r/ladycyclists

Summer is kicking in where I live and no matter how careful I am about sunblock application it’s inevitable I’ll end up with bike shorts/sock/jersey tan lines. I’ve heard from many a (male) cyclist to proudly rock those stark white lines but tbh they make me feel sooooo dorky. Best sort of fix I’ve come up with is attempting to even things out with self tanner.
Curious how others feel, whether you think the shorter lengths of women’s tops and bottoms for warm weather attire make this more noticeable for us than the guys, or any other random thoughts you may have.
I know they make lightweight UV blocking arm/leg sleeves and overall that would be better for sun protection too but my body is terrible with thermoregulation.

I’m getting into cycling, and I would like some bibs for the longer rides, but I am not wanting to wear the skin tight/above knee bibs. Do they make any for women specifically, or what would be a good alternative. Can I wear shorts over them? Just a bit lost, thanks!

Having problems with Amazon?? Won't refund you $$, or, you returned something and they won't, or are dragging their feet refunding your $$. Contact the BBB: https://www.bbb.org/

Amazon was giving me the run around about an item I sent back, they confirmed they received it, then month or 2 later, they claimed they did NOT receive it, and charged my CC. Contacted Amazon via CHAT, person confirmed it was an error on Amazons part, said my $$ would be re-refunded. 2 weeks go by, nothing. I called Amazon, talked to a real person, who confirmed they did receive the item I returned, said they would get my CC re-refunded. Didn't happen. I contacted the BBB, copied and sent, via the BBB website, ALL the emails that went back and forth to Amazon. Within 2 days, I got my refund, and a, sort of, apology from Amazon.

BBB got my $$ back from another website that I'd ordered something from, was charged for and never received. Every email I'd sent that website, and their replies, I sent to the BBB also. Within a day, THAT company refunded my $$

So I’ve searched through past posts but I’m not sure how relevant what I’ve found was to mtn biking? I have a full hysterectomy scheduled in about a month and I’m starting to panic about how long I’ll actually be off my bike this summer. I asked the nurse about recovery time and she just told me I’d probably want to be off work for 2 wks, which means nothing as far as biking is concerned. I’m also assuming that recovery for mtbing will look different from road biking with all the jostling around and crash potential.

Any mtbers have experience returning to the trails after a full hysterectomy?

I recently got a super nice carbon road bike (2015 specialized) to replace one that had been too small for a while . I’m definitely not fast enough for it but it was secondhand and really cheap and a lot newer than bikes offered at similar prices, so I just decided to go for it. I’m moving across the country for college next year and I’d really like to keep it nice since this is probably the best bike I will ever own, and if something breaks on a ride it’s not like my parents can come pick me up. I know people who basically do nothing for their bikes and people who put thousands of dollars into theirs, and it’s just hard to tell what is marketing and what is actually worth it. I’d love any advice people have!

God this makes me feel like an old lady but the family curse has caught up with me…with warmer weather I’ve been getting out for long rides and the shoes (road bike) that were fine for multi hour rides last year are killing my foot by mile 30 😭. Anyone have advice for DIY fixes or different shoes? Preferably not super expensive ones…

I am not able to find a road bike off the rack that fits my body. I am 5' 2 1/2" or 5'3, 125# but VERY short torso and average leg length. I wear a petite in tops but a normal length pants. I have severe degenerative disc disease and stenosis and blew out my l4 disc on a bike that didn't fit years ago.

Does anyone own a road bike such as a Liv Bike with my type of proportions and feel good on it? If you do, could you name the makers and how you got it to fit?

Unfortunately, fit gets more and more important for me as I age. My first road bike after I was 40 was actually, I found out, the same geometry as the men's they sold, it was too long and dropped and they called it "womens" road bike (Turned out to be a mens Fuji that Fuji painted a cute purple, added a women's saddle and called it women's), and blew out a lumbar disc and was in agony for a year. The Shortest stem wouldn't even come close to making it fit better.

I have given up long rides until i can find a properly fitting bike. I am extremely short through the waist, narrow shoulders, and average/long legs for my height. I started this way in life and it gets worse each year due to disc compression as my spine gets shorter.

