Discussion
Before you get any funny ideas from the title about what type of bloke I am - I am actually female and I horse ride 
I've dusted off my MTB and have been tarting it up with a few bits and bobs with the ultimate goal of being able to cycle 7 miles to work and back.
Yesterday afternoon I took my bike out for a spin locally round a residential area with lots of nice shared use paths, really enjoyed it, save for the whole being knackered afterwards (unfit - need to work on that!).
It got me thinking though, I was just dressed in jeans, hoody and soft shell jacket. Up top I felt ok but I don't really enjoy wearing jeans for cycling, as they can be a bit stiff and uncomfortable. I wondered whether I would look daft wearing a pair of plain black jodhpurs instead? They look just like leggings, aren't flappy at the ankles and are really comfy!
Would people even notice? I'm trying not to spend a wad at the moment, but don't want to look daft
I've dusted off my MTB and have been tarting it up with a few bits and bobs with the ultimate goal of being able to cycle 7 miles to work and back.
Yesterday afternoon I took my bike out for a spin locally round a residential area with lots of nice shared use paths, really enjoyed it, save for the whole being knackered afterwards (unfit - need to work on that!).
It got me thinking though, I was just dressed in jeans, hoody and soft shell jacket. Up top I felt ok but I don't really enjoy wearing jeans for cycling, as they can be a bit stiff and uncomfortable. I wondered whether I would look daft wearing a pair of plain black jodhpurs instead? They look just like leggings, aren't flappy at the ankles and are really comfy!
Would people even notice? I'm trying not to spend a wad at the moment, but don't want to look daft
Why not just get some proper cycling bib longs or some MTB style baggy shorts, or even a Skort as my wife uses - basically a skirt that wraps over the padded shorts.
Whichever you chose, they will be more comfortable that Jodhpurs.
ETA Re the cost, look at the Lidl stuff or Decathlon for some reasonable quality and very cheap kit.
Whichever you chose, they will be more comfortable that Jodhpurs.
ETA Re the cost, look at the Lidl stuff or Decathlon for some reasonable quality and very cheap kit.
If they're comfortable then go for it, I doubt I'd notice anyone wearing jodphurs instead of lycra and if I did, I wouldn't be thinking of calling the fashion police. Function before form, and if you've already got them then why not? If you find yourself riding regularly though it may be worth keeping an eye on the sales online to see if any decent riding lycra comes up cheap as you'll find it's quite often in the clearance lines.
not being familiar with jodphurs, how are they held up? do they have a waistband or shoulder straps? i assume they have some sort of padding in them too?
bib shorts are comfier than regular cycling shorts by virture of not having that waistband that digs into your stomach and if you get a good fit, you barely notice them but getting that good fit amy mean trying a number of pairs on...
bib shorts are comfier than regular cycling shorts by virture of not having that waistband that digs into your stomach and if you get a good fit, you barely notice them but getting that good fit amy mean trying a number of pairs on...
jodhpurs fine, or indeed a cheap and cheerful pair of these http://www.jdsports.co.uk/product/brookhaven-leona...
i wouldn't bother with padded bib shorts. you're only cycling 7 miles. 30 minutes at most?
i wouldn't bother with padded bib shorts. you're only cycling 7 miles. 30 minutes at most?
You can ride mtb dressed however you want. Most recent stag do I went on was a fancy dress, on and off road mtb ride. One lad was in drag, another was dressed as Osama Bin Laden, someone wore a cow costume... you get the picture. We all completed the ride, in various states.
Back to the original question, yes I'd guess jodhpurs would work pretty well. I do like the look of a nicely built girl in a jodhpur too.
Back to the original question, yes I'd guess jodhpurs would work pretty well. I do like the look of a nicely built girl in a jodhpur too.
blueheron said:
Before you get any funny ideas from the title about what type of bloke I am - I am actually female and I horse ride
I've dusted off my MTB and have been tarting it up with a few bits and bobs with the ultimate goal of being able to cycle 7 miles to work and back.
