Show of hands - who cycles in lycra?

[human909]

There is nothing wrong with Lycra. But recognise that its role in Australian cycling is much more than just comfort. It is a tribal uniform. By wearing Lycra you are joining the tribe of the Lycra clad. By doing so you get all the benefits of a tribe. But you also get stereotyped by doing so.

All clothing is part of a tribal uniform. I would argue that by wearing lyc^K^K^Kcycle specific clothing the problem is that you are not conforming the dominant tribal norms - small petty minded humans that we are.

HA! Wearing jeans&t-shirt is not a tribal unifiorm in our general society! Wearing jeans&t-shirt down the street will not encourage people to draw immediate stereotypes and will not get friendly nods from other people wearing jeans&t-shirt!

[gdt]

What else are you going to wear when commuting 40Km to 80Km per day in Adelaide heat? Not wearing the right kit in extreme weather is simply irresponsible.

[il padrone]

Since I REALLY don't care what I wear (shorts or just nicks) I left the decision to her!

Like I said, I REALLY don't care what I wear, I make my own decision based on my comfort in the circumstances - temperature, other weather conditions, general setting, distance ridden. I don't contact my friends to get an idea of what they will be wearing

As an idea here is what our group wore for a recent 60km ride on country roads last Saturday. A fair mix of lycra, casual shirts, long-sleeve polo shirts etc. Most wore lycra knicks.

[Lukeyboy]

There is nothing wrong with Lycra. But recognise that its role in Australian cycling is much more than just comfort. It is a tribal uniform. By wearing Lycra you are joining the tribe of the Lycra clad. By doing so you get all the benefits of a tribe. But you also get stereotyped by doing so.

All clothing is part of a tribal uniform. I would argue that by wearing lyc^K^K^Kcycle specific clothing the problem is that you are not conforming the dominant tribal norms - small petty minded humans that we are.

HA! Wearing jeans&t-shirt is not a tribal unifiorm in our general society! Wearing jeans&t-shirt down the street will not encourage people to draw immediate stereotypes and will not get friendly nods from other people wearing jeans&t-shirt!

Hi, I'm Eddie Mcguire and welcome to Channel 9's coverage of the 2013 Redneck Olympic Games. On tonights broadcast.

[Nobody]

What else are you going to wear when commuting 40Km to 80Km per day in Adelaide heat? Not wearing the right kit in extreme weather is simply irresponsible.

The question is, is a polyester summer jersey actually cooler than a cotton T shirt? I would say no. I would say most people wear polyester jerseys for the pockets, aero and visibility advantages.

As for spandex shorts, are they actually cooler than the alternatives? They are definately more aero, but I would not say they are necessarily cooler, especially with the padding.

As for controlling chafe, there may be advantages with spandex for applying substances, but this really depends on what saddle you use and how often you stand up. I don't get a lot of problems with the leather saddles in regard to chafe or overheating.

[il padrone]

The question is, is a polyester summer jersey actually cooler than a cotton T shirt? I would say no. I would say most people wear polyester jerseys for the pockets, aero and visibility advantages.

Wcking of perspiration. Cotton gets 'orribly clammy.

As for spandex shorts, are they actually cooler than the alternatives? They are definately more aero, but I would not say they are necessarily cooler, especially with the padding.

Often cooler. Baggy shorts with an inner liner get quite warm and sweaty on hot days. I'm going to look forward to my next pair of knicks as I'll get the GE lycra/merino ones and they should wick moisture (perspiration) very nicely.

The smooth surface of knicks moves very nicely over a leather saddle, reducing skin-chafe.

[TDC]

Show of hands - who wears bathers to the beach?

[il padrone]

Oh no!! Lycra at the beach

[TDC]

avert your eyes!!

[Comedian]

I mostly do... Especially in summer in
Bne for my longish commutes.

For my sport rides... On the roadie always yes. For mtbing in winter I wear mtb shorts but in the QLD summer I'm Lycra all the way too. It's just too hot and sweaty for anything else...

[ILMB]

I'll always prefer a light cotton skirt and blouse that lets the air-flow through over anything form fitting.

Love merino wool in cooler weather.

[simonn]

There is nothing wrong with Lycra. But recognise that its role in Australian cycling is much more than just comfort. It is a tribal uniform. By wearing Lycra you are joining the tribe of the Lycra clad. By doing so you get all the benefits of a tribe. But you also get stereotyped by doing so.

All clothing is part of a tribal uniform. I would argue that by wearing lyc^K^K^Kcycle specific clothing the problem is that you are not conforming the dominant tribal norms - small petty minded humans that we are.

HA! Wearing jeans&t-shirt is not a tribal unifiorm in our general society! Wearing jeans&t-shirt down the street will not encourage people to draw immediate stereotypes and will not get friendly nods from other people wearing jeans&t-shirt!

It is definitely a tribal uniform in western culture.

