Public Address | Cafe | Hard News: Dressing for the Road

Sam F

Thu, 02 May 2013 09:23:16 +1200

I've used pretty much the same kind of cycling attire for the last seven years in Auckland: lightweight breathable tees (I have a couple of cheap but effective Diadora tops and another no-name version in white, my preferred commuting colour), sneakers with either ankle socks or longer ones folded down…

BenWilson

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 20:55:33 +1200

Was out cycling with my son and mentioned that cycling was more efficient than walking. He was a little incredulous.

I'm pretty sure my boys already know it, even at 3 and 7. They have balance bikes and several times we've gone for long trips with them riding and me…

Brent Jackson

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 17:27:51 +1200

Richard Grevers wrote :
“chinese cycling speed” – 2-3 x walking pace, which is reportedly the most energy efficient means of transport known

Ben Wilson replied :
I’d believe it. Occasionally I’ve rambled around like this for 3-4 hours without feeling noticeably tired at all – it’s less effort than…

Christopher Dempsey

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:54:30 +1200

Meanwhile, Tony Abbott shows just how bad a man can look in lycra.

Unexpectedly pointing his party in a more leftward direction?

Really no different from oh, say women in 'uniform' at Olympic beach volleyball. It's not a bad look at all. Not at all. Indeed, a fine look.

FletcherB

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 17:25:55 +1200

Meanwhile, Tony Abbott shows just how bad a man can look in lycra.

Unexpectedly pointing his party in a more leftward direction?

Russell Brown

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 09:58:23 +1200

Meanwhile, Tony Abbott shows just how bad a man can look in lycra.

Russell Brown

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 09:48:48 +1200

Hopefully you can share the column back here, be interesting to see…

Oh, here’s the funny thing … the column got CANCELLED as part of a redesign.

Red Bulletin was a nice gig while it lasted. Anyone want a multiple-award-winning columnist?

Christopher Dempsey

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 08:24:30 +1200

So that’s me. What does everyone else do? I’m genuinely interested, because I have to write a column about this in the next few days and I want to presume from a sample of greater than one. So please, share with the group …

Hopefully you can share the column…

Russell Brown

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 14:04:20 +1200

Heading out for a ride to buy paneer and stuff, thought I might put on a light long-sleeve top. Forget it. 21º at 85% humidity. Switched back to a tee.

Kyle Matthews

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 00:36:06 +1200

As a sort of aside, I’d be interested to know what the crowd and the council think of bike lanes which go between sidewalk and parked cars.

I thought this would be ideal, but I suspect it presents problems for the cyclist – you need to be able to access…

James Green

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 16:10:50 +1200

I’d believe it. Occasionally I’ve rambled around like this for 3-4 hours without feeling noticeably tired at all – it’s less effort than concerted walking for the same amount of time, and 50km slips behind you.
We did 40 something kilometres of the Central Otago Rail Trail yesterday at this…

BenWilson

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 14:08:29 +1200

"chinese cycling speed" – 2-3 x walking pace, which is reportedly the most energy efficient means of transport known

I'd believe it. Occasionally I've rambled around like this for 3-4 hours without feeling noticeably tired at all – it's less effort than concerted walking for the same amount of time,…

jeremy stewart

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 12:40:19 +1200

For me, i have been cycling in Auckland for some time, and like some of you padded cycling shorts are just a must!!! Without these my arse would hurt even on my 40min commute. Cycling gloves a a must, stops hands getting that ache in them, and like Russel think…

Richard Grevers

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 10:08:14 +1200

Since I now live 26km out of town (and 450m up, with probably 1000m of climb), cycling isn't an option any more – it's beyond the range of most electric-assist bikes too. When I lived and worked in town, my commute was about 2km, with route chosen as being the…

tussock

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 01:01:44 +1200

Shorts, loose, big pockets, and covers the knees for warmth. Polyprop longs under in very cold weather. Bike top, often with a loose long-sleeve open-front shirt over for sun/wind protection and because it's brighter than my bike tops. Flouro overjacket in dim light or night rides. Cheap-ass shoes.

Gloves, fingerless.…

Moz

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:43:23 +1200

The ‘old Chinese gentlemen’ demographic.... Are they considered by planners and advocates? Have they ever been engaged in cyclist community building?

Yes :)

In Sydney a number of councils go out of their way to find people like them and work out what they want. It can be hard when…

JackElder

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:41:19 +1200

I personally don't really get on with panniers. Instead, I have a saddlebag on my commuter bike – it hangs just behind the saddle and holds about 8ltr of stuff, which is plenty big enough for raincoat and work clothes. Plus, it makes the bike look like an old school…

BenWilson

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 14:12:48 +1200

The Vaude one I bought from Rode even doubles as a backpack.

Yes, and, contrary to my expectation, it's actually a good backpack too. The across chest strap redistributes the weight downwards so it doesn't become the horrible forward leaning grind that poorly designed backpacks become. The zips and straps…

James Green

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 14:09:55 +1200

Thanks for the pannier suggestions everyone. When I get back later in the year I will definitely check those. I picked a pannier that doubles as a satchel that seemed like a great design, but turned out to be a turkey. Basically the attachment mechanism was removal (for satchel use),…

Stephen Judd

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 14:00:13 +1200

I got a really good deal on Ortliebs by haunting UK cycle retailer websites for a few weeks until one had some on special. Got them about half the price they would retail at here. They have proved to be excellent.

