Like my bike better

[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

[logdiva32]

Big is big no way around it for me. But when I see big folks out there doing any activity, I think good for him/her. I was about 185 after my kids, I am 5'4 I was too embarassed to go out. I worked it off at home, measured my food the whole 9, until I got a little smaller. I did not have the courage to go out to a gym or track.
So when I see big people out, I smile and say gettem girl. I've been watching a guy run near my house for a year now, he has dropped at leas 45 lbs. I don't even know him and I am proud of him.
I have been thinking of a tatoo inside of my bicep Gettem Girl. It is my " I'm coming out motto". 45 lbs smaller.. Oh yea try that song by Diana Ross in your workout playlist, hypes me up.

[logdiva32]

As for the cyclist, i thought it was really popular in Oregon??

[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