Dress code
06-29-21, 02:36 PM
#26
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06-29-21, 02:38 PM
#27
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When I resumed cycling in 2015, riding a comfort hybrid and wore casual clothes, I swore I'd never return to wearing those tighty wool jerseys and shorts with chamois and shoes with cleats and toe clips.
And I didn't. Nope. When I got my first road bike in 30+ years in 2017, I bought tighty Lycra and Spandex jerseys and padded shorts and bibs, and clipless shoes. Because it turned out to be functional.
And when I resumed jogging last autumn, for the first time in nearly 40 years, I swore I'd never return to wearing shorty shorts and sleeveless t-shirts.
And I didn't. Until February, when I added some real running shoes to the clot of gear. And shorty shorts. And sleeveless tees.
Once in awhile I tell myself I'm just going for a casual 5 mile walk. So I wear baggy shorts down to my knees. Then after warming up for a mile or so I decide to jog a little. And every time the baggy shorts restrict my leg movement I swear I'm just gonna wear shorty shorts every time, just in case I change my mind and decide to run.
I'm still on the verge of losing all sense of shame and wearing snug compression tights for runs on days when my hip is aching. Maybe after I lose 5 lbs.
Gotta let that Pre flag fly sometimes.
And I didn't. Nope. When I got my first road bike in 30+ years in 2017, I bought tighty Lycra and Spandex jerseys and padded shorts and bibs, and clipless shoes. Because it turned out to be functional.
And when I resumed jogging last autumn, for the first time in nearly 40 years, I swore I'd never return to wearing shorty shorts and sleeveless t-shirts.
And I didn't. Until February, when I added some real running shoes to the clot of gear. And shorty shorts. And sleeveless tees.
Once in awhile I tell myself I'm just going for a casual 5 mile walk. So I wear baggy shorts down to my knees. Then after warming up for a mile or so I decide to jog a little. And every time the baggy shorts restrict my leg movement I swear I'm just gonna wear shorty shorts every time, just in case I change my mind and decide to run.
I'm still on the verge of losing all sense of shame and wearing snug compression tights for runs on days when my hip is aching. Maybe after I lose 5 lbs.
Gotta let that Pre flag fly sometimes.
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06-29-21, 03:55 PM
#28
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Yep, I'm the same. I don't even wear spandex anymore, I wear new-fangled "gravel" shorts (sleeker MTB shorts basically). But I'm more hirsute than I would prefer, so why not? Every couple months I take my clippers and whack down the leg hair a bit. Simply looks better, what can I say?
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06-29-21, 04:41 PM
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"Everyone in this room is wearing a uniform and don't kid yourself!"---Frank Zappa, addressing an incoherent fan yelling about uniformed "pigs" patrolling the concert hall.
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06-29-21, 06:20 PM
#30
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Worked a rest stop at an event recently. I'm sure I won't make the cover of a magazine myself, but I at least keep my jersey zipped. Many of the guys with open jerseys should have kept them zipped just to hold their bellies up off of their shorts.
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06-29-21, 09:55 PM
#31
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This thread needs more pictures. Here's one my wife took of me a couple years back.
Brent
Brent
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07-04-21, 09:09 AM
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See lots of elderly couples riding their flat top bikes casually at around 10mph wearing full racing kit. Not a good look in my opinion. Wear what you want, but come on.
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07-05-21, 11:26 AM
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I turned 60 last May and no longer ride kit, although I still wear the lycra tops. I wear Columbia casual shorts with belt loops that I bought at a bike shop so I guess they're legit for bike riding. My other pair is Pearl Izumi MTB shorts with an inner liner but off the bike I feel like I'm wearing a diaper.
Any other suggestions for "old people" riding apparel?
Any other suggestions for "old people" riding apparel?
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07-05-21, 04:18 PM
#35
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Wear what you want to wear. People can think what they want, but would they change what they do because of what you think? Of course not. So, why should we change anything because of what they might think?
When I got into cycling in my 30s, I resisted wearing Lycra shorts at first because I'm not a follow-the-crowd type. Once I got my first pair, though, I was hooked. And yes, I know they don't flatter some figures, but comfort and function are more important than random people's opinions. And if Lycra shorts aren't your thing, that's great too. Do your thing.
When I got into cycling in my 30s, I resisted wearing Lycra shorts at first because I'm not a follow-the-crowd type. Once I got my first pair, though, I was hooked. And yes, I know they don't flatter some figures, but comfort and function are more important than random people's opinions. And if Lycra shorts aren't your thing, that's great too. Do your thing.
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07-06-21, 03:09 AM
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The USA seems to be the only country where wearing lycra and full kits will have people staring at you or laugh behind your back and make you want to dress more casual. Walk into a convenience store in Italy with a Team Sky kit and no one would probably even notice.
