There's a reason people who are going to be on a bike for a long time wear lycra....or at least some kind of cycling-specific clothes. They're more comfortable and practical for cycling than normal clothes.I think that sums up the more relaxed attitude to cycling - no lycra, no helmets, no flash bikes and no racing about.
Here people who cycle are 'into cycling' and so take it a bit too seriously.
Of course two important differences are the terrain and segregated cycle infrastructure. None of the stuff in that video is going to happen if you've got a hill on your commute or a bus up your backside!
Nonsense unless you want to go fast. Lycra is a performance material. Normal clothes are more practical than lycra for everyday cycling because you don't have to carry a change of clothes around for when you get to work, shops, friends, wherever.There's a reason people who are going to be on a bike for a long time wear lycra....or at least some kind of cycling-specific clothes. They're more comfortable and practical for cycling than normal clothes.
That's my take too.Nonsense unless you want to go fast. Lycra is a performance material. Normal clothes are more practical than lycra for everyday cycling because you don't have to carry a change of clothes around for when you get to work, shops, friends, wherever.
Base layers are great if you're cycling distance/speed for wicking sweat away, doesn't need to be lycra though, sports top does just as well, I guess there's aerodynamic advantages to lycra tops if you're pushing at the margins.That's my take too.
I'm lucky in that my employer has a relaxed dress code.
I'm lucky in that although I almost always work up a sweat, all I need is a clean tee shirt.
I've learned that most of the year I don't need waterproof leggings for a sprinkle when the journey is only half an hour and worst case I always keep spare trousers at work. I put on the rubber trousers only a handful of times a year and often regret doing so.
On camping trips in mid summer, I've encountered no problems simply allowing myself to get soaked and then dry out.
The only time my layers of cotton let me down is if I go for a 20 mile ride on a winter's day - when hypothermia can get a grip if I don't brave the cold, strip off and put on a dry tee shirt - so I repeatedly consider getting a base layer.
That said, when it's really cold on my commute, I'm glad that I have a pretty well unbustable bike so I haven't had to stop for repairs more than once every few years.
If I didn't live in the mild south west, I would probably have to rethink my strategy.
It's not "nonsense". For a start cycling shorts have a padded insert, which you really need if you're going to be on a bike for a long time. They will also let your legs move more freely than normal trousers will. And clothes designed for cycling will wick sweat away and not leave you in a cold damp mess like cotton will.Nonsense unless you want to go fast. Lycra is a performance material. Normal clothes are more practical than lycra for everyday cycling because you don't have to carry a change of clothes around for when you get to work, shops, friends, wherever.
Geography is a red herring too, places like kiel (iirc) in Germany are very hilly but have good infra and high rates of cycling participation. I can't watch the vid in the op atm though. Bristol is very hilly too and has >10% share iirc with little infra in place, would be much higher if there was infra.
Nonsense unless you want to go fast. Lycra is a performance material. Normal clothes are more practical than lycra for everyday cycling because you don't have to carry a change of clothes around for when you get to work, shops, friends, wherever.
Geography is a red herring too, places like kiel (iirc) in Germany are very hilly but have good infra and high rates of cycling participation. I can't watch the vid in the op atm though. Bristol is very hilly too and has >10% share iirc with little infra in place, would be much higher if there was infra.
It's not "nonsense". For a start cycling shorts have a padded insert, which you really need if you're going to be on a bike for a long time. They will also let your legs move more freely than normal trousers will. And clothes designed for cycling will wick sweat away and not leave you in a cold damp mess like cotton will.
I loved cycling in Holland when i lived there. No helmet no racing normal clothes. Own traffic lights. Cars always give way. Never horn you even you are in their way .
I even saw people cycling together holding hands, mothers with newborns on the back.
Cycling there is like walking. A total norm.
It's not "nonsense". For a start cycling shorts have a padded insert, which you really need if you're going to be on a bike for a long time. They will also let your legs move more freely than normal trousers will. And clothes designed for cycling will wick sweat away and not leave you in a cold damp mess like cotton will.
You really bought into all this haven't you?It's not "nonsense". For a start cycling shorts have a padded insert, which you really need if you're going to be on a bike for a long time. They will also let your legs move more freely than normal trousers will. And clothes designed for cycling will wick sweat away and not leave you in a cold damp mess like cotton will.
I see too many pricks in all the lycra gear racing about like complete idiots, only for me to overtake them later on a hill, wearing my office attire a waterproof coat and not even breaking a sweat!
It's not "nonsense". For a start cycling shorts have a padded insert, which you really need if you're going to be on a bike for a long time. They will also let your legs move more freely than normal trousers will. And clothes designed for cycling will wick sweat away and not leave you in a cold damp mess like cotton will.
Umm.........I'll remind you that in the post I replied to you said "for cycling" not "for cycling long distances" or "for cycling for a long time".
There's a reason people who are going to be on a bike for a long time wear lycra....or at least some kind of cycling-specific clothes. They're more comfortable and practical for cycling than normal clothes.
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Umm.........
I also said "or at least some kind of cycling-specific clothes". Why are you fixated with lycra?
Why do you think places like Evans are chock full of cycling clothes? And it's not because all their customers see themselves as potential Tour de France entrants.
Often I wear lycra for the sheer pleasure of it