What to wear??

[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!)