blending in with surroundings is not entirely the best strategy for cycling in busy cities, but, it does often seem to be the most popular.

I was stuck in Marston getting an Ipod adapter fitted to my car, so I was taking a few photos. Not too many cyclists about, probably because it was raining fairly persistently. A straw poll of the cyclists who did pass, showed a surprisingly high % of cyclist wearing dark clothes. Perhaps in summer you don’t expect it to get grey or dark weather. You could argue, motorists shouldn’t need bright clothes for them to see cyclists e.t.c. But, it seems wearing bright colours can only help increase visibility and reduce chance of being knocked over. It would certainly be interesting to see a careful study to see if hi viz jackets really do make a difference.

A waterproof, hi viz cover for backpack makes a big difference.

Nice cycle path. Very busy when school is in session.

Paths closed to cars and you see many children on bikes.

Related

• Cycling rain gear
  Cycling in Rain
  Best waterproof jackets

There are a few Eureka moments in cycling. – Like when you can master the art of cycling no hands, when you realise you can actually cycle three miles to work and still live to tell the tale, when you realise it’s an awfully lot more comfortable to wear proper cycling shorts than jeans and underpants. In fact you realise it’s so much more comfortable, that you’d rather get dressed in tight fitting lycra and to hell with what people think – you’re a proper cyclist now!

The only problem with lycra cycling shorts is that the next inevitable step to maintain your chic elite cycling look is  getting out the old shaver (well, actually preferably new sharp shaver) – to proudly display the contours of your bulging biceps. Anyway, that’s another step and that can wait. But, a good padded cycling short is one of the most essential ways to get a more comfortable ride, especially for anything over two hours.

Over the years I’ve tried quite a few cycling shorts. Recently, I’ve been frequently riding some Impsport custom made ones for my cycling teams like Oxonians and Sri Chinmoy CT. Unfortunately, Impsport do not make the best cycling shorts. Although, att least they are better than they were. A few years ago, I received some shorts with the padding in a pretty useless place. However, they are reasonable and provide enough comfort for most of my rides.

A few general comments about Cycling Shorts

• Bibbed shorts are more comfortable than non-bibbed. It is much easier to keep them up without the feeling of elastic around the waist. They also seem to stay in position much more easily. I do have a few non-bibbed shorts, but, when getting in and out of the saddle, they tend to move. I also have one pair of shorts with a very good insert, but, it’s too tight around the waist. I do still use it (I can’t bring myself to throw it away) but, it’s not good to have a tight elastic around stomach.
• All shorts become more comfortable when used to cycling. Getting used to spending hours in the saddle is like anything else, you develop tolerance over time. If you’re new to cycling, spending £200 on some shorts will still feel pretty sore after a seven hour sportive. If you’re used to spending hours in the saddle, you probably won’t really notice even Impsport varieties.
• Keep Clean. I’m sure this doesn’t really need saying, but, you want to wash after every ride. They are pretty quick drying, especially if you wrap in towel. (Some pros used to insist on hand washing so they could be sure it didn’t get mixed up with other laundry which could potentially pass on germs)
• Don’t Wash at Too High Temperature. On one holiday in US, I took my laundry to a US washomat. After washing at presumably very high temperature, the lycra was stretched to almost indecent proportions. I had to throw away the see-through shorts before getting into trouble. Don’t ruin a good pair of lycra by washing in hot water!
• Some Chamois cream can help keep the insert padding soft. Useful for long rides, though most synthetic chamois are pretty good at staying soft.

Despite using my custom cycling team shorts on most occasions, a seven hour ride in the Dales, made me wanting a really good pair for such epic rides.

Assos FI Mille S5 Bib Cycling Shorts – Review

Assos have a reputation for producing the best, (whatever the cost). These shorts certainly looked intriguing with their dimpled padding. The padding is quite substantial and feels very soft when put on. It does feel different to other shorts because of the air flow and space in between dimples. This helps to wick away sweat which is one of top ways of creating friction and discomfort. The short fits on the body very easily, it smooths away pressure and there is no feeling of tightness or discomfort. Also, I never felt any seems which I often do on other shorts. For long rides, it is substantially more comfortable and does make a real difference. Sometimes, in cycling you can pay £150 extra and it’s hard to know what you’ve got for your money. But, buy a pair of these shorts and you will notice the difference in ride quality.

If you are serious for training for long distance rides and sportives, a couple (or one) pairs of these shorts will make a big difference and could perhaps be a higher priority than some carbon upgrade to save 10 grams.

• Assos F1 Mile at Wiggle £154
• Assos F1 Mile at Evans Cycles

Cheaper Padded Shorts

If you’re a newcomer to cycling, don’t worry that shorts have to be so expensive. I ride close to 10,000 miles a year and so got excited about such a short. But, for the majority of the time, I’ve been fine riding on much cheaper shorts. For example, the dhb Finchdean padded short at under £50.

