Monday, August 24, 2009

Bicycle Clothing: What Cycling Gear to Wear and When

By William Burrell

Avid cyclists know there is a wide-range of cycling gear available to choose from. Determining what you will need means asking yourself some key questions.

What does the law tell me I need? What is the most comfortable for me to wear? Does it depend on whether it is summer or winter?

You should get a lot of help from store clerks at cycling stores. They know a lot about cycling clothing and can help you decide exactly what you need.

What do I need by law? Practically all governments have regulations for what you need to wear on your head. Helmets are a must sometimes for everyone and other times for certain age groups. A well fitting bicycle helmet has the capacity to save your life and it doesnt matter whether you are street cycling or mountain cycling. Don't forget to wear one.

Many cycling groups (national and state) recommend that you wear reflective clothing when you cycle. This is a safety measure that assures you are well-seen by other pedestrians and automobiles.

What is the most comfortable gear out there for me? There is a lot of clothing to choose from depending on the weather conditions and on the length of your ride. If you are on a long ride, consider padded bicycle shorts that can help your butt handle the seat for long periods of time.

They also wick away moisture so you feel cool and comfortable. A sleeveless cycling jersey is an excellent choice for warm weather biking and is recommended for summer use.

If you are a mountain biker, you may wish to go for a long-sleeve cycling jersey to protect yourself from branches and trees. They are often made of comfortable, synthetic fabric that helps keep you at the proper temperature. It can both hold in and wick away heat, depending on the conditions.

What equipment is best for the summer/winter conditions? Avid bikers hit the road during all kinds of weather, especially if the bike is their primary form of transportation. For cold days, a cycling jacket or a wool cycling jersey will keep you warm against the cooler air while still keeping you dry by sweeping the sweat away from your skin.

Windproof jackets and pants keep the wind out of your bones and some are protective against the rain as well. They keep the sweat wicking away from your skin and yet the wind is out of your body. The knee warmers keep you toasty as you pedal.

When the weather warms up, you should switch to sleeved or sleeveless cycling jerseys along with bib shorts or sturdy cycling shorts. You may also choose to have a compact jacket stored in your gear to be taken out on cold morning rides or cool evening rides.

You can then stow them away when the temperature goes up or it quits raining. Most good cycling jackets breathe easily and some have things like mesh vents within the construction of the jacket.

Not all bicycle clothing choices are necessary but some are just fun to wear because youre a cyclist and want to look good. Some cyclists operate on a less is more area while others want to be prepared for every occasion or change in weather. The idea is that if you like cycling, check out the bicycle gear available to you and select those items that you think will increase your ability to ride and will maximize your safety on the ride ahead.

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