Living Car Free - Do you give a rat's rump?

Very few transportation cyclists care how dorky they look on a bike, or how slow they are.

They only care if they get where they want to go. Everything else is gravy on their meat loaf.

Gravy on meatloaf, ewwww!

But I agree, I don't dress specially for my riding much. I do try to keep going fairly fast, though sometimes I will just poke along and have been known to take twice as long as average to arrive at the end of a commute on occasion. So I don't really have set standards on how fast to go, though I have an estimate of how long it will take me. How fast I really go is all a matter of attitude on that particular day.

I do have a specific T shirt that I tend to commute in though, 8 of them really. They are the shirts I earned while working for the local Soap Box Derby. They are all very similar except for the year that is included in the design. Mostly this was motivated by having so many similar shirts and no way to wear them out. My other commuting shirts are a six-pack of plain white shirts. And on the weekend, I wear whatever I have on when I get ready to go somewhere.

Gravy on meatloaf, ewwww!.

Ketchup then? Or just naked meatloaf for the simple-living carfree folks?


But I agree, I don't dress specially for my riding much. I do try to keep going fairly fast, though sometimes I will just poke along and have been known to take twice as long as average to arrive at the end of a commute on occasion. So I don't really have set standards on how fast to go, though I have an estimate of how long it will take me. How fast I really go is all a matter of attitude on that particular day.

I do have a specific T shirt that I tend to commute in though, 8 of them really. They are the shirts I earned while working for the local Soap Box Derby. They are all very similar except for the year that is included in the design. Mostly this was motivated by having so many similar shirts and no way to wear them out. My other commuting shirts are a six-pack of plain white shirts. And on the weekend, I wear whatever I have on when I get ready to go somewhere.

I ride pretty fast too, compared to other utility riders, but maybe slow compared to some (not all) roadies. I dress for practicality and comfort more than appearance. I do wear cycling shorts with a chamois for comfort, but I usually wear regular shorts or pants over them because lycra isn't appropriate for most stores and restaurants that I stop at. I usually wear bright T-shirts on top, and I often wear brightly colored outer clothing in winter also.

The style police may have a problem with me, comfort is my first concern. I don't own any cycling clothes and only 1 pair of cycling shoes.

Very few transportation cyclists care how dorky they look on a bike, or how slow they are.

They only care if they get where they want to go. Everything else is gravy on their meat loaf.

It's a matter of perspective.

I guess I don't care how dorky I look and apparently it shows. :)

However, there are some style considerations:
- I dress for visibility on the bike, so I have a number of screaming yellow shirts that I *always* wear. I consider it as good as running lights in the day. I bought a bunch of screaming yellow tee shirts from alertshirt.com a number of years ago. They don't wear out very fast.

- I do like to wear biking shorts on longer rides. However, I normally don't go into Walmart with just biking shorts. I have several pairs of swimming trunks with the inner mesh removed. These I wear over biking shorts. I do have a great pair of mountain shorts, but they are too warm for hot days.

- Shoes? I wear hiking shoes or snow sneakers in winter.

So I guess I always wear biking-specific clothing of one sort or another. Mainly for comfort.

Y'all have seen what I'm willing to do to a road frame.
No, I don't care much about what other's think or speed.

It's a matter of perspective.

It is also a matter of geography. Very few European transportation cyclists dress like dorks, or at least no differently than people taking the bus to work, shopping or school.

It is also a matter of geography. Very few European transportation cyclists dress like dorks, or at least no differently than people taking the bus to work, shopping or school.

I think it's also a matter of the type of bike they ride. I don't have chain guards on any of my bikes, and some don't even have fenders. So I do wear cycling or outdoor type clothing much of the time. With my new shorter commute to work, that's changing some. Now I'm wearing my regular casual work clothing (dockers and sport shirt) for commuting, instead of changing after I get to work. I might even end up walking to work on sloppy days from now on, since it's only 2 miles.

I usually wear the same clothes I am going to be working in. Only notable exception was when I was riding to the plant in SC. Work clothes were long cotton underwear with long sleeved wool shirts and wool slacks. Not suitable for riding in when the temps are in the 90's with humidity in the 80%+ range.

