I think your riding outfit is an expression of your art, and sharing your art with others. To quote J Donohue as example: "The human soul is hungry for beauty; we seek it everywhere - in landscape, music, art, clothes, furniture, gardening, companionship, love, religion and in ourselves. No one would desire not to be beautiful. When we experience the beautiful, there is a sense of homecoming."

This is incontrovertible. But not just limited to art, but a lot more about your personality. Even when its just cut-offs and a t-shirt.

Trying to look pro may be motivation for some but for others, matching clothes to bike has nothing to do with the desire to look like a professional.

I for one, prefer understated, simpler and more elegant designs rather than the sponsored pro look. Just because a garment is simple doesn't mean it is fredly or that it cannot match the bike.


-Tim-

I wish more people felt this way.

I was staying at a Ritz Carlton in Georgia, sort of an impromptu trip - didn't bring a sport jacket or slacks. When I checked in I noticed the bars and restaurants had a very east coast dress code, and I didn't make the cut. I asked this sassy woman behind the counter if I could slide into the restaurant lounge Cali style...see said, in a very Southern drawl, "Honey..., just look put together".

Me. Hi vis yellow or green synthetic t-shirt, padded short liners, and cargo shorts or basketball shorts. Random regular white cotton socks, and my New Balance composite toe work shoes since I can't find anything affordable in 3-4E width of shoes to use on the bike.

That's the south right there.

In NY they would say, "Just make it look like you give a crap."

Nothing could be further from the truth. Where there is a uniform there is fashion, and cycling has a uniform. Its what separates a cyclist from someone who rides a bike.

Oh you mean a real deal fashion correct uniformed "Cyclist" who is a Real Cyclist, also known as a True Cyclist, or as a Serious Cyclist? And now from the pretentious crowd, the latest and greatest self-definition used to differentiate themselves from the unworthy riff-raff who only ride a bike, the Self Respecting Cyclist™!

so I just ride a bike then. Cool with me. Also I ride slow and stop a lot to enjoy the sites. But I enjoy just riding a bike as much as you enjoy being a cyclist. I wear GD jerseys and cycling shorts just because their comfortable, not a uniform to me. We are all brothers and sisters of the bike so promote cycling for all. The more there are of bike riders the more we will get our fair share of the road.

I've been a bike commuter and recreational rider for 11 years now...You mean that I am not a cyclists just because I don't dress like one ??.

Sometimes.....

God no! My bike is all black. I would look like a Ninja!

LOL, no, everyone's not beautiful and everything's not beautiful.. unless you live at the quantum level of reality....

Be enlightened about what a Serial Serious Cyclist is talking about when he pontificates about wearing the proper uniform when riding a bicycle. Riff-raff who only are just riding a bicycle are not invited or welcome in the Worthy Cyclists Club (AKA self described, "self respecting cyclists").

No.

Fantastic troll thread by the OP.

Amazing that so many took the bait.

And don't you forget it. Incidentally, thanks for the walk down memory lane. I have many fawned memories of traversing the causeway.

"Unworthy riff-raff" are your words. Nobody but you said that.

With all due respect sir, you need to look in the mirror before you mock and condescend to others. Your behavior is the same as those you accuse.

Wear whatever you want but my posts were about dressing for a major cycling event, not riding around an army base. This was explained now three times but seems to have been lost on you.

Oh I got "it" alright; "it" being how "self-respecting" cyclists like yourself go about "dressing" for whatever you think is a "major cycling event" (your peculiar cycling scenario not mentioned in the OP), or how real deal "Cyclists" like KraneXL believe donning the proper "uniform" for cycling makes them something oh-so-special.

I'd like to go for a ride with Tim and ILTB. (and a few others here) Not sure what I'll wear but I want it to be something special!