Liz33

Hello, I might end up asking a lot of questions here, but feel free to just help me with anything, any advice is appreciated. I give you as much information I think you may need. Thanks again!

So yesterday was my second ride and I did 8.9 miles. When I returned home and l took a shower my skin was burning in some places specially in my legs due to the friction of my shorts against my skin while riding. How can I avoid this?

I don't want to buy any expensive biking clothes now because I'm losing weight and it won't fit me right after I lose 70 pounds or even before that, next month. So now I need an alternative or cheap cycling clothes. Any advice for this?

However, I will make an investment and buy me good cycling clothing when the time is right. I don't want to ask about clothes again, so also, What should I look for when buying good cycling clothing in the future? Is there anything I should know before buying the clothes?

What are good stores in US to walk in and buy biking clothes? (I don't buy clothes online)

I was Googling about it and got a little overwhelmed with so many different kinds and so many adds and stores. The more I looked, the more lost I felt lol it's nothing personal with cycling clothes lol, I'm just not into shopping, stores give me a headache so I thought I would ask you because you have the experience so I can narrow my search.

Now I ride in the west coast up north so weather is perfect but I will ride in hot humid weather too when I go to southeast coast.
I don't like the sun in my skin, so perhaps long sleeves? Are those long sleeves comfortable and not so hot?

Will also ride in cold weather, and maybe some rain. What do you use in the rain (no, I won't be out in a thunderstorm, but I'm sure I won't avoid some light raining) what do you wear when is 30 degree Fahrenheit? Or do we rest in winter time?

Ladies: If one day I'm going out just relaxing in my bike and want to wear a skirt, what's the best thing to wear under the skirt that will be comfortable when biking?

I don't know what else to ask. Anything to point me out in a good direction so that I can keep searching and make a good investment for cycling clothes is greatly appreciated. Thank you

deapee

If your shorts are rubbing your legs, you need tighter shorts. Your shorts should move with your legs. If, however, your legs are rubbing the saddle, your fit could be wrong, your saddle too wide, or you have a lot of extra fat on the inner thighs that you will burn off eventually -- maybe chamois cream could help with that.

In cold weather, I wear Reebok Stay Warm tights over my cycling shorts and maybe a pair of shorts over them. On top, I wear a Columbia jacket that is one size too small, layer under it as needed.

They make rain gear you can pack in your jersey pockets for if you're out and it starts raining.

Dick's Sporting Goods always seems to have stuff marked down in the back or on racks...maybe stop in there and look around. I picked up a few jerseys for around $8.00 each.

Jadesfire 

OK, to address a couple of your questions:
I am also a woman on the larger side, so I understand your concern about not wanting to invest in a lot of clothing that won't fit in a few months. But you do want to be comfortable during this journey, as well. Now- I don't have any stores in my area that I can just walk into and buy quality cycling clothing. I really like REI online for a variety of things, and their membership is great, so perhaps if you have a brick-and-mortar in your area, give that a try. I've bought these: Performance Bibs, which are great as I have been increasing my mileage, and I don't think I will be going back to regular shorts (even with the padding) again. I went to Target to get a few technical wicking T-shirts instead of spending the $ on jerseys just yet. I live in the Southeast and I have found This to be great for under my helmet.
Sorry, I don't ride in skirts so I can't offer any help with that.
But good luck and happy riding!

Liz33

Thank you a lot!
Now I have more homework to do about the saddle because I know nothing about saddles. Lol I'm going to check because I think that what you said could be happening too. Thank you again for all the help

Liz33

Hi, thank you a lot for writing and helping. I didn't understand the thing about the helmet. We wear something under the helmet? I didn't know.
Thank you

Jadesfire 

Oh- sorry, I should have clarified. I do wear something under my helmet so I don't pull my hair, it doesn't fall in my eyes, and sweat is absorbed before it also gets into my eyes and stings.

deapee

I just buy bandanas -- and then cut them in half to make two triangles. It definitely adds a lot of heat, but I've gotten bees stuck in my helmet before. I'd say whether someone wears something under their cycling hat seems to be about 50/50...but I shave my head and could get a weird sunburn too.

ramzilla

The best rain gear around can be found at boating supply stores. Nice nylon shell stuff.

noglider 

I say get some cycling shorts now even though they may not last. They may last longer than you think, and you deserve comfort now.

