Cycling realities

The reality of long distance unsupported cycling trips is that you have to carry eveything with you, and you have to wash clothes everynight so you have something to wear the next day. I've looked at some of the finest scenery in Europe through a veil of drying Lycra.

One top tip for women cyclists - bikini tops are better than bras, there's no nipple rub from lace, the material dries quickly and copes well with constant washing in shampoo, and you don't need to bring a separate swimsuit.

Bravissimo does a good range of underwired ones in the sort of sizes you need underwired ones in. They aren't cheap, but they last well without, well, there's no other word for it, sagging. Even if you don't!

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