Cycling Clothing

• September
• 7

11:19 am Uncategorized

The last 20 years has seen cycling become far more high tech:   where you’d have seen most cyclists 20 years ago wearing normal clothes, cyclists who are into their sport these days wear clothing that incorporates all the latest in textile design and aerodynamics .  There’s a fair amount of cycling gear to choose from, and as well as deciding what’s best to wear for summer/winter conditions and comfort, in most western countries you also need to check what’s required by law.

Nearly every government has a regulation or law requiring helmets for cyclists.  commonly the law only covers riding in public roads, but whether mountain biking or street biking, a good, well-fitting helmet could save your life.  As well, though not specifically required by law, many cycling groups recommend wearing reflective clothing so that you are able to be seen easily by cars and pedestrians.

Bike workouts ( any any fitness training ) aren’t done to make you feel comfortable, but having a range of things to wear  is genuinely helpful to prevent excessive discomfort !  Cycling shorts are great for longer rides, keeping you cool while you are exerting yourself, and a quality pair of cycling shorts are made of special fabric for moisture control. They also usually have a padded seat.  A top without sleeves can also be great for longer rides to help you stay cooler .

Mountain biking definitely requires more protection .  Riding ( or crashing into ) bush and trees can be tough, and it helps a lot to wear long-sleeved tops to protect your arms from abrasions.  Good ones will be made of synthetic fabric that is comfortable, lightweight and moisture resistant.

For cold days, a cycling jacket or a wool cycling jersey is great .  It keeps you warm against cooler air but also dry by sweeping the sweat away from your skin. Windproof jackets are also good for wind and rain protection, and you can get special cycling pants or knee warmers, to keep your knees and legs warm and flexible.

Warm weather and long ride gear are pretty similar, because in both cases you can get pretty hot .  Good cycling shorts and shirts will keep you cool, but its also a good idea to take a lightweight, compact cycling jacket along too in case your ride goes longer than expected or the weather changes.  There are a number of jackets available that can be rolled easily into small bundles  when the temperature rises.  Cycling jackets are made of a breathable material that incorporates ventilation, like mesh vents, so its worth while getting one of these rather than a normal jacket.

There are many choices of bicycle clothing and not all of them are needed, but if you’re seriously into bike workouts, getting a variety of clothing is a good move  and you’ll likely spend more time riding if you know you’re not going to freeze unexpectedly, or die of heat exhaustion !