Every bike shop I have been in I hear the salespeople make the statement, "you might think about buying some bikes shorts, they will be more comfortable" etc. etc. of course they want to sell shorts but..... I've heard cyclists on local group rides advise the same and writers on forums write it every day, not to mention all the mail order catalogs push it too. I even had a friend tell me , "I suppose you'll want me to wear those Lycra shorts if I buy a bike and start riding with you"! I have also had a few other comments made to me by cyclists and non-cyclists that they wouldn't want to have to wear those tight little shorts in order to ride a bike. Its a common perception that many have regarding cycling. Things like, I must use a helmet, I need to get those bike shorts and I better think about riding with those scary looking shoes that lock your feet to the pedals or I won't be able to ride like those guys do or I'll be left in their dust etc. etc. blah! blah! Its not true of course but a perception is there. I just think our American cycling culture is slanted toward emulating racing and sport riding and the average joe dismisses the idea of using a bike in daily life for getting around because of these perceptions. Not entirely to be sure but somewhat because of. Thats all I'm saying.

Chipcom is correct, I did buy into the marketing hype initially, after a long absence from riding and I thought I needed some of these things but deep down I knew it wasn't true based on my experience from before, when many of these products were not even available. Back in the 1970's helmets were not widely available and if you wanted cycling clothing it was wool with real leather chamois and shoes wow! that meant slotted cleats and toe straps. Talk about being locked in. Touring was big though and quite a few cyclists rode in gym shorts and t-shirts with plain old Chuck Taylor style shoes. As an American cyclist I have noticed the trends over the years and was always puzzled why the rest of the world didn't do it the same way but instead, used their bicycles in daily life without so much specialized stuff to go along with it. I guess my experiences have made me think outside of the cycling box a little and find solutions that are more versatile and sensible to me. Cycling footwear has been a nagging problem for me and I found that sandals are actually the most comfortable coupled with plain BMX pedals. Now if I had listened to the experts (and I did for a while) I would have spent a ton of money on shoes and pedals trying to find comfort (unfortunately I did that too) only to come full circle back to what works and its practical. Imagine that? I guess thats why I am so adamant about the subject. I wasted a bunch of money and time and suffered based on a perception I had from things I had read and heard.