The Di2 is amazing! The shifting is so smooth and fast. I can easily shift going uphill, and also at stoplights etc. I work with a lot of beginners and hope that I can convince more of them to go with Di2. It is so intuitive and easy to use. I also work with Paralympians who have physical limitations and the ease of the Di2 makes normal shifting possible for them.

When I first got my bike, the shifters were set up for a Women’s reach, and I felt the shifters were too close and difficult for me to shift while in the drops. But, after changing the angle of my drop bars a bit as suggested by Wayne at Shimano, the shifters were perfect. Since the shifters are more like buttons, I had the tendency at first to want to press them like I would a keyboard while in my drops, and my nails were too long and it was not comfortable. But, I adjusted fairly quickly and now the shifting is easy.

I love the technology and the bike looks amazing with no cables. The hoods are also very comfortable and look perfect. I was worried that the battery would be an issue, but, there is a light that comes on to give you enough warning to recharge. They have made it almost “Mari” proof, but I do admit I forgot my battery one day when I had to drive to meet some friends for a ride. That was a bit embarrassing but I had it in a gear I could ride, so the show went on and I will never forget my battery again!

I am completely sold on the Di2.

The women were so open and had a lot of questions. I talked a bit about my cycling career, how I got involved in cycling and what I’m doing now. It’s always fun for me to do that because I forget how many chapters there are in our lives and I love being able to understand that it is exactly the same as the women in the audience. We have all taken different paths, but for whatever twist of fate, we all ended up in that shop and got to share our of love of cycling.

Once everyone had a couple glasses of wine, the conversation really started to flow. I was surprised that one woman asked me about saddle sores while I was up on the stage. Now, I understand that this is an issue we all face, and that it is one that is normally private, so I was happy that she brought it up. The most important thing to me was that everyone could hear her question and realize that their issues were not individual or strange. Its always hard to talk to men about this stuff, and figuring out a way to bring it up with even other women is hard, but as my Mom used to tell me, if you are wondering about it, than chances are that everyone else is wondering too.

There are many types of saddle sores, and many different causes. I think the first thing to determine when you are having pain is to figure out whether it is a friction issue, a pressure issue or an infection.

A friction issue is going to be raw. Its going to hurt and your underwear are going to stick to it in the same way a Band-Aid gets stuck on a wound. This kind of sore you can help by checking where the seams are located and seeing if they align with your sore. If they do, then you might try riding in another pair of shorts. Also, you shouldn’t ride with your underwear under your shorts. If you are, then this also might be contributing to your problem… The way to treat this is to use a bit of Neosporin and keep the area dry and clean.

Pressure issues are going to cause a lot of pain, and a bit of swelling. The swelling is usually on one side, and for whatever reason, most women have the swelling on their right side. This is normally a saddle issue. It has to do with the seat not fitting correctly. As I have said many time before, you need to find a seat that fits you best. A more expensive saddle is not necessarily one that is going to fit you better. If a saddle fits right, than it doesn’t need to be very padded. Also, its in vogue right now to have a cut out saddle, and while this is great in theory, you need to be even more careful with20fit on this type of saddle, because if the cut out is not exactly right for you than it will cause even more problems. They are able to cut out the middle because they reinforce the edges, and when you reinforce something it actually makes it stiffer around the edges. For most women, it is most comfortable to have a saddle that is a bit flatter, and a bit wider through the sit bones… If the seat is too rounded, it makes your crotch rock on it and even if its just a little, it can really add up over the miles…

The last kind of saddle sore that I’m going to talk about is an infection. This is when you need to pay the most attention. An infected saddle sore can range from an ingrown hair, to infected ducts which might require surgery. And don’t be scared, most often, a warm salt water bath, and maybe some antibiotics will clear up just about anything. I’ve been in cycling for twenty years, and I’ve only had one girlfriend who actually had to have surgery for a saddle sore. You will know if you have an infection. It will hurt badly and there will be a definite area that is affected. If it is an ingrown hair, it will be sore to the touch and will seem like there is a head. It is important to bring it to a head and drain it. You will see the hair, get it out and then try to keep the wound dry and clean. I like to use Neosporin too. If you have a thickening, like a feeling like there is a pea under you skin, and it is deep and has no head you need to contact your doctor. Just explain that you have been riding and that you have this infection. They will give you some antibiotics and you will feel much better. You won’t be able to drain this yourself, and it will get worse if left alone.

