Desire v logic

Cafewanda

I'm in a quandry. Many moons ago when I lived for melting credit cards whilst shopping, I never needed a reason to buy oodles of clothes/shoes etc. I've only been commuting to work since September and am 8 months into a self-imposed 12 month probationary period. I currently ride a Trek T10, had it 2 months. My previous bike was a very large Ridgeback Comet (I'm 4'11).

However, despite the above and admitted lack of bike knowledge/skills I want another bike, or two. One on which I can wear a skirt and another I can do the once a month Balham to Hackney jaunt quicker than the hour 10 it currently takes me.

I can (reluctantly) spot flaws in this desire but my heart is in the lead at the moment and I'm actively trying to work out the finances to get the 'girly' bike before the end of the warmer weather and use the bike2work scheme for the other. My last bike instructor understood my desire as, between him and his ladylove, they had 11 bikes with another 2 on order!

Feel free to add your comments..................................

King Donut

Cafewanda wrote:

One on which I can wear a skirt

You can wear a skirt on any bike. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

It sounds a bit like you just want to buy bikes for the sake of it! Without wishing to insult any male T10 owners, isn't the T10 a "girly" bike? Couldn't you just wait a bit and make a more informed decision in about 6 months time about the second bike.

DonDaddyD

That has to be on of the most awesome bike tart displays I've ever read, ever. You make Jash, LiT and Greg66 (a man with not one but two Cervelo's to commute on) look like extra's from an Olivier Twist movie.

However, despite the above and admitted lack of bike knowledge/skills I want another bike, or two. One on which I can wear a skirt and another I can do the once a month Balham to Hackney jaunt quicker than the hour 10 it currently takes me.

You've just got to love this rationale!!!

OK to help:

How much do you want to spend? What bike will be your everyday commuter and which will be you best bike?What type of bike do you want a road bike, hybrid, mountain?

Sounds like your skirt bike should be the commuter and the other one be you best faster bike. As for riding in a skirt, LiT (a girl) has ridden in a dress/skirt on a fixed gear track bike that could snap my shin.

What time are you heading through Balham (I assume the main road and up Balham hill) Its possible that I've passed you on my commute.

sarajoy

Coo, bike instructor? What did he teach you?

Jamey

Duh... He's a bike instructor, silly... He teaches the bike.

lost_in_thought

A conundrum indeed!

Let me tell you what I did...

Started off with the Old Commuter, and eventually decided I liked cycling enough to buy a bike for home as well. This was a sub-£100 road bike, quite a lot too big for me, and not the greatest technical thing.

Then moved to a different location, and decided the Old Commuter was too unreliable and slow, and I deserved a better bike after 3 years of commuting, so bought a £250 single speed.

Then I had some unexpected income, so decided to treat myself to a really nice road bike, based on the fact that I had now established (after 4 years) that I really did like cycling, it wasn't just a fad, and I could justify the spend. Logic was winning up to this point..........

In the interim between deciding to get a nice road bike and getting said bike, I bought another 'winter bike' that is currently languishing in a shed having been ridden all of about 200 miles.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do with that... it may have been a bike too far :oops:

I'll allow you to draw your own conclusions...

EDIT: As for wearing a skirt, in order to do so and retain decency you need either a) a skirt that's on the knee or longer and a bike similar to the 'old commuter'; or b) shorts under the skirt.

I go for option b) unless I'm on the old commuter wearing a skirt that's on the knee or longer!

il_principe

Desire v logic. In my world Desire wins most of the time. In my cycling world Desire's running at a 95% average these days...

greg66_tri_v2.0

Logic says that a woman's lips and mouth are 100% biologically identical to a man's lips and mouth.

Desire, OTOH...

Logic can be overrated.

DonDaddyD

If a cyclist girl (lycra clad they are one of the best looking examples of the entire female species, outside of office clad females.... mmmmmmm) was wearing a skirt and the wind blew it up in front of me regardless of the shorts underneath I'm passing out in a fit of joy!