Stephen Judd

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 13:58:48 +1200

Such cyclists rarely feature in discussions like this – perhaps like the construction workers discussed upthread.

+1.

I feel a Tumblr coming on.

BenWilson

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 13:55:20 +1200

Has anybody thought to Capture the cyclists at the Avondale Market (or similar)? The 'old Chinese gentlemen' demographic, for example, displays a fine variety of refurbished bikes with ingenious cargo facilities.

I've considered it many, many times since Avondale is my hood. They're dudes after my own heart, utterly impervious…

Russell Brown

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 12:55:51 +1200

I am seriously looking into panniers now I’ve seen so many of you recommend them for round town. I love my Kathmandu backpack, but in midsummer – which here can easily mean 30C+ temps and high humidity – it’s no fun.

I'm definitely a backpack > pannier convert. The Vaude…

Lucy Stewart

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 12:31:39 +1200

I bought panniers after about 6 months of using backpacks when I first got my bike. All I got was a sweaty back no matter what I did. Panniers are great and I’m never going back. I have 4 now; 2 Deuter round town panniers, and 2 Ortlieb touring panniers.…

Martin Roberts

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 05:52:13 +1200

Such cyclists rarely feature in discussions like this — perhaps like the construction workers discussed upthread. Are they considered…

Martin Roberts

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 05:28:25 +1200

Forgot something I used last night – a cycle cap under the helmet.

Mostly for the brim to keep the rain off my glasses, but also for protecting the pate from water falling through the ventilation. On sun-strike days the brim pulls down low to minimise glare (no prescription sunnies…

Sacha

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 01:22:16 +1200

Kia ora and thank you for chipping in.

Celia Wade-Brown

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 23:25:48 +1200

Wellington has hills, sun, rain and wind – sometimes all together. I live almost 8km south of the Town Hall and find cycling really convenient within the city. Often I have 7:30 breakfast meetings so cycling in and then having a shower is really not ideal. So if it's calm…

Glen Koorey

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 22:30:59 +1200

I think I follow many of the commenters here in saying "it depends". It depends on whether I shower at work (and therefore am happy to work up a bit of a sweat and exercise on my 6.5km in) or whether I am already showered and dressed for the day…

Christopher Dempsey

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 18:39:06 +1200

Essential detail in avoiding sweating: I never wear a bag on my back. The panniers have been a really good purchase.

Yes, panniers are part of my rig too. And avoiding back sweat was a factor in deciding to buy them.

I bought panniers after about 6 months of using…

Simon Adamson

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:52:46 +1200

James, my panniers are Deuter and have a nifty catch which means you can hold your bike upsidedown and shake it (yes I've tried) and yet it lifts off with one hand in a single motion. I bought mine for about $140 about 8 years ago from the awesome Cycle…

Keir Leslie

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:39:15 +1200

Pierre Bourdieu stays in your head for ever and ever and ever, and sometimes you just have to share.

craigm

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:58:00 +1200

I ride most days for commuting – about 9kms each way. Taupo to Wairakei. I have the luxury of either Mtn bike track or main road (SH1 – but with nice wide shoulders for most of it.) I ride a road bike with clipless pedals (or mtn bike with spd's)…

James Green

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:49:27 +1200

My commute to work is 3.8km. Being Dunedin, getting to work is largely down hill. I wear my work clothes. I have not worn a full suit, but frequently wear a suit jacket, shirt etc. In winter, I add gloves and a ground effect jacket for windproofing. Takes me about…

Calcio

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 13:57:59 +1200

I cycle regularly for fitness and to work when the weather is good. Up to 400 kms per week in summer on a "road-bike". Makes me wonder how I find the time? I always have my bright front and rear flashing light on even during the daytime. This are on…

Martin Roberts

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 11:19:45 +1200

I am definitely in the street clothes category but do change into shorts for my commute and choose woolen shirts if I go > 5kms and can't shower. I cannot wear the 'sporty' plastic shirts Russell likes because they stink before I leave the house. I have considered padded undershorts…

Stephen Judd

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 11:10:45 +1200

Essential detail in avoiding sweating: I never wear a bag on my back. The panniers have been a really good purchase.

Yes, panniers are part of my rig too. And avoiding back sweat was a factor in deciding to buy them.

Russell Brown

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 10:20:45 +1200

I don’t see that many people wearing work or street clothes and I can’t remember the last time I saw a ‘frocks on bikes’ type. Why not? Because bike-specific clothing is ideal for riding in. That’s what it has been designed for! It’s comfortable, it doesn’t flap around or get…

Simon Adamson

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 10:16:45 +1200

I'm pretty much exactly the same as Stephen: mudguards, work clothes (shirt and lightweight trousers), ground effects jacket, with overshoes and over trousers in my pannier. I also have merino and silk beanies which take up no space and are good for fine tuning adequate warmth on colder days. Work…

Russell Brown

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 10:15:50 +1200

These days I will tend to walk journeys less than 4km. Any distance on a bike for me is likely cause a soaking, so wicking synthetics are a no brainer (might try merino when I can afford it).

