Slipping on a pair of Bontrager cycling shorts recently to head off for some mountain biking I couldn’t bring myself to do it. They just looked a little too “cyclist”. I pictured myself sat on the train with people sniggering at my cycling shorts. Was I being incredibly vain? Probably.
Yet I’ve worn full cycling attire in the past in Germany. Most of the time however I don’t even think about what I wear on my bike. I just dress for my destination and then throw over a cycling jacket on top. Whether that be the Bontrager or more recently the Rapha.
There’s plenty of beautiful blogs breaming with pictures of people looking good on their bikes. Should we care about how we look on our bikes? Do you think about how you look on your bike? Do you buy cycling gear because it looks good?
I’ll open it up to the comments..
I don’t give a flying Brompton.
Yup, totally agree.
In the winter I used to have a pair of cycling tights. Very warm, but often I stopped at the shops and having seen myself reflected in a shop window, I decided on some looser fitting leggings. There was a pristine looking ‘fixie’ bike on the train the other day. Nearby there was someone in jeans, leather trainers, jumper, flat cap and trendy commuter bag. I nearly commented that he’d got the ‘fixie’ look down to an art, but he walked off with a Brompton so I suppose you can’t jump to conclusions. The person who walked off with the ‘fixie’ looked like most other cyclists.
Oh, looks are soo important. Personally, when I’m cycling I don’t give a hoot if people think I look like a tit in my lycra. But, in terms of the stuff I buy to wear on the bike, I do try and buy stuff that I like the look of. For example,my wife despairs because I absolutely refuse to wear anything hi vis because I think it looks revolting. I wish I had the money to buy nothig but Swrve and Rapha, but sadly my budget won’t stretch to it. As you say, you only have to look at the vast amount of websites and blogs dedicated to looking good on a bike.
I wear a normal uniglo fleece most of winter and unzip to cool down, it’s not quite cycle chic but it’s not lycra warrior either. I am all for looking good on a bike, I think more and more people are leaning that way – following the ethos that not looking like a typical cyclist will encourage others to feel comfortable cycling. It is tricky to find the balance between style and practicality. Clothes that are the right length, flexibility, heat level and then having the right mudguards to protect everything. There’s quite a lot to consider. My wife is much better at getting a good cycling look than me
Cycling shorts on a bike looks fine, but get off the bike and walk into the office, and you are now standing up in your underwear.
The only thing worse is white shorts, which even on a bike should get you arrested for indecent exposure.
No one needs lyrca cycling shorts for a commute.
I ride an hour each way so cycling shorts are essential for my commute.
However, I always wear a pair of normal (long) shorts over the top of them so that when I arrive at work I can walk around the office.
Job done.
Depends on how short your commute is I suppose – personally I wouldn’t want to cycle 13 miles into work in jeans.
I commute 20 miles.
I will concede that I don’t absolutely need to use lycra shorts however my preferences are that it takes 1 hour not 2 and that I don’t stink of sweat all day. Since we’re in England I do this in rain frequently enough and I’ve yet to find kit that will really keep me dry for that time. Being able to dump the wet stuff in a sealed plastic bag and change means that I’m not freezing all day. The typical british motorist appears to be visually impaired but I don’t want to look a prat in the office because of my clothes (I can do that all by myself), bright colours for cycle wear, modest colours for office wear.
It may only be a preference but there are frequently good reasons for it.
I don’t give a damm what other people think, thats there problem. I do wear cycling shorts in the summer and tights on long rides in winter for warmth. I also wear normal jeans or trousers if going into town. For me its about being comfortable but also practical.
I find myself the most self-conscious about how I look AFTER I get off the bike. The other day I caught a glimpse of myself in the windows of my office building that I was about to enter. Totally bedraggled, wild-eyed, socks falling down, clutching a banana. No matter what anyone says, cycling will never be sexy.
