Road Cycling - Jerseyless riding, uncouth?

While riding in around 75 degree temps, I got to thinking, man, I'm kinda hot right now, whats gonna happen when its 90 or 100 degrees? Would it be overly uncouth to ride without a shirt? I have a six-pack, and I don't have any back hair, so I don't think I would gross anyone out, but I just haven't seen any cyclist riding shirtless. Whats the deal?

It's got no style. Plus think about it man! Buff shirtless guy + bike shorts = Yooo Hooo

road rash?

Actually, a good jersey should wick away sweat, and keep you cooler then going shirtless. Have you tried different jerseys, with different materials? You may also want to look into jerseys with a full length zipper.

This hairy Italian Guy used to ride with us before he moved back east..Big fan of shirtless rides, when hot.. I would not do it, not so much that it is gross, but wicking material works great.. I think you are better with a jersey. The moisture seems to wick better with a poly. jersey than going shirtless, i think.. Then there is the issue of too much sun..
You do have a jersey with modern wicking properties? Besides, without the jersey, how can you not have that famous tan line; that screams out you are a cyclist...
I love it when people come up to me and see the tan line of the gloves, jersey, or sunglasses/helmet straps and asks how do you get that look..A Point of pride !

try coolmax alta

So you'd like to get melonoma from back exposure?

Yuck man, do the jersey. Shirtless or not, it just grosses me out to see bare backs. Dunno why, just does.

Think about all those other good reasons the other posters gave too. All good.

Koffee

Any decent technical fabric will keep you cooler and certainly better protected from those evil UV's...

eeeeewwww. I second the full length zipper..Just wear a defeet tank top style base layer.

Sweltering in the heat is all part of the sport if you ask me.

hmm...gotcha. I suppose I'll buy one of those fancy ultra-wicking jerseys. Any recommendations around the $50 range? I like the way the Pearl Izumis look, but have never tried one on. I suppose that they would have maximum wicking when close fitting? I sweat a lot.

For $50 i would reccomend the BikeForums.net jersey ;)

I also own two undeeshurts from defeet, an amazing all weather base layer.

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=70&subcategory=1144&brand=&sku=6511&storetype=&estoreid=
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.html?SKU=15911&siteID=pjv1c%2AQzcE0-mnKfcZEJXN2MEMuQBL%2FKlQ

Saw one today. This guy could have been ticketed for impersonating a human being. Big fat and riding along on a beach cruiser.

Out here in the sticks, I see a lot more shirtless riders than jerseyed riders.

Hey, Phatman, from what you say I'm sure SOME of us would love to see you bike shirtless--right, Trollie?

Originally posted by Inkwolf

Hey, Phatman, from what you say I'm sure SOME of us would love to see you bike shirtless--right, Trollie?

Shirtless, shortless, bright, beautiful, bare butt, nekkid riding is the only way to go! Except...all my boyfriends wear helmets, or they wear nothing at all!

;)

If you'r interested in going "cheep" on the jersey, look around the sport clothing section at wal-mart. They have some shirts here that are made from the same thing as some of the bike jerseys and with a zippered front. They just lack the pockets and elastic waist.
I love the sun, but it does cause dammage that is compounded. I also hate being covered with those black gnats we have here in the spring and fall!;)
I have also ordered a cool-max head cover to wear under my brain bucket because my wife makes fun of the tan stripes on my bald head where the sun comes through the slits in the helmet!:p

I think if you are female, it's perfectly acceptable to go shirtless. :D

Originally posted by chewa
I think if you are female, it's perfectly acceptable to go shirtless. :D

I always do, you naughty boy. Now gimme a smooch, chewa!

:love:

Sometimes I take my shirt off and I am wearing bib shorts. I think this really confuses non-cyclist and they think I have a bladder control problem or somrthing!

I have NEVER thought it appropriate for men to go shirtless unless at the beach, pool, etc. One particulary disgusting old guy that I see regularly on my ride home wears some little tiny shorts that were red but have faded. I think they are actually lightweight nylon running shorts, but the way he has them pulled up they look like a speedo and the faded red almost makes it look like he has nothing on. He must be VERY important, too. In three years of passing each other 1-2 times a week he has NEVER returned my wave and greeting.

Let's talk heat and humidity. I live in New Orleans, Louisiana. We may have the worst combination of heat/humidity of just about anyplace but a rainforest on the equator. You guys in the southwest may get hotter, but you don't have the humidity. Other places may have the humidity but don't get as hot quite so often. It ain't pretty, boys and girls. I wear a jersey AND a Coolmax undershirt almost every day. The exceptions are a few days when I wear a Coolmax tank to try to even out the biker tan a bit.

I can attest to the wicking effect of Coolmax and other fabrics. Before I discovered Coolmax and started wearing jerseys I would ride in cotton t-shirts. At the end of a ride the cotton t-shirt would be completely saturated, literally dripping excess water, and weigh about 3 pounds. The jersey/Coolmax undershirt combination I wear now will be very damp but not really be noticably heavy.