Outlet stores are your friend. Pt Chev to Onehunga for a visit…

anth

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 09:42:49 +1200

lanes between parking and pedestrians ... there’s the one guy who likes to literally go against the flow & ride the opposite direction in the cycle lane (so he’s facing the oncoming cars & bikes)
I can see that as increasing the chance of being seen by someone about to get out…

Matthew Poole

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 09:34:57 +1200

As I noted up-thread, biking in work clothes is pretty much impossible for me. I sweat much too freely and readily to do it, for one, and for another I work in offices where it's required to look moderately tidy. This is Auckland, so going any real distance (where I…

JessicaRose

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 09:34:23 +1200

I ride for fun and commuting – not as an athlete, and as Emma B mentioned above I also follow the frocks on bikes idea, by which I get about looking like a 'normal' person. No specific riding attire, just jeans if I'm on my road bike and dresses when…

Lucy Stewart

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 02:38:46 +1200

Because bike-specific clothing is ideal for riding in. That's what it has been designed for! It's comfortable, it doesn't flap around or get caught in the moving parts of your bike (no need for trouser clips), there are zips so you can respond to temperature changes while riding, and pockets…

81stcolumn

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 01:29:20 +1200

Sad I missed this earlier:

I suspect I come from this at a rather different perspective. Despite marching quite gently towards my 50’s I still cover close to 7k a year and I don’t commute*. Indeed many of my miles are done out of urban areas. I will often drive…

nic.wise

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:06:17 +1200

Clive, to Boris' credit (tho I really don't like giving the pompous arse any at all), he's extended the scheme well.

Well, he's managed to put it in all the places I've lived, AFTER I moved out. So expect it in Fulham/Putney etc by the end of this year, when…

nic.wise

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:03:04 +1200

Throwing my 2p in, 'cos I'm still in London, and it's above 10deg here now! Tried it on the iPad, but the POST button doesn't work :(

I go with mostly what RussB has – a "plastic" tshirt, a pair of lycra, padded pants with shorts over the top (and…

Clive Candy

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 23:07:09 +1200

On a slightly pedantic note (and unrelated to the discussion about what to wear) as a left-voting Londoner, it's rather unfortunate that Boris got the acclaim for the bike scheme. The idea, the initial impetus and the political battle to get it started was all done by Ken Livingstone. In…

Stephen Judd

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 22:14:15 +1200

It’s a fundamentally bourgeois/professional conception of clothing.

This is true, and I thank for you bringing the radical class analysis to the discussion. In fact I should go on to note that many of the non-lycra'd commuters I see are guys in boots on their way to work in the…

Rachel Prosser

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 20:39:46 +1200

DON’T WEAR THE RED ONES!

This was one of the occasions I wish the blogging software had a "like" button. Or perhaps a "roflnui"

Lilith __

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 20:36:13 +1200

Anecdata only, but I know a couple of people who have been hospitalised after being doored. That’s why I never ride in the door zone

I wasn't disputing that people get hurt by doors, but I've never heard of anyone being killed or significantly disabled as a result, whereas some…

Martin Lindberg

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 20:21:51 +1200

It’s also a predominantly bourgeois imagining of clothing: as something you have control over, that you are able to vary as you like.

Like any street fashion photos then?

Keir Leslie

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 20:15:26 +1200

The images are predominantly young, pretty, white, middle-to-upper class etc. This is problematic for obvious reasons.

It's also a predominantly bourgeois imagining of clothing: as something you have control over, that you are able to vary as you like. (Even the idea of "special clothing" is quite revealing: special clothing…

Moz

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 20:11:31 +1200

I cycled to work over in summer in steel caps and fluoro vest, because that was what I had to wear

Way back when I was a student that seemed common in the working classes (I was, of course, in the non-working class :)) A surprising number of truckies rode…

Martin Lindberg

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 19:59:59 +1200

I mean that things like “Copenhagen chic” often brush over issues of clothing as class signifier in a rather frustrating way.

Could you elaborate on this? I though the point of the “Copenhagen chic” concept is that cycling is an integral part of day to day life that does not…

Jake Pollock

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 19:57:59 +1200

Anecdata only, but I know a couple of people who have been hospitalised after being doored. That's why I never ride in the door zone.

Keir Leslie

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 19:35:18 +1200

Oh yeah, I cycled to work over in summer in steel caps and fluoro vest, because that was what I had to wear. I mean that things like "Copenhagen chic" often brush over issues of clothing as class signifier in a rather frustrating way.

Christopher Dempsey

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 19:31:10 +1200

Question for you urban cycley types – how realistic are the three-speed hubs in Auckland? Linus Roadsters etc look lovely but the price differences to go from single-speed (not me)/3-speed up to 8-speed shifters seems kinda not insignificant…

Julian at Nextbikes has three speed bikes for hire, so if you…

George Darroch

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 19:10:29 +1200

If you work a job where you have to wear steel caps, or overalls, or a uniform, this kind of discussion is quite different.

My Dad rode did a daily mountain bike from Mangere to the Newmarket bridge project in his construction workwear. It's possible.

We're a bit mad in…

Keir Leslie

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 19:03:13 +1200

And, er, predicated on working a job where you can wear what you like. It’s a fundamentally bourgeois/professional conception of clothing. If you work a job where you have to wear steel caps, or overalls, or a uniform, this kind of discussion is quite different.

Stephen Judd

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 18:43:15 +1200

I've got to admit that one big reason I could ride in work clothes in Wellington was that going to work was either flat or downhill, thus getting sweating on the hill climb home was a non-issue.

