HELP NEEDED PLEASE! Opinions and comments wanted :)

[limewave]

I admit, I've been skimming the responses, but has anyone said:

sore bottom? I hear that ALOT. They ride once and their bum hurts. So they never do it again.

And the bike jerseys/kits are UGLY (not my opinion, but I hear that alot).

And who wants to wear spandex shorts, OMG! Especially if a guy will be riding a foot behind you!!!!

I will never forget the first time I rode with DH and he told me my bum jiggled a lot. It's a good thing I'm not overly sensitive.

[chicagogal]

I too have enjoyed reading this thread. It has made me think back to how I got into cycling when I was in my 20s (it wasn't that long ago, being in my 30s is a recent development

I think that the biggest deterrent to me before taking up cycling was the idea of getting places sweaty and gross. To be honest, that hasn't changed much. Therefore, I don't commute by bike. Cycling is my sport and I am only in a public place after a ride if I am with other cyclists post-ride at a coffee shop, or at the LBS - that is one place I have never minded arriving sweaty and gross, and driving there just seems odd. I'll occasionally bike to the tennis courts (my other sport) but don't really like having to carry my tennis equipment so only do it if I am desperate to get a ride in.

The roads are another problem. Being young, I tend to move around a lot. I got used to biking on the roads in the bay area, and then moved to chicago. It took me some time to feel comfortable on new roads. Partly I didn't know what to expect from the drivers and partly I was afraid that I didn't know the best/safest routes, or that I might get lost in a bad neighborhood. Finding groups/clubs to ride with definitely helped.