There have been a few posts on the "Spotted" thread about apparent contrast between clothes choice and bike choice (+ apparent skills/fitness) - started here
Thought I might start a new thread. .
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Debate!
Dress code
(49 posts)-
Posted 13 years ago #
-
No matter what you wear - As long as you do!
Posted 13 years ago # -
No matter what you wear - As long as you do!
Is that a vote against WNBR?
Posted 13 years ago # -
They're not strictly naked though. It should be renamed World Pants Bike Ride...
Posted 13 years ago # -
"They're not strictly naked though."
This IS Edinburgh.
I thought this was going to be a serious thread...
The wonders of CCE!
Posted 13 years ago # -
I think it comes as a surprise to many that you can just ride about in the clothes you've got on - as with a certain item of equipment that shall remain nameless, some things are just assumed to be "the way".
This is the fundamental difference between us and, say, the Dutch. It's not only bold to suggest that people can ride a bike "as they are" but actually quite controversial. The more normal something seems, the more it threatens the status quo (for some cyclists as well as others!).
Advocating bike use "as you are" requires an acceptance of a few things - cyclists are just normal people, cycling is not dangerous - that most of society (including many cyclists) are not prepared to accept.
I notice, for example, a distinctly different attitude when I ride the lowracer in jeans compared with full "go fast" kit. A lot of recumbent-phobic cyclists seem to be able to grudgingly accept it as a kind of ultra-deviant but fundamentally understandable quest for speed.
Seeing me on the bike in ordinary clothes brings out a swathe more "oh my God, you are totally invisible and moments away from death, I am morally outraged etc blah blah" comments.
Posted 13 years ago # -
I thought this was going to be a serious thread...
To get back on topic: the most mismatched bike/rider combo I've seen was on the Edinburgh to St Andrews ride a couple of years ago. An ONCE time trial bike with yellow tyres, frame, bar tape etc. etc. possibly a Tour limited edition, ridden by a guy in cut-off jeans.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Me thinks a hipster.
Posted 13 years ago # -
A n00b could have got the gear to encourage themselves. Perhaps they owned no activity-suitable clothing prior to getting a bike so had to get something and so got something bikeish. Perhaps someone stole their bike-specific footwear from the office changing-room. Perhaps they're borrowing a bike or using an old spare whilst the bike which fits their clothing more appropriately gets repaired. I had to edit two paragraphs of droning of this sort out of the thing I just sent .anth for ccs02e02.
The only things about which I harbour disapproving thoughts are the pseudo-Tour-team logo-festooned getups which look like trying too hard and people who can somehow wear full office clothing (including jacket, tie and shoes) yet somehow manage to pedal to work wearing a zipped-up waterproof coat without being dissolved by their own sweat.
I've acquired cycle-specific stuff slowly and gradually, starting with gloves in 2000 and most recently adding some knee-warmers to my modular multi-season shorts/leg-warmers system which has so far prevented me from having to fork out for an entire set of tights. I've had to forgo my normal protective colouration for the sake of visibility but can generally wear my cycling stuff at all times, cutting down on additional-clothing costs. Cycling baggies tend to be much more strongly-seamed than normalwear shorts so are more economical in the long run, though if normal baggy shorts had decent zippable pockets I'd have taken far longer to discover Endura's wares.
Posted 13 years ago # -
I used to wear my hill walking kit for riding my mountain bike - boots, stretchy Troll trousers, fleece top and GoreTex waterproof. This was fine until one bitterly cold morning on the ride into Leith when the wind-chill got so unbearable that I had to dig a sock out of my rucksack and place it "strategically". That has to trump just about every dress-code violation.
Posted 13 years ago # -
I was dead scared going for a cycle ride with some friends a few months ago. I knew there was another girl that i didn't know coming and when she turned up on a flashy looking road bike with matching roadie jersey and shorts I was really worried. Especially since I was on my X bike and my legs were absolutely dead.
To cut a long story short, turns out I needn't have worried and my legs got plenty of rest stopping to wait for her so often.
