Newbie here - Plus-Size gal with severe fear of lycra

[effulgent]

I'm a very new, very out-of-shape rider. I say out of shape rider, but truth be told I haven't ridden a bike since college, and that was just for commuting around campus. I've never really been in shape, and I'm a pretty big gal.

My husband was an avid bike rider before we met, and was actually a bike mechanic for 5 years. This year, he decided he wanted to get back into cycling, and started riding on the weekends. I said I'd like to try riding too, and he said he had an extra bike that he could fix so that it would fit me well. So we went and got some goodies for it, and a helmet for me, and off I was.

Other than helmet and gloves, I don't have any bike-specific clothing. I've been wearing some capri-length leggings and a big ol' T-shirt which covers my tummy and tush but gets snagged on the nose of the seat when I try to get up on the bike.

I'm still on the VERY beginning stages of riding a bike, but I know that I'll be much more comfortable during my rides if I invest in some plus-size riding gear from Team Estrogen. But I'm scared to death of being seen in public in such tight fitting clothes. I *do not* have the figure for it and won't for many many many pounds.

So here are my questions:

1) Did any of you have to get over your fear of lycra?
2) Did any of you start out as a Big Girl when riding a bike, and what kind of provisions did you make to make sure that your training went well and that you were comfortable?

[Rhonda]

I can totally relate to your fear of lycra, I started out by wearing the baggy shorts, I guess they are made more for mountain bikers but I felt a lot more comfortable in those in the beginning. They also have underliner shorts and bike briefs you might want to look at. I have never worn a bike jersey, just a t-shirt, I hope to get a sleeveless one for the summer (one of the less form fitting ones). My husband bought me a very nice pair of lycra shorts for Christmas, they are a much better quality than the baggy ones I was wearing so I have switched to those now that I'm putting in more miles on the road.

I have been to several group rides and you see every shape and size wearing lycra, that being said I still feel self conscious in the lycra shorts but my bun is much happier at the end of the ride.

[CorsairMac]

They do make baggie shorts usually with Lycra inside the shorts. I know several of the women here wear them. They also make skorts, some that go over the shorts, some that come with the shorts built in. That way you would be in a short/skirt combo.
http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=9253

Good on you for biking and yeeehaa on the weight loss! What a sense of accomplishment you must feel. Keep up the good work!!

if you get a chance; there is a thread under the open titled "getting to know you". It'll tell you something about us and - if you're so inclined - tell us something about you!!

Keep in biking, Life does NOT get any better than that!

[Veronica]

I think you'd have to be a small person inside to think poorly of someone who is trying to change their life around. Anytime I see anyone who is not the "usual" biker, runner, swimmer etc. mold out doing something, I think, "Wow! good for them!" It takes a lot of guts and determination to make exercise a regular thing when you've gone a long time without it.

You wear whatever you are comfortable in. And thumb your nose at anyone who thinks that's not okay.

V.

[Asphaltgirl]

I feel "thinner" when I'm in my biking clothes and I figure, at my age, nobody is looking anyway!!

Go for the fun clothes-get crazy colored tops/T's and fun, wild socks. Trust me, 99% of the time the other riders are looking at your bike before they are looking at your butt! But, at least, get a pair of good biking shorts-they really will make a big difference in your comfort level, you can then cover them up with a long T or shorts. The most important thing is that you are out there biking and having a good time. I admire your commitment.

Asphalt (yes, all in purple!!) girl

[SadieKate]

You know what my first thought is when I see someone like you? It is "you go, girl!" Good for you for getting out there enjoying the ride, your hubby's company and the wind in your hair. Don't worry about what others think because it is not important.

I can't believe what this society does to women and their self-esteem. I have always had a body image problem because Twiggy was popular during my adolescence and I've never had a Twiggy body. It's ridiculous the misery that many of us go through because parts of us jiggle just like nature intended (I know this because Covert Bailey said so ).

If you have a particular pair of lycra bike shorts you really like and want a bit of coverage, you can buy the wrapper skirt only from Terry but you must use good bike shorts or your bike fun will be severaly curtailed.