Under Shorts?

What if you want to ride normal clothes. It may be you want to ride a bike, then get off socialise, walk around the city and even enjoy yourself. If you want to enjoy cycling but, you feel self-consciousness walking around tourist attractions in lycra shorts, you can still get a padded under short you can wear underneath, this will make a comfortable ride. This dhb undershort is only £13. I have a pair of under shorts, but, they hardly get used, except under winter bibtights with an insert.

• Cycling shorts at Evans Cycles
• shorts at Chain Reaction Cycles
• Lycra shorts at Wiggle
• cycle shorts fit
• Cheap cycling shorts

Over the years, I have tried innumerable combinations of waterproofing in the hope of finding that perfect rain jacket. I have found that the perfect jacket doesn’t really exist. The best jacket really depends on the purpose of what kind of cycling you have done.

I’m always tempted by light, easy to pack, ‘waterproof jackets’. But, you tend to get what you pay for. In reality all waterproof jackets offer degrees of waterproofing and degrees of breathability. It is a matter of finding the best combination for your type of riding. I also find it is necessary to have more than one for the different purpose of riding.

Heavy Goretex, Waterproof jackets. These jackets are pretty good on being waterproof. But, I find them pretty poor on the breathability side. It is also quite heavy and bulky. I tend never to use this when training. However, when commuting slowly 2-3 miles into town it is fine. On the commute, I’m not looking to work up a sweat, but you want to be as waterproof as possible.
In reality, it can start to feel damp around the edges of sleeves. But, your main body is kept waterproof.

If I was cycle touring and stuck to  a schedule or riding 5 hours through a Lake District rainy day. I would also be wanting this kind of jacket.

Good for Cycle Touring – too heavy and lacking in breathability for training and racing.

dhb Amberley Waterproof.

This is perhaps the most versatile rain jacket and pretty good value. It is light and small enough to fit in a back pocket (I also keep it in a cut off bottle cage). Yet, it offers pretty good wateproofing for 1-2 hours which is about as much as you want to do when its raining hard. When training, I tend not to ride for more than an hour in heavy rain; it does tends to be getting wet after this time frame. But, keeps the worst of the cold out. Panels in the arm help breath.If it is really heavy, I may use in combination with a cycle gilet which I nearly always carry as well.

• dhb Amberley £54.99 at Evans

Cycle Gilet. This is very useful for the days, with frequent small showers (on a recent ride in the misty hills of the Yorkshire dales, it was ideal for the top of the climbs where it always seems to be wet.). The cycle gilet is just very easy to put on and take off whilst on the move.  I have a custom made one (Sri Chinmoy Cycling Team) by Impsport which is fine. A gilet keeps these small showers from getting your body wet and doesn’t interfere with your cycling and movement. It also can act as a layer of insulation for windy descents. True, your arms are exposed, but, you maintain  a flexibility for cycling and training, which you often want. Without a gilet, you are thinking do I want to stop and get sweaty or do I want to keep going and get wet. A gilet helps fill the gap for those awkward showers where you just want to keep going. Definitely a good product to have.

• Cycle Gilets at Wiggle

If the rain becomes heavier and more persistent I may put on the mid level jacket or race cape. Two layers of thin waterproofing are obviously much better.

Race Cape
I bought this Altura race cape (£34.99, Evans) because I was attracted by how small you could role it up. But, for its small size you pay in the fact that it is less effective in dealing with really heavy rain. It is really insufficient for long persistent heavy rain. But, if you are training / racing through a few showers, it helps maintain a few more degrees in the body. Again I often wear it in combination with a cycle gilet. I tend to take this race cape, when weather forecast is reasonably good / warm. It’s an insurance against unexpected heavy showers, but isn’t too bulky.

Writing this post, makes me realise how many waterproof tops I have tried. Some of the most expensive Goretex ones have often proved a disappointing buy as I rarely actually wear it when training. But, if I was a slow tourer / commuter I may use them more often and a race cape less useful.

The thing is when it really pours down with rain and you still have 30 miles to go, you really need something pretty solid! I think every cyclist learns this the hard way at some time!

A good waterproof jacket is essential for any cyclist.

• A useful tip for carrying a lightweight jacket. Take an old plastic water bottle and cut it in half. The lightweight waterproof jacket will fit in here, then you can carry it in a bottle cage. Ideal, if you only need one water bottle and have 2 slots for water brackets.

