Biking in the summer can sometimes lead to challenges when the weather is hot and/or humid. The breezes while pedaling feel fabulous, but once you stop, the sweating starts (or maybe it’s just me). Summer biking always makes me fantasize about the cool linens of the South – they seem so genteel and cool and comfortable, and look classy at the same time.

Enter Forest and Fin’s Bicycle Wrap Skirt. Forest and Fin is an environmentally-aware clothing shop started in 2009 by Lara Neece. Initially, her products were limited to silkscreened tee-shirts for men and women, but her love of bicycling inspired her to create a skirt she could bike in and still look good wearing off the bike. Because of her commitment to sustainability, Lara picked a design that would be flattering on every woman, be a wardrobe classic to last years, and be made in the United States with natural fibers and dyes. She has also designed into the skirt pockets and some hidden fasteners to prevent the skirt from flying up while biking. It’s a well-thought out design with lots of attention to detail.

I had the opportunity to test out this skirt on Bike to Work Day on May 15, 2015. I not only biked to work in it, but I had a list of errands to run afterwards, and therefore put the skirt through its paces. I’m happy to report that it is simply a lovely skirt and will be a summer staple once I get my Kickstarter-backed item.

First of all, the skirt is very flattering. The high waist (worn at the waist, not on the hips) will look good on everyone because it makes the waist look smaller, and who doesn’t want that?! Previous experience with wrap skirts on bikes made me leery about how this would work, but Lara has truly thought of everything. Not only does she have the hidden fasteners mentioned earlier, the skirt wraps so far around the waist that there is no (or little) chance that the skirt will blow up and expose too much leg or worse. This is pretty much the one feature that won me over. I also like the fasteners, which connect the front and back of the skirt together at the hem quite ingeniously. Lara doesn’t expose this trick on her website, so I won’t either – but trust me, it’s brilliant. I tried biking with the skirt fastened and without, and it works fine either way. The skirt also doesn’t look too weird when you are off the bike but keep it fastened – I didn’t bother to undo it every time I hopped off to run into a store.

The other wonderful feature about this skirt is the breezy linen blend. I felt very romantic while wearing the skirt, and twirled delightedly. It is the perfect summer picnic skirt! I couldn’t help but long for a steamy summer day, a casual bike ride, and a picnic lunch with my husband or friends. Although I tested out a natural linen colored skirt, you can also get a blue-dyed skirt or a dip-dyed version, and gray is another upcoming color option. Because her project reached it’s Kickstarter goal in the first week, Lara plans on adding to the collection. I’d love to see a fall-weight skirt and even a wrap dress.

The dress fits sizes 0-14 (American sizing) and comes in both regular and tall lengths (I am 5’10” and the tall length hit just above my knees).  You can pre-order the skirts on the Forest and Fin website, and be sure to check out the tee shirts as well. Because the Kickstarter campaign ended in June, the skirts are not available yet, but will be soon. You’ll want to get one of these soon, because the summer isn’t over and you’ll want that picnic eventually.

Follow Forest and Fin on Twitter and Instagram.

You can pre-order this skirt for $84 (normal price £128, with delivery expected in late August/early September.

The post Forest and Fin’s Bicycle Wrap Skirt – Review appeared first on Discerning Cyclist.

At long last, Levi Strauss & Co. has created a bike commuter clothing collection for women. The men’s collection has been out several years and is quite popular, but women who bike have long asked why the denim giant neglected their market. Now there is no need to ask – it has arrived with several pieces, everyday basics including the jeans, shorts, a few shirts and some jackets, even a classic denim jacket. All are styled like classic Levi’s products in basic colors for everyday wear.
I received a pair of the Commuter Skinny Jeans in “Cityscape,” a classic dark denim color; they are also available in gray and black. I went a size up and still found them to be initially a bit too skinny, although wearing and washing them repeatedly has broken them in enough to be comfortable. The biggest difference with the fit of these jeans is that not only is the waist high in the back for better coverage, but the front is high as well. The cut of the legs is so skinny that I have to peel them off my calves, but they are not uncomfortable.

