All the Gear and No Idea - Deloitte RAB 2012

Jax
Great posting, you are getting right to the heart of the cycling issue!
As I get more and more "in" to cycling I'm convinced that all these supposedly technical reasons and different bits of "stuff" are just our excuse to go into more bike shops and onto more web sites and buy more thingamebobs and bikes.

I had been a sensible economy cyclist all my life until about 10 years ago when I decided that my modest mountain bike simply wasn't good enough, so I spent about three times what I had ever spent previously on a reasonably good MTB.

I was sceptical about the cleats, but the extra confidence they give you when riding far outweighs the occasional embarrassment (which will soon become history, I promise.) The higher spec parts and the necessary research simply drew me in to more understanding of what it was possible to buy.

A couple of years later I convinced myself I needed a road bike since I was using the MTB mainly on road. (Embarassing moment when I tried it out - I had to go back to the shop during the test ride and say "... err excuse me could you tell me how to change the gears?"
I had never seen combined brake/gear levers before!)

Anyway moving to a new job I decided to commute by bike, but of course the MTB "was not suitable" and the road bike "would get ruined and was far too good for commuting" so a hybrid was required. (Modest spend this time but - another bike!)

Retirement is now looming and long distance touring is on the horizon, so I'm in the market for - yes you guessed - a "proper" tourer. I mention just the bikes but along the way I've also acquired a house full of bib tights, gilets, jerseys, "windstoppers", waterproofs, muffs, gloves, mitts, bootees, computers, lights, locks, bottles, cleats, pumps (track and portable), spares, racks, bike hangers etc. I only evr ride one bike at a time and use about one tenth of of all the "stuff" I have. (How can the economy be in recession when I'm spending so much!?). Even with all this "stuff" I occasionally get it wrong and have to pop into a newsagent to ask for a plastic bag to shove down the front of my jersey on cold mornings when I set out with not enough "stuff"
On the "bottom" thing there are so many postings on the issue I won't even try to offer any advice in this limited space.
On a serious note, my advice would be try out different "stuff" and just wear/use what you feel comfortable with.
If you haven't already done so I'd recommend joining a friendly cycling club, you will have lots of fun along the way.Good luck with your ride.

P.S. On the topless thing, no you definitely do not have to ride topless, and I cannot believe that anyone would make such a sexist suggestion to you. (However, if you ever decide to, please let us know.)

The clothes aren't just for speed. They are mainly for comfort, and in particular avoiding chafing. I'd rather look silly in lycra than look sensible and sore.

I think you're brave Jax, but it's for a great cause and when it's all over you won't mind the odd bit of falling off and nappy wearing.

In truth we cyclists do look an odd lot as we hobble across the cafe floor and our Max Wall trousers cause a certain amount of merriment in the uninitiated. But believe me, it's all for a reason and every part of our gear is the result of years of testing and refinement. What you have is the best at its job, and the job is making the bike go faster. Nothing else matters; vanity, embarrassment and sensitivity are all sidelined in the pursuit of speed. I am 0.1 mph faster than you means I am better than you. It can all get a little wearing.

That's why most of us take an occasional break from Lycra and ride out on the straight-barred bike in a tee-shirt and baggies. We look like ordinary people and enjoy the ride rather than the speed. Of course, this means you have to buy more tees and shorts, there's no end to the consumption.

And if the kids give you a hard time, race them up the road and beat them by a mile. That should wipe the smile off that teenage face.

FYI...topless is optional

I've collected a whole wardrobe of cycling gear...just waiting for all that weather to come around now

Good luck!

Batch