What do you all wear? Do you have those shorts with the cushion bottom? Do you need to buy special clothes? Who makes the best stuff for women? What about the clip shoes? Do you like them? If so, what kind are the best brand? Thanks.

Hi rayray,

OK, I'm a newbie to this, but I decided since I blew the wad on a nice bike, I'd better just get the basic outfit. I did some reading online and learned that it pays to have the real padded saddle shorts, which I was reluctant to get at first. They are about $50, and the best reason to lay down the cash is this: pain. If you have ANY seams against your skin down there, you will pay for your workout in ways that seem downright unfair! Infact, I just learned that you are also supposed to wear them au naturale, so to speak, because the seams in underwear will irritate your skin even if you wear the bike shorts. But its not so bad, I'm used to it and I've only been out there 4 times in a week. I chose the knee length ones for a little bit more modest look.

In addition to get started I also got a helmet (duh) and fingerless gloves to protect my hands in the event of a spill. It happens.

As for shoes, I told myself that they could be my reward for actually sticking with this sport. My bike has the pedals that accept clip shoes (I don't even know the right terms for all this), so that is what I'll get. I didn't like the idea of the strap pedals, and clip pedals can be ridden with any shoes. But yesterday in the wet weather, my shoes were so slippery that I was wishing I had the proper shoes.

Sorry I'm longwinded! I have noone to talk to about this stuff yet and I'm very excited about it!

Lynne