Sunday, June 17, 2012

Butthurt Black Bicyclist Take 1

This entry started as a joke between my girlfriend and me, but I think it may be a good idea for a series. Coupled with the fact I haven't blogged in a looooong time, it's a no-brainer.

My newest love is bicycling. For the last couple months, I've been on two wheels making it do what it do. I figured it would just be a way to get some exercise in. Never did I think I'd enjoy cycling so much. Each day, I'm thinking of new ways to get faster or to go harder. You're probably thinking to yourself "oh this is all peachy keen, where's the butthurt, LI?".

This installment is about riding gear. Any serious cyclist knows that it starts with the clothes. Spandex and lycra and all that good stuff is wonderful when you're 5'7 and 130 lbs. Looks great. However, for the stockier cyclist, these fabrics can leave you a bit self conscious. Cycling gear is form fitting, so whether a jersey is a L or 5X, it's gonna hug all your curves and swerves....DEAL WITH IT. If you can't handle a bigger person in some tight biking shorts, close your eyes.  Idiots in cars and idiots walking may or may not say something ignant to you. You keep right on chuggin' along.

What's crazy is that I've read msg boards where folk where worried about what fellow cyclists will say/think. Cyclists are notorious for being vain. They shave every string of hair off their bodies. They obsess over having the best shorts, flashiest jerseys, so on and so forth. However, cyclists are typically oblivious. Meaning, don't be afraid to let it hang while you pedal away to take off inches and possibly save your life.

My tip for self conscious riders: stay away from bright colors. Black shorts and maybe blue or green jerseys will let you blend a big. Also, if you're worried about thick thighs or just generally uncomfortable with biking shorts, you can buy baggy shorts or simply wear some basketball shorts over your tighties. Lastly, beware of chaffing...it's real! Otherwise, pedal on and watch that weight slide off. Peace.