Here in Chch the lycra commuters are definitely a minority. Terrain makes the…

Natalie H

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 18:35:25 +1200

I don't think these responses are representative of the people I see commuting in Wellington each day. Today on the way home I saw 3 riders in lycra shorts (4 if I count myself) and 2 in baggy shorts (which could well have had a chamois inside – I didn't…

Myles Thomas

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 18:22:47 +1200

I wear whatever I'm wearing already. Shorts, jeans, t-shirt or long sleeved collar shirt. I then sweat profusely and don't care about it (I would sweat profusely whatever I was wearing). It's not overly practical but I can't be bothered changing into special clothes just to go somewhere. And the…

Chopper

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 18:03:53 +1200

Hi-vis cycle jersey.
Bib shorts
Light arm and leg warmers (easy skin protection in summer, protection against cold in winter)
Fingerless gloves
Supernovas (From roadid.com) around the ankles, especially for riding at dusk.

More than 95% of my cycling is my 1 hour each way commute and I like to…

Moz

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 17:59:40 +1200

Heh. I sometime think I should get a fake beard and suspenders to go with my recumbent. Just to fit in, you know :)

But honestly, it's not the lycra, it's the attitude I collect from some lycra louts that puts me right off. I know that bunch riding is…

Russell Brown

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 17:54:04 +1200

Auckland can be a challenging place to cycle comfortably…the humidity means waterproof rainwear can be horribly sweaty. I’ve always found it better to focus on breathability over waterproofing. I have a fantastic windproof fluoro rain jacket, which will let through severe rain but doesn’t overheat.

Exactly. It’s often more comfortable…

Gareth Davidson

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 17:46:43 +1200

Cycling doesn't need to "de-lyrac-fy" any more than swimming, or running, or walking down the footpath does. What cycling needs is more people riding bikes wearing whatever they need to, want to, or feel comfortable in. When you pull up next to a lycra-clad-lout at a red light, and you're…

Lilith __

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 17:32:09 +1200

There is a time and a place for Star Trek, and the bike isn’t one of them.

Why the hell not? It aint compulsory. ;-)

Tom Semmens

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 17:20:00 +1200

Awesome star trek cycling jerseys?

There is a time and a place for Star Trek, and the bike isn't one of them – unless you plan to wear fake pointy Vulcan ears as well.

Gareth Ward

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 16:38:32 +1200

Been considering an urbany commutery type bike for a while now, my ride to town is short and downhill-to-flat (via a ferry) and the return home has a brief but steep enough haul up from the ferry. Question for you urban cycley types – how realistic are the three-speed hubs…

Lilith __

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 16:22:20 +1200

Awesome star trek cycling jerseys? Yes please. Are you a red shirt? In Wellington, you are… Not sure about the other cities :P
http://www.startrek.com/article/star-trek-uniform-bike-jerseys-ready-to-beam-up

DON’T WEAR THE RED ONES!

aimee whitcroft

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 16:06:56 +1200

Two things!

First – this. Awesome star trek cycling jerseys? Yes please. Are you a red shirt? In Wellington, you are... Not sure about the other cities :P
http://www.startrek.com/article/star-trek-uniform-bike-jerseys-ready-to-beam-up

Second thing! I'm always amazed in these sorts of conversations at the lack of talk about safety. Wearing helmets seems a…

Gary Town

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:57:10 +1200

I was a fanatical cyclist (racer, courier, bike salesman) throughout my twenties, to the extent that most of my wardrobe was lycra. Fast forward a couple of decades, and lycra no longer seems my most flattering option. Mostly now I’ll ride in a merino tee. Having said that, the rear…

BenWilson

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:35:48 +1200

Just out of interest, what's wrong with looking like a road worker?

Contrary to intention, it actually makes you invisible.

Alice Ronald

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:35:38 +1200

Little bumpy, but not any more than riding on Chch roads these days ;)

Lilith __

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:25:47 +1200

Squaring the wheel fixed it.

Wow, isn't a bike with square wheels hard to ride? ;-)

Keir Leslie

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:16:03 +1200

ETA: you can get them in colours which are relatively high vis, or with small reflective strips, such that you don’t look like a road-worker

Just out of interest, what's wrong with looking like a road worker?

Alice Ronald

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:12:01 +1200

I'm happy with them. I do generally use a second set of lights, simply because I'm a bit paranoid and the low mounting of the Reellights is a bit disconcerting to me. I put some detachables higher up. But I've ridden home after dark a few times without the extras…

Patrick Morgan

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:53:13 +1200

Exactly. Your mum doesn't dress you any more, and neither do I. Wear what you want – street clothes or bike gear or whatever you are comfortable in. I've just spent the morning teaching a dozen 12 year old boys some bike skills at Brooklyn School holiday programme. I've yet…

Lilith __

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:48:29 +1200

A cycle lane between parked cars and the footpath potentially puts you in the path of passenger doors, but at least you can’t be knocked into the path of moving traffic

Doors will kill you much more effectively than passing traffic unless you’re particularly unlucky.

Seriously? More effectively than being…

Lilith __

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:45:42 +1200

not dire diaphoresis?

I tend to perspire heavily about
five minutes after stopping riding…

aaah! That explains a lot,
The future is wet!!

You don’t just
write about the future,
– you live there!!*
and when you pause
it catches up
sloshing against your
semi-porous meme brane…

I know inspiration…

Konrad Kurta

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:35:13 +1200

I walk to work here in South Korea; partly because it's so close, but also because braving the traffic on a bike (courtesy of terrible driving and un-enforced road rules) would be suicidal. My last job in Auckland was in Pt. Chev, a 15 minute sprint from Herne Bay. I…

Christopher Dempsey

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:21:30 +1200

The best NZ gear I’ve seen is probably the Icebreaker cycling line. Very very nice and – at the outlet stores – incredibly good value. If I wasn’t flat broke I’d have bought the whole store when I visited last.