[il padrone]

I'll always prefer a light cotton skirt and blouse that lets the air-flow through over anything form fitting.

All very fine for the ride to the shops or a bike path burble. Doesn't work so well for an 80km ride on a windy day.

As many have been saying here - it's horses for courses.

[g-boaf]

It depends on who is asking and why they are asking.

Doing 30km or further in 30°C+ heat, I can't imagine a T-shirt and jeans would be particularly nice.

[Daccordi Rider]

I never considered "Not wearing" lycra as an option

It's not.

It is.

Plenty of people wear plain clothing that don't have to be the fastest.

What? Surely those people should just be taken out the back and shot.

[outnabike]

Show of hands - who wears bathers to the beach?

Show of hands - who has a Lycra seat and cycles nude? Nothing clammy then right?

[ILMB]

I'll always prefer a light cotton skirt and blouse that lets the air-flow through over anything form fitting.

All very fine for the ride to the shops or a bike path burble. Doesn't work so well for an 80km ride on a windy day.

As many have been saying here - it's horses for courses.

IL, you're inferring I don't do serious KMs in a day.

I regularly do 40 - 50 kms a day depending on where the day's chores and commitments take me. So far I have not seen any need for any sort of specialised cycling gear, and don't believe the lack thereof has in any way impeded my cycling enjoyment.

[il padrone]

IL, you're inferring I don't do serious KMs in a day.

Not at all. I'm suggesting that shorter rides - even 40-50kms - around town are a different experience to 80+kms on the open road. Especially when sustained for some time as part of a multi-day tour.

Like I said, horses for courses.

[find_bruce]

Yeah sure Il Padrone, how many times have you ridden 80 ks in a skirt & blouse ?

[clackers]

Always on the roadie, never on the commuter, baggy shorts with liner on the MTB.

Jerseys on all three, and only occasionally skirt and blouse.

[queequeg]

When I started cycling again I just wore regular shorts/t-shirts.
After getting red raw chafing on my thighs and nipples, I switched to shorts with a Lycra padded liner and quick dry polyester shirts. Chafing issues solved!

for commuting I wear MTB shorts with liners, plus a non-Lycra jersey. For the roadie I wear bib Knicks and jersey, but on the roadie I am usually doing a long fast ride. Both choices are for comfort!

[Mulger bill]

Yeah sure Il Padrone, how many times have you ridden 80 ks in a skirt & blouse ?

There's pics out there if you know where to search

Cotton? Stays sweaty, gets cold when you stop. Not for many a year...
I'll wear a polyester T shirt most of the time but on a stinker the extra venting of a full zip is priceless.

[find_bruce]

Yeah sure Il Padrone, how many times have you ridden 80 ks in a skirt & blouse ?

There's pics out there if you know where to search

Thank you for proving that ignorance is bliss

[simonn]

The way I see it is thus...

I spend about 10 hours a week commuting 48km a day with about 700-1000M of climbing (depending on what source you want to believe) in heat, rain, dust storms (well there was one once) etc etc none of which are conducive to riding in work clothes.

So, I could...

1) buy/ride with non-cycling specific clothing to satisfy some, IMHO idiot's, aesthetic and/or social sensibilities and deal with the chafing and smell

or

2) buy/ride with cycle specific clothing which is comfortable, doesn't smell (as much) and dries out during the day should it have rained in the morning.

Basically, I'm not stoopid and don't really care if some newb (or potential newb) or old hand is put off by me riding in whatever I want to ride. If they are that small minded, because if me riding in lycra is a genuine reason for them not cycling (or whatever, really) they certainly are small minded, they, IMHO, deserve no value placed on their opinion on anything and I certainly do not care if such petty people cycle or not.

However, should I ride a few km to the beach, shops around to mum's or the in-laws etc I'll more than likely just wear "normal" clothes.

[Boognoss]

The way I see it is thus...

I spend about 10 hours a week commuting 48km a day with about 700-1000M of climbing (depending on what source you want to believe) in heat, rain, dust storms (well there was one once) etc etc none of which are conducive to riding in work clothes.

So, I could...

1) buy/ride with non-cycling specific clothing to satisfy some, IMHO idiot's, aesthetic and/or social sensibilities and deal with the chafing and smell

or

2) buy/ride with cycle specific clothing which is comfortable, doesn't smell (as much) and dries out during the day should it have rained in the morning.

Basically, I'm not stoopid and don't really care if some newb (or potential newb) or old hand is put off by me riding in whatever I want to ride. If they are that small minded, because if me riding in lycra is a genuine reason for them not cycling (or whatever, really) they certainly are small minded, they, IMHO, deserve no value placed on their opinion on anything and I certainly do not care if such petty people cycle or not.

However, should I ride a few km to the beach, shops around to mum's or the in-laws etc I'll more than likely just wear "normal" clothes.

+1 except that I rarely if ever do short trips to shops, etc (and for me it's 40km to the nearest beach )

Always lycra for me.