To the chagrin of many women, these bike commuter jeans are lacking in many of the bike features that the men’s jeans have, specifically no U-lock loop nor a reinforced crotch. The outside seams have reflective trim on the inside, visible when the pants are cuffed, and the lined back pockets are deeper than most jeans. They also feature what Levi’s calls “Ecropel,” a water-resistant technology, and claim to be odor repellent as well. The denim isn’t as stretchy as expected, so initially a bit stiff on the bike, but has broken in just fine. I don’t want to test out the odor repellent feature, but that may be important to some. The water repellent finish didn’t repel dog slobber, by the way.
I personally find these jeans to be extremely flattering, and quite on trend, as high-waisted jeans are creeping back into style. The high waist seems to slim my hips, and the deeper back pockets tend to be flattering on most women as well. I wish I had a longer length (the website shows that a longer inseam was once available but is no longer). Shorter women have expressed regret that there is not a more petite version as well. They do not look like “bike commuter” jeans, and even the sleek black leather Levi’s patch on the back right hip is subtle and more chic than traditional Levi’s jeans. These you can wear out and not feel like you are in your weekend jeans!

These jeans are priced at £80/$88, a fairly average price for good jeans. The denim doesn’t seem to be the highest quality denim, and in fact left my legs blue the first few times I wore them, from the dye. But as I’ve washed them, the denim has softened and no longer leaves me blue, so they have become more like the good jeans I owned long ago. I assume that these jeans will last me for a while, although I’ll have to keep an eye on the crotch – the fact that it’s not reinforced, even at that price, is a bit disappointing.
I don’t consider these to be the highest quality jeans on the market, even on the bike jeans market, but they are definitely the most flattering – the ones I want to wear out on date night. The denim isn’t high end Japanese denim, but it doesn’t need to be. I wish the reflective detailing on the seams was of higher quality; it’s just painted on rather than stitched-on fabric. That being said, I feel that I can make these my everyday jeans and not worry about anything happening to them. And I’ll know that I look good in them, and isn’t that what we all want from a pair of jeans?
Buy the Women’s Commuter Jeans from Levi’s for £80 here.

You can read more from Elizabeth on her blog, tinlizzieridesagain.

The post Levi’s Women’s Commuter Jeans – Review appeared first on Discerning Cyclist.

Living on the second floor of an apartment with only a narrow stairwell for access, I spend a great deal of time carrying my bike up and down stairs. It’s awkward and uncomfortable, and I’m amazed I haven’t injured myself – or fallen down the stairs thanks to an off-balanced load. The 550 cord braided handle helped, but was neither elegant nor comfortable.

I was therefore very excited to receive my Walnut Studiolo “Little Lifter” bicycle frame handle for Christmas this year. The Little Lifter is the Walnut Studiolo signature product, launched by a Kickstarter campaign in 2012 and featured in the Metropolitan Museum of Art Design Store. Heavy credentials for a bike accessory!

But the praise seems well warranted. The black leather handle I received is made of luxurious leather and buckles easily in place. It looks much more elegant than the cord handle my husband rigged up, and completes the sartorial look of my bike.

But this stylish handle is more than a thing of beauty – the width of the handle actually seems to somehow balance my bike better when I carry it, thus easing the strain of carrying a heavy bike loaded down with filled front basket and an overstuffed pannier (or two).

On the company’s website, they explain the ergonomics of where most cyclists carry their bikes (the top tube), and the awkward strain they then put on their arm, shoulder and back. I can promise that this handle eases much of the physical stress, even compared to the rope handle I had before. Many of us look to our bicycles for health reasons too, so shouldn’t a more ergonomic way to lift your bike, when needed, be a serious purchase?

Made from tanned leather from US-raised steer, the handle is available in black, natural, honey and dark brown, giving everyone a color that fits their bike style. Walnut Studiolo sells leather conditioner that they claim is not only weather-proofing, but has antifungal and antimicrobial properties as well. I wasn’t really concerned about that, but it’s good to know, right?

In addition to the Little Lifter, Walnut offers beautiful leather braided bar wraps, leather panniers, leather beer can holders, mud flaps, and more. Owner Geoffrey Franklin, a Hugh Jackman-lookalike, manages the Portland, OR-based company along with his wife and a very small team, designing and creating all the products by hand in their workshop. Despite being such an American-made company, they do ship internationally, so you can make sure your bike is stylishly accessorized no matter where you live.

Buy the Little Lifter here for £29.26.

Read more from Elizabeth on her blog, tinlizzieridesagain.

