Skirtchasing

I've been fielding a number of questions about riding in a skirt, so I thought I would provide a few tips.

In general, cycling in a skirt is no different from wearing anything else. Sure, if you're planning to ride more than 20 miles at one go, I would change into some cycling-specific clothes with padding and no oddly placed seams. But if you are going 5 or 10 miles around town, it's all about the same. It just seems unfamiliar.

Some outfits may give you trouble on a bike. But this is no different from finding that your new skirt bunches up when you walk down the hallway, or gets twisted, or tends to snag on furniture. The only thing that really doesn't work is a tightly-fitted pencil skirt, unless it has a major slit (preferably in the back) or a kick pleat. This black shirt is fairly straight, but the material stretches and there is a 4 inch slit in the back.

A-line skirts, flared skirts, and full skirts are great. I like skirts just above the knee, preferably with a built-in slip. This places silky smooth fabric against your skin for total comfort, and the maximum in coverage. But you still get good air circulation, which is really important in the summer! My cream skirt has a soft slip under a lightweight embroidered cotton fabric with a gentle drape.

I no longer wear the very short skirts that I could get away with 10 years ago! But if you do like short skirts, rest assured that the saddle will keep most things covered. If you are nervous about riding in a skirt at first, or you aren't sure how your shorter skirts will behave, you can always layer a slip, fitted shorts, or even bloomers (a split slip) underneath. I used to wear some fitted ballet shorts under my skirts. But I eventually realized that I had nothing to worry about - nothing above mid-thigh ever seems to show.

If you have a very long, full skirt, there is a chance that it could get caught in your brakes, chain, or wheel, which could cause a crash. A full chain case and skirt guard will prevent this, and may be a good investment if you wear long skirts a lot. If you just need a one-time solution, you can simply gather up part of the hem and secure it with a know, a rubber band, or a hair clip. I prefer clips because they look nice and don't damage fabrics. They can also secure gauzy fabrics that fly around too much.

Having a step through frame makes it more brainless to ride in a skirt, but it's entirely doable on a diamond frame. You just need to keep your knees together as you mount the bicycle, and to have enough fabric to go over the top tube when your feet are on the ground or extended. It's easy!

Lock It Up

One of my friends had her bike stolen this week. It was locked up with a cable lock at a parking garage bicycle rack. I hate bike racks in parking garages, and this is one of the reasons, that they seem particularly prone to crime. Here's a rack I encountered recently. And this photo was taken from only halfway to the entrance of the garage - from outside you could hardly see it at all.

Protect yourself. Always use a U-lock. If you need a cable lock to secure your quick-release parts or because a U-lock won't fit around the thing you're locking to, use it with a U-lock. I have a cable with no lock, just loops at the ends that I can secure with the U-lock that goes through my frame.

You can also double or triple up on your cable locks - it will only slow a thief down by a little bit, but will make your bike less attractive than the single-locked bicycle next to yours. The really thick chain locks, like they use in Amsterdam, are effective too. And parking in a visible location can discourage, but not completely prevent, someone from cutting your lock.

And if you see an older black Specialized HardRock, size small, with pink logos and a huge front basket, let me know!

Summer Survival: Take It Easy

Many people think of the bicycle as some sort of exercise equipment. But it was actually invented as a labor-saving (and time-saving) device. On a bicycle, you need a fraction of the time and energy that you would expend to walk or run the same distance. It's been called the most energy-efficient form of travel. So why do we often associate bicycling with exertion and sweat?

Well, if you are trying to go as fast as you can, then you will put a lot of effort into it. And it's tempting to go fast - we are programmed to save time and be competitive in our hectic lives. Personally, I am constantly running late (why is it so hard to get up in the morning??) so I try to hurry anywhere I can. Plus, a cyclist often feels pressured to keep up with car traffic as much as we can. It's easier to choose your own pace on a quiet street or on a bicycle lane, track, or path.