Soon, you're going to be feeling strong and those endorphins are going to have you on a high. Go ride and have fun!

[anaphase]

Just fly right by 'em. You're going to be too fast for anyone to notice.

I've seen some ladies in those skorts and they are cute. Also the baggier biking shorts with lyrca underneath.

Check out VJ's site and maybe shoot her an email. She is an avid biker and a bigger gal. She's got a great blog and is really inspiring.
http://www.braveathena.com/

Congratulations on your new sport, too, BTW. And welcome to the board.

[Pedal Wench]

I used to have a HUGE fear of lycra. And bike jerseys. Hated them both. My boyfriend loves to tease me about that considering my short and jersey collections have become quite large. Once you start realizing that they are really the proper tool for the job, you'll feel more comfortable. Someone else mentioned that they act like a girdle - so true. I mean, really, fitting tightly, they're going to give you a slimmer profile than baggy clothes. Again, who cares what anyone else thinks? They really make biking more comfortable, which means you'll stick to it. I started out with a pair of baggy mountainbike shorts, but the extra material wasn't very comfortable.

All that being said, wear whatever you can to make sure you stay riding. If you're comfy riding in your bathrobe, then go for it. Just ride...

[effulgent]

Thanks for all of your wonderful words and support (and advice!). And I do agree with you, Asphalt, bikers look at the bike before the cyclist. We've gotten in a few near-wrecks because my husband is weaving through traffic to get a look at the bikes on someone's trunk rack.

My husband seems to be excited that I'm riding with him, even though I'm WAAAAAY slower than him. For now.

I do think I'll just skip the baggy shorts and go for just some basic bike shorts, or maybe the capri length. Those might make me feel a touch more modest.

And I think I'll get the lava jersey to start. That's about as obnoxious as one can get with the plus sized, I think.

[singletrackmind]

How about baggy shorts, like the ones some mountain bikers wear? Or skorts? I don't have any experience with which hang up and which don't but maybe that's an option? I used to ride around in plain old denim shorts and a tank and that was ok but I've found having a chamois is a good thing. I prefer the lycra shorts now that I'm used to them. I also enjoy the wicking and quick drying action of cycling jerseys and bras though I could easily live without those. Ok, sport bras are ESSENTIAL!!!!

As for answers to your questions:
1) Did any of you have to get over your fear of lycra?
Yes. I confess I'm in a decent BMI range but I have a TERRIBLE body image. I was so busy getting over the diaper feeling of the chamois that I forgot to worry about the rest. I just wear one of my larger, longer jerseys on my "fat" days to cover my hips and belly. The older I get the less I worry about what other people think about my body. I've come to realize most of us have hang-ups and that what we don't like about ourselves is magnified to us but others could care less and would tend to see our good stuff, which we all have lots of if we'd just be brave enough to look for it.
2) Did any of you start out as a Big Girl when riding a bike, and what kind of provisions did you make to make sure that your training went well and that you were comfortable?
See #1.

This is getting kind of long...
Well, have fun and remember that lots of us started as out of shape riders, you aren't alone in that by far and you aren't alone in your worries. Also remember you are out riding for you, let others think what they want (though I think you'd find they aren't thinking about you negatively unless you've been mean to them).

[Jones]

Good on you effulgent for getting out there and riding! Last year when I was 35 pounds heavier, my favorite riding apparel was my Terry plus sized bike skort. They come in lots of cool colors with complimentery jerseys and matching socks. The chamois is the same as in their "t-shorts." I found it very comfy even on long rides and I felt far more confident with more coverage than just shorts offered me. Once I got to be a better rider and could go further and faster, heavy or not, I sort of felt I earned my right to wear lycra and the only people who would think bad of me, were the people who aren't getting outside and excersising anyway.


Jones

[MomOnBike]

I, too, don't have any desire to wear the kind of more-than-skin-tight clothes I got away with in my misspent youth.

That, and most of even the really large women's stuff doesn't have a chance at getting around my belly and hips. Bleh.

