What To Wear

Follow these simple tips on how to stay dry and comfortable when riding your bike...

Layers let you strip down and bundle up as your body heats up and cools off. Front zips, snaps, and buttons rather than pullovers make it easier to add and remove layers quickly.

Light-coloured clothes and a few reflectors are a good idea at night. A simple white or yellow jacket will do wonders for your visibility.

Girls - dont rule out skirts and dresses! They make great cycling wear because you dont have to worry about trouser legs getting caught in the chain. Just make sure the skirt is loose-fitting, or, if you like a slimmer fit, a slit that extends above the knee can give you the leg mobility you need for your bike commute.

Roll up your right trouser leg or get a band at the bike shop to keep your trouser leg from getting greasy or, worse, caught and torn on the chainrings.

Carry a waterproof jacket just incase you get caught in a shower - it doesnt have to be expensive or high-tech and you can pick one up for around 10. You may even want to consider waterproof shoe protectors if you're really serious!

Remember, some manufacturers of outdoor clothing do their best to convince us that its risky at best to ride without stretchy, shiny leggings, hard little shoes that attach us to our pedals, and layers of the latest high-tech material to keep us arid and aerodynamic. But all that specialized clothing is only necessary for serious racers and long-distance touring.

The truth is, you can wear just about anything you want when you ride - there are no rules and no dress code. People have been riding bikes much longer than toe-clips and Lycra have even existed, and theyve done just fine in everyday clothes!