But ultimately, your level of exertion is your choice. Pick a maximum level and let that determine your speed. It's not as easy as it sounds! There's a strong urge to sprint to make it through a green light, or to pedal harder up a hill rather than climbing slowly in a low gear. But I remind myself that it's worth it to take it easy. I might gain a few minutes by rushing, but I would lose them in cleanup time once I reached my destination. I would get even sweatier walking to the train, and I'm not going to give up all the conveniences of the bicycle just to drive in an air-conditioned car.

I'm not alone in advocating a moderate pace. Dottie from Let's Go Ride a Bike discovered the benefits of slowing down, too. And there's even a Slow Bicycle Movement that touts all the benefits of slowing down. I also see plenty of Atlanta bicyclists taking it easy in the heat.

Oh and one final note on summer sun and heat... No matter what you are doing - riding a bicycle, mowing the lawn, or sitting in the park - be sure to drink enough water, wear sunscreen, and know the signs and treatment of heatstroke and heat exhaustion.

Summer Survival: The Frosty Beverage

Another ally of the summer bicyclist is an icy-cold drink. Normally, I dislike iced drinks - they affect the flavor and the ice cubes always swarm up to your lips when you take a sip. However, ice is a must for hot days.

I have a great handlebar mounted cupholder, but I have transferred it to my Raleigh which I ride less often. I'm looking for something now that can sit in Blue Belle's front basket. In the meantime, I can slip a covered bottle into the closest corner of my tote bag and pull it out to sip on at stop lights.Some types of cups will splash in transport - watch out for uncovered vent holes or leaky lids. You want to drink your beverage, not wear it. Fill a travel mug up with water and shake it vigorously to test the splash factor.

I like to cold-brew coffee overnight and drink it on the way to work in the morning, crammed with as many ice cubes will fit. Believe it or not, they will be melted 4 miles later, as I reach my office building. Of course, there are many other good choices as well: water, lemonade, iced tea, juice, soda... And it's always a pleasure to stop somewhere, if you have the time, and enjoy a glass of beer, iced tea, or a refreshing gin and tonic with some friends. But that's for after work!

Summer Survival: Sweat Control!

Sweat is certainly one of the biggest concerns for the urban cyclist, especially here in the South. Trying not to overheat helps. But today, I want to focus specifically on products and tricks for preventing, reducing, and removing sweat.

It starts when you get out of the shower. I have this stuff. It's supposed to contain crystals of that deodorant rock thing? Basically, it's a spray that with salts that are supposed to prevent bacterial growth in any sweat that does occur. Sounds gross, yes, but it's an effective part of the strategy. It won't prevent sweat, though, so once the spray dries apply your favorite anti-persperant. I tend to sweat pretty easily, so the anti-persperant will minimize my sweating but not completely prevent it. If it's really hot and humid out, I may layer a little powder over the anti-persperant (and perhaps on my back and chest too). I like powders that smell like perfume or lavendar, not like babies...

Before I head out the door, I pick out an outfit that will keep me cool. Seersucker is great, as are gathered or blousy outfits that allow air to circulate. If I need to travel in super hot conditions, I'll make sure to have a tank top as my first or only layer, and may carry a dress top to put over it at my destination. If I sweat, I'll be able to wipe the sweat away before it come in contact with my clothing. Depending on conditions, a hat may help by shading your face.

Finally, I also carry a felt cloth with me for freshening up when I arrive. I get it damp and spritz a little of the crystal spray and my favorite perfume on it, and put it in a zip-top plastic bag. I can wipe off any traces of sweat from my face and body, and then rinse it every few uses. So far, so good!

Summer Survival: Shade

Summer is in full swing here in Hotlanta, and I wanted to share a few of my own tips for staying cool and un-bedraggled in the summer heat.

First is shade. You never really think about shade if you are driving around in an air-conditioned car. It's just a lighting condition. But out on the blacktop on two wheels, a shady spot can be, oh, 10 degrees cooler than an exposed area a few feet away. Make it deep shade and the difference is even greater.

