and are still getting acquainted but she knew it for years. She has a bunch of pictures of Bobby here.

So today I was able to go to my favorite store, DI (it's a "thrift" store from which I happen to buy most of my non-sports clothes) and searched for a few choice items. I found one skirt that I think will work over shorts (like Annie suggested) and may try that tomorrow. It's short enough that it won't get tangled in the drive train but long enough to provide coverage. I'll try to get DH to take a picture tomorrow AM.

Since I was in the neighborhood, I also went by the Patagucci outlet and lo! They have their boardie-like capris with roll up button hems for $9.95. So I got a pair of those and a couple of camp shirts (bright yellow) a la Thom Dyson for when it cools off a little. I saw the capris at REI but they didn't have my size. :( I may go up to the PI outlet this weekend since I still have a discount coupon I haven't used.

I do like those Harlot shorts. Wish they were a little cheaper...

My shoes are old leather mtn biking shoes so they are kind of retro looking...

I'm getting there!
08-14-2007, 07:00 PM
Veronica

Quote:

Originally Posted by yellow

Since I was in the neighborhood, I also went by the Patagucci outlet and lo! They have their boardie-like capris with roll up button hems for $9.95. So I got a pair of those and a couple of camp shirts (bright yellow) a la Thom Dyson for when it cools off a little.

He is very stylish, isn't he. :D

Patagonia is having their on line sale now too.

V.
08-15-2007, 08:12 AM
Python

They're great bikes. Although I've got a new bike now I still love riding my Mixte (Allie the Raleigh):D