I want to design a pair of bike shorts with the nice people at Dickies. They already have a line of skateboarding apparel. Why not some bike stuff too?
I took a pair of canvas work pants I had, paint splattered and already broken in, and I made them into cutoffs, and now they’re my go-to mountain biking shorts. There is something about the way the canvas feels on the saddle, and the way they breathe, and the way they resist tearing when I hit the ground, that I find confidence inspiring.
I had a good chuckle the other morning, as I pulled them on. “This is what I’m choosing to ride in?” I thought. This is a far cry from the tech kits I used to pull on. My other new favorite piece of riding gear is a polyester shirt my son thrifted and then decided he didn’t like. WOW. It’s the breeziest, most breathable thing I’ve ever worn on the top of my body.
With both garments on, I look nothing like a bike rider. Maybe a whimsical house painter?
We all have clothing we reach for first when we’re dressing to ride, a favorite pair of bibs or a jersey that fits/looks just right. I don’t know about you, but I feel a genuine sadness when that piece finally gives up the ghost. I just discarded a pair of Exte Ondo bibs that were perfectly comfortable and had done yeoman service. My Giro Privateers are approaching their final days too. You only hope you can replace these things with equally great items, but the march of time and “progress” makes that a persistent challenge.
When I get the folks at Dickies on the line, I’ll suggest we lose the hammer loop and shorten the pockets slightly. Then we’ll slacken the waistband in the front and discuss hem length. They will be rewarded with the sale of roughly half-a-dozen pairs, unless they seek a better-looking model, in which case they might sell eight.
Anyway, this week’s TCI Friday wonders what your go-to, most favorite, hope-it-lasts-forever bike garment is, if it’s even a bike garment at all.
Endura long fingers gloves. No idea what model these are but they are perfect for 40-55F which is the predominant temperature range around here. They last many years and I’ve had several pairs.
Defeet undershirt
It’s been known to cross boundaries as well and appear under a dress shirt
Surly merino wool long sleeve. This jersey looks good, nice and warm even in damp, breathable, and lasts forever. https://surlybikes.com/gear/long_sleeve_mens_jersey
Off road my go-to are a pair of Endura HumVee shorts and a button down work shirt with my favorite watering hole’s name embroidered on the back. These will last forever. On road/gravel I reach for cargo shorts from Target and any light button down from my closet. These get destroyed in weeks.
Tri-blend t-shirts. Basically for those not familiar these are a nicer update to the old 50/50 (mostly cheesy band concert) shirts of the past. These are mad comfortable and can be found on many artist sites with nearly anything printed on them. They breathe well, dry out fast and are only rivaled by merino t-shirts of which they are a tenth of the cost. As for shorts, I am going through a renewal of older stuff that have not worn in years as I became too thicc to do so. I am particularly fond of some old beat to hell Sombrio shorts that must be more than a half a dozen years old which considering how thrashed these things get is impressive. .