For a cyclist, this knowledge gives you some summer survival strategies. You would think that Atlanta would have tons of shade everywhere, since the entire region is naturally heavily forested and trees sprout up like weeds. Really. Let me show you my garden. I have to keep pulling oak trees out of it!

So, it should be really shady, but it's not. The state Department of Transportation has outright banned trees along most of its roads, saying that they are a hazard for cars that lose control and run off the road. Any trees that are placed along state roads have to be behind the sidewalk (so the pedestrians will provide a buffer?). In general, trees have not been required along city streets, nor even a planting strip where you could put them, nor any city or regional plan to plant them. They are considered an unaffordable luxury for most public works departments, and some local utility companies have successfully had street trees banned in certain jurisdictions. In addition, existing trees tend to get cut down for development and other projects.

 Typical streetscape - exposed, some recent plantings, a few mature trees 

We have an active non-profit organization, Trees Atlanta, that works to promote tree cultivation and to plant trees in strategic places. However, their lack of familiarity with transportation issues, especially for bicyclists and pedestrians, has resulted in some poorly-executed projects - there are endless examples of their trees obstructing sidewalks, protruding into bike lanes, blocking traffic signs, and even removing portions of the sidewalk.

Nonetheless, there are still ways to find some shade for yourself. On a hot afternoon, you might plan your entire route around the shadiness of the available streets, or at least avoid long exposed stretches.

The deep shade of Oakdale Road, near Emory, is a treat on a hot day 

You can also take advantage of small patches of shade, especially when stopped at a traffic light. I only start to overheat when I stop moving and no longer have air flowing over me. In this photo, I have carefully placed myself in the shade of a thick lamp post. My arms and legs are sticking out, but most of my head and torso are shaded. There is also a sign casting a small shadow on the handlebars.

Mini-shade

Around the World in 30 Minutes

I took on another intriguing challenge last week. We have several great food markets in Atlanta, which carry a huge selection of ethnic foods as well as baked goods, dairy, produce, fish, and meats. I discovered the Buford Highway Farmers Market a while ago. This is definitely the place for ethnic goods, where each aisle or section is labeled by nationality - Japanese, Korean, Mexican, Russian, and on and on! Heaven.

Unfortunately, it's way on the other side of town from me. In fact, it is just barely OTP (outside the perimeter, AKA on the wrong side of I-285). I had pretty much written it off as a special occasion trip, something to do if some other errand took me in that direction with my car. But for some reason, I took a second look at it. I realized it was barely half a mile from the Doraville MARTA Station (end of the gold line) and that some relatively minor streets would take you right there.

On Thursday, the Beau and I set out after work. The train ride itself took about 20 minutes, and from there it was barely a 5 minute ride to the side entrance of the market via N. Peachtree Road and Langmire Way. Traffic was light although we were well into the evening rush hour, and drivers seemed nonplussed. The four-lane street gave them plenty of room to pass us. The only frustrating part was the Gwinnett County Transit buses which use that route and seemed reluctant to pass. I felt kind of bad for them idling along behind us, but it's not my call.

Arriving at the market, we discovered two large, well occupied bicycle racks. How unexpected! Not only is there substantial bike traffic in this spot, but the local businesses are aware of the fact. Judging by turnover of parked bicycles while we were shopping, it seemed like some of them belonged to staff and some to customers. Sweet. Anyway, it was a really easy trip and I got all sorts of awesome stuff - asian noodles, masa tortilla flour, organic apples, and German chocolate! It all fit onto my bike. I'll be a regular customer there from now on.

Dry Cleaning by Bicycle

Now, I'm not the kind of person who irons her clothes regularly or worries about a few wrinkles. But I thought it would be a shame if I stuffed my freshly-dry cleaned items into a bag or basket. Fortunately, they draped beautifully across my rear rack and basket setup. One elastic cord held them in place without crushing the fabric, and they rode happily home with me.

