 Think of how surprised you’d be if you saw your favorite football team enter the field wearing tank tops and shorts. Or a basketball team taking the floor in insulated pants and golf spikes. After all, form follows function. It’s the same with cycling. We want you to look great, but first, we want you to be safe and comfortable. Cycling jerseys are designed to wick moisture away from the body. At the same time, a proper-fitting jersey minimizes the amount of wind resistance on the rider. And how do you carry your keys, cell phone and map? With the cyclist in mind, pockets are placed in easy reach on the back of the jersey. Some riders even hang a clip-on tail light onto the pocket. A long zipper allows complete control of the amount of air getting down, or not getting down, your jersey. Now about those shorts. Cycling shorts are designed with one thing in mind: the comfort of the rider. Just like the jersey, cycling shorts are made of Lycra and provide a wind-cheating hug to the rider’s body. No pockets mean no seams in the seating area. Cycling shorts, unlike other athletic shorts, have a pad, called a chamois, in the seating area (Originally, the pad was made of real chamois. Today’s padding contains no chamois, but the name remains). The padding allows the rider to stay on the saddle longer with less discomfort. Athletic shorts, a swimsuit, or cut-off jeans, may be fine for running, swimming, or mowing the lawn, but they’re not suitable for cycling. |
|
 Back in 1971, when Denton Bicycle Center was just getting started, helmets were rarely worn. They were hot and heavy. But today, helmets are light and well ventilated. Helmets are a good idea for all cyclists, but they’re required for any organized ride. Sometimes we hear, “I’m not going fast or far.” Try this: stand straight with your feet together and look up. Now lean back as far as you can until your head crashes to the floor. Did that hurt? Even though you didn’t go fast or far. The same thing can happen when you ride. Don’t take unnecessary risks. Wear a correctly fitted helmet every time you ride. And remember, helmets lose their impact-absorbing ability after a few years. Replace your helmet in 3 to 5 years or after a hard fall. |
|
 Gloves serve several functions. First, they provide a sure grip on the handlebars, thus assuring proper control. Next, road vibration is absorbed in the padded palm of the cycling glove, resulting in less fatigue in your hands. Lastly, should you ever take a spill, gloved hands will fare better than skidding across the pavement bare-handed. Gloves are available in standard with fingers cut off, mountain with full fingers, and a variety of winter gloves.
|
|
 What makes your walking or running shoes good, flexibility, is what makes them bad for riding.
You want the pressure of the pedal to be spread out to a wide area rather than a small “hot spot.” Cycling shoes, like helmets, now enjoy wide usage. Used in conjunction with “clipless” pedals, cycling shoes keep your feet in the proper alignment on the pedals and maximize your efficiency. Road shoes are light and don’t provide much in walkability. Mountain shoes mount the pedal cleat within the tread of the sole, making walking much easier. |
|
|
|
|
|
Clothing
