A cyclist's clothing is important. Besides making you look good it needs to protect you from the elements of nature, serve as a colorful "here I am" announcement, and help your body endure the duration of the ride. Some rules of thumb: stay comfortable Just having clothing that fits correctly can make, or not make, a ride enjoyable. And about those thin bike shorts? They're your first step towards "bike geek." Actually they the comfortable kind of shorts to ride in. The padding allows a rider to go on for hours without becoming saddle sore. And while that thin, black fabric may not look so neat off the bike most manufacturers have engineered layers into the fabric that act like a wick drawing out moisture. Most biking jerseys act in much the same way. They are also constructed to "breathe" cooling off the rider. Both good shorts and jerseys can range in price from around $30 to over $80. What makes one product better from the next is simply the fabrics and engineering. When shopping pay attention to what each product can "do" (i.e. wicking, breathing of the fabric, durability, etc.). The most expensive item is usually not necessary. A lot of the time you may end up paying for a scientific name that states: "polyester and lycra combined", with no real benefit. keep hands from getting tired If you've been riding your bike without biking gloves you've probably noticed that more often than not you come back from a ride with sore or just tired hands. While frequently changing the position of your hands on the handlebar can help this problem a pair of biking gloves can get rid of it altogether. Once again there are all sorts of fabrics and designs creating a price range from under $10 to over $40. It's good to keep in mind that biking gloves are only for comfort and offer little protection in a fall. Someone is into faced paced mountain biking, or downhilling may want to invest in a pair of full-fingered downhilling gloves. They are a little more expensive, but it'll help when you meet dirt and rock at a high speed hands first. when in doubt, dress in layers Bicycling attire is thin enough that there is great benefit in dressing for that "just in case." Especially in areas where weather can change rapidly and drastically having a warm wind breaker or a rain poncho along can get you home without being miserable. change attire for night Riding a bike at dusk or at night is extremely dangerous. Your bike should be equipped with light on the front and rear and you should be equipped with bright colored clothing and tape on reflectors. get the most out of your pedal stroke Many cyclist use toe clips on their pedals which grip their foot to the pedal making it easier to ride. As you become more serious about riding you may want to invest in shoes designed specifically for cycling. These shoes aren't great for walking in, but they do focus all of your leg's power to the ball of the foot increasing the power of your pedal stroke. If you then couple these shoes with a pair of clip-on pedals your are able to lock your feet to the bike and take full advantage by both pulling and pushing against the pedals. "it's too cold to ride" It's never too cold to ride. Okay, almost never. Just like every other time you ride, you need to dress for the elements during the winter. Trade in the lycra biking shorts for lycra biking pants, get a windbreaker to go over your jersey, and buy some full-fingered Therma Fleece gloves. This should keep you warm enough, but when it is really cold, it wouldn't hurt to get face cover and a helmet cover that stops cold air from flowing through your helmet vents and over your head. As with any sport, the variety of clothing and attire to choose from is immense. If you are comfortable, people can easily see you, and the clothing you wear promotes safe cycling then you're set to go.
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