They did make 3/4 bike shorts which I tried for…

Moz

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:56:03 +1200

I’ve got induction-powered Reellights on the Archi bike,

How are you finding them? I've got friends who use them but I have not been impressed. They seem more vulnerable to failure than hub dyno lights (ie, I see a lot that are not working) and they're not very bright. But…

Mike O'Connell

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:55:40 +1200

Then there’s the one guy who likes to literally go against the flow & ride the opposite direction in the cycle lane (so he’s facing the oncoming cars & bikes). But he’s a special case.

Gosh, that could be me! I live close to Tennyson St. I use short stretches at least,…

George Darroch

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:48:49 +1200

That pannier has improved my cycling life a lot. As you say, flat back so it carries paperwork well (and looks presentable for meetings), works pretty well as a backpack, and just swallows up whatever you put in it. I can easily come back from the supermarket with far more…

George Darroch

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:40:14 +1200

As regards cycle-specific clothing, my number one pick would be a good rain jacket. Yes, you can ride in a normal raincoat; but anything cut normally will tend to bunch up at the top of your thighs when you’re cycling, which is pretty uncomfortable. Cycling jackets are cut high at…

Stephen Judd

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:01:24 +1200

there’s the one guy who likes to literally go against the flow & ride the opposite direction in the cycle lane (so he’s facing the oncoming cars & bikes).

NYC Bike Snob refers to this as "salmoning".

JackElder

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 12:37:31 +1200

Riding sportingly, I'll dress sportingly – i.e your standard lycra shorts and a bike jersey (in either lycra or merino – I can recommend Soigneur for locally-made merino jerseys that look very smart).

Riding short distances – anything under about 5k, basically lunchtime errands or trips between offices – I'll…

Alice Ronald

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 12:36:00 +1200

They are good – I don't mind that they run in the daytime & I wouldn't want to have to realign the magnets on a frequent basis, they can be a bit fiddly. If it's bright, you can't see them, and if it's slightly dim then it's good to know they're…

Gaz Tayler

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 12:35:52 +1200

Firstly, I think y'all are very brave using a bike to commute around Auckland (or any other city in Auckland), I've had too many bad incidents to even consider it now.. the thoughts of those incidents still make me nervous... but I'm a dedicated off-road rider and ride a minimum…

BenWilson

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 12:13:35 +1200

I've got induction-powered Reellights on the Archi bike,

Are they good? Struck me as slightly better than a hub dynamo in that you could move the magnets if you wanted to turn them off in the daytime (but I also imagine that this is trouble that most people wouldn't bother…

Alice Ronald

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:46:50 +1200

I'm loving it – really easy to use. Mine doesn't look very good as I keep it outside & we have a lime chip driveway, so the chrome has rusted & the spiders have taken up residence. The build quality's a little light compared to a Pashley or similar, but it's serving…

Richard Irvine

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:44:43 +1200

I commute from East Coast Bays to town via the Bayswater Ferry (about 18Kms each way), ride a road bike and shower after each ride, so I lycra up. I appreciate being able to wear what you’re wearing at the time for shorter journeys, but for longer rides with hills…

Matthew Poole

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:35:19 +1200

A cycle lane between parked cars and the footpath potentially puts you in the path of passenger doors, but at least you can’t be knocked into the path of moving traffic

Doors will kill you much more effectively than passing traffic unless you're particularly unlucky.

David Hood

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:09:42 +1200

Dunedin, mostly commutes of 3-4 km. I have a wardrobe in my office so will cycle with the assumption I am going to be weathered on and change at the end. Rugby shorts, t-shirt, normally a high-vis windbreaker (a bit pointless since I am normally wearing a pack), fingerless gloves.…

Ian MacKay

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 10:29:07 +1200

On a wet day I find it quite hard to ride my bike with my umbrella up. The funny looks that I get must be because I wear my ordinary clothes and do not own a sweat band.

Gareth

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 10:25:46 +1200

SWMBO and I cycle purely for fun and fitness, because our commutes are the 10 metres from bedroom to home offices. A friend told us that if you cycle 150 km a week, you can forget diets and eat what you like. Sounds good, and seems to work.

Being deeply…

Hebe

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 10:14:50 +1200

The test will come in a few months after the road works around the bridge are complete.

A bright sticker put on every passenger door window at warrant of fitness time would have many people aware of the new cycle lane configuration within six months.

I am shopping lazily for…

Matthew Poole

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 10:13:28 +1200

Since I cycle for fitness purposes I’m a semi-traditional dresser: Cleated shoes, lyrca shorts, and a fluoro-yellow cycling shirt (not lycra). If I’m going to meet someone I’ll pull a pair of cargo shorts over the top of the cycling shorts, but I find that the baggier crotch can catch…

Alice Ronald

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 09:33:53 +1200

Tennyson St in Beckenham has this setup – it'll be interesting to see how it works around the university. My experience is that car passengers aren't accustomed to looking before they open their doors & I've seen quite a few cyclists have to swerve onto the grass verge or far left…

James Butler

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 09:29:45 +1200

I commute about 6km each way in Auckland, and unless I'm going to work via the gym I wear street clothes – jeans or denim shorts, t-shirt or casual cotton shirt. When my commute was 15km each way I wore regular exercise shorts and a t-shirt, and SPDs. I have…

Tom Semmens

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 09:19:48 +1200

If the forecast is for rain – or to much wind – I drive. Whilst I appreciate the North-Western cycle way, i think that it is still really just an paved track built by someone who doesn’t ride a bike. A bit of camber for water run-off, and some thought…

Ian Dalziel

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 09:15:13 +1200

not dire diaphoresis?
I tend to perspire heavily about
five minutes after stopping riding...
aaah! That explains a lot,
The future is wet!!

