bike riding

[shadowfax]

Just got back from my first, skirted bike ride.
Never had sufficient courage to try it before.

I rode a BMX-style bike with smaller than full-size wheels. Nominally 20" (406). A folding bike with handlebars and saddle at adult height.
The top of the frame is 25" high so I had to lean the bike away from myself to lift my leg over with some level of modesty.

I was enjoying myself so much that I rode around the block several times.

No problems with the skirt flipping back.

My outfit was:-
A-line skirt (my usual length of 18") - above knee
Black medium support tights (around 20 denier - pantyhose)
Black patent, 3 1/2" high, block heels with a strap (Mary Janes)
Yellow, hi-vis, cycling jacket
White crash helmet
Black cycling gloves

[shadowfax]

A bike with a mixte frame, with a lower step over height, might be of help?
https://momentummag.com/mixte-vintage-f ... ity-bikes/

Earlier in this thread, I suggested that mixte-type bikes with their lower step over height, might be helpful for cyclists who wear skirts.

I recently, came across a mixte frameset which can be built-up using modern bike components with disc brakes and up to 42mm wide tyres.
https://www.somafab.com/archives/produc ... -frame-set
The framesets are designed in San Francisco, California but made in Taiwan.

Here is a video review of the frameset built up as a complete machine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XltKnGFQ5pQ

Should be available via USA cycle shops and I've also found some UK shops that can order them in too.
The company also do a rim brake version of the mixte frameset.
https://www.somafab.com/archives/product/buena-vista

[jamie001]

Why not get a girl’s bike with no center bar and avoid the problem. If I was into biking, I would get a pink or lavender girl’s bike.

[Myopic Bookworm]

Why not get a girl’s bike with no center bar and avoid the problem. If I was into biking, I would get a pink or lavender girl’s bike.

I had a girl's bike when I was at college. I figured that (a) I would be able to lend it to more people, and (b) if I ever got a kilt, then I could ride the bike while wearing it. Actually (a) was probably a rationalization and (b) was the real reason: and eventually I did get a kilt and cycled to Scottish dance sessions. One day I also discovered (c): if you don't have a crossbar, then you get less painfully tangled up with the bike if you fall off, because your leg doesn't drag the frame on top of you, and you can fall away from it!

[Seb]

One day I also discovered (c): if you don't have a crossbar, then you get less painfully tangled up with the bike if you fall off, because your leg doesn't drag the frame on top of you, and you can fall away from it!

Haha, I have never fallen of a bike sideways, never thought of it as a possibility. I've gone over the handlebar plenty of times though.

Myself, I have hardly used my bike since we moved out to the countryside, probably done less than 100km the last 8 years combined, used to do 10km day when we lived in town, 20km when I was a student.

[phathack]

Found a Skort maker that puts Bike Pads in a Skort but they were too expensive and not available in my size so I improvised.
I wear padded bike shorts with a tennis skirt when on my Bike, no one will confuse me as a serious bike rider.

The Power Bike and local trains have become my preferred choice of transportation since I quit working back in 2020. Most trips are to meet someone or to pick up a couple of small items so no need to take the truck.

[shadowfax]

I thought that I would try another skirted bike ride today.

On my previous, skirted bike ride, I found it awkward and inelegant to lean my folding bike away from myself to get my leg over the crossbar.
The crossbar is 25" high (63cm).

I saw earlier in this thread, a post from derail3, which has a link to a YouTube video of a tall, skirted young lady showing a technique of elegantly riding away on a bike with an even higher crossbar.

If you have a medium or short skirt, try this method

https://youtu.be/mwlyWt7H7IA

I found that by putting the left-hand pedal at the 9-o'clock position, stepping down hard on it and giving the bike a push forward, I could get enough forward momentum to decorously, lift my right leg over the crossbar without flashing my underwear.
I also found that whilst coasting to a halt to get back off the bike, I could lift my right leg over the crossbar and coast to a stop with my left foot still on the pedal.

My denim skirt is made from a stretchy denim and has a short kick-pleat at the bottom of the back seam and didn't flip back as I rode along.

My outfit was:-
Helikon-Tex Denim, UTL Skirt (A-line skirt) (17" long)
Sheertex Black Classic tights (pantyhose)
Black roll-neck jersey
Black patent, 3" high, block heels with a strap (T-bar)
White crash helmet
Black cycling mitts

[denimini]

I wasn't sure whether to put this in the "How Short ............ " topic or this one.
A group of us rode out to visit someone on a propery not far out of town. I asked a female cyclist to get a photo of me of me riding in a 11.5" mini skirt to see if I maintained modesty. I think that all I can see is the nose of the black bicycle seat.
This is my newly aquired mixte framed bike, a style referred to ealier in this thread. I still can not get my foot over the bar after kicking off so I still find it easier to do the dog leg kick over the seat ........... yet to be caught on film.

Cycling_4408403693262295777m.jpg