First Pair Biking Shorts!

O.K. so I am not a fashion plate, never was. But today I got my first pair cycling shorts - I had ordered them from TE - great service, fast delivery. When I pulled them out of the envelope I thought, “No way my big overweight butt is gonna fit in those!” But I thought, well I will just wait until I have lost some more weight and try them then. But after our ride tonight, I went into the bedroom and tried them on and they fit great!! I was shocked. One thing about being overweight is you do not have a very realistic image of yourself when you lose alot of weight (I have lost over 55 lbs.) I can’t wait to wear them on our training ride tomorrow - they feel very comfy and while not being the best ones out there, at least they are a start. Hopefully I will be able to afford a decent cycling jersey as well later in the fall. Just wanted to share my joy!!

congrats on losing over 55lbs, that is a great accomplishment!!

and congrats on your first pair of biking shorts too:D

now you just need some Chamois butter... don't forget that... you do not want chafing:eek:

Which ones did you get? I don't wear super expensive ones either, they work for me. And the ones I have that would be expensive, I got on sale. :p

I haven't taken the plunge yet with biking shorts or any "real" biking apparel for that matter.

I must be a kneeaphobic. There is something about exposed knees that I find distasteful. Not that my knees are weird or anything.....

You should see my bathing suit that stretches to my ankles.....

just kiddig.

I got a pair of Cannondale shorts - they were only $29.95 and S&H was another $5.95. The chamois seems good in them, although I know they are not the top of the line shorts. I just couldn’t afford anything more expensive. They seem very comfortable too and are black with the Cannondale logo on the lower left leg. The can be machine washed in warm water too - yay. The legs are comfortable on them too and my DH says I look great in them - he is even brave enough to wear his biking shorts again tomorrow! Thanks for the reminder on the chamois butter - what brand or does it matter? And should it be used for short rides or only for longer events?

Yay for you hawk!

I remember my first biking shorts, I remember feeling like I was wearing a diaper but once I wore them on a long ride I loved them and could have cared less how they felt or how I looked in them they were so comfy!

I do think my first pair were from TE, way back in the olden days.....ya know I even got a personal thank you note from TE I think I still have it. They were just starting out, I wonder if they still do that? Heck I still have those shorts, wonder if they fit? Ugg!

Anyway I really remember the first time.......special it was thanks for sharing yours with us.

losing 55 lbs is no small feat!!!! Congratulations!

Yay on your new shorts! I have never found biking shorts comfy (hate the waistband), but apparently nowadays, they are more high-tech and comfy. Mine are all quite old and I haven't bothered buying new ones. I bought them b/c I used to do spinning classes religiously. I've never had to wear them on my bike b/c I used to only have very comfy commuter bikes. But now that I have a road bike, I will also have to start wearing biking shorts methinks!

Those shorts of yours sound like a great deal - let us know how you like them after a few rides!

Oh yeah, biking shorts make all the difference :) There are some really nice-looking below the knees ones too. And wow! on the 55 lbs!

Way to go girl!!!

Those shorts are great. The first time I wore a pair, it felt like Iwas wearing a diaper, but you'll feel great in them as you ride. Make sure you go comando, don't wear underwear, been there;done that, won't do it again!!!

I love Cannondale shorts, very comfy and durable. My most expensive pair of Cannondales was only $59.

Don't fear commando, nothing worse than chafing from panty seams. Some people do wear undies but not me, you get over it REAL quick.

Congrats on the 55lbs and the new biking shorts. You have invested in yourself and the rewards are going to pay off!

Thanks everyone - your encouragement means alot! I will let you know how the shorts feel after some rides. I wore them around the house a bit last night just to get used to the feel. They are quite comfortable although the chamois does take some getting used to. My DH said I could wear them all the time - he would’t mind! I guess he is getting tired of seeing me in my old worn out tshirts and jeans that are now quite baggy!

Congrats on losing 55 lbs, Wildhawk..! and happy shorts to you.

Pardes, I generally wear knickers. No exposed knees.

Mimi

WOW! 55 lbs is a LOT of weight. Congratulations... you must feel great.
Just wear the shorts-- don't worry what they look like. Who cares? You are on the bike and riding and are comfy -- THAT is what matters! ENJOY and WELCOME.
Jes

Congrats on the weight loss! You deserve new shorts...and shoes, and shirts, and sunglasses, and gloves:D

Good for you!

Big congrats on the weight loss! That's how much I would like to lose, although I'd settle for 30 lbs.

I am not quite there as far as wearing cycling clothes with confidence -- I'm afraid I'm too self-conscious -- but I recently purchased from the TE store a pair of Mt. Borah "underliners" that go under regular shorts. I haven't worn them on a ride yet, but I tried them on and they seem extremely comfortable.

