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Why do they do that? Funny clothes.
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Part two: Funny clothes
Co-worker: I'd ride a bike but I wouldn't wear them funny shorts.
Me: Given your looks, that's probably a wise decision.
Why do cyclists wear those funny clothes?
You'd think this would be an easy question to answer, but it gets complicated. I am most definitely not a fashion maven, so what follows comes from my perspective as a long-time racer and commuter. I'll wear loud Hawaiian shirts with Bermuda shorts, for instance, and my daughter refuses to be seen in public with me.
Not all cyclists wear purpose-made garish clothing covered with logos and eye-searing graphics. In fact, there's a movement afoot to promote everyday clothing as entirely suitable for short distance bicycling. While that's perfectly sensible in cooler weather or more northerly areas, summer temperatures in Oklahoma may force other choices.
Purpose-built cycling clothing is all about sweat management, long distance comfort, and drag reduction. Form fitting clothes like the traditional bike jersey and shorts reduce drag by reducing frontal area and reduced flapping. That saves some energy, though frankly it's probably miniscule. If you're planning to be in the saddle every day like a racer, a cyclo-tourist, or even a commuter, cycling clothes can make the trip more comfortable.
For short distances, though, it's entirely possible to ride in street clothes provided you can so so at a modest pace. A good rule-of-thumb is to consider using a bicycle as an alternative to walking the same distance.
For the most part, the question of cycling clothing is in two parts: fabric choice and garment design. Much of this revolves around comfort and hygiene, also.
High-tech fabric
Since the 1970s, most cycling clothing has been made of synthetic fabric, generically known as spandex. This mimics the capillary action inherent in wool, and in fact, some high end cycling clothes are still made of wool. These fibers wick moisture away from the skin, allowing it to evaporate very quickly. This evaporation cools the body.
Cotton, on the other hand, doesn't wick. Instead, it absorbs moisture and holds it, reducing airflow over the skin. This impedes cooling. In warm weather, you end up both hot and sopping wet.
Wicking is more critical in cold weather. Your comfort depends on maintaining a layer of warm, dry air next to the skin. Why is this important? In cold weather, exercising hard enough to produce sweat isn't bad in itself. There's something invigorating about working hard in the cold, in fact. But a problem arises if you have to stop for a flat tire, for instance. You're no longer working as hard so you're not producing as much heat. Meanwhile, sweat continues to evaporate, chilling the body even more. Hypothermia is called the killer of the unprepared for good reason.
Using a wicking fabric assists in personal hygiene also. Without diving too deeply into the 'ick' factor, I'll merely say that reducing moisture helps to reduce bacterial growth. Those pesky bacteria contribute to both body odor and saddle sores. If you want to smell nice and still be able to sit down without wincing, consider using some high-tech fabrics.
Garment design
Racers, bicycle tourists, and everyday commuters can benefit from tight fitting cycling clothes. Bicycle clothing offers comfort and high visibility on crowded roadways.
Riders come in contact with their bikes in three places: hands, feet, and butt. One purpose of dedicated cycling clothes is to make these contact points more comfortable. Cyclists wear gloves to absorb some of the vibration coming through the handlebar, and in the event of a fall, they protect the hands. Cycling shorts are designed with flat seams that do not slowly cut into the skin. They have an internal pad - generically called a chamois since old-style shorts came that way - that helps to avoid chafing and road shock. Cycling shoes connect pedals to the enormous power of the leg muscles. For this discussion, suffice it to say that they make pedaling more comfortable, but they're worthy of a separate post later in this series.
Most cycling jerseys come in bright colors. Some believe this makes a rider more conspicuous on the road, and in fact, if you're riding at night it's a very good practice. Cycling shorts, on the other hand, are almost always black. Why is that? While it's traditional now, I think it had something to do with having a place to wipe greasy fingers.
One last word of advice - don't wear gym shorts when cycling. They tend to get hooked over the nose of the saddle. When you stand up, they stay down. I learned this the hard way.
To sum up
If your commute is short, you don't need dedicated cycling clothes. However, if you want to travel farther and faster, or if you're planning to be in the saddle every day, then bicycling clothes can add comfort, performance, and improved hygiene.
And don't forget about those gym shorts!
Part One: Low speed aerodynamics.
