Dressed for success: women's trail wear

The latest dress fads are big-travel enduro bikes and even bigger, noisier fashion choices in shades of orange, yellow and turquoise. There is so much fluoro on the trails nowadays that sometimes on weekend rides I feel like I am on a construction site. Myself, well I am not opposed to a bit of fashion noise, however when it boils down to it, my first choice is comfort.

So, what’s the best way to be comfortable on the trail? Here are a few quick tips I have picked up over the years that will ensure your seams don’t get in the way of your shred.

No under-duds

Yep that’s right, when you’re rocking a baggy short inner, lycra shorts, or bibs commando is the only way to dress. All sorts of nasty stuff can happen when your cotton smalls are trapped against your nether regions by some ultra-tight lycra, including (but not limited to): folliculitis, saddle sores, all sorts of heat-related rashes, and infection from the moisture of non-wicking fabrics. Save yourself the hassle and shoot the breeze under there. What you pay for is what you get with bibs and knicks; spend $80 on a basic pair and your crotchular region may regret it. Also note, with frequent use bibs and knicks require replacement around yearly. No one wants to see stretchy, see-though butt-crack!

No VPL with your shorts! (c) Tim Bardsley-Smith

Sports bras

Mountain biking is a little more dynamic that road cycling, yet is still a much lower-impact sport than running and team sports. Good lycra compression-style sports bras are often all that’s needed for smaller chested women on the bike. For bigger-chested women there are two popular options; ‘double it’, and ‘the wire’. Doubling up on lycra sports bras allowed my E-cup post-baby chest enough compression to hold it all in place, plus there were no wires involved. The downside here is the extra layer (and washing!) and the heat. On the other hand using a dedicated, technical moulded wire sports bra is a much cooler in the heat, but requires you to embrace an underwire and fitted cup. Give both a try and see what works, but for the love of god leave the lingerie in the bedroom.

Top dressed

The old three-pocket lycra jersey is popular for a reason; you can shove as many bananas as you need in there along with your spares, reducing the need to carry a saddlebag or backpack. Look for lightweight fabrics, preferably with a full length zip; this will make toilet stops far more manageable if you rock the bib shorts. If you are a ‘totes enduro’ rider, then look for a good technical cycling tee that is longer in the rear to accommodate a cycling position; technical running tees look the goods and are often lightweight, however reveal a more-than-acceptable amount of butt-crack during the shred.

Gloves

Gloves are one item I need to have on me if I am going to go for a mountain bike ride. Even if riding in shorts and a tee-shirt to the dirt jumps, the gloves are on. Look for a glove that doesn’t have excess fabric able to be pinched on your palm, indicating that the gloves are too big. Gloves need to be tight, however not so tight they’re hurting. A personal choice is a flat-palm without gel in order to be directly in contact with my grips, however some riders love gel padding and that’s okay too. Make sure your gloves are easy to take off; which is the first thing to do when you have a flat! Fast gloves are integral to a fast race flat-change – or just when your mates are waiting.

Gloves give good grip – and hand protection.

Skid lids: not just for kids

Helmets are perhaps the most important part of your cycling attire as they keep your brain inside your head. Helmets are a pretty personal thing, and on any given day on the trails I would witness anything from lightweight XC/road helmets, to full faces and even BMX bucket lids! Look for something that is comfortable, adjustability is a definite plus. Beware groovy on-trend gravity lids, though they are totally on-point and earn you kudos with your shredly mates they generally lack the venting of a road/cross-country helmet; something to consider in the warmer states. As long as it has an Australian Standards sticker you’re good to go!

A well-fitting helmet is essential.