Was quite funny though. :-)
Posted 13 years ago # -
Tweed FTW
Posted 13 years ago # -
Horses for courses, innit?
I'll wear the full lycra shebang if I'm going for a fast (for me) roadbike ride out in the countryside. It's comfortable.
Round town on my single speed, I'll tend to wear whatever seems appropriate for my destination (I'm not one for rocking the lycra at the resatuarant/cinema/Queen's Hall look, which I'm sure everyone is glad of).
However, I'll usually pick clothes that I know will not be uncomfortable on the bike, so it's often outdoorsy/hillwalking gear (but then, I wear a fair bit of that casually anyway).
I've also got some cycle-specific casual clothing, which is good on the bike (designed to allow an unrestricted reach to the handlebars, long sleeves, discreet reflective bits and bobs without being full-on neon yellow/night vision stuff, etc). That stuff doesn't scream "peloton" when not on the bike as well.
I don't have any of the neon super-reflective stuff, but then as I don't commute by bike I'm rarely in the position where I'm conscious of the necessity of making myself extra visible for bleary-eyed drivers. I suspect the bicycle commute thing is the reason why the vast majority of the bright cycle-specific clothes are sold, and I can fully appreciate why.
It'd be interesting to know how many cycle-commuters wear that sort of gear when it's a non-work ride.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Yesterday saw a bloke in white shirt, tie, leather bag over shoulder (ie quite chic), but accessorised (sp??) with reflective vest and helmet. What i would call sensible and not a million miles away from what I do (although his clothing a bit cooler looking than mine), but somehow it looked silly.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Totally agree with Min's point - what a cyclist is wearing in no way dictates their abilities. It's horses for courses in moi opinion - whatever works for the individual and their style of cycling.
What I wear on the bike has evolved over time, I started out with some baggy shorts and a black plastic waterproof jacket now I commute in a fleece jacket a merino vest and bibshorts - wearing progressivley less as it gets warmer. I've also discovered the joy of buff and the joy of skullcap. I've got a new (and more visible!) waterproof that I only ever wear if it's proper "raining" - otherwise I get wet from the inside out. I have been known to wander round Waitrose in my weekend lycra, but I didn't put that on to go to Waitrose, I just happened to be wearing it when I decided to go, and it wouldn't be my first choice of attire if I'm going to head out to the shops. If I'm going down to the shops or the pub I'm happy just to tuck my trousers into my socks / roll them up a bit, don a hat that will stop my "regular" glasses sliding off my face and put a foldaway windproof on top for some extra visibility / keeping the breeze out and take things at a more relaxed pace. Likewise, if I'm going out for a 60 mile ride, I'll want to get some "proper" clobber on so that I'm warm and comfortable and don't end up a soaking, sweaty mess (at least not until mile 40).
Posted 13 years ago # -
On the road bike I wear tights and bright top, with HH and Wool jumper underneath, as I perspire and shower afterwards. On my usual cycle to the train st, I just add a Helmet to my normal clothes.
Posted 13 years ago # -
I'm a be-lycrad commuter, but it's cold and windy out here by the airport so I say a secret thanks to whoever invented roubaix every cold day.
If I'm popping down to ocean terminal or somesuchplace I'll just be in jeans and really take enjoyment in having a big jacket flapping behind me. Guessing it makes me a bit more visible to the motors.
Usually have bike shoes on when on bike, it's just so much easier. If you hear a clip clop if you are ever in ocean terminal, it's probably me!
Posted 13 years ago # -
Edit - seems PS and I pretty much wrote the same post. I also have nothing in dayglo-fluo yellow, as it's a colour I can't abide. Regular yellow is much nicer and my waterproof is white and retroreflective which is far more visible at night.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Final thought - jeans don't really work for me when I cycle. Problems in the "thigh girth" and knee-bending departments. Cords seem to work just fine though.
Posted 13 years ago # -
I usually wear jeans or the black chainstore equivalent.
