http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: What they don't tell you on bikeability... en Mon, 18 May 2026 12:30:34 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12187#post-143073 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 13:20:29 +0000 gembo 143073@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Yes apparently the material has bigger holes in the front to let air in and then smaller holes in the back to stop it getting out?? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12187#post-143051 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 10:59:25 +0000 Min 143051@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Oh I didn't know that. I noticed a bit of overly mobile breekery but didn't consider that it might actually increase lift! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12187#post-142951 Wed, 19 Feb 2014 11:02:12 +0000 gembo 142951@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Ah yes min apparently some of the ski jumpers were disqualified because their breeks were too flappy </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12187#post-142949 Wed, 19 Feb 2014 10:53:02 +0000 Min 142949@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>They all have long legs.</p> <p>(maybe it just seems that way to me)</p> <p><em>Braces good but would still leave a fair bit of waistband flapping? What about belt and braces? </em></p> <p>You could get quite a good bit of resistance training in with that though. I can imagine a sort of "clown bum" effect from wind inflated troosers when one is on the drops. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12187#post-142948 Wed, 19 Feb 2014 10:41:19 +0000 gembo 142948@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The Nolans had long legged types as they were also in high heels </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12187#post-142947 Wed, 19 Feb 2014 10:39:43 +0000 chdot 142947@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"I used to slide in to Dorothy Perkins to buy Gloria Vanderbilt jeans, having tried on a pair and found that the cut for a smaller waist-bigger hip suited the way I used to be when I cycled more often."</p> <p>I can understand the logic, but how many women's trousers/jeans are made with long enough legs?? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12187#post-142946 Wed, 19 Feb 2014 10:39:02 +0000 gembo 142946@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Gloria vandebilts were not cheap. You can see them on the top of the pops 1979 programme worn by The Nolans if you are interested.</p> <p>Braces good but would still leave a fair bit of waistband flapping? What about belt and braces? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12187#post-142938 Wed, 19 Feb 2014 09:59:54 +0000 Min 142938@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Haha, that is funny! I get round the ill fittedness of womens trousers by buying mens! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12187#post-142936 Wed, 19 Feb 2014 07:14:42 +0000 Tulyar 142936@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I used to slide in to Dorothy Perkins to buy Gloria Vanderbilt jeans, having tried on a pair and found that the cut for a smaller waist-bigger hip suited the way I used to be when I cycled more often. The other answer is braces (or suspenders as the US calls them). Another (male) friend wore Joan Collins jeans for the same reason </p> <p>I still suffer from the thigh-waist issue but not quite as severely and braces are the answer folks. Oh and Slaters for trousers - they have free alterations service, and huge range of 'fits'. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12187#post-142837 Mon, 17 Feb 2014 16:44:53 +0000 Bhachgen 142837@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Having cycled a lot in my teens when my body was developing I have always had that problem with jeans and indeed all kinds of trousers wearing out rapidly between the thighs. </p> <p>Even during the many years when I did very little cycling and way too much eating. That got rid of the issue of superfluous material at the waistband but didn't stop the thigh wear. </p> <p>Having been back cycling regularly for nearly 3 years now I have dropped 3 jeans sizes and could drop another size at the waist band if only they made the thighs big enough!</p> <p>On the subject of sportives I tend to avoid the ones with the big entry fees and adverts in the glossy magazines. They seem to attract too many clueless wannabes in full Sky team kit. Look for the local volunteer-run charity events and you should have a good day out. If you're used to riding a decent number of miles on the commute every week you shouldn't have a problem doing a longer single ride on the weekend on the same bike. As an example I did the <a href="http://wildwaleschallenge.com/index.html">Wild Wales Challenge</a> last year. 80-odd miles. Nearly 10,000 ft of climbing. Have a look at the photo slideshow on their landing page. Most of these were taken at around 65 miles. Plenty of road bikes on show but also a number of recumbents, hybrids, and a great pic of a smiling lady on a vintage "sit up and beg" with swept-back handlebars. There were a few nutters taking part on mountain bikes that hadn't even switched off the fat knobbly tyres for something slicker. