The Update

What I wear when I ride my bike to and from work has never been a big concern for me. Generally, in life, I try to be somewhat respectable when I leave the house, but for some reason when I get on a bike I seem to decide that no one sees me.  That I'm somehow invisible. Of course, there are those awkward moments from the bike to my desk and back again when I occasionally run into some one I might care to impress. 

But, about a year ago I decided it was time to upgrade. Unfortunately, saying you want new commuting pants is very different than actually finding them. There are  couple of factors. First of all, you have to actually remember. That means there has to be a time when you are not on your bike that you have to think 'oh yea, I need to by some new bike pants'. And then, when you do actually remember, you have to find a pair that meet certain criteria. Basically, I had decided I wanted bike pants that were not dorky bike commuting pants, but ones that looked like regular pants, but were perfect for cycling. And those my friends, do NOT grow on trees.

Let's have a little aside, and take a walk down the path of my bike pants for the last 15 years or so, don't worry, it's a short path.

         

Pair one, these fleece gems were purchased I believe in 2001 for about $20 at the Gap. For some reason they became my go to bike pant. Particularly in the winter and spring, these were the ones. Of course, there is nothing bike specific or remotely special about them. They have to be rolled up. They get wet and miserable in the rain. And, for the last year, they have had a slow, but steadily growing hole, in the butt.

Pair two, these are actual bike pants. I got them in 1995 or 1996. They were a hand me down from a friend who no longer wanted them (thanks Jay). They are fleece lined and, though not remotely fashionable, extra warm. They used to be too warm, but as I got older and Seattle got colder, I started wearing them through out the winter.

Okay, back to the main story, one crisp fall day last year, I ran into a friend who was wearing some ultra chic pants. It turned out the were bike pants made out of some fancy new water proof fabric. They were stretchy and cool looking and waterproof AND made for biking. In that moment I decided maybe I got to wear the cool pants too.

So, I upped my search game, to find a pair of ladies pants in the same fabric. I found one pair made by this hipster company based out of Brooklyn New York. They were sold out, and I had to wait months and months to get them. But, despite my excitement and cool as they may have been, they looked like total hell on me.

As I was hemming and hawing and trying them on daily trying to decide what to do, a miracle took place. I happened into a clothing company that is so trendy these days I will not name it on my blog. But, it seems this company just started making commuter bike clothes. And not only that, but they seem to have made the very perfect pair of bike pants that fit me to a tee. Holy cow, these fashion miracles do not happen in my life.

      Their beauty may not be completely apparent in the photos, but they are just the right weight, semi waterproof, extra comfortable, stretchy in just the right places and the perfect fit.  Watch out Seattle, I may no longer turn into the invisible woman when I get on a bike.  Hello hipsters!