Gotta admit, I'm more of a Robin Williams kind of guy when it comes to hair, but I understand this fellow has taken up shirtless cycling:

Originally posted by Phatman
...
I sweat a lot.

Soccer jerseys work well. Get one a little big so that it is long in the back.

These can be had for $1.50 at any thrift shop assuming you don't mind stripes, wierd colors, and irridescent fabrics and wearing a number.

Dan

Reminds me of a friend I had in high school. We used to call him "Chewbacca".

looks like that guy needs to take up shaving....

when i went bikepacking on the C&O canal last summer, I was shirtless for half of the ride. everything i brought with me was cotton.... and it was just too sticky and gross to wear. I also hate farmer's tan.... i was browsing through a bike magazine recently, and they had a photo feature with all these shirtless racer guys.... and let me tell you... it was disgusting!!!

I'd say to Phatman:
Get a sleevless jersey.
World Cycling productions has some stuff
on sale as does ProBikekit.com (some as low
as $19.99 for a team jersey).
The guy in the above picture was in
American Werewolve in London right?
or is he the posterboy for Electrolsys-R-Us ?

Marty

Can't help but add my 2 cents. Coolmax etc. are great- only reason to go shirtless is lack of laundry or wanting to even out a tan- nobody even mentioned that the jersey will help keep you from dripping so much on your ride. Where I ride I see a lot of Jerseyless riders all extremely fit- it still looks bad... and when they stop- topless with spandex.... if these guys can't pull it off- no one (male) can... still waiting to see a topless biker chic so I guess I can't voice an opinion on that one yet;)

Didn't a female pro, perhaps mtb-type, cross the line topless as some kind of protest a couple of years ago?

I've seen a couple guys in my neck of the woods... a couple of Tri-geeks... earing nuttin' but a Speedo, and bike shoes... believe you me, no matter how good of shape you are in.. unless you are competing... there is no need to see that at 7am !

Jeff

Jersey is the only way to go, but you don't need to spend 50 dollars on one I don't think. I like the Coolmax T Shirts, they are cool, you don't look entirely like a bike freak, and I usually get them at a running store instead of a bike store. For some reason, the same exact style and material costs 10 to 15 dollars more at a bike store. I typically find them at running stores for around 20 dollars whereas bike stores carry these for more like 30 to 35 dollars.

These don't usually have zippers and pockets, but if that is not important, they work great.

I have to admit I don't like going jerseyless outside, but i have thought about it. Being a hairy (backed) chap doesn't look good when you're cycling. The only time I go Jerseyless is when riding indoors on the trainers with the rest of the club. The room gets so hot despite many fans, even with coolmax jerseys, I still find it much cooler to lose the jersey and ride topless. Does anyone know if its possible to destroy the wicking properties of such jersies?

Simon

1. So much for the Adam & Eve theory...we're definitely related to the apes!

2. What Sipperphoto said.

3. Also irritating: guys who wear those open-toed shoes that look strikingly similar to women's shoes. I got news for you guys, you're not cool. :mad:

Going jerseyless/shirtless around here is a great way to get skin cancer. Even if it seems warmer wearing a shirt at the time, I can guarantee that it will feel a helluva lot warmer if you allow yourself to get badly sunburned. I know.

Also, think of crashing and getting road rash. OUCH!

well, I think I would get road rash with a jersey also...thats not really a big concern.

I think I'm going to get that canari alta pro jersey, thats a pretty good price. Then again, that Pearl Izumi EKG jersey looks kinda cool. It goes from mesh to regualr fabric seamlessly! Its a bit pricey though. I rather spend my money on bike parts, not jerseys.

Originally posted by Prosody
Gotta admit, I'm more of a Robin Williams kind of guy when it comes to hair, but I understand this fellow has taken up shirtless cycling:

what do you mean shirtless? he's wearing a sweater

Originally posted by Ritalin
what do you mean shirtless? he's wearing a sweater

The best thing is, it's one he grew himself.

Originally posted by Raiyn
It's got no style. Plus think about it man! Buff shirtless guy + bike shorts = Yooo Hooo

wow...didn't even think of that...hehe. Thats pretty funny. I suppose I will keep my shirt on. what do you think of the nike jerseys? I have a 20% off coupon for nike apparel at dicks sporting goods (a big box sporting goods store) and I think I could get agood price there...plus I also have a dick's bonus card!

well, back when i lived in Texas i rode shirtless all the time... and in the summer i still do quite often.

i think it's a tossup as to whether a wicking jersey or no shirt is cooler --- but i have to admit i also like the feeling of having no shirt on (i grew up in Texas not wearing a shirt most summers) and i think i look pretty decent too (hey, i've got a 6-pack, and i lift at the gym 2-3 days a week)...

as to the fem factor, well i wear baggy shorts over my bike shorts, so i look more like a surfer than a geek with a speedo on...

probably the main disadvantage to not wearing a jersey is excessive sun --- and in my case the damage is already done from all my years of shirtless w/o sunscreen as a kid and teenager in the Texas sun. but ever so often, why not?

