Tandem Cycling - Cycling Apparel: What's In YOUR Closet?

So, how many jerseys, shorts, shoes and the like are in your closet?

Having seen the recent threads on cycling apparel I was reminded that it's time to submit our annual club application forms -- which equates to at least two more jerseys next April. However, before submitting the application, I decided to go and count what's hanging in the "cycling section" in our walk-in, master BR closet. Mind you, we've been accumulating cycling apparel for a pretty long time but most of what's hanging in the closet today is all "post tandem" stuff that we've acquired over just the last 10 years.

I should note, I didn't bother opening up the storage bins on the tippy-top shelfs to see how many "retired" jerseys (generic commercial prints, old club jerseys, or team replica jerseys, e.g., Team NutraFig or Specialized) we were still hanging onto or bother to count the pairs of socks, gloves, or base layer things either...

All that said, here's what I found in the "active rotation":

Hers:


11 Jerseys
9 Sleeveless tops / jerseys
2 Long sleeve jerseys
2 Winter weight jerseys
1 Pair of arm warmers
1 Day-glo wind-stop / rain jacket
1 H20 breathable rain jacket
1 clear 'ziplock' rain jacket (an awful thing)
2 Wind vests
6 Pair of shorts
2 Body suits
1 Pair of leg warmers
1 Pair of tights
1 Pair of knickers
1 Pair of bib tights
4 Helmets (2 road, off-road, spare road NIB)
4 Pair of cycling shoes (road, off-road, winter, spare off-road NIB)


His:


11 Jerseys
2 Long sleeve jerseys
2 Winter weight jerseys
1 Pair of arm warmers
1 'sub zero' winter cycling jacket
1 Day-glo wind-stop / rain jacket
1 H20 breathable rain jacket
1 clear 'ziplock' rain jacket (an awful thing)
3 Wind vests
6 Pair of bib shorts
1 Pair of leg warmers
1 Pair of bib knickers
2 Pair of tights
2 Pair of bib tights
1 Pair of 'sub-zero' tights
4 Helmets (2 road, off-road, spare road NIB)
4 Pair of cycling shoes (road, off-road x2, winter)


So, What's in YOUR Closet?

His: about 4 pair shorts, about 8 jerseys (several too ugly to wear), 2 jackets, tights, leg warmers, arm warmers, socks, a few other things.

Hers: don't ask, don't tell.

. 1 jersey
. some wicking stuff from Target (2 long sleeve shirts, 2 cycle briefs, and a pair of long undies)

His: 2 pair compression shorts
1 pair long compression
0 jerseys
0 socks(unless golf socks count)
1 Pair Specialized Sonoma shoes
1 pair PI gloves
0 helmet

Her: 2 pair padded shorts
1 pair gel shorts
0 jerseys
0 socks(unless various sport socks count)
1 Pair Specialized Sonoma shoes
1 pair CD gloves
0 helmet

Him:
2 bib shorts
3 bib tights
1 tights
2 vests
1 raincoat
6 short sleeved cycle shirts
1 long sleeve cycle shirt
2 waterproof long sleeved cycle shirts
5 pairs cycle shoes (3 road, 2 MTB/tandem)
3 helmets (1 in use, 2 spare/upgraded)

Her:
1 bib shorts
4 shorts
3 tights
1 vest
1 raincoat
2 sleeveless cycle shirts
7 short sleeved cycle shirts
2 waterproof long sleeved shirts
2 long sleeved shirts
3 pairs cycle shoes (2 MTB, 1 MTB/tandem however all used on road bikes)
4 helmets (2 in use, 2 spare/upgraded)

Included in this is 3 full sets of matching tandem gear- all summer as there is not many longsleeved matching men's/women's shirts available.

2 pr shorts
2 jerseys
1 wool jersey
1 vest
2 pr knee warmers (best things ever!)
1 pr arm warmers
2 base layer ls jerseys (1 poly, 1 silk)
1 pr light full finger gloves
1 pr xc ski gloves
1 headband
1 cycling cap
1 helmet
1 pr shoes

I have in my closet........

7 road (Lycra) shorts
5 mtn bike shorts
0 long sleeve jerseys
13 short sleeve jerseys
0 sleeveless jerseys
4 tights
1 underlayer
1 leg warmer
1 arm warmer
2 pairs of gloves
2 wind breakers
2 helmets
7 pair of shoes (4 road + 3 mtn)

We have more cycling stuff than 'real' clothes!
From event T's, to jerseys, shorts, tights, vests, jackets, arm/leg warmers, sox, shoes, cycling caps, helmets etc.
If we wear it out, we toss it out.
Bit of an accumulation of 34 year of tandeming TWOgether.

About as much as actaully gets used, no much room for any more. Our closets are small.

Hers
2 short sleeved cycling shirts
1 Devoto's del Pedal club long sleeved shirt
1 cycling shorts
1 cycling pants
1 pair of cycling gloves
1 pair of STD shoes (only one is used by me, the other pair is kept for infrequent stokers)
1 Stretch fleece pullover jacket
1 helmet
Rain and winter wear not cycling specific. Stoker seems to prefer the first top that comes out of the closet rather than cycling specific shirts, She looks good in anything she puts on, uses my back pockets.


