Cycling gear - back to normality

[saaby93]

At last a picture of a normal cyclist



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-29175088

no fancy headgear, normal shoes for work, standard bike

[28Valves]

That fairly typical cycling gear in Cambridge.

[Steve vRS]

She'll never make an impact on Strava dressed like that!

However, I approve

Steve

[motco]

I have wondered for a while why it is that a liking for either/both golf and cycling seems to deprive the participant of any form of dress sense.

[MC Bodge]

28Valves said:

That fairly typical cycling gear in Cambridge.

...And in many other places and countries.

The sooner more of the general
Population get into the habit of cycling rather than driving, the better.

Where I live is a fairly large, relatively quiet, flat suburban area with many wide roads and quieter options. Some people cycle, but nowhere near enough if the shopping centre car park is anything to go by.

[marsred]

motco said:

I have wondered for a while why it is that a liking for either/both golf and cycling seems to deprive the participant of any form of dress sense.

Its just an excuse to spend money. Golfers (me included) think that the next purchase will be the one that makes us play like a tour pro and that goes for clothes as well. We haven't yet realised we are dressed like packets of Haribo Star Mix, we just think the latest fabric in those bright blue pants will give more comfort and thus a better swing... or some similar bullst.

Few things are more comforting to a rubbish player like me than a fully togged up golfer in latest gear topping a tee shot into the junior tees after eight practice swings. I imagine similar things apply to cycling.

[PanzerCommander]

Proper cycling gear just makes the job at hand easier, if you have spent any time on a road bike with a lightweight thin saddle; padded shorts are a must rather than some sort of fashion statement.

I don't think I'd be able to pedal hard enough in shoes like that to make decent progress though; I'd be worried about my foot slipping forwards and breaking the heel off exerting the amount of force needed to push along at decent speeds.

ETA: I buy my cycling gear from sports direct so I don’t wear branded (team sky for example) cycle stuff. I prefer bright colours – makes it easier for other road users to see me.

Edited by PanzerCommander on Monday 15th September 09:55

[Martin_Hx]

I always laugh when i see cyclists in full Team Sky gear, bless , then there is the bikers in full race liveried wear... because racebike/motorbike of course

Think i may have to buy some Honda gear to drive my car to work in, i feel left out!

[Steve vRS]

By the way, my riding clothing is almost always a PH Cycling Jersey

Yes GG, they do exist!

[TheAllSeeingPie]

Sod the clothes, she appears to be riding on the pavement, BURN HER!!!!

[xRIEx]

Martin_Hx said:

then there is the bikers in full race liveried wear... because racebike/motorbike of course

Rizla Suzuki riders being the worst offenders.

No, I don't have a blue (or any colour) Subaru jacket or any other merchandise.

[Mave]

motco said:

I have wondered for a while why it is that a liking for either/both golf and cycling seems to deprive the participant of any form of dress sense.

Maybe the same reason you don't see people wearing their suits in the gym?

[yellowjack]

TheAllSeeingPie said:

Sod the clothes, she appears to be riding on the pavement, BURN HER!!!!

Burn her? Tis a bit extreme. I'd certainly have to follow her, and observe her VERY CLOSELY to gather evidence of any such offence. Then I'd give her the benefit of the doubt, and let her away with a warning, 'cos she's fit, innit?


ETA: I'm all for riding in 'normal' clothes, for short commutes and trips to the shops, etc, but when cycling for fitness and leisure, I find myself wearing Lycra all the time, simply because it's far more comfortable, and better suited to the job at hand. Despite this, I'm fully aware of how much of a fool I look in my cycling gear. I've had that conversation with the wife just recently, but I can accept any amount of ridicule from the uninitiated, so long as I'm comfortable in what I'm wearing

The more the merrier, though, when it comes to getting more people onto bicycles. More bikes = less cars = shorter queues for those who find cycling too difficult or uncomfortable (bless!), or for those who find that riding genuinely isn't a viable option. There's safety in numbers, too, so the more that cycling is normalised, the better the chance of eradicating 'SMIDSY' collisions, IMHO.

Edited by yellowjack on Monday 15th September 12:34

[S10GTA]

Have you tried riding a decent distance in jeans and a t-shirt?

[MC Bodge]

PanzerCommander said:

Proper cycling gear just makes the job at hand easier, if you have spent any time on a road bike with a lightweight thin saddle; padded shorts are a must rather than some sort of fashion statement.

I don't think I'd be able to pedal hard enough in shoes like that to make decent progress though; I'd be worried about my foot slipping forwards and breaking the heel off exerting the amount of force needed to push along at decent speeds

We are talking about people using bikes to ride short distances to the shops/post office/station/office/friend's houses etc. ie. self-propelled local transport wearing normal clothes, not for training/exercising/racing.

[xRIEx]

Mave said:

motco said:

I have wondered for a while why it is that a liking for either/both golf and cycling seems to deprive the participant of any form of dress sense.

Maybe the same reason you don't see people wearing their suits in the gym?

I know what you're saying, but many golfers are just plain weird.

[soad]

S10GTA said:

Have you tried riding a decent distance in jeans and a t-shirt?

Perfectly doable.

[Matthen]

No helmet. After being called to the emergency room on Wednesday because my brother got knocked off his push bike, and seeing the helmet cracked cleanly in two, but his head still in one piece, I'm very pro helmet atm.

[TheAllSeeingPie]

Matthen said:

No helmet. After being called to the emergency room on Wednesday because my brother got knocked off his push bike, and seeing the helmet cracked cleanly in two, but his head still in one piece, I'm very pro helmet atm.

Massive can of worms to open up there, although I agree with you 100%! Fortunately all of my mates wear helmets when we ride, probably due to them watching me have an accident that ended up in a helmet like that a few years back. I know for a fact when my kids grow up if they don't wear a helmet then their bike is going to the scrapyard, but if other people choose to let their friends / children / relatives risk massive life changing brain injuries there's feck all I can do to stop them.

[Matthen]

TheAllSeeingPie said:

Massive can of worms to open up there, although I agree with you 100%! Fortunately all of my mates wear helmets when we ride, probably due to them watching me have an accident that ended up in a helmet like that a few years back. I know for a fact when my kids grow up if they don't wear a helmet then their bike is going to the scrapyard, but if other people choose to let their friends / children / relatives risk massive life changing brain injuries there's feck all I can do to stop them.

Oh I agree, I personally never wore one, simply cos the only thing I enjoyed about cycling was the wind through my hair.