What is stopping women from cycling?

[Redkite]

The saddle is too uncomfortable for a long bike ride. Also when I was commuting to London I could've cycled to the train station and saved a fortune on car parking, but cycling in skirt/tights is less easy than for gents wearing a suit. Also the cycle helmet would play havoc with my hair

 

[Radders]

I’ve found that the soreness caused by the saddle is far worse when I’ve had a long break from cycling. As the muscles tone up, the pain lessens. Also padded tights are great.
In terms of danger, I read that mile for mile, cycling is actually no more dangerous than walking, statistically speaking. Also there is a lot you can do yourself to make it safer:
- choose quieter routes
- ride defensively
- make yourself highly visible by wearing fluorescent and reflective clothing and using bright lights at night

 

[Zillah]

Nor do I worry about mine, and if I don’t wear a helmet it feels really weird.

I do not feel I am being at all patronising in quoting what some good friends have said to me when I have challenged them about why they don’t wear a helmet. Apologies if you took it that way.

I totally agree- I have friends who refuse to wear helmets and I will never stop trying to change their minds- male and female!

 

[HOBIE]

I know a 18yr old girl who went out on her bike & came a right cropper(no other person involved). Her helmet SAVED her life as it was in half. Her two parents where in the Police force & she is now a Police woman. A really good family.

 

[HOBIE]

PS The snow ?

 

[Radders]

PS The snow ?

Sadly true in my case. Had to leave my bike at work yesterday and it is still there today as work is closed due to snow.

 

[HOBIE]

An Arm-chair in the Snow ? We should make one & go down the Red-Bull track 😉

 

[ladyengineer]

Getting appropriate clothing in plus sizes is extremely difficult which doesn’t help or encourage.

 

[Matt Cycle]

Getting appropriate clothing in plus sizes is extremely difficult which doesn’t help or encourage.

I've had a look and it does appear to be more difficult. On Wiggle their own brand (DHB) classic lycra shorts go up to size 16 for women. They do have got some Altura ones at size 18. I know we're different shapes but the equivalent DHB shorts for men go up XXL (around 40" waist).

Although it's about 4 years old this article lists some plus size shorts for women at various price points. They should do jerseys as well in similar sizing.

https://totalwomenscycling.com/road...plus-sized-cycling-shorts#dPu5khHzLWdmLAa8.97

 

[Matt Cycle]

I’ve found that the soreness caused by the saddle is far worse when I’ve had a long break from cycling. As the muscles tone up, the pain lessens. Also padded tights are great.
In terms of danger, I read that mile for mile, cycling is actually no more dangerous than walking, statistically speaking. Also there is a lot you can do yourself to make it safer:
- choose quieter routes
- ride defensively
- make yourself highly visible by wearing fluorescent and reflective clothing and using bright lights at night

For anyone suffering from saddle soreness then you could try chamois cream. Usually around £8-12 a pot. This is applied before the ride to the skin or on the pad (chamois) or both. I've never bothered as I must have toughened up and it always looks a bit messy to me!

 

[Steevo]

tips for saddle soreness for all - there are ladies specific saddles of course, overall though, saddles with the most padding are not neccessarily the most comfy, avoid any saddle that has any logo's embossed or stiching, saddles should be smooth, saddles should be level, seat height you should not be over extending leg and there should be a reasonable bend at the knee on the down stroke, as a guide you should be able to put both feet down when on the saddle not flat to floor but all toes touching flat, shorts/bib shorts, don't buy cheap kit either, shorts and buy bib shorts not plain ones, bibs have over shoulder straps, shorts should be on the tight side this keeps the pad secure, shorts are worn under bib tights so buy bib tights without a pad ! Have several pairs and alternate and wash after every day.

 

[TrevA]

My wife cycles and doesn't like bib shorts or bib tights, as they don't allow you to visit the toilet whilst out on a ride. She wears waist shorts and waist tights.
Decent quality shorts with a good pad help with saddle soreness, and wash them after every ride. My wife rates Altura Pro Gel women's shorts and Pearl Izumi, if you can get them.

Specialized do a range of Women's saddles and they come in different widths. Some shops have a pad that you can sit on which measures your sit bones and you can then match the measurements to the saddle.

 

[Radders]

I get nearly all my cycling gear from Lidl. I’ve had a few pairs of padded tights from there that have been far more comfortable and have a decent leg length compared with the ones that cost three times the price in the bike shops.

 

[Zillah]

I get nearly all my cycling gear from Lidl. I’ve had a few pairs of padded tights from there that have been far more comfortable and have a decent leg length compared with the ones that cost three times the price in the bike shops.

Or Aldi 😉

 

[TrevA]

Yes, Aldi and Lidl do some good bike kit, but it's only available at certain times of the year.

 

[HOBIE]

Its nearly cycling shorts time . Will see ?