I've noticed something odd.
Last Saturday, I biked to the Farmer's Market. On the way I stopped at a convenience store to get some cash, and had a nice little chat with a lady there about my bicycle (my "errand running" Huffy cruiser), the dangers of cycling in Corpus, and what good exercise it was. I was wearing a skirt (with short underneath, of course), sandals, and a tank top.
The other day I biked to the grocery, and as I locked up my bike had a family admire it (the little girl even asked her mom why THEY never got to ride their bikes to the store!) & chatted about my baskets and how much they held. I was wearing a sundress and matching pink tennis shoes.
On commute days, I'm in full regalia--padded bike shorts, jersey, tennis shoes--and no one says a word to me. Stuck in traffic, pausing for a bottle of water at the corner store, waiting at a bus stop, I seem to suddenly be "Other". A Spandex-clad Creature forcing her way on to the road, not to be engaged.
Has anyone else noticed similar treatment? Is "the serious cyclist" intimidating?
Both times it was with females who might have liked the whole stylish cycling look.
ReplyDeleteMegan
Yes, I always wear my normal clothes that I wear to work (skirts, high heels, nice sweaters) and frequently people comment about how nice I look on a bike. Lycra seems to breed hostility. I merely abandonned Lycra because I look like a stuffed sausage in it.
ReplyDeleteThe triathlon types seems to wear it very well.
@Megan: Good call. Maybe that's all we need to convince more ladies that cycling is fun: dress up! :)
ReplyDelete@She Rides a Bike: I've seen the pictures, and you do look nice! I definitely prefer it to the Lycra, though it's not always practical (darn it!)