I had the pleasure of cycling in Brisbane last month. It was a sunny day so I went on a 30km ride beforehand, exploring the renowned river-loop cycle route. I was dressed in Lycra when I arrived at the cafe. Instead of the usual "how have you been?
The gist of her tale was the MaMiL middle-aged man in Lycra had ignored a perfectly suitable cycle path that ran parallel with the road and instead decided to ride down the middle of one of the two lanes available to traffic. My friend was stuck behind him for a minute or two and when she passed in the right lane, she yelled at him and pointed to the bike lane where she felt he should be riding. I sucked in a deep breath before calmly pointing out that the cyclist was entirely within his rights to ride in the centre of a lane, so she was abusing him for doing something legal.
Imagine if we all went around castigating people for acting within their rights? I agreed with my friend that I would have used the bike lane instead of the road. I also thought perhaps he was going to turn right up ahead and chose the road instead of the path?
Keep in mind that bike shorts are meant to be worn without underwear. Consider tight-fitting race shorts if most of your ride time is fast cycling on the bike. This offers the most comfort and aerodynamic fit. If you spend time off the bike, touring, or commuting by bicycle, need pockets, or are more concerned with the look of the shorts than your speed on the bike, you might want to look for "baggy shorts" with an inner liner. Some people carry a pair of loose-fitting shorts to slip on when they aren't on the bike.
Bike short padding is generally made from chamois or a synthetic material. Both offer benefits, but chamois tend to need a bit more care than synthetic linings.
The padding also ranges from thick to thin, with triathlete shorts having the thinnest pad so athletes can swim, bike, and run in the same shorts. Bike shorts are also made with a pad designed specifically for men and women, so choose accordingly.
Less expensive shorts usually have fewer fabric panels, while the most costly and form-fitting bike shorts can have up to eight panels. They all fit a bit differently, so try on several styles. You can buy bib shorts that offer shoulder straps rather than an elastic waistband. Some people find this style the most comfortable after hours of riding bent forward at the waist.
Shorts come in a variety of inseam lengths. The shorter shorts work great for spin class, triathlons, and a good tan, but most cyclists like an inseam just above the knee. This is long enough to stay in place and prevent chaffing of the inner thigh on the saddle. In cold weather, consider a knicker style bike short that covers the knees for added warmth or even a full tight that goes to the ankles.
Bike short fabric can be thick or thin, sheer and shiny or textured, and made of wool, CoolMax, Lycra, spandex, and various other wicking materials. The technology behind waterproof materials is now incredibly advanced, gone are the days of brightly coloured sweaty cagoules that leave you as wet on the inside as the outside.
There are some beautifully cut and draped jackets available that will protect you on the bike and look smart off them. A versatile investment for those inevitable wet cycling and commuting days and in the UK an indispensable part of your wardrobe!
Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Registration number About Us. Contact info. Things to look out for When choosing clothing to cycle in, whether you are going for brightly-coloured Lycra or a more subdued casual look there are a few key things to look for.
Padding A little bit of padding between you and the saddle can make all the difference. But why do cyclists wear lycra? Regardless of height or weight road cyclists will nearly wear lycra when they ride, which can be quite baffling for non-cyclists, who don't always realise the benefits it can bring. The last thing a rider wants is a badly fitting top or pair of shorts that either bunches, pulls up or, even worse, falls down when riding.
What's good about lycra, then, is that it stays in place despite arm or leg movements when exercising. This limits rubbing and chafing which will keep you more comfortable when riding. Having cycling shorts that fit properly is particularly important as they hold the pad or Chamois that makes cycling comfortable. For this reason cyclists will often wear bib-shorts which have straps that go over the shoulders, holding the shorts in place.
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