What to Wear Biking to Improve Your Ride

Here in Vermont, the signs of spring are bursting out all around us. The days are longer, the crocuses are blooming, and even the mud puddles are starting to dry up. Here at VBT’s main office, we’ve all got one thing on our minds—let’s get on our bikes!

If you’re getting ready for a VBT cycling adventure, it’s a great idea to get your bike out on the road at home before your vacation starts. There are so many reasons to do this—it gives you valuable practice balancing and pedaling, increases your physical fitness, and most importantly, gives you time to get accustomed to spending time in the saddle. If you haven’t ridden a bike in a while, your first few rides might leave you feeling a little saddle sore—but don’t despair! This is a normal part of the first few weeks of the season for any cyclist. The key is to keep at it—giving your body the time to gradually adjust to the new experience. It’s a great idea to start slowly—taking short five to ten miles rides for the first few weeks as your body adjusts. Before you know it, that saddle sore feeling will be a thing of the past—just in time to enjoy your VBT vacation to the fullest!

If it’s been a while since your last ride, you might have some questions about how to gear up. Fortunately, experienced bike mechanic and VBT Tour Manager Matt Lyon has some expert advice to help you get kitted out in style and comfort.

Shine On with Chamois

OK, let’s be honest—bike shorts aren’t everyone’s favorite fashion statement. They’re skintight, black, and stretchy—but whether or not the look is quite your style, the shorts perform a critical function. “A good pair of bike shorts has padding sewn into the seat,” explains Matt. “That padding (called a chamois) can really go a long way to ensuring your ride is comfortable, all day long.” Higher end bike shorts also offer compression technology—helping improve your blood flow, and oxygenation, for increased performance. They can be pricey though—so if you’re new to the world of cycling gear, a basic set of bike shorts, with a chamois, is a great way to start out.

If you don’t like the tight-fitting look of classic bike shorts, there are many alternative styles that don’t look like cycling clothing at all. You can find casual styles that can be worn anywhere and won’t make you stick out like a sore thumb if you are causally strolling off your bike—but still give you the benefit of comfortable padding in the posterior. Bike liners are a type of padded bike short that are designed to fit under clothing—such as board shorts, cargo pants, or even leggings. Women might also consider options such as bike skorts—which are skirts with hidden padded bike shorts built in underneath. No matter which style you choose, remember—bike shorts are intended to be worn as an undergarment. “Wearing underwear under bike shorts can get pretty uncomfortable,” says Matt. “Bike short chamois are designed to wick the sweat away from your body—keeping you dry and comfortable. And because they don’t have elastics near your hip flexors, you can ride all day without chafing.” As for cleaning bike shorts, it’s easy! Just pop them in the washing machine on cold with normal detergent—then hang them to dry. Avoid throwing them in the dryer, as that tends to limit their lifespan.

Wicking, Not Sticking

Cycling is invigorating and good for the soul—but it also tends to raise a sweat. To stay comfortable, it’s essential to wear clothing that doesn’t absorb moisture, so you stay comfortable and dry all day long. “Most commercial bike jerseys are made with moisture-wicking fabrics,” says Matt. “It’s especially important to have a wicking base layer against your skin to draw the moisture away from your body and keep you feeling dry and comfortable.” Most of the moisture-wicking fabrics you’ll find are either synthetic materials or wool—and sometimes a blend. These fabrics are designed to draw moisture away from your body and onto the fabric’s exterior, where they quickly dry. Avoid cotton clothing—especially next to your skin. Unlike moisture-wicking fabrics which channel the moisture away from your body, cotton absorbs moisture, leading to fabric saturation—and a damp, clammy feeling that isn’t very comfortable.

I Wanna Hold Your Handlebars

When you’re cycling, you have three points of physical contact with the bike—the saddle, the pedals, and the handlebars. It’s so important to have the right gear on those spots where you need it most—and hands are often overlooked when it comes to gearing up for a bike ride. “Wherever you ride, you’re typically going to experience some bumps in the road,” observes Matt. “Even if the bumps are minor, those little shock waves will go through the handlebars, and into your hands which can get sore with time. Padded bike gloves are a great way to absorb road shocks and keep your hands comfortable.” Bike gloves, especially ones with gel padding on the heel of the hand, really help with hand and wrist comfort—especially if you’re cycling over rugged terrain.

Cycling gloves also help control moisture—which can be especially important as the days get warmer and your rides get longer. “As you get into longer rides, chances are your hands are going to get a little damp from sweat,” says Matt. “Without gloves to absorb that moisture, you can easily find the handlebars getting slippery—which can lead to loss of control.” Maintaining a secure grip on the handlebars is a huge benefit—and cycling gloves are important for safety, as well as comfort.

Happy Feet

Cycling shoes are a large topic in and of themselves—and many types of shoes are available depending on the type of pedals you prefer. Most bikes come with flat pedals—and if this is the case, simply look for a shoe with a hard sole, such as sneakers or active sandals. “Look for a shoe that gives you solid support and grip,” says Matt. “You want to feel confident planting your foot when you come to a stop—too much flex feels unstable and can become painful with longer periods of riding.”

Believe it or not, wearing the right socks is also critically important to maintaining a comfortable ride. “Many people make the mistake of wearing cotton socks when they cycle,” says Matt. “Cotton socks are an absolute no-no. They absorb water and keep your feet uncomfortably damp. Instead, look for cycling socks made from moisture-wicking fabric to keep your feet dry as you ride.” Cycling socks come in a wide variety of styles and patterns—so you’re bound to find the perfect thing to match your look.

As you start getting excited to hop on your bike, the right clothing can make a huge difference to your comfort and success on the road. Happy cycling!