Newbie here - Plus-Size gal with severe fear of lycra

[Biking Chick]

[QUOTE=effulgent]I'm a very new, very out-of-shape rider. I say out of shape rider, but truth be told I haven't ridden a bike since college, and that was just for commuting around campus. I've never really been in shape, and I'm a pretty big gal.[QUOTE]

Celebrate who you are right at this moment - don't waste time worrying about what other people will think about you when all that counts is what you think. For every person in the world who might snicker at seeing a big gal on a bike there is a woman biker who is thinking ... Hey! A woman working towards a healthier lifestyle enjoying herself on a bike! Biking shorts, bright look-at-me jersey ... you go girl!!

Life is far too short to be spent thinking about body image - you'll miss too many of the day's wonderful gifts. If you change one thing about your eating habits each week - substituting a glass of water for soda or a glass of juice; choosing whole grains over refined grains whenever you can - include at least a half hour of exercise on most days you will go to bed at night feeling empowered that you are taking better care of yourself. It won't be long before you have confidence to try on that hot pink and yellow jersey ... and not give what the rest of the world thinks more than a second thought.

I hope you'll post to the list as ofen as you can - the women on this list have all been an inspiration - I have been moved just reading the postings to this thread. Welcome to the group.

[Beth-Ro]

Bike shorts can be scary.

I am also of the plus-sized persuasion, and the first time I put lycra on in the dressing room at the bike shop last August, I was, quite frankly, horrified by what I saw in the mirror. My fear of riding without some padding overrode my fear of wearing the shorts, so they were added to the pile at the register when I bought the bike. I shoved the bag containing the teeny tiny bundle of lycra under the back seat and instead concentrated on my pretty new orange mountain bike.

Then it was time for a ride...I snapped on those shorts and made the mistake of wearing regular shorts on top of them...modesty is such a pain in the tail, literally. My first few bike rides were fraught with tears and much huffing and puffing as I struggled up the cruely long and mocking hills of the blue ridge mountains...apparently we don't do anything flat around here. I was so overrun with the hill drama and my out-of-shape-ness that I didn't really notice the damage I was doing to my bikini line. The humidity and heat of August in South Carolina combined with that extra outer layer of shorts soon took it's toll and the chaffing was unreal. I was forced to swallow my pride, take off that extra layer, and ride with lycra-exposed thighs.

And you know what? Once I got on the bike, the focus was on the ride, not the outfit. And the ride was more enjoyable what without all that extra layer and chaffing and all.

Those people in their cars that MIGHT notice me riding my bike are to busy talking on their cell phone, eating their sausage biscuit, smoking their cigarrette, yelling at their kids, wondering if they paid the mortgage, and SPEEDING to really pay any attention to my cycling trousseau. Unless they ride. Then they are checking out the bike.

Of course it's one thing to don lycra and go riding with DH and quite another to parade before other riders/racers/been on a bike for at least 20 years types with their toned bodies and their fancy shmancy clipless pedals. But those guys I ride with have other, urm, protrusions they are constantly adjusting, so why am I so selfconcious?

And thank goodness I'm doing this for myself and not for them!!!

The Terry plus shorts have a 9-inch inseam. That should go to your knee. Right now I feel better with just-above-the-knee length shorts because they don't cut into my leg funny and I think the longer stuff would be more hot than I could take here in subtropical land. I just (it arrived yesterday) purchased the plus size orange Sporthill jersey from our dear sponsors here at TE and I LOVE IT! It is not body hugging and has no elastic in the sleeve or hem to ride, bind, and generally annoy me. This is the first jersey I've found that is ample enough across my chest.

So, find the gear, wear with pride, love your body, and look yourself in the mirror every morning and remind yourself "I am better today than I was yesterday". That's how I did it. And guess what? I've put 1300 miles or so on that new orange mountain bike...5 and 10 miles at a time...in less than a year. Mother's Day weekend I rode 40+ miles for the first time. And honey let me tell you about the muscles in my legs!!!!

Lycra is your friend. Embrase it and ride like the wind!