The most important thing to remember is that this is nothing out of the ordinary. You will be fine. Just take the steps to avoid saddle sores. Always stay dry and clean. If you are done with a ride, get out of your cycling shorts. There is nothing good that can come from sitting around in wet cycling clothing. If you have a problem, ice and warm baths will go a long way to help. Evaluate your equipment, and you will find the happy medium where you have infrequent saddle sores and other issues…

I’ve talked a lot to my gynecologist about this, and women who ride bikes and horses both have issues because of the saddle. It’s not normal, and it causes a lot of problems. Saddle sores, ingrown hairs, swelling etc. Its not uncommon and you will get through it. The most important thing is to take care of it and make sure that you pay close attention to how you are feeling. I don’t even know how many times I have had to ice my crotch after hard time trial workouts. That was just from being sore, and not even from the occasional saddle sore.

If the soreness is from pressure, than icing works well. I would do it ASAP after getting off the bike. The bigger problem is if you get an infection. If you have a hard swelling and it is red and thick, you should see a doc tor because you might need to be on antibiotics. Sometimes this happens with ingrown hairs and glands that get blocked. There might be drainage, and you should take sitz baths and soak to help the swelling. These kinds of infections normally clear up quickly after getting antibiotics. If it doesn’t, than you might have a more serious problem and your doctor will be able to help you. Don’t let them make you feel weird. Its totally normal and if your doctor isn’t sensitive to your issues, than maybe you need to find someone else.

A lot of women get swelling on one side of the labia. Its also normal. It looks different, but it is normal and typically the swelling will go away. Hopefully you will never have this happen, but, if it does not improve because of years of overuse, you can easily have a plastic surgeon fix it when you are riding less and make everything perfect. Surprisingly this is become a more common request, so find a doctor in north LA where they do a lot of these types of surgeries.

I do have to say that the main key to keeping yourself comfortable and avoiding the really bad issues is to spend a good amount of time finding a saddle that has the right shape for you. Don’t let anyone tell you what you are supposed to be feeling. It is either comfortable or not. We are not all the same, and you need to really focus and decide what is comfortable for you. Some saddles are really expensive and won’t fit right, some are cheap and are perfect shape. Price is not the limiting factor. If the saddle is not as expensive, maybe the quality is not as high, but you can afford to replace it more often. Don’t worry, trust the feeling. Go for the right shape.

It also helps if you keep yourself very clean. Part of that is making sure that you are out of your chamois right away after riding, but it also helps to have a good waxing regimen. I am a firm believer in Brazilian waxing, because it keeps you super clean and therefore no ingrown hair issues. I’m not such a big fan of shaving as the hair can irritate you as its growing back.

Also, in regards to chamois… Thicker is not always better. It seems like having more padding would be a good idea, but in practice, it sometimes causes more issues than a thinner chamois. Too much material can bunch up and cause too much rubbing and pressure. It also will hold more sweat and heat. I suggest riding the thinnest chamois you can be comfortable with. Pay close attention to placement of the seams…

My point with this whole thing is that you will be ok. Just take care of any issues quickly. Don’t give up on cycling if you are sore at first. You will get more comfortable and then you’ll be able to enjoy one of the greatest sports in the world. All I have to say is thank god we’re not men. I still can’t figure out how they can get comfortable on a saddle, and even though its been explained over and over, I still don’t get it…

The most important thing to remember in cycling is that when dressing for the weather, layering is the most important thing to keep in mind. I like to start with an undershirt that wickes away moisture. It is a guarantee that you will sweat, and the best thing you can do is to try and keep that wetness off your skin. If you have wet clothing against your skin, you will feel cold if the wind tarts to really chill you. Long sleeve jerseys are great if its definitely going to stay cool, but if is not really cold out, it might work better to have a short sleeve jersey and then use arm warmers which you can remove when the temperature comes up. That goes for leg warmers too. You might be tempted to wear tights, but this limits you and adds additional padding to your chamois area. It’s always nice to keep the same chamois thickness and so using your normal shorts and leg warmers makes a lot of sense unless it is so cold that your water bottles are freezing. Knee warmers are my normal choice since I don’t like to ride in super cold temperatures. The great thing about knee warmers, arm warmers and leg warmers are that you can jut take them off and put them in your back pocket. There is not much space taken up after they have served their purpose.

As far as jackets go, I really think that a vest is one of the most crucial pieces. It will keep the wind off your chest, and yet you can still go hard and not get too overheated. Windbreakers are great at the start, but they tend to hold in a lot of the heat and then its hard to regulate your temperature when you are going hard. I do like to have a windbreaker for times like descending long roads that are in the mountains. You could also use a rain jacket for that kind of descent.

The other issue in dressing is to find a bike short with a chamois that is comfortable. Let me just say this, I know it goes against the intuitive idea, but thicker is not always better. My suggestion is to find the thinnest chamois you can tolerate. A lot of times, the thicker chamois end up bunching up and rubbing in different spots. This friction can cause some really painful saddle sores. Also, try and be aware of where the seams are in the shorts. You can become sore if the seams aren’t positioned right for you. Also make sure the legs grippers are not too tight for you. Definitely pay attention to fit in the store because everything will be magnified out on the road.

