Nowadays, if you are intending on doing any 'serious' cycling, you are expected to wear the right clothes. There's a whole industry devoted to selling you the right outfit, from shoes, socks, legwear, tops, jackets, hats and helmets (and helmets is a subject on its own).
When I was a lad - lets say 35 years ago - we did our 'serious' cycling in, pretty much, our day clothes. The only togs I can remember going off to France with, or on my regular North Metropolitan DA Sunday runs, that were special, were my cycling shoes.
So, what's changed?
I wonder, if it's an increasing emphasis on sport in our communal lives. Cycling - along with much else - is focussed on sport, and commercial sport. And, who doesn't want to look and dress like their hero?
Certainly much cycling apparel makes cycling much more comfortable, and enjoyable. But, it also makes entry into cycling much more expensive, particulalry for youngsters. My cycling shoes were a huge dent in my paper-round money, would I ever have been the enthusiast I am today if I had felt the pressure to spend out on 'special' trousers, tops, and gloves?
If we look at pictures of club runs of the 1970s and before, all the guys and gals are wearing ordinary jackets, ordinary trousers, and suchlike.
So, is the modern cycle clothing industry a leech on the surface of the pastime? Yes, and no. Yes - this stuff is not necassary, you can go for a bike ride wearing anything you bloomin' well like; but No, if you can afford this stuff, it will make your bike ride more comfortable.
The knock on though, is that by wearing special cycle clothing, you need to ask yourself, 'am I giving the impression that you must dress like this to ride your bike'?
Monday, 8 March 2010
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