Not a Fashion Show

I've been busy with 8th grade volleyball, so I haven't made it on the big exciting weekly ride for two weeks [gulp]. I've made it out on my own on the weekends, but not as far or as exciting. And my knee has hurt. So I'm feeling behind and a little worried. In the absence of exiting progress to share, how about a cycling fashion overview as promised long ago...

I remember when I was even resistant to wearing a helmet when riding across campus because the fashion risk was too high. Luckily I got over that. Hopefully I don't need to explain why I willingly sacrifice fashion and good hair for that one. I like to be alive.

Of course, we have to discuss the spandex. I'm sorry, but you just have to wear tight pants that stay out of the way of the chain. I learned that one when my chain ripped a hole in my favorite exercise pants. And despite the fact that it flatters only the most muscular of the population, spandex is a great material that moves with you and is comfortable wet or dry. And on any length of ride, you have to have bike shorts with the built-in chamois pad. Yes, it feels a little like a diaper at first, but really helps with comfort. (FYI, I'm not one of those women who could even try to pull off the skinny jean much less full spandex, so I have relatively tight pants that go over bike shorts which still leave a little to the imagination in cold weather.)

The bike jersey is tight because you don't want things flapping in the wind. And the pockets in the back are a fantastic idea. I, however, resit the standard short sleeve version because I don't want the tan lines, so I skip straight from long sleeves to tanks. I'm not sold on it having to be advertising something. As much as I can gather, it's just an announcement of hard core cycling. But it does look super cool when a whole pack of bikes wearing matching shirts goes by.

Florescent yellow? After all the horror stories about bikes being hit by cars, I'm going for every advantage of visibility that I can get.

Gloves help comfort in general and warmth when it's cold. And they are big for safety - which I learned back when I tried to hop over a railroad track on my old trail bike. The gloves absorb a lot of impact and can completely save your skin. That's why the (fingerless) gloves even when it's warm out.

Funny shoes that make you clomp and walk on your heals? I resisted these for a long time, but clipless petals and bike shoes with the rigid sole increase your power and efficiency astronomically. And I'll take any easy advantage I can get. I have mountain bike shoes that you can kind of walk in when you need to.

We have the rest of the day to look fabulous. Any questions?