Yesterday afternoon I took my bike out for a spin locally round a residential area with lots of nice shared use paths, really enjoyed it, save for the whole being knackered afterwards (unfit - need to work on that!).
It got me thinking though, I was just dressed in jeans, hoody and soft shell jacket. Up top I felt ok but I don't really enjoy wearing jeans for cycling, as they can be a bit stiff and uncomfortable. I wondered whether I would look daft wearing a pair of plain black jodhpurs instead? They look just like leggings, aren't flappy at the ankles and are really comfy!
Would people even notice? I'm trying not to spend a wad at the moment, but don't want to look daft
If you find them comfy then that is all that matters...go for it.I've dusted off my MTB and have been tarting it up with a few bits and bobs with the ultimate goal of being able to cycle 7 miles to work and back.
Yesterday afternoon I took my bike out for a spin locally round a residential area with lots of nice shared use paths, really enjoyed it, save for the whole being knackered afterwards (unfit - need to work on that!).
It got me thinking though, I was just dressed in jeans, hoody and soft shell jacket. Up top I felt ok but I don't really enjoy wearing jeans for cycling, as they can be a bit stiff and uncomfortable. I wondered whether I would look daft wearing a pair of plain black jodhpurs instead? They look just like leggings, aren't flappy at the ankles and are really comfy!
Would people even notice? I'm trying not to spend a wad at the moment, but don't want to look daft
If you are worried about looking daft take a look at all the Team Sky wannabes wobbling around the country lanes.
You can tell it's all men around here!!
Jods/breeches aren't held up, they have a waistband. The pair I have in mind are old and well lived-in so they don't dig in.
I didn't really want to buy bibs because i'm not serious enough to be buying yet more sport-specific gear. Also yes, it is only 7 miles to work so 30-45 mins at most - couple of steep-ish(?) sections along the main road through Otterbourne and Compton, Hampshire.
I've also spent more than enough on other things - D lock (Abus x-plus 54), Tyres (Schwalbe Land Cruiser), mud guards, backup lights, bottle cage, helmet, spoke straw reflectors (I love these!) etc. I thought it was more important to get those sorted than the clothing at this stage. Although I did pick up a £10 hi-vis running half zip top from Aldi, which i've been wearing horse riding out on the roads. Very impressed so I have been keeping an eye on Lidl/Aldi's specials.
Now that i've been thinking about commuting by bike, it's interesting how obvious the good/bad bikers are when driving home from work. Some are complete darkness-ninjas relying on just their reflectors to save them?! Others are well lit and excellent.
Also even yesterday on my first cycle ride out in a long time, I had a people carrier squeeze past me at the exact same point I was passing a parked van on the opposite side of the road to me. Why they thought this was the best place to pass me, i'm not quite sure. The road was clear up ahead on both sides - it was only going to take me about 3 seconds to ride past the van!
Jods/breeches aren't held up, they have a waistband. The pair I have in mind are old and well lived-in so they don't dig in.
I didn't really want to buy bibs because i'm not serious enough to be buying yet more sport-specific gear. Also yes, it is only 7 miles to work so 30-45 mins at most - couple of steep-ish(?) sections along the main road through Otterbourne and Compton, Hampshire.
I've also spent more than enough on other things - D lock (Abus x-plus 54), Tyres (Schwalbe Land Cruiser), mud guards, backup lights, bottle cage, helmet, spoke straw reflectors (I love these!) etc. I thought it was more important to get those sorted than the clothing at this stage. Although I did pick up a £10 hi-vis running half zip top from Aldi, which i've been wearing horse riding out on the roads. Very impressed so I have been keeping an eye on Lidl/Aldi's specials.
Now that i've been thinking about commuting by bike, it's interesting how obvious the good/bad bikers are when driving home from work. Some are complete darkness-ninjas relying on just their reflectors to save them?! Others are well lit and excellent.
Also even yesterday on my first cycle ride out in a long time, I had a people carrier squeeze past me at the exact same point I was passing a parked van on the opposite side of the road to me. Why they thought this was the best place to pass me, i'm not quite sure. The road was clear up ahead on both sides - it was only going to take me about 3 seconds to ride past the van!
blueheron said:
You can tell it's all men around here!!