I beg to differ Ashleigh. While I have to agree that bad weather poses more challenges than good weather, I think there’s ample evidence cycling can be very sexy indeed. Look at how well the Dutch and the Danish manage it. Copenhagen Cycle Chic and the Slow Bicycle Movement are all about riding a bike in your normal clothes as a normal way of getting from A to B. It’s that simple. Invest in a good hat and raincoat for tough days (why I set up The Cambridge Raincoat Company – I felt women who ride upright bikes had been ignored in this regard). I ride five miles plus each way daily and that often include strong winds which always seems to be against you not to mention rain, frost, etc. While it may not matter to some how they look, it does affect most of us so I think it is valuable to spend time finding garments which you can cycle in but also you feel you look ‘normal’ in after you get off the bike.
Interesting. I agree that for some of the cycling population it’s possible to arrive at your destination glamorous and unruffled. Unfortunately I’ve never once managed it. It’s because of the sweat. The SWEAT. Even in a lovely raincoat, and probably even in an especially lovely raincoat from the Cambridge Raincoat Company, you can’t beat the sweat. NOTHING can. On cold days, my top is soaked with sweat after my 16-mile round trip. I am moist and pink-faced and gross and people avoid me.
Also, I’d argue that the reason the Dutch and Danish manage to look so good both during and after their bikeride is because they cycle so slowly.
I’m just too impatient to look good.
Gosh Ashleigh, you’re obviously pretty fit! I take my hat off to you. I’m 52 (age does come into it) and my basic round trip is 10 miles, usually with the wind against me. It takes me about half an hour to cycle the 5 miles each way (which includes stops for traffic junctions) – on the rare occasions the wind is behind me, it takes 25 mins.
While I wouldn’t claims to look glamorous (or unrufled), as a busy single mum of 2 who also teaches part-time as well as setting up my own business, my life is complicated enough already so I don’t want to have to pack extra clothes when I leave the house or have to get changed once I arrive – I’ve got enough things to remember and juggle as it is. Personally, I think the Dutch and the Danish have got the right idea and I don’t see the need to be racing everywhere. For me, time on my bike is time out – it’s fresh air and exercise but it’s also time to reflect without demands being made on me. The Dutch and Danish people I have ridden with don’t ride particularly slowly – they’re naturally fit and competent cyclists because of a lifestyle which makes cycling normal in their daily lives. To be honest, that’s the sort of cycling I grew up doing and as kids we lived on our bikes. They were nothing special (all secondhand) and we weren’t into cycling as sport – the bikes just represented freedom and independence which we loved.
With regards to my raincoats, they’re made from an extremely lightweight and breathable fabric which I have found makes a huge difference. The fabric also works in conjunction with whatever you’re wearing underneath. However, I’m not trying to pitch a sale here, just point out where I’m coming from! I find the most difficult wet weather to dress for is heavy showers in muggy summer weather.
My personal preference is to just ride a bit slower but each to their own – none of us can be prescriptive about this, just tolerant.
I would like to see some of the 79% of British women who never cycle (Sustrans survey Autumn 2009 9 thousand women responded) to feel it is possible to cycle some of their journeys in their daily lives. When you consider a significant number of them will be doing school runs and the shopping all over the UK, I think that’s a figure which has got to change. I firmly believe that if cycling is portrayed as a normal way of getting around (the majority of journeys in the UK are under 3 miles), we all stand to benefit. Long live slow cycling – it’s still way better than all those cars!
Dress in context, and try to look “normal”. What you wear for mountain biking will differ from what you wear for road racing, or for a leisurely Sunday afternoon ride with the kids, or for the commute to work.
Personally, I prefer to wear what looks just as normal off the sadde as on. Practical travel wear works well. I like Rohan, although it is not cheap (cheaper than Rapha) and does good waterproof trousers.
If I really must wear something reflective, I use a velcro armband or a sam browne belt that I can take off and put in a bag.
I ride a Dutch style three speed so there is no need or point in me dressing in lycra and looking like I’m entering the Tour.
I ride at a sedate pace and don’t want to have to get changed on arrival at work so tend to cycle in a suit or wool trousers and shirt/jumper combo. Outer layer tends to be a barbour or overcoat in the colder months. Normal leather gloves and a flat cap complete the ensemble.