For the most part everything in my closet is cycling clothes AFAIAC. My preference is vented back cotton shirts and shorts most of the year, with longer pants in the winter. I chose bright colored wind breakers and jackets as a matter of course.


Aaron:)

when commuting and shopping I generally wear whats comfortable and somewhat presentable, though if it is hot enough far enough I will be in cycling only gear, if going longer than 10-15 miles will wear cycling specific stuff even if it is just cycling under wear. When I go recreational riding I usually put on the full gear since it's the most comfortable. Speed on the other hand can depend on weather conditions and how I am feeling and who I am riding with and distance. Speed can range from 10-22 mph it just depends. Have no problems with passing or being passed. All in all I am not out to try to impress anyone when riding I am either having fun or going somewhere.

Not really. I dress practical and however I want and feel, cycling or not, I'm usually in the same clothes every day. The only thing I change into is my helmet and if I need them, gloves. I have some cycling specific shorts for longer rides (usually anything over 20 miles) that I wear under my regular cutoff pants.

Not really. I dress practical and however I want and feel, cycling or not, I'm usually in the same clothes every day. The only thing I change into is my helmet and if I need them, gloves. I have some cycling specific shorts for longer rides (usually anything over 20 miles) that I wear under my regular cutoff pants.

Hello Michigander! I live in Lansing and spend a lot of time in Traverse City. Welcome to LCF!





http://community.detnews.com/blogs/media/users/mhappy/michigan.jpg


Edit: Just saw that you sent me a PM, so we'll communicate there. I hate to hijack my own thread! :D

The style police may have a problem with me, comfort is my first concern. I don't own any cycling clothes and only 1 pair of cycling shoes.

then you don't know what comfort on a bike is like.

There seems to be a myth around here that cycling specific clothes aren't designed for comfort. Yes they're meant to be used for optimal performance in a sport setting, but that doesn't mean they aren't supposed to also be comfortable. Being uncomfortable makes it very difficult to win races.

My only beef with cycling clothes is the price. Otherwise I'd already own a bunch.

There seems to be a myth around here that cycling specific clothes aren't designed for comfort. Yes they're meant to be used for optimal performance in a sport setting, but that doesn't mean they aren't supposed to also be comfortable. Being uncomfortable makes it very difficult to win races.

My only beef with cycling clothes is the price. Otherwise I'd already own a bunch.

My problem with cycling clothes is A) getting some that fit B) having to maintain a whole wardrobe of clothes that most likely can not be worn for much else C) looking like something from a advertisement for the TdF and D) having to carry a change of clothes to change into when I get where I am going. YMMV

Aaron:)

then you don't know what comfort on a bike is like.

What clothes I feel comfortable in depends on the circumstances. Around here, you will be stared at if you go into a store or restaurant with lycra clothes on--a circumstance that makes me uncomfortable, so I wear "normal" street clothes (sometimes with chamois shorts underneath) when I'm riding errands around town. OTOH, if I'm traveling 30 miles one-way to visit my country cousins, I feel more comfortable in cycling kit.

The most uncomfortable I ever felt was when I forgot to take my boxers to work with me, and I had to wear cycling shorts under my Dockers for a 12 hour shift. :eek:

The most uncomfortable I ever felt was when I forgot to take my boxers to work with me, and I had to wear cycling shorts under my Dockers for a 12 hour shift. :eek:

Egh!



12 hours of walking around just doesn't sound pleasent at all.

Cue theme music... do-to-do-to-do-doooo COMMANDO!

Very few transportation cyclists care how dorky they look on a bike, or how slow they are.

They only care if they get where they want to go. Everything else is gravy on their meat loaf.

Every since I returned from S.E.Asia 40 years ago this has been my personal mantra.
I learned there what mattered in life and what didn't. :thumb:

What clothes I feel comfortable in depends on the circumstances. Around here, you will be stared at if you go into a store or restaurant with lycra clothes on--a circumstance that makes me uncomfortable, so I wear "normal" street clothes (sometimes with chamois shorts underneath) when I'm riding errands around town. OTOH, if I'm traveling 30 miles one-way to visit my country cousins, I feel more comfortable in cycling kit.