You don't just
write about the future,
– you live there!!*
and when you pause
it catches up
sloshing against your
semi-porous meme brane...

I know inspiration…

Alice Ronald

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 08:44:09 +1200

For going to work or biking to shops etc, I wear my normal clothes. It's only 3.5km to the office, completely flat, and I ride a step-through, single speed cruiser (in candyfloss pink) from Archi bikes. If it's raining or dark, I add a raincoat & high vis vest. The only…

Stephen Judd

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 07:57:28 +1200

About the bike lanes inside the line of parked cars: exactly this set up is being built in Ilam Road by the University of Canterbury right now. So there will be empirical data soon.

In fact the cycling provisions in the Christchuch council's draft plan are on the fact of…

Zach Bagnall

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 04:27:18 +1200

Surprised this has reached three pages without someone mentioning the R word.. Rapha have build a massive brand based on performance fabrics – lots of merino blends – and understated branding for every day use. Pricey but. Around London you're more likely to see the distinctive contrast arm stripe than…

Lucy Stewart

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 01:34:42 +1200

I know it’s as ugly as sin, but I just tuck my pants into my sock, on the right side. I’ve always got them, and it keeps the trouser even cleaner than a clip.

Ah, but they have to be appropriately elasticated socks. Otherwise, to pull a purely random example…

BenWilson

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:31:47 +1200

Also, I now commute with folding bike, so if the weather is too bad, then I can take the bus.

Heh, classic. I gave my one to my sister who lived in Freeman's Bay. She used it to go everywhere she needed, and said people were always commenting on it.…

anth

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:09:26 +1200

What I wear depends on what I'm doing, mostly the length of the trip.

I used to regularly cycle fast and far, and for that a full set of cycling clothes really is useful. Summer would mean bright yellow shirt, black shorts, fingerless gloves. A cold, wet day could mean…

BenWilson

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 23:51:54 +1200

A big rubber-band around the ankle is also ideal for keeping your nice trousers out of the chain. It’s more effective and way more comfortable than a conventional cycle-clip.

I know it's as ugly as sin, but I just tuck my pants into my sock, on the right side. I've…

Lilith __

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 23:27:18 +1200

You can solve that problem by not riding in the door zone. If the car behind you gets frustrated it can pass and you can wave cheerfully as the driver swears at you. You can also help yourself by looking into the cars to see if there’s a driver in…

Russell Brown

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 23:21:37 +1200

It’s also pretty hot and humid up here in summer. You can’t ride in Auckland for more than half an hour in summer without being too smelly for most work/social situations. Some men I know can’t ride for more than ten minutes…

I don't seem to be very smelly, but…

Rachel Prosser

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 23:18:26 +1200

Also – if you do want the fancy team jerseys to train in here's a tip I got from a friend: Head to SaveMart – New Lynn is apparently quite good.

Cycling shirts are apparently sized so much smaller than most buyers expect, that many people who order them online…

Rachel Prosser

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 23:17:12 +1200

I take the view that if you travel on foot, you can stroll, walk briskly, jog or run. Same options for cycling (on the flat, at least).

If I ran to work I’d put on workout gear, but if I stroll, or walk, I wouldn’t (other than flat shoes).

In…

Brent Jackson

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 23:14:22 +1200

I just wear normal clothes, as I haven't bought any clothing specifically for cycling since I was regularly commuting to varsity back in the 80's. Back then I bought cheap vinyl gloves (from Rendals for $2 a pair – they needed regular replacing, but were a lot cheaper than leather…

LucyJH

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 22:57:55 +1200

Not that i'm saying Patrick was implying that :) he is awesome.

Helen Searancke

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 22:57:28 +1200

I bike for short neighbourhood trips in ordinary street clothes. I don't own any special cycling gear except for a helmet (which I'd prefer not to have to use, but until we have better cycling infrastructure and driver attitudes, I'm afraid to do without it. Besides, I make my kids…

LucyJH

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 22:55:31 +1200

I agree Russell. It's ridiculous to make people feel like they're not pulling their weight for not wearing a specific type of clothing while cycling. At least they're on their bikes which is surely what we all want more people to do.

It's also pretty hot and humid up here…

Russell Brown

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 22:47:29 +1200

While it's true that some bike clothing is more comfortable if you are heading out for a couple of hours, most trips can be made in whatever you are wearing now.
Pedal on,
Patrick Morgan, Cycling Advocates Network can.org.nz

Yeah, but I shouldn't need to feel like I'm letting the…

Jake Pollock

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 22:36:12 +1200

Jeanette King

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 22:30:44 +1200

As a sort of aside, I’d be interested to know what the crowd and the council think of bike lanes which go between sidewalk and parked cars.

This arrangement seems to work well in The Netherlands where it's very common. Passengers opening doors on to red painted bike lanes instead…

Christopher Dempsey

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 22:25:25 +1200

Regular commuter here. It all depends.