I don’t really “get” the need to buy a £3k bike and all the Lance Armstrong look-a-like kit for your daily commute. I’m much happier in my ordinary clothes at an ordinary pace. Our Euro cousins have the right idea.
I totally agree with you DC. I don’t want to have to get changed (my days are hectic enough as it is). Our Euro cousins definitely have the right idea. “Dress for the destination, not the journey” (with thanks to Mikael Colville-Andersen, founder of Copenhagen Cycle Chic).
May I refer you to The Rules. This will tell you if it matters or not.
http://www.velominati.com/blog/the-rules/
Hear hear.
Functionality over fashion all the way when it comes to cycling. And I’m saying that as someone who does like nice clothes.
My old man cycled to work every day in tweed jacket/cords (he was a teacher after all) and I have followed suit by just wearing normal clothes on my commute. Some guys wear the same cycling kit every day and you can smell them a mile off, it’s gross
I like a mix of form and functionality – the higher vis jackets do tend to be a little garish but there are plenty of middle ground options available. And I do wear tights in the winter for warmth (and padding) but a pair of 3 quarter lengths over the top takes the edge off. The biggest problem I have is the helmet, they never look good but are, I believe, a necessary sacrifice.
I use to laugh whenever I saw full on lycra commuters thinking this is an overkill. Now I am one of them. Everything is skin tight and I don’t care what it looks like because all I care when I get on the saddle is function. I want to get to the office as dry, warm and comfortable as I can get and there are only two ways to do it: you either get technical clothing or you don’t go above 10kmph speeds so you don’t sweat. My commute is already 1 hour long one way, thus, I chose the prior option.
If I go to town in the weekend I will jump on the Barclays hire bike with whatever I have on at the moment since the bike is designed to accommodate any clothing and your jeans will never get caught in the chain. Some people, however, still find the need to wear lycra even on these bikes. A little weird, but each to their own I guess.
Horses for courses. Wear the right clothes for the job. Let people think what they like.
“Wear the right clothes for the job.”
Exactly.
“The right clothes” are the most comfortable clothes, in my book.
After getting caught i a downpour 2 minutes into my 45 minute commute, whilst wearing jeans, I now wear lycra. It’s been said before. The only way to stay dry is to wear technical clothing or go 10 MPH. I average 16 on my commute – adding a half hour just to be dry, in clothes that will drag me down in the wet seems nonsensical now.
And as for the argument of wearing designer cycling clothes to look good and stay dry: if my budget could strecth that far, it would strech far enough to pay the outrageous oyster fare into work as well.
I’d rather be seen on the road and alive than be dead because of embarrassment over hi-viz. Saying that, I’ll never wear Lycra or tights, it’s just unnecessary.
Function over look ! Including hi viz jacket (winter only) helmet cover hi viz etc. Guys why do you want other road users not to see you ? Even with this on, I have “not been seen” and knocked off twice and hurts !
Like many here, I wear lycra shorts with padding for my hour long commute (buy light cycling trousers over them) and a skin tight base layer. But if I’m only going a few miles or getting a Boris bike to the pub after work, then whatever I’m wearing is fine, but I always try and wear gloves.
How I look on my bike mattes to me not because I care about what other people think of me but because of how my clothes alter the way other road users behave around me.
I know that the Mary Poppins effect has been discussed here before but in my experience I find wearing hi-vis and a helmet results in more hostility than when I pedal around without the cycling gear and look relatively normal. I’ve even noticed this effect during rush hour traffic.
My bike also has two baskets, which when combined with my two X chromosomes and a skirt or dress results in a variety of responses from the presumption of incompetence to catcalling. Jeans or trousers don’t seem to have the same effect but are more uncomfortable to cycle in than a skirt. I don’t think I want to know what response lycra would produce.
Like you Annie, I have found that cycling in a helmet results in worse driver behaviour. Ian Walker, travel psychologist at Bath University did research in relation to this which showed that drivers drive more carefully when cyclists are NOT wearing helmets.
