Is a hard bicycle saddle better?

Take a look at saddles usually installed on bicycles for long distance rides and you will know that for a comfortable ride, a wider plushy saddle is the better choice.

Manufacturers tend to provide saddles that are smaller and less padded in order to reduce the weight of bicycles.

This is why customers who have just started cycling tend to change the original saddles installed on the bicycles they purchased. As it will take about three months for the gluteal muscles at the buttocks to develop, saddles that are padded or larger in size provide them some relieve from the aches they have to endure when they started cycling.

Cyclists with pronounced posterior tend to choose the most padded saddles they could find in the shop.

Some may feel embarrassed about being seen with a larger saddle installed and will opt for padded foam or gel saddle covers.

Some may also opt to wear padded cyclist shorts.

There are many type of saddles in the market. Some brands supply them in different shapes and sizes for male and female cyclists. The ones for female riders tend to have shorter nose which can be uncomfortable for some male riders. Female riders tend to have wider hips which can make it uncomfortable for them to sit on saddles for male riders which tend to be narrower.

If you prefer hard saddle, the one you should consider getting should be made of leather. It is more expensive but as you sit on it over a period of time, the leather will conform to the shape of your butt to give you a more comfortable ride.

Just make sure that you install it correctly on the seat post as that can also affect the comfort of your ride.

Need winter wear? Use your long cyclist pants.

If you plan to travel to places where the climate is colder, make sure that you include thermal wear in your luggage. Thermal wear is made of synthetic material, such as, polyester that will wick away moisture, like your perspiration, from your skin. So, avoid wearing cotton as it will absorb your perspiration or water from the rain or snow and that will make you feel colder.

When the temperature drops, it is not the cold weather you should be wary of but the wind. You will feel the chill as the cold wind blows over your exposed skin. So, wear long sleeves and pants, make sure that your head is covered and your scarf is on to keep your neck and nose warm. Wear gloves and thick socks to keep your limps warm and mufflers to protect your ears from the wind. Don’t forget your lips. Apply lip balm to prevent them from becoming dry and chapped.

Though wool can help trap heat and keep you warm, several layers of lightweight clothing are preferable to one thick layer. Wearing tight jeans over your thermal wear can constrict your blood vessels and make movements difficult. Lycra spandex is a lightweight synthetic fiber fabric which stretches well. So, Lycra spandex clothing is best worn over your thermal wear. You can add more layers as the temperature drops.

For the outer shell layer, you can decide if you prefer to wear a parka, coat or jacket. How waterproof, padded and insulated you want it to be depends on what the weather is like where you are going. Google “cold weather light waterproof jacket” and you will find a wide variety in the market.
I wonder if you noticed that most sportswear are made of Lycra spandex. So, before you head off to buy your winter clothing you may want check out if you can pack any of your sportwear with you.
Don’t miss out the padded long cyclist pants. I encourage my customers to wear them for their winter holiday overseas. The padding will not show as it will be covered by your long winter jacket and it provides some comfort during the long ride in the plane, train or car.



The leggings of Lycra spandex pants are close fitting and usually with zip enclosures so you can easily wear boots over them.



Do you know that you should buy boots that are one or two size larger than your regular size?



Bring along your woolen winter socks when you are out choosing your boots. Remember too that you plan to wear them over your thermal wear and Lycra spandex pants.

Would you separate an attached padded liner from your biking shorts?

You are likely to damage or leave holes on the lycra/spandex material of your cyclist pants if you try to remove the pads sewn securely to it.

If you do not like to walk around with a pad in your pants, you can also consider getting padded boxer for cyclist which you can wear like an underwear with your regular pants. Your pants must be loose or stretchable enough for you to cycle comfortably.

There are cycling cargo shorts that are supplied with detachable padding.


This is suitable for cyclists who would like to remove the padding when they have reached their destination to run errands.

These detachable padded pants can be used with your regular pants if you can sew elastic loops on them. Just take a look at how these loops are sewn on the cyclist cargo shorts and you will get the idea how it should be done.

Where do you keep your cycling glasses?

There are small bags that you can hang on your saddle or handlebar or frame of your bicycle for stuff like glasses, tools, keys and wallet.

This is a handlebar bag.

This handlebar bag can be used folded or opened up to carry more stuff.



This saddle bag is longer for folding bike users.



If you are worried that your glasses will get smashed up because of the soft casing, you can consider using hard case carrier like this.



There are also padded handlebar bag meant for storing camera which should keep your glasses safe.



If you are not talking about your reading glasses, there are also helmet with retractable visors attached. These visors are more curved to prevent dust particles and smog from getting into your eyes.



I shared quite a number of photos on bags for bicycles on my instagram account.  Check it out for more storage solution.

Padded long cyclist pants as winter wear

Plan to travel to somewhere cold for a holiday?

Though wool can help trap heat and keep you warm, several layers of lightweight clothing are preferable to one thick layer. Wearing tight jeans over your thermal wear can constrict your blood vessels and make movements difficult. Lycra spandex is a lightweight synthetic fiber fabric which stretches well. So, Lycra spandex clothing is best worn over your thermal wear. You can add more layers as the temperature drops.

I wonder if you noticed that most sportswear are made of Lycra spandex. So, before you head off to buy your winter clothing you may want check out if you can pack any of your sportwear with you.

Don’t miss out the padded long cyclist pants. 

I encourage my customers to wear them for their winter holiday overseas. The padding will not show as it will be covered by their long winter jacket and it provides some comfort during the long ride in the plane, train or car.

The leggings of Lycra spandex pants are close fitting and usually with zip enclosures so you can easily wear boots over them.

Do you know that you should buy boots that are one or two size larger than your regular size? 

Bring along your woolen winter socks when you are out choosing your boots. Remember too that you plan to wear them over your thermal wear and Lycra spandex pants.