Anyone else feel this way?

[Cassandra_Cain]

Right on Denise

Ok, but seriously your cute picture has flared up a terribly bad case of blue sky envy!!! Yes I live in the desert, and no, the sun has been hiding for several days. We desert rats go paranoid w/o our sun! Help :P

[wanttoride]

[COLOR="Purple"]Denise, I want to say you've been quite the inspiration to me. I seem to run into your threads which motivates me to get on my bike. I've only been out a few times, but reading these boards and all the great support is such an inspiration. I too huff the gradual inclines on my way back home, and I know I have a lot to learn. I bought the lycra shorts that others recommended, and was shocked that they didn't look bad. Wow, do they ever help. Thanks for all the great info

[Bikingmomof3]

Denise,
Your pic is awesome. I want to ride somewhere pretty like that!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

GREAT photo, Denise! You are a Cool Chick On The Move.

[MomOnBike]

I'd KILL for 41 inch hips. Mine are considerably more, um, Ruebenesque. No matter what, I still don't like the look of my fat (really, there is no other word) rear end in tight biking shorts. I realize it's probably my problem alone, but blast it, it's MY problem, I'll keep it, thankyouverymuch.

Not that I don't wear the shorts, but my butt is nicely hidden in my recumbent's seat, and when I get off the bike and into stores and dining establishments, I wrap a sarong around my middle and look more, um, "artsey." (Just wait 'til I let my hair go grey & long and I start braiding it again. )

And here you never thought of a sarong as a biking accessory...

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I think the point is really that no matter what our shapes, we all **should** be able to wear what makes us feel good without worrying much about others' opinions of how we look. That might mean tight biking shorts, baggy shorts, sarongs, whatever. "Feel good" as in physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally, or in any combination.
I used to always wear lipstick and/or some kind of light face powder, felt naked and pale without it. But nowadays, makeup usually does not fit very well into my typical day anymore. Too busy having fun and living! Just jump into my riding garb in the morning, grab that sunscreen tube and slather up, go ride my bike, sweat, shower off, sweat some more, and get working while gulping cold water at my desk. I feel great not bothering with that anymore, and to tell the truth, I somehow feel more attractive anyway now because of my sunbleached hair, my "naked face" and the new glow of health I feel exuding from within.
Sure, sometimes I still put some powder and lipstick on, but now I feel just as good without it too.

[Dr. Liz]

This may be only somewhat germane, but as a Masters ski racer in the winter, we get all shapes, sizes, and ages, both men and women. Our oldest guy is 90+ and our oldest woman is 83 (and she is my hero – I SO want to be ski racing when I’m 80). Everyone wears speed suits (the skin-tight spandex thingys). Everyone. And again, we all are shapes and sizes. Yes, we’ve got the zero-body fat ex-World Cup racers, but we’ve also got the other extreme. No, a 90+ year old guy in spandex isn’t going to make the cover of GQ, but he’s out there doing it. All of us young’uns are thrilled to see him (and all of the other racers) on the course, and no, we don’t care what he looks like. We just care that he finishes.

And frankly, most of us masters racers are not exactly young (I’m 35, and am considered young - most of our racers are 45+ years old, and our most competitive age groups are the 45-70 year olds) and we are showing the effects of age and gravity. But it doesn’t matter. We all just revel in the fact that we are all out, everyone racing at whatever pace they feel comfortable, in whatever shape they are in, but sharing the experience of participating in a sport that everyone loves.

I agree that you should wear whatever you feel comfortable in. But don’t sacrifice comfort (i.e. padding in the Right Spots) for fear that you don’t Look Right. Maybe there are some jerks in the world who might make negative comments, but, frankly to h*ll with them. 99.9% of the people are just thrilled to see other people out on the road. And if you are comfortable, you’ll get out on the road (or trail) more. Which is the whole point, right?!? So ride in whatever is comfortable. And enjoy yourself.

[latelatebloomer]

" Too busy having fun and living! "

Personally, I think that's the sexiest look of all.