Around town, whatever I happen to be wearing, as my commute or ride is rarely more than 8k. Normal clothes as in normal jeans/trousers etc, and normal shirts etc as appropriate for the weather. Normal shoes. Tuck trou/jeans into socks.

If I ride past…

Lilith __

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 22:14:27 +1200

A cycle lane between parked cars and the footpath potentially puts you in the path of passenger doors, but at least you can't be knocked into the path of moving traffic, which is the big danger with a cycle lane on the driver's side.

A complete separation of parking and…

Ross Mason

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 21:57:05 +1200

Cycle shorts, polys and long fingered gloves when its cold. Light wind breaker. Lid.

Next summer I am going to join the Akatarawa Cycle Club and go...

naked.

Jake Pollock

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 21:55:42 +1200

I'd be interested to know what the crowd and the council think of bike lanes which go between sidewalk and parked cars.

Terrifying. When that passenger door swings open in front of you you'll have nowhere to go but into it.

Russell Brown

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 21:51:34 +1200

I'm considering cycling pants of some sort, but it's way further down the list than upgrading my bag was. Russell put me on to a winner, the backpack that converts to a pannier, from Rode. What sold it was that it's actually a very good backpack for a student since…

jb

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 21:45:50 +1200

Mountain biking (on/off-road) in Central Europe. A combination of Icebreaker t-shirt (always), LL Bean running shorts (or thermal longjohns and rainpants,) hi-vis Goretex jacket, sneakers and fingerless gloves.

Moz

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 20:56:26 +1200

Also, enjoying being back in Sydney, I seem to know so many more people here. Went to a bike festival in the park today, lots of fashionable cyclewear and decent utility bikes, from dutch bikes though to lightweight mudguards for fixies. The Clover Moore “bike lanes everywhere” project is starting…

Kumara Republic

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 20:50:42 +1200

With my newly-acquired two-wheeler, I simply wear what I've always worn: normal work clothes. The only lycra presence is the gel-filled bike seat cover.

Christina van Bohemen

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 20:04:40 +1200

Bought my city bike a year or so ago and it's my main mode of transport around the city. I'm fortunate that home and work are close – both to each other and the central city. Don't own any cycling gear other than a helmet and panniers which are fantastic…

Moz

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 19:46:04 +1200

For commuting I too bought some of the floppy shorts with bike knicks inside, and decided that I love them. Bike knicks FTW, obviously, by the nylon shorts have pockets! Pockets! Plus they separate from the knicks, and outlast them, so now I have two pair even though I'm on…

Jeanette King

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 19:43:59 +1200

I'm a commuter cyclist with an 'old-fashioned' Dutch Gazelle bike. I bought it last year and it has revolutionised my biking. I always wanted to bike to work more often than I had been able to manage (7.7km each way) and thought I was just lazy, until a trip to…

Lilith __

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 19:38:59 +1200

I ride if it’s nearby or bus/ride if it’s further (here in Chch almost all bus routes have cycle-carrying capacity). I wear pretty much whatever I would normally.

With skirts and dresses I tie up the bulk of the fabric in a heavy-duty rubber-band and make sure I’m wearing either…

Anita Easton

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 19:17:42 +1200

Cycling as a mode as a transport... whatever I happen to be wearing plus usually a cycle short mesh liner under the skirt/dress. The liner isn't guaranteed, particularly if it's just a supermarket dash or something similarly short. That said, it does depend on the time of the month and…

LucyJH

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 18:43:25 +1200

I wear lycra and bike shorts for the long rides, my normal clothes for the short rides. I wear a raincoat almost all the time in winter.

I am currently wearing my tramping coat (and have been for 10 years) which comes down to mid thigh and is a bit…

John Fouhy

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 18:43:14 +1200

As a sort of aside, I’d be interested to know what the crowd and the council think of bike lanes which go between sidewalk and parked cars.

Seems like you'd be in more danger from car doors? And possibly also pedestrians/joggers using the cycle lanes as an extension of the…

Stephen Judd

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 18:37:50 +1200

Clips help when you have hill climbs on your route. Even now I have toe-clips. Since I wear stiff-soled shoes to work, it's a nice little boost.

John Fouhy

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 18:35:52 +1200

I cycle commute in Wellington year-round.

Normal shorts. If I'm biking to work, I wear my work shirt, otherwise whatever.

I have leggings from a cycling shop (stretchy things held up by elastic around mid-thigh) to keep my legs warm. I like them because I can take them off without…

andin

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 18:21:16 +1200

Some people because of skin conditions cant wear synthetics

Liz Tan

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 18:15:34 +1200

I have two bikes and, sort of, two modes of biking.

My Auckland bike is a cruiser, a heavy 3-speed bike from California. It's big and heavy and painted with flowers and people always smile when they see it. It doesn't go anywhere fast, except downhill. I ride it wearing…

Isaac Freeman

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 18:12:35 +1200

In 2006, while rummaging in the surplus items bin in the bike shop in Ellerslie, I found a pair of standard black lycra bike shorts. Up until that point I had never contemplated wearing special clothes for cycling. I'd been in Auckland less than a year, and hadn't needed anything…

David Ww

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 18:04:12 +1200

Hebe, chamois is the whole point of cycle shorts --- something soft, seamless and non-chaffing to separate rider from a sometimes unforgiving saddle. Without the chamois, lycra shorts are just ugly gym shorts.

