Cycling during your period: how to do it with confidence

Mexico City, 2003. Leontien van Moorsel attacks the hour record, the toughest test in cycling. The date was no coincidence; she deliberately planned the attempt on a day she was menstruating because, according to her, her pain threshold was higher then. It became a record that would stand for twelve years. The best Dutch cyclist ever delivered her greatest achievement during her menstruation.

Yet for many female cyclists, riding during their period is actually a reason to leave the bike alone for a few days. Not because their legs can’t handle it, but because of everything around it: fear of leaking, no toilets along the route, and a bibshort that you have to completely take off halfway through the ride for a sanitary stop.

What a shame, because Van Moorsel’s example shows what is possible. In this article, we break the taboo. You’ll read why cycling during your period can actually be a good idea, what practical solutions exist for the biggest inconveniences, and how we at Acelera developed a bibshort designed for every phase of your cycle.

Why cycling during your period is actually a good idea

Being on your period and exercising feels like a difficult combination, but movement often provides relief. While cycling, your body produces endorphins, the substance that improves your mood and reduces pain. Additionally, cycling stimulates blood flow, which can help against abdominal cramps.

Many women also notice that a gentle ride yields more benefits than a day on the couch. You don’t have to do interval training: a steady ride by feel is often enough to make you feel better. Listen to your body and adjust the intensity based on how you feel that day.

Leontien van Moorsel’s hour record: deliberately planned during her menstruation

Back to Mexico City. Van Moorsel’s decision to plan her record attempt exactly during her period was not a gamble but a strategy. She had noticed in previous major tournaments that she was at her best on those days. Her own explanation: in the week before her period, she always felt tired legs, but once menstruating, her pain threshold seemed further away. Her statement that she performed better while on her period has since become legendary in Dutch sports.

Later research partly confirmed her feeling: during menstruation, heart rate is slightly lower and muscles are more flexible. The record she set that day stood until 2015. Of course, not every woman experiences her period this way, and that’s okay. The lesson is different: your cycle doesn’t have to stop you and can even work to your advantage if you learn to understand it. After her career, Van Moorsel advocated for open conversations about menstruation in cycling and for taking missed periods seriously as a signal from your body.

The biggest challenges on the bike

That cycling is good for you doesn’t mean it’s always easy. These are the three inconveniences female cyclists mention most often:

• Fear of leaking. A tight white or light-colored cycling short and a long ride far from home: that combination causes stress for many women, even with a tampon or cup.
• Changing on the road. Changing a tampon or menstrual cup during a four-hour ride is difficult. Toilets along the route are scarce and rarely comfortable.
• The bibshort itself. A classic bibshort with straps means you have to first take off your jersey and sometimes your jacket at every toilet stop. In the middle of winter, or with a group waiting for you, that’s far from ideal.

On top of that, you lose iron during your period, which can cause fatigue and reduced endurance. So don’t be hard on yourself on a low-energy day.

Practical tips for cycling during your period

1. Get to know your cycle

Your menstrual cycle consists of different phases, each with its own hormonal balance. Many women feel energetic and strong in the days after their period. Track your cycle in an app or training diary and discover when your body is at its best. This way, you can plan heavy training sessions and long rides smarter, just like Van Moorsel did with her record attempt.

2. Choose a menstrual product that feels comfortable

Many women find a tampon or menstrual cup more comfortable than a pad while cycling. Pads can, combined with a chamois, cause faster chafing, shifting, or irritation.

3. Pay attention to your nutrition and hydration

Blood loss lowers your iron levels. During this period, consciously choose iron-rich foods and drink enough, even on colder days. This helps maintain your energy levels better.

4. Adjust your training, not your ambition

Severe cramps or headaches? Taking it easier is not a sign of weakness. Swap interval training for a recovery ride or shorten your route. The kilometers you do ride still count.

5. Wear clothing that works with you

Choose breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics and cycling shorts tailored to the female body. Even better: a cycling short specifically designed to wear during your period. That exists, and more about that below.

The cycling short designed for every phase of your cycle

Most cycling clothing is designed as if menstruation doesn’t exist. We thought it should be different. That’s why we developed the Women Pro Bibshort 3.0, our most advanced women’s bibshort ever, specially made for female cyclists. Three innovations make the difference.

TMF Nuvia chamois: cycling during your period with confidence

The heart of the bibshort is the Nuvia chamois from Italian brand TMF, specially developed for female cyclists. The absorbent construction takes in menstrual fluid and helps prevent leaks. This way, you can get on your bike with peace of mind during your period, whether you use the chamois as extra security alongside your trusted menstrual product or on lighter days.

The chamois is also simply a top-quality pad: comfortable during rides up to 10 hours. After your ride, wash the bibshort immediately according to the care instructions, after which the chamois is completely clean and ready for the next ride.

PitStop System: a toilet stop in seconds

No more hassle with taking off your jersey and jacket by the roadside. Thanks to the PitStop System, you can release the straps via two magnetic closures on the back. After your stop, you simply click them back in place. During cycling, the closures stay firmly in place and only open when you want them to. Especially during your period, when you need to stop more often to change, this saves a lot of trouble.

Women's Race Fit and ultra-light compression fabric

The Women's Race Fit is fully tailored to the female anatomy: the panels, straps, and chamois are exactly where they should be. The ultra-light compression fabric supports your muscles, quickly wicks away heat and moisture, and is breathable enough for intense rides in temperatures from 10 to 35 degrees Celsius. From short training sessions to long classics: this bibshort moves with you.

Curious about the full range? Check out all our women’s cycling shorts.

Conclusion: ride with confidence, every day of the month

Cycling during your period doesn’t have to be a struggle. Leontien van Moorsel proved it in 2003 on the velodrome in Mexico City. Get to know your cycle, choose the right menstrual product, pay attention to your nutrition, and listen to your body. And just as important: wear clothing designed for these days instead of ignoring them.

With the TMF Nuvia chamois, the PitStop System, and the Women's Race Fit, the Women Pro Bibshort 3.0 is made for every phase of your cycle. Order yours today and discover how it feels to ride with confidence every day of the month.

Frequently asked questions about cycling and menstruation

Can you just cycle when you’re on your period?

Yes, cycling during your period is safe and can even reduce symptoms. Moderate exercise stimulates blood flow and triggers endorphin production, which can ease abdominal cramps and improve your mood. Just adjust the intensity based on how you feel: with severe symptoms, a gentle ride or rest day is a good choice.

How do you prevent leaking during a long bike ride?

Combine an internal menstrual product, such as a tampon or menstrual cup, with cycling shorts that have an absorbent chamois as an extra protective layer. Change just before departure, plan a stop halfway on heavier days, and choose dark cycling shorts for extra security. Breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics also help prevent chafing and skin irritation.

What is a menstrual chamois in cycling shorts?

A menstrual chamois is a chamois (the padded seat area of cycling shorts) with an absorbent construction that takes in menstrual fluid and helps prevent leaks, similar to period underwear. You use it as a backup alongside a tampon or cup, or on lighter days on its own. After the ride, wash the shorts according to care instructions, after which the chamois is completely clean again.