My Gravel Girl Era, Brought to You by SHREDLY
I never thought I'd be a spandex kit girly. And yet, here I am.
For years, baggy shorts and a loose jersey were my whole mountain biking uniform. Anything tighter felt like a costume for a sport I wasn't actually part of. But somewhere between logging more gravel miles and chasing that next climb, I started wondering if I'd been missing out on something. So when SHREDLY's new Cadence Gravel & Road Collection (P.S. save 10% with this link) landed in my hands, I figured it was time to find out.
The Bib That Changed Everything
I'll be honest, I went into this with no expectations, and spoiler: I. LOVE. IT. It passed every test. The side pockets are roomy enough to fit my whole hand, which in practical terms means my phone slides in without a fight. The mesh front actually breathes, which matters when you're grinding up a climb at 7,300 feet, and the sun isn't messing around. And the hems sit flat against my legs instead of cutting in, so I never got that dreaded sausage-casing effect.
But the real star of the show is the drop seat. If you know me, you know I'm a bib/drop seat connoisseur, and this one delivers. Mid-ride bathroom break without peeling off the entire kit? Genuinely a must-have, not a nice-to-have, especially out there where the nearest bathroom is whatever bush is closest.
Pockets For Days
Then there's the Short Sleeve Cadence Jersey, my first real cycling jersey ever. I didn't know a shirt could hold this much stuff. Three back drop pockets plus a side zip pocket that also fits a phone, and suddenly I'm rethinking how I've been carrying snacks and my phone on every ride before this one.
Fully Converted
I went into this collection a little skeptical of the whole kit lifestyle, and I'm coming out the other side a believer. It performs, it looks good, and it actually feels good to ride in, which is the part that surprised me most. If you're a road or gravel rider looking for gear that keeps up with you, SHREDLY's Cadence Collection is worth a look.
This post is sponsored by SHREDLY, and I'm also part of their affiliate program, so if you shop through my link, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions, sausage-casing comparisons included, are entirely my own.