Skins Cycle Pro Compression Bib Shorts
I’ve just had the chance to try full padded shorts for the first time. Many people were aghast a few weeks ago when I mentioned that I’d been cycling without padding while training for my London to Paris ride. They couldn’t believe I’d been putting in any number of miles without some extra protection for my rear. I didn’t really know what the fuss was about but decided it was about time to give it a go.
I got hold of a pair of Skins Cycle Pro Compression Bib Shorts to try out. These are serious cycling shorts with a fantastically soft chamois designed for comfort, freedom of movement and breathability. I was very excited to receive them and couldn’t wait to try them out. Conveniently I had a 100mile cycle ride…
The shorts are compression shorts which means they are engineered to increase the amount of oxygen that gets to your muscles while you work out to give you an extra boost. It also means they are tight! However, once I’d wrestled my way into them I was really surprised by how comfortable, and flattering, they were. The fact that they were also bib shorts meant that there was no annoying waistband digging in or moving around as I cycled along. It did take a little longer at pitstops for a toilet break but I just took that as an extra chance to rest my cycling legs!
At the end of the day, 100 miles done, I can honestly say I felt no discomfort from being in the saddle. In fact, the chamois is so comfortable it was almost as if I’d been sitting on a cushion for the whole ride! I’m a convert. Never again will I be cycling without padding!
Skins Cycle Pro Women’s Compression Bib Shorts, £132, available from www.skins.net
For more information on the Women's Only London to Paris Ride, call 0870 333 1662, visit Action Medical Research or contact londontoparis@action.org.uk
Erica is riding a 2011 Ridgeback Radium road bike (RRP £799.99) For more information, visit www.ridgeback.co.uk or join the facebook page, facebook.com/ridgebackbikes