As for desire and logic. Phluck logic I want to pretend I'm Alberto Contador (but dressed up like Spider-man in the Black costume) on Fulcrum bladed spokes, with a groupset better than the one I commute on. Now tell me the price for that dream and then I've got a reason to go to work in the morning.... that's my logic. My desire gives my logic purpose.

londonlivvy

I agree with LiT that skirts can be worn on any bike - though cycle shorts or at the very least Good Pants are recommended.

An inexpensive solution to the getting you to work quickly challenge might be to buy a second hand road bike - you'll then enjoy the summer and riding out and then you could get a snazzy end of season sales bargain via ride to work. If you are interested in that option then do have a look at www.thebikewhisperer.co.uk as Corinne (who's 5'1) is selling her old Cannondale (not sure how much or any of that sort of thing but I do know she looks after her bikes).

Kieran_Burns

Ok OK I'll say it then!


Women? Logic????? Whaaa????? :shock:











I'M KIDDING!!!!

woodyonthebeach

Think of it as test.

I failed miserably in this......

DDD is being a voice reason in this by the sounds of things

Cafewanda

Guys, you've brightened up my afternoon

Thanks for your responses. I knew my post wouldn't make too much sense but I had to get it out in the open

First point. I think I want bikes 'for the sake of'. I freely admit to being a tad illogical at times and this must be one of those times :oops: My commute is Balham to London Bridge. The Hackney ride is for my monthly facial and, despite the Richmond Park fiasco of Sunday gone, is my longest ride usually.

Second: The skirt comment is a 'doh' one as I remembered doing the skirt ride a few weeks ago on a Saturday morning shopping trip into Brixton.

Third: Jamey leave SJ alone!

Fourth: DonD, if you're up that side between 5.45/5.50, you'll have whiizzed by me huffing and puffing, sweating buckets whilst looking enviously at everybody else's effortless ride. I've only seen one other black female on my route and she's another of the 'effortless cycling' crew :roll: Beloved 2nd brother made the same comments some of you guys made, but then he demonstrates more commonsense than I do generally.

I think I've got spring fever. It fades eventually................

ACTUALLY, having read the recent comments I don't feel so illogical after all . LiT, you are currently my bike role model No.1 except I want to get to your level now rather than in a few years' time. Patience is not always one of my virtues, but I'm working on it :roll: :oops:

sarajoy

So what did he teach you?! I'm burning with desire to know if I simply must have a hunky bike instructor...

I got my new bike 'just because' - I probably could have done the commute at least for a few months on my old sit-up-and-beg hybriddy shopper thing. Not sure it would have been much fun, though.

My bloke said that would be the way he did it, try for a few months on what he's already got, and then reward himself with a bike which is faster and easier and newer. But in my world I buy stuff which I then simply /have/ to use because now I've invested my money into it! It worked, anyway

My bike isn't the effortless lightweight roadie, BUT my legs are strengthening noticeably now, and I'm able to cruise past one or two of the slower people on MTBs or shoppers...

DonDaddyD

sarajoy wrote:

So what did he teach you?! I'm burning with desire to know if I simply must have a hunky bike instructor...

How to drive a car.

Bike instructors teach how to ride a bike.

I think in this instance perhaps your logic should be winning.... :roll:

sarajoy

Oh shurrup you lot...!

I mean, was it literally how to ride?
Were there any exciting tips or tricks he showed you?
Did he go through highway code and good riding practice?

I'm just really curious!

Greg T

londonlivvy wrote:

at the very least Good Pants are recommended.

I am fairly confident that the definition of what constitutes "Good" as an abjective to describe Girls Pants whilst riding bikes in skirts will be - broad.

Put the keyboards down, bite marks invalidate the warranty.

DonDaddyD

sarajoy wrote:

Oh shurrup you lot...!

I mean, was it literally how to ride?

No he teaches how to ride a bike figuratively.

They all sat in a circle, in yoga positions with eyes closed imagining how to ride a bike. Then he asked the group to paint, eyes closed, with their feet what they would look like riding a bike.

At the end of the session they were all capable cyclists.

lost_in_thought

Greg T wrote:

londonlivvy wrote:

at the very least Good Pants are recommended.

