What to wear??

[featuretile]

When I first started riding I went to Ross and bought wicking athletic t-shirts in bright colors (and they only cost $8 - $10). I still use them and I use a traveling money pouch since the shirts do not have back pockets. I also bought a wicking athletic jacket there in bright pink (I always hated pink). The cycling class leader said you need bright colors to be seen in traffic and Ross ends up with alot of pink. I bought some cycling shorts at Sierra Trading Post online. They have lots of stuff in the cycling or athletic section and prices are very low. You can check back to see if they have any new cheap jerseys or shorts. It's really much more comfortable to bike in stretchy clothes. At first I was a little self conscious, but now I don't really care.

[GenB]

Thanks for the tips, ladies!! I resisted the urge to get gloves because I am such a newbie and felt funny buying all of the biking "equipment" used by far superior riders but I'm thinking now that I may get a pair. I know I will fall at some point and really am attached to the skin on my hands.

I do have biking shorts which I also use for spinning. They are good quality and I wear them almost every day between commuting to work and spin class.

I got a Pearl Izumi jersey on ebay for 13.00 last week and will use that because it does wick - we live in South Georgia and the humidity has been brutal lately. Its tough to ride in a cotton t-shirt. I have found that it almost "holds in" the heat - I can feel it coming up out of the neck of my shirt. So between the heat and humidity, I felt a jersey was not a bad purchase (especially at such a good price!)

I think I'm set now except for maybe one more jersey and one more pair of bike shorts - I'm tired of doing laundry every night!!

Thanks for all the good advice - I'm glad I asked. I think I'll save alot more money now!

[Owlie]

You want gloves. Trust me. I bought gloves before I bought a jersey.

[MartianDestiny]

Its tough to ride in a cotton t-shirt. I have found that it almost "holds in" the heat - I can feel it coming up out of the neck of my shirt. So between the heat and humidity, I felt a jersey was not a bad purchase (especially at such a good price!)

I think I'm set now except for maybe one more jersey and one more pair of bike shorts - I'm tired of doing laundry every night!!

Thanks for all the good advice - I'm glad I asked. I think I'll save alot more money now!

"Cotton Kills"

I've also lived in GA, and you just can't wear the stuff in the humidity and exercise. Really it's not the best idea to wear it anywhere and hike or exercise because, as you've found, it doesn't wick and it holds moisture to you (the quote is actually from backpackers where cotton really can kill you by keeping you wet!).

Sounds like you are off to a good wardrobe start. Keep your eyes open for sales/deals and it will gradually expand

[indigoiis]

I always hit up the consignment and thrift stores in my area and look at their "athletic" racks - both men's and women's. I have gotten some nice Under Armor, Nike, Athleta, Louis Garneau, and Mountain Hardware tops for under ten bucks - often they don't know what they have. A wicking t to layer under a lightweight nylon jacket (high vis IS nice) for Spring and Fall, and add a wool sweater in winter. For summer I eventually broke down and bought jerseys with pockets because of the convenience - but always at discount through Performance or Sierra Trading. Bargains can be had.

I agree with up - GLOVES are really important. I wear regular bobby socks with my shoes, and cycling shorts (bought new except one used pair bought here.)

[canonsue]

I wear inexpensive wicking t-shirts from Target and a lightweight high-vis construction vest when I am on the road with cars.

It is no wonder that none of the young riders in kits will even acknowledge me let alone be friendly as we pass each other on the roads.

-Sue

[Vivi Doom]

Thanks for the tips, ladies!! I resisted the urge to get gloves because I am such a newbie and felt funny buying all of the biking "equipment" used by far superior riders but I'm thinking now that I may get a pair. I know I will fall at some point and really am attached to the skin on my hands.

I totally understand this sentiment, but after the past year of riding (somewhat sporadically) in a cheap helmet, a tank top and old cheap bike shorts - I finally broke down and got a new helmet, a jersey, bike shorts and gloves last month. I am much more comfortable now, and because of that - I'm way more likely to race home from work or get up extra early to get a ride in.

In fact, I JUST now bought my new helmet this afternoon and was struggling with looking like my gear was way more advanced than my skill. However, the helmet fit really well, and I'm way more concerned with being as safe and comfortable as I possible.

[Crankin]

Well, I acknowledge everyone, whether I am wearing my S Pro shorts and a jersey on my road bike, or wearing a skort or loose capris on my Jamis Coda.
I like to see what kind of reaction I get from the different riders. I have found that more roadies wave back when I am on my Jamis than when I was using a Voodoo mountain bike for my utility bike. I think it's because it's a cool looking bike and not common around here. I also see a lot of drivers smiling at me when I am riding with my pannier packed, especially if there's a nice loaf of bread sticking out! I also found that the "super fast" guys say hi a lot more since I've had my Kuota than when I had my Trek 5200, which was still a very nice bike. And it definitely is not because I am keeping up with them, as people blow by me when I am going 20 mph... again, I think they are looking at the bike, which is not that common.
I don't think it matters if you are a new rider or how fast you go. You have no reason to think that you don't "have the right" to wear cycling shorts or jerseys. There's no rule about how fast you need to go to wear cycling clothes!

[BeeLady]

If I am riding less than 25 miles, I wear what ever I'll be comfortable going into a store in. Over 25 miles, I wear padded shorts either alone or under a skirt.

I usually wear technical fabric on top in the summer as its usually 90 degrees by 10 a.m. here. I don't wear jerseys anymore unless I am on an organized ride as bicycling and cycling really does not require that much technical gear.

I do wear gloves, I wear an improvised sun hat/helmet combo, I wear sunglasses, and I wear Keene cycling sandals as I ride a heavy bike and need to be clipped in to be the slightest bit efficient.

As far as jerseys, padded shorts, etc., it depends on where and why I am cycling on any given day. I use my bike(s) primarily for transportation rather than sport or exercise or fun (although I have fun, get exercise and like to go really fast when I can!)