Hebe

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 17:58:47 +1200

Chamois undies! Cycle shorts are bad enough — I never imagined such underpinnings. I shall never look at a lycra'd cyclist again without sniggering.

Chris Robertson

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 17:56:05 +1200

Short rides, I just wear whatever I'm wearing, usually jeans and a T-shirt.

I get pretty hot on my commute into town in Auckland weather, so I wear clothes I don't mind sweating on, usually 3/4-length yoga/gym pants, a cotton singlet and a nylon shell jacket, and change into work…

andrew r

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 17:42:47 +1200

I ride for fun/fitness only.
Only in the dry. So long shorts and brightish cotton tee. In winter long sleeved cotton tee.
Puma skate shoes socks . Never cycle shorts nor longs . Bike – 3 speed light as roadbike.
Usually short fast rides of 45 mins or so in…

David Ww

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 17:21:58 +1200

Cool looking bike Stephen. Go the hub gears!

David Ww

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 17:15:08 +1200

I've gone and put spd pedals on the bike.

Unless you are racing, you should get rid of those pedals. What is the point of them?

Emma B

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 16:56:37 +1200

Great response, Patrick!

Emma B

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 16:55:41 +1200

I try to follow the frocks on bikes philosophy and look like a "normal" human being on my bike – I'm a commuter, not an athlete. I cycle most places I go, including to and from work everyday (about 20 minutes each way) in central Auckland and generally don't change…

Ben Gracewood

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 16:48:34 +1200

Padded shorts of some form, usually Lycra, worn under some regular shorts. Helmet, gloves, and MTB shoes because I've gone and put spd pedals on the bike.

Everything else is just regular clothes, usually shorts and a tshirt. Maybe a fluro top if (like others) I hit the laundry lottery.

BenWilson

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 16:42:32 +1200

Here's a complete list of what you need to go biking: a bike.

Heh, I was wondering when a no-lycra evangelist would show :-). I presume even in Copenhagen that professional cyclists wear lycra. It is good gear if your purpose is cycling for serious exercise.

Stephen Judd

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 16:18:12 +1200

I should note that I now live in Christchurch. There is no reason to work up a sweat on you bike in Christchurch ever, unless you actually want to.

Woolly gloves or well-dubbined driving gloves are nice in winter too. And I have been known to wear a polyprop balaclava…

Patrick Morgan

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 16:01:30 +1200

What to wear, what to wear?
A great topic sure to get the comments flowing.
In places where everyday cycling is popular, it's rare to see people riding in cycling gear. As they say in Copenhagen, there are no cyclists, just Copenhageners.
Wearing normal clothes may even make you safer.…

Stephen Judd

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 16:01:12 +1200

For the next 6 months, I'll be looking like this. Otherwise shortsleeved shirt.

The point is that I ride for strictly utilitarian purposes, and I find I can do 20 kph or so for an extended period without breaking a sweat. If I'm going to work, I dress for work.…

martyspida

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 15:56:56 +1200

thank you thank you "one less car" has been bugging me for years.

BenWilson

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 15:53:31 +1200

Most of my rides recently are short commutes, Kingsland to University. I wear elastine jeans and t-shirt. If I decide to go to the gym that day, I wear shorts and a singlet, go much harder and treat it as the warmup, then change into clothes I carry with me,…

David Ww

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 15:36:24 +1200

I cycle as my main form of transport and wear normal clothes pretty much exclusively. For rain, I have mudguards and carry a light northface goretex jacket. I wear a roadie helmet as it has the best airflow. I've got flat pedals with old style toe clips and straps. If…

Shaun Lott

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 15:29:07 +1200

I basically have two cycle modes, and dress codes to match:

1) If I'm just cycling up the road to the dairy or whatever, possibly with one of the kids in the seat out back... then I pretty much wear whatever I was standing up in.

2) If I'm trekking…

ashleighlou

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 15:21:49 +1200

I love posts like this.
I'm with you on the fingerless gloves. They're my one necessary thing. I think there's something about a pair of fingerless gloves that says "I am serious about being on this bike" even if the rest of your clothing says, "I don't really care I…

danielpresling

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 15:07:57 +1200

I usually wear a mixture of short or long sleeve mtb shirts from NZone, Troy Lee, Ground Effect etc. I too hate the road shirts and they don't fit or look nice on me. Shorts are usually a branded mtb clothing manufacturer as well but I'm happy going for city…

Tony P

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 15:07:22 +1200

In Napier where the terrain is flat, the roads are wide and there are cycle lanes marked on most main roads it depends what I'm doing but I generally stick to everyday clothes. Into town or to the supermarket it's a 5 minute ride so it's whatever I'm wearing at…

Anne M

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 15:00:51 +1200

My normal work trousers and an old long-sleeved T-shirt. I get a bit sweaty, but not too much (I change into a less-old shirt at work).
I really can't justify special clothes for it when the old stuff works fine. It's only 20-30 minutes depending on the wind ferocity.
And…

Rich of Observationz

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 14:58:13 +1200

Do those team replica cycle shirts have a little pocket thing in the sleeve so you can put a line in a shunt and receive your regular dose of drugs without taking the shirt off?

Mahal

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 14:54:14 +1200

It's been quite some time since I cycled; but I wore bike shorts with a decent chamois, and cycling shirts from Ground Effect. They didn't look spectacularly stupid. Mostly I wore them because I like having pockets available for my phone, cash etc – and women's clothing, including sporting clothing,…

Public Address

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 14:54:13 +1200

Discussion from blog post.