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12187#post-142735 Sat, 15 Feb 2014 22:43:13 +0000 Snowy 142735@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Greenroofer's original comment...</p> <p>Concur...for the last few years I've been a bit concerned that jeans last just 6 months before wearing out between the thighs. Something needs to be done. Possibly involving teflon. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12187#post-142275 Mon, 10 Feb 2014 23:30:29 +0000 Smudge 142275@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Someone was mentioned in the last Audax Uk magazine who had completed a Super Radonnuer(sp?) series on a Brompton ;-) iirc thats a 200,300,400 and 600km Audax all completed inside a year...<br /> I've seen a slick tyred MTB and a Pashley Guvnor both going round a 100km BP faster than me on a "proper" road bike.<br /> Give a wee 100km one a bash, what's to lose ;-) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12187#post-142274 Mon, 10 Feb 2014 23:24:02 +0000 Greenroofer 142274@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@fimm: mainly that it would mean the purchase of n+1. I don't think it's practical to do audaxes (audaces?) or sportives on a flat-barred hub-geared hybrid with studded tyres and a dynamo or, despite what HankChief suggests, on the Brompton you* persuaded me to buy. I haven't got room for the n+1 I would need to be a 'serious cyclist'.</p> <p>I think I'll just to resign myself to being a frivolous cyclist with tight trousers.</p> <p>*It wasn't <em>just</em> you. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12187#post-142273 Mon, 10 Feb 2014 23:19:13 +0000 Smudge 142273@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@fimm "..a frivolous cyclist instead..", I like the sound of that :-) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12187#post-142268 Mon, 10 Feb 2014 22:52:58 +0000 fimm 142268@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Greenroofer, what's wrong with being a serious cyclist?<br /> (or do you want to be a frivolous cyclist instead?)<br /> ;-) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12187#post-142263 Mon, 10 Feb 2014 21:40:22 +0000 Smudge 142263@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Come to the dark side, we have cake stops..... ;-) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12187#post-142261 Mon, 10 Feb 2014 21:38:51 +0000 Greenroofer 142261@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@DaveC. No, an audax wouldn't be suitable either. You see, I'm not a <em>serious</em> cyclist. I'm just riding to work...</p> <p>Must...resist...temptation...to...become...serious...cyclist. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12187#post-142247 Mon, 10 Feb 2014 18:22:36 +0000 Smudge 142247@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>(un)fortunately my liking for beer and cake has saved me from that waistband/thigh mismatch :-/ that and wearing baggy craghoppers...<br /> @SRD, sadly society only allows that solution for those with the other set of chromosomes!</p> <p>On the whole though, be happy, it's probably a healthy problem! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12187#post-142238 Mon, 10 Feb 2014 17:47:54 +0000 I were right about that saddle 142238@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Greenroofer - I can only sympathise. A lifetime of cycling and hill running have left me taking jeans in a waist size three inches above what I ought to take, and then gathering in the excess fabric with my belt - all to fit in my thighs and behind. </p> <p>Makes me feel like some sort of T-rex shaped freak, when it's the buttockless, sedentary stick-men that ought to be struggling for clothes to fit. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12187#post-142229 Mon, 10 Feb 2014 14:23:38 +0000 DaveC 142229@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Have you considered an Audax? More gentlemanly sport (in a non sexist way SRD!!) as its not a race but a navigation and endurance sport, certainly on the longer rides. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12187#post-142219 Mon, 10 Feb 2014 12:44:07 +0000 wee folding bike 142219@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Ditto, Jim Beam's outfitters in Ayr never really dealt well with my chunky thighs till I got into men's sizes.</p> <p>These days I just go to outdoors shops because I'm too old to care. Also I don't go everywhere on a 70" fixed wheel anymore which probably helps. