Women Cycling Long-Distance... What shorts to get?

Question

My friend and I are going cycling in Europe for a week. We're hiring bikes there. I want to get some padded cycling shorts as I know I am going to get a bit sore! I've never cycled long distance before, and am not sure what to get gear-wise. What would you suggest? What should I look for in cycle shorts and do I wear them like underwear and need several pairs? I guess wearing denim or cotton shorts over the top will still be uncomfortable, right? I've had conflicting information....

If recommending products or stores, please note UK-only.

Thanks!

Answer 1

I would go for a good pair of touring shorts. They are more casual than standard lycra cycling shorts, but they basically have the traditional short with padding and leg elastic underneath a regular short. This way you'll have some pockets for when you get off the bike and want to go for a hike, shop or grab a coffee, plus you won't look like like dork, and you'll be comfy as ever.

As the others have commented - no underwear, you'll be sorry (chaffing) if you do.

Answer 2

I would recommend Nalini gear - it's expensive but really good - sturdy, quick-drying (and looks fab too, which may sound shallow but it makes you keen to wear it!).  I like bib-shorts, which are shorts with bits that you hook over the shoulders.  This avoids the "builders' bottom" problem that most shorts have as soon as you lean forwards to the handlebars.  Wiggle is very good for Nalini, but most bike shops have it too.  Make sure that it fits snugly as this will avoid it chafing.  Make sure it's padded and be prepared for some pain on the second day - it's inevitable unless you do loads of cycling first.  It gets better by the third day.  

Avoid denim: it's horrid if it rains - like wearing heavy cardboard - and doesn't dry out for days.

You can buy padded underwear, but I've tried it without success.  Best to stick to single-layer Lycra.  Take more than one pair if you're going for a week, or wash them every couple of days.  

Also, make sure you take nice, comfortable cycling gloves - this will avoid your wrists really aching.  A good cycling helmet that fits well might be a good idea too, as the bike hirers tend to have old, tatty ones that have seen better days and may not actually fit.

Answer 3

As for wearing the shorts, you wear them as shorts- nothing over top unless you are going into a public place- Europeans are rather modest folk.  I would recommend you purchase the best you can possibly afford.  Try a number of pairs on, and see what feels the best.  Pearl Izumi makes a sensational short.  Also, keep this in mind, no underwear under the shorts, better known as commando.  Also, three pairs would work well.  After a day of riding, clean them with Woolite or something similar.  They will be dry the next morning.

Answer 4

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ is a great place to get your cycling gear... only problem is you can't try stuff on, although you can return gear if the sizing is off. You can also try on in a shop and see if you can find it cheaper on wiggle.

If you're going for the lycra option, you want to make sure it fits snugly but isn't going to dig in around the waist (not comfortable at all if you're riding all day!) and also to make sure that they have a pad and it's positioned ok, you should be able to tell if it feels right! I have a pair of these http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Womens/11/Endu... and they're nice, but I've not worn them for any super long distance riding. Pearl Izumi and Northwave are nice too.

Definitely  no underwear underneath, but if you're not comfortable strutting your stuff in lycra, you can pop a pair of baggy shorts over the top (this is definitely a good idea if it gets wet, protects your fancy shorts AND your bum, I would advise against denim though!). Having lycra and padding underneath should stop any issues with chafing.

You can also buy baggies with padding/ a liner in, so you don't need lycra underneath, but the pad probably won't sit quite as securely, really that's going to be a matter of personal preference.

Whatever you decide on, you're going to need at least one to wash and one to wear of whatever short type is going to be sitting next to your skin, if you have good weather/access to a drying room.

It might be worth considering a pair of legwarmers as well, depending on what the weather forecast looks like, and if you're planning on tackling any hills (can be very chilly up top, and on the way down!)

Have fun, sounds like a great holiday!