wrk101

Look stupid? Yes.
Does it matter? No.

But you are talking to an old guy that rides this bike through the neighborhood, along with a variety of bright jerseys and lycra (always). I have no doubt the neighbors are laughing, heck, I am laughing!:

cccorlew

We all look stupid in any bike clothes. Thinking there's a difference between subtle variations is the mistake.
That said, when I'm out with my wife I always wonder aloud: "How come everyone else looks so silly in their cycling clothes when we look so cool?"
She just shakes her head.

rubic

With the presentation of self in everyday life, we know that we are not stupid even if wearing cycling clothes. At least most of us should.

wobblyoldgeezer

Old guys....super stupid....team jerseys.....?

Riding bikes - no, in my view. Looks like enthusiasm

Shopping for groceries and loading a car, ballroom dancing, attending poodle obedience classes, being a square dance caller, teaching maths to junior school classes - no, in my view. Looks like enthusiasm

DougG

This also applies to bikes. There are several candidates for my next road bike, and for my capability level they're all pretty much interchangeable, just differing in the small details (Trek, Specialized, Cannondale, Giant). So my #1 criterion is styling, which on a bike is pretty much just the paint and graphics. So after deciding on the nicest looking one, I started asking myself if someone my age should be riding on a really flashy bike, or if I should look for one in basic black or silver.

Nah -- go for it while you've got it is my philosophy. I hang out with a bunch of 60+ triathletes who ride the latest, hottest bikes and could care less who's looking at them!

GeorgePaul

You guys are in great shape and look very good in your jerseys.

HIPCHIP

Nothing wrong with showing support for your clubs race team.
My club has a Masters' race team, so nothing but us more vintage racers!

rumrunn6

old guys (me included) can look super stupid so often and in so many ways - who minds one more

CACycling

My teenaged sons feel I look stupid in any bike clothes.

rumrunn6

I went through a wardrobe phase with my kids too. I started out using a mish-mosh of clothes and now that I have a suitable and acceptable ensemble they are my fans again. However my outfit does not include spandex as an outer layer.

SortaGrey

Like Forrest Gump sez... 'stupid is as stupid does'.

All the logos... makes me think.. nothing like those NASCAR'ers. I bet those types have it on their underwear too.

smoore

wrk101, love your bike. Haven't made the switch to clipless pedals yet?

Blanchje

Same with my son and daughter. I do it anyway

Allegheny Jet

My son's were in their early 20s' when they told me to loose the MTB shorts and dress like a cyclist on our club rides. It made a huge difference in fast pace lines not having the parachutes open.

sojourn

Stupid is probably the wrong term.....funnylooken, escape from the gay parade, all gut and no glory, OMG!, "Stop staring at the man honey", "It's not polite to point and laugh honey", "What's his skin color, is that Gray??", "Is the jersey wrinkled, or is that his skin?", "PULLEASE cover those legs with SOMETHING, ANYTHING!", "I think that material looks, uhhh, VERY different, YES, VERRRRY different on you"....
So, like I said, looking stupid is not the term most folks would use based on my experience....just sayen.....

Tom Stormcrowe

I don't much care if I look stupid or not.


compared to this, 5 years ago?



I'm just glad to be able to wear the Lycra and look pretty decent.

az_cyclist

I grew up in Indiana, and lived in Franklin Twp before I moved to Phoenix.

FlatSix911

Tom, the before and after photos are amazing ... way to go!

layedback1

I kinda think that old guys look a little silly in spandex. But as some mention, who cares. In my case I ride a recumbent so all the spandex and dead goat skins are moot. The big advantage of this is I save the high price of the kit. Simple t-shirts and and sweat shorts work just fine.

In another thread about recumbents someone complained that bent riders didnt come to rides looking like "real" cyclist. Tough--looks and style dont mean much to me anymore.

Billy Bones

This thread led me to remember all those great 70s-era of Jacques Cousteau films. They depicted him in his later years waltzing around the globe's watery places in 'Speedo'. I remember at the time praying that Fortuna give me the self-assurance and distain for convention that she gave Jacques.

Well, guess what? I-am-now-his-age-then.

I wear what I like. . .or DON'T wear. . .as the situation dictates.

Thank you Jacques. . .thank you Fortuna.

By the way, as co-inventor if SCUBA technology, Jacques earned the right to wear Speedo into right old age. . .or anything else he wanted to wear. . .or not wear.

Rick9010

My wife bought me a team jersey based on its color, that safety yellow lime color. I have noticed it actually makes a difference in other traffic behavior. They actually see me for a change. I kind of use it as a safety item and really don't give a damn what anybody thinks. It works.

rsbob 

Scanning through the thread, there are the same arguments, disagreements and disparagements that we have now. How things remain the same.

For the record, I have three team jerseys and matching bibs, but never wear the full kit together, but mix and match with my generic kit. Do I care what others think? Not in the least.

BlazingPedals

Wow, almost 14 year-old thread. I say, people wear the football jerseys of their favorite players and nobody says a word. Wearing team kit should be the same. You can wear the kit as long as you don't think you're really on the team.

Trsnrtr

Definitely a zombie thread but it's fun to read it again. The pics and comments are great even if they are 13 years old.

seypat

Wear whatever you want. If I think about it, I'd say all matchy matchy including the bike bothers me more. Team jersey, maybe matching bibs, no problem. But rolling out of the house with full kit/helmet/shoes/sunglasses/bike/tattoo/etc etc, I'll be keeping my distance. I don't want to be part of the commercial/advertisement.