Mid-life crisis?

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Willo

Willo

Well-Known Member
Location
Kent
Being an understated kind of guy, 2 years after getting myself a road bike for some general fitness alongside my running and gym, I find myself on the verge of ordering a team jersey (Europcar) as a little treat to wear when I sneak out for some early morning rides during the family holiday to the Vendee later in the summer.

As a 42 y.o. who's current cycling tops are supplied by Lidl, this is a significant development. Not only does it cost 8 or 9 times as much as my 6 quid Lidl offerings but, alongside the Sidi shoes bought last yr, is this confirmation of a mid-life crisis? I used to think weekend cyclists looked tits in all the team gear and here I find myself on the cusp of joining them. All logic is telling me to get a grip on myself and spend the money more sensibly but deep down I know I'll be joining all those Flemish fellas in their clobber on the campsite this summer. I'm only going for the jersey mind, not the full kit.

Should I be worried as to where this could lead?
 
colly

colly

Re member eR
Location
Leeds
The start of a very slippery slope. Before you know it you will be shaving you legs. :biggrin:
 
OP
OP
Willo

Willo

Well-Known Member
Location
Kent
While they're slim my legs are atypical to your average pro rider in terms of hairiness! I might be able to slip a cycling jersey past my wife but shaved legs would not be accepted!
 
Cosmicned

Cosmicned

Active Member
Location
Swindon, Wiltshire
At the age of 52 I used to think Lycra should be outlawed by an act of Parliament for blokes my age... but whilst I haven't bought 'team gear' (yet) Lycra is now in regular use & the cause of much merriment with the 'Missus... shaved legs...? Lord no... it'll all grow back twice as thick & I'll look like a Lowland Gorilla in no time...
 
Glover Fan

Glover Fan

Well-Known Member
Location
Almondsbury, Nr Bristol
Do it, Club gear is actually really good value!

I have Team Katusha gear, just because Focus provide their bikes.

Hopefully i'm not at the point of mid-life yet though (only 23!)
 
Je ta Dawes

Je ta Dawes

Active Member
Location
Mumbles and cardiff
1. As a ‘tourer’ my idea of technical cycling gear is a long-sleeve t-shirt and a pair of ‘padded pants’ but having received a new bike this year (first one in 17 years) I too fell for the lure of a team jersey, partly because team jerseys have these lovely handy pockets on the back (I’ve been used to carrying all my cycling junk in my pannier and was struggling where to put my multi-tool, spare chocolate bar, inner tube etc.) partly because it was on offer! They are very comfortable and, provided you don’t mind looking a bit like a camel, I’d probably say I’m a convert. Word of warning though, if you go for one of the continental/Italian makes then consider sizing up – I’m normally a medium but needed an extra large (oh the shame...)!
 
B

Bicycle

Guest
1. Do not shave your legs.

2. See above.

3. See 1 & 2

4. If you're going to have a mid-life crisis, there are worse ones you could have than riding a bicycle and getting leaner, fitter and lighter.

5. On lycra, as far as I can tell Santini stuff lasts better than others and is worth the occasional extra few quid.

6. I'd avoid team stuff unless it's really weird... I have some Basque National Trials stuff and a replica 'La Vie Claire' top which reminds me of the old days, before the helmet Nazis arrived...

7. Never, ever, ever go out in matching team gear. Always wear shorts that don't quite go with your top.

8. See 1, 2 & 3 above.

I hope this is helpful.
 
2Loose

2Loose

Guru
Location
Loughborough, Leicestershire.
Cosmicned said:
At the age of 52 I used to think Lycra should be outlawed by an act of Parliament for blokes my age... but whilst I haven't bought 'team gear' (yet) Lycra is now in regular use & the cause of much merriment with the 'Missus... shaved legs...? Lord no... it'll all grow back twice as thick & I'll look like a Lowland Gorilla in no time...
Click to expand...

Myth. Shaving does not make it grow back more strongly. Not that I do it.
tongue.gif
but it isn't an excuse.
 
OP
OP
Willo

Willo

Well-Known Member
Location
Kent
All points duly noted, particularly Bicycle's. With your encouragement I decided to go ahead, the only thing now holding me back is the fact that a promo voucher I got from work being rejected so will have to wait and order over the phone in the morning. In the meantime:

However much I wish my legs were a bit less hairy, but not hairless, I will not be shaving them.

Don't worry, jersey only and not the full kit. My standard Endura lycra jobbies will neutralise the the more glamorous upper (Bromptonfb, don't worry I wear some baggy shorts over the top of the lycras when commuting so nobody pulls the emergency cord on the train).

Interesting point about picking team kit connecting with the make of bike you own. For sizing up, I tried some other team jerseys in a shop earlier and quite liked the HTC one, which conveniently connects with the make of bike I ride, a Specialized. However, despite the temptation I prefer the Europcar one (plus a bit less common in these parts) plus I have a different theory that rather than match the jersey to my bike, once I have a Europcar jersey I will have to match a bike to it, justifying a new Colnago!

One last thought, when riding in my team jersey and Sidi shoes will it feel really bad when I get overtaken by someone older than me riding a child's mountainbike in a pair of flip flops while smoking an Embassy No.1?
 
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