-beth, who was probably a little too excited about a plus sized sister on a bike

[effulgent]

You guys are so great, seriously! I do think I'll get leggings because I never thought about leg stuff jiggling before Sisu's post. I'm sure they would make me feel more comfortable. But I am pumped about investing in a pair of leggings and an obnoxious jersey.

And here's the bizarre question for the day - has anyone ever bought the Curves Sports Bra that Avon sells? I'm not the Avon type, I've never bought anything from them before, but I noticed while perusing a catalog at lunch yesterday (a co-worker drapes the catalogs all over the building) that they have a sports bra for $15. The only ones I've found on the Internet have been $50 or more. I wear a 42D right now, which the catalog says will fit me, at least in theory. My main concern is that underwires SUCK when you're all sweating and whatnot. I could afford to get 3 Curves bras for what 1 bra somewhere else would cost. But if they are horrid, I don't want to even risk it.

Ladies?

[Beth-Ro]

I don't use a sports bra because I've never found one that was big enough, so post back here if you find one you like.

And please post back on the jersey you find that you like. I may have to try that Terry jersey too!

[Satori78]

So I've been lurking for awhile and decided that this was a good post to speak up on. My boyfriend is a long time biker and I got started going with him, VERY recently started biking and it sounds like I am in the same size category. After a ride or two when my girly parts and rear were sore, my boyfriend suggest padded shorts, and my reaction was of course LYCRA?!?!?

After some online browsing, I ended up going with the terry skort and so far so good. The only thing I've noticed is there seems to be a little size difference between the skirt part and the short part (i.e. the skirt seems to run smaller than the shorts). The shorts fit fine, could maybe be a little smaller (can't believe I said that), but the skirt part barely fits.

What has actually amazed me is that even with the skort (it's not that long), I was a little self-concious at first, but being out riding and getting the natural adrenalin (sp?) high from it has really helped me get over the self-conciousness. I say go out ride, the way I feel after far tops the concern about appearance.

Smiles,
Angela

[CorsairMac]

Welcome to the board Satori! Isn't it amazing the things you find here on the board, things you think "gosh maybe it's just me" until you come here and find out you're not alone! what a neat post!!

if you get a chance, there's a thread under the open titled "getting to know you".....it'll give ya about an hour of giggles learning about us - and if you're so inclined - tell us about you!!

Hope to hear more from you!

[nuthatch]

After some online browsing, I ended up going with the terry skort and so far so good.

I was going to suggest this too. When I started out last summer (before my bike infected me with its cocky, devil-may-care attitude) I felt so self-conscious about being in lycra, especially as a bike commuter arriving at work. I felt like the lycra was some sort of badge of fitness that only real serious cyclist types wore and I was a lumpy woman wobbling around on her wheels. So I made a little wrap-around skirt with a piece of sanded microfiber cotton I found at the fabric store and I love it! It covers the shorts, it looks cute and girly and I'm not shy to arrive at work in it. Takes very little fabric and I can't believe Canari and such are charging $40 for one!!! I only whip it off when I become SUPERCYCLER on the weekends!

[SadieKate]

Effulgent, I just saw your DH's post on your first rides. He's a wonderboy! He is so excited that you're riding and wants you to be happy and comfy on your bike. He's a good guy. I'll raise a Cytomax toast to him tomorrow!

[anaphase]

Doesn't Moving Comfort make a lot of plus-sized gear? I'm not sure about cycling stuff, but I know they make tops and bras for running and the gym.

I've heard good things from my plus sized runner friends about the Enell bra. Women who are in the 38 - 42 DD range rave about it. It's probably more heavy duty than you need for cycling (less bounce, I guess ) but might be worth a look.

Title9sports.com has a good rating system for their bras. They have little barbell icons and each bra is rated based on size and activity.

Again, good job on getting out there!!!

