Chamois cream? Absolutely yes! My personal favourite is the one from "Muc-Off."  Most brands, including Muc-Off, offer creams specifically designed "pour homme" and "pour femme," so make sure to choose the one that suits you best.  My best advice is take care of your bottom, it will let you know if its not happy !😵‍💫😫😖

A few people have asked this question! obvs. is a very very personal decision, for me its a firm No!  It increases the risk of chafing in all the wrong places 😵‍💫🚴🫣.

Cycle Shorts & Bibs – Whether you're hitting the road, tackling gravel trails, MTB paths, or enjoying any other type of cycling, imo a good pair of padded shorts is essential—especially for those longer rides. Why settle for discomfort? Taking care of every part of your body ensures you can fully enjoy each moment on the bike. Personally, I swear by DHB bibs for road cycling and Endura for gravel and MTB. Both brands strike a great balance of affordability, comfort, and a fit that works perfectly with my anatomy.

I’ve tried some of the premium brands, but they don’t always live up to expectations. Poorly placed seams, padding that’s either too narrow or too wide—these issues can ruin a day out. And let’s face it, no one wants to deal with “sausage legs” or the dreaded "muffin top." Comfort and fit are just as important as performance when it comes to cycle clothing.

For gravel and MTB rides, I tend to choose MTB-specific shorts for their practicality and design. When it comes to road cycling, bibs are my go-to for ultimate comfort. 

I’m a big fan of cycle jerseys with back pockets. Whether I’m on a road ride, gravel ride or hitting the MTB trails, I always prefer a proper cycling jersey or jacket over other options.

My top choice is Rapha(great colcours), but DHB and Le Col also deliver excellent quality and performance. For me, the pockets are essential—they need to be spacious enough to hold my phone, an energy gel, and sometimes even a lightweight gilet. The fit and vibrant colours are just as important, and these brands check all the boxes for what I look for in a great cycling jersey.

If you live or cycle in a warm climate for the summer Jerseys that can help keep you cool and stop you protect you from sunburnt are a must.   

For the winter, make sure you check that any moisture (e.g. sweat) is wick'd away, if you stop for a coffee or drink, as you can get cold quite quickly.  Layer up and make sure you can take a layer off when you stop if you need to.

Sizing Finding cycling gear that fits well can be a challenge, especially since many brands seem to design their sizing with smaller, more petite women in mind. Personally, I don’t quite fit into that category. I typically wear a large, and sometimes even an extra-large. While I wouldn’t describe myself as "huge," "petite" definitely doesn’t apply to me either!

It’s a bit like shopping for jeans—what’s a UK size 12 in one store might be a size 10 or even a size 14 in another. The inconsistency is baffling! It all comes down to the fabric and cut, which can completely change how something fits. A UK 12 typically is the top end of medium or the bottom end of large, best to try a few different brands and find which one suits.  I wish i could be more hepful, unfortunately the best thing is try a few different brands and see what suits your own anatomy. 

This is an interesting question, the choice is vast and if you are new to cycling, it can be totally confusing  🫣 I think you need to decide what sort of cycling you want to do. For example.... do you want to pop to the shops and take the kids out on a Sunday, or do you want to race, compete in traithlons, do long endurance rides.  The best place to start would be at your local bike shop, tell them what you want to do and they should point you in the right direction.   Local bike shops (rather than big chains) are after repeat business for services, tyres, inner tubes etc. so building up a trusting relationship with them is good place to start.