While you usually probably pedal with your forefoot on the pedal, with slippery boots or shoes with heels, you need to scoot your foot forward so that the heel is resting against the back of the pedal. You are actually pedaling with the arch of your foot. The heel locks your foot to the pedal. It takes a little practice, but after one short ride like that you'll have it down!
My wife tells me it's easy. Sole of foot on pedal. Not unlike the sole of any other shoe, she says. Much like the sole of a dress shoe for men.
There are scores of photos of chic cyclists in high heels on the blog, but here are three: heels heels heels All with sole on pedal. Must be the way to go.
I stand by my earlier statement that the easiest way to do it is to allow your heel to lock your foot to the bike. Perhaps in flat Copenhagen you can just pedal with your forefoot on the pedal, but where I live it is up and down, and you just cannot stand up on your pedals with the forefoot on the pedal. Especially not if it is the least bit wet or if you are wearing slippery shoes. I suggest Lady Banana try it the way I described before.
I avoid ridding my bike with leather soled shoes if I can because of the same problem but I can ride with leather soles if required. Us men might have it easier since there are plenty of nice mens shoes that come with rubber soles.
Also if you don't have a traditional town bike, like those pictured on this blog, then you probably need to stand more while riding. Actually it's also the case anywhere you have some hills. Just try and stay seated if that's at all possible.
However, that would involve purchasing clothes that suit riding your bike. Which kind of defeats the purpose of showing how effortless cycling should be, which is the point of this blog.
At a dinner party last week my wife and I were discussing the blog and high heels on pedals with our friends. The four other women present didn't seem to have any problem and none of them found it necessary to use the heel to gain purchase on the pedal.
I've never seen it done and I see high heels on pedals every day of the week here.
If you're trying to muscle your way along and break speed records, then heels are probably not a good idea. But if you are an average European woman, riding your average bike to and from work, then you don't need speed. You just need style.
hundreds of thousands of European women can't be wrong... :-)
ReplyDeleteWhile you usually probably pedal with your forefoot on the pedal, with slippery boots or shoes with heels, you need to scoot your foot forward so that the heel is resting against the back of the pedal. You are actually pedaling with the arch of your foot. The heel locks your foot to the pedal. It takes a little practice, but after one short ride like that you'll have it down!
ReplyDeleteMy wife tells me it's easy. Sole of foot on pedal. Not unlike the sole of any other shoe, she says. Much like the sole of a dress shoe for men.
ReplyDeleteThere are scores of photos of chic cyclists in high heels on the blog, but here are three:
heels
heels
heels
All with sole on pedal. Must be the way to go.
I also noted that the rear tire and rim don't match the front. Looks like the snow tire is on for the winter season!
ReplyDeleteI stand by my earlier statement that the easiest way to do it is to allow your heel to lock your foot to the bike. Perhaps in flat Copenhagen you can just pedal with your forefoot on the pedal, but where I live it is up and down, and you just cannot stand up on your pedals with the forefoot on the pedal. Especially not if it is the least bit wet or if you are wearing slippery shoes. I suggest Lady Banana try it the way I described before.
ReplyDeleteRubber soled shoes!
ReplyDeleteGoes for men and women.
I avoid ridding my bike with leather soled shoes if I can because of the same problem but I can ride with leather soles if required. Us men might have it easier since there are plenty of nice mens shoes that come with rubber soles.
Also if you don't have a traditional town bike, like those pictured on this blog, then you probably need to stand more while riding. Actually it's also the case anywhere you have some hills. Just try and stay seated if that's at all possible.
Rubber soled shoes would be practical, indeed.
ReplyDeleteHowever, that would involve purchasing clothes that suit riding your bike. Which kind of defeats the purpose of showing how effortless cycling should be, which is the point of this blog.
At a dinner party last week my wife and I were discussing the blog and high heels on pedals with our friends. The four other women present didn't seem to have any problem and none of them found it necessary to use the heel to gain purchase on the pedal.
I've never seen it done and I see high heels on pedals every day of the week here.
If you're trying to muscle your way along and break speed records, then heels are probably not a good idea. But if you are an average European woman, riding your average bike to and from work, then you don't need speed. You just need style.