Women's cylcing apparel in DC area??

[bikaroney]

Does anyone know of any good bike clothing retailers in the DC area? I've done the REI, Performance Bike, and Hudson Trail, as well as some independent stores but am pretty unsatisfied. So many of these places have great men's selection, but the women's selection sucks!!!! I actually find Performance's women's section offensive. Obviously there's Team Estrogen (which I love :) ), but I want to try some stuff on. I traveled to Seattle recently and was sooo jealous of the many options there. I'd appreciate any insights from any DC riders! Thanks!

[Rakekay]

Try Spokes Etc. (locations in Vienna and Old Town and elsewhere too, I think). They don't have TONS of stuff for women, but what they do have seemed nice if you're a small-ish woman. They didn't seem to have a lot of stuff in larger sizes. I've also seen some decent stuff at ****'s out in the Fair Oaks area. Although to be honest, I end up bying most of my stuff online and just hoping for the best.

[HillSlugger]

Hi,

I hope you'll excuse me hijacking this thread for a moment. A few of us DC area-TE gals will be meeting at the Rileys Lock parking area on Sunday October 15 at 9am for a 25 mile ride along the C&O canal towpath. You are welcome to join us. You can pick up this thread at: http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=9893

Please invite anyone else in the area to join us.

Hope to see you there.

Nicole

[Kalidurga]

Hey there, bikaroney: Where in the DC area are you willing to drive? The best selections of apparel I've found so far are at Race Pace in Ellicott City and The Bike Doctor in Frederick. I'll agree, though, that the pickings are a bit slim. I refuse to wear pastels or bright primary colors, so that knocks out 80% of the women's apparel out there.

And, I'll second Nicole's invitation to join us this weekend :D

[HillSlugger]

Hey there, bikaroney: Where in the DC area are you willing to drive? The best selections of apparel I've found so far are at Race Pace in Ellicott City and The Bike Doctor in Frederick. I'll agree, though, that the pickings are a bit slim. I refuse to wear pastels or bright primary colors, so that knocks out 80% of the women's apparel out there.

And, I'll second Nicole's invitation to join us this weekend :D

Kali, the Race Pace website (http://racepacebicycles.com) says that they have four locations, including Ellicot City and Columbia. Have you been to both? Do you specifically mention Ellicot City because they have a better selection?

Thanks, Nicole

[Kalidurga]

I haven't been to the Race Pace in Columbia. Ellicott City is kinda sorta on my way to and from B'more, so it's easier for me to get to than Columbia. Plus, I have a tendency to get lost in Columbia.

The guys in the E.C. shop, though, mentioned that the Columbia shop is bigger, which must be incredible because the E.C. shop is huge.

[HillSlugger]

I haven't been to the Race Pace in Columbia. Ellicott City is kinda sorta on my way to and from B'more, so it's easier for me to get to than Columbia. Plus, I have a tendency to get lost in Columbia.

The guys in the E.C. shop, though, mentioned that the Columbia shop is bigger, which must be incredible because the E.C. shop is huge.
I ask because I've never been to Ellicot City but I frequently end up in Columbia. For me Columbia is more convenient. I'll try to check it out next weekend when I'm in the area and let you know.

[7rider]

[QUOTE=Kalidurga;133328]Plus, I have a tendency to get lost in Columbia.
QUOTE]

I'm glad I'm not the only one! :rolleyes:

As much as I love my LBS, I am frustrated by their women's clothing selection. If you wear size S or XS, perhaps you'll have luck, but for the rest of us.......:mad:

Thanks for the Race Pace link...I'll have to check them out next time I'm in Columbia.

[aicabsolut]

Hmm.. I wear an S usually and I've had minimal luck. Found a good pair of Cannondale shorts, ordered a pair of ok (chamois is kind of weird) Nike knickers online. Tried some jerseys (LS for fall..don't have any summer ones yet either), and none fit. They're all horrible colors and too short. I think I'd need a men's XS, possibly S, (I've got broad shoulders and a long torso, but it's only about 33" chest) but these LBSs don't carry those sizes in the men's stuff either.

And what's up with all the women's shorts having the itty bittiest inseams?

