Cycling Gear For Beginners

When a person takes up cycling as a sport or activity, they will need at least some cycling gear to keep them safe and comfortable during the ride. Numerous companies specialize in cycling gear for riders of all skill and experience levels. Some cycling gear is designed for casual riding, some are meant for road cycling competitions, and others are for mountain bike races. Once you know what purpose you will have for the gear, then you can begin finding what you need.

Aside from the obvious, which is that you'll need a bike, what else is needed for beginner cyclists?

Biking shorts are one of the essentials for cyclists. Without them, you will not be comfortable during your ride, and no one wants that. Until recently, they only were only available in tight, spandex material that is rather revealing for both men and women. The built-in panels allow the short to fit the cyclist just right, and the padding allows the rider to feel comfortable sitting on the seat for long periods of time.

Some may be under the impression that wearing biking shorts underneath a normal pair of shorts would be fine. The problem however is that baggy shorts eventually begin to ride up. Despite having padded biking shorts on, the rider will experience discomfort because of the pinching. Cycling manufacturers have solved this problem by making shorts that look like any other, but with a girdle inside. It's sort of like a built-in pair of underwear with padding that you see with traditional biking shorts.

A helmet is another essential, though some might tell you that it isn't. Accidents do happen, no matter how cautious you might be. And if they do occur without you wearing a helmet, then you could get severely injured. Some areas do have laws that require cyclists to wear one. When you buy one, make sure that it fits well.

While sunglasses may not absolutely be necessary, they pretty much are in the grand scheme of things. They not only offer protection from the sun, but from debris that flies up from your tires.

You'll also need at least one water bottle to stay hydrated, though two is better. We tend to only drink when thirsty, but it's important to take a drink every 15 minutes when your thirsty or not to avoid dehydration. Being dehydrated during your ride is going to hurt your performance.

Seriously consider buying a pair of gloves. Your palms will likely get sweaty during the ride, so having gloves get a better grip on the handlebars. Plus, it will provide some protection for your hands in case of an accident.