The bicycle dilemma

[moonshadow]

As the weather warms up, I am finding myself anxious to dust off the bicycle in the basement, however it is a "male" bike, meaning it has the high crossbar.

I have practiced mounting the bike with various skirts, and have found the shorter ones work the best. I'm not sure I'd want to wear a longer skirt for fear that the fabric may get caught in the chain, or a wheel. My only apprehension with a shorter skirt is I'm concerned that should a gust of wind hit it just right it will fly up and create an embarrassing flash. Granted, I do wear underwear, but still, I do not want to create an incident that would damage the image of men who wear skirts... Our society (or at least my local society) barley tolerates it as it is.

The simple solution would be to purchase a women's bike. And you all know me... I'm quick to embrace anything of the opposite sex, but I have somewhat of a sentimental attachment to my bike as I've had it for a long time, and it's sort of a "cool" bike to me, what with it's red frame, chrome fenders, and white wall tires. I suppose I could hunt a women's bike of a similar design, but it still won't be my old original, and I'll feel like my old bike "misses me". Sounds silly I know... but there are a few things in my world that actually mean something to me, that bike is one of them. We've shared a lot of memories together. It's like an old friend.

I'd even resort to wearing short pants (trousers) to bike if need be... but OH how I LOATHE the idea wasting a beautiful warm Saturday in anything resembling trousers!

I'd like to entertain alternative suggestions.... and/or stories of your biking in a skirt experiences...

[Big and Bashful]

Don't know about pushbikes, my knees told me not to when I tried last year. Now that I am getting back into the world of the motorised bicycle (Kawasaki ZX10 Tomcat, circa 1989, nice!), I have experimented a bit, however having a large petrol tank with a skirt stretched over the top of it has limited appeal! not to mention the delights of unprtotected skin and road surfaces should things go wrong. Switching to bikes from sailing is hurting my skirting severely.
On the good side, there is the occasional blast of warm air from over the engine to warm the legs, the legs need warming because the skirt certainly doesn't provide much protection once you are moving! still it was an interesting, if short experiment.

[RichardA]

What about a short skort, I've ridden my bike in one as the shorts are the same colour at the skirt no one will notice

[Fred in Skirts]

While not exactly a skirt a skort would be the best alternative to going out and buying a new bike.

I know they are not skirts!! BUT!!

Fred

[Kilted_John]

Knee-length works pretty well, surprisingly. Skirt needs to be full enough to allow ease of pedaling and mounting/dismounting, but should be of a decent weight, so the front of the skirt will get pushed downward while sitting on the saddle. A flared denim skirt works very well, like the one shown lately in my pics and looks thread, as well as this one: http://www.skirtcafe.org/forums/viewtop ... 926#p92590. One positive side effect, is that since there's no inseam, your privates don't begin sweating. They have a constant breeze blowing into the area.

Legwear-wise, on a warmer day, probably not a good idea to wear tights. PH might work. I'd probably recommend wearing OTK socks at the longest. Long enough for those who don't want bare knees, but not long enough that you wind up feeling like you might as well just wear shorts or other trousers. Essentially wear what you'd wear with shorts. If you prefer long socks with shorts, just swap the shorts for a skirt and go riding. Same with ankle/no-show socks.

-J

[Jim]

I've made several convertible skirts. I start with a shorter than knee length skirt and add a button at the bottom on one side, and a button hole on the other. When I feel more acceptable in shorts, I just button it between the legs and it passes for shorts. This also works for biking when I'm concerned what I'm wearing (or not wearing) underneath will show. But I'm usually not biking in busy areas, so often don't bother buttoning it anyway.

[Elisabetta]

As the weather warms up, I am finding myself anxious to dust off the bicycle in the basement, however it is a "male" bike, meaning it has the high crossbar.

I have practiced mounting the bike with various skirts, and have found the shorter ones work the best. I'm not sure I'd want to wear a longer skirt for fear that the fabric may get caught in the chain, or a wheel. My only apprehension with a shorter skirt is I'm concerned that should a gust of wind hit it just right it will fly up and create an embarrassing flash. Granted, I do wear underwear, but still, I do not want to create an incident that would damage the image of men who wear skirts... Our society (or at least my local society) barley tolerates it as it is.

The simple solution would be to purchase a women's bike. And you all know me... I'm quick to embrace anything of the opposite sex, but I have somewhat of a sentimental attachment to my bike as I've had it for a long time, and it's sort of a "cool" bike to me, what with it's red frame, chrome fenders, and white wall tires. I suppose I could hunt a women's bike of a similar design, but it still won't be my old original, and I'll feel like my old bike "misses me". Sounds silly I know... but there are a few things in my world that actually mean something to me, that bike is one of them. We've shared a lot of memories together. It's like an old friend.