I've looked in Revolution and City Bikes. Last time I went in Spokes, I forgot to check out the clothing.

It seems everywhere I look it's all women's large or just so wrong I don't get close enough to look at the sizes :p

[7rider]

Well, you may want to check out the Bicycle Place on Grubb Rd in Silver Spring - http://www.thebicycleplace.com/
They carry Nike, Descente, and Castelli, generally, and some other stuff. I think I've seen some Zoic in there for tri-stuff from time to time. Not a huge selection, but maybe something will click for you there. Of course, the men's selection is bigger....Grrrr.....:mad:

[Mimosa]

Well glad to see the problem is the same everywhere :(

What I also find stunning is that the womens apparel that meets my standard (meaning normal colored, functional clothing) is so expensive. Often the normal priced womens clothing have:
- a horrible colour design,
- the length is too short,
- is made out of stretchy material (which means you can't put anthing heavy in your backpocket then the shirt will bounce around),
- only has one backpocket(instead of 3)

Near me is only one shop that has a decent collection of womens clothing (they are more a sportsclothing shop then a bikeshop) so I first look there. And afterwards I also look in the mens section to see if I can get something simular in there (for often less money). The only thing I pay attention to is if the mens shirts isn't to thight around the breasts.

[aicabsolut]

Well I don't have the breast problem...rather, most of the men's sizes start too wide in the chest area for my measurements including my breasts. I don't need skin tight but streamlined would be nice, like how the women's stuff fits in the torso.

I'm in the market for some tights. There was maybe one pair of nice looking cannondale tights in my size at my usual LBS, and I like cannondale, but the price tag was not so great. I'd rather get one with a chamois than deal with layering. I usually need to try stuff on. Something a tad lower in the rise than usual would be good, because I'm low waisted. I also have skinny calves (cycling has gotten them up to about a whopping 13", and skinny ankles too, so I'm a little concerned about zippers versus stretchy bottoms like in knickers. Don't want them too baggy in the calf.

Anyone have any suggestions of brands? Know any LBS with good women's tights selection around here these days so I can try stuff on?

[bikaroney]

Yeah, I'm also looking for tights. I actually bought the Pearl Izumi Therma Fleece Cycling Tight and just got back from my first ride with them. I've gotta say, I wasn't impressed (padding was nothing compared to my shorts) and am still on the lookout for something better. City Bikes doesn't have any tights with padding which kind of surprised me. I haven't been to Spokes in a while, but should go check that out. And I'm definitely willing to check out places farther away like Fredrickburg. It's not ideal, but I really want to see the stuff in person before I buy it, and the women's section of most the places near me are just pathetic (and I also agree about the cheap/ugly stuff!). :mad: My boyfriend of course has no problem. Thanks for the suggestions and for the invite for the ride last weekend (sorry I missed it!!)

Any of you Washingtonians feeling industrious enough to start up a women's shop (or even a place with a women's section that is at least comprable to the men's)? :p I'd be the first one at the door on opening day!!!

[Mimosa]

Yesterday I was at a big bike show and looked at the various clothing brands which had a stand there. One brand I know thinks about womens clothing is craft (http://www.craft.se/) (they deliver to one of the dutch womens team both cycling and speedskating). I saw a lot of nice clothing and the advise price was reasonable. So I went to one of the craft salesguys and asked him where I could buy this stuff, since I do know the brand but from underclothing (sweatshirts etc). And he said "well that could be hard since we only just started to produce this and no one sells it yet." *arrrgghhh* whats the use .... :(

[aicabsolut]

Which City Bikes did you go to? I saw a couple pairs at the one in Chevy Chase. Those expensive Cannondales I talked about. I'm not keen on PI. Have a pair of shorts with the 'touring' chamois and hate them. It's like a diaper and chafing.

It's gonna be pretty chilly tomorrow morning in my Nike knickers...again.

[bikaroney]

I actually stopped by the Chevy Chase City Bikes this afternoon and they did have more stuff than the Adam's Morgan one. I still didn't see any tights with chamois though...maybe they ran out? They had more stuff, but still not what I was looking for (and still a lot more offered for men). But I talked to the manager and he said that Pearl Izumi was actually coming through with really great new women's stuff for 07. he seemed really excited about it, saying that they were redisigning stuff and really thinking about how to make the clothes better for women, and was willing to special order any of their items. He said to check out the webiste, http://www.pearlizumi.com/index.php , but these pretty much look the same to me.

