Kilts and Bicycles

[Smayniac]

I don't ride nearly as much as before Scooby, something about the gear associated with parenthood, but I can't imagine it would be very comfortable. I have the whole nine yards, shorts, jersey, helmet, funny shoes, and I still wear it all when I do ride; Way2Fractious has pics of him with his casual strapped on over the shorts at a rest stop, and I bought my first Sportkilt out of a bicycle catalog. Strapping on the full tilt kilt over the full tilt cycling gear seems a bit much, but a quick wrap and match the velcro wouldn't be so bad.

Bob

[Sylvain]

I've ridden a bike in a kilt once. The problem was that there's so much material in the pleats that it'll fall over the rear tire no matter what. I was worried that it would catch in the spokes. I ride a bike all the time, but I don't do it in a kilt.

You need a kilt-guard http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skirt_guard

[BoldHighlander]

You need a kilt-guard http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skirt_guard

Ah, is that what they are?
They have these here on Electra's Amsterdam bikes, the Classic 3 & Royal 8 models.

[Sylvain]

The other way is riding a Brompton, as I do.
http://www.brompton.co.uk/

[Kilted_John]

As I mentioned in the roadbikes/trailbikes thread, I probably will start kilted riding once I replenish my casual kilt wardrobe. Not going to do it in my 9-yarders, especially since I do ride frequently off-road and on muddy trails.

-J

[Ian.MacAllan]

. . . I'd definitely want a chain guard and fenders on my bicycle . . .

And they'd offer the further advantage of preventing the brown streaks up and down the front and rear of the rider which form in wet weather. Of course fenders and chain guards are not "cool" but practical things rarely are. Are brown streaks "cool"?

.

[Pleater]

I have ridden a bike kilted AND got it stuck in the brake, so it was something I avoided, however, in an emergency, I happened to be wearing my DPM kilt with the Arab headcloth as a scarf, the weather being cold.

I took the cloth, folded as worn, in a triangle, and wrapped it around my hips, the middle point being centred aft, and tied the ends in front.

When I sat on the seat the pleats were held against my thighs and well away from the rear wheel, and stopping at the end of the road - where there is a shop with a large plate glass window, I was able to see that it was not all that obvious, as the majority of the cloth was hidden from view. I therefore cycled on feeling far less conspicuous and have ridden my bike again the same way since.

When I reached my destination I was able to dismount, remove the cloth and put it around my neck - but when arriving home I found that the cloth can catch under the point of the seat - it stretches, being on the bias, so unexpectedly pinning me in place. Luckily I kept my balance and could stop and detach myself, but care is required for a 'rolling dismount'.

I would never intentionally set out on bike riding in a kilt, would take a kilt in a pack to put on at journeys end, but for short hops it seems to be feasible.

Anne the Pleater

[GDub]

I unicycled in the kilt... once.

LOL! Once is enough, especially if "regimental!" Having been a street performing juggler in an earlier incarnation, I spent a LOT of time on unicycles (both short and tall). If I was still doing it I would definitely do it kilted--in a casual, UK type kilt with bike shorts underneath and only on a short uni. Free mounting a tall unicycle in a kilt would be a bit tricky, although adjusting the kilt (getting the apron out from between the legs and off the seat) might make for an entertaining sight gag.