I'd even resort to wearing short pants (trousers) to bike if need be... but OH how I LOATHE the idea wasting a beautiful warm Saturday in anything resembling trousers!

I'd like to entertain alternative suggestions.... and/or stories of your biking in a skirt experiences...

Wear a pair of yoga shorts under the skirt if you insist on wearing a skirt while biking. As for a females bike just use mine stop throwing our money away so much. We're trying to get out of debt not dwell in it for the rest of our lives. I hardly use mine except for when we have a day of family biking.

[dillon]

Personally I prefer lycra chamois shorts, usually alone, though they could go under a skirt, but a skort would be the next best option. I'm not sure but I think Skirt Sports may make a chamoised skort for biking. I wear the shorts to ride then add a skirt when/if I make a stop. This would be off in a more scenic touring setting; the roads around here are far too busy with insane motorists and oversized trucks. Biking outside my quiet neighborhood would indicate a death wish.

[moonshadow]

Thanks for all the idea's. I'm leaning towards the heavy knee skirt idea (perhaps denim). I've already got a few that I think might work, and may take them out on a after dark test to see how it does. Otherwise I'll BOL for a heavy denim skirt at the GoodWill.

The area where I live has lots of bike trails, I live practically on the Creeper Trail, and there is a trail near Saltville I'd like to check out.

It's going to be quite an experience wearing a skirt while biking. It will be my first time.

And FYI, we're not in substantial debt. We have one car payment and I believe that's it, aside from some real minor piddly stuff, totaling probably not more than $500. (medical included)

I'd say we're fairing better than most Americans.

We ARE however trying to save the traditional down payment (20%) on a house. At our current rate of spending/saving, I estimate we should hit our goal somewhere within 5-7 years. A new bike would probably delay what amounts to a months savings. To which I have no plans to purchase a new bike, because we already have two, and as Jenn points out, one is already a woman's bike.

[denimini]

You could try a bike garter clip
http://www.eleanorsnyc.com/products/bir ... arter-clip
There are heaps of blogs on riding a bike in a skirt

Obviously it can be done on a gents bike
https://btaoregon.org/wp-content/upload ... 107web.jpg

seems some are trying to make special bikes
http://www.theloop.ca/wp-content/upload ... deways.jpg

[Caultron]

I wear black thigh-length briefs for hiking, to both avoid accidental exospore and prevent injury in case I fall or slip. It seems the same would work on a bike.

Or if you're doing any kind of distance, you probably need biker shorts anyway. Just find some on the short side so they don't stick out below the hem.

[partlyscot]

I have spent some time in different skirts on the bike. I find it it is not always obvious which ones work or not. Some can be allow operation, but tend to expose too much, some are difficult when getting off because they catch the saddle. Knee length and somewhat stretchy seems best overall. A dropped bar bike (AKA ladie's frame) will allow longer skirts, but then a skirt guard is a must. On some Dutch bikes you will find such guards installed on men's frames as well, because the ever practical Dutch often ride in suits and long overcoats. i.e. business attire.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=skirt+gu ... 00&bih=721

As you can see, it is not impossible to make such a guard yourself. The ones made out of plastic sheet have the extra advantage of keeping even more rain and road muck off you than just fenders. I am in the process of constructing a new bike for myself using a mixte frame. I've always like the look of such frames, and now have an "excuse" to own one. This frame, parts will be different. http://www.roadbikereview.com/reviews/w ... 00x466.jpg

[skirtingtoday]

Usually when I am on a bike, I wear shorts from a few inches above the knee to (unfashionable) short shorts.

Though I have worn various skirts on a bike (Don't try 13" minis for example -> too much ). I eventually settled for a 17" long cargo skirt with side splits a few inches long as the best option - ease of getting on and off and little/no chance of snagging on the machinery - see pics below:- (the bike I have has a sloping top rail rather than the usual "male" horizontal bar)

Ross

DSC03233-reduced.jpg

DSC03236-reduced.jpg

[denimini]

Though I have worn various skirts on a bike (Don't try 13" minis for example -> too much ). I eventually settled for a 17" long cargo skirt with side splits a few inches long as the best option - ease of getting on and off and little/no chance of snagging on the machinery - see pics below:- (the bike I have has a sloping top rail rather than the usual "male" horizontal bar)

That looks like a good workable length and style.

[Taj]

I've had no problems riding with a Mountain Hardwear El Kommando kilt. Comfortable and practical all around. These days, with knees getting older and suffering a lifetime of wear, I ride an electric Pedigo. I can peddal or use motor assist. I bought the step-through frame (used to be called a girls bike) for the practical reason of weight control getting on and off. The bike is top heavy with the battery mounted high. It looks like a classic girl's bike, but so what. I tend toward the pragmatic side.