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Do you really need to wear Lycra to ride a bike?

Not everyone likes the idea of wearing tight fitting cycle clothing to ride a bike but there are alternatives.

There are many good reasons for wearing technical cycle clothing when riding your bike, even for short journeys; padded shorts are more comfortable, bright colours and reflective materials aid visibility and good quality waterproof fabrics help to keep you dry, but you can get all this without looking like you are about to ride the Tour de France.

‘Lycra lout’ has become yet another way to criticise and single out cyclists as being different but in countries such as Holland, where cycling for transport is a normal part of everyday life, very few people wear Lycra unless they are cycling a long way or for sport and competition. It has even been suggested, though there is no research yet to support this, that car drivers treat people riding bikes in ordinary clothes with more respect than sportier looking cyclists.

Dressing in your normal clothes to ride a bike is absolutely fine for short journeys and when you won’t sweat too much, but if you have a long or hard commute, wearing cycle specific clothing will help you feel more comfortable. Thankfully there is a middle ground. Increasing numbers of clothing manufacturers are designing clothes made from the same technical waterproof and sweat wicking materials as sportier cycling kit, but in styles you would be happy to stroll into your office, the pub or a meeting wearing.

Things to look out for

When choosing clothing to cycle in, whether you are going for brightly-coloured Lycra or a more subdued casual look there are a few key things to look for.

Cut

Cycling requires plenty of movement at the hip and knee so look out for designs that aren’t tight in these areas, however avoid excess material around the ankles so nothing can get caught on your bike.  When you lean forward to hold the handle bars your lower back can be exposed so trousers or shorts need to be cut higher at the back than the front. Tops also need to be longer at the back and shoulders need space for movement so you can reach forward to the bars. Avoid anything that is tight around your waist as it will cut in on your stomach which can make you feel nauseous when exercising.

Padding

A little bit of padding between you and the saddle can make all the difference. Lightly padded pants and boxer shorts can be bought to wear under your normal clothes, they are thin enough to not be visible and carry sweat away from your skin so you feel dry but add a little extra comfort. As well as padding an absence of seams in the crotch area is really important to prevent rubbing. Never wear under wear with padded cycle shorts as it will bunch up and rub.

Breathability

The worst material to wear cycling is 100% cotton as it absorbs moisture leaving you looking and feeling damp. Breathable materials are designed to allow warm moist air from your skin to be carried to the surface so you feel cool and dry while you cycle. This makes a huge difference to your comfort and your appearance, it is hard to look professional with sweat patches!

Seams

Alongside cut this is a real distinction between casual and cycle clothing. Seams are placed away from areas where they can catch and rub, such as the edge of your knee, your crotch and inner thigh. Cycling trousers and jeans are reinforced at the seat, where they meet the saddle, for added longevity.

Water proofing

The technology behind waterproof materials is now incredibly advanced, gone are the days of brightly coloured sweaty cagoules that leave you as wet on the inside as the outside. There are some beautifully cut and draped jackets available that will protect you on the bike and look smart off them. A versatile investment for those inevitable wet cycling and commuting days and in the UK an indispensable part of your wardrobe!

For more information about our services or to start your claim, call 0808 100 9995 and speak to one of our specialist solicitors. We’re here to help. You can email us or schedule a callback.

 

 

Written By:

Emily Pheysey

Litigation Executive

Emily has over 7 years of experience in the legal sector, handling road traffic accident claims to recover compensation and support her clients. Her focus is to ensure all clients feel comfortable and at ease with the claims process so that they can focus on their recovery.

Emily considers rapport to be an essential part of the role and strives to always provide excellent client care.

Away from work, Emily enjoys spending time with her family and friends and travelling as much possible.

Diane Holderness

Litigation Executive

Diane is a Ministry of Justice (TOJ) Team Leader within our Cycle Department. She has 11 years’ experience managing road traffic accident claims, and 6 years’ experience managing MOJ claims.

Diane enjoys a challenge and always strives for the very best results for her customers; something that is clear in the way her team continually adapts its strategies in order to secure the most desired outcome. Diane has worked her way through the legal ranks here, and is proud to now have a strong, specialist team that is committed to customer satisfaction.

Diane believes that happy clients make a happy working environment, and it is this that ensures a productive and efficient workforce.

