Loose Clothing?

[Kano]

Bike shoes, cuz my feet hurt when I wear "ordinary" shoes on a bike. Been wearing my shoes longer than I've had the clipless pedals, and yeah, I love the pedals. The concept made incredibly good sense to me right from the beginning....

Lycra shorts with padding -- it's not pretty, but yes, I wear the lycra. Used to wear it when I would go to the gym on a regular basis too, and it wasn't pretty then either. Why do I give up on looking half-ways presentable? The lycra holds my parts together. Never mind clothes flapping in the breeze -- it's REALLY uncomfortable when my body parts are flapping as I ride!

Shirts -- can't find jerseys I really like, but the Champion tops that I can get at Target work really well for me, even though there aren't any pockets...

Sunglasses -- don't need no bugs in my eyes, DO need UV protection for my eyes!

Socks gotta fit in my shoes with my feet, and not get soggy. That's the only requirement I have for socks...

Helmet -- and under that, one of those headsweats head bands, cuz my head is the part of me that sweats the most, and it's no fun when the sweat runs in my eyes...

Karen in Boise

[Tater]

I guess I see all the lycra and spandex of a cycling kit to be functional for the activity, same for any other activity. Sure, some can go out in cotton or whatever and be perfectly happy. I have found am not one of those! When I was running, you bet I was in running shorts with the Underoos sewn in. They did the job. Same now with the bike togs and the funny wrap-around sunglasses. Funny how as kids we'd just jump on our bikes and go!

*Slightly off topic...*
Hey, Kano, have you been to the new Sierra Trading Post here in Meridian? They have a bunch of jerseys for guys and gals. Cheaper than the LBSs as well.

[Kano]

*Slightly off topic...*
Hey, Kano, have you been to the new Sierra Trading Post here in Meridian? They have a bunch of jerseys for guys and gals. Cheaper than the LBSs as well.

Not yet, Tater! Have you been to the new bike shop where the old George's in Meridian was? I haven't, but I noticed it when I drove by the other day. Meridian Cycle, I think?

Just told DH you've suggested Sierra Trading Post -- I've been wanting to go just cuz it's new!

Visited the new George's today -- picked up shorts and gloves, he got a jersey, gloves and a new saddle to try out! (expensive new spoke on his back tire, eh?)

Karen in Boise

[stella]

...on what I'm doing. My road bike stays with me in Western Mass, I've been known to wear 'street clothes' when riding this bike even though it screams for cycling wear. I've gotten some odd looks from other roadies when I'm dressed like this, but, oh well...I'm usually off running errands and have my messenger bag strapped to my back. No need for the padded shorts underneath with the brooks saddle.

I do like jerseys b/c of the back pockets and on long rides and do wear the padded shorts. I usually wear the cycling clothes when I'm going over 20 miles and am not running errands.


my beater bike: just my street clothes. this bike has a rack on the back and panniers for grocery shopping.

I do own a searsucker shirt...it is great in the summer--gives me sun protection and keeps me cool. billows a lot when it is windy, though.

[indysteel]

I prefer to wear cycling specific clothing, and most of it is on the tighter side. Most of my jerseys--although not all--stay drier and are better ventilated than your avergage cotton t-shirt. I'm a "sweater" so that's important to me. I also utiltize my back packet for things like kleenex, maps and food. My bike pack is usually full with other things, so the pockets help.

I also don't like the feel of excess fabric blowing in a stiff wind so my jerseys fit close to my body and, in summer, I tend to wear sleeveless jerseys (and lots of sunscreen) with build-in bras. I am not a huge fan of team jerseys or jerseys with lots of "stuff" on them. I stick to fairly simple ones, like Shebeest's "retro" style. Lycra shorts with a good chamois are a must for me. I can't imagine three or four hours in the saddle with anything else. I prefer the longer styles though. I like the "lock and load" feeling of Pearl Izumi's Ultrasensor shorts. The material is more substantial than other shorts I've tried and they have an 8 inch inseam (I think). I also love to wear PI's Sugar knickers.

I have clipless pedals, and I prefer road over MTB shoes. I've never tried to ride--at least as an adult--in anything else so I don't know whether regular tennies would bother my feet. I also like cycling socks, in part because they're fun, and more importantly, they tend to be thinner and more absorbant than regular cotton socks.

Gloves are must. If you fall, they will help save your hands, and they cut down on the discomfort of a long ride. Sunglasses are an absolute must. Sun damage is an issue, as is debris, bugs and the like. Last week something really hard pelted my sunglasses during a ride. I have no idea if it was a rock or what, but if it had hit my eye, it could have done serious damage. I don't necessarily think you need cycling-specific glasses, but you definitely want something that blocks 100% of UV rays and that won't slip off your nose if you're sweaty. I also prefer polarized glasses to cut down on glare.

I'm also a big fan of things like arm and leg warmers, to deal with variable weather. I used to laugh at all the cycling specific stuff when I saw cyclists all decked out, but I'm pretty convinced now that just about all of it serves a legitimate purpose. Of course, it's all about your own comfort. Some things, like cycling specific shorts, really do make cycling more comfortable if you spend a lot of time in the saddle. Other things like gloves are designed to prevent injury. The rest of it, however, comes down to personal preference. If you feel self-conscious, then you aren't going to enjoy the ride.

[mimitabby]

I'm with Darcy and Stella
I wear street clothes often on shorter rides, but they Do get in the way on longer rides. So, I commute to work 4 miles downhill in the morning.
Street clothes.
I go to the store to buy some onions. Street clothes. I go with my husband and do a loop around the lake. Bike clothes.

[GLC1968]

I wear mostly biking specific clothing. In the winter, it's necessary to stay warm...in the summer, to stay cool.

Honestly, I can't even imagine wearing anything but highly wicking materials that dry quickly. I would be so HOT! In fact, sometimes after I shower in the summer, I'd rather put on a fresh biking jersey than half my 'regular' clothes just to stay cool.

In addition, as a girl with big legs, there isn't much out there that would be more comfortable as I move but stretchy materials. I suppose I could see wearing jersey material pants in place of lycra, but any type of broadcloth would not let me move the way I need to move. This is true for biking, the gym, hiking, aerobics, etc.

My husband often wears non-biking specific clothing for his commute. For me, it won't happen. I need to be comfortable and biking clothes are more comfortable to me....no matter what I look like.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Lycra shorts with padding -- it's not pretty, but yes, I wear the lycra. Used to wear it when I would go to the gym on a regular basis too, and it wasn't pretty then either. Why do I give up on looking half-ways presentable? The lycra holds my parts together. Never mind clothes flapping in the breeze -- it's REALLY uncomfortable when my body parts are flapping as I ride!
Karen in Boise

Oh my god TOO FUNNY.