Pedal in style

Pedal in style

Whether you’re a committed cyclist logging thousands of miles a year or you are just a little bike curious, pedalling is fun. Cycling as a fitness activity has quite literally exploded in recent years and cycling to work has also caught on. It’s also good for the environment as you won’t be burning any fuel on your commute — the only fuel you need is your breakfast. 

With more people riding the bike, cycling gear is getting more trendy. High-end designers too are working on cycling apparel, which is adding to the fashion quotient. You too can imbibe some of the styles.    

RIDE STYLISHLY TO WORK
If you love cycling but can’t ride to work because your wardrobe doesn’t allow, well, here’s some good news for you. Considering its philosophy of ‘biking to work’ a premium clothing brand has lined up chinos and shorts that are both trendy and fashionable for men who cycle to work. Amitabh Suri, chief operating officer, Indian Terrain, decodes how men can rock the chino style: 
 
- Channel your inner Ryan Gosling and consider wearing a clean work shirt, blazer, chinos and brown shoes to create a comfortable option for both cycling in style and running errands at work. The look is extremely comfortable and stylish while you pedal to work, making your way through the traffic and crowd. 

- For those of you who wish to appear stylish but would like to keep things simple, a black blazer and grey cycling chinos will be the ideal way to go. Combined with a plaid or striped shirt, it’s an ideal outfit that gives you the freedom to pedal at great speed and also keeps the sophisticated look at work.  Monochrome is a popular look which works both for cycling and at office but there are still ways in which you can inject some personality into the look and make it your own by infusing colours like pink, neon green, blues and so on in bits and pieces like shoes, caps, socks or tees, if not an entire outfit. 
    
- Garment dyed pique polo with a sport coat feels perfectly suited for weekend activities of all kinds during winter. Take a classic approach with the footwear and opt for a pair of suede desert boots for a more sophisticated look.

- Fridays generally call for a simple yet stylish outfit. If you’re wondering what to wear for a more sporty, casual look while riding a sports bike to work, then go for a clean graphic crew T-shirt with a sport coat and cycling chinos. Choose iconic trainers if you’re not going to wear boots. Whether the boots are polished or beaten, they’re still a great addition to a biker’s outfit.

GENDER-NEUTRAL CYCLING GEAR
John D’cruze, a cycling enthusiast and owner of sports cycle store Wheels to Fitness in Bengaluru, says one must invest in cycling gear to ensure one’s safety, irrespective of one’s gender. Listed below are some of them: 

Padded shorts are a relief: You wouldn’t want to hurt your back while riding, hence as much as taking up cycling is important, padded shorts are a must have. It may make you a bit uncomfortable in the beginning but once you get used to it, you’ll realise how important they are. However, avoid shorts that are heavily padded as they tend to make you uncomfortable on the saddle.  

Never skip a helmet: It is a cliché, but cycling helmets are life saving. Remember no matter how expensive your cycle is or how experienced a cyclist you are, you must never take a chance and risk your life by not wearing a helmet. Invest in a good, high quality helmet which is light-weight, comfortable and covers your head properly. 

Sports glasses are cool: Well, just like sunglasses, sports glasses make you look cool. But more than style, sports glasses are essential for protecting your eyes from a number of factors — dust, pollens, sunlight, rain, etc. It is often risky to ride without wearing glasses because a sudden bright light in the evening or dust particles entering your eyes can distract you leading to mishaps. Those with vision problem or power can go for sunglasses with lenses suited for sunlight, rain and darkness. 

Light it up: If you plan to go on a ride after dusk or at wee hours, it is essential that you have sufficient light in your bike. If you do not want to invest a lot in buying the light, at least have a front and a tail light installed. However, most cycling experts advise that you also have a red blinker light for your backpack and a helmet-mounted light to ride safely when it’s dark and foggy. 

Hand-in-gloves: Gloves have an important role to play. They not only improve grip on your brakes, but give you better control too. They are meant to make you feel comfortable during long rides because you often tend to sweat in your palms if it is too hot, hence gloves soak the sweat and prevent your hands from slipping. You must wear gloves to protect your skin and not just that, they are great shock absorbers too. They look extremely stylish and come in an array of colours and styles and come handy if you want to wipe the sweat off your face. 

NEVER DO THIS!
According to D’cruze, while it is cool to sport a rugged look while riding a cycle, never wear a pair of cycling shorts that belong to the Jurassic age. “It is one of the most common fashion disasters while you set out to cycle. Skip wearing shorts that are too worn because your skin can be seen through the flimsy fabric in spots,” he advises.

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