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Women's Cycling
Women's Cycling Tips

Women's Cycling - Made Just For You

Women's Bikes

Women’s bikes are no longer differentiated by a sloped top-tube and floral decals. Today’s bikes are designed to meet the demands of today’s female cyclist: just as light, technical and aggressive as bikes for their male counterparts…with just a touch of style added for good measure. Most, but not all women have longer legs and a shorter upper-torso than men. Women-specific bicycle designs take this into account by decreasing the reach from the seat to the handlebar. Many also provide a shorter reach to the gear shifters and brake levers, taking into consideration slightly smaller hands. Handlebars also come in widths more consistent with the width of female shoulders, solving a dilemma for women who previously felt like they were driving a bus rather than riding a bicycle. While women-specific bicycles are designed to accommodate a broad range of female body styles, they should not be considered the only solution. Just about any bicycle can be adapted to fit a female rider, so select the model that best matches your riding style, technical demands, visual preferences and budget.
Womens Cycling Tips and Tricks
1 Cycling shorts are meant to be worn without underwear. You may think you want an extra layer of undies between you and the saddle, but the seams and layers can actually bunch and chafe.

2 Wash your shorts after each ride, even if it’s just a quick one. Clean shorts help prevent germs and infections.

3 Riding with the guys or faster women? Start out a little earlier to ride at your own pace and let the others join you up the road. You’ll be driven by the "chase" behind you, and the fitter you become the longer it will take for the others to catch you...if they ever do!

Women Riding Road Bike
Women's Saddles

A bicycle’s saddle can affect your riding experience. Women-specific cycling saddles are designed to accommodate the slightly wider pelvic structure of the female anatomy. They allow for the “sit bones” of various hip widths to sit squarely on the seat, while protecting sensitive areas. Most women’s saddles also incorporate various padding levels, gel inserts, or cutouts to increase comfort. Test riding a saddle is just as important as test riding a bike.

Women's Cycling Clothing

Like most women’s fashions, women’s cycling clothing is designed to fit the shape of the female body. It is also crafted to be highly durable and functional, with specific cuts to accommodate multiple riding positions. Cycling jerseys are cut longer in the rear, to cover your lower back when you bend over to reach the handlebars. Women-specific jerseys are also cut for women’s arms, can accommodate a bust, and are formed at the waist to avoid pressing or bunching around the stomach. Shorts and tights are cut to accommodate slightly wider hips and thighs, and incorporate either a seamless or "baseball cut" padded insert ("chamois") for added comfort. Women’s riding gear also includes gloves for smaller hands, shoes built on a woman’s last, and helmets that fit smaller heads. As with bicycles, however, you should not feel limited to the women’s apparel racks.

Mountain Bikes for Women

Women Get Out There and Ride

Whether you’re just getting started or training for an upcoming event, set goals for yourself. One more day of the week on the bike, one more hour per week, or one more mile on your ride to work can have a huge effect on your overall fitness. Creating riding time is often a goal in and of itself for women who must balance any combination of family, work or school. Here are some ideas to help you stay on the bike and keep your sanity in the process:

Cycling Club

Join a cycling club. Riding clubs aren’t just for racers; they’re social outlets for people who enjoy riding together at all different levels.

Organized Events

Ride with friends or a group in an organized event such as a family bike festival or charity ride. Some events are offered solely for women, although you can have just as much fun riding with the guys.

Skills Clinic

Participate in a skills clinic. Many coaches and bike shops offer them. They provide a great opportunity to build skills and confidence, and find new riding buddies.

No Drop Rides

Organize or take part in a women’s ride. "No drop" rides are frequently scheduled by cycling clubs and bike shops in most cycling friendly areas. "No drop" means that the ride will re-group after hills and other challenges that might slow some riders.

Social

Want to spend more time with your mate? Dates don’t have to include dinner and a movie; a bike ride and lunch stop also make for a great outing.

Riding Alone

Riding is usually more fun with a friend, but can also be quite satisfying as a solitary activity. But let’s face it girls, we do need to be more cautious than men in many situations. Because of this, we recommend the following safety measures when you head out on your own:

  • Always file a flight plan. Whether through a phone call or a note on the kitchen counter, someone should know where you’re headed.
  • Bring your cell phone, identification and some cash. Put them in a plastic bag for protection, and place them in your seat pack or jersey pocket.
  • Avoid remote areas and use your sixth sense. If it doesn’t look or feel right, turn around. (Note: mountain biking alone is generally not recommended for men or women.)
  • Change up your route on a regular basis.


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