Fifty Plus (50+) - What do you wear for most of your bicycling?

What do you wear for most of your bicycling?

By "Lycra jersey" I mean the typical stretch-over type of jersey, which may also contain polyester, etc.

Are typical cycling jerseys made of lycra? I've never seen that name used in reference to the synthetic wicking materials used in jerseys.

Baggy cycling shorts are missing.

Baggy cycling shorts are missing.

"Non-lycra bicycling specific shorts"

Isn't that pretty close?

Mountain bike shorts and ordinary cotton T-shirt for nearly everything in summer, including centuries (they're at least as comfortable to me as Lycra). Occasionally street shorts over Andiamos. I used to wear jerseys, but there are so many jerkoffs riding around in jerseys these days that it got to be embarrassing. You don't need $250 worth of cycling clothes for a five-mile ride to Starbuck's, which is what most of the weekend riders around here do.

I selected lycra shorts and jersey. I should say that I belong to a chapter of the Arizona Bicycle Club, and ride with them every Saturday morning. I have averaged 5000 - 7000 miles per year from 2006-2008. For my rides lycra is the most comfortable. LOL.. at this point I could care less about the stares from non-cyclists. I am 56 btw.

Are typical cycling jerseys made of lycra? I've never seen that name used in reference to the synthetic wicking materials used in jerseys.

Shorts may contain Lycra (a brand name), and all tight bike shorts these days tend to be called "lycra shorts." Jerseys, at least last time I read labels, might have some Lycra in them, but usually are mainly polyester.
FWIW, I've never been comfortable in them. I have a couple of wool jerseys that are much better, even in summer, but usually ride in cotton T-shirts (I know the arguments against that, but I live in the desert where sweat evaporates anyway, and they're comfortable for me).

Are typical cycling jerseys made of lycra? I've never seen that name used in reference to the synthetic wicking materials used in jerseys.

A far as the jersey goes, here is a google search on lycra jerseys.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=lycra+jerseys&aq=f&oq=

That's what they call them around here, and here is an article for your edification:

http://bicycle-gear.suite101.com/article.cfm/lycra_cycling_shorts

Lycra Cycling Shorts

Why Lycra Bike Shorts are the Best for Long Distance Cycling

Read more: "Lycra Cycling Shorts: Why Lycra Bike Shorts are the Best for Long Distance Cycling" - http://bicycle-gear.suite101.com/article.cfm/lycra_cycling_shorts#ixzz0AtBzEvLF

All of those articles are about lycra shorts. I am very familiar with lycra shorts. My question was about jerseys. I don't normally see jerseys referred to as "lycra". No big deal. I was just curious.

If I'm just running to the store to pick up something, I put on a pair of shorts and a T-shirt.

For every other ride, even just to Starbucks, I put on Bibs and a Jersey. I wear Bibs for the fit and padding and Jerseys because I want to stay cool, not look/be cool.

All of those articles are about lycra shorts. I am very familiar with lycra shorts. My question was about jerseys. I don't normally see jerseys referred to as "lycra". No big deal. I was just curious.

You are right, and I am going to delete that response. I misread your question. Here are some references to lycra jerseys:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=lycra+jerseys&aq=f&oq=

I've always called them (and heard them called) Lycra - may be a regional thing?

Most of my rides are athletic road rides of 20 miles or more (often much more) or strenuous MTB rides noe or two hours long. For these rides I usually wear lycra shorts or bibs and cycling specific jerseys made of some kind of wicking polyester type material (whatever we want to call it). I have found these to be best for absorbing the sweat that usually accompanies these rides even in cool weather. They also allow free movement and avoid chafing on the legs, crotch and arms. I also wear cycling specific shoes and polyester or wool socks on these athletic type rides. The shoes will be road type or MTB type depending on the kind of ride and type of bike.

For shorter and more casual riding, I often wear regular shorts, t-shirts and sneakers. I wear a helmet fro any type of bike ride. If I expect to sweat, I wear a bandana or headsweat under my helmet. For rides somewhere in between, where I may work up a sweat but I plan to spend time off the bike before riding home, I may wear baggy shorts with wicking liners, polyester t-shirt or seersucker button-up shirt and either sneakers with toe clips or touring shoes with MTB type pedals and cleats.

