Let me just say, I love to match. I love shopping, I love outfits, I love accessories. Not every outfit works right, but I like to play and I like to try out new ideas. My perfect group ride would be to be able to give the guys a run for their money with a bike that matches my outfit, and would never be seen in any bike raceJ Truly, if I could find a way to make rhinestones aerodynamic, my bike would blind everyone else and I would win as long as we were sprinting into the sun… So needless to say, I was mortified to hear that guys think we don’t want to match…

Right now I’m really into black, white, and a touch of red… My beautiful new Giant TCRw matches my new Shimano shoes, and Giro helmet. I just designed a couple of jerseys for my VeloBetty company and they are simple and fun. I have a day and a night version. Ok so that’s one way of saying that I have a Black and a White jersey, and I have black shorts and a white limited edition short. Trying to come up with names but that’s another story… Fallen Angel for the Black, and … . For the White? They are hot, and there will be no guys who think that girls don’t want to match after they see this show of what women want… I say lets not keep them guessing, because they are clearly wrong. You can be fast, or you can be doing coffee shop rides, but no way in the world do women not care about what they are wearing. Sometimes I wonder where guys come up with this stuff…..

Now I’m a bit older, and while I think natural beauty is great, I’m all about helping nature whenever possible So instead of being a eco terrorist, I’ve decided to be mother nature’s assistant. So, I’ve been searching for the perfect combination of makeup that you can use while riding without finishing and looking like a clown.

The great thing is that a lot of makeup has sunscreen in it, so it is actually helpful to us while we are on the bike. I like to apply a normal sunscreen with 30spf all over my face before applying any makeup. Then I use a light all day foundation (I use Estee Lauder Double Wear Light) and use it in a few key spots to cover areas that might need a some blending. Normally, I put a bit on my nose, chin and under eyes…

You don’t want to get too much foundation, because when you start to sweat it tends to run a bit even though it isn’t supposed to and it tends to end up in areas like the frown lines and when mixed with dirt its not a great sight. You have to remember that you will likely sweat a lot, and that there will be dirt and salt also on your face mixing it up with your make up. Use any makeup sparingly.

I never ride with mascara. Some girls use waterproof mascara, but I don’t. I haven’t been using mascara on the bike lately. I figure my eyes are behind the glasses anyway, so its not really important. A couple years ago I did have an obsession with eyelash extensions and they were nice because you could workout and not be worried about the mascara running. But, it was a time consuming process, and I also learned that I don’t like my lashes hitting my sunglasses. I have not yet tried the new products to promote eyelash growth. Maybe that’s my next step. If you really want to do something to make your eyes stand out, than I would suggest using an eyeliner and just applying minimally.

So, now we are to my obsession. I love lip gloss. I can’t do a ride without a lipgloss in my pocket. My absolute favorite is Revlon lip gloss. Its inexpensive, has sunscreen and is a really nice consistency. Not too sticky and thick, and trust me I’ve experimented with all the expensive brands. I have a girlfriend who said it best. We were gossiping about our favorite lip gloss and she said run, don’t walk, they are 2 for 1 at the drug store. It’s the best advice and the most inexpensive thing you can do to spruce up your make up. So run, don’t walk. Stock up before the sale is over! The great thing is that Revlon goes on sale a lot, so wait for the right time and then go crazy. But, you will see, you have to be quick. The best colors are always gone almost instantly because people like me always buy in bulkJ I also think that lip stains work well. You can apply before heading out and the color will last throughout the day. I like a bit of sparkle, and that’s why lipgloss is my weapon of choice, but we all have our preferences. My word of caution about lip gloss is that if you go with a brand that is thick and sticky you will end up with all kinds of stuff sticking to your lips, and it will not be attractive. Be aware!

I have this great sunscreen that I got in Vegas one time and it was outrageously expensive, but it sparkles, and I like to use it on my legs. But, let me get this straight, I don’t start using that kind of attention getting lotion until I’m already looking pretty tan. It would not be a nice sight on these white legs right now! Give me a few more weeks…

Perfume is not really makeup, but, I keep it in my makeup bag and so I’m including it in this blog. If you have a signature scent then you should use it when you are riding too. I’m not saying that we are dressing to impress, because I really believe that you gotta do what makes you feel good, but since we’re girls, and we’re gossiping, I can say that I get more c omments on my perfume than just about anything. Its easy to stand out in a crowd when you are riding with a bunch of guys who all smell like guy (not necessarily bad, but not memorable, and if it is memorable than it’s a problem)… No explanation needed… But, to smell clean and fresh is something that will make you stand out, and I always like to know that when someone smells my perfume they think of me… Scent is a powerful tool, when used correctly.

Anyway, so maybe I want to be mother nature’s assistant. Is there anything wrong with that? I’m not saying that you need to change yourself, just use what’s out there to help you accentuate your qualities. And if it doesn’t make you feel good, than don’t do it. Being comfortable in your skin is what it’s all about. We all have different ideas of what we like, and a sexy woman has a confidence that what she is showing is a reflection of herself. It doesn’t matter what other people think. If you love it than rock it and own it. No apologies…

Personally, I always wear jewelry. I love a bit of bling, and since I spend a lot of time on my bike, I want to wear it when I’m riding. It’s just another way to express yourself out there.

So, what are there any rules for wearing jewelry on the bike?

I think the first thing to consider is how would your choice affect you if you were to crash. I hate thinking about the negatives first, but we are participating in a sport that does have some issues with crashing. And its important to always be prepared. Most people like to wear their wedding bands, but if the band is made of platinum or titanium, you might want to consider whether it might be too hard to cut off should your finger swell after getting hurt. Other types of material aren’t as hard to cut and there might be a better chance that the paramedics would be able to get it off.

As far as necklaces go, I don’t think there are really any safety issues, but there issues with your hair getting caught. If you have a frail chain, then you might end up breaking it by accident. No matter how much you think that you are gentle wit h your jewelry, when you are out riding, we tend to be a bit more aggressive and you could easily pull too hard and break a chain. It would be really sad to have a favorite locket fall off in the middle of a race and you couldn’t go back to find it.

I like thick jewelry, but then that’s my personality… I normally wear a Tiffany necklace and bracelet. It is thick enough not to break, but still a bit of bling and it makes me happy. Sexy and tough… I don’t often wear rings on the bike. I don’t like the way my finger sweats too much under the ring and then I end up getting an even bigger white mark on my finger and its bad enough that I wear gloves and get tan lines on my wrists.

I tried wearing an anklet a few years ago, but I couldn’t find one that was the right material. The ones I kept buying were some kind of cheap material and after a day of riding my ankle would have a black mark on it. Not the look I was going for, but I did think that it looked cool when the days started out. If I could find a high quality anklet I would do it, and I think it would even look better with a few rhinestones that would sparkle when I was pedaling circles

I used to wear earrings all the time. My favorite are just pearl studs, classy and timeless. Its hard to have longer earrings on cause they get in the way of the helmet and radio headphones .. My second choice is a medium size hoop earring, but those are also a bit more complicated, but do look nice.

So, my rules for jewelry are that you need to really consider how it will hold up in a worst case scenario situation. Jewelry quality is also important. You don’t want to have a big black mark where your jewelry rubbed against you, combined with sweat and then made you look bad. My last bit of advice is to have fun. You can show your personality on the bike. You can accessorize and make it your own. Let me know if you have any other good tips. I’m always looking for more info.

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….