I don’t like wearing jeans and don’t find it’s necessary. I find wearing trousers is also linked to worse driver behaviour.
I ride a Dutch upright bike which is going into it’s 11th year and cycle 5 miles each way on a daily basis. I mostly wear skirts/dresses because I prefer to wear them and I don’t want the hassle or bother of getting changed on arrival. It might help that I live just outside Cambridge, but I have found drivers definitely behave more considerately when I’m wearing a dress/skirt e.g. most of the time, than on the few days when I wear jeans/trousers. I don’t really care why they do, I just know that it’s the case.
I have a pathological dislike of hi-viz and think it’s actually doing a lot of harm. It is not only ugly – it adds to the likelihood of the wearer getting hot and sweaty. Worse, I think it dehumanizes the humaness of a person’s appearance. Far beter, is to wear bright colours which are more effective.
The nearest I get to wearing lycra is the 2% elastane in my cotton skirt! I’m 52 and have cycled for years – and will continue to do so until the end.
My choice of clothing – and being bothered by what others thought – kept me from commuting to work for years. Last year I finally accepted I shouldn’t care what others thought of my cycling attire. I proudly walk through the office lobby in bike shorts and sweat wicking shirts now. Pretty? Nope. But I work up a sweat on my commute, so I am not wearing business attire (don’t put on the make-up until I get to work either, where I change and clean up). Besides, I wear dry clean only skirts and dresses at work. First I couldn’t afford the dry cleaning bill if I commuted in such attire, and second I don’t have a step through bike so my business attire would be much too revealing for commuting purposes.
My one concession to how I look and the impression it makes on others has been to buy one of the silly, silly bike skirt things (a wrap skirt I can throw on over my bike shorts) for weekend riding and running errands. I tried sitting calmly at an outdoor cafe with friends after long morning rides on the weekend and I couldn’t not care – so the wrap skirt is pulled out and thrown on when doing cafes. I guess I do still care what others think, durn it.
I also have to say, that these websites that show how pretty you can look while cycling are a bit, well offensive to me. As a woman, why can I not have one activity where it is acceptable for me not to be completely primped as I undertake it? I don’t want to have to do my hair and make-up, check that my clothing matches my bike and that my wicker basket is properly aligned before I head out of the day. I just want to ride!
You don’t have to be “primped” when you cycle – but those blogs aren’t aimed at you. You don’t need any convincing to cycle – you have already chosen to do so and good for you. I hope you always will.
The point is to convince those who don’t cycle, many of whom will think that riding a bike for getting from A to B requires them to dress like a bollard or an athlete. The point is to convince those who don’t cycle that they can look as good on the bike as they do off.
Check out Copenhagen Cycle Chic and the Slow Bicycle Movement. It’s about liveable, sustainable cities and normalizing the image of cycling. You only need to look at the Dutch and the Danish to see how beneficial this is.
I don’t really care how I look full stop
but that doesn’t mean I put on hi-viz and lycra to ride. I wear whatever I want to wear when I get there. That includes on occasion cycling in whites, possibly with bells on – I’m a morris dancer.
cycling in an assertive position like the ladies on the bikeminded ride in the photo is more important than wearing hi-viz.
wear Hi-viz and cycle in the gutter and other road users won’t notice you, you’ll blend in with the street furniture
You are so right Peter, totally with you.
For me, it’s all about the looks.
Up to the individual. I am concerned with clothing that makes me feel comfortable when biking. I also am concerned with sun protection. I wear a bandana under helmet which I can pull down over the top of my ears. Also a visor to keep sun out of my eyes and off my nose. Long sleeves even on hot days and mountain bike shorts (on the road) to cover up more of my knees. My dermatologist loved the foto I gave her of me in that get up. It doesn’t look “cool” but I really don’t care.
I’m very lucky in that my work (same as PaulM above I believe) has good secure bike parking facilities and a gym where I can get showered and changed. that means that I can wear whatever is most comfortable for my ride. This usually means full on cycling gear. I leave enough clothes at work that I don’t have to carry much on the ride into the office.
