Road biking clothes

I'd really recommend getting a pair of fingerless cycling gloves. DP never wore them, and then he got knocked off his bike. Of course the first thing you do is put your hands out to stop yourself and the injury was quite severe. Of course once it's happened, you notice that everyone else is already wearing them .

Oh, I just thought. There is a women's cycing forum. It's US-based but is a mine of information: Team Estrogen

Mountaingirl - forgot to say, OH told me that Chain reaction post free to france so they would be a good bet for you!

You def need to top with bib shorts! They are a bit like cycle short dungarees, the top part is generally just straps so you don't have to have a waist band round your middle. They are a faff for toilet stops tho, especially if it is a wild toilet break rather than in a cubicle!

Reading this is making me sad I don't get out on my bike much these days, and my road bike is gathering dust in the shed as it can't take a child seat.

Are bib shorts comfortable for those who are large of nork? Do you wear them with a top as well?

I am trying to go out more than twice a week so need to get some new kit.

What sort of cleats are you using mountingirl? I clipped in for the first time a couple of weeks ago and am getting on fine. I had the clips and cleats adjusted by the bike shop so they are quite easy to get out of.

I put the cream on the padding. Mostly where my sit bones are - I have a dip in my saddle where my lady bits are which takes the pressure off quite nicely but does put more on the bones.

No veet here.

I did read a nice story about a cyclist who used his girlfriend's moisturiser as chamois cream. He noticed after a while that his man-bits were going a funny colour and was about to go to the doctor in a panic when he realised that the moisturiser had a self-tanner in it

bib shorts mean you have to strip to pee. not handy.

chamois cream, on your bits. your immac'd veet'd bits.

I really rate santini shorts, have tried many. Can do 100 mile + rides and combined with chamois cream no discomfort. One of the girls in our club got a set and now half a dozen of us sport them.

Jerseys are much of a muchness, i have many but wear the same ones over and over. You do get what you pay for so if you are doing longer rides I would advocate buying the best you can afford.

Gore or Specialized for me. Got Specialized shorts for road and a pair of their MTB shorts and they're all very comfortable. Gore does come up very small in size but is nicely made. I buy a lot of stuff from Wiggle, mainly out of season when it's highly discounted. I have got a pair of DHB long bib tights for the winter, they're very warm and weren't that expensive, padding doesn't feel quite as comfy for me as the Specialized ones though.

The cleats take a while to get used to but do make a huge difference in your cycling. Everyone falls off at first but it won't take long to become second nature. I'm even clipped in on my MTB now which was v scary at first, wouldn't go back to flat pedals now though. One thing I do is plan ahead, when I come up to a junction, even if it's clear, I change gear then unclip, if the junction stays clear I just clip back in and go but I'm ready for a quick stop if not.

There's actually lots of female cyclists/triathletes on the Runners World forum, it's not so male dominated as bike radar etc. I lurk between there and here

My favourite shorts are probably the Bontrager ones I got in a bargain bin. I also have a pair from Assos, but their kit is generally ????? (no pound sign, but you get the idea).
Another vote here for the minx, they are really nice if you need to contact them.

Does anyone else use chamois cream? Known round here as "minty bum cream".

if you live in France I'd recommend Decathlon own brand...cheap and very effective. They have a website too.
if money is no object is Castelli all the way! They are the best shorts i have ever owned and relatively flattering to boot.

Gore or Pearl Izumi EVERY time. extremely well made, last for years.

I have a pair of Pearl Izumi women specif bib shorts and a pair of their knickers (3/4 length tights) which must be both getting on for ten years old, and were certainly used several times a week and at least one week end day all day for the first 7 years of their lives, less with DC/pg. I find anything else and uncomfortable false economy.

I have friends who swear by Sugoi and Terry too.

Lovely women specific cycling kit at Minx Girl. Really helpful too if you are confused about anything.

I started cycling in February of this year and am really enjoying it.
I have just got back from a 20 mile ride. DP is doing the London to Brighton today, and whilst I am looking forward to the 26 mile London Bikeathon next weekend, I don't think I would survive the 54 miles to Brighton, especially with Ditchling Beacon thrown in!
I have got Avenir shorts, which seem quite good quality and value for money. My bike has a very narrow racing seat so no way would I go for a ride in unpadded shorts!
I just bought cycling shoes yesterday but the shop did not have the pedals with the clips that I want so I will have to wait for those. I am looking forward to being clipped in because I feel that I am wasting energy at the moment with my foot sliding about on the pedal. Not looking forward to the inevitable failures to unclip though!

I would recommend trying to find a good independent bike shop. I am lucky that there is a really good one just around the corner from me, and DP and I have spent so much money there we get favoured customer status and mostly don't have to pay for services!

Is anyone else doing the Bikeathon next weekend? Or any other organised cycle rides this year?

I also think it's a shame that more women don't take up cycling. If you are overweight and aren't used to exercise it's much lower impact than running, and you can even combine it with shopping!

I started about three years ago so I could take DS cycling, but am now fitter and healthier than ever. DH started too (he was feeling left out) and has lost over three stone!

We are all waiting breathlessly for the Tour de France next month...

shh, it's secret.

ah, no, that doesn't sound like fun.
i always fall off from stationary. that's always hilarious especially if you take someone else down with you.
why did you fall off?

Also Chain Reaction often have very good bargains on women's cycling clothing...

Altura progel shorts are quite comfortable and not too pricey. You can get them as shorts or undershirts.

Good luck with the clipless pedals! I'm too much of a coward, in spite of nagging by DH.

oh, and you will forget to unclip, or even unclip the wrong side.
it's all part of the fun.