The most uncomfortable I ever felt was when I forgot to take my boxers to work with me, and I had to wear cycling shorts under my Dockers for a 12 hour shift. :eek:

why in the hell would anyone go into a restaurant while on a ride?

why in the hell would anyone go into a restaurant while on a ride?

You seem to have an ongoing (probably feigned?) inability to understand the concept here: one would be riding a bike in order to get to the restaurant.

why in the hell would anyone go into a restaurant while on a ride?

To eat food.

or, to be short and sweet. botto style:

eat

To eat food.

or, to be short and sweet. botto style:

eat

on a commute? :lol: fredelicious. :thumb:

I care more about how my bike looks than I look.
If that says anything.
-Gene-

If you, the general populace, have a problem with my wardrobe AT ANY TIME, not just when I'm commuting, guess what -- YOU have a problem! Until you buy my clothes, you cannot in the slightest even voice your opinion to me about my clothing.

I wear $5 & $6 shorts for the ride when it's warm enough, winter-weight tights when it's chilly; when it's COLD, I wear my work jeans over the tights. Shirts depend also on the temps; I have a lot of moisture-wicking shirts (Starters from W/M, don't hate, they work) in various weights of fabric. A couple could be worn alone in 50F, no other shirt/jacket necessary.

I couldn't care less, either, about people's opinions in stores or restaurants; buy my food, then your opinion may matter.

Long, for-the-heck-of-it fun rides warrant the chamois & lycra; those rides are hours long. 40 minutes on a commute don't, IMO.

So, no, I don't give a rat's rump/patootie/backside/rectum/azz.

It is also a matter of geography. Very few European transportation cyclists dress like dorks, or at least no differently than people taking the bus to work, shopping or school.

This is a good point and I've always wondered what was the difference between Europeans and North Americans. One factor could be the average distance they travel. If I were travelling less than 2 miles to work, I would wear my work clothes. But I travel more like 7 miles... enough distance to work up a good sweat.

Or perhaps Europeans are so cool they don't sweat it...

I love gravy on meat loaf!

I own 3 pair of bike shorts that are never seen. Over them I wear cargo shorts (long cut) and the dress shirt I wore during the day for my commute home. SPD sandals, gloves (in case I crash) and my ProTec helmet (at least 10 years old) which now sports my new found Planet Bike Super Flash (thank you Road Gods!)

My commute starts at 4:15am. 14 miles to work and 16 home. I've been doing this so long I've seen us called dorks, geeks, Phreds, Freds, Hipsters, and lots of other things that would probably be inappropriate!

I could CARES LESS!!

I recently got into a debate with a family member who was making fun of a guy who was wearing a roadie type outfit. She said he looked like an idiot because he was all dressed up in "cycling specific" clothes. I then pointed out that a lot of the clothes that she wears, such as stiletto high heels, mini skirts, ultra tight jeans, low cut and loose tops, would never be practical to wear if it were not for the invention of the automobile. Even if you ride mass transit I dont see how you could walk to and from the bus stops very well in those sorts of cloths. In that way, the clothes that a lot of people wear are actually CAR SPECIFIC! Why dont we make fun of them for choosing their outfits based on their mode on transportation?

I dont wear any cycling specific cloth when I ride. On longer rides I may try to find a clean pair of synthetic undies instead of a pair of cotton, thats about as far as it goes. I tend to dress with a lot of clothes I buy from camping stores, army surplus, or used cloth stores. Generally I just look kinda outdoorsy. I guess that makes sense though considering that on a bike you are always "outdoors."

This is a good point and I've always wondered what was the difference between Europeans and North Americans. One factor could be the average distance they travel. If I were travelling less than 2 miles to work, I would wear my work clothes. But I travel more like 7 miles... enough distance to work up a good sweat.

Or perhaps Europeans are so cool they don't sweat it...

They are cool enough do the math. 5 miles at a no sweat 10 mph pace takes 30 minutes; 5 miles at a sweaty pace PLUS shower and clothes change will take more than 30 minutes AND require looking like a dork while riding.

This is a good point and I've always wondered what was the difference between Europeans and North Americans. One factor could be the average distance they travel. If I were travelling less than 2 miles to work, I would wear my work clothes. But I travel more like 7 miles... enough distance to work up a good sweat.

