The Wrong Clothes

[yellow]

OK, so I acquired a new commuter bike from a friend's garage 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.





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!

[Ladyrunner]

My first thought was how about yoga pants or capris?

[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!

[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.

[divingbiker]

I'd just wear what I already have if it's comfortable. Who makes these rules anyway?

[yellow]

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!

[jobob]

That's a pretty cute skirt.

Casual yet spunky

[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.

[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!!!!!

[snapdragen]

County brown english is perfect! I can see her riding home, fresh vegies and flowers in the basket.

[maillotpois]

oh man!! what a fantastic bike!!

definitely capris, btw. with flowery print. and keds.

[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.

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...

[Zen]

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!