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

[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.

[pooks]

Now, if you want a looong skirt, I think you'll have to go shopping for a mixte frame.

Not at all!

http://www.macabiskirt.com/

I have one of these and actually love it. In fact, I was wearing one the first time I test-rode bikes at REI, and just hooked it shorter and hopped on!

They look cute long, kinda funky short, but I don't let that bother me.

[CycleChic06]

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

Mom on bike, I've considered this too, as the summer home for the wind ensemble I play with is only 7 miles from my apartment and is on one of my favorite bike routes. But I could never ride in a skirt (not logisitically possible on my bike) and the thought of showing up sweaty for a concert AND the even more terrifying thought of something happening to my instrument (that is worth waaaaay more than my bike) on the ride up there kept me from doing it all summer.

Even worse, imagining myself on a bike wearing all black and a long black skirt brings up different fears of looking like the wicked witch from the Wizard of Oz. All I'd need was a basket with a dog's head sticking out the front of it.

[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!

[RoadRaven]

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

OK... I have to ask... is this a mix-up in the way we use English? Or is he a cross-dressing biker?

Over here, "pumps" are women's (usually ) shoes

[Trek420]

OK... I have to ask... is this a mix-up in the way we use English? Or is he a cross-dressing biker?

Over here, "pumps" are women's (usually ) shoes

Took a while for me to see this, sorry for the delay. Yes, he was cross dressing. On AIDS lifecycle the "short" day of the ride, 47 miles but it's very hilly is called "Dress in Red Day". And this being California it quickly became "Red Dress day".

This rider took the idea to new heights. Yes, they are SPD compatible.

http://www.dgolds.com/photos/ALC6/im...WithCleats.jpg

[KnottedYet]

That is cool!!!!!!