Cycling in Regular clothes v.s Lycra
04-08-08, 06:55 AM
#126
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Ride in whatever you feel comfortable riding in and quit worrying about what others wear or don't wear.
Does anybody have a problem with that?
Does anybody have a problem with that?
__________________
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
04-08-08, 07:50 AM
#127
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I have never had any comfort issues, so I do not plan to buy expensive cycling clothes when my shorts/shirts can be had for <$5-$10 a piece. Generally, I don't sweat a whole lot, but I tend to ride pretty hard wherever I go. I end up a little sweaty on my forehead and such. When summer rolls around it'll be a different story.
Originally Posted by chipcom
Ride in whatever you feel comfortable riding in and quit worrying about what others wear or don't wear.
Does anybody have a problem with that?
Does anybody have a problem with that?
Last edited by toThinkistoBe; 04-08-08 at 07:56 AM.
04-08-08, 08:25 AM
#128
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__________________
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
04-08-08, 08:46 AM
#129
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Solution: Everyone take off your panties before entering the thread.
04-08-08, 09:21 AM
#130
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Now you're talkin!
__________________
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
04-08-08, 12:35 PM
#131
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Well at least this discussion is an existing thread.
Yesterday I inadvertently commuted in both. I'd been on vacation for a couple of weeks and when I left Minneapolis there was still several inches of snow on the ground and icy patches on the roads. I'd been commuting on my winter bike. Since the winter bike is a bit slower, my morning commute was partially completed by train to speed things up. I ride to the train station and then from a downtown station to the office. Since both the riding segments are short, I don't really work up a sweat so I just wear my work clothes. I bring cycling/outdoor winter clothes for the ride home which is completely by bike.
On the day I returned from vacation, the snow was gone, and it was in the 60's. Being April and all I decided it was time to take my road bike to work on Monday. Well, guess what. It snowed. The forecast was for it to clear up and the snow wasn't sticking so I decided to go with the road bike plan but I rode it to the station (more out of wimpiness than due to weather, I'd been off a bike for a couple of weeks).
When I get to the station, I realize that I don't have my train pass. So I rode the whole way to work in my jeans. Again, it wasn't particularly warm, so sweat wasn't a real problem, but I don't feel as good riding longer distances in jeans. It may be more personal preference, but there it is. I certainly got to work just fine and I wouldn't let the lack of cycling clothes stop me from commuting.
The ride home was a blast. It was the first on the new (new to me) road bike that I bought last fall. I had donned the lycra for the trip and I felt as light as air. My time home was about my fastest ever. I don't attribute that to the lycra but it helps me to feel comfortable. If I rode in jeans all the time, I'm sure that's what would feel comfortable to me.
I don't own a jersey, so lycra for me just means tights or shorts.
Yesterday I inadvertently commuted in both. I'd been on vacation for a couple of weeks and when I left Minneapolis there was still several inches of snow on the ground and icy patches on the roads. I'd been commuting on my winter bike. Since the winter bike is a bit slower, my morning commute was partially completed by train to speed things up. I ride to the train station and then from a downtown station to the office. Since both the riding segments are short, I don't really work up a sweat so I just wear my work clothes. I bring cycling/outdoor winter clothes for the ride home which is completely by bike.
On the day I returned from vacation, the snow was gone, and it was in the 60's. Being April and all I decided it was time to take my road bike to work on Monday. Well, guess what. It snowed. The forecast was for it to clear up and the snow wasn't sticking so I decided to go with the road bike plan but I rode it to the station (more out of wimpiness than due to weather, I'd been off a bike for a couple of weeks).
When I get to the station, I realize that I don't have my train pass. So I rode the whole way to work in my jeans. Again, it wasn't particularly warm, so sweat wasn't a real problem, but I don't feel as good riding longer distances in jeans. It may be more personal preference, but there it is. I certainly got to work just fine and I wouldn't let the lack of cycling clothes stop me from commuting.
