Kyote Bayte Cycling USA

Why do cyclists often look like they’re in the Tour de France every day? Do I have to look like that?

Good question. It’s complicated, but after you decide what type of bike is the correct one for you, there are more things to consider to make your cycling enjoyable/bearable depending on how much time you will spend on your bike.

Visibility

A primary consideration in biking wear should be your visibility on the road. Colors should not blend in with the surroundings. The helmet should be a bright color, even a fluorescent color. Drivers tend to not see cyclists on the road. The cyclist can help them by wearing bright colors.

Helmet

Yes! If you ride a lot, you shouldn’t scrimp on the cost of a helmet.

You’re on two wheels. Simple things like a patch of sand, a hole in the road, or a pedestrian that turns into your path suddenly, can all lead up to a cyclist being reminded that they are delicately balanced and that balance is dependent on the bike continuing to move in one direction with minimal deviation.

A cyclist is also traveling on a road…a road that is shared with multi-ton metal vehicles that sometimes are moving at much higher rates of speed. Drivers can be unaware, inattentive, or just not care. The cost of a helmet is less than the cost of rehabilitation for a head injury.

I met a cyclist that has had two encounters with a car/pickup. The last one put him in a coma for a month. Wear a helmet.

Biking Jersey and Shorts (Kit)

This is probably the most intimidating aspect of riding a bike:  Fashion.

Wearing skin-tight, thin polyester, with padding on the butt is not normal. It is revealing and it feels odd. I sometimes wonder how many people have skipped biking as an exercise option simply because of what cyclists wear.

However, a biking jersey and biking shorts (together cyclists call them a ‘kit’) are not about fashion. Sweat is a cyclist’s shadow. It is always there. As a liquid on your body sweat is unpleasant and a biking kit is designed to allow for evaporation. More important, sweat and cotton underwear can be a painful combination. Biking shorts are designed to reduce the issues of abrasion and rashes caused by wet fabric rubbing on the skin, such as the groin area.

If you are riding short distances, a biking kit is not necessary; however, the greater the distance, the more you will need to adopt the fashion of a cyclist.

Sunglasses

Eye protection is important if you travel at higher speeds. Downhills can be blinding if you don’t have something covering your eyes to block the wind. Also, remember that the air is filled with things that can get into your eye. Insects, dust, flying debris all become much more of a threat when you are moving down the road.

Backpack and Hydration

For a long time, I didn’t wear a backpack and I used a water bottle for hydration. That works fine for short distance cycling. 

However, for longer rides, especially in hot weather, a backpack with a water bladder is worth consideration. It provides cooling on the back, a place to carry stuff, and water to drink. I did away with my handlebar pouch and my water bottle once I started using a backpack. It’s not something a cyclist needs on Day One, but worth consideration.

UV Blocking Sleeves

I don’t wear mine all the time, but I live in the western U.S., so it is hot in the summer and constant Sun on my arms is not an option.

Gloves

I wear gloves most of the time, but they are not vital to my cycling, except for Sun protection.

Health Meter Watch

I bought mine to track my vitals during a ride. I stopped wearing it when I discovered that it gave nearly the same readings regardless of whether it was on my wrist or sitting on my bed. It was a $60 fraud. 

Perhaps there are personal health monitors that actually work, but be cautious.

Biking Shoes

I’m a fan of flat pedals and athletic shoes for cycling. My opinion is that Clip-In shoes are a waste of time, money, and energy. Studies don’t show any significant power advantage to flat pedaling.

 

That said, I now have a pair of bright athletic shoes with a good tread that I use only for cycling. My feet have a good connection to the flat pedals and the single use for these shoes makes sense, considering how much I use them.

 

Final Answer

If you’re just starting to ride, (or ride again,) I suggest you not worry about the accessories. As you take longer rides and spend more time on the bike, the need for certain accessories will become apparent.