Do you hate looking like a roadie?
#126
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i guess people dress like lance cause they wanna be seen as "racers". kinda like car commuters wearing nomex driving suits and full face helmets inside their Lincoln Navigators. once bikes are more accepted as transportation and less as toys, "normal clothes riding" will be more common.
#127
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"Normal clothes riding" will never be popular when the distance is more than a few miles.
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i guess people dress like lance cause they wanna be seen as "racers". kinda like car commuters wearing nomex driving suits and full face helmets inside their Lincoln Navigators. once bikes are more accepted as transportation and less as toys, "normal clothes riding" will be more common.
The issue is not lycra or fancy jeans per se. Not everyone who wears a full kit is doing it for image control. There are practical benefits to lycra. I am miserable on long hilly rides in the Summer in anything but bike shorts. And there are practical benefits for choosing casual bike specific clothing. I don't like wearing bike shorts on easy rides to social events, but cuffs get caught in the chain. I roll my pant legs up and incorporate it into my style.
But as Thoreau noted, "Distrust any enterprise that requires new clothes."
The idea of "normal clothes riding" becoming more common as bikes are more accepted as transportation is simply not true. It's not exclusive to bicycling. It's American poseur culture. It happened in Japan post WWII, and it's happening here now. It's a product of homogenized suburban life, which sends many humans into an identity crisis of sorts. This craving for meaning and individuality, in the face of the mundane, is funneled into one of many subgenres, such as punk, goth, hipster, cyclist, vampyre, neo-pagan, etc. etc. As long as this need to self-label into an exclusive small group, in search of identity, and by means of appearance exists, there will be cyclists who ride full kit for the sake of image, and cyclists who ride fixed gear in tight jeans, for the sake of image.
#130
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Originally Posted by highroller
dont need to dress like you are in a cycle race to commute no matter how long the distance.
#131
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If you mean I don't need company logos and colored panels plastered all over my body, sure.
If you mean I don't need the cycling shorts and jersey, you were misinformed.
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Does that mean I can't wear a nascar fire suit while driving my car? Man. Y'all are so picky. We really need a rule book to make everyone happy.
Rules:
1) You can't wear lycra while riding a bike to work
2) Wearing normal clothes is also bad.
3) Thus, you may only ride to work in a suit, tux, or swimwear.
4) You must move closer to work.
5) All riders in an area with weather not conducive to cycling must move or drive a car.
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Analogy fail. Key Difference: driving = nonphysical activity, biking = physical activity. Therefore it is often impractical for people to cycle to work in clothes that they will work in and could drive in. I have to wear something different to ride to work than I wear at work. So sometimes I wear cycling specific gear because it is comfortable and is well suited to cycling. I am not going to wear jeans and a t-shirt to ride my bike because I don't see any reason to be uncomfortable on purpose.
allow me to clarify. by normal clothes, i mean normal-looking, as in no gaudy TEAM-issue racer wear. I am fully aware that cotton jeans etc. do not work for commuting. I must have wicking, wind-blocking type fabrics. no argument. My issue is with people needing to look racey.
if bikes are serious commuting vehicles, then no racer wear is needed. just like commuting in a car.
better?
#134
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I really think that a lot of this is really insecurity about ourselves, expressed outwardly.
The newbie Fred wearing expensive full kit, and going super slow? Why hate him/her? It's their own money they spent, and you can pass them.
The emo kid with tight jeans and over-dyed hair? Why hate him/her? You're more comfortable being and acting as you are, so keep riding.
The fast roadie that left you in the dust on that huge climb, wearing lycra and riding on carbon fiber? If you're not jealous, then just keep pedaling.
That hipster wearing vintage wingtips and pedaling down the road? Maybe he really does have an in depth understanding of existentialist literature, and his band actually sounds really good. You don't know.
We have a hard time getting over other people and how they look, because we've bought into the labels. We craft imaginary behaviors for these people, and pretend to judge them on those (that roadie is a rich snob, that hipster drinks overpriced PBR and is a pseudo-intellectual). But really, we're judging them on how they look... And when it ruffles our feathers, it shows what we fear about ourselves. We fear becoming a poseur ourselves, so we have to condemn it in its hypothetical manifestation in others.
