Is Your Cycling Gear Right for a Rookie Cyclist?
Regardless of if you are cycling for pleasure, transportation, or exercise, you need to be prepared to hit the road. Unfortunately, many newbies to cycling find themselves unprepared and end up suffering from problems, such as sticky clothing and rashes. The first step in preparing for cycling is finding the right cycling gear. To get you started, here are some tips for choosing your gear.
Skip the Cotton
Cotton is usually a friendly fabric that can be worn in numerous situations. However, when it comes to cycling, cotton is not your friend. Cotton tends to soak up moisture, such as sweat. The sweat will be held by the fabric close to your body and can cause you to feel uncomfortable.
Another problem is that the clingy, wet fabric can cause chaffing. By the time you reach your destination, your skin could feel raw in all the wrong areas.
To avoid this, turn to polyester. Polyester helps to pull the moisture away from your body as you ride. It also a breathable fabric, which means that air will be getting to your skin so that you do not feel sticky and wet while riding.
Choose the Close Fit
For many people, the idea of wearing form-fitting cycling gear is not appealing. The clothing can expose all those areas that you do not want to highlight. However, it is important that you do opt for the form-fitting gear over looser clothing.
The clothing you wear has an impact on how efficiently you can ride your bicycle. If the clothes are too loose, they can catch pockets of air as you ride and essentially cause a drag that slows you down. By contrast, form-fitting clothes do not allow the pockets of air in, which means no drag. Without the drag, you will have more energy to ride the bicycle a further distance.
It is important to note that you do not have to opt for the tightest gear possible. A jersey and shorts that fit your form and do not bunch up while riding is sufficient. If you are concerned with your appearance, opt for black clothing. The dark gear will help you appear slimmer while riding. Learn more about your options by contacting a men's cycling jerseys provider.
Since you are new to riding, consider consulting with a cycling gear expert to learn more about what you should be looking for. He or she can make suggestions that are specific to your build, wants, and needs.