Bike Shorts - My Favorite Ones

For the last number of long rides, the cycling shorts I have grabbed out of the drawer have been my She-wool (or Smart-beest) hybrid shorts.  Mind you, I have a BREATHTAKING number of cycling shorts; they all fit, but these are the ones I wear.

I reviewed the Smartwool Ewetopia shorts for Road Bike Review a couple of years ago.  I really, really liked the fabric and the fit, except that I just couldn't wear the wool-faced chamois for any length of time.

Now, I have no reservations remodeling clothing that needs it.  And I had an unattached Shebeest chamois (my all-time favorite one, I might add).  After some quality time with a seam ripper, and some careful pinning and sewing (note: wooly nylon thread does not work in a standard sewing machine), I had the perfect pair.

Improvements

Last winter, in my ongoing search for dry, warm hands while cycling, I bought the REI Taped Mittens. And they worked very well. The only drawback is that they are mountaineering mitts and have long cuffs, straps you can tighten, straps you can put around your wrist and a drawstring at the ends.



Imagine getting all that under the cuffs of one's rain jacket, even the generous cuffs of the Showers Pass Elite 2.0. It is challenging. I can't do it, not with any great speed. Long-suffering riding companions have helped out.

On the last ride, it struck me... I have the skills, I have the equipment! I can remove all that extra fabric and give them ribbing cuffs! Called down the street to my sister-in-law, who has amazing stores of fabric trims and such, and made off with enough ribbing to modify the mitts.

Ta-daaaaa!