Excuse me, got a light?

As you ride around the city, you will frequently encounter traffic signals that only activate when a vehicle is present. You can often see sensors embedded in the pavement. Urban legend has it that these detect a vehicle's weight - this is false. They actually use electrical currents to detect the presence of an iron-based (ferric, if you want to get all technical) substance, such as the steel frame of a car.

 

Embedded wire sensor

This means that a steel-framed bicycle has a good chance of triggering one if it's in the right place. It also depends on how your local public works department has set the sensitivity, which can be adjusted from the controller box. Atlanta, I've noticed, sets theirs so it does detect bicycles most of the time. Well, at least, my bicycle. I don't know about the aluminum and carbon fiber folks. There are a few frustrating exceptions, especially where I need to trigger a left-turn signal. And DeKalb County is hopeless. I simply have to run the light.

From what I understand, this is legal - a traffic light that is supposed to change when a vehicle is present, and fails to, is "malfunctioning" and malfunctioning lights should be treated like an all-way stop sign. Of course, the cars on the cross street don't realize it is "malfunctioning" so I wait for them to clear. If traffic is heavy, the light usually will get triggered by a car behind me, as long as I pull forward far enough.

Hopefully, our traffic engineers will become more sensitive to the needs of bicycle traffic and other lightweight vehicles, and start to adjust the sensors accordingly.

Stopping is Good

The worse the weather gets, the more useful it is to have your bicycle running properly. I usually have a few wonky things going on...a kickstand that I have to nudge back into place after riding over a bump, a shift lever that needs to be retightened every few months. I'm sure there are people who would spare no expense and effort fixing these things immediately, but they don't really bother me. I can work around it.

So, when my rear brake line started freezing up earlier this winter, I just used the front brake. It's not the safest thing to do, but not really a problem on dry pavement and moderate speeds. Then came the ice and snow. Riding with compromised traction AND compromised brake management was not okay.

Fortunately, I had just read an explanation of frozen brake cables and how to repair them, courtesy of Bakfiets en Meer. "Blue Belle" was particularly susceptible to this problem due to her brake cable setup: an exposed cable which uses short lengths of cable housing to route around curves. The cable gracefully follows the step-through frame, requiring an extra turn where the top tube meets the seat tube (see photo!). 

This looks neat and keeps the cable from snagging me. But it also creates a low point which collects water - hence the freezing problem. (Please ignore my scratched paint...)

I ordered new brake cables on amazon.com (for 70 cents each!) since the old one was rusty and frayed at the end. I unscrewed the clamp at the rear brake, which allowed me to pull the cable all the way out, through all of the cable housing bits and finally out of the brake lever. As it came out of the low point section of housing, rusty water poured out. Yuck yuck yuck! I took all of the housing bits and squirted WD-40 oil through them until it ran clear. Then I reassembled it with a new cable. Hopefully the remaining oil inside the housing (and maybe a plastic bag in heavy rainstorms) will keep it from happening again. For now, I am frost-free and good to go.

Grocery Shopping by Bicycle

I came across an article in the Transportation Research Record journal today. It was called "Explaining Gender Difference in Bicycling Behavior". The researchers conducted a survey among men and women in 6 towns on the west coast. One of the questions they asked was whether the person thought it was possible to transport children or go grocery shopping by bicycle. Over 30% did not think it was possible to shop for groceries by bicycle.

It is possible. I'm sure there are lots of suburban and rural locations where it would be more difficult. But here in Atlanta, it's pretty simple: Put some sort of racks on your bike, whatever works for you. Ride to the store. Use a basket rather than a shopping cart, at least until you figure out how much you can carry safely. Secure bags to bicycle. Ride home.

Apparently, a group in Portland, Oregon offers a class in bicycle grocery shopping. Do we need one here?