I usually wear lycra shorts with something over them. I never wear them only. I have baggy mountain bike shorts over them in the summer and something along the lines of sweat pants over them in the winter. If it's real cold I'll wear some insulated under wear under the lycra shorts and maybe some wind pants over the sweat pants. I only wear t-shirts on the top in the summer with a bicycle zip up jacket over that in the winter. I have an over the ears band liket skiers wear when it's cold to keep the ears warm. I always have the same footwear which is whites socks and cross trainer style shoes.

I don't ride in the rain so I don't have rain gear. I only miss a few days a year around here because it rains less than an inch a year here.

I have gloves that only cover half my fingers on warm days and full fingers on cold days.

Regardless of which bike I'm riding I wear bibs and a polyester jersey. Is there anything else? :twitchy: :innocent:

Tech fabrics - that's what I call them.

My cycling wardrobe is split into two sections. On commutes and shorter rides, I wear polyester athletic type stuff (gym shorts, wicking tees, etc.). On longer rides, I have normal road bike stuff (bike shorts, bibs, tights, jerseys, etc.). My riding is usually split pretty eavenly between the two.

Lycra shorts don't really work like they are designed to do when you wear baggy shorts or sweat pants over them. They bind and they don't breath as well. Modesty comes at a high price.

Lycra shorts are a must but depending on Weather -there may be Tights over the top or both may be replaced with winter Knickers.

Base layer is always a wicking vest- and that includes summer. Then short sleeve jersey- and then depending on temp- a long sleeve or the the Assos long sleeve and finally a suitable outer layer. That may be a pertex for wind proofing- a warmer jacket that is so old it has lost its waterproofing but is very comfortable- or a showerproof or in normal winter riding- the Goretex. All of which are cycling specific.

I am a rider of many layers but it would be great if I could ever get back to just the base layer and the short sleeve--Along with the lycra bibs of course. Perhaps at the end of August and just into September.

Edit- And as you can see- all that lot doesn't always keep me dry.

A wicking long or short sleeved t-shirt, bike "tights" that aren't (not tight), or loose fitting, wicking running shorts (guess that's what they are), wicking socks, and tennis shoes (not using clipless pedals). Not really bike specific clothing, but wouldn't ride without the wicking material.

Lots of sunshine here in Ca and lots of hundred degree days so lycra cycling short and a tank are usually more than enough. With lots of sunblock! Yuck, I hate the feel of a jersey. Reminds me of that poly shirt I had to wear as a teen working at Weinerschnitzel!:D
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/062208E.jpg
On winter rides or a ride in the mtns, windbreaker and long tights and a smile.:D Not so cool going up but the 20 mile descents can get CHILE!:p
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3460/3374084774_7233cdba7a_o.jpg

A smile.

My favorite summer jersey is this *long*-sleeved one I found at Performance last year:

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=23932&subcategory_ID=1111

It is a light gauzy material with a loose fit. No more needing sunblock on the arms, and no more "farmers" tans.

Lycra shorts don't really work like they are designed to do when you wear baggy shorts or sweat pants over them. They bind and they don't breath as well. Modesty comes at a high price.

I wear baggies over mine because I like pockets. They don't bind and they breath fine. They compliment my modesty perfectly. The baggins I usually wear even came with a pair.

Since I mostly ride those funny lookin' recumbent bikes, I wear whatever I happen to have on that day. Life has become so easy for me.

Not wanting to skew your data, I chose not to vote.

Lycra shorts don't really work like they are designed to do when you wear baggy shorts or sweat pants over them. They bind and they don't breath as well. Modesty comes at a high price.

Oh yea. That's a receipe for disaster - blisters, boils, saddle sores, etc. I don't understand why people don't waer cycling shorts - period. That's what they are designed for. They provide proper padding and wicking. When you wear anything over them, it defeats the purpose.

Mountain bike shorts and ordinary cotton T-shirt for nearly everything in summer, including centuries (they're at least as comfortable to me as Lycra). Good man! I add a Screaming Yellow cycling windbreaker for cool weather.


