firsts

[coyote]

It was my birthday this weekend and got some cycling gear. I'm now the proud owner of a pair of bike shoes and bike shorts. I wore them to work this morning. They performed beautifully. I pedaled more effeciently and the stuff that can get squished didn't. So all in all a more comfortable ride. I'm sure some of my enthusiasm is just having new stuff.
I'm self conscious so I've got long shorts over my bike shorts. I may ditch them....the 2 pair of shorts trapped a lot of heat inbetween them. Although I have the shoes, the pedals and clips are on my list.
I've been pretty resistant to bike cloths but I'm finding they do have their purpose. It all started with a neon jacket, then I need tights 'cause jeans are not warm and the sems are too rough, then a bike jersey because it was UV rated (I've been getting quite tan under my shirts) and now the shorts and shoes. I may have to get a bike to match my shorts or my jersey as my current bike really just does not match now

[equus123]

happy birthday

[RoadRaven]

Always important to pamaper yourself a little and a birthday is a great excuse.
Sounds like you had a good one.

like you, I was unsure about lycra shorts in public... but I have ditched other shorts over the top... your time will come...bwahahaha...

Its like some weird B-grade movie synopsis really...

She used to wear lycra when she was younger, and then abandoned it... for years ignoring it, spurning it... but lycra was patient, lycra could wait, and lycras turn did come again... Opening in cinemas near you...

"Return of the Lycra"

Seriously, wear what is comfortable for you... like you I found 2 pairs of shorts could get hot, and i also kept getting my "normal" shorts legs hooked on the seat!

Whatever, glad you splurged on yourself and bought some really cool stuff!

[missymaya]

Happy Birthday to you and what a way to celebrate, with new cycling apparel

[northstar]

Happy Birthday, and way to go!

I was SOOO embarrassed the first time I wore lycra in public. Then I got on my bike and had so much fun and felt so good, I totally forgot about it. Then I looked around and saw lots of other cyclists wearing it...and hey. It's all about the function. A lot of people just won't ever get it (including a lot of my family members who light-heartedly tease me about the clothing). We get it, though! Everything serves a purpose!

Have fun!

[RolliePollie]

Its like some weird B-grade movie synopsis really...

She used to wear lycra when she was younger, and then abandoned it... for years ignoring it, spurning it... but lycra was patient, lycra could wait, and lycras turn did come again... Opening in cinemas near you...

"Return of the Lycra"

HA HA HA! You crack me up!!!

Speaking of cracks (heh heh heh), I agree with Lisa about the slimming effects of Lycra. Although I certainly do not think I actually look good in it, I'm not so self conscious anymore. No chance of any "crack" issues with all that padding back there. My thighs look a heck of a lot better in lycra than they do in, let's say, a bathing suit. And my hips, butt, and tummy all seem a lot smoother too. Now if I could just find shorts that aren't quite so tight at the hem...gotta love how that fat layer gets pinched in and then pooched back out right at the hem of the shorts!

[coyote]

Thanks all, it has been a really fun birthday and all the bike gear! I intend to keep partying atleast thru the week. Who knows after that.

[Rumblefish]

Happy Birthday!

I started cycling last year and absolutely refused to buy the lycra shorts...so I bought this instead from TE http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=12096 It's awesome! Padded shorts underneath a cute little skirt AND I didn't have to walk into Baja Fresh (great mexican place where I live) after a ride wearing tight spandex while my boyfriend did! No handy little skirt coverup for him! I really recommend trying it, the skirt never got in my way and it didn't cause too much extra heat either.

I have since bought my first pair of "real" bike shorts this summer already and wear them with pride!! ( I still wear my short/skirt combo too! ) So I agree, the time will come when you are ready to bite the bullet and do it.

[DDH]

Happy Belated Birthday and congrats on the shorts and shoes.
I'm a big girl and I love my bike shorts. Don't think I would ride without them even if they do look terrible. They make things much more comfortable and keep the clothing from riding up around your crotch.
This is the one time with clothing that I don't care what other people think. Any other time I am very conservative with what I wear because of my size.

[madscot13]

lycra in public? I won't even wear it even in my own house. Only on the bike.
There is a small vestibule (a little wider than a door frame and about as long as my bike) in our house where I take off the soccer shorts I wear over my bike shorts and stash them behind the sidewalk salt. Although sometimes I bring the shorts with me so that I can put them on over my spandex about 2 miles from our house or before I go into the store. I wear a zip neck over my bright green jersey. No one needs to know. I don't think I could handle my roommates ribbing.

[Zen]

They're just jealous.

[madscot13]

They're just jealous.

they can't be jealous cuz they don't know!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Congrats to Coyote! Way to go, girl! And Happy Birthday!!!!

Hey Donna- for what it's worth, here's my take on heavy women in lycra...
I think it looks strange and unflattering when heavy women (or men for that matter) wear shorts that bunch, twist, and make wedgies in the back. To be fair- the wedgie look does not look good on people of ANY weight, but it tends to happen when one is overweight. But when heavy gals wear biking shorts, there is no weird stuff going on with shifting fabric, and it looks perfectly nice to me. I think EVERYONE looks better in biking shorts and biking knickers, regardless of their weight. That's just my own impression, but then I am a very visual person. Black Lycra has a magic way of making cellulite disappear....I speak from experience here.

[Sheesh]

Happy Birthday! And, be careful, you'll soon become addicted to shopping for bike gear!

[Flybye]

Congrats to Coyote!
for what it's worth, here's my take on heavy women in lycra...
I think it looks strange and unflattering when heavy women (or men for that matter) wear shorts that bunch, twist, and make wedgies in the back. To be fair- the wedgie look does not look good on people of ANY weight, but it tends to happen when one is overweight. But when heavy gals wear biking shorts, there is no weird stuff going on with shifting fabric, and it looks perfectly nice to me. I think EVERYONE looks better in biking shorts and biking knickers, regardless of their weight. That's just my own impression, but then I am a very visual person. Black Lycra has a magic way of making cellulite disappear....I speak from experience here.

Okay, two things here - number one is that the only thing worse that a rear wedgie is a front wedgie - had them myself before - yikes!!

The other thing is what kind of black (magic) lycra do you wear that makes your cellulite disappear?? I must be shopping wrong or something - hehehehehehe! Actually, you won't find a speck of cellulite on my rear end. I can say that because you'll never know. Okay, so I lie!!!!

Happy birthday and welcome to the spandex cult. From now on, all holiday gift ideas you will give will be bike related!