A Beginner's Guide to Cycling Clothing
With Team GB's cyclists having done the country proud at both the Olympic and Paralympic Games, it's understandable that we will now see a surge in the number of people dusting off their old bikes, or even looking into bikes for sale, to discover the delights of two-wheeled transport.
And because many of these will be either complete newcomers to road cycling, or will have clocked up a long gap since the last time they took to the saddle, a guide to what's essential in the cycling clothingand equipment field is probably in order.
A helmet should be top of the shopping list for anyone intending to take their bike out onto busy roads, as this will offer valuable protection against any head injury sustained if you fall off your bike, or hit something (or someone) else quite hard.
Apart from this, it is down largely to personal taste and comfort issues when it comes to deciding what gear you wear when you take to the streets. However, a pair of gloves is often missed off some new cyclists' lists. Apart from offering protection against scrapes and bumps, they also help give you better control over every aspect of riding and controlling your bike which involves using your hands.
Debate rages in the cycling community over whether the best shoes for cycling are lace-ups or slip-ons, and whether the best system is shoes which whose fastening mechanism is integrated with the bike's pedals. This is again a matter which is down to the individual cyclist.
Many people like to be able to walk comfortable in their regular shoes as soon as they dismount from their bike. So rather than invest in specialist shoes, they will instead use overshoes. These can give a combination of good grip on the pedals, as well as being fitted with reflective strips, which are another useful aid to visibility in poor conditions.
One of the best ways to think about the subject of the best cycling clothing for your individual needs is to divide your needs into what to pack for warm and cold climates.
An essential whichever you are equipping yourself for is a good, waterproof jacket. A modern trend is for lightweight, easily foldable items, which offer good all-round protection, but can be quickly stashed away when, as often happens, a downpour is followed by the sun quickly coming out again. Whether a hood is necessary is a moot point, as this can impede your hearing which, of course, is very important whenever you're on the road.
If you intend to cycle in warm weather, a useful item will be a long-sleeved t-shirt, as this will offer extra protection against both the sun and possible insect bites.
If the converse applies, you will no doubt also be grateful for a pair of waterproof trousers, and probably even some thermal underwear.
Your final shopping list, though, will depend on whether you intend to be a fair-weather pedaller, or will be hitting the road in all conditions. So bear this in mind, as well as remembering that the British weather may well see you having to contend with weather which you wouldn't think twice about while under cover, but which will make a big difference to your overall enjoyment when you are exposed to the elements.
And because many of these will be either complete newcomers to road cycling, or will have clocked up a long gap since the last time they took to the saddle, a guide to what's essential in the cycling clothingand equipment field is probably in order.
A helmet should be top of the shopping list for anyone intending to take their bike out onto busy roads, as this will offer valuable protection against any head injury sustained if you fall off your bike, or hit something (or someone) else quite hard.
Apart from this, it is down largely to personal taste and comfort issues when it comes to deciding what gear you wear when you take to the streets. However, a pair of gloves is often missed off some new cyclists' lists. Apart from offering protection against scrapes and bumps, they also help give you better control over every aspect of riding and controlling your bike which involves using your hands.
Debate rages in the cycling community over whether the best shoes for cycling are lace-ups or slip-ons, and whether the best system is shoes which whose fastening mechanism is integrated with the bike's pedals. This is again a matter which is down to the individual cyclist.
Many people like to be able to walk comfortable in their regular shoes as soon as they dismount from their bike. So rather than invest in specialist shoes, they will instead use overshoes. These can give a combination of good grip on the pedals, as well as being fitted with reflective strips, which are another useful aid to visibility in poor conditions.
One of the best ways to think about the subject of the best cycling clothing for your individual needs is to divide your needs into what to pack for warm and cold climates.
An essential whichever you are equipping yourself for is a good, waterproof jacket. A modern trend is for lightweight, easily foldable items, which offer good all-round protection, but can be quickly stashed away when, as often happens, a downpour is followed by the sun quickly coming out again. Whether a hood is necessary is a moot point, as this can impede your hearing which, of course, is very important whenever you're on the road.
If you intend to cycle in warm weather, a useful item will be a long-sleeved t-shirt, as this will offer extra protection against both the sun and possible insect bites.
If the converse applies, you will no doubt also be grateful for a pair of waterproof trousers, and probably even some thermal underwear.
Your final shopping list, though, will depend on whether you intend to be a fair-weather pedaller, or will be hitting the road in all conditions. So bear this in mind, as well as remembering that the British weather may well see you having to contend with weather which you wouldn't think twice about while under cover, but which will make a big difference to your overall enjoyment when you are exposed to the elements.
Comments
Post a Comment