As revealed by a recent survey, approximately 90 million adult
Americans ride a bicycle once every year, about 30 million regularly
bike for recreation and an estimated of 20 million or more commute via
their bicycle.
When you are riding your bicycle at least 10 kilometers or more a
day, you should invest in bicycle clothing as regular clothes can be
uncomfortable and painful.
Reasons you must wear bicycle clothes:
1. For comfort. Wearing bicycle clothes will give you comfort as you
are riding. Bicycle clothes have undergone through thorough research
into the complicated details of bicycle clothing, taking into account
where not and where to put the seams and the materials used are those
that draw sweat further away from the body.
2. For health. Bicycle clothing helps watch over your health, as the
appropriate materials helps prevent dehydration as well as prevent
saddle sores on your crotch.
3. For safety. Bicycle clothing means you are wearing the appropriate reflective gear plus other safety qualities.
Great fitting bicycle clothing is just as significant as riding a
great fitting bike. Today’s bicycle clothes not just help you execute
comfortably and better, but they also to allow you to move more freely.
Here are bicycle clothing necessities and tips on choosing the right kind for you:
1. Helmet. Never ride your bicycle without one. Not only they
protect your head from bumps, but also supply warmth during winter and
cover during the summer.
Helmet models come with 18 vents as well as special features that
channels air into the helmet then around the head and finally out your
back for extreme heat control.
Choose a helmet that aside from its features, has a good fit. Look
for web molded foam that prevents your helmet from falling apart on
impact.
2. Jersey shirts. These are shirts made of lycra and other synthetic
materials, that efficiently carry sweat away from your skin.
While an ordinary or cotton shirt would quickly be soaked, it takes
much effort in order to get your jersey shirt sweaty. And this is an
advantage since a soaking wet cotton shirt will feel colder compared to
a jersey shirt.
Note however that transport of sweat is less efficient for overly
thick jerseys; so choose a jersey shirt with just the right thickness.
Look for jerseys with:
- Neck zippers for proper ventilation should your temperature increase
- “Stand-up” collar in order to seal your body heat in, during cool weather
- Convenient location of pockets
- Wider cut shoulders for “arms-forward” comfort
- Longer cut at the back
- “Form-fitting” cut to lessen flapping
- Bike Shorts. Regular shorts constrict the thighs as it expands
when you are riding, resulting to thigh irritation as they chafe
against your saddle.
3. Bicycle shorts actually are padded and seamless therefore very flexible.
Look for bicycle shorts with:
- Multi-panel assembly for comfort
- Lower-cut in front
- Soft, smooth saddle pad so as to reduce cushion bumps and friction
- Longer leg cut to avoid saddle chafing
4. Biking gloves. A great pair of breathable wicking gloves during cold weather is necessary.
During summer, gloves having “short-cut” fingers are a very popular choice among most bikers.
Make sure you choose biking gloves that have synthetic leather or
padded palm as well as “moisture-absorbing” terry cloth intended to
wipe sweat.
5. Biking socks. When biking heavily, your feet produce much
perspiration and can result to cold feet during winter. During summer,
feet perspiration results to blisters. To avoid these, wear
polypropylene or polyester socks which efficiently draw perspiration
away.
6. Biking shoes. Purchase biking shoes that are tighter fitting than
your normal fit, is compatible with your bike’s pedal system as well as
have a molded and thick sole.
However, do make certain that they fit not too tightly because your feet will feel numb after riding a few kilometers.
Avoid excessive shoe padding also, because they can be difficult to
dry should they get wet. Velcro straps are great since can be opened
and close easily and close.
Your first pedal towards attaining fitness or riding your way to any
destination starts without doubt with purchasing the right bicycle
clothing as this brings you more comfort so that you can have fun at
the same time.
