Made of a fast-drying ‘ wicking ’ fabric that takes the sweat away from the skin , a cycling jersey is another essential . At a push you could get away with any technical tee , at least to get you started , but a cycling-specific one will have rear pockets to stash inner tube and snacks , and is closefitting so as not to catch the wind . Modern fabrics are super light , breathable and comfortable . A cotton tee-shirt is an absolute no-no , quickly becoming saturated and chilly .
Ciovita Men ’ s Tinta Flyweight Jersey ciovita . co . za
THE CYCLING SHOES
Ciovita Men ’ s Supremo Bib Shorts ciovita . co . za
THE CYCLING SHORTS
Unless you want your backside to feel like you ’ ve ridden a horse bareback for miles or gone back to boarding school and received six of the best for poor choice of cycling attire , proper riding shorts are essential . Worn next to delicate skin that takes many hours of riding to adapt , the padded insert can keep you comfortable for miles . Cycling shorts come in either waistband or bibshort designs ; the latter are generally more comfortable and keep your lower back protected from cold , but are not as practical for toilet stops . Lycra construction means they don ’ t catch the wind or the saddle and shouldn ’ t chafe .
Specialized S-Works 7 Road Shoes specialized . com
The slender shape , odd fastenings and clippety-clop sound as a dismounted rider hobbles along in road-specific cycling shoes can raise eyebrows in the coffee shop , but once on the bike it all makes sense . A stiff sole means no effort is wasted , and the shape means they don ’ t rub you or the bike . The bolt-on cleat on the sole ( that makes all that noise ) is what clips into the pedal , making for a secure and efficient pedalling action . If you prefer to remain in your shoes post ride and occasionally walk your bike , a shoe with rubber soles will make more sense for you .
THE GPS COMPUTER
It ’ s not essential but it certainly adds a new dynamic to your riding . A GPS unit is a godsend when it comes to finding your way , plus it allows you to continue to indulge your hobby even after you ’ ve arrived home and stashed the bike … Upload your ride to the internet and pore over the route on apps such as Strava and Garmin Connect ; examine every hill and new road , check out personal records for different sections , and compare your ride to previous outings on the same route . What fun !
Garmin Edge 1040 Solar Cycling Computer
THE LIGHTS
Even if you don ’ t see yourself riding at night , a set of bike lights is well worth the investment . It ’ s better to spend a bit more and get a reliable set that won ’ t leave you wanting in the brightness stakes , especially when a ride goes on longer and ends later than expected . Bikes are hard to see in traffic , so we need to be as visible as possible . An ideal minimum is 100 lumens at the back and 600 at the front . This will provide enough power to stand out in broad daylight and to see by on ill-lit roads . Opt for rechargeable units ( rather than old-school batteries that you can easily forget to replace ) and ensure they ’ re properly charged before each ride .
Bontrager Flare R City Rear Bike Light garmin . com
trekbikes . com
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