As for your PI shorts aicabsolut, I think that, unfortunatly, how much you spend has a lot to do with the quality. I have a pair of shorts from them with the Pro chamois and I looove them. Which is part of why I was so diaspointed with the tights I just got from them. I'm thinking about getting some of their pro bibs, or possibly going with Giordana, and layering with plain tights, but I don't know.....

That's good to know about the Craft line. hopefully they'll become more readibly available soon!!

[aicabsolut]

Yeah, mine weren't the most expensive, but I wanted a long inseam, and these were the longest I could get--and still not so long. I like coverage but also I like muscle support from more fabric--it takes me a really long time to get good and warmed up, and compression helps. My Cannondale shorts are amazing, though they could be a couple inches longer too, with a great chamois and not as expensive as comparable PI styles ($79).

City Bikes only had about 2 pairs of those tights last week so they probably did sell out. But for good tights, they run in the $150 range, and as a newbie from the south (I'll probably move at the end of the year but don't know to where), I'm not so excited about that. But I'm not excited about stepping outside in my knickers here in a few minutes either ;)

[Velobambina]

It was colder right before sunrise, so you lucked out if you left your house around 7:30am. Much to my surprise, I found myself overdressed and my feet warming up as I headed for home around after logging in a 40miler.
Last year's coldest ride was the day after T'giving. It was 11 degrees and my gatorade FROZE solid! Keep your fingers crossed that we have a mild and snow-free winter.

[aicabsolut]

My fingers and toes were plenty cold today still, and calves, but I had nice layers on the upper body. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't go out in 11 degrees.

Do you have good suggestions for long, low-traffic loops? With all the stop and go, it's hard to work on any distance (esp. since I don't really know where I'm going other than on a trail--sort of). I wind up feeling like I'm just doing intervals. I would've done a couple small loops today if my LBS hadn't screwed up and made it where I couldn't get into any of my hill-riding gears. (see rant on another thread). :(

Anyway, I'd love a low-snow winter. For the whole region. I'd love to take my bike out in the country around Staunton and Charlottesville when I go there to do holiday visits, but I'm not keeping my hopes up too high.

[Velobambina]

Lobster gloves (PI Amfib ones) are my personal cure for cold hands. When it's really cold, I pop a chemical hand warmer in each glove. Works like a charm.

I'm still trying to find the solution to keeping my feet decently warm. I have wool socks, high-quality booties/shoe covers, etc. I think I'm going to purchase those Gore-Tex socks that TE is selling, just to see if they help. I've got ruby slippers (red sidi doms) in a whole size too large so I can layer. Last winter, I used chemical foot warmers, so when it gets below freezing, I suppose I'll have to rely on those again.

Have you thought about riding loops at the Nat'l Aboretum (I know I spelled that wrong!). It's on NY Ave, heading east from the city. There are hills there and this time of year, low traffic.

[Jen]

Don't know what to wear in cold weather. I will be about 30 deg in the am and go up to abut 52 or 55. I will be near the water so it will be a little more humid but it will be windy. I was thinking of tights, I can take them off if I get hot, base layer, warm jersey(mid weight) and a water proof,wind proof vest. Is that enough or too much? Should I wear a century jacket instead? Never did a long ride in cold weather. Kinda new at this but very pumped. I hear the knee warmer fall down. I was going to wear bike shorts and put tights over them. HELP!

[Mimosa]

If my conversions are correct that would be somewhere between -1 and 11 degrees celcuis (correct?)
What I would do is wear thights, a sweatshirt, some ski pully and a thermal jacket. And of course winterbicycle gloves, shoe covers and a something warm on your head to protect the ears.

