Clothes - What to wear whilst cycling

[dansenior]

Im just wandering, but it seems that people who ride road bikes, like to look like theyre an escapee of the tour de france or similar, even if theyre just on a local ride, with no intention of racing, whilst the guys on mountain bikes, are quite relaxed about what they will wear.
Is it uncool not to have the right gear on?, I ride a Dawes Galaxy touring bike, just on local rides, as Im trying to get back in to shape, but what I wear is generally jogging bottoms/tracksuit bottoms or pair of shorts, with t shirt.
Is this seen as uncool, or should I not really be bothered about getting the right gear?, to me it seems like its just a way of posing, as the clothes dont really do much to increase speed or comfort surely, other than maybe theyre breathable which makes it better on a hot day.

 

[HelenD123]

If you're just doing short local rides I wouldn't worry about what you're wearing. Proper padded shorts, either on their own or under some normal shorts, can make longer rides more comfortable though. Just get out and enjoy the riding.

 

[MajorMantra]

Im just wandering, but it seems that people who ride road bikes, like to look like theyre an escapee of the tour de france or similar, even if theyre just on a local ride, with no intention of racing, whilst the guys on mountain bikes, are quite relaxed about what they will wear.
Is it uncool not to have the right gear on?, I ride a Dawes Galaxy touring bike, just on local rides, as Im trying to get back in to shape, but what I wear is generally jogging bottoms/tracksuit bottoms or pair of shorts, with t shirt.
Is this seen as uncool, or should I not really be bothered about getting the right gear?, to me it seems like its just a way of posing, as the clothes dont really do much to increase speed or comfort surely, other than maybe theyre breathable which makes it better on a hot day.

Not so. Padded shorts are a huge improvement over street clothes for comfort and tight lycra offers maximum freedom of movement and minimum flappiness which is annoying and counterproductive when you're cycling at speed. The wicking away of sweat is also a consideration as you say and it will be more effective with close fitting clothing.

Don't knock it till you've tried it.

Matthew

 

[paul]

Commute to work three days a week, mixture of country and town roads, for 20+ miles and cycle Saturday and Sunday on longer rides. I always wear the cycle gear for comfort and freedom of movement etc. back and forth to work, but have found by experiment a few years back that the car drivers and commuters in the morning and evening are much more courteous and aware of you in lycra and colourful shirt/ waterproof and allow you to cross at junctions etc. thus speeding up my commute. Tried it in tracksuit etc a few times, way back and you are just another person on a bike.
Maybe it is because I cycle, around the same time each day but when I'm spotted actually fine that 90% of drivers give you a clear space from the kerb or I am just lucky with a great route into work!!!

 

[Rhys_Po]

Personally, the padded shorts are a must, but I tend to wear my old rugby jerseys. The dried in blood also tends to make drivers a bit wary

 

[buggi]

when i first started i just wore leggings and t'shirts and trainers. i soon realised the benefits of "wicking" jerseys, padded shorts, and fleece lined stuff for colder days and proper stiff cycle shoes. once i'd discovered the benefits i then started to look for the nicer designed stuff. so it's probably practicality first, but hell yea, why not "look" the part if i'm gonna buy it for comfort anyway.

 

[Bigtwin]

Im just wandering, but it seems that people who ride road bikes, like to look like theyre an escapee of the tour de france or similar.

Nonsense man. I wear that stuff all the time anyway, which is how I came to take up cycling.

 

[dansenior]

Thanks for replies, Ive ordered myself a padded cycle short inner to go with my baggy cycling shorts, and will hopefully see the improvement, I know since ive returned to cycling, chaffing and saddle soreness has been an issue, and from the comments and other stuff ive read this seems to be the answer, along with the use of chamois creme, I still think the replica tops are posing though

 

[Bigtwin]

I still think the replica tops are posing though

Listen. You have a Galaxy. So do I - they're beyond reproach. But, think it through - get a Werthers Original shirt; job done!

 

[HJ]

Wear what you are comfortable in, unless you are a TdF wannabee...

 

[Bman]

I feel most comfortable in jeans. If I were to come off, I wouldnt lose as much skin!

In this heat though, Ive relegated myself to shorts

 

[Tynan]

you don;t have to wear replicas, there's a huge range of plain kit, if you're going to ride hard enough to sweat then it's far more comfortable