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Attractive bicycle clothing??

Classically Casual

Veteran

In the past my bicycle & I were acquaintances only. After my brush with breast cancer this winter, I'm very excited to be training for a cancer research charity ride in August. The course I'm doing is 50 miles & hilly. My bike & I will therefore be locked in a several months training hook up.

What do I wear? I have a pair of the dreaded black padded spandex bike shorts that I wear under something else. I really dislike tight spandex clothing. I prefer the more gnarly mt bike clothing, but there's not much made for women. And I know I need brightly colored tops for safety.

Have any of you fab ladies found bike clothes you're not embarrassed to be seen in? Many thanks!

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16 replies

Latest reply was from Sarah A

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I don't cycle often but when I do, I often wear my running skorts. They have the bike shorts but with the overskirt. I prefer the ones made by the running room. They come in lots of nice colors too.

Isis

Veteran

I like my bike jerseys! They are expensive, but you can get by with as little as one if you wash it right away---they dry quickly.

My two favorite are from Terry and Sugoi. I also don't mind the black bottoms; they go well with bright jerseys and I love the comfort on a long sweaty ride.

I also have a super-light screaming yellow jacket that I wear a lot; often over regular clothing when I bike.

Have fun!

Laurinda

Veteran

I'm with function over style when it comes to long rides (>15-20 miles), padded lycra shorts are worth it. I made the mistake of doing a 50-mile ride in cotton jersey shorts and it was damp and uncomfortable. Maybe keep a pair of over shorts or light skirt handy for when you get off the bike?

For tops I wear wicking synthetic fabrics in some shade of acid yellow-green, visibility on the road is everything. I wear these fitted, but not form fitting. I find the styles with contrasting side panels (usu. black) are more flattering.

Having a v-neck or front zip helps for controlling the temperature. I find v-necks on sale at Marshalls or Kohls for ca $10. They might be missing the zipper, back pockets or longer tails like you might find on more specialized biking tops, one source for these is Bike Nashbar. I have long-sleeved, short-sleeved and sleeveless tops -- really wish I could wear the racer-back styles but I need more support. The next sports bra I buy will be black, so I won't be so worried about the straps showing.

I also have a lightweight acid green vest I put on over whatever if I am just biking a couple miles in town and don't want to get all geared up.

Hope you have a great time biking! I love the feel of the breeze and the sense of transporting myself on my own power.

DonnaF

Veteran

Please have a light on your bike or on your body that strobes/blinks. The blinking helps motorists notice you. Reflectors and regular lights are harder to notice. Lame looking but safe is best!

Glory

Veteran

Hi - that sounds like a great goal. You will certainly need some padding for all of those hours. Are you in the US? Have a look at REI - womens cycling clothing. They have some shorts, and skorts that look pretty functional.
http://www.rei.com/search?cat=.....ng+Clothes

Classically Casual

Veteran

Dianthus, Glory, Donna, Laurinda, & Isis, thanks for your detailed answers & good advice. Sounds like I'll be needing to just go for gear. You've given me some new sources to consider which I appreciate. I'll mainly be training on a long paved bike trail during the day time, so my safety needs are a little less than those riding in traffic, but I still don't want any mishaps. Thank you again.

Echo

Veteran

I bike a lot - generally about a 19 mile ride a day in the nice weather - and I have tried everything. But for rides that long, there is just no getting around the fact that gear is the most practical and the most comfortable. No one expects you to be a fashion plate while you ride.

As far as safety goes, I just wanted to toss in that dogs can be a real issue. Trying to outrun them isn't always practical or safe, and I don't always want to dismount and try to face them down, either. Carrying a second bottle (either a water bottle or a spray bottle) with a strong ammonia solution that you can spray in the direction of an aggressive dog often works wonders (so does pepper spray, but the wind can carry that back and it isn't always legal or practical). If you are a kinder-hearted person, carrying a few milkbones you can toss instead might also keep their interest off of you. Either way, try to anticipate animal danger if you will be riding where there are homes. Too many people don't leash or fence their pets.

ClaraT

Veteran

I just bought this hot-weather top from Athleta in grenadine (Intrepid cap sleeve). It is super thin/lightweight and I love it (very flattering on me). Although the fabric is SPF 50, it has no sleeves, so I use it for early morning and 4pm + rides (I mountain bike).

As for bottoms, I wear the standard black spandex (no seams = no chafing where it matters most). I don't know if they look good and honestly I don't care (sheesh, my top is cute!) I tried on several shorts at REI that had an inner padded brief + outer looser short but none fit quite right. However, you can buy a padded brief and wear them under any loose comfy shorts (I know my girlfriend has some and also wears them under fleece tights when it is cold).

If you find anything good, please post! I was very frustrated on the shorts front and just gave up.

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modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Have you tried padded cycling underwear? you can wear them under anything:

http://www.amazon.com/Womens-C.....pd_sbs_a_3

Like others have said, I would focus on comfort for long rides. I'll sometimes wear an airy skirt over bike shorts. That way you can stop for a cup of coffee on your ride and not feel so self conscious.