You don't need $250 worth of cycling clothes for a five-mile ride to Starbuck's, which is what most of the weekend riders around here do. You don't need expensive cycling clothes for a quarter- or even half-century ride, either. :)

There is a poll running on the road Forum on bibs

Despite all the previous threads on them- this is the first with a poll and the result is astounding considering the comments that are made about bibs.

It is 6 to 1 in favour----Of Bibs.

I started riding last year at 255 lbs. and used mtn bike baggys and-shirts. Outer shell on the shorts riding up was a problem. For cold weather it became long winter tights and sometimes rain pants over them with upper layers of various stuff. As warmer weather comes I am going to be in "lycra" shorts as I have lost weight and do not look disgusting and comical in them... and they just work well of course. I chose "lycra jersey" too but I have big shoulders and arms and absolutely hate tight fitting jerseys and have found some cycling jerseys that do fit comfortably.

All of my rides are 20+ miles so there is no riding in street clothes.

A poly cotton blend bike short in the summer. Poly long leg pants in winter. Usually t shirts if it is really long or long sleeve synthetic blen wiking shirt (New Balance is my prefered brand).

I always wear lycra bib shorts, lycra shirt and then layers according to the temperature. In addition there are the cycling shoes for what bike I am riding. Also, of course, the helmet.

Something I have not seen mentioned is the identificatiion band I wear on my left ankle on all rides. It just lets the medic know who I am and who to call.

not sure where baggy shorts with lycra inserts goes on the list?

If I could only afford 1 bicycle specific garment, it would be "bicycle specific shorts", those are the MAJOR thing that makes bicycling unpainful, jmho. Now I'm poor so I manly buy performace cheap lycra shorts but even they are 1000 times better than regular street shorts. I haven't been able to find bibs I could afford so I have a set of performace legg'ins for colder riding day, that work very well, (although they do have a minor slippage probem sometimes). I do have a really nice poly-pro bicycle jersey but it's getting old and a bit ratty, I'll proably go to Wal-Mart wicking short and long t-shirts as there considerably cheaper than jeresy's.

Now being a lighterside Clydesdale I won't wear anything that's "multi-colored", especially in a cycling short, it's basic black, yea I'd like to try some MTB specific shorts but WOW are they pricey, so folks will have to suffer if there looking at my butt, LOL:D

If I could afford wool Jersey I would probably wear them most of the time. Its cool ion Montana, I like wool, and I detest looking like an art Nouveau inspired rolling billboard like a lot of the current jesrsys. I dont race any more and dont want to look like I do. BUt I love the funtionality of cycling specific cloths.

One person rides in nothing???

not sure where baggy shorts with lycra inserts goes on the list?

Right where you put it

I usually wear my sweats. At this time of year I'm wearing my long undies too, but sweats over them.

I love riding a 'bent.

I belong to the R-3 movement. Regular people riding Regular bicycles wearing Regular clothes.

Lycra is just the attempt of the Sneering PseudoRacers to apply the mandates of Pain and Vast Expenditure to the rest of us. We have to stuff ourselves into skintight outfits that look ridiculous ... and spend money on clothes just for riding a bicycle.

I've noticed this mandate on the rest of this forum, too. That the Racers make the rules.

Guys my age buying racing bicycles. What a hoot....

I belong to the R-3 movement. Regular people riding Regular bicycles wearing Regular clothes.

Lycra is just the attempt of the Sneering PseudoRacers to apply the mandates of Pain and Vast Expenditure to the rest of us. We have to stuff ourselves into skintight outfits that look ridiculous ... and spend money on clothes just for riding a bicycle.

I've noticed this mandate on the rest of this forum, too. That the Racers make the rules.

Guys my age buying racing bicycles. What a hoot....

Yeah, I feel the same way about swimming suits.

It's great fun swimming in my suit and tie!

The heck with stuffing myself in the little thing!!

I also play tennis in my suit and tie. It's great fun.

I belong to the R-3 movement. Regular people riding Regular bicycles wearing Regular clothes.

Lycra is just the attempt of the Sneering PseudoRacers to apply the mandates of Pain and Vast Expenditure to the rest of us. We have to stuff ourselves into skintight outfits that look ridiculous ... and spend money on clothes just for riding a bicycle.

