My bottom hearts my new saddle - Selle Italia SLK Lady Special Edition

As we all know, us women are very different to men... especially when it comes the the derrière!


Even though Dave is happy with his current saddle, for me, after re-adjusting the height and angle to suit my knees and posture, it soon became clear that my current saddle (that came with my Rocky Mountain RC 10) was not going to cut it.


I looked at a lot of reviews of different types of saddles - one of the most recommended saddles for touring is the leather Brooks saddle. Apart from being expensive and hard to look after, they take around a few hundred miles to break in - which to me is like trying to break a pair of Dr Martin boots in with your arse. Hmmm. 


As much I loved my DM boots when I finally broke them in, I thought I would opt for a hard saddle and my lovely padded shorts. 

I chose the Selle Italia SLK Lady Special Edition Saddle (Women's). 


OK, OK I may have been slightly swayed at the fact it is referred to as the "Manolo of bike saddles" - but it really is pretty isn't it? But in terms of performance, it's a "Maserati". 


Double awesome - plus the fact it's a special edition made it feel even sweeter. I know I'm such a girl!

Women's saddles are wider set than men's, to cope with our wider set sit bones. After testing it out on Saturday, I instantly felt more supported and I didn't feel any pressure from any part of the saddle. 

The split section takes away any pressure to your tail bone and also (men look away) my ladies section. Sorry but it had to be said. It also gets air flowing into your "bits" which can only be a good thing if you are sitting and sweating on it for hours at a time.

After 40 miles my bottom was very happy. 

Happy bottom = happy Holly.

We will be cycling the Pacific Coast from Vancouver to Tijuana over six weeks starting in August 2012 to raise money for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research. Please show your support by sponsoring us here, leaving a comment below and sharing our blog.

Let's get kitted out Castelli Style!

One thing we have come to discover is that cycling gear is not cheap! 

However it's not cheap for a reason, because it has to fit well, be comfortable, allow your skin to breath and protect your derrière - all of which aids performance.

I really needed to get some cycling clothes - especially the shorts, but wanted to wait until I could get into a smaller size as I didn't want to have to buy another load before we go. 

After much deliberating I chose the Castelli Palmares Shorts and the Castelli Subito Jersey.

I look so happy because I'm wearing a SMALL!! Yes a small - yippee! 

OK, so there is definitely room for me to get smaller in these, but I'm pretty chuffed and not to mention I'm really feeling great!

Castelli are dedicated to create the most innovative clothing for the cyclist seeking maximum performance. 

They released the first Lycra shorts used in racing and sold to the public, the first coloured shorts, the first sublimation printed jerseys, the first synthetic winter clothing, the first use of windproof membranes, the first hydrophilic fabric treatments, the first anatomic seatpad, the lightest jersey ever produced, and the most aerodynamic jersey ever produced. Plus they look good too!

I'm especially chuffed with the shorts - they're incredibly comfortable and are designed for women with high mileage goals - that'll be me then.

The back panels are shaped to flatter your form, and the leg openings gently yet firmly grip – no sausage effect - which you can see from my picture no bulging thighs, even with my knee support. Awesome. 

They also come with a removable Softlex RS fabric, a kiSS3 seat pad:

As you can see the padding supports your bottom, plus also keeps you dry.

From what I have seen from various forums (and also from what I have encountered) a lot of women tend to go commando to prevent chaffing from seams. Don't judge until you have cycled 30 miles with a dreaded seam pressing somewhere you wish it wouldn't!!

So this being removable it's great and easy to clean.

Plus to top it all off, I went out last night for a 12 mile ride - it was like I've now joined the secret Vancouver Women's Cycling Club. Every (serious) female cyclist smiled and waved to me - that has never happened before. 

We better get Dave some clothes now, or he might start affecting my street-cred. 

We will be cycling the Pacific Coast Highway from Vancouver to Tijuana over six weeks starting in August 2012 to raise money for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research. Please show your support by sponsoring us here, leaving a comment and sharing our blog.

I’ve only gone and done it… I bought a She Pee!

As per my last post Are we eating enough on our training rides? to stay hydrated I need to drink 1 bottle water and 1 bottle sports drink per hour, at least! 

Luckily around Vancouver there are a lot of public toilets, but I'm sure once out on the open road, they won't be so prevalent. 

I know us ladies have become experts at the crouching tiger, not so hidden dragon - but it's never the easiest thing to do - trying not to bear all, especially wearing padded cycling shorts. It also puts quite a strain on my knees (which I really need to take care of).

Looking for an alternative, trailing around lots of cycle forums - it seems a She Pee (or Shewee as they’re called here) is the best option for cycle touring - or any real outdoor pursuits for that matter.

A Shewee is an ergonomically designed funnel that provides women with a simple, private and hygienic method of urinating without removing clothes while standing up. Plus they come in five colours – I bought pink.

At Glastonbury festival, I had a go using the Water Aid cardboard ones - actually probably one of the funniest festival moments ever, all these girls huddled around troughs, giggling peeing like men - but I did find it actually really easy, and a lot more hygienic than using the smelly port-a-loos.

I’m sure that this little device will soon become my best friend when cycle touring the Pacific Coast, that my padded shorts and anti-chafe cream.

Next on my list… the Mooncup (I'm not sure if I'm that brave).

We will be cycling the Pacific Coast Highway from Vancouver to Tijuana over six weeks starting in August 2012 to raise money for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research. Please show your support by sponsoring us here, leaving a comment and sharing our blog.