Altura Jacket

• Altura Night Vision -(£59.99) Waterproof, breathable and made out of the durable Altek fabric. This will withstand much more rain as it has a couple of layers and better material

Briko Jacket

• Briko Extra waterproof (£44.99) Ultralight jacket made of Nylon Dropshell that is completely heat taped and unlined.

Top of the Range Cycling Jacket

• Endura Venturi eVent (£134.99) This is a 3 layer fabric – Lightweight, fully waterproof and exceptionally breathable. All zips are fully waterproof.
• Rear shoulder vents for extra breath ability

Related

• Waterproof jackets at Wiggle
• Rain wear at Evans
• Waterproof jackets at Amazon

Do you go cycling in the rain?

Am happy with new cycling shoes – Mavic Tourmalet after a long battle to find a pair which fit well.

When it comes to buying shoes I would prefer buying from a local shop than online. I have always had difficulty buying cycling shoes. Partly, because manufacturers have widely different conceptions of what size 12 or size 48 means means.

Different brands seem to use different shoe sizes. I’ve had cycling shoes from size 46 to size 48.

A problem with buying at local shops is that my size 12, is often not stocked. So with reluctance, I looked online. I was fortunate to find one model which did half sizes, so I ended up getting a Mavic Tourmalet 46.5. Evans cycles were quite good because initially  I thought the 46.5  were too big so I sent it back to get a 46, but, that was too small so I ended up back with a 46.5 – which is just right even in winter and with hotpads stuffed down them.

I don’t know why it’s so difficult to choose the right pair of cycling shoes. But, one foot is slightly bigger than the other and my feet are comparatively wider than normal.

By the way, if anyone takes size 48, I have a pair of Northwave size 48, which I rode twice before I realised they were too big. I guess I should try sell on ebay..

Tips on Buying Cycling Shoes

• Do try them on.
• Don’t put too much weight on manufacturers shoe sizes – they definitely do vary
• Be aware your feet can expand when they get hot. Also bear in mind, you might be wearing two or three pairs in winter.
• A good fit is more important than any other feature.

The Mavic Tourmalet are a good shoe. They look good and weigh little – just 285 grams for size 8.5. They are well ventilated and have good heels to avoid wear and tear.

Related

• Mavic Road shoes at Evans

There are many different types of overshoes available to reduce the effects of cold feet. For the past 10 years neoprene overshoes have become increasingly popular.

Neoprene overshoes offer:

• Water resistance (but, not completely waterproof)
• Reduce Heat loss.
• Can get quite sweaty as they tend to keep moisture in. (it is a good idea to use talcum powder with them.)
• Sometimes if your feet get very wet, they can become cold later on in the ride.

Therefore, I prefer to save neoprene shoes for when it is wet.

Lightweight Knit Overshoes

I’ve had quite a few pairs of knitted woolen overshoes. These look good and have the advantage of not sweating. However, the problem is that they easily tear and after a winter’s training, they look pretty ragged and so become unusable.

Suggested Overshoes

• Adidas Chrono Booties – aerodynamic and light wind resistant. 80% polyester £12.95
• Altura Neostream Overshoe – neoprene version of the Altura Stream overshoe. £19.99
• Assos Neoprene Overshoes – Top of the range anatomically cut overshoe -£35.99
• Endura Road Overshoe – I have used this for one winter and looks hardly used at all. It is pretty tough and resilient and does job.

• Overshoes at Chain Reaction Cycles
• Overshoes at Evans Cycles

Cycling in Wet

As you read this I will be cycling through Ireland. I have gone on a cycling holiday and, undoubtedly, I will also be cycling through some rain…

It’s tough cycling in the rain, but, with the right gear not quite as bad as it looks from inside the comfort of your house.

Cycling gear. Umbrellas not very practical for cyclist

Jeans

Jeans are unfortunately the worst clothes for rain, soon getting heavy and take ages to dry.

Sometimes if the rain is light, there’s a lot to be said for just getting a little wet.

Essential Cycling Rain Gear

Waterproof trousers. For the commute into town, you want to keep your trousers dry, otherwise you will be uncomfortable for several hours at work. You get what you pay for, but, I prefer breathable trousers. Waterproof trousers

Rain Cape. Most rain capes either are breathable and let water in after 20 mins or keep water out but make you sweat inside. Goretex jackets are not as breathable as manufacturers claim, but, is fine for short / non intense cycling. Waterproof jackets

Gillet. Easy to remove waterproof jacket, often sleeveless, useful for slipping in back pocket for longer rides. Useful for keeping wind out.

Other Waterproof Items I also use:

Girters – Is this the right word? I’m not sure. Anyway, my waterproof trousers were a bit short so I bought some ‘girters’ which go from shoe to around ankle. They keep the trousers tucked in and prevent water in the socks.

Plastic bags. You can’t beat a plastic bag in the shoe to keep your socks dry.

