Am I too young? / Cycling clothing?

[heavens]

I'm fifteen and for the first time today I cycled on the road on my way to school. I searched up cycling positioning before the commute to make sure I knew what I was doing - and plus I watch a lot of cyclists on YouTube so I have a good idea on how to cycle on roads (for the most part). This commute was only around the residential (housing) areas - I use bike paths instead of the busy roads because I feel I'm too young and not confident during busy traffic (you might of seen some of my other threads).

Just wondering, do I need to wear any cycling clothing just for residential areas? Of course I wear a helmet - but I can't seem to find anything about what is best to wear. Aside from the helmet are there any laws regarding cycling clothing please? What tips would you give a first commuter like me? Thanks.

 

[benb]

No laws at all covering cycle clothing.

Wear what you feel comfortable in. No point bothering with lycra unless you really want to, so I'd start out with normal shorts and t-shirt. A long sleeved top for the colder weather.

If you get cold legs and want to wear full length trousers, just make sure they are not so tight that they restrict movement, but not so loose that they are liable to get caught in the chain. You can always tuck the bottoms of the legs into your socks, or get some velcro straps to take in the flappy ends.

So yeah, no need for cycling specific, although you can get that if you want. Just what you feel comfortable in.
If you'll be cycling at night, something with reflective patches on might be a good idea, but I presume you've got good lights anyway.

 

[Roadrider48]

Hello.
Just wear what is comfortable and enjoy your cycling.
Confidence for the roads will come as you gain experience. There aren't any clothes that are compulsory by law(as far as I'm aware anyway).
Keep pedalling.

 

[benb]

Regarding road confidence:
-don't hug the gutter: ride about 1m from the kerb
-shoulder check often, especially when approaching a hazard or turning off
-always ride clear of the "door zone" when passing parked cars
-don't let drivers intimidate you
-enjoy it

 

[welsh dragon]

As Roadrider48 says, there are no rules. Wear what you like, what is comfortable. Welcome as well. Enjoy yourself.

 

[summerdays]

If you are cycling to school I would stick with you school clothes most of the time and don't cycle hard so you don't arrive all sweaty. But you probably want to have a change of clothes for those days when you are expecting heavy rain, or make sure you have good waterproofs. You will need lights as we head into winter but don't leave them on the bike as the other kids will remove them.

 

[heavens]

Thanks guys! Yeah I guess confidence comes after a little while! Really excited to be cycling!

 

[Berk on a Bike]

I have nothing to add to the advice already given, but I'd like to say good on you for riding your bike to school. Keep it up.

 

[wisdom]

As above.
The benefits far outweigh the negatives(weather etc).Enjoy your riding and keep dropping into cycle chat theres a wealth of knowledge on here..Dont be afraid to ask anything.Good luck

 

[Nigelnaturist]

As above, nice to see the younger generation taking cycling a little more seriously as in terms of where you should be riding.

 

[heavens]

Thanks for the kind words! I'll report back issues if I have any. Cycling beats walking to school - on a rainy day it isn't as good as a car but then again it's better (and cheaper) than a bus.

 

[young Ed]

i'm 15 and commute to school every day now, 15 mile round trip 5 days a week.
i wear my normal school clothes apart from my blazer, the fact my school has polo shirts rather than real shirts does help.

my mum driving me to school is never an option and i can get a bus to school for free (i am in catchment area) but that option is too smelly, noisy, overcrowded and hot and i find cycling wakes me up and gets me 4.5 hrs a week exercise plus any weekend riding plus running
re. road confidence, i have been riding on the roads since i was 6 or so first with an adult of course and then at about 8 or 10 or so i was allowed off by my self and did so regularly.

now i own various lycra items of clothing a £180 bike computer and am dreaming of a £5-700 road bike!
Cheers Ed

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Thanks for the kind words! I'll report back issues if I have any. Cycling beats walking to school - on a rainy day it isn't as good as a car but then again it's better (and cheaper) than a bus.

Welcome aboard, heavens. You know, with the right gear there are very few days when it's better to be in a car. On a wet day, the good advice already given about comfort includes keeping warm in the wet - given that it's not always possible to remain dry. You'll get a surprising amount of pleasure being out there with the elements and then you'll turn up at school with a feeling of achievement that will set you up for the day. Your class mates won't even have properly woken up yet!

 

[young Ed]

as for wet weather, the other day i stupidly left with out the rain jacket and less than 1/2 a mile into the 7.5 mile commute the heavens open and they don't stop! i turned up to school late with all clothes soaked through and hair, nose and everything else dripping wet but i was still happy as larry
Cheers Ed

 

[Paulus]

Welcome heavens, as you intend to ride in the rain a good waterproof jacket would be a good investment, as would some kind of mudguards on your steed. You can get some cheapish ones from your bike shop that can clip on, or go for the full length ones, although you don't say what kind of bike you are riding.