Harlot Scarlet Knickers

Here's the scoop. We semi-urban women bike warriors have been craving bike pants which don't make us look like we are wearing diapers. Not a cyclist? I'll explain (for those of you squeamish with the talk of female anatomy, I promise I won't go into much detail). Suffice to say that peddling around on these little bike seats can tend to abrade our more gentle privacies in a way that can make bike riding become a very dreaded activity, (and don't even mention the pressure on our sitz bones!). Traditionally we are given large amounts of Chamois (deer skin or usually fake chamois) to pad and comfort said areas, but in the past these have been highly unattractive.

Now Harlot Clothing Company, a small women's bike apparel company in Santa Fe, NM, has designed its Scarlet Knickers with us in mind. These great capri bike pants have their famous BPU system (I'll let you go to their website to see what that stands for) which does exactly what it proclaims. (If you have to guess, think of small, industrious riverine mammals with an overbite.) I did a 10 mile road ride and felt fine after it. I was even happy to get on my bike the next day. As good as a load of chamois? Well perhaps not if you are going on a longer ride, although I will be tempted to try them out.

And let's not forget style. I just want to be able to wear a kickin' pair of pants that lets me use my bike as a mode of transportation without having to change out of my "regular" clothes. You can wear these around without anyone knowing they are "bike pants", but have the protection you need when you are zipping around. And, girlfriends, how can you resist a pair of bike pants with the word Harlot printed on the back in beautiful red script?

So grab a pair, grab your bike and get the heck out there!

Have fun,