For most of the rest of the time (trips to the pub etc) I’ll tend to wear something that is suitable for the destination but comfortable enough for the bike. Jeans with a bit of stretch are a godsend as they are just that little bit more comfortable for riding in.
I think life’s too short to start dressing for travel 🙂
If I was only doing a 5 mile commute then I would possibly go Dutch and have a ladies bike and wear office clothes and therefore be a little more feminine. I’d draw the line at wearing flipflops though – highly dangerous imo. But as my average speed is at least 14 mph for a 13 mile ride and I sweat like a pig then it’s sports/cycle gear for me. The only time I ever wear pink, however, is when I’m cycling or running. Wouldn’t be seen dead in it at any other time.
I salute your high level of fitness Emma, but while you say it’s “only a 5 mile commute” the marjority of people where I live are not cycling at all; they’re getting in cars and driving.
I refer you to my second response to Ashleigh (above) rather than repeat myself but I would like to point out that I don’t wear office clothes (I don’t work in an office so I wear what I like) and secondly, I hate flip flops and don’t even own a pair.
Wouldn’t you like to get more women out of their cars and onto bikes, even if it is only for 5 mile commutes? They’re the people causing traffic congestion in towns and cities all over the UK and producing harmful traffic emissions at the same time.
To change that, cycling has to be seen as normal and accessible as possible aka the Dutch and the Danish. It is shocking that virtually 80% of British women never cycle even though the majority of car journeys made in the UK are less than 3 miles. We’re seeing spiralling levels of obesity in adults and children. The British could learn a great deal from the Dutch and the Danish. Slow cycling or not, their kids are the happiest in Europe and there are not the problems with obesity.
Goretex? Have any of you tried Goretex?
Here is Los Angeles I typically ride 20 miles to a meeting at around 20 mph. Attire is cycling shorts. Typically with shorts or pants over (never blue jeans with the seam!) Layers for the top: bright colored polo shirt, fleece sweater and the worlds most garish purple and orange wind jacket. No Hi-vis like the Brits seem to think is requireded kit. My riding is not an emergancy event. My shoes are normal looking with MTB cleats, so I can walk in them. White bike helmet w/light and a cotton cap under..
It does rain here upon occasion, and I ride in it. Gortex overpants and a yellow slicker. Boots if it’s going to be pouring. In light rain – regualr shoes. There are lights and reflectors on my bike and it’s panniers for night riding.
I bring a second shirt and a washcloth in a plastic baggie as a matter of course. A few minutes to clean up and I’m fine here in casual California. Alway carry water.
My riding experience is entirely an urban ride. Almost never does a car driver miss seeing me and then driving around me if they are faster. That’s due to lane position – I’m in their line of sight. Not against the curb. In the middle of the lane when it’s too narrow to share. No excitment, just riding in traffic.
Yep, style matters. So does function. I’m a guy – no need to make a production about it.
Orange and purple I would think is pretty much Hi-viz 🙂
In London brightly coloured clothes makes a police judgement go in a cyclists favour. And when a motorist says they didn’t see you and you’re wearing something bright, well what can I say? Mine’s something along the lines of “when did you last go to an opticians?” Unfortunately a shocking amount of cyclists wear black or dark colours so they’re no different in colour to the stationary cars they’re overtaking. Maybe in LA and the different healthcare set up and more litigious society etc drivers are more careful. Here in London a good few just couldn’t give a toss about how they treat other road users including other motorists – probably because they’re uninsured and have false plates (talking from experience at the hands of such a driver!) Best to be bright imo.
My cycling jacket is Gore so are my overtrousers but it doesn’t stop me sweating!
Vanity can go fly a kite. For my work commute I wear shorts, a wicking T shirt and walking boots until it’s too cold, then out come the gloves, Buffalo Special 6 jacket and winter tights with shorts over the top until about March. If we get another winter like last year I’ll be wearing snow boots and some kind of face protection ( scarf or Buff ). I take the lane and wear high-vis all year ( 2″ wide yellow Sam Browne in good daylight, full-on yellow/orange vest with Scotchlite bands in anything else)- motorists don’t give a monkeys’ about cyclists. Outside work I’ll wear whatever I want, plus the Sam Browne and my right trouser leg clipped away from the chain, as I prefer to pootle. @Eric W: you are fortunate in your road conditions: in the UK drivers can get away with murder. I have had Goretex in the past: it did not pass perspiration fast enough to stop me soaking in my own sweat and the required maintenance was onerous. My Buffalo jacket works much better.
