My clothing choice has no social message or context at all, or at least any one that I am conciously stating
It is simply form follows function both clothes and chose bike
If I am working around the house, and need to do an errand...ie hardware store or get wife frozen yogurt, or whatever (mostly less than a 3 mile round trip)....I jump on my utility commuter bike and go. I don't bike with flip flops and do wear a helmet.
If am doing my current short (5 mile each way) commute, I wear my work clothes (khakis and polo shirt) wear bike gloves and shoes for clipless pedals. on my utility commuter. On the way home, especially on hot days I might throw on a pair of shorts (gramicci not bike) and make the return 8 or 9 miles. In the past on longer commutes I use the road bike and wear bikes shorts, jersey etc.
If I am going out for longer ride (over 10 miles) for fun, training, personal time, whatever, I use my road bike, where bike shorts, jersey, bikes shoes with look cleats., bike gloves.
I think there is way to much angst over 'lycra racer poseurs ruining cycling" (especially as we all know it is the bearded belly engineer recumbent that is ruining cycling.......
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