I've noticed this mandate on the rest of this forum, too. That the Racers make the rules.

Guys my age buying racing bicycles. What a hoot....

I wear lycra shorts and jerseys because it is the most comfortable clothing for 50+ mile rides. I prefer a road bike for rides of that distance. Our chapter of the Arizona Bicycle Club is not a "racing" chapter, but we do average a 15mph pace. for all of those conditions dressing in lycra and riding road bikes make sense. Having said that, some riders who join us wear cotton t shirts, not jerseys. To each his own.
I could not care less if someone thinks I, or any member of our club, looks ridiculous in lycra. We enjoy our rides.

My most recent purchase was a Pearl Izumi bib short. Note fabric composition...

Main Part: 69% nylon, 16% polyester and 15% lycra
Bib Mesh: 83% nylon and 7% spandex.

My Voler bibs are similar

My Voler Jerseys are 100% polyester

Where's the wool love? Lycra jerseys? Yuk. Prefer a nice wicking fabric that isn't clingy, or wool, and no one, me included, wants to see this body in a lycra jersey. I will wear lycra bib shorts, but as I mountain bike a lot, more often a pair of specific cargo style nylon/polyester outer shorts with a chamois/liner (or the lycra bibs underneath one that I've cut the old chamois/liner out of), otherwise a crash or trailside vegetation can ruin a nice pair of lycra pretty quick. I always cycle in cycle specific clothing, though, just as I use cycling specific shoes (but no running to the store, commuting, etc).

My non-Lycra jerseys and shorts are wool by Woolistic.

I like wearing biking specific clothing because it is fun scaring small children in the convenience stores.

One person rides in nothing???
Apparently he/she now has a partner. Maybe a movement is afoot (and abutt (http://www.worldnakedbikeride.org/)).

Apparently he/she now has a partner. Maybe a movement is afoot (and abutt (http://www.worldnakedbikeride.org/)).

And the two wearing NOTHING are???






























































bikinfool,

dipy911

Pictures, please

Factually - Santini merino jersey and Assos shorts. Love 'em
Facetiously - Saville Row Tux and spats. In my dreams

And the two wearing NOTHING are???
Pictures, please

Evidently colorful characters but they do wear paint....

Where's the wool love? Lycra jerseys? Yuk. Prefer a nice wicking fabric that isn't clingy, or wool, and no one, me included, wants to see this body in a lycra jersey. I will wear lycra bib shorts, but as I mountain bike a lot, more often a pair of specific cargo style nylon/polyester outer shorts with a chamois/liner (or the lycra bibs underneath one that I've cut the old chamois/liner out of), otherwise a crash or trailside vegetation can ruin a nice pair of lycra pretty quick. I always cycle in cycle specific clothing, though, just as I use cycling specific shoes (but no running to the store, commuting, etc).


You can't look that bad in comparison to some of us

I belong to the R-3 movement. Regular people riding Regular bicycles wearing Regular clothes.

Lycra is just the attempt of the Sneering PseudoRacers to apply the mandates of Pain and Vast Expenditure to the rest of us. We have to stuff ourselves into skintight outfits that look ridiculous ... and spend money on clothes just for riding a bicycle.

I've noticed this mandate on the rest of this forum, too. That the Racers make the rules.

Guys my age buying racing bicycles. What a hoot....

Can't say I know what a regular person looks like. Perhaps this is because I tend to think everyone is a regular person. Can't say I know what a regular bike is either. Perhaps this is because I have respect for all different kinds of bikes. Can't say that I know what regular clothes are either. Perhaps this is because I wear different clothes for different reasons. I think the R3 movement really stands for reactionary, righteous, ridiculer. But then again if it's a movement maybe I better jump on board.

Lycra is just the attempt of the Sneering PseudoRacers to apply the mandates of Pain and Vast Expenditure to the rest of us. We have to stuff ourselves into skintight outfits that look ridiculous ... and spend money on clothes just for riding a bicycle.


Believe that if you wish, but I think it's a big load of crap. Lycra works. It's that simple.