I recently road from San Francisco, California, to Seattle, Washington, which was a great ride, but the first one I have done in real ‘touring’ country. I met a good number of cyclists, and they were all pretty awesome, but I noticed that everyone was wearing the spandex fashion. This confused me, as there is no point in the spandex, even the pro’s just wear them because they need the sponsor ad space, and at least I assume, would go shirtless otherwise.

As I wear my own, created and original fashion, and have done so since I started touring four years ago, I often was looked at weird. Some people didn’t believe that I was doing it just by looking at me because I wasn’t wearing the spandex. It occurs to me that someone or something has to strike the stagnate brainwashed clothing industry of cycling, and show people that they can wear breathable baggy clothes that are very comfortable, even much more so than tight spandex.

I was wondering if anyone thinks this is a good idea, or feels a desire to stick out from the rest of the cyclists? If anyone ever thought it silly to wear clothes while cycling that you wouldn’t wear just regularly? These are especially good for the cyclist with a little extra weight or weird body type.

Any ideas on this too? What would people really like to see in a fashion industry of cyclists? I never cared for fashion or anything, except cycling I see so many possibilities. Longer outer light light coats that feel like nothing until your cold with perfect length coat tails that flow behind, helmets designed not only to protect the head and breath but add something onto the regular outfit (like a large tophat, I’d just have to start working around this). Generally, I am obsessed with things that flap in the wind, and I am currently thinking about putting a pole on my bicycle with Tibetan prayer flags billowing from it.

I’ll post myself in my own style that I have used for four years now tomorrow, when I can get a good shot in the sunlight.

Dio Rallen
www.thisendlessroad.com