Sarah A

Veteran

I also ride a lot. You cannot beat a full front zip jersey when it is really hot to keep cool. I usually wear gear, although I am starting to quite a bit of bike commuting to my childrens activites (park, libaray etc) so I am working on de-gearing my look. An aline skirt over the shorts works nicely. as do gear button (snap) front shirts. (Mine are nylon by exofficio and ultralight weight )

It is funny, I think there are so many options for women to cycle in these days versus wearing the mens clothes of 20 years ago! I suppose it is all perspective... Louie Garneau makes really nice stuff, also Pearl Izumi and as previously mentioned Sugoi and Terry. The terry bicylces catalog is probably a good one stop place to look at many female friendly items all together.

I would also engourage getting DeFeet arm warmers and knee warmers. They will make your shortsleeves into long sleeves and shorts into capris thus getting a lot more seasonality from your tops and shorts. Other brand make then but I have found the knitted material by DeFeet to be the best around and also still made in the USA (in North Carolina).

Mountain bike clothing will generally be cut baggie whereas road items will be more along the formfitting side. will look for some links to add... specific to clothing

Safety add on: 1. Good helmet 2. Sunglasses 3. Gloves (will protect you hands in case of a fall... let me tell you how long it takes you heands to heal when they are all cut up...) 4. Water/food for longer rides 5. Knowing how to do your own basic repairs (flat tire etc) and having the tools in a pocket or pack AND/OR having someone who can come get you if you need + phone in plastic bag (for unexpected rain!)

I am excited to welcome a newer cyclist into the fold

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Lol, when I bike, I wear a baggy t-shirt and black spandex shorts. I do have funky runners (red with white dots) and a cute helmet - I do wear gloves, even though they are kinda ugly (I've wiped out enough).

I usually carry a small backpack to carry my goodies, but I don't really bike that far. A lot of people have panniers that are detachable.

On my town commute bike, it is a vintage frame and I can wear a skirt And it has a basket, and the whole thing is powder blue. Such a sissy bike, but I love it. No need for gear to ride 10 blocks!

Laurinda

Veteran

It is a treat to see all the other bicyclists chime in on this thread. Good point on the gloves. I have gotten kind of pretty suntan lines on the back of my hands from the mesh ones.

On the fashion side, Mr. Laurinda was just looking over biking jerseys in a mail order catalog and remarked that the men's jerseys might feature military or beer themes, while the women get flowers, butterflies, or hearts. (Not that I have anything against hearts).

A couple sources that are kind of pricy are Team Estrogen
http://www.teamestrogen.com/
and Title 9 sports
http://www.titlenine.com/

As discounters are Campmor (although it seems they used to offer better discounts)
http://www.campmor.com
and Sierra Trading Post
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/

Sarah A

Veteran

Some (sale!) jerseys that arent all hearts and peace signs...

http://www.coloradocyclist.com.....play/90280

This next site carries mainly European brands so be sure to check the sizing charts well....

http://www.probikekit.com/clot.....rseys.list

Shorts you never want to wear more than once before washing (to keep yourself from getting nasty bacterial problems where they are most unpleasant) so perhaps be considering one or two more here as well depending on how often you ride o prepare for you event and also your laundry schedule. Usually the middle on the expense is good to go for here and the cheapest versions often arent that comfortable. Shebeast is a good brand for shorts as well as the others mentioned.

Classically Casual

Veteran

I'm having so much fun exploring all the links, thank you again! I do have a good helmet & gloves. Modgirl, thank you for the padded underwear idea.
I still haven't found the perfect for me padded bottom solution, so that would open up lots of options. And I do like the idea of throwing a skirt into my carrier, so I don't scare to locals when stopping for coffee. I'd never heard of arm warmers...now I'm obsessed with ones that resemble tattoos:http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodYM_20351.html But I've told myself I need to become a more expert biker before getting too strange with the clothing.
In the meantime, my "starter" jersey just arrived:http://www.rei.com/product/853.....-overstock It fits, and it checks off most of the boxes for me. I think it probably glows in the dark, but that'll be good.

keruchina

I'm a big fan of wearing a technical wool camisole-- I have the Icebreaker everyday cami http://www.altrec.com/icebreak.....mi-124883/-- underneath a normal, breathable top or tunic. The wool is the best for managing sweat/body temperature.

In colder weather, I have a wool sweater that I wear. In warmish weather, I just avoid polyester on top. On the bottom, I usually wear a stretchy, skinny pant-- leggings, jeggings, or technical leggings. I'd love to get some wool leggings, but regular ones work and are comfy.

It's tricky to avoid tight bottoms unless you wear a skirt because the wide part of the pants gets in the chain. Flared, knit skirts work great, but I don't know if you are going for a more "gear" look.

Sarah A

Veteran

Just rec'd this promotional cycling in the city email from REI, thought Id share...

http://www.rei.com/city-cyclin.....RMID=20130