The ride home was a blast. It was the first on the new (new to me) road bike that I bought last fall. I had donned the lycra for the trip and I felt as light as air. My time home was about my fastest ever. I don't attribute that to the lycra but it helps me to feel comfortable. If I rode in jeans all the time, I'm sure that's what would feel comfortable to me.
I don't own a jersey, so lycra for me just means tights or shorts.
04-09-08, 01:24 AM
#132
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Would really much prefer not to bring this thread back up to the top! 
Still, felt I had to report that, on the way to work this morning, I saw another commuter dressed in full cycling kit (cycling top, padded lycra 3/4 shorts) - but in black lace-up dress shoes. As in, work shoes you wear with a suit.
That guy wouldn't really get this thread, I reckon.
Still, felt I had to report that, on the way to work this morning, I saw another commuter dressed in full cycling kit (cycling top, padded lycra 3/4 shorts) - but in black lace-up dress shoes. As in, work shoes you wear with a suit.
That guy wouldn't really get this thread, I reckon.
04-09-08, 01:36 AM
#133
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I simply like stuff thats enjoyable on the bike as well as off. So, wicking socks and underwear without seams in the middle are both nice things.
04-09-08, 04:38 PM
#134
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https://www.groundeffect.co.nz/
I practically wear 100% Groundeffect gear when cycling, it looks a lot less Lycra/roadie than most cycling clothing and I wear the t-shirts and tops around work as we are allowed to wear casual clothes. So I get in bag-up the sweaty stuff, shower and a few times a week pull out a Groundeffect t-shirt for work. The clothing is very smart, and I get a lot of comments about how good the clothes look. The shorts are perfect for just hanging around, going to the pub etc...
So there you go casual, (regular), and cycling clothes rolled into one.
P.S. I don't work for Ground effect just adore their clothes.
04-09-08, 04:48 PM
#135
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Would really much prefer not to bring this thread back up to the top!
Still, felt I had to report that, on the way to work this morning, I saw another commuter dressed in full cycling kit (cycling top, padded lycra 3/4 shorts) - but in black lace-up dress shoes. As in, work shoes you wear with a suit.
That guy wouldn't really get this thread, I reckon.
Still, felt I had to report that, on the way to work this morning, I saw another commuter dressed in full cycling kit (cycling top, padded lycra 3/4 shorts) - but in black lace-up dress shoes. As in, work shoes you wear with a suit.
That guy wouldn't really get this thread, I reckon.
04-09-08, 07:21 PM
#136
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It seems the problem with lycra or not is that in the USA only core cyclists cycle!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rwwxrWHBB8
The folks in this video just go about their day and ride a bike instead of driving. They might sweat a little, but sweat dries off and you go about your day again. In Europe, the Lycra people are training for events.
This video made me hope.
I commute in NYC in jeans. I can wear the jeans 2 times for a commute. When I ride harder with BF freidns, I wear bike shorts and jerseys, but I have to wash those after 1 use.
Street clothes on a 8 miles commute are less sweaty. Cotton dries out and I shower the next morning. If I'm on a training ride, I shower right after it and wash the lycra in the sink. My morning and afternoon commute is not a training ride where I ride as fast as I can, sweat like a pig and smell 2 hours later.
So yes, I commute in regular clothes. And I do centuries, metrics and fast short rides in bike weeny sausage clothes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rwwxrWHBB8
The folks in this video just go about their day and ride a bike instead of driving. They might sweat a little, but sweat dries off and you go about your day again. In Europe, the Lycra people are training for events.
This video made me hope.
I commute in NYC in jeans. I can wear the jeans 2 times for a commute. When I ride harder with BF freidns, I wear bike shorts and jerseys, but I have to wash those after 1 use.
Street clothes on a 8 miles commute are less sweaty. Cotton dries out and I shower the next morning. If I'm on a training ride, I shower right after it and wash the lycra in the sink. My morning and afternoon commute is not a training ride where I ride as fast as I can, sweat like a pig and smell 2 hours later.
So yes, I commute in regular clothes. And I do centuries, metrics and fast short rides in bike weeny sausage clothes.