[cyclingnewbie]

I am still paranoid about how I look in riding clothes, but padded lycra shorts and wicking fabrics make me so much more comfortable, that I can convince myself to be seen in public in them. I also sweat just thinking about it, so wicking is critical. I have the Terry shorts, and I like them, but I also have several pair that are much cheaper from http://www.aerotechdesigns.com that I like better because the lycra is actually a little stiffer and holds everything in place a little better. On cooler days I wear a regular cotton t-shirt that comes just to the bottom of my stomach, but not past the crotch so it doesn't catch the nose of the saddle. I also have the Borah Plus Micro Jersey for very warm days because it's very lightweight and cool. And, I tell myself that at least I'm a fat person geting some exercise and if someone doesn't like how I look, they can buy a porn magazine and look at the pictures of "real" women in there (Hah!). Wear what you are comfortable in and enjoy the riding. Anyone and everyone looks good on a bike!!

[effulgent]

Effulgent, I just saw your DH's post on your first rides. He's a wonderboy! He is so excited that you're riding and wants you to be happy and comfy on your bike. He's a good guy. I'll raise a Cytomax toast to him tomorrow!

Yes, my husband is very cool. (She's referring to the bikeforum.com post, my husband's handle is "monogodo"). Every time we go on a ride, he tinkers with my bike a little more to make it better for me.

Today I went on an 8.75 mile ride, which is the farthest that I've ridden so far. And I didn't just completely collapse when I got home, which made me feel good. I am going to go exchange my saddle today, though. I got a nice cushy springy saddle thinking that it would be more comfortable for me, but I think I'd like one that is specifially cut for women and has a hole in the center. The first few rides, I would hold onto the handles funny, and I realized today it was because when I bent forward I mushed up my Girlie Parts and it made me very uncomfortable. Plus I keep poking myself in the butt with the seat, I think a shorter nosed saddle will help.

[Trek420]

effulgent posts "I think a shorter nosed saddle will help."

wellllll, I dunno about that, something about saddles that are a little longer is it gives you more options, slide your butt back for hills etc.

While you may need a different saddle, I know it sounds counterintuitive but super cooshy squooshy saddles can be LESS comfy. But think adjustment, allignment before going shorter.

there are many threads here that go on at length about saddle choice, favorites, least favorites.

[DeniseGoldberg]

...but I think I'd like one that is specifially cut for women and has a hole in the center. The first few rides, I would hold onto the handles funny, and I realized today it was because when I bent forward I mushed up my Girlie Parts and it made me very uncomfortable.

Unfortunately, there isn't any one saddle that is comfortable for all of us. I tried a Terry saddle with the cut out and hated it. I use a saddle that is narrow and has just a little bit of padding - and that works for me. So as Trek says, cushier isn't always better.

My advice? Keep trying saddles until you find one that is right for you!
--- Denise

[SadieKate]

Today I went on an 8.75 mile ride, which is the farthest that I've ridden so far. And I didn't just completely collapse when I got home, which made me feel good.

Way to go! You get the Windwalker Merlot toast tonight! Urr, that IS on my hill training program, right Yellow?

On the saddle issue, for the road I like long noses and little cush. They provide more support for the long haul and more position options (as Trek mentioned). Are you just getting poked when you're getting on and off the bike? That will lessen with practice and as you get stronger so you can lift up onto the saddle better. Try lots of saddles. Some manufacturers and shops give you return privileges so ask about that as you experiment.

[Pedal Wench]

Yes, my husband is very cool. (She's referring to the bikeforum.com post, my husband's handle is "monogodo"). Every time we go on a ride, he tinkers with my bike a little more to make it better for me.
.

OH! I thought it was you guys, but I wasn't sure. I'm '3cannondales (+1Bianchi)' over at www.bikeforums.net, and I suggested he take you clothes shopping - immediately! He is very cool, and so proud!

Regarding saddles, I found that a saddle that's wide enough to support your sitbones is essential. Otherwise, all your weight in on the stuff 'between' the sitbones - ouch!!! That's why most of us end up gravitating towards a stiffer saddle too. With a squishy saddle, your sitbones sink into the cushion, and then your girly bits are hitting the saddle too - not good!