 

A one-bag shopping trip

Being Seen: Evening Edition

Wednesday evening held a few interesting encounters for me. First was Haley, a local bicycle aficionado with a smashing sense of style. I hope to see her around town on an equally stylish bicycle!

Second was a Cobb County couple driving down Peachtree Street. As we both stopped for a traffic light, they rolled down the window to compliment me on my bike and ask if they could take a picture. Then they asked if I was from Europe. I wasn't quite sure what to say, but hopefully I conveyed to them that you can ride your bicycle around town even if you are just Atlantan (or a transplant Atlantan).

Riding home on a drizzly evening. Sparkle, sparkle. Credit: Kyle

It makes me happy to ride a shiny, pretty, comfortable bicycle, but I like the advocacy aspect of it too. It's a conversation starter.

I have also augmented my lighting situation, and that makes me feel much better about riding after the sun goes down. I now have two lights in the front. One is a Planet Bike one-watt Blaze. It is really bright. The settings give you a choice of bright, super-bright (runs down the batteries faster though), and flicker (which is better in traffic than a slow blink - it allows other road users to track your speed and course more easily). I supplement it with my old headlight set to blink.

On the rear, I have a bright Planet Bike Superflash mounted to my rack, plus an old helmet light suspended from the seat. I leave the Superflash on solid and let the secondary light flash. It has eased my mind considerably about riding through the dark winter evenings.

Shoes!

First of all, I would like to emphasize that I don't consider myself part of the "cycle chic" trend. I've been cycling long before it started and plan to continue cycling until I am old and gray and wrinkled. Plus I will never be considered chic...

However, I do credit the images of everyday female cyclists on Copenhagen Cycle Chic with showing me that I was underestimating myself, and overly buying into the American marketing of bicycling as a specialized sport. So I tried riding my bicycle in high heels. Know what? It was easier than walking in them. I tried wearing a skirt on the bike - no big deal. Sure, there are always some outfits that misbehave, whether you are walking, bicycling, driving, or just sitting.

My favorite pair of boots, by Naturalizer

I've been riding in heels for a couple years now, so it's normal to me. But I realize that lots of other women still have questions. It's not vanity or trendiness - it will make you a better cyclist. And if you typically wear heels off the bicycle, then it will expand your transportation options by eliminating a previous limitation. OK, and maybe it's fun to intimidate, impress, or inspire the men and women who see you.

Ultimately, you just gotta try it. You should make sure that your shoes fit well, as in they don't fall off. Also, make sure they aren't too slippery on the bottom. If they are, you can use non-slip pads.

Cute ankle strap shoes become bicycle-friendly with a $1.79 modification

You can also slip a rubber band or two over your pedal. Another thing is to make sure your bicycle fits you well. You should just be able to get your toes or maybe the ball of your foot to the ground when you are sitting on the saddle. Technically, it is proper to come off your seat and straddle the bicycle when you stop. For a good example of this, see the video posted by the late Sheldon Brown, guru of all things bicycle.

I'm totally happy to answer questions or even help out the Atlanta gals...just ask.

Meet the Bicycles

Let me start with a brief history here...

First of all, I never, ever, ever rode a bicycle as a child. My parents bought me an adorable pink bicycle with streamers and flowers on the seat and a shiny silver sissy bar. And I had always loved my little red tricycle, so you'd think I would have switched easily over to the bicycle. My dad tried to teach me to ride it, and yes, I probably did go up and down the block a couple of times. And then never touched it again. Don't ask me why. I tried again in high school and might have gone a full two blocks on a friend's ten-speed. No further.

In college I rode a motorcycle, and loved it, but sold it for my move to Atlanta. Here in Atlanta, I started using the transit system and walking a lot. Then I got a job out in the Cumberland Mall area where the bus routes are much further apart. If I missed the 5:15 commuter bus back to town, I had a long suburban mile to walk to the nearest regular route. After a year or so, and influenced by some friends, I decided that a bicycle would make things much easier. Every bus has a rack on the front that carries up to two bicycles.

