Help Choosing Short . . .

[OakLeaf]

+1 to trying on shorts. There's just no other way to know what fits, and unfortunately you do get what you pay for, for the most part. Do you like the one pair you have? Can you find the same or similar shorts?

Gloves are a must for safety as much as comfort. It doesn't take much road rash on your hands to put you totally out of commission.

As far as a hydration pack, that depends. If you've been riding for years, you know how much you need to drink to avoid getting dehydrated - will you be able to stop and refill your bottles often enough? Is it a supported tour?

+1 on arm and knee warmers, depending on what kind of weather you expect on your tour.

Cycling jerseys are nice, but not a complete necessity (as long as you have another way to carry your ID, phone, key, credit cards, etc. if you don't have pockets). A good technical fabric will wick sweat, help keep you cool in hot weather and warm in cool weather, hug your body for comfort and aerodynamics in riding position, and give you some (not much) protection in a fall by sliding rather than catching on the ground. But plenty of people ride in T-shirts or running tops.

[redrhodie]

I wasn't riding when I lived in NYC, but I used to get dance and yoga clothes at Paragon on B'way, and I remember them having a good cycling section. I just looked at their website, and they seem to carry a lot of brands, so that may be a good place to try stuff on. I bought my BF some Sugoi tights there 10 years ago, and I wore them myself this winter, and they were still perfect.

Better not to skimp with shorts, the cheapo ones don't last, so you end up spending more in the long run. You'll probably need 2 pairs. If it's going to be hot, I'd opt for 1 short sleeve and 1 sleeveless jersey, either a bolero or armwarmers, and a long sleeve base layer just in case it gets chilly.

Where are you heading? I'm feeling jealous already.

[Grog]

Oh, YES! Try them on!!

And, a reminder: bike shorts should be tight. Not loose. I know some are shy to appear immodest, but please make sure you get the smallest shorts you can squeeze yourself into. If they are loose, then the chammy starts moving around and pinching you in places you really don't want to be pinched!

Enjoy the tour (and tell us about it!)

[SouthernBelle]

I really would suggest jerseys for a tour because of the pockets. They have rear pockets for food, etc.

[Zen]

+1 on those jersey pockets.

What ride/tour is it?

[OakLeaf]

please make sure you get the smallest shorts you can squeeze yourself into

well, not exactly. Shorts should be snug, but the chamois shouldn't be stretched taut against the area it's supposed to protect. I have a pair of shorts that's too small (must've been dehydrated or something when I tried them on ) and they're VERY uncomfortable.

[Tokie]

Hey Anasofia! I rode from oregon to Jackson Hole wyoming last summer...and these bibs from TE were the ticket in hot weather http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=18029 They are out of my size now or I would buy another pair. They fit like a glove, nice chamois, and are very very breathable and cool - and I don't do hot very well ... it was over 100 degrees on many long days! I also recommend the "arm coolers" by de soto that TE sells. Several other riders wore them too ... when they get sweaty, they really are cooler than bare skin, and they cut the sun a bit too. When I felt I was really baking my skin, I even wore the defeat brand arm coolers also sold her by TE - too hot for my arms, but I stretched them over my legs! With the black and white bibs, it was quite unique, but comfortable. by the way, I call these bibs my penquin shorts - the black and white panels are actually very flattering. The long-sleeved Terry reaction jersey (also sold on TE) rocks in hot weather - and I don't get a sunburn through it either, which is amazing. I have 3 of them, and wore them more than any other jersey on the tour. The only other advice I can offer is that the longer the shorts are, the less sunburned the tops of your legs will be! Have fun! Tokie

[lph]

I have 5 shorts, all different (hey! where did they all come from!), and the different types of padding don't really make much difference to me. I have one that's a favourite because of the padding, but they're all good enough, even though some are a bit sloppier than others, and one is really worn out. What does bug me on longer rides is the ones that have too tight elastic bottom hems. I like them on short training rides because they feel snug and "compressive" but they're irritating in the long run.

Bibs - I have 2 and am still not a total fan. I have had one bout of unexplicable stomach cramps on my road bike, which would have been better without two waist elastics (shorts+tights), but I've ridden many miles comfortably with just plain shorts. And it's a heckuva lot easier to go to the bathroom.

[jesvetmed]

LPH: I have always thought that about bibs.... how DO you manage the bathroom in them? Don't answer -- it's just hypothetical! But that is why I've never considered them.

[Grog]

well, not exactly. Shorts should be snug, but the chamois shouldn't be stretched taut against the area it's supposed to protect. I have a pair of shorts that's too small (must've been dehydrated or something when I tried them on ) and they're VERY uncomfortable.

You're totally right... But I know from testimonies on this forum that a lot of newcomers to the cycling apparel section buy too-loose shorts and then feel uncomfortable... But of course one does not want to be squeezed!! Yet I have to wiggle to get in my most comfortable (once on the bike) shorts...

[Tokie]

OK, I have to tell you how to pee - in any kind of shorts, in a hurry! Scrunch the leg of your shorts up on one leg, about as high as you can get it. Pull the bunched up leg towards your midline to expose your perineum - right hand in the front of your body, left hand doing the same reaching around behind yourself. for successful peeing without getting your shorts wet, you need a pretty good squat and pee like you mean it! Once you get good at it, it is so much better than hanging your whole butt out! Worth trying, and by the way, bib shorts are super comfortable across your belly - don't let the peeing thing discourage you for trying them! Tokie

[Zen]

OK, I have to tell you how to pee...

For me, that sounds like a recipe for disaster

[GLC1968]

OK, I have to tell you how to pee - in any kind of shorts, in a hurry! Scrunch the leg of your shorts up on one leg, about as high as you can get it. Pull the bunched up leg towards your midline to expose your perineum - right hand in the front of your body, left hand doing the same reaching around behind yourself. for successful peeing without getting your shorts wet, you need a pretty good squat and pee like you mean it! Once you get good at it, it is so much better than hanging your whole butt out! Worth trying, and by the way, bib shorts are super comfortable across your belly - don't let the peeing thing discourage you for trying them! Tokie

OMG, you must have small legs! There is NO WAY I would have room to pull the elastic on my shorts far enough away from my legs to do this!!

I've never tried bibs because I have a super long torso and a narrow body (but big legs) and every time I've tried them on, they were super uncomfy. All the guys I used to ride with loved them...but most of them had no hips to hold up regular bike shorts either!

Something else to remember about buying bike shorts - you don't necessarily want the thickest padding you can find. I know it sounds counter-intuitive, but like the saddle, often the thicker the padding, the more uncomfy the shorts may be over long rides.