TOURBON Vintage Bicycle Frame Holder

• This Tourbon Bicycle Frame Handle Bike Little Lifter is made from leather and brass finished buckle
• Fits on most Bicycle frames
• Easy to install

Check Price

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I think I am not alone in believing that buying new jeans, for women, can be as challenging and frustrating as buying swimsuits. My favourite pair, purchased in 2006, is in such terrible shape that I can’t wear them out of the house anymore. I have others, but I’ve been hunting for a nicer pair for a while. Therefore, I was more than happy to test a pair of jeans from Ligne 8, a new bike clothing company with a wide range of bike-friendly clothing options for men and women. 

I have been interested in Ligne 8 since Velojoy did an article on them. I was happy to discover that they have not only make bike-friendly clothing for men and women, they have a wide range of pieces for each. Two pairs of jeans, two skirts, a dress, six shirts, six knit tops, five jackets, four pairs of pants (not including the jeans), and a pair of shorts… You get the idea – a person could easily dress herself completely out of this collection, if her wallet allowed!

Both the Aubrey straight leg jean and the Simone cropped jean are made from Japanese denim with “NANOtex” technology to make the denim more all-weather appropriate. If you aren’t familiar with Japanese denim, there are plenty of articles out there pronouncing its superiority. I don’t consider myself a denim enthusiast, but I am always interested in quality materials and craftsmanship. The denim feels softer, more flexible somehow, and even after I washed them (cold water, hang dry), they softened up quickly. I don’t know if that is a Japanese denim trait, but I definitely appreciate it.

Initially, I received the Aubrey jeans in my normal size 8, but I could barely squeeze into them, and asked if I could get a size up. The size 10 pair fits much better and looks better. They actually look really nice, and the darker denim is very classy. The stretch in the denim means they stretch out a bit, but I prefer that to being too tight. I like the reflective trim on the selvedge edge, as well as the reflective logo up the inside back of each leg, but I am disappointed that the reflective logo starts so high up inside the leg. I had to really roll my pant legs up to see that (I prefer a pants strap, if necessary, but I realize cuffing pant hems is a thing for many people). I wish there were inseam length options, since I have a slightly longer leg and like a longer inseam.

The jeans are have a slick denim print “anti-chaffing” patch (described as a gusset, but it’s not really a gusset because it goes over the seams, not into the seams) in the crotch to make biking more comfortable. It is very soft, and blends in so well that I initially hadn’t noticed it. I can’t say that I noticed it made a difference biking, but it could if I wore them more frequently. The back is higher, of course, for a bit of extra coverage, and the pockets seem deeper than my other jeans; my iPhone 6 fits pretty well. They were neither tight nor constrictive while biking, but I didn’t have an opportunity to test the water-repellant properties.

I believe they are well constructed, and the bike details, along with the Japanese denim, make them a high quality garment.  The price, $128 a pair, is about average for a really good pair of jeans, which is what I consider these to be.  I have worn them more than I normally wear jeans, because they look dressier than what I currently own.

When I’m ready to buy jeans, these just might be the pair I buy. I could buy a dressy pair of jeans from many places, but I might as well get the higher rise in the back with the reflective trim on the seams. If you are going to buy something you’ll wear frequently, why not get something bike-friendly?

You can read more from Elizabeth on her blog, tinlizzieridesagain.

The post Cycling-Friendly Ladies Jeans from Ligne 8 appeared first on Discerning Cyclist.

So you are thinking about biking to work – good for you! It is a great way to get some exercise, save some money, increase your happiness, enjoy the world around you, and do something good for the environment. Despite knowing all the benefits, it still is not as easy as just jumping on a bike. There are basically three things that you need to consider as you prep for your first ride to work: attitude, bikes and gear and appearance logistics. Overwhelmed already? Don’t be – keep reading for some suggestions on how to manage all of these.

Attitude

• First and foremost, you need to overcome yourself. If your mind tells you that you can’t do this, that it’s too hard or complicated or you don’t know what you are doing, stop and think about all the other things you have accomplished in your life. Chances are, some of them were much harder, more life altering, or more dramatic. Women are stronger than we think, and our self-doubts sometimes get in the way of our success. According to journalists Claire Shipman and Katty Kay, confidence comes from doing; the more successes you achieve, the more confident you will become. Your first bike ride to work will be your hardest; it will get easier as time goes on.
• Part two of overcoming yourself and becoming more confident is to learn to be comfortable in traffic. Read up on the traffic laws in your jurisdiction; maybe carry a printed copy with you for reference. Then take the lane and don’t apologize; own the road – this is no place for shrinking violets! This is definitely easier said than done, but as mentioned above, the more you do it, the more quickly you will become confident.
• Testing your route before you need to do it is another way to build confidence. After you map it, either with Google or paper maps, drive it, or bike it on a weekend. Becoming familiar with the route when you are not worried about getting to work on time will mean a less stressful first day!

