A few photos of me reading Carlton Reid's excellent book, Roads Were Not Built for Cars." To anyone who does not already own this book, I highly recommend it! An in-depth history of transportation networks, it's a must-read for cyclists and motorists alike!
Chris Parham
3/16/2015 11:08:36 am
A must read! Where I live the first paved road was due to cyclists, not introduction of motor carriages as most gentle folks believe. In your bi and tricycle photos I do not see any skirt lift/clamp/elevator devices to pull your skirt modestly forward and away from the spokes. Are such devices ever a part of your cycling garments? I use a French made Surprise model in my history based fastener programs.
Sarah
3/17/2015 01:11:23 am
In the pictures for this post I'm wearing my tea gown, which is basically a Victorian house dress for lounging around at home, not for riding. My cycling skirt has a wide strip of heavy leather sewn into the hem, as per the advice in an 1897 Godey's magazine featuring cycling clothes. This helps weigh the skirt down without the need for lead tailors' weights such as were used on walking dresses. (Lead weights would be uncomfortable riding because they would bang against the cyclist's shins.) Furthermore, my Gazelle bicycle (not seen in the pictures for this post, but there are many pictures of it elsewhere on the site) has a full skirt guard over the rear wheel, and the chain and gears are completely encased as well (all internal gearing.)
Chris Parham
3/17/2015 03:37:31 am
Thank you for your thoughtful response. I did see your wonderful Gazelle! It was only in a second view that I saw a slight view of the spoke covering, and recognized the chain was safely enclosed. How I wish I might be able to pedal into my programs with such a delightful bicycle! My current (modern day) bicycle would instantly break the audience's period mood just as the modern penny brought the fellow in the imaginary tale "Somewhere In Time" directly back to the present. Skirt lifts/clamps/elevators are most known in the UK where they were once fiercely collected. (long out of print UK book by Mary Sawdon). In the US vaguely more known by the equestrian set, which is represented in their pictorial motif. There are a few advertisements, illustrations, photos which suggest the padded lift/clamp/grip attached by its cord or chain to its own belt clip, (I have one of these as well as the French "Surprise" model), and other small objects like coin purse, rather like a châtelaine, were worn at the right hip. Your adventure learning to master the controls of he tricycle was an exciting read! The reality of the doorframe width and weight is all too true.
Sarah
3/17/2015 04:59:50 am
One of my friends has the type of skirt lifter you describe; they're quite lovely. Comments are closed.
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