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12187#post-142218 Mon, 10 Feb 2014 12:37:39 +0000 condor2378 142218@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I've suffered from this since my teens when I was a competitive swimmer. I've never yet found a pair of trousers which fit and always have had to go up a size just to get my legs in. Now I do triathlons and marathons it's gotten worse as my waist has shrunk even more and it looks ridiculous. 30" waist, 22" thighs, 32" inside leg, and all the material bunched up at the top just to stop them from falling down. :-( </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12187#post-142214 Mon, 10 Feb 2014 12:25:55 +0000 MeepMeep 142214@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Beats a potato sack! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12187#post-142213 Mon, 10 Feb 2014 12:24:44 +0000 SRD 142213@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Easy solution: skirts and tights. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12187#post-142211 Mon, 10 Feb 2014 11:54:18 +0000 MeepMeep 142211@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>In the same predicament. It's not vanity to take pride in your hard-won gains!</p> <p>It's a real source of satisfaction to me that I can no longer find clothing that fits as it should - trousers/jeans, shirts/tees... That is, until the dreaded time comes that I have to look for new clothes. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12187#post-142209 Mon, 10 Feb 2014 11:14:35 +0000 gembo 142209@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I bought a new overcoat in the sales As my old one is from 1990s and very long and also too big in shoulders as I am back down to 38 from 40. The new style, lot shorter and neater and I would say they all make my backside look extensive. However, this is something I have known about for many years and certainly exacerbated by cycling. I did London revolution which is like two sportives the day after each other. Guy did the 180 miles on a Brompton, also in a long sleeved t-shirt made to look like dinner jacket and bow tie at end on tube home he alighted at Putney as we had predicted. He was only chap in group of women. At the stop offs they eschewed the queues for freebies as parents had a range rover with tail gate down and lovely spread laid out. If asked to say whether I was jealous I would say yes. However, always good to overtake the cat and put some distance between the two of us. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12187#post-142200 Sun, 09 Feb 2014 22:33:58 +0000 Greenroofer 142200@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>See? I told you he keeps trying to persuade me to do a sportive... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12187#post-142197 Sun, 09 Feb 2014 20:56:20 +0000 HankChief 142197@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'd suggest being pleased... your body is just reacting to the demands you're putting on it.</p> <p>You should try a sportive - it's just like the canal path albeit a bit hillier, longer and everyone is going the same way. Oh and there's people on really expensive bikes that only come out a few times a year for you to overtake :-). I'll even lend you a racer if you don't want to do it on the Brompton.</p> <p>And remember Strava calls you an athlete... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12187#post-142195 Sun, 09 Feb 2014 18:10:54 +0000 Greenroofer 142195@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'm torn between being quite pleased and a bit annoyed, and thought I'd see which you think I should be. So here goes...</p> <p>I'm a regular cyclist, doing about 60 miles a week every week year-round to and from work. I don't do any recreational cycling at all, so do about 2,600 miles a year, and have done for the past four years. I don't see myself as a 'serious' cyclist in any sense: HankChief keeps trying to persuade me to do a Sportive, and I keep declining. As far as I'm concerned, I'm just riding a bike to work.</p> <p>The trouble is, I've recently noticed that my thighs have started touching near the top and that none of my jeans fit comfortably any more round the thigh. I've not got thighs like Sir Chris (or that scary German whose thighs are bigger than my waist) but they are definitely growing.</p> <p>Oh, and my forearms are growing too, as a result of clenching the handlebars. However they started from such stick-like proportions that this isn't a problem yet...</p> <p>So should I be pleased about my improving muscle tone and bulk, or should I be annoyed that my clothes aren't comfortable, and it's hard to find ones that fit my increasingly unusually-proportioned lower body?</p> <p>...and should we insist that Bikeability training have a warning added along the lines of:<br /> "<em><strong>Caution</strong> Cycling is a highly addictive activity. If you start, you may not be able to stop. This can lead to undesirable muscle growth and unwanted damage to clothing.</em></p> <p>:-) </p>