WHAT TO WEAR ON A BIKE TOUR:
Choose the perfect attire for your bike tour
Bike touring is the new perfect way of travelling for outdoor lovers and has flourished for years now. Feeling comfortable while riding is essential to enjoy the journey and therefore deciding in advance what to wear on a bike tour is highly suggested.
The bicycle touring clothing list is a bit of a subjective speech though, influenced by many factors such as weather, itinerary, duration, personal necessities etc. There are some items though, that every clothing packing list should include.
Check the forecasts and then take breathable Jerseys and bike shorts with you. They do not have necessarily to be special cycling items, but they are strongly recommended since you are likely to be cycling for many hours and their benefits in terms of comfort are huge.
Bike clothing is usually synthetic, made of spandex and lycra, plus eventually some natural materials in the most expensive lines. Cotton-made attire should be avoided instead, as it absorbs moisture and it is not breathable so it gets heavy when wet.
Bike shirts are also comfortable because they are light and have pockets on the back and so you can carry small objects such as snacks, cell phones or tools in there without having to stop and take them out of the bags.
Cycling shorts are specifically designed to protect you from saddle sores, decreasing the friction thanks to the padded chamois and they will make all the difference as you ride.
Take at least two cycling sets, so you have a chance at your disposal, but depending on the length and the weather conditions of the journey, you could need a few extra items.
While riding in bad weather in fact, proper layering is fundamental. To do that, you have to add to your bicycle touring clothing list a base layer to put under the jersey that wicks away the sweat. In addition to that, take a waterproof or windproof jacket to put above the jersey as an outer layer. Both soft shells and hard shells do the job, so you should consider the weather conditions you are going to ride into and the kind of protection you want to have. Hardcovers are much more insulated and water-repellant but at the same time slightly heavier and way more expensive to buy.
Instead of bringing tights and long sleeves shirts, put in your bag leg and arm warmers. They will save you someplace, which is fundamental considering that the storage is limited, but will work perfectly by keeping you warm in not-so-perfect weather. They are usually made of synthetic materials and can easily fit in a jersey pocket as well.
A bicycle touring clothing comprehends then sports bras for women and at least two pair of socks that keep your feet warm, dry and blister free. Even for the socks, as already said before, cotton should be avoided, opting instead for synthetic fabrics.
Regarding the bike shoes, you should opt for models both ventilated and at least a bit water resistant, with or without clips, depending on your expertise and how you feel at ease the most. The firsts are better on rough terrains since you are less likely to slip off as you cycle and you can pedal more fluently this way, but if you do not have experience with them, you could feel less confident and blocked.
If the weather forecasts are not great and it is supposed to be cold, take a shoe cover, which gives you extra protection and helps you keep your feet warm and (almost) dry when raining.
About the gloves instead, some people cannot even think about riding without them and who instead prefer not to use them.
Short-fingered gloves are thought for warmer days and they combine leather and synthetic elements with padding on the palm, while long ones should be reserved for colder winter days.
In this period, you will need a bandana or head cover so that your forehead remains protected and you can prevent the risk of sinusitis or other cold-related nuisances.
Remember that probably you won’t have time or occasion for doing your laundry, so the bicycle touring clothing should fast-drying.
For spare time instead, any objective list cannot be made since each of us is different and with other subjective necessities, so you should decide depending on them and your habits. Some people would not leave without a certain item which could be utterly useless for others. Some people might want to take it with their jewellery, make-up and perfume, but of course, it is not mandatory.
Just remember that the more you will carry with you, the more you will potentially struggle because of the weight, so try to stick to a maximum of two casual outfit sets.
In conclusion, deciding what to wear on a bike tour in Italy for instance, could be quite tricky with the risk of forgetting fundamental items while carrying useless objects. If you have the right bicycle touring clothing list though, the job is much simpler and way quicker.
The aim is to minimize the equipment while still having everything you need at your disposal.
Depending on the duration of your journey and the usual weather of the period and place you choose, pack your clothing items and be ready to tour in comfort. You will be positively surprised about finding out that we do not need many items. Choose wisely your good-quality and breathable attire and add everything to your bicycle touring clothing list, then pack and start the journey.
So just make a quick recap over here, what you will need for your trip is:
- Breathable Jerseys
- Jersey underlayer
- Bike shorts
- Waterproof or windproof jacket
- Leg and arm warmers
- Sport Bra
- Bike shoes
- Shoe cover
- Short-fingered gloves
- Headcover
- Sunglasses
Bike touring embraces perfectly the new trend of the outdoor lifestyle and it is a new way of living your bike’s passion while exploring and feeling the thrill of the adventure.
Doing it while also feeling comfortable on your bike with the right clothes on is the key to enjoying the journey and living an unforgettable experience!
