Shorts stories: Odile
Shorts, gloves and shoes. The cycling holy trinity, the three contact points, the three most important pieces of kit.
Especially if, or maybe when, you choose, to ride across America. West to east, over four thousand miles, from the Pacific rollers to the Atlantic swell.
A journey that guarantees the worst of times. Going hungry, sleeping rough, feeling so cold you can't change an inner tube, the seemingly constant presence of self doubt.
But equally the best of them too. Extraordinary landscapes to feast the eyes, sleeping under the stars, food that never ever tasted so good. And the kindness of the human spirit.
The weary fire fighter who somehow tracks you down at night to direct you to his station. Your fellow racers willing to share their burger, when it's all they have.
The generous trail angel appearing out of the ghostly mist on a soggy evening with the promise of a dry bed.
So many experiences lived, so many lessons learnt.
Riding in comfort is essential. Small mistakes are magnified ten fold over such large distances. The best bib shorts are crucial, choose unwisely and your race is already over. Memories are powerful things, they really can last forever.
Rebecca rode 4, 267 miles in the Transamerica bike race. Our Odile classic bib shorts went with her for each and every one of them.