Because Liv is the only company still making road bikes designed for women, I looked at them but they still are not great for my body size. I don't know why. I would like a top tube length of about 505 mm. In 2011 Specialized built a Ruby that fit me and I waited a couple years to afford it but between 2012 and 2013 they changed the geometry then discontinued women's frames. i ordered it in between the size change and the catalog didn't reflect the new sizing so my bike is still too long through the reach.

Thanks in advance!

I keep getting adverts for Red White bib shorts and a few have said how comfortable they are. My concern is they have a Y type front with the straps and I’m wondering if this is uncomfortable?! I’ve only worn typical strap style bibs.
Thanks!

I’m going to try to commute to work a few days a week. It’s only 3 miles but I’ve had some medical issues the past couple years and haven’t been able to be active at all. So I’m starting from scratch on my endurance. I also sweat like crazy these days even when just walking so I know I’ll get really sweaty on the ride.

I’d love some advice on how to combat that since there are no showers at work. I plan on using the big body wipes when I get to work. But are there specific materials I should look for when purchasing riding clothes? What can I use to soak up sweat on my head and keep it from running into my eyes?

I feel like wearing my work clothes would be gross because I’d be working in sweaty clothes all day. But then the idea of sweating in clothes on the ride to work and then putting them back on to ride home would also feel gross. Having 3 changes of clothes seems like a lot to carry. I feel like I’m over thinking this.

What do you do clothes wise if you commute to work? I’m plus size so any suggestions on where to find clothes on the cheaper side to try would be greatly appreciated. Just to make sure I don’t spend tons of money if commuting isn’t going to be enjoyable like I hope it will. Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone!

Last Saturday I went to test some Canyon Gravel bikes and now I am doubting a little bit with the size I should order.

Long story short I tried two sizes 2XS and XS, when taking my measurements the person told.me I was at the upper limit of the 2XS size.

When trying them I felt more stable on the XS rather than the other one, but my question here for any of you that have more experience, what would you choose? The one that it is supposed to be by measurement, or the one in which I felt more stable when riding?

I’ve been riding for the last two or three weeks, am changing things up as I go and have lowered the nose of my saddle cos my first ride gave me carpet burn.
But the last couple rides I’ve had new pain, kind of like I have a UTI. I’m showering before I go out and then when I get home to avoid any problems.
But now I’m sitting on the couch with an ice pack down there to try and ease the pain.

Hi ladies! Going to do my first full century (160km) in a few weeks as part of the two-day 260km Ride to Conquer Cancer in Toronto.

I have a Rapha bib that I like; can you guys recommend your faves? Looking to treat myself to another for the second day. Extra padding requested!

Tyty

I’m UK based and an ex club cyclist

I’m after a nice sporty e-bike (hybrid/gravel) that’s light enough to throw on the car rack

But I’m only 5’2” and most of the bikes I’ve looked at have a framesize that starts around the 160cm plus mark

Any advice for the smaller rider?

I really don’t want a fold up bike or any sort of mountain bike

Thanks

EDIT: thank you all for the support and super usedul tips, this is really a great sub! I‘ll bring an emergency diflucan pill, suppositories, buy a second pair shorts (maybe 3 if i can afford), will wash the shorts every night, and keep it clean and airy down there with all the tips that you shared!! I‘ll do a second edit after the trip to report how it went :))

Hey there, I‘m going on a one week bike trip with friends soon, and I was hoping to get some advice on how to prevent a candida infection.
unfortunately, I‘ve been stuggling a lot with recurring infections in the last years. I kinda know my way around by now, but I‘m super worried about getting it on a bike trip… does anyone have experience with this?
I only have one bike short (but am considering buying a second one) and I‘m just worried that riding one week without underwear in it will kill my vaginal flora. How do you usually do it? I‘ll take some food supplements with me and will try to be careful with sugar.
Di you have experience with baby wipes? Do they help or just kill your flora?
Also never used chamois creme as I‘m usually careful with putting extra things on my vagina. Does it help for preventing yeast infection as well?

Thank you soo much for helping out, I‘m really a bit desperate about this bike trip coming up…

I'm 4'11" & im looking for a good road bike around $2.5k.. I feel like its hard to buy second hand cause im short but I'm also not sure what I'm looking for. I bike pretty often in the bay area with climbing etc. so it would be nice to feel speedy! Does anyone have any recommendations? Thank you!