Just ride and let ride.
The newbie Fred wearing expensive full kit, and going super slow? Why hate him/her? It's their own money they spent, and you can pass them.
The emo kid with tight jeans and over-dyed hair? Why hate him/her? You're more comfortable being and acting as you are, so keep riding.
The fast roadie that left you in the dust on that huge climb, wearing lycra and riding on carbon fiber? If you're not jealous, then just keep pedaling.
That hipster wearing vintage wingtips and pedaling down the road? Maybe he really does have an in depth understanding of existentialist literature, and his band actually sounds really good. You don't know.
We have a hard time getting over other people and how they look, because we've bought into the labels. We craft imaginary behaviors for these people, and pretend to judge them on those (that roadie is a rich snob, that hipster drinks overpriced PBR and is a pseudo-intellectual). But really, we're judging them on how they look... And when it ruffles our feathers, it shows what we fear about ourselves. We fear becoming a poseur ourselves, so we have to condemn it in its hypothetical manifestation in others.
Just ride and let ride.
#135
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allow me to clarify. by normal clothes, i mean normal-looking, as in no gaudy TEAM-issue racer wear. I am fully aware that cotton jeans etc. do not work for commuting. I must have wicking, wind-blocking type fabrics. no argument. My issue is with people needing to look racey.
if bikes are serious commuting vehicles, then no racer wear is needed. just like commuting in a car.
better?
if bikes are serious commuting vehicles, then no racer wear is needed. just like commuting in a car.
better?
And I'll say "Well, some guy on the internet says I look lame if I wear team kit on my ride to work."
#136
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I have a more pragmatic theory. A lot of this is really sheer boredom at our jobs, expressed sneakily.
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if bikes are serious commuting vehicles, then no racer wear is needed. just like commuting in a car.
Seriously, stop pretending that we don't each like to exhibit our personal style. I have a funny moustache, and wear fedoras and argyle socks. Some people like "racer" jerseys. Some people like t-shirts and jeans. It's all vanity, but so what?
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I have a more pragmatic theory. A lot of this is really sheer boredom at our jobs, expressed sneakily.
Obsession with what the other earthlings are doing is universal. (I'm here commenting too)
(I was referring more narrowly to the condemnation of others for their style choices)
#139
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In 134 posts, not ONE person has mentioned bent riders.
We all know those lazy good for nothings have beards and are either professors or engineers.
It's part of their club. They got their own secret handshake and stuff....
P.S. (Is my sarcas-o-meter turned on??)
We all know those lazy good for nothings have beards and are either professors or engineers.
It's part of their club. They got their own secret handshake and stuff....
P.S. (Is my sarcas-o-meter turned on??)
#140
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As one of my favorite beer commercials said, "Duh-umb."
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Individual style is completely unnecessary for survival. We ought to all switch to plain, uniform clothing. I'm guessing you already have?
Seriously, stop pretending that we don't each like to exhibit our personal style. I have a funny moustache, and wear fedoras and argyle socks. Some people like "racer" jerseys. Some people like t-shirts and jeans. It's all vanity, but so what?
Seriously, stop pretending that we don't each like to exhibit our personal style. I have a funny moustache, and wear fedoras and argyle socks. Some people like "racer" jerseys. Some people like t-shirts and jeans. It's all vanity, but so what?
#142
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I really think that a lot of this is really insecurity about ourselves, expressed outwardly.
The newbie Fred wearing expensive full kit, and going super slow? Why hate him/her? It's their own money they spent, and you can pass them.
The emo kid with tight jeans and over-dyed hair? Why hate him/her? You're more comfortable being and acting as you are, so keep riding.
The fast roadie that left you in the dust on that huge climb, wearing lycra and riding on carbon fiber? If you're not jealous, then just keep pedaling.
That hipster wearing vintage wingtips and pedaling down the road? Maybe he really does have an in depth understanding of existentialist literature, and his band actually sounds really good. You don't know.