I am fairly confident that the definition of what constitutes "Good" as an abjective to describe Girls Pants whilst riding bikes in skirts will be - broad.

Put the keyboards down, bite marks invalidate the warranty.

Well, from a lady's perspective, you're right, broad pants would definitely be advisable...

From a bloke's perspective, well...

Kieran_Burns

Greg T wrote:

londonlivvy wrote:

at the very least Good Pants are recommended.

I am fairly confident that the definition of what constitutes "Good" as an abjective to describe Girls Pants whilst riding bikes in skirts will be - broad.

Put the keyboards down, bite marks invalidate the warranty.

What kind of freudian slip is that? :shock:

lost_in_thought

Cafewanda wrote:

ACTUALLY, having read the recent comments I don't feel so illogical after all . LiT, you are currently my bike role model No.1 except I want to get to your level now rather than in a few years' time. Patience is not always one of my virtues, but I'm working on it :roll: :oops:

SCORE!

Yeah, I've been slightly flippant with my hobbies in years gone by, hence my more cautious approach...

SpinningJenny

Cafewanda wrote:

However, despite the above and admitted lack of bike knowledge/skills I want another bike, or two.

Feel free to add your comments..................................

You are a girl after my own heart - except on the skirt thing. I am sure I would end up flashing my unmentionables to the world in a less than enticing fashion. No, I don't go commando :twisted: but hot and sweaty nether regions surely can't be a good look, even with Big Pants!

Anyhoo. I am currently training for a 60 mile charity bike ride, having been conned into it by a friend of mine, who has yet to register. I'm lucky that I live where I live, since I can get out and about along the seafront, otherwise I may have lost faith in my ability to do it!

So, I own a Trek 7.0 hybrid and she's been a faithful girl. But the thing is, I know want MORE. More types of cycling (not just tarmac and concrete), more countryside, and ultimately, more bikes.

I fancy myself (in my dream scenario) as a super-fast roady, and then as an adventurous off-roady bunny-hopping over tree roots and rocks and elves and gremlins all over the enchanted South Downs...

I am fickle. But bikes are so pretty and shiny and they make me feel athletic and super-strong like nothing else....

So. I would like to join your club. I need at least 4 bikes. I need them NOW :twisted:

il_principe

SpinningJenny wrote:

I am fickle. But bikes are so pretty and shiny and they make me feel athletic and super-strong like nothing else....

So. I would like to join your club. I need at least 4 bikes. I need them NOW :twisted:

I hear that!

SpinningJenny

Cafewanda

sarajoy wrote:

So what did he teach you?! I'm burning with desire to know if I simply must have a hunky bike instructor...

I got my new bike 'just because' - I probably could have done the commute at least for a few months on my old sit-up-and-beg hybriddy shopper thing. Not sure it would have been much fun, though.

My bloke said that would be the way he did it, try for a few months on what he's already got, and then reward himself with a bike which is faster and easier and newer. But in my world I buy stuff which I then simply /have/ to use because now I've invested my money into it! It worked, anyway

My bike isn't the effortless lightweight roadie, BUT my legs are strengthening noticeably now, and I'm able to cruise past one or two of the slower people on MTBs or shoppers...

Hi SJ. I'd had a few lessons in the past as a 'never ever ridden before' person and I wanted to see what progress I'd made from an instructor's point of view, plus I was crap at turning my head more than 10 degrees right or left whilst cycling. He was a great help. Very encouraging. He didn't get my juices flowing but he did my nerves the world of good. When I've mastered hand signals he'll ride with me on my commute and comment on my riding etc.

None of my friends ride and they all think I'm nuts for doing it given London roads. Beloved bruv no2 understands my joy, but his road knowledge might not be of the 'safe for self and others kind', so I thought input from a cycle training bod would be a good idea. Works for me.

Cafewanda

DonDaddyD wrote:

sarajoy wrote:

Oh shurrup you lot...!

I mean, was it literally how to ride?

No he teaches how to ride a bike figuratively.

They all sat in a circle, in yoga positions with eyes closed imagining how to ride a bike. Then he asked the group to paint, eyes closed, with their feet what they would look like riding a bike.

