There are two things that every woman who rides a bike in Austin knows. The first? Things get hot. The second? Things get sore.
One Austin entrepreneur is looking to end our lady part woes, however. Christiana Guzman, a product designer by day and social bike rider by night, launched a Kickstarter campaign on August 28 to raise funds for Cycling Chamois Panties, vintage-inspired, fashionable undergarments for the ladies (or men — Guzman passes no judgment).
Although she's given herself a month to raise the $25,000 needed for production and distribution, folks pledged $10,000 on the first day alone, putting the project well on its way to becoming a reality.
These underpants are cool enough that you could almost wear them sans pants. We say do it. If the naked guy can ride around town in a thong, ladies can ride around in these bad boys.
Guzman, who participates in weekly social rides around Austin, found that her girlfriends were all complaining about the same thing: a lack of quality bike gear that was supportive, pretty, and thin enough to wear under all types of clothing.
"We do these rides and wear our normal shorts or dresses," Guzman says. "I thought, 'Wouldn't it be great to wear your bicycle shorts under your clothes?'"
Guzman concedes there are similar products on the market but says what makes the Cycling Chamois Panties different is the quality. "I did some research, and nothing had a quality [support pad]," she says. "They weren't moisture absorbent, and everything I found was so unattractive."
With pretty in mind, Guzman created two versions of her cycling underwear. The Bettie is a sleeker, sexier version, while the Brigitte is a flattering boy short cut designed, according to the website, to avoid muffin top.
These underpants are cool enough that you could almost wear them sans pants. And you know what? We say do it. If the naked guy can ride around town in a nude thong, we ladies can ride around in these bad boys.
Though they won't be available until the project is funded, you can pre-order a pair of the underwear for a $50 donation to the Kickstarter campaign. Guzman hopes to have everything manufactured and shipped by early 2014. The designer has also been in talks with local bike shops to sell the Chamois Panties, making it even easier for Austin cyclists to get the gear.
So get ready, ladies. Relief is on the way.
Urbanist Cycling Chamois panty in Brigitte design.
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