We have a hard time getting over other people and how they look, because we've bought into the labels. We craft imaginary behaviors for these people, and pretend to judge them on those (that roadie is a rich snob, that hipster drinks overpriced PBR and is a pseudo-intellectual). But really, we're judging them on how they look... And when it ruffles our feathers, it shows what we fear about ourselves. We fear becoming a poseur ourselves, so we have to condemn it in its hypothetical manifestation in others.
Just ride and let ride.
The newbie Fred wearing expensive full kit, and going super slow? Why hate him/her? It's their own money they spent, and you can pass them.
The emo kid with tight jeans and over-dyed hair? Why hate him/her? You're more comfortable being and acting as you are, so keep riding.
The fast roadie that left you in the dust on that huge climb, wearing lycra and riding on carbon fiber? If you're not jealous, then just keep pedaling.
That hipster wearing vintage wingtips and pedaling down the road? Maybe he really does have an in depth understanding of existentialist literature, and his band actually sounds really good. You don't know.
We have a hard time getting over other people and how they look, because we've bought into the labels. We craft imaginary behaviors for these people, and pretend to judge them on those (that roadie is a rich snob, that hipster drinks overpriced PBR and is a pseudo-intellectual). But really, we're judging them on how they look... And when it ruffles our feathers, it shows what we fear about ourselves. We fear becoming a poseur ourselves, so we have to condemn it in its hypothetical manifestation in others.
Just ride and let ride.
Are you a psych major or professional in said field? Your posts do actually make sense.
#143
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I love my job.
My CEO is swell.
I love my job.
My CEO is swell.
I love my job.
My CEO is swell.
I love my job.
My CEO is swell.
I love my job.
My CEO is swell.
I love my job.
My CEO is swell.
I love my job.
My CEO is swell.
I love my job.
My CEO is swell.
#145
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#146
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I never get what the thing is with normal clothes and cycling. I've done some pretty hefty rides and have never owned a single piece of cycle clothing (may change soon... will just have to wait and see) and never had any comfort problems.
Mind you, I did all those rides with flat bars as well which everyone *****es and moans about and the only problem I had with comfort was that I have rubbish grips and occasionally forgot to wear gloves.
Mind you, I did all those rides with flat bars as well which everyone *****es and moans about and the only problem I had with comfort was that I have rubbish grips and occasionally forgot to wear gloves.
#147
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I never get what the thing is with normal clothes and cycling. I've done some pretty hefty rides and have never owned a single piece of cycle clothing (may change soon... will just have to wait and see) and never had any comfort problems.
Mind you, I did all those rides with flat bars as well which everyone *****es and moans about and the only problem I had with comfort was that I have rubbish grips and occasionally forgot to wear gloves.
Mind you, I did all those rides with flat bars as well which everyone *****es and moans about and the only problem I had with comfort was that I have rubbish grips and occasionally forgot to wear gloves.
#148
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1. Wearing NY Giants football jersey while cycling - fine
2. Wearing Boston Celtics Basketball shorts while cycling - not real attractive but also fine
3. Wearing any cycling team jersey while cycling - not fine
Huh?
I'm assuming that wearing a NY Giants football jersey while playing a pickup football game is also OK. Shouldn't it be OK to wear a cycling team jersey while cycling?
I don't own a football jersey (anymore) or a real cycling jersey but I don't see what the problem is.
See Sig. FWIW I was afraid the lycra wars had taken a winter break.
2. Wearing Boston Celtics Basketball shorts while cycling - not real attractive but also fine
3. Wearing any cycling team jersey while cycling - not fine
Huh?
I'm assuming that wearing a NY Giants football jersey while playing a pickup football game is also OK. Shouldn't it be OK to wear a cycling team jersey while cycling?
I don't own a football jersey (anymore) or a real cycling jersey but I don't see what the problem is.
See Sig. FWIW I was afraid the lycra wars had taken a winter break.
#150
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Just because you can do something a certain way doesn't mean a better or at least a different method exists.
Cycling clothing has been around for quite sometime for very good reasons.
Cycling clothing has been around for quite sometime for very good reasons.