The point is it’s about CHOICE. No-one should be dictating to others how they look on a bike.
I hope it’s taken as read, following the SIXTEENTH cyclist to be killed on London roads last Friday, that the more who cycle the better. The fewer who drive, the better. The more people cycle, the safer roads will become for all who cycle. You can scoff at Holland and Denmark but Dutch children are the happiest in Europe (possibly the world) and cycle to school, up to 15 Km each way, on a daily basis in their tens of thousands. Why can’t we achieve that in the UK?
All styles of cycling are valid. If it matters to an individual, they shouldn’t be mocked or dismissed for that. What matters is to get more people getting from A to B by bicycle. Bikes are for transport, not just sport.
PS Goretex is not the only waterproof, windproof and breathable fabric on the market. Taslan and Skyshell (which I use) also perform extremely well.
With Sally on the Dutch and the Danes have it right because they use bikes that are right for just getting you from A to B. They are comfortable, safe, easy and just so enjoyable. The geometry of the frame and gears seem to be set up to convert walking effort into max speed but just underneath were wind resistance need to be fought with. As for clothes I dress for the weather of the day and what I’m doing when I get there. For those really wet moments I have a cape in a sack that just flops over everything plus handlebars making a rain shadow which keeps the legs dry. Usually I just keep an eye on the weather and might stop if it’s really pelting down or just a heavy shower. in the last few years I can say I might have had to use the cape 4/5 times. Sounds very little I know I’m surprised myself.
Hate the standard defence I didn’t see them ie it’s the fault of the person who the driver did not see. What really happened is the driver was not giving due attention to the road. If this idea about road safety was consistent all cars would be fitted with hi viz strips on bumpers etc. the motor lobby would not like that. We stopped blaming victims of attack because of the clothes they were wearing a long time ago
Emma when you start to Go over about 12 mph for every 10% gain in speed you have to put in a third more energy. Wind resistance as you speed up the air gets a bit more gloopy. You might find if you slow it down a little you won’t need to spend time changing at both ends of your journey, therefore save time.
180 metres of 1 in 10 or steeper inclines every morning ( at well under 12mph ) tend to make one ‘glow’ to the point of requiring a shower as well. Knobhead drivers right behind my back wheel tend to raise the temperature for different reasons.
The type of bike you ride has more to do with how much effort you put into your cycle. The geometry of the frame determines the amount of kg you have over the down stroke hence how much effort you can put into the down stroke. Change the angle between torso and upper leg and you change the possible spin rate. You want to take it easy get something Dutch you want to push it a lot racer and something in the middle a hybrid.
Singlespeed and flat bar road in my case, Andrew.
My Christmas present from my teenagers will be one of these 🙂
http://www.foska.com/kelloggs-frosties-road-cycling-jersey.html
(and the mention of teens might set alarm bells ringing for some – ie how is it possible to have a shower before work when teens spend so long in the bathroom!)
For me all it’s all about sweat, so I do wear a jersey often with a base layer and then get changed at work. It’s a 10 mile ride so I can’t really get away with jeans and t-shirt and then working a whole day in my sweaty clothes. I wear padded cycling shorts under casual shorts because it holds everything in place better. So I do wear some gear, but it’s mostly for what it does rather than how it looks.
I have a Brompton S6R and I wear Lycra bib shorts with a regular T shirt and a pair of Quoc Pham cycle shoes on a fine day. Personally,I dress for my own comfort and enjoyment and if anyone has a problem with that,well they need to get a life,me thinks. I’ve never had any problems with whatever I wear on the bike,though I do live in a more rural area but can’t see it being an issue anywhere in the world.