The Czar is a cyclist, which was one of the reasons why I was attracted to him. I didn’t bike myself, but it seemed like a good opportunity to do things together. As I got into it, I started getting frustrated that there were items like this in circulation. Everything seemed to be pink, and not in a good, breast-cancer-awareness way. Cycling shops even stock pink tire pumps. Geezus. Just because I’m female doesn’t mean I lurrrve pink. Or baby chicks.

Should you be currently inspired by the Tour de France (and the Czarina can honestly say she is very…um… “inspired” by the entrants’ beautiful butts, legs, and arms) there is no reason to wear jerseys that are ugly or infantilizing.

Follow up:

The sexiest, coolest (in terms of temperature) and best quality jerseys, in my humble opinion, are made by the Basque company Etxeondo. They are just horribly expensive, but worth it if you: 1) are single, 2) are really into the sport and need quality, and/or 3) need to be beautiful because you ride in a peloton of babe-o-licious men. Mine keeps the Czar very interested in me even though he has to slow down and deal with the fact that I’m a pain-in-the-ass novice on the road. These jerseys are really, really hot. They make my waist look impossibly narrow, probably because, supposedly, they are designed by a woman who worked for a couture house. Colorado Cyclist has my favorite style for $145. Ouch. Beauty is pain.

Colorado Cyclist has the best selection of women’s clothing overall, and you can get a jersey for $39.99 on sale sometimes. Cycle clothing is extremely expensive and since there are only beginning to be more options for women, products can be limited. On the good side, Etxeondo is not as expensive as Assos; some of their jerseys go for $260. And Assos is what you are if you pay that and you’re not a professional.