Padded Bike Shorts Are Not an Option and Other Valuable Lessons

I leave in less than 10 hours for Vietnam and the beginning of what I think will be an experience of a lifetime. I'm excited to meet the participants and catch up with Jen Flynn, the other cycling leader. I'll spend a few days with Jen and Viet, the Director of GVN Vietnam preparing for the trip and going over all the bits and pieces to make sure we are ready however I already know that there is no way to prepare for everything and we are going to just, "go with the flow" and enjoy the ride :)

Preparing to leave for Vietnam has been a mission; only 2 weeks ago I actually had enough time to look over the 'what to bring' list and realized that um...hello! I'm going CYCLING for over 500 kilometers! I may want to buy some bike gear! Until that point, my standard spin class and cycling attire was leggings or shorts and a tshirt, not exactly ideal for riding long distances. I started to look around for possible places to buy affordable but good quality gear and yet again, I was reassured there are some generous people in the world when I walked into Cycle Science!

Wandering in on my lunch break, I think they instinctively knew I needed help and someone was with me in seconds. I explained that I was an athlete but a novice bike rider about to embark on a trip that would have me drenched in sweat and sore everywhere. "Oh ok, so do you have some good gloves and a top with spf" "No. I have soccer shorts and t-shirts from high school." This is the point that Stewart proved he knew his stuff. He took me over to the bike short rack and explained the difference in quality and style. Who knew you can bike shorts for over your other bike shorts so you look a bit more normal walking around town?  I always knew it might be a bad idea to walk around wearing padded spandex but I never thought there was a solution-genious!

Light blue and butterflies-not your average cycling kit!

Stewart was extremely helpful but he saved the best part for last; I mentioned it was for a charity bike ride and told him more about the trip when he seemed interested. Next thing I know, he tells me that he will sell me the Cycle Science designed kit for half price. HALF PRICE-whooopeee! Not only was I excited about getting a discount (I work for a non-profit, this is HUGE people) but I was also excited to get the women's kit designed by an actual employee! How cool is that? Overall this was an exciting and very positive start to this cycling challenge and also to my bank account. Thank you Cycle Science for your generosity and willingness to support GVN Foundation-you guys are amazing!

The designer at the shop. (I made him do this!)