Fifty Plus (50+) - Cyclist apparel needs attitude!

Uh-oh... I said it...yep, at the risk of being banned forever from cycling forums.

I ride a Madone 5.2 as part of my daily health training routine. The bike certainly has a character that I happen to like with it's black motif. I really prefer the older steel vintage frames but the Madone is a really nice ride. So, I have spent the past months riding in the heat of summer with the usual bright-colored jersey, helmet, shorty socks, SIDI shoes and lycra shorts. Took some getting used to but it works, especially the bright colors with higher visibility...still...though, it didn't seem quite right as I am 59 years old and, though in great shape, I do not care to look like Ricky Racer at the local criterium.

So now I am shopping for winter wear...and what do I find but the exact same thing with leg warmers, arm warmers and longer lycra shorts. Nothing that even resembles street clothes with, gasp, pockets! Or shoes that look like normal shoes...

Then, it struck me. I have ridden motorcycles up and down the east coast for years. Harley Davidsons to BMW touring bikes. The apparel was not only functional but had an attitude, or character, if you will. One difference between the HD and BMW crowd was:

HD bikes all look different but the riders dress the same. BMW bikes all look the same but the riders dress differently.

But their apparel is not brightly colored, lycra, goofy helmets...etc. They are both different but stylish and proudly worn to the local restaurant or retail store.

Could it be that the part of the road rage directed to cyclists is because we project an image of "weakness" and, ummmm....let's just say less attitude? Imagine your average Harley rider riding in lycra shorts/tights/knickers and goofy styrofoam helmets? :eek:

Something to think about for sure...but what I would like to see is some really cool apparel for cycling, something that you would love to be seen in and not looked at as really strange when you park your bike and walk into the local bank or restaurant. Something with real pockets to carry your wallet....Motorcyclists do not have this problem, so why do we as cyclists persist in wearing the wimpy, odd-ball styles that we do?:notamused:

Sorry for the diatribe but when you're sitting at home without a job, your mind takes different turns throughout the long day...

Are you saying when this fat rider walks into a restaurant at the end of a ride wearing bib shorts, leg warmers and a jersey with a big smiley face on it that I am not projecting attitude.....:D

Right on our club jerseys it says "We're not a club, we're an attitude." So there's that to consider. Also, I've been surprised when talking to motorcycle riders (Harley, BMW or Japanese Crotch Rocket types) how many of them are (non-motorized) cyclists too, or used to be.

Several of our "rest stops" on rides in SoCal are also major meeting points for motorcycle riders, so these conversations happens fairly often (Cooks Corner, the Rock Store, Mt. Baldy Lodge, Newcomb's Ranch). With all of these encounters through the years, I've never heard one negative remark about cyclist's clothing from the motorized types!

Well, there was one old biker (motorcycle rider / HD type) who was laughing about it (after a few beers), wondering out loud (something to the effect of) "I thought us bikers wore funny clothes, but you bicycle freaks may have us beat!" I remember this guy was really into fringe on his jacket and pants . . .

Rick / OCRR

I look at as "we are cyclist" and the clothes we wear help us in our activity. If my wife and I take a ride on an MUP with beater I'll be wearing shorts, T shirt and running shoes. When I'm out riding my CF road bike I dress in a manner that makes me ride more comfortable and if possible, faster.

Last summer I was visiting my mother-in-law and took my bike to ride while the ladies did mother/daughter thing's. I took a ride out into the mountains North of Williamsport PA and got in some real hills (for me at least). I even did one hill that an annual car race is held on that has about 600' of climb over 1.2 miles. The race course is in the middle of the hill. My ride lasted longer than I planned so I stopped at roadside diner/bar in an old railroad stop called Bodines. When I parked my bike I didn't realize there was another entrance to the establishment. Once inside I quickly discovered that the bar was also a hangout for motorcyclist as evidenced by the 8 to 10 motorcyclist dressed in leathers and the bikes parked outside the othere entrance. Since all the tables were occupied I sat at the bar and ordered a hamburger and ice tea. Within a few minutes one of the guys asked me about my bike and what I was doing out in the area. I told him where I rode from and listed the hills I just did and they were amazed and began to ask a bunch of questions about the bike and distance ridden. All in all, we all had a great discussion regarding bike equipment on both sides. The only downside was this was during the TDF and the TV behind the bar was showing NASCAR. I really felt comfortable with those guys and I think they respected me and what I represented as a cyclist.

Rapha. Google it. Company that makes bike clothes to answer your question. Not cheap, though!

Ha ha! Two wheels definitely put you into a "club" as there is respect for cyclists from the moto crowd for sure.

But, really, are there good alternatives for comfortable, functional clothes in the MTB world or elsewhere? Yes, a speedo is functional at the beach, but, ahem....who over 50 is going to be wearing a speedo? The baggy swimsuits are more comfortable and functional as well.

I just don't get the boy-racer look nor did I subscribe to the tough biker look when I was riding full-time on HD, but did wear comfortable, leather and protective gear...of course, in the obligatory black...it showed less dirt while on a road trip.

So, not a slam on anyone's taste, but there have to be others who do not like the racer-wannabee fashion of the day?

I don't seem to have that problem every time I'm on the road...:D

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c362/jojisan/HDjersey.jpg

Motorcycle clothing can take more liberties with adding attitude because motorcycle riding (highway cruising - not racing) is not a high output physical activity. Bicycle clothing is highly functional and if you want optimum performance from you and your bike and all day comfort then you have to go with form following function. Adding too much attitude could compromise performance.

