Papa Tom

I don't want to belabor this point or start a flame war, but an article I just read provided a long-sought answer to a question I have pondered for some time.

Why do I tour in cacky shorts and a t-shirt when a lot of evidence seems to suggest that "proper" cycling gear would make me more efficient, keep me cooler, etc.?

The simple answer is that when I stop in the middle of a town somewhere, I am approachable to people and they all want to talk to me. I don't think this is always true of cyclists who pull into town wrapped in tight, bright lycra with racing goggles on their faces and mirrors and cameras protruding from their helmets. I know I never feel comfortable trying to start a conversation with one of THOSE people. You just don't know what's behind all that window dressing.

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with people who gear up that way. I'm just saying that I think I have finally validated my penchant for keeping it simple on the bike.

Comments?

TheLibrarian

Civvies isnt that underwear... no thats skivvies, but I do think you meant khakis. Me I just dont have the body for lycra, it's like imagine Shaggy from Scooby Do in spandex.

Jim Kukula

This brings up the broader question of "why tour"? You can ride your bike to go places, or you can go places to ride your bike. Of course it can be a bit of both, too.

One reason I use platform pedals is that cleat-less shoes are just a lot nicer for hopping off the bike and walking around.

dh024

For some of us, wearing "proper bike clothes" isn't entirely flattering for our physique. I look better and feel more comfortable in regular clothes, although I do wear padded bike shorts when doing any long-distance rides.

I think a lot of the pressure to wear bike-specific clothing originates with manufacturers/retailers. I don't buy into the argument that those clothes necessarily make you more comfortable or efficient for recreational rides, commuting or touring.

bikenh

I wear cycling shorts for faster drying when wet, they fit tight(err keep wind resistance down) and help keep away the leg chaffing. I wear a jersey for the simple benefit of the pockets on the back of the jersey. I have no trouble with people coming up and talking to me when I stop in a town. Back in the day when I wore a t-shirt people rarely ever talked to me, now I can't avoid them...they pop up out of everywhere.

mdilthey

I wear bike shorts and a regular old T-shirt when I tour. I don't give a damn what people think of the tights, and this combo has been the most comfortable for me.

Regular old Hiking pants when the temps are below 50º... but my favorites are the Rivendell MUSA ones I snagged on Ebay for cheap. Definitely made for life on a bike.

<-- that smile makes me approachable enough that nobody ever seems to mind my outfit.

kaos joe

What he said.

Steve B.

When I commute, I'll put on a pair of padded cycling shorts because it's a 2 hr. ride. I'l wear whatever shirt I had on at work, which is usually a cotton polo. I will wear SPD shoes as they are more comfortable and efficient for the distance.

Around town ?, I'll wear whatever I have on.

veganbikes

If you aren't wearing lycra you aren't a cyclist and should be banished from this forum permanently ; )

Wear what makes you comfortable, for me that is generally cycling gear or at least non-cotton outdoor performance oriented clothing. For touring I generally wear shorts on top of my chamois or bibs of some kind but while commuting I try and go minimal and just wear cycling clothes so I can easily peel them off when I get home and shower while not getting my other clothes sweaty or dirty from the commute (as I generally try to go fast and get a good workout)

I did a tour on the C & O years ago in cotton ended up having to take my sweat soaked shirt off and my body got dusty as heck and I felt horrible that evening. I wouldn't recommend it but some people don't sweat like I do and maybe cotton chafing isn't as bad for them.

I have never had any issues with people talking to me and I don't always want to talk to everyone who I meet but sometimes I do get into some great conversations with people.

grolby

It's probably possible to strike a balance between riding comfort and approachability. When my BFF and I did our tours together about a decade ago, he wore mountain bike shorts and athletic tees and tank tops. I was somewhat envious, as I had, at various times on the first two trips we took, running shorts and just plain regular khaki shorts and jockey shorts. The bunching was unpleasant. I did have synthetic athletic tees, so the upper body was fine. For our last trip together, I finally had some borrowed cotton spandex shorts which were more revealing than any of the dozen or so pairs of bib shorts in my closet today, and some crummy Nashbar shorts. I was comfortable, but a bit less presentable than my companion. When I say that, you should keep in mind that I've become very comfortable wearing cycling-specific clothing and think I look pretty great in it (if I do say so myself) - those cotton spandex shorts really did give a little more information than I am quite comfortable with. I have at least one photo of the two of us that I can't really share publicly. At least not without cropping it.

