The Diva’s Guide to Biking, Riding a Bike in Skirts and Heels

[cindysue]

The Diva’s Guide to Biking - Riding a Bike in Skirts and Heels

http://www.sfbike.org/?diva

some of you will get a kick out of this article and some might be offended but in light of bike to work week, I thought I'd share it anyway as a light-hearted cute article ............

[Trekhawk]

LOL - interesting tips. Not sure I will need them but hey you just never know.

[Trek420]

I would never need that, won't catch me even in a skort but...I'll forward this to the Lifecycle board. There's quite a few who'll need the tips for red dress day. We've even had a rider convert his pumps to SPD compatible.

Hey, they are my people I can say this

[MomOnBike]

For some reason (my body in lycra frightens the horses & makes small children cry?) I've been considering riding in a skirt. It would be so sweet to show up somewhere like a concert on a bike looking appropriate, if a tad sweaty.

However, being as gadget-happy as I am, I'm thinking about modifying the bike significantly. (Hmmm, do we see a new bike in the offing?)

Mom(remembering Ali McGraw in Love Story in a skirt on a bike)OnBike

[KnottedYet]

Weren't we talking about the Terry Commuter skort a while back? It worked on my 'bent, and yesterday I tried it out on my Kona. Seems to be just fine on the bike. I've worn it in public more than just riding. Comes down to my knees.

Now, if you want a looong skirt, I think you'll have to go shopping for a mixte frame. And, of course, you'll need to get a whole lot of new gear and accessories for the new bike, right? And some long-skirt outfits, too!

Hey, I can rationalize anything! Just ask!

[MomOnBike]

Oh yes, I'm talking concert blacks (clothing) here - as in, go on stage and play Bach in them, or something sparkely for a night as part of a hoity-toity concert audience.

So, in no particular order, I'm seeing a mixte frame, long flowing skirt, um, makeup, fenders, and a really good lock. All at the same time. Not to mention a secure, cushioned way to transport my instrument. (I'm not asking much, really. )

This is not necessarily a combo that springs to anyone else's mind. As I said, I've got ideas, but I'm not quite ready to share them. When I do, though, I'm going to ask for much help in pimping that bike - which will be blue.

[DirtDiva]

We've even had a rider convert his pumps to SPD compatible.

Haha! That's awesome!

Hey MOB - what do you play? Isn't it something seriously trailer-worthy big, like a double bass? You must post a photo when the project is completed. I've only ever turned up to rehearsals on the bike, and it's not like you need to cary much to sing...

[MomOnBike]

I play viola and double bass. DH plays French horn. We go to rehearsals all the time with viola and horn (literally) in tow.

I've figured out how to haul the viola on the 'bent (love the underseat racks) but have yet to figure out how to transport the bass. DH uses a Burley trailer to pull his horn - which is about the size, if not the shape, of a small child.

We chuckle on cold winter nights riding home from rehearsals, drivers are particularly nice and accomidating. After all, we've obviously got a baby in that trailer that needs to get home. I keep waiting for someone to call Child Protective Services on us...

[VenusdeVelo]

Actually, because you tend to bike here in Netherlands everywhere you go, when we have to see friends at night etc. we bike there, and I will wear heels -- it's actually easier to bike in heels than to walk with them on these cobblestones!

But the skirt and heels, everyone here does it, I find the skiry think harder unless it's a sport kind of dress. I feel like I'm doing my best Sharon Stone imitation as I am not used to having to worry about keeping those legs close together on a recreational bike!!!

[BeeLady]

I wear very short cycling shorts under my knee-length skirts if I'm going somewhere that I'd feel uncomfortable in my lycra. The skirts I'm talking about are casual, fine for the grocery store or where ever. The black shorts are long enough so when the skirt does ride up anyone paying undue attention to this 51-year-old's body can easily spot the shorts and get their minds right .

When I use my bike for errand-running this works the best for me plus keeps my bottom comfy with the chamious. I also have the Terry skort and that works well but no chamious in the commuter length that I have.

No heels -- don't wear them under any circumstances!

[mimitabby]

glad you dug this up. Fun article!

[xeney]

I found that article linked elsewhere a couple of months ago and it inspired me to re-attempt commuting in a skirt. I have a very short commute (too short to need to change when I get there), and my commute bike is a mixte specifically so I could wear a skirt on the ride, but I still feel pretty exposed when I do it. Mostly I have an irrational fear that I am going to fall and get really bad road rash ... the reason that is irrational is that it's not like my usual summer workwear of lightweight capri pants is going to offer much more protection than a skirt.

I have a slightly less irrational fear that I will pass my boss in the alley and he will see my underwear. Again.

[Bad JuJu]

and he will see my underwear. Again.

I'm not even gonna ask.

[xeney]

The first time I rode to work in a skirt, I stupidly chose a denim skirt that buttoned up the front. One of the buttons came undone on the ride, so I was sort of flashing the whole neighborhood, but I was sort of blase about it ... until I pulled into the alley at work, and there was my boss driving in from the other direction.

Hi, boss!

I am thinking, based on that article, that I can probably learn to ride a bike in these shoes, which I bought last year and never wore because, while they are super comfortable for standing, they are not very comfortable for walking.

[chickwhorips]

those are such cute shoes! must get a pair! i love my dansko shoes that i have now. don't know if i can replace them yet.