The only leather on my bike is a Brooks.

Nothing that even resembles street clothes with, gasp, pockets!
Jersey pockets work fine for me.


They are both different but stylish and proudly worn to the local restaurant or retail store.
Like bike clothes?


Could it be that the part of the road rage directed to cyclists is because we project an image of "weakness" and, ummmm....let's just say less attitude?
My guess is that if anything the opposite is true. They are more likely aggressive toward us because they resent the attitude that our clothes have. Weakness? Confronted face to face the aholes that are aggressive when they figure they will drive by and not have to face you, are usually shrinking violets.


Imagine your average Harley rider riding in lycra shorts/tights/knickers and goofy styrofoam helmets? :eek:
We me lots of motorcyclists on our coast to coast tour and they were all extremely cordial and interested in our ride. Quite a few said they rode themselves and some had even bicycle toured. All treated us as kindred spirits.

We camped and hung out with both the Harley crowd and the Yuppie bike crowd at various points along the way. It was always a positive experience. This included joining in on a Harley gathering for the 4th of July.


Something to think about for sure...but what I would like to see is some really cool apparel for cycling, something that you would love to be seen in and not looked at as really strange when you park your bike and walk into the local bank or restaurant. Something with real pockets to carry your wallet....Motorcyclists do not have this problem, so why do we as cyclists persist in wearing the wimpy, odd-ball styles that we do?:notamused:
Again I don't get it. I don't feel anymore out of place in my bike clothes than I would in motorcycle clothes. Pockets... what is wrong with jersey pockets?

No one has ever treated me as "weak" because of my bike clothes. I just don't see the problem.

I always try to wear a bright-colored, highly visible top, something like a bright orange T-shirt in warm weather or my Pearl Izumi Screaming Yellow windbreaker in cooler weather. I strongly favor expedition cycling shorts, which have multiple cargo pant style pockets and look like streetwear, but which are chamois padded lycra bike shorts on the inside. I use old-school toeclips and straps and very walkable rubber-soled cycling shoes with steel shanks. In a pinch, I can pedal in tennis shoes. My other cycling-specific apparel includes my Giro Xen helmet with CycleAware mirror and my full-finger mountain biking gloves, which I wear year-round.

Waiting for a jersey with a Sarah Palin picture in the back in her haute couture outfit.

Waiting for a jersey with a Sarah Palin picture in the back in her haute couture outfit.

That's not a jersey, it's a dartboard.

Cycling shorts are functional because of chamois padding and tight fitting. Likewise tights or else you could wear regular trousers and use a pant-clip. Never ride long distance with jeans or else that thick seam will give you a sore butt.

You imply that cycling clothing is a sign of someone weak. At 67, I wear that bright clothing. I'm still the envy of my motorcycle friends (I've ridden motorcycles for over 40 years). Motorcycle clothing is no more "cool" than any other kind of clothing--it's functional. I wore leather to avoid the possibility of road rash in the event of an accident. Clothing does not make the man, appropriate clothing does. Some guys look like wimps in leather. The difference is a person's attitude. If you are confident and positive, you will look like a "real man" whatever you are wearing or naked. ;)

There are lots of cycling clothes with attitude.
http://www.primal-sports.com/images/Product/medium/SIJER.gifhttp://www.primal-sports.com/images/Product/medium/COLBJ20M.gif
http://www.primal-sports.com/images/Product/medium/LSWPJ20M.gif

This one has lots of pockets. ;)
http://www.primal-sports.com/images/Product/medium/fisherman.jpg

Here are some arm warmers.
http://www.primal-sports.com/images/Product/medium/PWSNW10U.gifhttp://www.primal-sports.com/images/Product/medium/PBLSW10U.gif

Wear whatever you're comfortable wearing. Don't worry about what others think. :beer:

How's this for attitude?

http://www.bicycle-gifts.com/jpg/cn3.jpg

How's this for attitude?

http://www.bicycle-gifts.com/jpg/cn3.jpg


Got mine. No fizzy yellow stuff here....

Here are some arm warmers.
http://www.primal-sports.com/images/Product/medium/PWSNW10U.gifhttp://www.primal-sports.com/images/Product/medium/PBLSW10U.gif

Wear whatever you're comfortable wearing. Don't worry about what others think. :beer:


Where do you get armwarmers like these?? Me want....:D

Where do you get armwarmers like these?? Me want....:D
Go to http://www.primalwear.com/c-44-arm-warmers.aspx.
I have 3 of their jerseys. :beer:


That's some very nice jewelry shown in your signature. Do you sell it? What are the prices?

Here's another one with ATTITUDE!

http://www.foska.com/acatalog/homer-thumb.jpg

I really like this one. :thumb:
http://www.foska.com/acatalog/flanders_all_thumb.jpg

Got mine. No fizzy yellow stuff here....

I got mine too, but it is yellow. My favorite part is the phrase on it: "You're not worthy."

But back to the original post. To quote a biker friend: "If you worry what others think of your riding colors, you're a pretty candy-assed biker." Attitude doesn't come from the clothes you wear. It comes from how you wear 'em.

Here are a few more with attitude. Too bad I can't afford ALL of the jerseys I see that I like. :o

http://www.elevengear.us/images/poseur-J.jpg
They have matching bibs too. :beer:
http://www.elevengear.us/images/poseur-bs.jpg


I told my wife I wanted to get this one but she wasn't too keen on the idea. :(
http://www.elevengear.us/images/cotb-J.jpg