His
3 short sleeved cycling shirts (only the yellow one seems to get much road time if clean)
1 Devoto's del Pedal club long sleeved shirt
2 cycling shorts
1 cycling pants
1 breathable rain jacket with zip-out sleeves doubles as a wind vest
1 stretch fleece pullover jacket
2 pairs of cycling gloves
2 pairs of STD shoes (only one is used by me, the other pair is kept for infrequent stokers)
1 helmet, (plus 1 spare helmet for pick-up stokers)

Added warmth in winter comes from the rest of my closet of outdoor gear, no bike specialty clothes.

Cycling shirts smell bad after a while, I would prefer other shirts often if not for the back pockets.

Cycling shirts smell bad after a while, I would prefer other shirts often if not for the back pockets.

You can usually get any offensive odors out of clothing, and synthetics in particular, by putting a cup of white vinegar in your washing machine during the rinse cycle or the equivalent if you hand-wash. If there is any lingering smell of vinegar just rewash in your normal detergent and it will eliminate it.

I'm afraid to take stock. Between us we have dozens of jerseys (many are matched for OCP effect on the tandem) and shorts/tights; a few jackets, arm & leg warmers, gloves of various finger lengths. We each have one helmet and one pair of shoes, however.

As for odor -- I use an extra rinse with 1/4 c. white vinegar -- works every time.

The issue for me is not the smell after wash, it is the smell while you wear it, you might start smelling nice, but after a day's riding cotton can be soked in sweat but won't be rancid like synthetics. Worst yet once or twice a week I ride to work in the morning (short 6 km ride), hang the cycling clothes, shower and change to office clothes, then I put the cycling clothes back on in the afternoon to ride back home and on the way stop by a closed cycling loop for maybe 40 km. When I leave the office my shirt already stinks and I get loud complaints from my business partner. What can I do, wash a shirt after 6 km and have a clean one at the office to ride back?, that's three shirts for the day includding the office shirt!. I want cotton cycling jearseys with back pockets, maybe a cotton-lycra combination like some socks have.

The issue for me is not the smell after wash, it is the smell while you wear it,

Ah.... Then the solution would be new-old school: Merino Wool.

I have no cycling clothes of cotton. Not even socks. I'm collecting some wool pieces, beginning with socks, and I love them. I need to make room in the closet before I add more jerseys, however.

Also, I have no solution for your smell while riding. Sounds like it could be socially awkward, however. :innocent:

Honestly - I really have no idea exactly how many items of cycling clothing that my wife and I have. I do know that we have pretty much everything we need for any type of weather - with the exception of a full gortex suit for rain. I've accumulated enough over the years and really should inventory what I have and the same holds true for the wife.

Egads, it's worse than I thought.

My curiosity got the better of me so I took a look in the various 'sock, glove, and winter stuff' bins as well as that big old box of retired apparel sitting on the top shelf and, well, we need to head to a bicycle swap meet to unload some of this stuff. In addition to everything I listed in the "active rotation" at my first post, here's 'the rest of the story'

All told, we have 20 sets of matching jerseys... + Debbie's 9 sleeveless tops wherein there are 3 of those that are also mates to some short sleeve pairings. Needless to say, we'll be passing on the NARC club membership this year as we certainly don't need another pair of jerseys and the 2 "free ride registrations" that we get are for events that invariably fall on top of tandem rallies. The 15% discount at the LBS is nice but I'd never amortize that over a year and, well, we just don't need any more club T-shirts or hats either.

Anyway, here's a listing of the other "stuff":

Hers:


5 'Inactive" jerseys
3 'Inactive" Sleeveless tops
1 Pair of 'Inactive" poly arm warmers
2 'Inactive" Body suits
1 'Inactive" Pair of tights
14 Pair of socks (she wears about 5 of the 14)
9 Pair of cycling gloves in various stages of their life
3 Pair of long-fingered, cool & cold weather gloves
1 Head Band / Ear Warmers
1 Balaclava
1 Winter head cap
1 Sleeveless base layer
1 Long-sleeve base layer
1 Pair of Winter shoe covers


His:

8 'Inactive" jerseys, including a lovely Wood "Ireland" jersey
1 'Inactive" Paper jacket from '89 Redlands Classic (Collectors item?)
3 'Inactive" Pair of bib shorts
1 'Inactive" Pair of tights
16 Pair of socks (I wear about 4 of them)
1 Pair of cycling gloves (hardly used)
3 Pair of long-fingered, cool & cold weather gloves
1 'Inactive" Pair of "lobster-claw" winter gloves
8 Bandana's
1 Sleeveless base layer
1 Long-sleeve base layer
2 Pair of Winter shoe covers
1 'Inactive" Pair Shimano cycling sandals (for big toe problem flair-ups)

I have only 4 matching jerseys with my wife. Use to have a few more, but sadly, I've gained some weight over time. Just wish I hadn't thrown them away..............

Merino or Super-wash wool does not retain odors like cotton; and some newer synthetics are pretty good too.