Or perhaps Europeans are so cool they don't sweat it...

My theory goes like this.

Only people who cant afford cars ride bikes, right? (J/k dont freak out ILTB) With that in mind, if you want to ride a bike you have to make sure that you look like the kinda person who also has a car. You gotta wear bright brand new looking clothes that basically make you look like a totally different species when standing next to a homeless person. If Europe I never saw a lot of homeless people on bikes like in the US. Or at least they did not stand out or look terribly different than the other people on bikes. I suspect that a lot of them just use the excellent mass transit rather than ride a bike. Anyways, people dress weird while they ride to make sure that everyone knows that they have money, even though they are riding a bike.

on a commute? :lol: fredelicious. :thumb:

Roody didn't specify on a commute; that's your qualifer. And just for your edification, some commuters, in vehicles of all types, are known to stop at a restaurant on their way to and from work; to eat, because they feel like it. Maybe REAL cyclists don't do that sort of thing.:rolleyes:

I don't care so much how I look, but some businesses I frequent (restaurants for example) might. I bring change of clothes as needed. My riding dress code is as follows:

- winter: bike specific clothes. If it's cold, some extra clothes in pannier for emergencies such as flatting a tyre at -15C.
- if it's raining: bike specific clothes. They dry faster.
- >10kms of continuous cycling: bike specific clothes
- 5-10 kms: bike clothes or normal clothes, depends
- 0-5 kms: anything goes

--J

I've been known not only to stop and get food while commuting to work, but to hop on the bike and ride 16 miles round trip just to get food. :eek:

...because it's fun.

Who would ride to a restaurant to get food? People who are car-free? Isn't that the title of this section? Since we are car-free, should we walk to a restaurant to eat?

Anyways, people dress weird while they ride to make sure that everyone knows that they have money, even though they are riding a bike.

You found me out.... :(

Now for the next question: why to people who dress weird and have loads of money continue to wear a 4-year old Alert shirt? Should they get splurge on a new helmet every 5 years or so?

fredelicious.

That's awesome.

my fixed gear has brakes, a rear rack, and no track drops. Uh oh.

A couple of people that know I like using a bike to get around town have told me that they hope they never catch me riding a bike and wearing spandex. I don't have a funny looking body either, it's just that the hippie types here view the cyclist wearing spandex as dweebs, or typical toy buying consumers.

No spandex, ever, for commuting. Just mostly casual clothing. Sometimes, on a short ride, business attire with the jacket and tie in the pannier. I don't much care what people think about how I look when I'm riding, or how slow I'm going. I do think that I look cool in business attire riding my Puch 3 speed. I could be mistaken.

Meatloaf is the miracle of the boomer generation. It makes for a nice dinner, and the leftovers make for good sandwiches. I think I'll make some tonight.

When I ride, I wear the same clothes I'll be wearing when I get where I'm going. And I look just as dorky on the bike as I do off of it. Well, maybe just a little more. Now that I'm leaving for work in the dark every morning, I'll grab the neon green safety vest. I try not to wear that around the office.

I've had a few times where I wore a dress because I had a meeting...and then got the skirt caught up in the rear brake. I've given up on being fashionable because there is nothing more ridiculous looking than being attached to your ride by your clothing.

When I ride, I wear the same clothes I'll be wearing when I get where I'm going. And I look just as dorky on the bike as I do off of it. Well, maybe just a little more. Now that I'm leaving for work in the dark every morning, I'll grab the neon green safety vest. I try not to wear that around the office.

I've had a few times where I wore a dress because I had a meeting...and then got the skirt caught up in the rear brake. I've given up on being fashionable because there is nothing more ridiculous looking than being attached to your ride by your clothing.

Sounds like you might need a skirt guard (http://www.instructables.com/id/Quick-&-Easy-Bicycle-Skirt-Guards/).:innocent::D

BTW they work for men too, keeps the long coat tails out of the wheel.;)

Aaron:)

After reading the initial responses I was beginning to think utility cyclists and commuters were simply just other cyclists wearing the uniform necessary for their type of riding. After a while I realized it is just another stab at dividing cyclists because some non commuting or utility cyclists choose to wear cycling specific cloths. I realize there is no overt attempt to separate one group from another but there is a natural division. There is a reason for cycling specific clothing you know and not just to look different from homeless people. Jerseys are designed to wick sweat as are bibs and shorts. I don’t always wear cycling specific clothes but I believe I am ready to invest in some under armor for those times when I don’t.

