a random thought
Discussion
I am spending some time in France, Nice, Cannes, Paris etc,plenty of cyclists enjoying the roads, going to and from work, for pleasure, exercise, etc, and an obersvation must be made in comparison to home, so few of them need to find the need to dress up in silly clothes, no lycra, no camera's just enjoying the road. why oh why do the British feel the need have 'all the gear' seems a very sad inditiment on our national identity
To be fair, there are loads of lycra clad cyclists in France - I do a hell of a lot of cycling over here. As for the 'all the gear no idea' brigade in GB - I blame the advent of Sky cycling team - for most people cycling didn't exist before 2010 - now there's a Chris Froome/Bradley Wiggins wannabe everywhere you look decked out in their pro kit and carbon fibred Pinarello Dogs
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Lots of people wear lycra in France, myself included when I'm there. What you are seeing I suspect are people nipping out to run an errand who would be in the car in the UK, and are therefore dressed normally as, after all, popping out to buy a baguette does not require the same wardrobe as the giant of Provence.
Dammit said:
Lots of people wear lycra in France, myself included when I'm there. What you are seeing I suspect are people nipping out to run an errand who would be in the car in the UK, and are therefore dressed normally as, after all, popping out to buy a baguette does not require the same wardrobe as the giant of Provence.
well thats my point, these seem to be normal people out for a ride, and did not feel the need for idiotic dress code like in the UK, the UK is so style over subsatnce, "do I look good, I am a serious athlete" are you bks!, your an idiot with too much cash!, cycling is the new golfMarkh said:
well thats my point, these seem to be normal people out for a ride, and did not feel the need for idiotic dress code like in the UK, the UK is so style over subsatnce, "do I look good, I am a serious athlete" are you bks!, your an idiot with too much cash!, cycling is the new golf
So what? Do you think I care even in the slightest what anybody thinks of what I look like? I couldn't care less what other people look like regardless of whatever activity they're engaging in. So why does looking 'serious' make one an idiot? Does owning a wetsuit make you look like a serious surfer? What about wearing lycra while running, is that not allowed unless competing for Team GB, or is it just non-professional cyclists who aren't allowed to wear sport specific clothing? Turning this argument around, you could say that a lot of people think that owning a Porsche makes you look like an idiot with too much cash...... ks!, your an idiot with too much cash!, cycling is the new golf(Ps, just for clarification, I don't)
Markh said:
did not feel the need for idiotic dress code like in the UK, the UK is so style over subsatnce, "do I look good, I am a serious athlete" are you bks!, your an idiot with too much cash!, cycling is the new golf
Anyone else surprised to click on Mark's profile and see a Chelsea tractor? Nope, me neither.ks!, your an idiot with too much cash!, cycling is the new golfRun along now.
What else would you wear? My lycra comes from aldi and I'm a fat bloke but it seems to be the thing that fits the bill, joggers would be too hot and would rub and shorts if too short bunch up like speedos and longer shorts catch on your knees and you loose a lot of your effort in clothing drag, on top it breathes to keep you cool but stops the wind I guess you could wear a t-shirt but it'd ride up in the wind.
OK, so here I am living in France and cycling.
IMHO the op has seen people getting around on bikes, if I'm popping to get a loaf of bread I don't dress up in Lycra I'm not going cycling I'm going to the shops on a bike.
I think general bike use is more widespread than in the UK.
There is a difference between sport cycling and using a bike to get around.
IMHO the op has seen people getting around on bikes, if I'm popping to get a loaf of bread I don't dress up in Lycra I'm not going cycling I'm going to the shops on a bike.
I think general bike use is more widespread than in the UK.
There is a difference between sport cycling and using a bike to get around.
leyorkie said:
There is a difference between sport cycling and using a bike to get around.
This, riding 100 miles in jeans a a tshirt is not fun, riding to the shops for a loaf and the papers does not require lycra.That said, its perfectly acceptable to wear jeans and a hoodie on a trackday yet most people wear a flameproof onesie, its called "clothing appropriate to the activity"....
Why do you care what other people wear? What the fck has it got to do with you?
When I first started riding properly I thought I'd never wear lycra, then I did piece by piece and realised its simply the best tool for the job
Try riding 100-150 miles a week in normal clothes, then the same in cycling specific clothes!!
Its the best tool for the job + I don't give a fck if nimbyesque daily mail reading boring tts disagree with it!
All my commuting gear is branded cycling lycra and all cost dirt cheap, cheaper than the clothes I wear down the pub so fck of with all this "new golf bks
When I first started riding properly I thought I'd never wear lycra, then I did piece by piece and realised its simply the best tool for the job
Try riding 100-150 miles a week in normal clothes, then the same in cycling specific clothes!!
Its the best tool for the job + I don't give a fck if nimbyesque daily mail reading boring t
ts disagree with it!All my commuting gear is branded cycling lycra and all cost dirt cheap, cheaper than the clothes I wear down the pub so fck of with all this "new golf b
ksI don't get why cycle-criticism nearly always includes the clothing people on bikes choose to wear. Are people intimidated by others wearing lycra? I'm pretty sure many cyclists are aware they don't look brilliant in lycra, but as it's the best tool for the job they use it anyway - are the critics envious of this decision to disregard the appearance for functionality?
For the OP - when I cycle to collect my daughter from pre-school I don't wear any lycra. What you're seeing in France (and would see even more in the Netherlands) is people using bikes as transport rather than as a hobby/recreation/sport. It's the same in the UK.
I still don't get why people seem to care SO MUCH about what others choose to wear though.
For the OP - when I cycle to collect my daughter from pre-school I don't wear any lycra. What you're seeing in France (and would see even more in the Netherlands) is people using bikes as transport rather than as a hobby/recreation/sport. It's the same in the UK.
I still don't get why people seem to care SO MUCH about what others choose to wear though.
Markh said:
I am spending some time in France, Nice, Cannes, Paris etc,plenty of cyclists enjoying the roads, going to and from work, for pleasure, exercise, etc, and an obersvation must be made in comparison to home, so few of them need to find the need to dress up in silly clothes, no lycra, no camera's just enjoying the road. why oh why do the British feel the need have 'all the gear' seems a very sad inditiment on our national identity
Because I ride a roadbike, fast, and often, I want to be as comfortable as possible while doing it. The kit for roadbiking as you have correctly worked out is made from lycra. Get over it ffs.
Markh said:
Dammit said:
Lots of people wear lycra in France, myself included when I'm there. What you are seeing I suspect are people nipping out to run an errand who would be in the car in the UK, and are therefore dressed normally as, after all, popping out to buy a baguette does not require the same wardrobe as the giant of Provence.
well thats my point, these seem to be normal people out for a ride, and did not feel the need for idiotic dress code like in the UK, the UK is so style over subsatnce, "do I look good, I am a serious athlete" are you bks!, your an idiot with too much cash!, cycling is the new golfThe people "in France" are not using their bikes for exercise if they are not wearing appropriate gear. Normal clothes get hot, sweaty and chafe. Same reason you don't wear chinos and a shirt to the gym.
For what it's worth, my cycling gear cost about £20 from Aldi and Decathlon. It ain't stylish or flattering, but it is a hell of allot nicer than sitting in sweaty work clothes after cycling 16 miles to work, and rather more comfortable. It's not what I would chose if I were going further, but for a maximum of 30 miles it is ideal. I would not want to do that in "normal" clothes, nor would I want to do long distances in cheap lycra.
Edited by SteveSteveson on Tuesday 2nd June 12:21
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