Spying the seashore on the horizon, I smiled. There was one thing about biking to the ocean that made all my worries appear so insignificant.
“How are you going to fear about one thing so small compared to one thing so large?”
That’s what I used to be pondering when the wind whipped tendrils of hair from beneath my helmet, and my flared denims round my calves.
I actually wasn’t pondering such pure ideas when, all of the sudden, I felt my entire physique jerk ahead in the direction of my handlebars.
Emmie Harrison-West
Emmie Harrison-West is a contract journalist, editor and award-winning beer author, who will likely be penning a column for Biking Weekly each fortnight. You will discover her cursing Edinburgh’s cycle lanes on the best way to the pub, or as @emmieehw on X.
My flares had gotten caught in my bike chain – and had been shortly beginning to wrap round my pedal.
Fortunately, I managed to brake earlier than I might discover myself assembly a really exhausting touchdown – wobbling myself right into a nettle bush as a substitute.
Practising pregnant breaths to settle down, I began to curse myself for my trend selections and being a hippy in a previous life, while calculating how lengthy it might take me to push my oil-stained denims and I dwelling.
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However then, I struggled to consider what I might’ve worn, as a substitute. As a UK dimension 16-18 lady, sportswear makes me nervous and self-conscious – and Lycra is out of the query.
As I spiralled additional into self-deprecation, I noticed the neon, highlighter-orange velvet scrunchie that I normally wore to raves on my wrist.
Earlier than I had time to second-guess myself, I stretched it over my footwear and round my ankle – flares and all. It was the cutest, most cost-effective and most reflective ankle band going.
Every part was, abruptly, infinitely higher. See, there’s nothing about biking gear that brings me pleasure. Nothing.
Sport bras are structured in makes an attempt to be within the working for an structure prize – or make me really feel like I’m being strapped up in a corset to movie an episode of Bridgerton.
Leggings or biking shorts make me really feel like my legs are encased in sausage pores and skin, match to burst with scratchy seams – all of the whereas helpfully brewing a very heat crotch.
Vests are too skimpy; my head (and hair) is just too large for biking caps; and don’t even get me began on Lycra, or cloth that credit itself as being ‘sweat wicking’ that’s as clingy as my ex-boyfriend.
I can’t clarify it, but it surely all simply makes me really feel sweaty, uncomfortable and claustrophobic. It really works for some folks, and that’s nice – but it surely’s simply not for me.
As a plus-sized lady, it looks like the whole lot on the (already oversaturated) sportswear market is made to ‘suck in’ or ‘improve’. To make girls seem slim, or horny – there’s no inbetween.
To me, it looks like nothing is on provide to assist me, or make me really feel assured.
Besides, to be a bicycle owner, I’ve all the time felt like there was a uniform to put on. That you must look a sure method to have the ability to say you take pleasure in being on two wheels – it’s all I’ve even seen in biking adverts or magazines.
Internalised fatphobia and destructive perceptions of plus-sized folks – particularly girls – in society are to thank for that.
To fight this (as a result of, actually, on a regular basis is a battle while you’re a fats younger lady with a northern accent) I put on what brings me pleasure – whether or not I’m doing sports activities, or not.
My dad’s Oasis tee from the ‘90s. Neon pink shackets. Floral clothes. Frilly shirts and knitted vests. Leopard print swimming costumes. Moomin socks. Tie dye. Large knickers. A brilliant gold helmet. Flared denims.
Since turning 30, I’ve come to the realisation that I don’t owe anybody a uniform – and that features after I’m biking.
I don’t have to act, costume or look a sure approach to be a bicycle owner.
In fact, the Freeway Code recommends that cyclists ‘ought to put on light-coloured or fluorescent clothes’ through the day, and ‘reflective clothes and/or equipment (belt, arm or ankle bands) at midnight’ for visibility.
Naturally, it additionally recommends sporting a helmet to your personal security as analysis exhibits that they scale back severe head accidents by practically 70% – but it surely’s not a authorized requirement. I personally would by no means depart the home with out one. It’s why I’ve a brilliant gold crown-like helmet – it isn’t a ‘chore’ to put on it because it’s a pleasure to put on.
Maybe contentiously, hi-vis isn’t necessary both – and costly branded Lycra or sportswear actually isn’t.
Claire Goodman, founding father of woman-forward clothes model, Petrichor Initiatives, agrees. “For consolation, a terrific pair of padded shorts is an efficient place to start out,” Goodman advised me. “After that it’s an something goes affair.
“Whether or not it’s a biking jersey, technical t-shirt or a lot liked band t-shirt and saggy shorts over Lycra.
“No matter makes you are feeling snug.”
Merely, items that convey you consolation, and encourage each confidence and pleasure are the most effective garments to cycle in. Simply remember to convey an obnoxious scrunchie, too. You by no means know while you would possibly want it.