Congratulations on your loss, too! It will take awhile to figure out how to assess how you look with the weight gone. My clothes are a lot smaller now, but I still feel like I did when I weighed more. I wear small sizes of things and I'm still a pear, but there's lots less of me too. Give yourself some time. Some of my issue is the thin world that seems to be all around me - I am not a part of that, so it's hard to calibrate just where I fit in:)

But you'll love the shorts, I bet. Like the bar ends, they'll make a big difference in your comfort.

Shelly

Wildhawk -- Congratulations! (on both) You'll likely find you want more pair of shorts soon, cuz, you know, how many times do we want to do laundry? Regarding chamois butter -- I don't, and don't seem to miss it! Perhaps ride distances make a difference?

On the other hand, different chamois-es make a difference in my comfort, I know. AND when the shorts are getting too big, oh, that's a difference, let me tell you! The shorts need to be snug enough so that they're not shifting around when you're riding. Now, here's the thing about modesty -- you'll see guys riding around, or walking around, with their naked beer bellies hanging out, so what's the big deal if our big butts, actively working, are hanging out in lycra?

Pardes -- Shebeest makes some great just below the knee pants -- I love the fit of the Shindigger -- though the hourglass chamois is not for me! (the shelastic one in the SSS shorts is much more to my butt's liking) I haven't tried their Pedal Pusher model yet.

Today feels a bit like it's going to be a "long pants" kind of evening, and I'm going to have to find a new pair after losing bunches of weight since last winter too!

And, Wildhawk, as has been said, after 55 pounds, you DEFINITELY deserve, no NEED, a whole new wardrobe, right down to the skin! (had my rings resized, then was surprised that gloves were too big. And, as was mentioned, yes, even glasses fit differently!)

Karen in Boise

Congrats on the weight loss! I understand not being able to envision yourself thinner. I still buy clothes a size too big and have to exchange them! Good luck on your ride :-)

congrats on the great weightloss wildhawk,

yeah, make sure yr shorts are really snug, otherwise if they shift around you can get blisters. some kind of oil or butter is important down there especially for longer distances.

besides, you will probably keep losing weight, so just a little on the tight side, soon it will fit like a dream :D next thing you know, you'll need smaller shorts !

Happy Riding!

Way to go, Wildhawk!

How weird-- I have lost 50 lbs, and got my first pair of bike shorts this week, also! Felt absolutely ridiculous in them in the house, but once out on the bike, I didn't care how weird they looked or felt... And yesterday, when I got off the bike at a little rural church to stretch and eat a bite, I caught a glimpse of my reflection in a window, and was flabbergasted at how little my butt was (that couldn't be me?!?) So now I love my bike shorts!!!

Thanks for all the nice comments and encouragement everyone! DH and I have been riding every day this week and have so far logged nearly sixty miles. Yesterday was the first ride in the new cycling shorts - what a difference!! The only thing that stopped me was the sun going down and the park trail closing!! We managed to get in a 16.5 mile ride and I managed to get some decent sprints - built up to 18.5 mph - not bad for an overweight chick on a hybrid!! I wish I had cycling shorts before! DH dusted off his old Nike bike shorts and said he had a better ride also. And you are right, I was so comfortable I didn’t care how I looked - I FELT so much better!! Actually DH said I looked pretty good too - I will order another pair when I feel these getting too big for me. One splurge that DH got me yesterday at our LBS was a pair of Sock Guy socks - they are very comfortable too and I found out that 50% of the purchase price went to an organization that purchases bikes for the folks in Zambia, so YAY! It was for a good cause too, not just making my feet happy! We are going out again today on the Pinellas Trail since the rest of the week will be crappy due to Hurricane Ike. Got to log those miles when we can!!

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Originally Posted by wildhawk

Thanks for the reminder on the chamois butter - what brand or does it matter? And should it be used for short rides or only for longer events?

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HUGE CONGRATS ON 55 POUNDS LOST!!! That's so awesome. :D I lost about that much ten years ago and kept it off. I know how it feels. Life changing.

Regarding the chamois butter .... Chamois Buttr (spelled like that) is actually a brand name. There are several "lubricants" out there and everyone has a different favorite. I have been using Chamois Buttr for a couple of years, but just bought Nubutte to try.

You don't necessarily need to try anything until you are on the bike long enough to realize you're getting a little sore down there, which may be never if you're lucky. It's different for everyone, but maybe around a couple of hours on the bike or more. Not sure how long you're on the bike right now, but at 16 miles, probably not necessary yet for any lubrication. I would maybe use something on a 15 to 20 mile ride if I were already sore and having issues from previous longer rides.

The other thing I wanted to suggest was that you try cycling shorts on in a store before spending big bucks on any. A good fit is important. I read somewhere that the "poochy" stuff in the butt should stick out a little when you're standing, but smooth out when you're in "cycling position", so stand in front of the dressing room mirror as if you're cycling to see if that pooch goes away. If there is no pooch to begin with, they are probably too small.

Congrats on the pounds lost, the new shorts and the joy of riding!!! Now ... go ride your bike!!! :)