Out spokin' I have padded shorts. I've gotten two pairs. My DH bought my last helmet for me (Surprise!) and it isn't what I like but I use it a while. I think gloves are my next purchase.

I was telling friends at work that I went on a ride this Saturday and I spontaneously met up with a couple of other riders I know (men) and they were tricked out in the jerseys and riding shorts etc and shoes (haven't done shoes either) and I was wearing my padded shorts in the baggies style (I'm 50+, so really...) with my American Red Cross plasma donor t-shirt. I don't feel so authentically cycler yet that I feel I need the other stuff but let me tell you padded shorts are probably not a vanity!

I call my old mountain bike, a Raleigh, my beater bike. But even if I bought a road bike, I would keep it I think for riding to work which I do a little of and for riding with my DH, who rides not very much.

Who says only boys have expensive toys, right?