I understand the purpose of wearing riding gear - to make it easier to get from point A to point B as fast as possible - but when they are riding to train (become more fit) can't they wear normal outfits (shirt & shorts) that might actually make it harder to ride because of wind friction and hence get a better workout?
2006-08-07 03:42:00 · 9 answers · asked by butnozzle 2 in Sports ➔ Cycling
If you ride hard for long distances you need those clothes. The jersy's and shorts are designed to "wick" moisture (sweat) away from your body which cools you down and is so much better on your skin, especially sensitive areas which don't need to be drowning in sweat for hours. The jersy's have pockets in the back of them to hold your keys/wallet/cell phone and the bright colors are for safety when your traveling with cars in traffic.
The shorts and shirts are tighter so that the wind doesn't blow them up (I wore some running shorts riding one day, and with the wind blowing them up I might as well have just been wearing underwear) and you don't have to constanly pull them down. Also, if your not wearing the right shorts, the motion of your legs up and down against the seat for hours is similiar to rubbing sandpaper against your bikini line and thights!!!! It's Real bad, anyone who seriously spends some time in the saddle understands and appreciates the reasons for wearing this clothing!
2006-08-07 04:26:35 · answer #1 · answered by Lisa 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its a cyclist thing... you wouldn't understand.
The tight clothing IS "normal" as far as outfits go- for cyclists. Just like the insane "farmer's tan" and shaved legs, most people don't get it.
If a better workout is needed, wind resistance doesn't play into the equation. To train right, cyclists have to change the routine daily in order to maximize their improvements, eat very carefully, recover properly and have their equipment running perfectly.
Loose clothing would only be uncomfortable at best, and cause chafing and painful saddle sores if worn for an 8-hour ride (hint: they are NOT pleasant!).
2006-08-07 17:06:01 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the jersey wicks sweat and doesn't chafe. as a former mt biker, i used to think like you. when i started road biking i wore a tshirt and regular shorts. while this can be done, i've come to learn you are putting yourself at a serious disadvantage if you do so. the jersey is light weight, amazingly wicks sweat (keeping you dry & chafe free), has pockets that you need to store stuff in (no camelback required), has it's own AC unit (full length zipper) and is aerodynamic. the shorts are also aerodynamic. if you wear regular shorts that are light they blow up like a parachute. & the shorts i wear around town are like heavy *** cargo shorts... no way. and as a guy, the bike shorts keep your junk right wear you want it... which is good to have when your balanced on that little seat and going over occasional bumps as well.
all in all, it might not always look the coolest to american eyes. but man, who cares what other people think! even at that though, i try to select jerseys that aren't lit up like vegas wedding chapels. and for local rides where i know i'll be going into a store or something, i do wear a light made-for-this-purpose short over the lycra.
2006-08-07 05:57:32 · answer #3 · answered by mcslain 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The clothing that cyclists wear (even non-serious ones) keeps the rider more comfortable. The more form-fitting the clothing, the less it is likely the cloth will get stuck on any parts of the bike. Also, the clothing is made of material that pulls sweat away from the body and allows it to evaporate more quickly; a cotton t-shirt acts like a giant towel and retains the moisture. Plus, I think it makes people feel extra suave to have "special" clothes. I know I love buying and jerseys because they have cool designs on them.
2006-08-07 18:44:52 · answer #4 · answered by purpledocschick 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"regular" shorts and shirts are not comfortable for riding. It's not really a question of wind resistance. Wearing a t-shirt and regular shorts while riding is just annoying.
2006-08-07 04:43:33 · answer #5 · answered by John R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For the same reason that football players wear their uniforms during practice, or baseball players, or most sporty people for that matter. If you're going to train, you want to simulate the conditions in which you will be actually performing as close as possible, right down to wearing the uniform.
2006-08-07 03:47:44 · answer #6 · answered by pceej 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because do you know why?
it does just as good as when you are riding in a race
it just means you are going on as big ride DUHHH
its like wearing basketball gear when you are playing basketball but it does not mean anything!
2006-08-07 05:07:51 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
this could be an common one. If the worldwide gets too warm, we've shown that we can proceed to exist it because of fact the "Cradles of Civilization" have been in warm, dry aspects. If the worldwide gets chilly, then we've already shown that we can stand up to ice a while, and that's with out any "extreme" technologies. If the worldwide gets overpopulated, it is going to, out of necessity, stability itself out. i don't think of we could desire to rigidity approximately surviving the subsequent one hundred years. the genuine question is the thank you to we save the subsequent one hundred years from transforming into the subsequent dark Age.
2016-11-04 01:37:21 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I concur with Lisa.
2006-08-07 04:43:19 · answer #9 · answered by Ross 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