I'm not a novice, but I feel like one.

[Jiffer]

I wear jerseys for the pockets and moisture wicking. They do make shorter shorts. I don't have any and you wouldn't want to see my legs in them, but my friend has a pair and I've seen others. Not real common, but they're out there.

Cadence is how fast you are spinning. RPM or revolutions per minute. If you are at a 90 rpm cadence, you are spinning your pedal 90 times in a minute. You need a bike computer with a cadence sensor to know what your cadence is, but depending on what your goals are, you don't need it.

Everyone rides a bike for different reasons. Some want to get as fast as they can and maybe race, others don't care about speed, but go for distance, others just enjoy getting out and smelling the roses ... as well as the people who are somewhere in between, like maybe you are. You don't have to have a bike computer and a jersey to be serious about cycling. For me, getting stronger, working on my speed, being able to keep up with club members and do well at an event is what gets me excited about going out and riding. Sometimes I like to ride just to ride and enjoy the scenery, but I'm on a high when I get back from a ride that I rode faster than I ever have before.

To each his own. As long as you are happy riding a bike, you don't need to do anything different than what you are doing.

[PamNY]

Welcome. Sounds as if you have been enjoying bikes for many years. I really wouldn't be too concerned about what you're wearing. People bike in all kinds of attire. I do find this forum helps me determine what's useful to me.

Have you looked at shorts on TE? They have a lot to choose from, and are very helpful if you call them -- in fact, I just talked to them about shorts today.

[moonfroggy]

Hi! welcome to te

i used to wear tank tops most of the time on my bike and they are very comfortable but i tend to wear looser ones and last summer a bee flew into my shirt and i am mildly allergic to bees and each time i get stung the reaction gets worse.

that combined with wanting more sun protection i mostly wear a long sleeve jersey with a high upf rating now. it keeps me almost as cool as a tank top but gives me more protection from bees and sun and the pockets come in handy! i do own a sleeveless jersey though it is like a tank top with pockets and wicking fabric!

i don't know what my cadence is but i am a total gadget nerd so will probably get a sensor to find out at some point. i have a competitive nature but do best when i only compete with myself so a lot of my enjoyment on bike rides is trying to break a previous record it might be distance or speed or something else. that's just fun for me. i think the most important thing with bikes is to have fun and be safe and it sounds like that's what you do!

[ny biker]

Forget about everyone else and what they're wearing. Just have fun.

[alexis_the_tiny]

Hello!! Jerseys vs tank tops - if they made cute tank tops in wicking fabrics and with pockets, I'd be all over them. For now, sleeveless jerseys. Everything else: Who cares? Just have fun. You sound like you're doing a great job of it already. =D

[marni]

what everyone else says- I prefer longer shorts but that's just me.

marni

[Kano]

Just as long as you don't wear tall white socks with sandals, and clip your pedometer to one of them and then roll that one down.

That finish to whatever look he's wearing on the rest of him, looks more than a little bit goofy...

Karen in Boise

[KnottedYet]

if they made cute tank tops in wicking fabrics and with pockets, I'd be all over them.

Terry makes several styles of wicking tank top with pockets, and SusanO stocks them.

This is my favorite: http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodTY_1962_0.html Every year there are a couple different prints, and there are always the basic solids, too.

[nolemom]

First and foremost, ride what is comfortable. The longer shorts do have a purpose for some riders - they offer more compression for the upper legs. Also my shorter shorts tend to rub against the seat more and irritate that area of my leg. I try to alternate short length based on the length of the ride so my upper leg is in various shades of tan - I call it the neopolitan ice cream look. I found knowing my cadence to be incredibly helpful with my riding. I was spending too much time in my harder gears and was having knee issues. Now I make sure that I spin more - my knees are happier and my overall performance has improved. The one thing I have learned in the almost two years since I started riding - everyone is different and that as long as you are comfortable and enjoying your ride, do what works for you.