Bicycles on buses. Credit Cobb Community Transit

I got a generic women-specific mountain bike and started learning to ride it. After a month or so of regular riding, I felt pretty comfortable. I realize now how much I still had to learn, but it was not too hard - considering I was, um, not young anymore... It wasn't long before I outfitted the bike with commuter gear - lights, fenders, bells, smoother tires - and rode it all over town.

My first adult bicycle - Specialized HardRock - rugged but slow and uncomfortable on city streets

After a few years, I realized that my cycling habits called for more of a road-style bicycle, and started looking on Craigslist. This is when the Takara found me and changed my life. The Takara was so useful! Fenders that really work! A rack to put my bag on! A slender sturdy frame and easy step-through dismounts! A seat with springs and upright riding position to make me comfortable! I was hooked. I wanted more, actually. Soon I added a Huffy BayPointe with matching fenders and cheap internal hub, and a Free Spirit (Sears) Pinnacle 12-speed. But they couldn't match the Takara, and I eventually sold them off.

Who needs a living room?

After a while, I realized that the Takara was just a late 1970s Japanese version of British bicycles, most notably the Raleigh. So, when I saw a Raleigh for sale, again on Craigslist, I bought it before I could think twice. It needed a little work. Now, I'm somewhat mechanically inclined, but mostly I rely on help from bicycle shops, the Sopo bicycle repair co-op, and my wonderful friends. We got it running and I rode it during the summer. Then, one of my tires blew out (or should I say, "tyres", the British spelling - they were probably original) and I had trouble with the shifter cable during replacement. Plus I really need a new seat. But I love the ride. He is a 1973 Raleigh Sports. So anyway, I got "Cecil" the Raleigh fixed tonight. I hope to have him on the road this week, barring rain.

Nevermind the mess...meet Cecil

Friends, Food, Fresh Starts

Happy New Year!

We've been celebrating the passing of 2009 with craft beers and the company of friends. The rain and sleet of Wednesday evening (New Year's Eve Eve) didn't stop me from meeting some friends at Twain's, a Decatur pub that brews its own beer and has a convenient bicycle rack located at the front door. Most of my friends cycled there too; note the plethora of fenders, racks, and other handy things. Also, a shower cap will keep your seat dry.

The trip was made easier by MARTA, which I took most of the way there and back.

The following day, I ran some errands with the Beau. We had to do some grocery shopping, so I tried out a pair of panniers that he actually made by hand. The workmanship is fantastic - I think he has a potential side business here! But they are definitely his style, not mine, and I tried futilely to convince him of the merits of things like sequins, patent leather, and embroidery. The purpose of borrowing the panniers, in addition to grocery transport, was for me to test them and to figure out how I would want my own panniers to be designed. For that purpose they were a smashing success. Hopefully, someday, I will be able to post pictures of my dream panniers. I wouldn't want to use them all the time, though, just for trips that require extra cargo space.

Anyway, we took a circuitous route through town. It included a stop at the video store, where I stayed outside to guard the groceries. When I got bored waiting, I started to take some photos.
 
We also stopped at the Sweet Auburn Curb Market near Grady Hospital. I hadn't been there in a while, and I really have to recommend it to any intown bicyclists (or potential bicyclists). There are plenty of oddly-shaped but convenient bicycle racks out front. It is accessible by several low-volume streets (Edgewood Ave., Hill/Bell St., and Jesse Hill Dr.). It is barely a mile from the neighborhoods of Grant Park, Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, and Castleberry Hill. And, while it is nothing like the big farmer's markets, it does have fresh local food at good prices. Yum! I also recommend Grindhouse Burgers, located in the market.

So, the year is off to a good start. Thoughts for 2010: No matter what the past has been, the next moment is still undetermined. Every choice, every action we take in the present changes the world, if only slightly. Choose wisely.