The good news is that I ride a recumbent and don't really need padding and all that. When I ride my upright (a grand total of 17 miles this year), I don't worry much about it.

HOWEVER, Rivendel has some bike, um, underwear called Andiamos ( http://rivendellbicycles.com/webalog...ing/22301.html ) that fit if I get the men's really big. There is a light pad. You could try those with regular shorts. Just watch out for nasty seams in just the wrong place.

If you are still losing weight, and are trying not to spend too too much money on clothes you'll outshrink, this could be an option for you.

[RoadRaven]

LOL
If anyone had said to me that when I was approaching 40 I would regularly go out in public... in the daytime... wearing lycra...

.... I would have collapsed on the floor in a laughing heap...

I started with padded tights and a big tee shirt... I have progressed to wearing shorts... I think in a few months I might get brave enough to lose my long tee shirts and wear a cycling jersey

But like everyone else has said, if you have been brave enough to reclaim your life in terms of increased fitness levels... who cares if you are twiggy thin, or weigh 500 pounds? The important thing is you are improving your fitness and health, and with that comes increased self esteem, self awareness and self love... with that comes more energy, healthy skin and hair, more patience, sometimes a change of wardrobe...

Enjoy the changes you are making for yourself and pity those you imagine are thinking about you because deep down they are jealous...
... jealous that they can't organise their time to make an effort for themsleves
... jealous that they can't motivate themselves to make a change in lifestyle before it is too late
... jealous because they are not a brave and cool biker chick like you, and like all of us here at TE

We rock, ladies. Never forget that.

[sisu_concepts]

it all started at a used book sale when I bought a book called "You dont have to be Thin to Win" by by Judy Molnar (selling for one penny on amazon.com).

As a former lifeguard I knew I could swim. As a former Army employee I knew I could run. But, I had never been on a bike. At 253 lbs it seemed like a big "but"....However, then I read "The Fat, Slow Triathlete" by Jayne Williams and she helped me laugh a little more at myself and helped me realize I could live my athletic dreams in the body I have now...

Now, 4 months later, at 236 lbs, I just lost my triathlon virginity at the Fort Leavenworth Sprint Tri. And let me tell you what...not everything in Kansas is flat!

Everyday for the past 4 months I have worn the long leggings sold at Team Estrogen's plus size store. http://www.teamestrogen.com/categories.asp?catID=53 I even put them in the washer and dryer (gasp)!

I was soooo self-conscious but after one bike ride with the local bikeclub I bought the leggings because I knew I needed the padding and I just couldn't wear shorts because I knew I would obsess about my leg fat "shaking" around when I was biking .

I almost choked at spending $80 to make my butt even bigger but then something wicked happened when I put them on....it made me feel like a superhero!

I did find the Team Estrogen shirts to be a little too tight for my comfort level so I bought by bikeshirt at www.junonia.com. It is pricey but the quality is wonderful and one shirt has lasted through 3 months of almost daily washing and drying. However, dime for dime I find the Team Estrogen products to be superior.

Today, I saw on www.junonia.com that the baggy biking shorts are on sale! 25% off (which means they are still around $50) so I bought a pair today.

I swore I would never wear shorts biking but a funny thing happened to me somewhere between my 20th and 200th hill.... I stopped worrying about what everyone else was thinking...and I realized if I feel like a superhero today in these tights imagine what tomorrow will bring! And that has been the greatest lesson of my life.

[jobob]

If you're reluctant to wear cycling shorts in public, one thing that might be worth considering are lightweight 'cross-sport' type athletic pants to wear over your bike shorts.

REI makes some really nice ones, they don't have a chamois pad so you can slip them on over regular bike shorts, they're not too tight and not too loose, except for near the ankles where you want them to be a bit more form fitting. And they look perfectly acceptable in public, say if you want to duck into a store.

http://www.rei.com/product/47857870.htm?

I wear these all the time over my bike shorts when it's chilly out , instead of tights or leg warmers. They're lightweight enough I can even wear them when it's not very hot. Granted, for very hot weather this isn't a good solution, but it's worth considering when the weather turns cool again.

- Jo.