This week is National Bike Week, which should see more cyclistson the road than usual. Plenty of events will aim to entice thosewho have yet to be tempted by the benefits of cycle commuting,especially in the capital.
But one thing is guaranteed to put off many non-cyclists: Lycra.While the professionals can carry off the loud, Lycra-clad lookthanks to bodies with 2 per cent body fat and a tan, most peopledread baring all in skin-tight bikewear.
However, there are lots of alternatives. Casual, baggy shortshave long been worn by mountain bikers ' more for fashion thanpracticality. Many of these shorts will have a stretchy, paddedliner, essential for comfort on all but the shortest of rides.
Fashion and functionality meet in Race Face's VO2 shorts, with atough mesh liner inside unobtrusive, abrasion-resistant outershorts. Race Face are one of the biggest names in mountain biking,and they know how to make shorts that suit cyclists. Welcome touchesinclude a hidden side-pocket, stretch panels for ventilation and nogusset seams. They look great and are tough enough to last a longtime. But unless you have a saddle that fits perfectly, the padisn't thick or firm enough for seriously long rides.
The solution is to wear a pair of overshorts without a paddedliner. Scott's Atlas shorts have a detachable padded liner so thatyou can replace it with a pair of top-quality Lycra cycling shorts(Assos make the best in the business) instead. The Atlas shorts area good general-purpose design with twin cargo pockets, anelasticated waist, reflective strips down each leg and an off-centre fastening for a comfortable fit when you're on the bike.
Of course, the wearing-two-shorts option is more expensive.Another way of doing things is to invest in a pair of Endura's three-quarter- length Hummvees; they have a removable Lycra liner, withbasic pad, and bags of features, including a multitude of zippedpockets, clips for keys, mesh ventilation panels behind the knee,all at an excellent price. Indeed there's probably a little too muchgoing on, but gadget-laden commuters will appreciate them.
For women, there are skirts with built-in padded shortsunderneath, such as Pearl Izumi's Skort, which unzips a little wayon either side for extra mobility. On the top half, Gore Bike Wear'sCortina Singlet is a summery design with mesh shoulders, two hiddenzipped pockets at the back and a built-in bra.
And neither do men have to wear shiny polyester cycling tops;Rapha produce two Sportwool jerseys which are as close as a propercycling jersey comes to looking stylish off the bike, and even workswith a pair of jeans. The Club jersey is the lighter-weight version,new this summer, with all the features a cyclist would need: rearpockets, including a waterproof one with a zip, buttonholes for iPodor phone cables and a tailored fit, as well as the embroidered nameof a classic climb as a subtle nod to your favoured mode oftransport.
Best of all, the Sportwool fabric, a merino-polyester mix, wickssweat, dries quickly and washes well. Rest assured: they'reavailable in colours other than pink too.
Rapha Club Jersey
As stylish as technical cycling jerseys get; looks good off thebike too. Stockists: www.rapha.cc
Price: pounds 90
Gore Cortina Lady Singlet
Sleek top with built-in bra and pockets. Stockists: 0870 1644035, www. evanscycles.com
Price: pounds 29.99
Endura Hummvees
Great-value 3/4- length shorts with tons of features. Alsoavailable in black. Stockists: www.endura.co.uk
Price: pounds 40
Pearl Izumi Tango Skort
Padded shorts beneath plain skirt. Stockists: 0870 164 4035, www.evanscycles.com
Price: pounds 54.99
Race Face V02 Shorts
Tough, fashionable shorts. Good liner, but pad could be morepadded. Stockists: 01752 313 253.
Price: pounds 59.95
Scott Atlas Shorts
Plain shorts, cut long to flatter modest legs. Wear them over apair of Lycra cycling shorts. Stockists: 01670 712 129.
Price: pounds 54.99
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