Bikes and Gear

• What will you actually need? A bike, of course! Everyone has different ideas about the type of bike to use, from a skinny tire road bike to a brightly colored upright Dutch-style bike. Take some time to test out different ones before you commit, maybe borrow bikes or try bikeshare You won’t automatically know what works best for you (sort of like dating!). But ultimately you want it to be a bike you love, one you are happy to see every morning.
• There are some gear basics that you will need: a bike lock, lights and fenders. You especially want to know the best way to lock your bike. You need a white light on the front of your bike and a red light in the back. Fenders are a bike-to-work must because they will help keep water and mud off you, ensuring you arrive at work in the same clean condition you left your house. There is a wide range of lights and fenders on the market, so simply pick what works best for your budget and style.
• Weather protection means different things to different cyclists as well. Some prefer rain pants and a rain coat, while others prefer stylish rain capes. Warm water-repellant gloves are a winter biking must, and many swear by shoe or toe covers and balaclavas. In the summer, consider biking to work in a moisture-wicking top, then changing upon arrival.
• A rear rack on your bike means you can then add panniers or baskets to carry your stuff, rather than wear a backpack, which will make you sweatier. It may take some experimentation to come up with your ideal method (rear basket, front basket, two panniers, one pannier, etc). There are plenty of stylish yet practical options out there (and some less practical), so you have the opportunity to personalize your bike. Self-expression is part of the joy of biking, after all!

Appearance Logistics

• How to look professional once you arrive at work is one of the biggest challenges. Most women keep a second set of toiletries and makeup at work, along with extra clothes and shoes. If your office doesn’t have a shower, see if there is a gym nearby that you could use, or use shower wipes to freshen up in the bathroom. You may become more comfortable with relaxing some personal grooming standards as well, wearing less makeup, for example (just don’t give up the deodorant, for your coworkers’ sake!). You may also want to develop an arsenal of responses for the inevitable “What are you doing?” questions that will arise from curious or perplexed coworkers – “Why do you ask?” might be a good initial response.
• Helmet hair is a big turn-off for many women, with good reason – it is hard to feel polished and professional with sweaty mangled bangs. Some women swear by tying a silk scarf over their hair before donning a helmet, while others switch their parts under their helmet, so that when they get to work, it is less munched when they flip it back. Braids, twists, ponytails, and other ‘dos are all worth experimenting with – and keep hairpins and headbands at work just in case.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, keep in mind that you do not have to bike to work every day. There will be days when it simply doesn’t work for you. That is perfectly okay! Be flexible and be realistic, and most of all, remember that you are biking to work because it is fun and healthy – not because you must.

You can read more from Elizabeth on her blog, tinlizzieridesagain.

The post Ladies Cycling to Work Tips appeared first on Discerning Cyclist.

Poland? Why was I getting a package from Poland? Oh yes – Bike Belle is located in Poland! Yay, my Bike Belle accessories arrived faster than anticipated! I was very excited to test out some new bicycle accessories, and these do not disappoint!

A bike bell, valve caps, and a seat cover were soon unpacked, and I was delighted to see them in person, after studying them on the website. The purple bike bell, the Bike Bake Luv XXL Bell, is just so adorable, as are the coordinating Gingerbread Bike Bake Luv valve caps. I haven’t had valve caps on my bike in ages, but there is no way I’m ever replacing these! And the leopard print seat cover now seems perfectly natural on my bike.

The bike bell truly is XXL – I was a bit shocked to see exactly how much larger than my Electra bell it is. But once on my bike, I hardly notice the size, and frankly, it’s too cute for me to care. Hand decorated in Poland as part of the Bike Bake Luv collection, the bell looks just like a cupcake, complete with a heart-shaped gingerbread cookie, sprinkles, and two straw-like cookies. But it’s not just cute – the bell has a wonderful, unexpected sound, like an old-fashioned doorbell. It’s certainly noticeable! The cookies were broken during shipment, but I was able to glue them back together with no problems.  And then somehow I ended up breaking one off completely – perhaps being so close to my front basket meant that I accidently smacked it with my purse, and didn’t realize it. Disappointing, but at least the heart cookie and sprinkles are still there! And it does still ring, which, of course, is the point of having a bell in the first place, right?

