I was reading a blogpost by Sam B at Fit is a Feminist Issue, (recommended) about why she doesn’t see more big women on road bikes, and my attention was caught by the line: 

“There are worries about … being seen in cycling clothes.”

Sam, it’s not just big women who worry about this.  I would venture that there are many, many women who would love to ride a bike, but are discouraged because they think that ‘cycling clothes’ are part of the deal.  I’ve been pondering this for a few days as I pedal my early morning circuit – without conventional ‘cycling clothes’. This is by way of a rather long comment on that post.

I’m Lesley, I’m 63, and I ride bikes.  I’m not a racing greyhound.  In pre-COVID times, as you can see from the stories in this blog, I rode many long-distance tours, 6 months or more at a time, camping and carrying all my gear.  At the moment, it’s daily local rides.  I don’t do lycra.

How did this lycra style of clothing come about?  I think it came about because that’s what the male bike racing community wore.  So anyone who aspired to be – or to look like – a bike racer started to copy the style.  Then women started to do the same thing.  Manufacturers have slowly started to adapt the lycra look to styles and colours aimed at women.  It’s got to the stage that you aren’t seen as ‘serious’ unless you wear the uniform.

But wait a mo.  Has anyone stopped to think that there may be other ways to dress while riding a bike?  Clothes that might actually work at least as well, or better, than the lycra look – and be more comfortable for both body and spirit?  

Lycra cycling clothing is clingy, revealing and synthetic for the most part.  If there’s anything a woman of a certain age doesn’t need, it’s clingy, revealing and synthetic clothes.  Yes, I know it’s meant to be breathable and wicking, but at the end of the day – and partway through the day –  it’s sweaty and stinky.  Unless you’re built like a racing greyhound, it’s unflattering, too.  

When I’m out on my bike, I want to look neat and stylish; I want to be comfortable, both physically and mentally, on the bike and off.  I want to wear clothes that flatter me.  Perhaps most importantly, the clothes have to be functional; they need to keep me warm or cool, keep my dry in the rain and protected from the sun.  And I really don’t want to look like I came from Planet Zog.  

Over the years I have tried all sorts of combinations, and have finally come to a style that suits me.  I’m sharing it to encourage others to think about other ways of dressing to ride your bike.  If, in doing that, it means that more women will realise that lycra is not compulsory when riding a bike, brilliant!  

From the base:  

I wear a normal, properly fitted, underwired bra.  In my experience, sports bras have a band that rolls up under my boobs and a style that pushes the girls together so there is a sweaty pit in between.  Getting them on and off often requires the skills of a contortionist or the aid of an assistant.

I don’t wear padded shorts or knickers.  I’ve found a saddle that works for me so that I don’t need them.

Most of the time, I wear regular cropped leggings that come to just below the knee; it’s the length that suits me best.  I can pick them up for a few pounds at Aldi, the local discount supermarket. OK, maybe a touch of lycra here.  When it’s cold, I add some full-length merino leggings over the top.

On top is a riding shirt of my own design.  It starts out as a man’s no-iron cotton shirt from the thrift store.  I adjust it to fit my shape, putting in some feminine curves, and shape the hem.  I cut the collar down so it’s a simple stand-up.  It’s long enough to cover my butt, and keep things modest; the sleeves are long and the collar is high to keep the sun off.  It doesn’t cling, and dries quickly.  

When required, I can add a merino vest underneath and a merino sweater on top.  It doesn’t have to be technical – Costco do a great line in merino sweaters from time to time.

I don’t clip in.  I use Powerstraps to keep my feet in place on the pedals, and I wear regular GoreTex lined leather walking shoes.  I never quite figured the art of ‘pulling up’ on the pedals.

There you have it.  Add waterproof jacket, leggings, gloves, scarf, hat, as required.  I have pedalled tens of thousands of kilometres dressed like this.  I’ve climbed to almost 5,000m in the Andes, ridden through high temperatures and humidities, and pedalled to work.  It’s easy to take care of, the lycra doesn’t disintegrate, it isn’t stinky at the end of the day and it is easy to wash and dry.  It works for me.  

This is my opinion; other opinions are valid.  Find your own style, and rock it and enjoy riding your bike!