Mountain Biking - Mountain Biking questions...

Alright I have finally decided to give mountian biking a try. I have rode full suspension MTBs in security work and have gotten lots of bike handling skills that way. I just converted my jekyll back to knobbies, etc so that will not be a problem.

Ok some questions...

What clothing is approprate for mountian biking (specifically trails)? I am a roadie (see avatar) but I do not know if the same cycling clothing is the right stuff for trails.

When you ride MTB in a group (not racing) how far apart is tyical edicate for the ride? I.e. how much room to give other riders

Thanks as always...

I ride in whatever i have on. Normally sweats and a t shirt. my friend who can wear regular clothes wears pants...jeans or whatever and a compression layer shirt to suck the sweat off him. We both wear fingerless gloves, helmet, and keep the necessary gear in our camelbaks. As far as distance...I don't know. I just stay back far enough so that I can stop if my riding partner locks em up.

Ok some questions...

What clothing is approprate for mountian biking (specifically trails)? I am a roadie (see avatar) but I do not know if the same cycling clothing is the right stuff for trails.

When you ride MTB in a group (not racing) how far apart is tyical edicate for the ride? I.e. how much room to give other riders

Thanks as always...You can wear your roadie kit off road (although you'll lose style points for wearing a road team jersey) it's not that much different. As for interval.... you don't want to be anywhere NEAR as close as on road

Thanks guys... my club jersey is both road and MTB devisions so it would be no problem. All my other jerseys are not specific to road or MTB so it should not matter.

I see people in bike shorts and some in the baggy style MTB shorts which is why I am a little confused...

Just ride! :D One of the reasons I haven't been on my road bike in a long time are all the silly little rules.Do this do that, point here, point there. When I ride mtb, no rules just riding.

I see people in bike shorts and some in the baggy style MTB shorts which is why I am a little confused...
Purely personal preference. I wear baggies because nobody wants to see my butt in spandex.

Purely personal preference. I wear baggies because nobody wants to see my butt in spandex.

what makes you so sure of that? ;)

I ride in the same shorts that I use for road riding. I need that kind of short to be comfortable for 2 to 3 hours. I use Patagonia silk weight Capilene shirts instead of the more open weave road shirts/jerseys because they don't catch on the brush. They vent almost as well and they are cheaper. No fancy patterns though.

Al

what makes you so sure of that? ;)
How about me in a full fledged spandex outfit!

How about me in a full fledged spandex outfit!

Perish the thought. :eek: ;)

Wear whatever you feel comfortable with. I rode mtb in straight up lycra for
a number of years but then migrated toward relaxed fitting, durable clothing.

When riding trails,there's really nothing to be gained by being on someone's wheel,
and you need to be able to see the trail ahead for obstacles (and flow :) ).

I've considered a compression layer, but it's starting to warm up so I'll wait til next winter hopefully when I'm a bit smaller.