By Anne-Marie Gauthier, KSL ambassador
Impregnated in KSL's DNA since its very beginnings, cycling is a way of life for many. Who says lifestyle, says adapted clothes. To hell with drab bib shorts and lycra kits that go unnoticed! Because when cycling, you must first be comfortable, but also showy and stylish!
In the mountains, on the road or for après-bike, I present to you my essentials. Let's start with the basics: the chamois. Because yes, ladies, let's be gentle with our ass and attentive to the emotions in our crotch. Here, different options are possible.
You can opt for bib shorts with an integrated chamois, or the Bobette Ève under any bib shorts, leggings, shorts or pants. One of my favorite combos remains the high-waisted Ève bobette under the Marie-Belle shorts. On the road in spring or on a fatbike in the middle of winter, I swap my shorts for Renée pants. With its ankle locks and practical pockets, it's the perfect fit for cycling. Tip from a knowledgeable cyclist: let's coat the chamois with a cream that prevents friction, which is, for me at least, a product I couldn't do without. And my boyfriend thanks heaven for it. Different products of this type are available in your favorite bike store. You'll thank me later (and your partner too!).
The sweater now. Here, we often see two completely different styles: tight sweater (road look) or loose sweater (mountain look). It's a question of taste. Often, fitted jerseys like the Élisabeth or the Kary have several pockets on the back, which is absolutely practical for our cell phones, snacks, spare tire, arm warmers, etc. Me, to defy the standards, I like a loose sweater, like Debby or Deborah, worn
with shorts. We tuck the front of the sweater into the shorts and to compensate for the lack of pockets, I wear a Lizzy cami underneath. Hop!, the trick is done to hide phone and snack behind my back!
Helmet and goggles. Good. These are not clothes, of course, but essential items for any bike ride. Several models of helmets exist, for all tastes. Personally, I'm looking for a very ventilated and light helmet, with a good range of precise adjustment, because often, in our Nordic country, we add a headband or even a toque under our helmet! The new KSL + Sweet Protection helmet, Outrider model, meets all these criteria. Combined with the Ronin glasses, it's the perfect match. These glasses are lightweight and include 3 different nose pads, which can be easily interchanged, for a standard, narrow or low fit. Very versatile, therefore, for all types of body types! The bridge over the nose allows good clearance from the face and therefore limits unpleasant fogging, especially in the mountains.
For handcuffs, let's wear gloves. Again here, we choose long or short. I opt for the long glove especially when I'm mountain biking. It protects in the event of a fall and keeps your nails cleaner if you have to play with the chain or if the terrain is muddy. On the road or on hot days, I really like the KSL short gloves. Pretty, well cushioned and free from
velcro, these gloves are the best friends of our stylish clothes, both on the road and in the wash. And the free fingertips allow us to easily and quickly use the touch screen of our cell phone! Perfect for documenting your bike rides!
Let's recap.
My MUST HAVEs for mountain biking:
- High-waisted Bobette Ève
- Marie-Belle shorts
- Deborah or Debby sweater
- So chilly: Beth sweater and Diana sleeveless jacket
- Sweet protection long gloves
- Long stockings
- Sweet protection helmet and goggles
My MUST HAVEs on the road:
- Bobette Ève low waist
- Agelina short or long bib shorts
- Kary or Elisabeth swimsuit
- Cycling arm warmers
- KSL short gloves
- Long stockings
- Sweet protection helmet and goggles
My MUST HAVEs for post-spring cycling
- Alexe dress
- Soft Johanne pants
- An alcohol-free beer
Now let's ride!