'Non-MAMIL' cycling

[Racing roadkill]

My attire for cycling over the last couple of days, has been cargo shorts and a vest top. I find drivers to be a lot more considerate when I am in 'civvies'.

This is sad, but true. The anger only seems to get bad when they see Lycra.

 

[bigjim]

It's amazing the difference cycling clothes make to drivers. In "proper" cycling gear on the road bike I get the odd bit of agression and quite a few close passes. On the old MTB in so called normal clothes I never have any bother and am given a wide berth. Being 6'2" and 14.5 stone makes them think I'm a bit of a nutter I suppose and they stay well away. I've got a pair of the latest M&S cycling pants. Very impressed and they were only £11 in the sale. There is a well known local gardener in my area. He only has a hybrid bike as transport. Big old guy. Wears normal worn out trousers, wellies and old suit jacket. I often see him weaving in and out of the crazy traffic on the A56 whilst balancing a huge Flymo on the handlebars. Nobody says boo to him.

 

[mjr]

?? - if you are on a bike you have to take some sort of account of the journey/prevailing weather conditions on the way surely, even if it means taking some sort of partial change of clothes.

No more than walking. Put on a coat if it's raining. That sort of thing.

 

[Blue Hills]

Exactly. So you dress for the journey, according to the conditions.

 

[mjr]

Exactly. So you dress for the journey, according to the conditions.

I think few people regard putting on a raincoat as part of getting dressed!

 

[Sara_H]

What you need is M&Ss fabled cycling chinos. Now discontinued though I think they came up with some sort of follow up - don't know what they are like. Failing that I think you have the right approach using cheaper jeans. I sometimes use cheap thin jeans. Wouldn't want to cycle far in traditional "quality" thicker jeans - as you say, too tiring.

Yes my OH biught two pairs of those when they were reduced.
He barely ever takes them off!