Nina Haddock

Chartered Legal Executive

Nina has over 30 years’ experience in the legal sector. She specialises in recovering compensation for injury claimants as a result of road traffic accidents. Her focus for each and every claim is to help her clients secure the funding that they need to pay for ongoing treatment and support.

Nina became a CILEX Fellow in 2006 and now helps her clients and their families at a time when they have been through a traumatic experience, and everything they hold dear to them appears to be changing.

One case Nina is particularly proud of is supporting a client who had successfully sought asylum in the UK, following a road traffic accident. The claim was successfully pursued through the MIB and the client was left with significant injuries. Her client was able to use the compensation to aid family members with their applications to seek asylum in the UK.

Julian Fox

Cycling Accident Solicitor

Julian qualified as a Solicitor in 2005 and has worked in all areas of personal injury since 2000. Julian has a well-rounded understanding of personal injury law, having represented both claimants and defendants.

Julian always aims for maximum damages to meet his clients’ needs for injury and rehabilitation expenses, and can often secure interim payments to help meet clients’ financial needs. Julian is highly proactive in ensuring cases are progressed, ensuring a timely conclusion.

When not at the office, Julian is a keen cyclist, both on roads and virtually -he will often do an hour of ‘Zwifting’ in the mornings before starting work.

Richard Atherton

Cycling Accident Solicitor

Richard has 12 years of legal experience and qualified as a Solicitor in February 2014. He has been a Team Manager with us since 2019. Throughout his career, Richard has specialised in personal injury, handling an array of Road Traffic Accident cases, in addition to employer and public liability.

Richard prides himself on his very strong strategic and planning skills, which come into their own in complex injury cases where more technical arguments are involved. On every case, he is committed to ensuring that his clients receive full compensation for their injuries.

Away from work, Richard enjoys sport; he is a season ticket holder at St Helens Rugby Club and a Liverpool FC fan. Not only a spectator, Richard also likes going to play golf as often as he can.

Dave Gardner

Litigation Executive

Dave has over 20 years of experience in the legal sector. His specialism is personal injury and he has dealt with hundreds of cycling injury claims during his career. Excellent client care and communication is paramount to Dave. He prides himself on being accessible and available, attending court hearings where damages are in dispute to ensure the best outcome for his clients. One case Dave is particularly proud of is when he supported an elderly client who suffered serious injuries following a road traffic incident. The police had not taken any action against the defendant, so Dave had to be proactive and act within a 24-hour window. The case proceeded and the client was in receipt of £30,000 in damages, which he would not have been entitled to had the client not approached Dave. He is also an avid supporter of Glasgow Rangers and travelled abroad on many occasions to see them play in European competitions.

Gerard Horton

Partner

Gerard is a Senior Solicitor at Cycle SOS. In his 13 years of experience, Gerard has built a national reputation in the catastrophic injury sector, dealing with high value and complex cases. Alongside his legal role, Gerard supports several charities including Headway Central Lancashire, Northwest Regional Spinal Injuries Centre and spinal injury charity, Back Up.

Julia Eyton

Partner

Julia brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Cycle SOS team.

Specialising in representing those who have had life changing injuries, Julia handles some of the most serious and complex personal injury cases both within Cycle SOS and nationally.

She often works on high value claims and is skilled in winning complex liability cases.

NADIA KERR

Partner

Nadia has over 30 years of legal expertise and has represented hundreds of vulnerable road users. With a focus on ensuring timely rehabilitation, speedy repair or replacement of bikes and kit, and securing fair compensation, Nadia is committed to advocating for justice and client rights. Alongside her legal career, Nadia actively participates in national campaigns to benefit vulnerable road users and acts as a Trustee/Director for the national cycling charity, Cycling UK. Nadia was named in Cycling UK’s ‘100 women’ and was a founding member, now running a women’s cycling group, TeamGlow in South Manchester. Among her many achievements, Nadia takes pride in her spot on BBC Breakfast, where she provided expert commentary on long term government funding for pothole repairs.

Caroline Morris

DIRECTOR OF SERIOUS INJURY

Caroline has specialised in personal injury for over 25 years, recovering more than £56 million in damages during that time, to help clients rebuild their lives after injury.

Caroline is committed to achieving rehabilitation options early, meaning her clients benefits from the best care and treatment at the earliest stage possible.