Anyway, my suggestion for those wanting to look "normal," or at least no weirder than anyone dressed for a casual summer day, would be to consider mountain bike shorts and athletic shirts. That way you get the comfort of lined shorts, at least. I think if I were to go touring this year (man, that would be great) and use the bike camping approach that we did back then, I would consider that style. Not sure I would end up doing that, but I would consider it.

mm718

The approachability angle doesn't really ring true to me. I wear normal baggy clothing for comfort and because I don't look good in cycling clothes.

dougmon 

+1. Baggy shorts with a liner, nice t-shirt. It's how I did it back in the day (except no liner, which I would definitely have now), and how I plan to do it in the future, when I can afford a decent liner or two. But for right now, it's jeans and t-shirt, which seem to work ok.

kaos joe

"It's probably possible to strike a balance between riding comfort and approachability."

I'm not quite getting what is unapproachable about someone in "cycling gear". Anyone who doesn't live in Outer Slobovia knows what it is. It's not a blood-soaked ISIL outfit. You play softball, you walk into the deli post-game in your uniform. You're a hunter, you come back to town in your blaze orange or camo, and nobody has (most of us anyway) a cow. I don't see any reason to regard those people as "THOSE people."

boomhauer

I do a lot of begging for permission on tour.

-Can I leave my bike here for awhile?
-Can I sleep behind your maintenance shed?
-Can I shower in your town's swimming pool?

I get more positive responses when I wear a collared shirt. It is strange how I get more respect so I always bring one.

bradtx

Papa Tom, Mountain biking shorts and a moisture wicking T-Shirt are a good compromise. Most of the stores / eateries in my area are accustomed to seeing bicyclists, at least on weekends. Some places I've been on the touring bike will draw at least a couple of glances if I'm in roadie kit.

Brad

GerryinHouston

I wear neon yellow jerseys. I am too young to die because some idiot with a truck didn't notice me. I am 250+ and don't give a damn how I look as long as you see me.

saddlesores

what's the best way to start a flame war?

say you don't want to start a flame war, describe THOSE
people in less than flattering terms, then magnanimously
say there's nothing wrong with them, while implying there is.

dude.....wear whatever the*&$% you want.

jonc123

I agree 100%.

Machka 

I'm not striving to be approachable when I dress in cycling gear on my rides ... and yet people do strike up conversations with me. I think it is more about being friendly rather than what you're wearing.





For convenience, however, this is the sort of thing we wear on a cycling tour.

Cycling shorts, for me, of course because if I'm going to cycle a long-ish distance they are the most practical, comfortable choice + wicking T-shirt. Rowan wears cycling shorts some of the time, and other shorts at other times. And I will pull on a pair of stretchy capris or other shorts over my cycling shorts if our trip is going to involve several methods of transportation.

RedandBlack

I tried to strike a balance with my choices of clothing. For shorts I have Zoic Black Market mountain bike shorts. Since they're made for biking they should be comfortable for longer days and best of all come with a removable, padded, spandex liner (not sure what the correct term is). That way I can remove the adult diaper for my off days or wear it with my pants when it's cold. As for tops, I have merino wool t-shirts and base layers. I can wear them for a night out yet still be cool, sweat free, and lemony fresh on the bike.

For me it was less of not wanting to look like a cyclist and more the desire to have multi-use items so I didn't double down. I go more in-depth into my choice of clothes at: https://redandblackhorizons.wordpres...hing-footwear/

Machka 

Exactly.

A wicking T-shirt can be used on or off the bicycle. And doesn't have the extra bulk of pockets and zippers.

Doug64

I often wear much the same outfit as as Rowan and Machka. Even the same color!



However, I also carry one for hot weather riding that is high viz, and not very fashionable when off the bike.

Dave Cutter

You and your husband are both wearing friendly smiles! Big smiles both attract and disarm people.

Doug64

+1 to both posts.

A smile and removing the sunglasses works wonders when talking with people.

DropBarFan

I'm not sure that avg folks care so much if random bike tourists are wearing tight clothes or not. Nowadays folks are used to seeing others in clingy fitness clothing & few restaurants, for instance, have dress codes. I'm all for casual inexpensive clothes for touring when they're comfortable & practical but whatever clothes are worn I imagine that a smile & a friendly comment are the crucial things to make a good impression.

Once saw the Police Unity Tourers pass by the local area, nearly all of them wearing snappy bike clothes. I'd imagine they meet plenty of folks & supporters.