My last tip is that once you figure out what works for you, stick with it. Your body gets accustomed to what you use, and it will help you stay comfortable out on the road.

Happy shopping!

I raced for 20 years. When I was younger I liked having sponsors on my clothes because somehow it validated that someone else thought you had some kind of athletic talent. But, now after years of being told what to wear, I finally have the chance to go crazy, show my own style, and lo and behold, there is absolutely zero athletic clothing on the market that I think is HOT for women. I don’t think that women want to look like guys on the bike. Most of the girls I like to shop with are looking for clothes that make them feel fun and sexy. I think that there are a lot of women out there who feel the same way but can’t find anything that works. I know because I have been trying to find stuff that I would like to wear, and I am now taking some of the cute yoga and BeBe sport stuff to the tailor to get reworked into something that I will wear on the bike. Who says that you can’t show up to a group ride in something outrageous if you like it? Confidence is sexy. Athletic women should be rejoicing, not trying to look like their cycling brothers!

OK, so right now, I think the best fitting athletic pants for women are made by a company out of Miami called Couture Activewear. The material is a super comfortable lycra blend. It packs really well if you travel a lot, and really flatters all body types. The thing that makes these pants stand out from others are the details. They have the pockets perfectly placed, and they have belts etc. to really draw the eye to our typically more flattering areas. I am shocked at how often I get compliments with these pants. I own three pairs and I love each pair. They are at home in the gym and also for going out. It’s not everyday you can find great looking pants that work with heels or barefoot in a yoga class. OK, so I admit, I have a shortened pair for gym time and tennis shoes, and longer un-hemmed versions for everyday wear with heels. I like to think that they go with my personality…. A bit feminine and sexy in an athletic sort of way. I’m definitely not your average dainty girl, but I like a feminine/ athletically tough mix. I like to think of it as a contradiction. Let’s keep life interesting and keep them guessing…

As far as mainstream athletic clothing I also really like the BeBe Sport. They have many different pants and they have been written up as the most flattering pants for women. I personally think this is true to a certain extent. Their designs are flattering and sexy but the material is a step backwards from the Couture pants that I’m obsessed with right now. But, where Bebe excels is in their selection of colors, and unusual tops at a very affordable price. I love the bright colors and the designs. You have to be careful with their clothes because if you pair too much of it together it looks a little bit Vegas-ish, but if you pair a sexy top with an all black bottom it definitely gets that edgy look. The key is to find a blend of sporty and sexy without looking cheap.

I’m doing some research on cycling shorts right now and I’ll keep you all updated. I tried a pair of really short Zoot shorts the other day and while I loved the style and didn’t even mind the triathlon chamois (ie. practically non existent) I found that after an hour my thighs were getting rubbed raw from the saddle. There was also a seam in the chamois area that was not super comfy. Maybe its because I am a little bigger than the girls that these shorts were designed for (not 100lbs..), but I think that we all are sitting on a saddle, and that saddle is going to touch your thighs so it’s a little hard to figure out. But, I admit, I’ll throw on these shorts in the summer to ride for an hour or so just because I like the lack of tan lines….
So, ladies and gentlemen, let me know why you love your shorts or jerseys or any brand of athletic clothing that you are into. I can’t be the only person out there who thinks that women’s cycling clothing is terrible right now. Guys let me know your thoughts…. This could be a win/win situation. There can be no way men like what they are seeing, and we girls love to shop. So tell me your favorites and let’s improve what your seeing out there Plus if you look on Match.com or anything, you ladies know that they way to a man’s heart is through his activities, so why not up your chances and look as put together as you do when you go out. It’s infinitely better than hanging out at Home Depot or something….

I also changed bike sizes. I decided to try out a small frame versus the X-Small frame that I’ve been riding for the past couple years. I feel very comfortable on the bike, and it handles very well. I also decided to go with a bit wider handlebar and am finding that the extra width is giving me a nice leverage when I am climbing and accelerating in the drops.

The group set that I have from Shimano works very well. I cant tell the difference in the way the Ultegra SL feels from the Dura Ace that I’ve been riding forever. I was really happily surprised! I guess that the main difference is that there is a slight weght difference to the Dura Ace, but for my riding purposes, the extra few grams aren’t really making a difference! What I have not gotten used to yet is the compact set. I like it climbing, but am not so excited with it descending. I don’t have an 11 yet, and think that if I put on an 11 I will be much happier. I will keep you all updated.