There is a reason for cycling specific clothing you know and not just to look different from homeless people. Jerseys are designed to wick sweat as are bibs and shorts. I don’t always wear cycling specific clothes but I believe I am ready to invest in some under armor for those times when I don’t.

Yes jerseys wick away sweat. However, do they need to be hot pink or have huge logos on them for corn flakes? I realize that not all bike clothes are designed to stand out as much as some but when I think of bike specific clothes thats what comes to mind. As I said I wear a lot of outdoors and hiking cloth which also "wick sweat." However, they dont look like bicycle cloths.

I've wondered whether jerseys that have bold geometric designs in contrasting colors make it harder for drivers to see the direction, range and speed of the bike rider.

Some jerseys I've seen resemble the dazzle camouflage used for ships in World War I. Dazzle camouflage increases visibility but makes it harder to see which way and how fast the object is travelling.

I have a mixture of clothes that I wear on my rides. On my tours I wear the official expensive cycling clothes. Most days when I am commuting in town I wear clothes purchased at the Goodwill or Target. I have several bright tee shirts that I got for one dollar from a second hand store. I want to be seen when I am traveling.

I want that cookie monster jersey.

http://www.purethrill.co.za/prodimages/jersey2.jpg

I have a mixture of clothes that I wear on my rides. On my tours I wear the official expensive cycling clothes. Most days when I am commuting in town I wear clothes purchased at the Goodwill or Target. I have several bright tee shirts that I got for one dollar from a second hand store. I want to be seen when I am traveling.

I wear this one from http://alertshirt.com/poloslmtanco.html

http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/alertshirt_2061_1114994

or for the ultimate in Fred-dom, how about a tee shirt with a pocket:

http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/alertshirt_2065_80942

These cost around $10 - 13. Not really cycling specific and a little warm for hot summer days. But very durable. I've had my 4 shirts since 2006, wearing one of them daily.

Yes jerseys wick away sweat. However, do they need to be hot pink or have huge logos on them for corn flakes? I realize that not all bike clothes are designed to stand out as much as some but when I think of bike specific clothes thats what comes to mind. As I said I wear a lot of outdoors and hiking cloth which also "wick sweat." However, they dont look like bicycle cloths.

You can get them however you like them pretty much like some of the T-shirts people wear. I have some bright colored ones and some solid ones and some club ones. My favorite cycling shorts are Rock Racing bibs. I got them at the outlet for about 33 percent of the online price.


If the question is do I care what people think about what I wear? Then the answer is no and 85 percent of the time I spend on my bike is with Cycling shorts even when I have cargo shorts over them. I can’t remember being tossed out of a restaurant because I was in my Kit. If they aren’t interested in taking my money I will gladly go somewhere else so they can.

Anyways, people dress weird while they ride to make sure that everyone knows that they have money, even though they are riding a bike.

And others of us ride our recumbents. ;)

You can get them however you like them pretty much like some of the T-shirts people wear. I have some bright colored ones and some solid ones and some club ones. My favorite cycling shorts are Rock Racing bibs. I got them at the outlet for about 33 percent of the online price.


If the question is do I care what people think about what I wear? Then the answer is no and 85 percent of the time I spend on my bike is with Cycling shorts even when I have cargo shorts over them. I can’t remember being tossed out of a restaurant because I was in my Kit. If they aren’t interested in taking my money I will gladly go somewhere else so they can.

You have to consider location to some extent. I imagine in southern (or northern) California, people are pretty used to seeing recreational cyclists in kit. Here in the midwest, not so much. There are only a few restaurants where I would feel welcome in lycra. And I understand there are places in the southern US where people will kick your ass if you wear cycling clothes.

Actually, a friend of mine here in Lansing told me, "If you wear that dorky helmet in this neighborhood, you're going to need it because everybody will be trying to knock you upside your head." :eek: