clothing

As many who have ridden with me know, I am not the smallest person on the group rides. I am no longer the biggest dropping from a high of 346 pounds in 2005/2006 to my current stable weight of just over 200. As a bigger rider it is sometimes hard to find clothing that fits. Through research and personal experience I have found a few places that have clothing for us bigger riders. Here is my list of where to find stuff that fits.

The League of American Bicyclist is presenting the following course in Greensboro, NC:

Road 1 Class for Students, Recreational or Commuter Bicyclists and Others

Date: December 7th, 2007 8am-5pm
Instructor: Jesse Day
Location: Greensboro, NC 27402
Fee: $40, $10 for Students

Description: Learn essentials of bicycle maintenance, traffic safety, nutrition, laws, energy conservation and clothing. This course will cover all the basics of bicycling in the classroom and then you’ll apply it in the streets.

Went for a ride this morning, it was 34°. It was really cold! So with winter knocking at the door I thought I would say a few words on preparing to ride in the winter.

Cold weather riding is a challenge for everyone. It is not something that you can just go out and do. It takes a little time to acclimatize yourself to cold weather activities of any kind. Don’t make the coldest day of the year your first day riding in cold weather. Riding comfortably in the cold weather takes time and persistence. One of the best ways to get ready for cold weather riding is making sure you have the proper clothing.

As some of you know, I have had the pleasure of dropping nearly 150 pounds in the last year (story in a future post). The thing I had the hardest time dealing with was finding cycling apparel that fit my round body (for years my doctor asked me to get in shape and I would tell her, “round is a shape”). A ‘Clydesdale’ is defined as any male rider that tops 200 pounds. I am still a Clyde at 200 pounds. Women have their own category as no one in the cycling community think it appropriate naming a segment of women riders after a horse. Women cyclist over 150 pounds are referred to as ‘Athena’, the Greek goddess, one of the most benevolent goddesses, strong, fair, and merciful. Here are some links to manufacturers that have clothes that fit ‘normal’ people, not racer-types. You racer-types know who you are…