The Sadness of Wearing Pants

**Nick** · 5th October 05, 06:17 AM

I sit here in my kilt. Before the beginning of the semester that wouldn't have been unusual. But since September I've not worn my kilt often during the day.

I just moved into town, and due to high gas prices and a desire to get in some semblance of shape, I've been riding my bicycle to work and class. I'm less than 10 minutes away from work by bike, and I work on campus, so I ride my bike to class so I can stay at work a little longer and get a few more precious cents on my paycheck.

I don't like riding my bike in my kilt. I'm always afraid that I'm answering The Question for anyone walking toward me. Today I decided enough is enough and wore it to work (I have no classes today). I'm sick of wearing pants! Does anyone else ride their bicycle in kilt that has any advice? I've considered walking instead, but that would require getting up earlier. I'll have to start walking eventually, but until then, what can I do?

Down with trousers!

Much thanks,
Nick

**Dreadbelly** · 5th October 05, 06:55 AM

Don't walk... Scoot!

Fast effective means of transportation. Better than a bike for somewhat shorter distances. Plus, you would get cool style points for scooting in a kilt, with pleats fluttering in the breeze. They also fold up very small and fit in to a bag, so you can take them on the bus with you, or take them in to class or work so you don't have to worry about theft.

**Gary** · 5th October 05, 06:57 AM

I bike to and from work occasionally, not very often since it's 13 miles in city traffic. I wear biking shorts on the ride there and then change into my kilt in the restroom. I just stuff (neatly fold) my kilt, shoes, shirt, etc. into a backpack and wear biking clothes on the ride. I don't want to get my kilt dirty or sweaty so I wouldn't consider riding in it.

Some people do ride in a kilt though. A lot of it depends on the bike, the route, and just plain personal perference.

Good luck!

**Shay** · 5th October 05, 07:45 AM

Do you wear a sporran with your kilt?

**Nick** · 5th October 05, 08:03 AM

No, I have a Mocker UK, a Workman UK, and a PK, so no sporran. I did have my keys and padlock in my pocket today, which I suppose helped a bit, but it'll only help with my Mocker.

**Shay** · 5th October 05, 08:11 AM

Maybe you could get a sporran and use that to hold down the front- they do an excellent job of it.

**Andrew Breecher** · 5th October 05, 08:36 AM

You could ride a girl's bike instead of a boy's bike. The lack of the crossbar is intended to accomodate skirts.

I'd personally be concerned about the pleats getting caught up in the spokes of the rear wheel.

Andrew.

**Shay** · 5th October 05, 08:38 AM

Originally Posted by Andrew Breecher

You could ride a girl's bike instead of a boy's bike. The lack of the crossbar is intended to accomodate skirts.

I'd personally be concerned about the pleats getting caught up in the spokes of the rear wheel.

Andrew.

If you sit on the pleats, they won't- if you're plunking butt on the seat and letting it hang over, you're going to have a lot more worries in keeping the pleats down than that!

**Riverkilt** · 5th October 05, 08:48 AM

Have a thread going about "vest extenders." Those things bikers use to keep their vests from flying in the breeze. They have a snap at each end and some are made from leather. The snaps fit UK snaps.

You can bicycle in your workman's if you buy a couple leather biker vest extenders and snap them to the front and rear modesty snaps of your workman's. The vest extenders should keep the kilt from flapping just like they keep the biker vests from flapping. Guessing any motorcycle clothing store in your area will have them.

If you're not familiar with them just google up 'vest extender' They're inexpensive.

Ron

**Raphael** · 5th October 05, 09:38 AM

What kind of bike do you ride?

If you ride a mountain/road bike with the saddle set for the optimal pedalling efficiency, you will need to tuck your front apron of your UK between your legs. I DOn't find that comfortable at all. Beside, if you ride out of the saddle for a sprint, you will need to retuck the front apron again. The extra materials are going to chaf your legs like crazy. I personally would not do that.

I say forget about it, brother. just ride with your pants/shorts. There is nothing to be ashame of. Pants and Shorts are facts of life and there are nothing wrong with them. You can always change into your kilt once you arrived on the campus. Most Bike commuuters do not usually wear the cycling wear when they are off the bikes anyway.