Cycling gear

Jane

Veteran

Hi fabbers!

I wondered if the cyclists could help with gear for cycling

I'm aiming to complete a 100 mile cycle at the end of July and wondered if I should consider padded shorts?

I really would prefer not to as I don't want to add bulk to my already pear shaped bod.

I'm also concerned about being in leggings with guys I work with. I've looked at skorts, but that seems excessive.

Any comments would be much appreciated.

9 years ago

Dressing

28 replies

Latest reply was from Jane

Elizabeth P

Veteran

OMG yes.
I can't imagine training and riding without them. And the padding doesn't add any visible bulk.
Just get some. It will change your life. For the better.

9 years ago

Jane

Veteran

Resoundingly positive!

Are there any particular brands that are good?

9 years ago

Brooklyn

Veteran

I don't on road cycle but I cycle a lot at the gym and at home (I have a spin bike). FWIW, I wear a skort at the gym (I am very self conscious about my thighs) and it works just fine. I get them from an outfit called skirt sports (I think they are American). They don't have the padding though. I think the padding would be a good idea for a long cycle. Another option would be to get proper padded bike shorts and wear a sports dress over the top. I have a couple from nuu muu that are pretty cute. They are American. Here is the website:
https://nuu-muu.com
Or just wearing a long top may make you feel better!

9 years ago

anne

Veteran

I am also self consious about my thighs (and have done spin classes and commuted by cycle) and I think you should get proper padded shorts. I second the idea of a long top or a sports dress.

9 years ago

Anonymous

No advice about cycling I'm afraid, but chiming in to say OMG Jane! 100 miles!!! Kudos to you. I probably couldn't do 5! Is it for charity? Let me know if I can sponsor you as we're both in UK.

9 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Yes. For that much riding, yes.

9 years ago

Sal

Veteran

Yes definitely!! I think they feel bulkier than they look. Get a nice thick lycra that is firm - I was a cheapskate on my current pair and the lycra is too soft. There are different lengths too - if you like there are also ones below the knee.

Brooklyn, those sports dresses are pretty cool. I have never even thought about that before but I like them a lot.

9 years ago

Brooklyn

Veteran

Thanks Sally. I will fess up that I am the only person who wears a dress at my gym There are a few of us who wear skorts however. I wish they were easier to find.

9 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Oh my goodness, yes. I did my first century two years ago, and the only part of me that hurts after a long ride is my backside, and that is WITH padded shorts. My favorite ones are from Gore -- they are not cheap but they are very good. Pearl Izumi is good too. Last year I rode across Iowa in RAGBRAI, and those shorts were a lifesaver (7 consecutive days of riding, about 75 miles a day). http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....cross-iowa

I have a pear/hourglass shape as well -- wide hips and thick thighs -- so I understand the hesitation. But I just suck up some of my vanity to wear the gear that helps my performance and comfort.

I think it's awesome that you're training for this ride! You will have fun. Good luck!

9 years ago

Carla

Veteran

OMG! For a century ride - padding for sure. Cyclists call it a 'chamois'. Account for it and adjust your bicycle seat accordingly.

9 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Also...this might seem counterintuitive but if you have a wide or padded seat on your bike, you may find that a narrower seat plus chamois shorts are actually more comfortable.

9 years ago

LaPed

Veteran

Chamois is definitely a good thing. Try on lots, because ill-fitting is worse than none at all IMO. If you're not okay with wearing nothing but formfitting lycra, you could look at padded MTB shorts, or find a comfortable sport dress or skirt to layer with. Lots of cute wicking dresses out there these days.

Nodding along with Janet that a good bike seat is at least as important.

9 years ago

Anonymous

I like Pearl Izumis too. Mine look like board shorts with a padded underlining - I wear them every weekend . Really nice and a little more , uh, flattering than traditional cycling shorts. But on a ride like that? Who cares about flattery Good for you !!

9 years ago

Sal

Veteran

Randomly I think I look better often with more showing- as in workout tights and a fitted tee, or even togs, than in clothes. I am not under illusions about my perfect shape, but I genuinely think that.