Nathank.. I was once in Munich.. I recall the Haufbrau house was it.. Living there in beer capital of world, most expect a beer gut.?
So Cal is where beer guts are illegal and I have a medium sized one... Problem about Lycra jersey's, they do not hide beer guts entirely, either... And here we only have the ocassional decent micro brewery. No excuse, here in the land of salads...

i've had good luck at ross, tj max, and marshalls for cheap jerseys, mostly hind, nike drifit, and bellweather. spend about $12.

Actually you will feel hotter without the jersey. But in reality a loose fitting shirt is even more cooler than a tight jersey due to the wind being able to puff up the shirt creating a breeze while the skin is in the shade. But that is not the racing thing to do since a puffed up shirt would probably slow you down a tad and make you look like a nerd.

I now ride my Road bike with MTB shorts and shirts because they are not tight fitting as the tight spandex shorts and jersey's I wore before and I do feel cooler, which is important where I live in the summer.

Nathank.. I was once in Munich.. I recall the Haufbrau house was it.. Living there in beer capital of world, most expect a beer gut.?

well, a lot of the real bavarians do drink a lot of beer and eat a lot of pork and can have a little gut, but most Germans (and northern Europeans in general) are so much LESS FAT than americans it's amazing. out of about 200 employees at my company we have maybe 2 people that are truly fat - in the US it was like every 3rd employee (i work in software so lots of non-sporty types)

the difference between the US and Germany:
*about 10-15% of the Americans are super fit - they train daily, eat healthy, don't smoke, drink seldom and generally put health as a very high priority (i fit into this group)
* about 15-20% ofd the people are "normal" meaning they do some sports, eat kind of healthy and drink moderately and occaisionally a lot and are in decent shape (i.e. not overweight but do not train for races)
* the other 70% do nothing - they drive everywhere, get no exercise other than going from the couch to the fridge and eat McDonalds and drink beer and maybe smoke (smoking is much lower in the US than Europe - one of the major negatives of Europe!)

Germany:
*fewer, say 3-10% are SUPER health and fitness freaks
* the majority of the people (over 70%) are "normal" meaning they are a healthy weight and can climb a flight of stairs without collapsing but they aren't "health-conscious" or on a competitive training program ---- and they go to the beer garden and drink a lot of beer but then they go for a walk or something other than JUST sitting around
* less than 20% are truly lethargic and inactive and overweight - people walk and go to the park and play soccer or do SOMETHING other than sit on their asses

anyway, that's my observation here. since i do have a weekly training plan and watch what i eat, people assume i am a pro athlete as amateur competitve sports aren't quite as popular as in the US (like 10ks, triathlons, etc)

oh, and after the weekly club MTB ride i lead we go to the beer garden and about half drink apple juice and the other half beer.

I was in Munich the last week of Octoberfest. That leaves a strong impression. That week seems lots forget their alcohol inhibitions. I got on a train to Italy and followed lots of still celebrating Munichians towards the sun..
I think this week does not reflect day in, day out attitudes of the local people. It was like a holiday atmosphere.

I'm just wondering why you are so afraid of sweat. Come on now man, how can you not like sweat, its the nature of the beast. Put your shirt on man....unless of course you live in Venice Beach with all the other freaks. Admit it, it's not a heat issue is it? It's an ego thing, look at me, look at me... I'm sorry, that's not fair is it. Happy road rash to ya:)

I'm just wondering why you are so afraid of sweat. Come on now man, how can you not like sweat, its the nature of the beast. Put your shirt on man....unless of course you live in Venice Beach with all the other freaks. Admit it, it's not a heat issue is it? It's an ego thing, look at me, look at me... I'm sorry, that's not fair is it. Happy road rash to ya:)

It's been three years since the last post. He could be a raisin by now.

Yeah just puttin my two cents in. Me personally I love to sweat and i think if a person doesnt like it he/she shouldn't be a cyclist. I See you're another OC....Anaheim here, but don't hold that against me. Have you checked out geoladders? If you MB in and around OC you have got to check it out.

I'm just wondering why you are so afraid of sweat. Come on now man, how can you not like sweat, its the nature of the beast.

I'm just wondering how you happened to decide to resurrect a 3-year-old post. Did you do a search on the terms "shirtless riding" or "melanoma"?

I'm for wearing a jersey if for no other reason that posters like you need a place to keep the cigarettes.

Just kidding...

--Steve

Screw what everyone else thinks, if it's above 90 halfway through my ride i'm usually compelled to rip off the shirt. That second, unused, water bottle holder holds a rold up shirt perfectly.

It's excersize, it aint a fashion show.

And I though my farmer tan was bad NOW--Shirtless would give one hell of a freaky pattern. :)

DrPete

I love it when the women around here do that!!! Oh wait, they don't do that...just the men occasionally. That doesn't do anything for me though. :D

I really don't care. I've seen guys do it but personally, I wouldn't do it. I wouldn't really feel comfortable riding shirtless quite honestly.