The coordinating valve caps are also handmade in Poland and part of the Bike Bake Luv collection. They work with Schrader valves, and the website says they can work as adapters for presta valves, also, so suitable for any bike. Although the Bike Belle website shows cute valve caps in other designs such as owls, ladybugs and even Discerning cats, the bakery theme ones really are the most adorable. The website is correct – bakeries and coffee shops should be selling these!

The leopard print seat cover has been the most delightful surprise.  It isn’t a perfect fit to my saddle, and just slips on with no way to adjust it, but it doesn’t slip around, or slip off. The fuzzy fabric does stick a bit, depending on what clothing I’m wearing, but not enough to be a problem.  I was a bit nervous the first few times I had to leave the bike locked on the street – should I take the cover off? Would it get stolen? So far, it hasn’t been a problem. However, if I knew I was in a sketchier neighborhood, or if rain was threatening, I could easily remove it, and stuff it in a pocket for my return. It is certainly cozy, and a very fun accessory.

I asked the other women in my office who bike to give me their feedback on these items, and the bike bell was by far the favorite item. There are so many other cute bakery themed bells on the website that I am now thinking ahead to the holidays – which friend bikes and bakes the most and would want one for a gift? Really, it’s the perfect thing.

You can read more from Elizabeth on her blog, tinlizzieridesagain.

The post Bike Belle – Cycling Accessories Review appeared first on Discerning Cyclist.

One of the best things about biking in the summer is the pure pleasure that comes from biking in a skirt or dress and sandals. It’s a hard-to-describe feeling but it’s very freeing and relaxing. Of course, it can sometimes be too freeing, if a breeze catches you off guard and lifts your skirt or dress a bit higher than you might be comfortable with… Yes, it’s a problem. 

I normally wear Jockey Skimmies Slipshorts under my skirts and dresses, so I don’t worry too much about flashing the world, but I’ve long lusted after the NOMONRO Dress Clips. I don’t remember when I first discovered them, but as a European product, they weren’t something I could easily get. The shipping from the Netherlands cost about the same as the product alone! So when my husband and I were planning our recent European honeymoon, I naturally searched the NOMONRO website for store locations. They were available in a store in Amsterdam, one of our destinations, so I wrote the address down, and dragged him across town (I say “dragged” but as an equally avid bicyclist, he was more than happy to visit another Dutch bike shop).

The tattooed sales guy at The Chopperdome was very helpful and happy to chat. He said his girlfriend loves hers and he demonstrated how she sometimes clips the front and back of her skirts together with the clip, to make sort of trousers.  They are lovely – embroidered Italian leather over a metal snap clip. The range of design options of the NOMONRO Dress Clips is a huge selling point to me. I bought two, a pink and a blue one, so I can color-coordinate with my wardrobe.

So here is how it works – simply clip the Dress Clip to the hem of your skirt and go! I have tried three different dresses so far, all of different lengths and fabric weights. This is what I learned:

1. It feels weird to have a 4” weight banging on my thighs. My bike has a top tube, and the Dress Clip bounced between that and my legs. It wasn’t bad with the shorter skirt, so I’m sure that for women who ride step-through bikes, this isn’t much of a problem.
2. To counter the Dress Clip banging on my legs, I tried clipping it off-center, instead of dead center, but then it didn’t seem to weigh the hem down enough. So I will stick with leaving it dead center and just let it bounce around as I pedal.
3. The slipperier the fabric, the more I worried about it sliding off, but it never did. I might be more concerned if I biked to work more than three miles, but if my bike commute was longer than that, I probably wouldn’t wear my work clothes, either.
4. Once off the bike, the clips are cute to snap onto a purse strap, jacket collar, or scarf. The packaging shows clipping headphone cords to a collar as well, which I think is a brilliant idea and will definitely do.

There have been several options floating around on how to keep from flashing the general public when biking in a skirt or dress, including the recent “Penny in Yo Pants” video. However, I think the NOMONRO offers a classy, fashionable option that doesn’t wrinkles skirts or make you look like a college student (since not all of us are), and comes in a large enough variety of style that every woman can find one that works in her wardrobe. I know that I will get plenty of use out of my NOMONRO Dress Clip, and will feel stylish and unique while doing so!

For more information, check out the website and find NOMONRO on Facebook and Twitter.

You can read more from Elizabeth on her blog, tinlizzieridesagain, or follow her on Twitter: @TinLizzieBikes.

The post NOMONRO Dress Clips: Cycling in a Dress appeared first on Discerning Cyclist.