Like my bike better

[LadyinWhite]

I think that every cyclist every where, male or female, heavy or light feels a little self conscious initially in biking apparel. It's really not flattering to even the most trim and fit forms. All it takes is one round of saddle sores to convince a newbie to invest in some decent bottoms!!

What's so great is that once the addiction kicks in, you stop caring real fast. All that matters is, like Ellen said, is that you're out there!!

I'm new to road cycling. Switched out my mtb last spring for my first road bike to see if I'd like it. (Hence the entry level bike. I now join the hordes of cyclists who wishes she'd spent a little more getting started.) When I was strictly mtb - I wore plus size clothing. It was SO frustrating trying to find fitness wear for a woman my size. (over 200lbs) Sure there were a few places but the cost

Since switching to road cycling (and loving it so much more than MTB) I have dropped 42 lbs. You'd think my problem would be solved but nope. I'm a straight up size 10 or a ladies medium but when I buy cycling clothes I still have to buy large or XL. I will never understand why our culture preaches get up off the couch, get out there, get fit.. but makes it so difficult for folks who are trying to do just that.

Suzie - take the bike inside and sit on it while in a doorway. Hold yourself up by the door jam and just hang out, click in, click out, click in, click out, click in, click out.

You'll develop muscle memory in no time. Besides, any excuse to sit on the bike!

Kudos to all of you for getting out there!!

Theresa

[oxysback]

II'm new to road cycling. Switched out my mtb last spring for my first road bike to see if I'd like it. (Hence the entry level bike. I now join the hordes of cyclists who wishes she'd spent a little more getting started.) When I was strictly mtb - I wore plus size clothing. It was SO frustrating trying to find fitness wear for a woman my size. (over 200lbs) Sure there were a few places but the cost
Theresa

AMEN to THAT!!! I can't walk in Performance Bike and pick up a pair of shorts or a jersey. Even in Fred Meyer, where they do have plus sized clothing (that only old ladies would be interested in, if you know what I mean), they don't carry fitness type stuff for larger women.

So we're supposed to wear....uh, what??

I did find a great site for ordering shorts, though...and they're reasonable AND decent...www.aerotechdesigns.com. And thank goodness for the TE store!! Hubby got me 2 jerseys for Christmas that I absolutely love!

[suzieqtwa]

I havent been on the bike since Saturday due to work ,weather, etc....but this early evening Im for sure going to ride it. Im trying to switch the lights from the hybrid over to the Road bike.
All this talk about being heavy ,and self consious. Well, Im 5/9 ,and weigh 125 ,and am extremely self consious about being too thin. I wear my shorts under someting,so I guess it doesnt matter what size you are, we all have our insecurities,at least Im out there.
Once Ellen loosened my pedal, I seemed to ride easier. I know Ill be Ok ,but Im out of my comfort zone.

[lauraelmore1033]

I havent been on the bike since Saturday due to work ,weather, etc....but this early evening Im for sure going to ride it. Im trying to switch the lights from the hybrid over to the Road bike.
All this talk about being heavy ,and self consious. Well, Im 5/9 ,and weigh 125 ,and am extremely self consious about being too thin. I wear my shorts under someting,so I guess it doesnt matter what size you are, we all have our insecurities,at least Im out there.
Once Ellen loosened my pedal, I seemed to ride easier. I know Ill be Ok ,but Im out of my comfort zone.

hard to believe that one could be self conscious about being thin! I'm glad to hear you are feeling more confident on your bike. I've been following the thread with great interest since I'd been thinking about making the switch myself. At one point I'd decided, "well, if she doesn't like it, most likely I won't either--and I'll look even more foolish during the learning process". But I think we're all coming 'round now.

[Bluetree]

Don't worry about it Suzie! Just last summer someone mistook me for a small boy... My friends are still having a good laugh over that one.

[lauraelmore1033]

AMEN to THAT!!! I can't walk in Performance Bike and pick up a pair of shorts or a jersey. Even in Fred Meyer, where they do have plus sized clothing (that only old ladies would be interested in, if you know what I mean), they don't carry fitness type stuff for larger women.

So we're supposed to wear....uh, what??

I did find a great site for ordering shorts, though...and they're reasonable AND decent...www.aerotechdesigns.com. And thank goodness for the TE store!! Hubby got me 2 jerseys for Christmas that I absolutely love!

besides TE there is also Junonia.com. They are a little spammy, though...

[ace]

So you like those aerotech shorts, Ellen? Have you tried the Terry plus shorts? I only have a pair of Junonia shorts (which are fine, but I need a couple more pairs of decent shorts).

Fyi, I recently ordered a Sportshill long sleeve top from TE, and it's actually sized like it says on the site- pretty roomy, I recommend it for the big girls looking for something warm: http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=22298

I'm liking the turn this thread has taken....I am really struggling with my body/weight....trying to love myself the way I am, but knowing it would be easier to get up the hills if I dropped about 75 lbs. It seems like a never ending and consuming struggle.

Yay for all the big girls on bikes! And for everyone else, too, of course :-)

[oxysback]

So you like those aerotech shorts, Ellen? Have you tried the Terry plus shorts? I only have a pair of Junonia shorts (which are fine, but I need a couple more pairs of decent shorts).