Never really had any problems, not much fun if they get wet but I have waterproof overtrousers these days. I don't do mega distances at high speed, but often wear cycling shorts underneath for extra comfort - though generally a good well adjusted saddle can make more of a difference.
All my bikes have different saddles. Some are more comfortable than others, but I've never taken the time to work out why - just get rid of ones that 'offend'.
When mountain bikes were relatively new I took one on the St. Andrews Ride. A complete stranger 'told me off' for wearing jeans. The fat tyres were more inconvenient.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Cords FTW. Bestest Trousahs Evah. I got a lovely new pair from the gap the other day there.
Although had an embarrassing moment when I went to return something I had bought daughter when I realised that EVERY single stitch of clothing I was wearing, absolutely everything except my cycle shoes was from there.
But that's only cos we don't have UNIQLO up here, and most my shopping is either in Ocean Terminal or the Gyle.
Posted 13 years ago # -
I don't do mega distances at high speed, but often wear cycling shorts underneath for extra comfort
So the secret is out - beneath his casual "man in black" apparel, chdot is a secret lycra warrior!
Would you like to confess to the polystyrene implants in your hair at the same time?
Posted 13 years ago # -
My winter commuting gear is a (barely) waterproof jacket (orange), couple of long sleeve wicking t's, a few pairs of tracksuit bottoms (not worn at once) and depending on the cold/rain a merino long sleve top and water proof over trews.
Summer is "normal" shorts and a wicking t. Never have gotten much bike specific gear for commuting, i really should longs and decent cycling jacket would make things more comfortable.
Shops etc i just wear jeans purely because i don't have anything more comfortable, really don't like wearing jeans on the bike but my tracksuit bottoms are mostly scabby.
Longer run or mtbing cycling shorts and some combination of the above, like i said don't have much specific gear.... must buy more.
Posted 13 years ago # -
If price isn't the only consideration -
http://www.rapha.cc/shop/paul-smith
Generally I think it's encouraging that such a brand exists - and seems to be thriving.
Clearly it's not hard to be suspicious of the slightly aloof blokey/roadie marketing, but, as with this thread, it's about whatever gets people riding.
("Paul Smith" isn't just a brand - he's a long time cyclist.)
Posted 13 years ago # -
You can get frames with Paul Smith designs I think. From Condor if memory serves me correctly. not cheap - but again if that's what a certain segment of the cycling world wants or demands then fill it. Better on a £2000 bike frame than in a £100,000 car.
Posted 13 years ago # -
"Better on a £2000 bike frame than in a £100,000 car"
Yes.
(Though some will have both...)
Posted 13 years ago # -
I'm keen on Rohan as they have zipped pockets and light material. On bent I don't need an additional seat pad.
On tours I'm going really slow usually.For fast riding it has to be longs or the Humvees - for when the hot weather returns
Go to Netherlands and Denmark and you'll hardly see anyone in special clothing inside the cities.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Bah all them chic Copenhagen cyclists are all wearing lycra skinsuits underneath their macintosh coats and areo helmets beneath their furry hats
Posted 13 years ago # -
The Rapha/Paul Smith thing is definitely about a different sort of retro/chic -
The bike looks 'Euro/UK 60's' but is "Beloved Cycles. American. Handbuilt"
Like their blurb -
"
To feel the wind in your hair.To feel the sun on your face. To find new love for the neighborhoods, the street corners, the passers-by. To re-inspire the well grooved commute. The freedom to find a new way. To wander. To work.
To be among friends.
Let us chase the sun.
"Posted 13 years ago # -
*heave*
I'm currently on Zymes instead of Humvees but the slightly wider and lower gape of the Zyme's leg-hole has managed to unclip one mini-pump (immediately destroyed by motor traffic on Queen Street) and almost took out a bottle the same way. Now that it's getting lighter the Humvees can come back out and I can restore my black/grey wicking tees back into rotation for daytime use.
Posted 13 years ago #
Reply »
You must log in to post.
posts
