Poor Cyclist

[margo49]

The first thing to remember is that whatever road or distance you ride on your bike has already been ridden by a woman on a Raleigh Sports with 3-speed Sturmey-Archer gearing in the 1930's. If she could do it, so can we. There is also a story here on the boards somewhere of a TE girl riding up a steep hill in Pennsylvania being overtaken by a traditionally-dressed Amish lass on a Dutch bike!
I agree that gloves and helmet are essential. Shorts you can wait till you are uncomfortable . I did all my youthful long-distance touring and messengering in regular Cut-offs. You do not say your age but my experience is that the Female Nether Regions are Never Quite The Same Again after the children, so if you are a mother you might need them straight away.
In our intimate relationships (of whatever combination of ages and genders), most of us started out with not very much "stuff" and gradually put together a Good Home; and even looking back remember how happy we were with so little.
Same with biking (another Intimate Relationship if ever there was one!!). You do need a bike, but it doesn't have to be the latest or fanciest. You will always love your first bike the most anyway, whatever you end up riding!

Stick around, nobody here ever puts anybody down because of their equipment, accessories or lack of them. The Women here have so much experience and knowledge and stories to share. We don't have time to engage in negative comparisons (in between biking, the rest of our lives and the TE forums!)

[rij73]

nashbar.com and performancebike.com are both really good places if you are on a budget. I never buy anything unless it's at least 50% off...

[Trek420]

but if you need bike socks, and these are in your size, right now www.Steepandcheap.com has Sock Guy bikes socks at 72% off.

woops, now they are gone but don't forget the TE closeout pricing, some great deals here.

For example, NOW they have my favorite jacket at 50% off

www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=17474

[fikustree]

Thank you so much everyone! When I posted yesterday I was just feeling so overwhelmed. I got a bike on Craig's list for really cheap but all the other stuff seemed a lot harder to find. I really want the shorts for my ride to work because it is really hot and the next day after riding I feel almost too sore to ride again, but I do.

Do you get a bum callus after awhile?

I was a little hesitant about buying used shorts because of the eww factor but now I see that that is an option. Thanks for all the links, time to go shopping

[mimitabby]

fikus, some of us are more uh.. sensitive than others.. You won't get a callus on your bum, but if the saddle isn't an instrument of torture, you'll get used to riding it. If it is excruciating, it could be that it isn't going to fit... or you might just need the saddle lowered or raised or tilted.

some people will not buy used shorts, but I've done it and i'm not the only one.
happy hunting!

[fikustree]

I doesn't hurt when I am riding, it hurts the next day when I get back on. I took a free spinning class and that was even worse. I couldn't ride my bike for the next 3 days I have tried different seat heights and I think I found the sweet spot but I think I might need one of those saddles with the middle cut out.

[Trek420]

I doesn't hurt when I am riding, it hurts the next day when I get back on. I took a free spinning class and that was even worse. I couldn't ride my bike for the next 3 days I have tried different seat heights and I think I found the sweet spot but I think I might need one of those saddles with the middle cut out.

Like one of these for sale by a TE'er?

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...601#post205601

[Xrayted]

The first thing to remember is that whatever road or distance you ride on your bike has already been ridden by a woman on a Raleigh Sports with 3-speed Sturmey-Archer gearing in the 1930's. If she could do it, so can we. There is also a story here on the boards somewhere of a TE girl riding up a steep hill in Pennsylvania being overtaken by a traditionally-dressed Amish lass on a Dutch bike!

Heh. That was me in Strasburg, PA on my new-to-me road bike and she blew my doors in like I was sitting still. She had a rusted out little single speed bike that was probably handed down across generations. I know it had to weigh more than 35 lbs or so but there she went, right up that hill and I was struggling to catch my breath. It just made me more determined to get out and ride. I bought my bike from a doctor I worked with when I was an xray student last year. It was a fantastic bargain compared to new and she had only taken it out a few times before she got bored. (she is easily bored so many of us students got great stuff from her) My helmet I got on Ebay as well as my shoes. All of my shorts/shirts/gear are from there or various sales at local/online stores. I hate paying full price.

The question was raised above... where do you live? We have TE ladies from all over who could give you specific places to check in your area. Craig's list is a great resource as well as your local re-use-it or pawn shop. As for the shorts and jerseys, clipless pedals, computers... those can wait if you are doing shorter rides. The safety gear can't. Get a spare tube, a pump that mounts on the bike, small tool kit, a water bottle, helmet and gloves and some blinky lights so you will be seen. Also, wear the brightest colors you can. And the most overlooked safety precaution is to check your local bike traffic laws to make sure you are riding in a proper/safe/legal manner before you get out there.

Good luck and let us know how you make out. If you need anything, the TE ladies are here for you.

~X.