Fyi, I recently ordered a Sportshill long sleeve top from TE, and it's actually sized like it says on the site- pretty roomy, I recommend it for the big girls looking for something warm: http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=22298

I'm liking the turn this thread has taken....I am really struggling with my body/weight....trying to love myself the way I am, but knowing it would be easier to get up the hills if I dropped about 75 lbs. It seems like a never ending and consuming struggle.

Yay for all the big girls on bikes! And for everyone else, too, of course :-)

I do like the Aerotech shorts. I have a pair of the classic shorts and 2 pair of the plus pro ones. I haven't tried the Terry ones...I tend to balk at that price a bit.

I just took a peek at the Junonia site....that's one I'll be putting on my favorites!

It's nice to participate in a forum that is this supportive about size and body image. I do feel I need to apologize to Suzie for the thread drift, though...

Sorry, Suzie!!

[logdiva32]

I have been to Bicycles West in Tukwila and they were quite helpful. I am not overweight, but can understand, cause I have been after having my kids in succession. I am very, weary of where I shop and ride in Washington because I am black. Despite what many Wa people think, they are not as culturally accepting as they believe themselves to be. I get many strange looks out with my HB and 3 little mix kids...... I ride the interurban also, never had many problems but am weary still.
I used to say to myself, " I am not the smallest chic out here, but damnit, I'm out here... Keep riding, one push at a time, one breath at a time, it gets easier..

[lauraelmore1033]

logdiva--
oh, I notice there is a Bicycles West in Lynnwood. I will definitely look in on them. Thanks! I'm not really in a position to comment on the race issue (I live in a self contained bubble). There are pockets of accepting people and pockets of ignorant ones. In any case, I'm sure I would give you and your family a broad smile if I met you out on the bike and you were looking my way...

[DarcyInOregon]

Despite what many Wa people think, they are not as culturally accepting as they believe themselves to be. I get many strange looks out with my HB and 3 little mix kids...... I ride the interurban also, never had many problems but am weary still.
I used to say to myself, " I am not the smallest chic out here, but damnit, I'm out here... Keep riding, one push at a time, one breath at a time, it gets easier..

Logdiva, the looks might be looks of envy. You are outside doing a physically exacting sport, and the others are actually thinking oh gosh, I wish I was her, out cycling like that.

When I am in my car and I see a cyclist, that is what I think, wishing I was out on my bike and oh how lucky that cyclist is. Then of course I look at the bike and try to see what kind it is. I think I always look at the bike first, then the cyclist second. Then if the cyclist is a handsome male, I forget about the bike.

Darcy

[LadyinWhite]

I do like the Aerotech shorts. I have a pair of the classic shorts and 2 pair of the plus pro ones. I haven't tried the Terry ones...I tend to balk at that price a bit.

I just took a peek at the Junonia site....that's one I'll be putting on my favorites!

It's nice to participate in a forum that is this supportive about size and body image. I do feel I need to apologize to Suzie for the thread drift, though...

Sorry, Suzie!!

I'm going to check out the Aerotech site, thanks. I love new sources no matter what size I am at the moment.

I have a few Terry items but like you the price makes me cringe. Hubby picked up a gorgeous long sleeve mandarin jersey for me for xmas of their clearance pages for half price.

I have a few junonia items and they are fine. Know going in though that once you are on their mailing list you ain't NEVER coming off LOL!
T.

[LadyinWhite]

PS: My bad on the thread drift, I do tend to rant and wander a bit once my fingers get going!

[DarcyInOregon]

I just took a peek at the Junonia site....that's one I'll be putting on my favorites!

Ellen, I have two pairs of Junonia shorts you can have. They are quite stretchy and may fit you now. If not, they will fit you by the time you finish your first century. I wore them last spring when I started cycling. My body burned a lot of fat in the first months and I went down a couple of sizes, and the Junonia became too big for me. I switched over to the Terry and haven't regretted it. I've never had a sore seat problem with the Terry shorts, or any kind of problem. If you want these shorts, just say so and they are yours.

The thread drifted towards women riding, their size while being on a bike. I want to make a few comments. Around here, which is Northern Oregon, where I cycle and where I am when I am in my car, I rarely see a female cyclist. In truth, most of the cyclists I see are older men. I've wondered about this oddity because I don't understand it. I get on my bike and I go out and bike. I don't need to be with anyone, therefore I am not dependant upon anyone's schedule other than my own. I just do it. I was larger when I started, and I am less large now, but still large. And I am still biking. I love cycling with a passion. It makes me feel good, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

I don't understand why there are not more women out there cycling like I am, in the area where I live. It can't be the body weight because if you have a bike that supports your weight then use it. And it can't be because women are worried about how they look because who cares what strangers passing by in cars think. I can tell you when I see a female cyclist, big or small, old or young, I think they are awesome, totally incredible people. However the sad reality is I very rarely see a female cyclist, except when I meet up to go riding with Suzie and Ellen, or I am on an event ride.

A few times last summer I saw some female cyclists, and they were either with a spouse or boyfriend, or cycling with a small group. I've never seen a female cyclist biking by herself like I do. I know Suzie does it. I know others on this forum do it. I guess I am just confused as to what keeps most women from getting on a bike and going out and getting some miles in, and doing it regularly. I see male cyclists biking solo every day. So why don't I see female cyclists biking solo?

Darcy