At the end of the session they were all capable cyclists.

You done the class haven't you? SJ he didn't mention the highway code, but I've read that a few times and have yet to get hold of John Franklin's book.

Cafewanda

SpinningJenny wrote:

Cafewanda wrote:

However, despite the above and admitted lack of bike knowledge/skills I want another bike, or two.

Feel free to add your comments..................................

You are a girl after my own heart - except on the skirt thing. I am sure I would end up flashing my unmentionables to the world in a less than enticing fashion. No, I don't go commando :twisted: but hot and sweaty nether regions surely can't be a good look, even with Big Pants!

Anyhoo. I am currently training for a 60 mile charity bike ride, having been conned into it by a friend of mine, who has yet to register. I'm lucky that I live where I live, since I can get out and about along the seafront, otherwise I may have lost faith in my ability to do it!

So, I own a Trek 7.0 hybrid and she's been a faithful girl. But the thing is, I know want MORE. More types of cycling (not just tarmac and concrete), more countryside, and ultimately, more bikes.

I fancy myself (in my dream scenario) as a super-fast roady, and then as an adventurous off-roady bunny-hopping over tree roots and rocks and elves and gremlins all over the enchanted South Downs...

I am fickle. But bikes are so pretty and shiny and they make me feel athletic and super-strong like nothing else....

So. I would like to join your club. I need at least 4 bikes. I need them NOW :twisted:

My ultimate twin (except for the 60 mile ride thingy)

Actually at my age (46) I'd be quite happy to flash my unmentionables whilst wearing a skirt just once. As long as I didn't cause any serious RTAs as a result of that horrific sight. I'm in training to age disgracefully!!

John Stevenson

Surely everyone knows that the correct number of bikes to own is N + 1, where N is the number you currently have.

As for the sort of thing that gets taught at bike riding courses, I went along to one a couple years ago. The participants seems to get a lot out of it.

http://www.bikeradar.com/fitness/articl ... ders-12470

SpinningJenny

Cafewanda wrote:

My ultimate twin (except for the 60 mile ride thingy)

Actually at my age (46) I'd be quite happy to flash my unmentionables whilst wearing a skirt just once. As long as I didn't cause any serious RTAs as a result of that horrific sight. I'm in training to age disgracefully!!

Blimey - I assumed you were a dirty flirty 20 something

Me being not that far behind you in the age department - I applaud your growing old disgracefully aim! I have to say, the best thing I did for my (then unknwon) cycling passion was to move to the seaside. Having been born in the middle of the country (Brummagem!) I always wanted to be near the sea. Once we moved here, I was off exploring, and then realised that the best way to do it was by bike

I may still yet opt for a skirt....

Cafewanda

Morning Jen!

My problem is my mind is stuck in the 'age 20 something' bracket whilst my body and rapidly greying shaved head shows the lie .

I'm afraid I'm a die-hard city woman. My lungs can't handle fresh air and I've been known to fall asleep when visiting friends who live in Wellingborough and Solihull. OK, so those are built up areas too, but they have :shudders: cleaner air than London I would like to cycle along the Blackpool seafront one summer morning though.

I like the N + 1 equation too.

Just to show me that skirts and bikes go together, I saw one woman pootling along in the full getup: skirt and heels by London Bridge station yesterday after work. Her bike was a 'step through' though, whilst the woman this morning wore skirt, tights and flat boots, regular bike. Upper body was covered in both cases, just in case anybody was wondering

SpinningJenny

Ooh, hello Wanda - misse dthis yesterday.

I don't know HOW people cycle in heels. I go for the strictly flat soles option!

See now, as I was born in the smoke, i feel the urge for the fresh air! Once you've coughed up one of your lungs cleaning it out with the fresh sea breeze (or gale!) then it's all plain sailing from then on!

As for Blackpool - do it in the summer. Winter = massive waves crasing over the promenade :shock:

(Yes, my grandparents used to take me up to see the Illuminations every year without fail until I was a teen - October is a hellish time to go!).

Might see you at London Bridge yet