big john

Judgmental much?

terrymorse 

Looks can be deceiving. I know a few riders with large bellies who can rip my legs off and beat me over the head with them.

rsbob 

Not exactly an Uber-expensive Italian bike nor a red Corvette, but I am getting along with my mid-life issues just fine. Sorry, don’t have a picture of my cargo shorts. And do I care what you think? Not so much.

indyfabz

Define irony .

pepperbelly

I bought a 10 year old Specialized Roubaix when I retired in ‘20 and drive a ‘15 Jeep JKU. I have lost a lot of weight but have more to go.
At 65 I really don’t care what other people think about how I look. As long as I am improving I’m happy. If someone else is unhappy about me that’s on them.
​​​​​​​ I don’t try to look “youthful” but I refuse to look like an old man.

Calsun

,

Big John - in case you missed the point of this thread, it it entirely judgmental as are all the posts in this thread. It is naturally subjective, but nonetheless a judgement of how people look which is extremely common in the age of the internet. Facebook and similar websites would have a tiny fraction of their traffic and posts without people making judgements of one type or another about the posts.

Eric F 

As someone firmly in that era of my life, I have a slightly different perspective on what is commonly referred to as a "mid-life crisis". Sports cars, high-end bikes, etc. are the awesome toys we have ALWAYS wanted. Now we can finally afford them, and can still appreciate their fine qualities.

How are you sure what they are thinking? Here's another possibility...Those clothes are what they are comfortable with, and they really don't care about what anyone else thinks (except maybe their significant other).

big john

I know. A little harmless chiding is fine. I dress like a Fred and have received my share of teasing about it and that's fine. It's what friends do.

What I object to is the superiority thing and saying someone shouldn't have a certain bike because they are not worthy, Or just mocking someone because of their body shape. Anyone should buy the bike they want. If it makes them want to ride, that's the point.

I also don't get the thing about cars. Like bikes, buy what you want. If you're having a mid-life thing and you want a Porsche and you have the money, why not?
I was riding with a friend one day and he mentioned he had sold off some stock so he could pay cash for a new 911. I was happy for him. Nice man, generous to everyone, even paid for the wedding reception for a couple in our club who got married.

I don't see anything wrong with people buying the things they want. I also don't see anything wrong with wearing team kits. If I see an older man in a Bora jersey I know he's not a team rider. Maybe he just wants to show support to the team. Maybe he likes the jersey and got it on sale.

obrentharris 

Do Old Men Look Super Silly Dragging this Inane Thread On for Over 300 Posts?

Brent

big john

A 14 year old thread, at that.

pepperbelly

A belly does not need to extend over shorts. Bibs eliminate that threat. 😎

big john

I have not tried bibs. I just let my aerobelly fly free.

pepperbelly

Aerobelly. I like it! 😄

big john

I'm told it really helps on a recumbent.

bikemig 

I started out bike riding in cut offs, t shirts, and sneakers like I'm sure most people did. Then I got into racing and I had lycra shorts, jerseys, proper bike shoes (cleated of course with toe clips and straps before graduating to clipless). Now I just figure it's time to go back full circle. I wear t shirts (although they're made from some hi tech fabric) and flat pedal shoes that look a lot like my old sneakers, but I'm not getting back into cut off jeans. No damn way I'm giving up on lycra. I just fixed up my '79 Trek 510 to ride since the weather has gotten crazy warm in central Iowa.

pepperbelly

It's warm here in Fort Worth too.
I use flat pedal and some Fila athletic shoes that have a mostly mesh upper. I wear bibs and a jersey- just for the pocket, for now. Once it gets really warm I will put a bag back on the bike for keys and phone etc. Then I wear quick-dry athletic shirts. They are looser than a jersey. It probably either makes no difference or the jersey may be better but thats how my head feels.
I never wore a helmet as a kid-nobody did. I won’t ride without one on now.

rsbob 

Spanx for middle aged cyclists.

pepperbelly

😄😄😄

rydabent

I still ride in shorts and T-shirts. Why pay a fortune for a kit, just because some think that is the thing to do.

Eric F 

Do you believe that everyone wearing bike kit clothing is doing it because they "think that is the thing to do"? Do you think it's possible that some people wear bike kit clothing because they recognize and appreciate that it's optimized for riding bicycles, and it improves their riding experience?

big john

Aren't you supposed to refrain from this stuff?

And a "fortune"? Really?

PeteHski

What’s the problem with riding in riding clothes? It’s almost like they were designed for riding.

The cut might be a bit unflattering for some, but that just gives me more incentive to stay in shape.

But I don’t wear team replica kit. I prefer the non-team versions of the same gear in my favourite colours.

JoeyBike

I always enjoy seeing cyclists wearing road kits with top speeds of 12mph. I see it every day. Logos a-blazing! Very aerodynamic!

I'm sure there are many cyclists I see wearing off road kits. Baggie shorts with padded liners, tech-Ts, etc. I wouldn't know for sure because they look like "normal" people out for a bike ride.

If you regularly see your speed hitting/exceeding 25 mph on the flats, then full roadie kit for sure. Otherwise it's a waste of money and kinda hilarious.

big john

I don't see what speed has to do with it. Aerodynamics is a small part of it for most recreational riders. Sweat management is key. I sweat buckets regardless of the weather. I've ridden in humid weather in a tee shirt and had trouble peeling it off after. This doesn't happen with a bike jersey.

In cold weather cotton tees will get wet and make you cold. Ever hear the expression "cotton kills"?

Jerseys have rear pockets for carrying layers, food, whatever.

And shorts or bibs are chosen for the same reason. Sweat management helps with comfort. I can't average 25mph but I wouldn't want to spend 6 hours on the bike without Lycra shorts. And I wear the same clothes on the mtb as on the road bike.

JoeyBike

I like the "A-B-C RULE" Anything But Cotton for staying warm in cold weather. I own a ton of synthetic clothing including boxers and briefs, shirts, slacks, shorts, socks. I never wear a stitch of cotton during outdoor activities. None of it is skin tight, other than the briefs and socks. I've cycled across the USA five times, average 60 miles/day, somehow without looking like a TDF entry. Just saying, it is possible.

Agreed. I have several jerseys. Again, none of them have Italian dish soap logos on them. None are skin tight. It is possible.

I've never owned bibs but I get it. That waistband thing is a drag. Keep in mind that the sun hitting skin tight synthetic clothing will heat you up like the surface of Mercury. In hot weather, skin tight synthetics may "handle" perspiration better than cotton but it is going to make you sweat more than necessary.

Ever seen professional field hands picking in the fields on a hot day? A couple layers of loose cotton to keep the sun from heating skin through the fabric. Kinda like working under a shade tarp. Not saying you would necessarily want to cycle in that style of clothing but it is the polar opposite of skin tight synthetics. Something to ponder.

Photograph from the National Archives, Gallery