Jods/breeches aren't held up, they have a waistband. The pair I have in mind are old and well lived-in so they don't dig in.
I didn't really want to buy bibs because i'm not serious enough to be buying yet more sport-specific gear. Also yes, it is only 7 miles to work so 30-45 mins at most - couple of steep-ish(?) sections along the main road through Otterbourne and Compton, Hampshire.
I've also spent more than enough on other things - D lock (Abus x-plus 54), Tyres (Schwalbe Land Cruiser), mud guards, backup lights, bottle cage, helmet, spoke straw reflectors (I love these!) etc. I thought it was more important to get those sorted than the clothing at this stage. Although I did pick up a £10 hi-vis running half zip top from Aldi, which i've been wearing horse riding out on the roads. Very impressed so I have been keeping an eye on Lidl/Aldi's specials.
Now that i've been thinking about commuting by bike, it's interesting how obvious the good/bad bikers are when driving home from work. Some are complete darkness-ninjas relying on just their reflectors to save them?! Others are well lit and excellent.
Also even yesterday on my first cycle ride out in a long time, I had a people carrier squeeze past me at the exact same point I was passing a parked van on the opposite side of the road to me. Why they thought this was the best place to pass me, i'm not quite sure. The road was clear up ahead on both sides - it was only going to take me about 3 seconds to ride past the van!
6 replies said Jods would be fine (mine included), and yes we have horses too so are familiar with them.Jods/breeches aren't held up, they have a waistband. The pair I have in mind are old and well lived-in so they don't dig in.
I didn't really want to buy bibs because i'm not serious enough to be buying yet more sport-specific gear. Also yes, it is only 7 miles to work so 30-45 mins at most - couple of steep-ish(?) sections along the main road through Otterbourne and Compton, Hampshire.
I've also spent more than enough on other things - D lock (Abus x-plus 54), Tyres (Schwalbe Land Cruiser), mud guards, backup lights, bottle cage, helmet, spoke straw reflectors (I love these!) etc. I thought it was more important to get those sorted than the clothing at this stage. Although I did pick up a £10 hi-vis running half zip top from Aldi, which i've been wearing horse riding out on the roads. Very impressed so I have been keeping an eye on Lidl/Aldi's specials.
Now that i've been thinking about commuting by bike, it's interesting how obvious the good/bad bikers are when driving home from work. Some are complete darkness-ninjas relying on just their reflectors to save them?! Others are well lit and excellent.
Also even yesterday on my first cycle ride out in a long time, I had a people carrier squeeze past me at the exact same point I was passing a parked van on the opposite side of the road to me. Why they thought this was the best place to pass me, i'm not quite sure. The road was clear up ahead on both sides - it was only going to take me about 3 seconds to ride past the van!
Only one replier didn't know what they were.
Welcome to the pedal side of PH
blueheron said:
Just trying to find the happy medium between 'clueless girl on a bike', and 'all the gear and no idea' 
Thanks all.
Your post smells like "hello boys!" right from the very word jodhpurs.Thanks all.
Why can't I go on a girlie forum and post "Underpants!" and get as many positive responses?
When you mentioned the jodhpurs and the fact that you rode to work, I imagined one of those porno movie cycling machines with the pedal and chain operated pumping dildo.
Because if you want one my grandmothers is for sale. Your 'beat around your bush' post just reminded me of her, that's all. I hope I've been helpful.
Mobsta said:
blueheron said:
Just trying to find the happy medium between 'clueless girl on a bike', and 'all the gear and no idea'
Thanks all.
Your post smells like "hello boys!" right from the very word jodhpurs.Thanks all.
Why can't I go on a girlie forum and post "Underpants!" and get as many positive responses?
When you mentioned the jodhpurs and the fact that you rode to work, I imagined one of those porno movie cycling machines with the pedal and chain operated pumping dildo.
Because if you want one my grandmothers is for sale. Your 'beat around your bush' post just reminded me of her, that's all. I hope I've been helpful.
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