To prevent chafing in your crotch, you might like some ointment. There are cycling-specific ointments, but I find anything works. Vaseline is OK, but A&D ointment is nicer.

Ride the hardest saddle you can tolerate. That doesn't mean it has to be hard now, just on the harder side. The more miles you put on, the harder you will want it to be, so in a few months or in a year, you'll be changing your saddle.

Liz33

Got it. Thanks a lot

1989Pre

You asked about long sleeves. I never wear short sleeves while cycling, for the same reason as you: I don't want a sunburn or worse. Don't be afraid to step outside of cycling attire and look to see what the running people have. One responder mentioned Reebok: They are a good company. Also Saucony and Brooks.
Yeah, there's some kind of lubricant you can use to prevent chafing. I forget what they call it.
Definitely get nylon stretch shorts: no-name, Ebay. Don't wear cotton. It will chafe.

noglider 

You may find it odd, but synthetics are better than cotton on the bike. Cotton absorbs better than anything, which is great in most cases, but you might sweat a lot on the bike, and you don't want all that sweat against your body. You might coast down a hill which will cause a lot of cooling suddenly. It's very unpleasant. And definitely do not wear cotton socks, as it creates a fertile place for fungus to grow. I wear wool socks year round.

As for rain, I've tried all kinds of rain gear that claims to breathe, but the body makes more moisture than the rain. I get as wet from sweat as I would from rain. I've come to find that just wearing extra clothes works best for me. Wool is great for staying warm when wet. Many synthetics are good for this, too. Cotton is terrible. But when it is raining and warm, I wear as little as possible, which means a short shirt, shorts, and sandals.

TimothyH

Use Body Glide.You can get it at any sporting goods store, decent bike shop or running shoe store. $10 and a stick lasts a whole season. Every triathlete and runner on the planet uses it.

I would not use vaseline anywhere near my skin or expensive bike clothes. That stuff is disgusting and petroleum based products will ruin your clothes.




-Tim-

Liz33

Thank you! Well, I've used bandanas before out in the farm just because they look good on me lol and caps makes me feel the heat more. I'm not sure what will work for me and a bicycle helmet. We'll see. Now I have ideas. Thanks
There are a bunch of bees houses by the road I ride in here and tons of bees flying around.

Liz33

Thank you

AlexCyclistRoch

At the very least, buy some Lycra boxer-brief (long on the thighs) undershorts to keep the chafing down.

Liz33

Thank you. Why is hardest saddle best? I use the one the bicycle had when I bought it. It's hard. I guess I'll find out on my own why I will want the saddle harder later, but this just blows my mind today lol
Thanks

Liz33

Thanks a lot for your message

Liz33

Thank you so much. WOOL. Got it!
I wear sandals a lot but yesterday I realized I better use close shoes for this type of terrain. I would have never think of wool sucks or anything. I basically didn't know anything people are telling me in these comments so thanks a lot!

Liz33

Thanks for letting me know. I was about to try vaseline lol

Liz33

Thank you

Cheddarpecker

Your hard new saddle which came with the bike may not cater to the dimensions which you need to support. Cheap bike seats remind me of a sofa, with lots of padding. They spread the load to places it doesn't need to be, which is just fine for perhaps 1-3 miles. Feels good in the store and looks nice.

In reality, you only need a little bit on each side. Not only is it important where the support is, but also where it isn't. The best saddle for me may not be remotely close for you.

I'll side with the get shorts now crowd.

kobaneul

To be honest I usually wear regular comfy underthings beneath a skirt. Tights/hose are also fine for an easy ride on a cool day (and the soap in the restroom at work removes chain grease, ask me how I know). As far as I know I've not flashed anyone. If I'm wearing a super-short skirt I might break out the Spanx, but then I have to wear a Spanx, so...

For regular commuting/etc I wear running gear, cheap at TJMaxx and often has reflective details.

Liz33

Thank you!

Liz33

Lol thanks