Zapatillas y Botas Carretera
Gettingthe Right Cycling Clothing for Long Rides
If you're just jumping on your bike to runto the local grocery store, it's probably not necessary to get outfitted in allyour cycling gear. However, if you're heading out for a long Saturday afternoonride, it's in your best interest to make sure you're wearing the correctcycling clothing.
Why is proper cycling clothing soimportant?
Cycling is one of those activities that isnot naturally comfortable. Sitting on a narrow seat for hours at a time and pedalingcontinuously can cause some serious discomfort - especially in the wrongclothes. There's a reason you don't see any serious cyclists wearing jeans,baggy sweatpants or bulky sweatshirts. This kind of clothing simply doesn'twork well on long bike rides.
So what should you wear instead? Readthrough our checklist below to find out.
Cycling Clothing Checklist
1. Spandex/Lycra shorts. They may not bethe most flattering, but skin-tight shorts are hands down the most comfortablething to wear on long bike rides - especially if they have the padded seatinsert known as a chamois. Spandex shorts also support your muscles, increaseblood flow while you're riding, and lead to less chaffing and irritation.What's not to love?
2. Cycling gloves. The act of cycling canbe tough on your hands and wrists. Carpel tunnel syndrome is one of the mostcommon repetitive stress injuries cyclists face. However, by wearing cyclinggloves that have a good amount of padding and proper ventilation, you canreduce your risk of experiencing this injury. Cycling gloves willalso protect your hands from cold, dry air in fall and winter.
3. Sunglasses. You want to protect youreyes from the sun but also from insects and other debris that are flyingthrough the air. Cyclingspecific sunglasses have the advantage of a wraparound design whichkeeps any unwanted particles from getting anywhere near your eyes.
4. Cycling Jersey. Although some people arejust as comfortable in a basic T-shirt, many serious cyclists find that bikejerseys do wonders to keep them comfortable while riding. Most are made withsome combination of polyester, Lycra and microfiber which allows them to wickmoisture away from your body and facilitate evaporation. Good cycling jerseyswill also have front zippers for ventilation and back pockets to hold yourkeys, cell phone and other essentials.
A helmet and cycling shoes are two moreitems you definitely want to have with you on long bike rides. In the instanceof a fall, your helmet is a necessary safety precaution, and cycling shoes thatattach to your bike pedals through a clip-in system will greatly improve theefficiency of your pedal stroke.
As you can see, cyclingclothing can play a significant role in the kind of ride your have -especially if you're going any kind of distance. Outfitting yourself with theproper cycling clothing will help make sure you ride in comfort and style onevery ride.
Discover the difference the right cyclingclothing cycling clothing makes on your next ride. Find the perfect bike jersey.
