Attire?

What do you wear on the bike? The ‘uniform’ is Lycra shorts and a jersey. Some wear baggy pants. Some wear performance t-shirts or no shirt at all. Some wear very little. The variation seems large from within, but from outside it looks much the same. How so? When I was young, my uncle once spoke to me about ‘my music.’ He asked me if it was all the same. Of course, I replied that it was all very different. He then told me that from a perspective farther out in time, it will be seen as very similar. His example was classical music; he helped me understand. Classical music is seen as a category with similarities and to some is ‘all the same.’  It is, but the more you dive into it the more you see the differences. I say it is the same with cycling in general and specifically with cycling attire. To us, a baggy jersey and race jersey are very different things. They are. To the outside world, they are more the same than they are different.  

I have written about attire (or at least insinuated attire). The physical reason for attire is another story entirely. Sometimes we ride for comfort that is mental not physical. Attire is a part of that. What? Hang with me a bit…

A guy in my community started riding; he got an old mountain bike and rode the snot out of it. He wore work pants and work boots. He joined the club ride and wore the same attire. Some tried to convince him to change, but he said he was comfortable. He rode well. Well enough to enter a 24-hour mountain bike race on some rugged terrain. At the start line everyone was in Lycra team kits. He showed up in his work pants and work boots. A fellow racer looked at a friend of mine and said, “who is the dude in the work clothes?” My friend simply replied, “you are about to find out.” Yes, he rode well enough to surprise (and frustrate) many at that event.  

I participated in Ride the Rockies events with a group of friends. One trip a person with us was not a cyclist. He was a young man that was riding to spend time with his father. How about that for guts – not a cyclist but game to ride 450 miles in 5 days in the Rocky Mountains. He did train; he was not stupid. He wore some cycling clothes but also wore a large backpack (rucksack?) on his back. He had on cycling shorts and shoes, but a t-shirt and backpack. It was heavy. He rode well. He had recently completed his time in the Marine Corp.  

Why did those guys do those things?

I cannot say for sure, but I think mental comfort is the answer. The Marine, he was accustomed to having that rucksack with him at all times. It was all he knew for years. It was what he relied on. It had supplies that were important in his world. I did speak with him about it. He felt strongly that cyclists were obsessively focused on their attire and ‘looking the part.’ As we talked, I helped explain that we did look similar but that was generally because those items served a purpose that was helpful. I did not try to change him, just help him understand why I (and others) chose as we did. We talked about his pack. Again, I told him he could bring it along. No problem. I also talked about the many (so many we skipped most) rest stops along the way. Thus, there was no need for more than 2 bottles and a snack in a pocket. By the end he had lost the rucksack and donned a jersey. He rode well. He just had to find his own way in his own time. If he never adopted the cycling attire – does it really matter?

The workpants/boots guy still rides with us and has changed to more cycle specific attire. I was not around him enough in those early days to know why. My guess is his comfort changed. He did admit to enjoying others’ reactions to his work pants/boots.  

It is OK to talk with them, just do not force ‘our way’ on them. Both rode well regardless of the attire. It was up to them. I am not talking about items that might be required. In some places, front and rear lights are legally required. On some club rides helmets are required. That is not what I am talking about … but you know that.  

Why do I bring this up? Those were just two examples of the reception of new cyclists and what new and ‘old’ cyclists might look like to the other. The important part is being on the bike. Sharing knowledge with them is different than requiring them to change to fit what you/we think is correct. Remember, we want them to enjoy the bike and feel comfortable riding … and riding with our group. Putting ‘expectations’ on them regarding clothing is not helpful. Maybe even detrimental.  

I have been there. When I joined my first cycling team, there were expectations. Hair, attire, actions etc. I was ready to join the team and welcomed most of those things. I was joining a racing team. If I were to join a Saturday ride – it should be different.  

The important thing is not what each person wears. It is important to accept those riders where they are.  Allow them to decide where they fit and what they want. Knowledge and guidance are good – a demand for conformity is not. Even if that ‘demand’ is not overt.  

Yes, most adopt the cycling ‘uniform’ to some degree. Not always. There is a guy in our community who still rides in jeans and boots. I am just glad he is on a bike…