07-06-21, 06:34 AM
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I turned 60 last May and no longer ride kit, although I still wear the lycra tops. I wear Columbia casual shorts with belt loops that I bought at a bike shop so I guess they're legit for bike riding. My other pair is Pearl Izumi MTB shorts with an inner liner but off the bike I feel like I'm wearing a diaper.
Any other suggestions for "old people" riding apparel?
Any other suggestions for "old people" riding apparel?
Like you said though, I feel like I'm wearing some kind of diaper or something. They are comfortable for riding though.
07-06-21, 06:00 PM
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When I lived in San Diego, you could walk into a store in full kit on a ride and nobody would think twice. I live in the Florida Panhandle now....and cycling is pretty foreign out here. You will definitely get funny looks and a few laughs here in full kit. I just wear my bibs under a pair of lightweight gym shorts now. I never was comfortable in bibs in public anyway. I'm too slow to worry about aerodynamics.
07-06-21, 06:56 PM
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If you're trying for sex appeal, you're in the wrong sport on the wrong place on the internet talking to the wrong people.
If you're not trying for sex appeal, see a doctor.
If you're not trying for sex appeal, see a doctor.
07-06-21, 07:19 PM
#40
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Here in the SF Bay Area, nobody gives a second look to a cyclist in full kit.
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07-07-21, 03:04 AM
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Yeah I'm sure it's different there. I live in a small town on the NC/SC border and I have to drive 45 minutes to even have people to ride with. Where I live it's acceptable to wear your jeans literally hanging all the way below your butt cheeks with your underwear totally exposed. Never been able to figure how how they keep them attached and not fall down to the ankles. Not part way down mind you, ALL the way below the cheeks. But if you wear a cycling kit they look at you like an alien.
07-08-21, 09:13 PM
#42
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This ad on Danish TV for the TDF does a remarkable job of capturing the “dress code” and how it (we) are viewed by others. Pretty entertaining and spot on - as someone above said - “I’ve been seenl
Last edited by Hank195; 07-08-21 at 09:16 PM. Reason: Corrected link
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07-09-21, 10:19 AM
#43
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It was a bit different when I toured in southern Spain 21 years ago. First day I popped into a bar in a rural area for a quick Coke. Got disapproving looks from the after-church crowd. After that I would put on my rain pants before entering many places. Places like small stores being one exception.
In NE Italy in 2013 it was completely different. One day the group stopped at a really nice villa for pastries, etc. It was so nice actress Sandra Bullock had stayed there. There were photos of her in one hallway. The workers didn’t bat an eye. Wasn’t the only time either. We were in a popular cycling area that promoted cycle tourism. I’m sure that helped shape attitudes about dress.
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07-09-21, 10:26 AM
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Same experience in Tuscany/Umbria. Fantastic riding area. Popped in a cafe for an espresso and pastry and no reaction, other than maybe wincing at my terrible Italian.
07-09-21, 12:56 PM
#45
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The clown-factor of cycling gear increases exponentially with every metre of distance from the bike.
I remember caring about what other people thought of me; it happened during a two week period in 1977. Then I came back to my senses.
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07-13-21, 07:44 PM
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If you don't like the way I look .... don't look at me.
That's what I do.
That's what I do.
07-14-21, 02:50 AM
#47
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Tell me again why I should care about what non bikers think I should wear?
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07-15-21, 06:56 AM
#48
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Riders who wear "proper" biking attire probably cringe if they see me riding. With the exception of some loose fitting cycling pants, and some biking undershorts with chamois (strictly a comfort thing), I've never owned cycling specific attire. Loose fitting, wicking, t-shirts or long sleeved are my go to tops. Running shorts or long pants as mentioned for the bottoms. I use flat pedals with pins (and trail running shoes), for my road bike as well as the mtn.bike. Have some "shorty" socks with logos (gifts), that don't match shoes or any other piece of clothing I'm wearing. Maybe if I rode the road bike in a group, and I was faster and worried about keeping up, I might go for some more aero, fitted, bike specific clothing. For me, it's all about the comfort, and I'm not about to break any speed records. Wear what you want, what you like, and are comfortable wearing, I'll be out riding on what's comfortable to me. And I won't judge you for whatever you wear.
07-15-21, 11:22 PM
#49
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Just outlandish how some people display themselves in public early in the morning after a fast gravel stretch.
It is important to conform to the norm, ... in wool.
Thinking Pink for the next hair treat.
But you can't go wrong wearing that 'business casual' Polo jersey
It is important to conform to the norm, ... in wool.
Thinking Pink for the next hair treat.
But you can't go wrong wearing that 'business casual' Polo jersey
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07-16-21, 03:16 AM
#50
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One thing I have noticed is that older riders tend to wear the loudest jerseys covered in logos and wild designs haha. Seems like it would be the opposite. I personally wear all black with minimal stuff on them. It's less eye catching.
This is my latest one.
This is my latest one.