Cap. Rain in the eyes, can make cycling difficult, a good old fashioned cycling cap can keep water out.

• Waterproof jackets at Wiggle

• Best Cycling Clothes
• Winter cycling gear

The great debate about cycling helmets is not likely to disappear. But, when cycling around Oxford, I am often surprised to see alot of people who wear a helmet, fail to wear it properly. If you do make the effort to wear a helmet you might as well wear it properly.

Incorrect Fitting of Helmet

from: flickr

In particular the most common problem is to wear the helmet too far back on the head. If you were to land on your forehead the first thing to hit the ground would be your head rather than your helmet. The other mistake is to wear the helmet too loose. It is suggested that badly fitting helmets can actually cause injury when you fall because they can twist your neck.

Tips for Correct fitting of Bike Helmet

photo by Zimpenfish

• Measure circumference of head about 3 cm above eyebrows. Match your headsize to helmet. It doesn’t have to be exact fit as there will be some leeway with straps and padding.
• Place your head squarely on your head so front protrudes above forehead. Then adjust inner padding and inner straps so the helmet is snug. Not loose, but not too tight. Then replace the helmet and use the main outer straps to get a snug fit.
• The front strap should be as vertical as possible.
  The buckle should be under the chin, not on the jaw.
  If you try to move the helmet, it should only give a slight movement on the head. If it is easy to roll the helmet around the head, it is not tight enough.
• Other tips for using a helmet.
• If you crash, or have a heavy impact on helmet – get a new one.
  Just because you are wearing a helmet doesn’t make you ‘safe’ on the roads. At the best it will minimise impact of head injuries.

Related

• Cycle Helmets at EVans
• Giro helmets

(Weather Forecast for Oxford again)

One thing I would advise any cyclist is never to leave home without a waterproof cape, unless you are 100% certain it won’t rain persistently. During the winter months and often during the summer, I carry a waterproof cape in a bottle cage. I use an old water bottle, cut off the top and sqaush in the waterproof cape. This means it is easy to carry and more difficult to forget. If you are racing, you will need to keep a race cape in a back pocket (unless you are on a real pro team and have a support vehicle)

The ideal race cape is both lightweight, small, waterproof and breathable. Unfortunately, it is difficult to have all characteristics at once; but for a race cape it is best to go for a lighter one, even if it starts to get damp inside after a while.

A Race Cape should also be clear so that other people can see your number, team and sponsor.

• Waterproof jackets at Wiggle
• Altura Race Cape – £49.99
• Cycling in the Rain 
• Do You Go Cycling in the Rain? 

Rapha Cycling prides itself on creating custom designed ‘haute couteur’ cycling clothes for cyclists.

Rapha comes from the legendary French cycling team of the 1960s St Raphael, led by the tempestuous Jaques Anquetil. Jacques Anquetil won the Tour de France 5 times and broke the World Hour Record (except this was never ratified, because Jacques refused to take a drugs test)

Rapha focuses on the traditions of European pro cycling scene, evoking a former era of cycling. It produces many ‘retro’ clothes such as wollen jerseys and traditional cycling caps (which are less common in an era of compulsory helmets) It’s designer label cycling clothes come at quite a price, with some cycling jerseys costing upto £180. It is one of the few cycling companies who regularly advertise in glossy magazines. Rapha also produces its own cycling journal ‘le Rouleur’ which seeks to celebrate the drama and beauty of Road racing.I have to admit, I like Rapha clothes, but, I have never bought any because they are too expensive.

Rapha Clothes 

More cycling clothes

We wanted to create some custom cycling kit for our cycling club, Sri Chinmoy Cycling Team. We had a relatively modest order of about 8 jerseys, 3 pairs of shorts and other bits and pieces. After looking round, we ended up choosing Impsport, mainly because they seemed the largest company.

The pricing was reasonable and, although it took a while, the clothes were delivered without any problems. The material is fine. The shorts and jerseys are good. The skin suit for time trials was noticeably not as good as my previous skinsuit from MDT. In fact there was a lot of spare material in the arms. I had to ask my friend, bike mechanic and expert sower to double stitch the surplus material up. (I should say, my arms are particularly skinny, so the average cyclist may not have this problem. One thing I liked about Impsport was that there was no minimum order for other pieces of clothing. I got some oversocks, winter training jacket (which is excellent) and long sleeved shirts.

The other thing to watch out for is the sizing. Small is really small, Extra large is not particularly large. I took a jersey for a well fed American friend, and unfortunately he found the extra large too small.

More cycling clothes links

• Cycle Clothes at Wiggle
  
• Best Cycling leg warmers
• Cycling Clothes
• Thermal Base Layers for cycling