Re: Cycling to work

Blonde <leonorawells@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Ed Chilada wrote:

I suppose there was a split, but I was surprised at those who pedal to
work in their work shoes.> --

There are different types of work and different types of cycling. Many
people use either platform pedals or toe clips and straps so they have
more options as to footwear on the bike. I see many commuters dressed
in 'civvies' - especially students who will peadal to and from campus
in the same footwear they wear for lectures. Presonally prefer to use
cleated shoes to cycle in and to get changed into a skirt and the kind
of shoes I really could not cycle in (though I have seen other girls
cycling in huge heels - I just don't wnat to!). I don't have to get
changed as it would actually be fine for me to wear my cycling shoes to
work if I really wanted, I just wouldn't be very comfortable in them -
though you could argue that stillettos aren't that comfortable for work
either - I just like wearing them!

As regards cycling to work in my work clothes - I like to feel I look
good on my bike and for me that means wearing cycling specific kit even
though it is only 4 miles each way (sometimes I shower at work for
convenience as I share a house with another girl who may be in the
bathroom when I would want to use it, but I rarely 'need' to use the
shower at work as my commute isn't very far) I like to feel that I look
good at work and for me that means wearing girly skirts and high heels.
Many people do not care what they look like as much as me or simply
prefer to wear the same things for work and for cycling - it really
comes down to the type of commute you have (distance, terrain, effort
level), the type of work you do (are you expected to wear a uniform or
stick to a 'dress code') and also your personal clothing/footwear
preference, and your own comfort.

It is perfectly possible for some people to cycle very long distances
in 'civvy' clothes or at least in clothes which do not look as though
thery are cycling specific. There is one regular on many an audax ride
I have done who always wears what appear to be non-cycling specific
clothes and yet completes distances that most people can't imagine
doing no matter what they are wearing. It really is one of those 'How
long is a peice of string?' questions, since everyone is so different
as regards their preferences and the level of discomfort they are
willing to put up with!

For most of her life my mother did her shopping by bicycle, wearing
the same clothes she walked about in. I recall a friend of hers who
made a small income from being a landlady, and cycled round her five
properties once a month collecting the rent. That round trip was about
20 miles. She also visited a friend once a month who lived 30 miles
away, and went there on her bike too. I last saw her in her late 60s,
when she was still doing this, on a sit up and beg bike with rod
brakes, and wearing a conventional skirt and coat. I suspect she liked
showing off her legs, which were better looking than most 30 year old
female legs these days.

What today's UK cycling culture has almost completely lost is people
who simply cycle because it's faster than walking, and would no more
think of pushing themsleves into a sweat that do walkers. People who
simply use the bicycle as convenient transport, and would no more
think of wearing special cycling clothes to cycle in than they would
think of wearing special walking clothes to walk to the local pub.

The helmet is doing its bit to destroy that culture too.

--
Chris Malcolm cam@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx +44 (0)131 651 3445 DoD #205
IPAB, Informatics, JCMB, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9 3JZ, UK
[http://www.dai.ed.ac.uk/homes/cam/]

.

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