Get to grips with cycling's style rules
Cycling is a top-notch form of exercise, you'll build up your strength, get fresh air and swish along the roads. A sense of freedom! But if you don't dress appropriately, watch out for the style police.
If you've followed the Tour de France broadcasts, you've no doubt listened to Roberto Vacchi and his partner Anders Adamson as they share their sharp observations, curiosities and opinions on cyclists' sock lengths. The sport of cycling places great emphasis on clothing and appearance, both at the elite level and for amateurs.
- Style and profile are very important! It should simply look good, the bike and clothes should be a complete package. In cycling competitions, the bikes are often painted according to the color of the jersey," says Roberto Vacchi, sports commentator, former elite cyclist and ambassador for Craft.
The list of style rules can beras long. Cycling clothes should be nothing but tight. If it's raining outside, skip the puffy rain jacket - it's a serious breach of style. Your clothing must match, and if you have a colored jersey, the color of your cycling pants should be the same. It is safest to wear black cycling shorts. Cycling glasses should be put on after buttoning your helmet, as the temples should rest on the outside of the helmet straps.
When photographing your bike, make sure the chain is on the top sprocket and if you get off the bike, do so on the left side. This is to avoid getting an oil streak on your calf, which is perhaps the most obvious way to give yourself away as a beginner. Breaking style rules is unthinkable for a full-blooded cyclist, but if you're feeling embarrassed about wearing tube socks on your last ride, don't worry, everyone makes mistakes.
- Today I sat on the exercise bike at the gym and had unfortunately forgotten to shave my legs, but that's what happens!
The obsession with style and fashion in cycling stems from the fact that the sport has always been sponsor-driven and cyclists want to show off their sponsors in the best possible way. The style rules can sometimes seem strange and even crazy to outsiders, but they should be seen as part of the culture where style is important. You should see it as an opportunity to dress well.
- Style rules are fun! For me, cycling is like a party and what do you do at a party? Well, you dress up. You want to be nice and look fresh.
For beginners who have just started cycling, it can be difficult to understand why style rules are something to worry about.
- If you look at other countries, they follow the style rules. Some cyclists don't think so much about how they look. I'm pretty sure that if they refresh their wardrobe, cycling will be even more fun!
Some of Roberto Vacchi's rules of thumb for looking really sharp:
Straight legs! And be proud of it, it's great and nothing to be ashamed of.
Think carefully when buying cycling clothes! Buy clothes that fit together. Choose a favorite color that you want to wear on the jersey, then there are always pants that match.
Go for black cycling pants, it goes with everything and you avoid unflattering stains when it's muddy and wet outside.
Preferably white cycling socks and absolutely no tube socks!
SHOP HERE: Everything for your next bike ride
READ MORE: TEST! Cycling shorts for him and her
