tights - Do I have to?

[uforgot]

I really want to continue riding through the winter, but I just really don't see me in those tights. The runners in High School wear them, but I'm their 51 year old teacher. Is there a looser alternative? Any ideas?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I'm 52, and biking tights make me look smoother and better than without them. They also feel great when you're biking, and you can get them with chamois padding- another plus.
An alternative for you might be to wear biking short or tights under sweat pants during the winter. There are some nice polar fleece pants out there with elastic around the ankle, that are slightly loose fitting. Don't get overly baggy pants or they will catch on your gears- instant fall!

[jobob]

Of course there are alternatives !

Look for "cross-sport" pants or runner's pants to wear over your shorts.

They're somewhat form-fitting but not as snug as cycling tights. Get the ones with zippers at the bottom. If they have reflective trim, all the better.

These are the ones I like, from REI. The ankle zippers used to have reflective piping but it looks like they don't anymore, unfortunately.

http://www.rei.com/online/store/Prod...S_CLOTHING_TOC
(if the URL doesn't work, it's item #718521 at www.rei.com)

Many other manufacturers make similar pants.

For very cold weather, I also have a pair of Sporthill tights (w/o chamois) which are not as snug-fitting as cycling tights. They're super for cold weather. They're sizing seems to go a bit small so make sure to check the sizing chart if you order them - I wear size M in most cycling clothes but I ordered an L in these and they fit great, not too snug, not too loose. And it looks like they're on sale at TE right now !
http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=11618


There's also a Sporthill tight available at TE with water-resistant panels over the butt area which I imagine would be very good for cold and wet weather but I don't know how they would look in real life.
http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=22275

hth, - Jo.

[jobob]

TE also carries pants which are similar to the REI pants I mentioned above, to wear over your shorts:

Sugoi Latte Pant
http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=15776

HIND Light Stretch Munich Pant
http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=19115

HIND Classic Munich Pant
http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=22008

SportHill 2005 Voyage Pant - Save 25%!
http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=15230

[uforgot]

TE also carries pants which are similar to the REI pants I mentioned above, to wear over your shorts:

Sugoi Latte Pant
http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=15776

HIND Light Stretch Munich Pant
http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=19115

HIND Classic Munich Pant
http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=22008

SportHill 2005 Voyage Pant - Save 25%!
http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=15230

I didn't see your second post until I had replied. Now I have so many to choose from. Guess I should have done a little more research myself, but somehow these never appeared in my searches. Thanks for your help!

[Xrayted]

thanks Jobob and Lisa... I'll be checking out your suggestions too.

-X.

[uforgot]

Oh, yeah, and if I order them from TE I'll have for my ride tonight! (I'm still amazed at how fast they are....)

[uforgot]

Oh, Jobob! Those are exactly what I need! Thank you. Looks like the bottoms would work great and not get caught either. Looks like I can wear shorts with a chamois under these. Ahhhh....perfect!

I certainly understand how tights make you look smoother, and they feel better when you exercise. I started dance (ballet) when I was 8 and eventually became my teacher's assistant. Even though I was in the best shape of my life, I wouldn't leave the studio without a coverup on. It's my own personal quirk, I guess!

Thanks for the replies!