Newbie to Touring doing the DALMAC help?

[Kano]

Hello,

I am 5'4 and have a hard time finding a mens frame touring bike that will fit me. I can ride most any bike but would like one that fits

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They make "women's" bikes that look like men's frames -- rather than the step through kind we sort of traditionally think of as ladies bikes. A bike shop can help you with this!

as I will be riding in the DALMAC

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Sounds neat! I haven't done anything like this either, but have been trying to talk my DH into something of this sort too. We would have new bikes to buy and lots of training to do too -- our leaning toward mountain hybrids wouldn't be comfy for a big ride!

Things to Get

Reg ankle socks

Shoes...I am thinking of wearing some elastic tied ones. like from sketchers i have a hard time finding shoes that fit i have wide feet and toe problems any suggestions? i dont want to spend more then 50 bucks a pair hubby needs some good ones too!

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I'm not sure what you mean by reg ankle socks -- here's what I've found, and yes, both DH and I have wide feet. I have found that the thin, kinda spendy seeming socks like those we find here on the team estrogen web site are really helpful. My feet don't get all sweaty, and there's more room in the shoes.

Shoes -- I have some Specialized Taho shoes that I've found work well for me. They were around $70, which is a bit above your price range, but here's the thing: I have wide feet. That makes it hard to find shoes to begin with, as you know. These lace up, so they're nice and adjustable. I did have to buy some longer laces than what came in them. I also took off the velcro strap, cuz I didn't like it. The soles of regular shoes didn't give my feet enough support on pedals, and my feet hurt until they went numb while riding, then they hurt after riding from being uncomfortable. My riding performance and comfort greatly improved when I got the bike shoes even before I got pedals and those little metal cleats in the shoes.

Tops- Looking for some that are tanks but sporty kinds that are built like a sports bra but longer..almost like a swimsuit tankini top but for bikeing

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Remember that sun is an issue even on cool cloudy days. I like a bit of a sleeve -- especially if you're wearing that camelback! Something I found with bras: if I wear the compression sports bra, things are smashed together and get heat rash. I am much more comfortable in a bra that separates the girls!

Shorts and Pant? what kind is best?

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From what I read here, opinions vary a lot with one exception: find a bike short with the padding that you love! We'll all surely agree that an unhappy bottom makes a miserable rider! One of the things I've discovered -- I've got a couple of pair of shorts that I found at REI for about $20/pair, and they were okay for me when we were riding ten miles and maybe okay for 20 miles, but above that and they just weren't enough. I've got some in the $60 range that feel much better when I put in a longer day on my bike!

To add to this, you could go through a few seats this summer finding one that feels comfy. This is an important process -- again, when your butt hurts, there's no way to enjoy riding for any kind of distance!



I'm still fairly new to riding, having just one season under my belt. I'm itching for the weather to warm up (just can't coax myself to ride in my parka) The stuff I've written here are things I've learned so far from trial and error and these wonderful ladies!

Karen in Boise

[Barb]

Don't forget the Chamois Buttr!!! And most importantly don't let anyone tell you that MI does not have hills LOLOL! I have not done Dalmac...too many miles for me, but I did ride the PALM last year.

[Cha Cha]

Only thing I'll add here is buy the best shorts you can possibly afford and buy two - one to wash and one to wear. But, if that's too much, buy one pair and wash them daily - better to do that than suffer with cheap shorts. Turn them inside out in the store and look at how the chamois is constructed, and especially note where the seams are. When you try them on, walk around, crouch down into a riding position, and really move in them. (Don't worry, the people in the bike shop will not notice or care - in fact, they should encourage you to do so.) My favorites are the PI 3-d's, and at $120 a pair they are not cheap. But - no pun intended! - except for the first two days riding, I have had absolutely zero soreness.

I recently bought the top of the line Specialized, and don't like them too much as the chamois feels too wide. But everybody is built differently, so try on a bunch and get what works for you. Moral of the story is don't skimp on the shorts - if your bottom gets sore, you're not going to want to ride, so start off right.

Okay, end of sermon!

Oh - I actually wear thin runner's socks with a quarter top, they come in 2-pair packs and they end up a little less than $5 / pair.

Good luck and enjoy!!!

[emily_in_nc]

Hi Kristen,

Re. helmets: There have been some gals here with tiny heads who have managed to find a small size that fits them. In fact, I have a women's specific model, supposedly one size fits all, but it's pretty small -- it is slightly too small for me (I wear a S/M in most "unisex" helmets). It is a pink Specialized and has a visor. I was planning on listing it on ebay but if you like pink, PM me and we can work out a deal -- I'll sell it to you for cheap! I can send photos first, if you like. I've only worn it a handful of times.

If you don't like pink or prefer to try before you buy, you will probably be able to find a good fit by trying all different makes and models at a local bike shop. If you have to buy a child's helmet, so be it. It's the most important piece of gear you'll buy! (Good cycling shorts are second most important.)

Emily