[HillSlugger]

Don't know what to wear in cold weather. I will be about 30 deg in the am and go up to abut 52 or 55. I will be near the water so it will be a little more humid but it will be windy. I was thinking of tights, I can take them off if I get hot, base layer, warm jersey(mid weight) and a water proof,wind proof vest. Is that enough or too much? Should I wear a century jacket instead? Never did a long ride in cold weather. Kinda new at this but very pumped. I hear the knee warmer fall down. I was going to wear bike shorts and put tights over them. HELP!
Definitely think in layers that can be removed as the day gets warmer.

For head: some kind of hat that fits under your helmet and covers your ears, and a helmet cover. As things warm up, first remove the helmet cover and then later the hat, too.

Torso: base layer, jersey, and jacket. Start unzipping as you warm, them start removing layers. If you're anything like me (or like me have a jacket that doesn't breathe/vent really well), you'll find your jersey and base layer a bit damp under your jacket so be careful about cooling down too quickly and getting chilled as you open up and unlayer.

Legs: tights over shorts, or just tights that are not too thick.

Feet: sock liners, wooly socks, shoes, and toe covers.

Hands: full finger winter gloves, but bring your regular riding gloves to change into later.

[Jen]

Thanks, I think I was going to go underdressed. Some guys told me not to wear more than one base layer and a jersey. I know that isn't enough. As for a jacket, a whisper jacket, long sleeve or something more? It turns out it will start at about 41 deg in the am. toe covers to start?

[bikaroney]

OK, so I tried out the Race Pace in Columbia and yeah, it was pretty big! They had a pretty decent women's selection, though they didn't have any padded tights. They had some nice Nike tights w/o padding though. So I was relatively impressed with the women's section compared to other places around, but when I asked one of the guys working there if they had any bibs he replied that they don't make bibs for women. So not true!!! I asked the guy at the Chevy Chase City Bikes and he said they did carry them, but had a big sale 3 weeks ago and they got cleaned out. So I just ordred some Giordana bibs that are on sale at www.bikesomewhere.com we'll see how well I like them...

Gotta agree about the layers. i went out early on Saturday and by the end whenever I stopped I was pretty warm. But the windchill while riding was significant enough that I was fine while riding. One nice way to layer is with a jacket that has zip-off sleeves so it converts to a vest. I love my Cannondale Morphis!!

Aicabsolut, have you tried Hane's Point? It's not long, only a 3 mile loop, but it's a nice flat smooth ride with minimal to no stopping/traffic. I like it because I can ride there easily from my apartment in Capitol Hill and do a few laps, depending on how much time (or rather lack thereof) I have. I wouldn't recommend it for a longer ride though, it would get pretty repetative. As Velobambina pointed out, the Arboretum is nice for more a more diverse terrain.

[HillSlugger]

Thanks, I think I was going to go underdressed. Some guys told me not to wear more than one base layer and a jersey. I know that isn't enough. As for a jacket, a whisper jacket, long sleeve or something more? It turns out it will start at about 41 deg in the am. toe covers to start?

I did a ride last weekend with a starting temp around 39 degrees and one yesterday with a starting temp around 45 degrees. Yesterday I went without the helmet cover or the toe covers but used them both last week and was glad for them. I ended up taking off the helmet cover at the halfway point but kept the toe covers on and still had cold toes.

My jacket is long sleeve, coated for wind and water resistance but not very breathable (I'm hoping for something nicer as a gift). I ended up unzipping it and my jersey at the neck but never taking it off until I was back in the car.

[aicabsolut]

I haven't tried Hane's Point or the Arboretum. I just moved here over the summer (and was studying for the bar exam so I didn't really go anywhere till recently), and I'm not sure where those places are. I mean, I know where NY Ave. is, but I don't think I've been on it yet. I'll look into it. Thanks!

Oh, how is cycling around the mall (just in general, not for training)? I do work on Fridays down at the Library of Congress and it'd be nice to take the bike there (I don't carry much or dress up) instead of spending ages on the blue/orange. I know there's construction at Lincoln Circle near where I'd start, but that's it. :confused:

[aicabsolut]

I got a pair of Cannondale no chamois tights--midweight. I was going to wear them today but it was warm out. They are nice and fuzzy on the inside and seem to fit well. I did go down one size from my shorts size though. Still need toe covers and LS jersey or jacket and headband/ear warmers.

Can you be a little more specific where the Hanes Pt and Arboretum rides are?