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Riding in Street Clothes

12.08.2009 by Ray Niekamp // 10 Comments

One afternoon last week I got home early enough that I thought I could squeeze in a bike ride before it got dark. But it was unusually cold for Central Texas — around 42 degrees. I decided to take my mountain bike out for a spin around the neighborhood, rather than hit the roads on my road bike.

But I didn’t want to wear my biking tights. For starters, they’re not cold weather tights — they work great when the temperature is in the 50s, but on an afternoon like this, I knew they wouldn’t be enough.

Likewise my bike jerseys. I like my long sleeve jersey with the brushed inside, and mostly, it works well when teamed up with a base layer and my windbreaker. But I thought I’d need something more substantial.

So I pulled a wool sweater out of the drawer, put it on over my long sleeved twill shirt, and put my windbreaker on over that. To cover my legs, I had my jeans. Instead of bike shoes, I wore my flat-soled sneakers (the mountain bike has platform pedals).

It all worked fine. I did 12 miles in about an hour. The wool sweater kept me warm, and the windbreaker broke the wind. A pair of light wool gloves substituted for my half-finger biking gloves, keeping my fingers from freezing, but without adding so much bulk that shifting and braking would have been a problem. Okay, the blue jeans weren’t the wisest choice for legwear — my thighs were pretty chilled when I finished the ride — but I’ve got alternatives to those for future similar rides.

Since I started my “serious” biking about two-and-a-half years ago, I’ve taken to biking clothes. I like my padded shorts and my lightweight lycra jerseys. It’s become second nature to me to rummage through my bike clothes drawer (yes, I have a whole drawer dedicated to them — don’t you?) to pick the best combination to wear when heading out.

But for the half-century before I started “serious” biking, I didn’t bother about that. I just rode, wearing whatever I happened to have on at the time. In fact, my wife and I both thought the cycling getups were over the top — and we’d chuckle at some of the kits people wore when we were out riding rails-to-trails bike paths.

Street clothes can do very well for a biker under most circumstances. I’ll be doing neighborhood rides in them again. How about you? Cycling kits are fun, but are they really necessary?

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Comments

  1. Sine Botchen says

    December 8, 2009 at 8:49 pm

    Street clothes? Nah. I started mountain biking in 1990 and the people who introduced me to the sport led by example. At first it was weird to put on bike shorts, but the wardrobe was mostly limited to just that: Standard early ’90s uniform was bike shorts with a cotton t-shirt (tucked in, of course) and maybe a pair of bike-specific shoes, although clipless pedals were just coming into (mass production) vogue. Since then I’ve graduated to the whole kit thing, though not matching or color-coordinated.

    In total contrast to your post, I often find myself wearing cycling-specific clothes for normal (street) wear. On a typical January/February “ice day” I’ll opt for “tights” under my jeans, full-fingered (fox or gary fisher) gloves and my favorite long-sleeved jersey as opposed to a heavy over coat any time. (FYI – as of last year I broke down and bought a helmet liner (beanie) which looks waaay more cooler than the rag I used to wear on my head.)

    Reply
  2. ha1ku says

    December 8, 2009 at 9:44 pm

    I ride only for utilitarian purposes, so I always street clothes. I dress for comfort and for sweat/odor control. Jeans continue to be a little tricky for me, as I don’t find them very comfortable. Someone needs to invent jeans for the commuter without making him look like a 20-year-old hipster.

    I might break down and buy a pair of knickers at some point, but already I can hear the folks in the office chuckling. But damn, they sure do look comfy.

    Reply
  3. Doohickie says

    December 8, 2009 at 10:50 pm

    I haven’t really bought into the whole bike kit thing. First of all, I hate the feel of cycling jerseys; I’d rather wear wicking cotton based stuff. The one thing I like about cycling jerseys are the cut (i.e., longer in the back) and the pockets in the back. I’m thinking about getting a fanny pack which would make those pockets obsolete.

    All the cycling shorts I have are the “mountain bike” kind…. you know, the ones that don’t make it look like you’re trying to show off your junk. My wife actually finds that look, well, rude. She would rather that cyclists have a little more modesty.

    Reply
  4. wirehead says

    December 8, 2009 at 11:43 pm

    25 miles. Under 25 miles, I often wear street clothes. Over 25 miles, I always wear bike-specific wear. If it’s raining, rain clothes. Of course, I sometimes wear wicking t-shirts instead of proper jerseys or sometimes even cotton t-shirts in the over-25-mile zone. But I did ride somewhere over 25 miles in jeans and a polo shirt…. and that started to chafe after a while.

    I think it’s important PR to ride in street clothes at least some of the time, to show that you don’t have to be a spandex-clad bike weenie to be out on your bike….

    Reply
    • rainycamp says

      December 9, 2009 at 9:50 am

      The Brits call them “lycra louts.”

      Reply
  5. Charles Cushman says

    December 9, 2009 at 1:00 am

    It definitely depends on the length and purpose of the ride. If I am riding my bike on errands or to dinner I wear street clothes. Some are just better suited than others. The biggest problem is the pants. I don’t like the straps so I always roll them up. That works in the summer, but can be cold in the winter.

    As for the rest of my bike rides, I always wear cycling specific clothing. A nice jersey and bibs are just so comfortable and I like my cycling clothes snug.

    Reply
    • rainycamp says

      December 9, 2009 at 9:52 am

      I tuck my right pant leg into my sock. Looks dorky, but works.

      Reply
  6. Cyclin' Missy says

    December 9, 2009 at 8:00 am

    Street clothes can work really well! I sometimes throw my padded shorts under a regular pair of pants for a ride. However, I agree that jeans aren’t the best. I find them uncomfortable in the seat area. The thick seams tend to chafe.

    Reply
  7. Brian says

    December 9, 2009 at 10:44 am

    I definitely have two different attires. When riding my bike to the bar, market, errands, etc (I live in Philly), I ride my beater bike (if i gets stolen or damaged…) and wear street clothes. If I’m wearing pants, I roll ’em up. When riding to get a good work out, go fast, or a group ride. I ride my road bike and wear my “cycling kit.” I agree… it’s just much more comfortable wearing a cycling jersey and bib shorts, not to do that.

    Though, sometimes we combine the two activities and ride to the bar after a Sunday ride and you’ll see a group of us lycra clad cyclists hanging out at the outdoor table of our neighborhood pub with a few refreshing beers in hand.

    Reply

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