9 years ago

always trying

Veteran

How much padding you need depends on the kind of seat your bike has, but almost all require some type o padding. We used to wear shorts, capris or some other pants over our cycling shorts, depending on the weather. So maybe a pair of slightly baggy shorts, or some such over them would make you feel more comfortable. I went from my mountain bike to a comfort bike (I call it an old lady bike) and it has a seat more like a beach cruiser. Even with that if I ride longer distances I feel much better with some padding. If you want

to be able to sit comfortably for the next week or so wear the padding. I assume you will be riding for a few days. Without good padding I know I would never be able to get to day 2. Whatever you decide if you wear something over them will probably be abandoned by day 2 anyhow.

Good luck and have fun. This sounds like something I would have liked to do, but am too old now. Have done about 50 miles over a 3 day weekend though.

9 years ago

Jane

Veteran

Hi there, brilliant, thank you all so much

Janet, i've looked at the gore ones and whilst £££, they look great.

The dresses look fun, too, thank you Brooklyn.

Thank you Di for your kind words.

Lisap, I think vanity will have to be put to one side. I'm also assuming that everyone else will be worried about something or other too. And it will be super early when we set of, so hopefully it will all be a blur!

It seemed like a great opportunity at the time to be offered a place on the ride. The others on the team are aiming for a 5 hour ride. I doubt I will keep up with them, but that's fine. I can find my own pace and it will be great to have done it.

I've lots to learn though, including using clips and, I hardly dare say it, going down hill without the brakes on almost all the way!

Thank you so much and I will let you know how I get on.

9 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

Holy cow, yes! Also check out this saddle for your bike: http://www.amazon.com/Terry-Bi.....38;redirec . Your lady parts will thank you.

9 years ago

Jane

Veteran

Thank you Ms Mary. Looks good! I will have a look at my saddle more closely.

9 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Yeah, 5 hours is a sustained 20mph speed -- I don't know about your route, but with or without hills, I'm closer to 15mph or less for long rides like that! Pace yourself and don't worry about others. Most of all, have fun!

9 years ago

Carla

Veteran

20 mph for 5 hrs is ambitious, but maybe if the course is flat and you are drafting? (My times are like Janet's with my 20k race pace 18 mph.)

FWIW, cyclists are the fashionistas of the sporting world. Have you ever seen the peleton of a tour de something? Looks like a moving rainbow!!

Kit yourself out, and have a blast. I like fingerless padded gloves for long rides.

9 years ago

Jane

Veteran

Janet and runcarla, wise words.

It's an up and down route with big hills between miles 40 and 70. it was the Olympic route for the 2012 games. Big challenge.

padded fingerless gloves is a great tip, thank you

9 years ago

Chris987

Veteran

Wow, I'm not a cyclist, very impressed by all of you who are. And doing a 100 mile ride??? AWESOME.! Kudos to those who have and will do this!!

9 years ago

BrieN

Veteran

Jane I am so impressed--100 miles is wow and it sounds like you are trying a new activity. Very, very cool.
I'm also wowed by all the cyclists on the forum.

9 years ago

Echo

Veteran

Good for you for planning that ride! I bike for enjoyment and don't usually participate in planned events, but I commonly go about 20-25 miles. I'd never make it without the padding! And I most definitely do not keep up a 20 mph pace; I am closer to about 12, but that includes some monster hills that I could probably walk as fast as I bike. I'm just proud I don't have to dismount to get up them, regardless of pace.

9 years ago

Jane

Veteran

Thank you all for the encouragement

There is a monster hill near where I live called Ditchling Beacon, which I can now cycle up (wahoo). But I've not yet summoned the courage to go down! So that's something I need to sort out soon, may be this weekend, especially having had a boost with the comments on this forum.

Thank you all so much.

9 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

Just adding my support for the padded shorts. I'm a mountain biker, not a distance cyclist, but I would die of agony without the padded bike shorts... Who cares what your rear looks like if it feels like one giant bruise!

9 years ago

Astrid

Veteran

That sounds awesome... I haven't biked for ages because the traffic here in the city worries me too much, but I'm looking forward to getting my bike out again once I move. I also own some padded cycling shorts which I bought for a weeklong trip I once did with a friend. I was also self-conscious and bought baggy shorts I could wear over them, but then it ended up being really hot that week (starting with over 30°C in the mornings!) so I never wore those. And it was fine.

9 years ago

Jane

Veteran

Thank you Alaskagirl and Astrid. Padded shorts and gloves are my next purchases! Such a boost to have so much support

9 years ago

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