| Like many sports, professional bicyclists wear a | | | | shoes attach to the pedal with a cleat on the |
| self-fashioned uniform consisting of a cycling | | | | shoe. The clipless pedal shoe is a stiff-soled shoe |
| jersey, cycling shorts, cycling shoes, gloves and a | | | | that actually clips to the bike pedal. It offers the |
| helmet. When you hear the word cycling, most | | | | most energy efficiency. There are two different |
| people conjure up an image of Lance Armstrong | | | | versions; one for mountain bikes and one for road |
| and the Tour de France. He wears the traditional | | | | bikes. The other option is a toe clip. This is actually |
| cycling uniform. | | | | not a shoe, but a clip that can be attached to any |
| The cycling jersey is fashioned using prominent | | | | shoe. The toe clip is a more economical method |
| colors from the cycling event, like the yellow | | | | than purchasing clipless pedal shoes. |
| jersey from the Tour de France, or from the | | | | There are two other accessories that are vital to |
| cyclist corporate sponsor, like the famous teal | | | | a cyclist success: gloves and a helmet. The gloves |
| Bianchi racing team. The jersey is longer in the | | | | serve several purposes. First, they offer a more |
| back than in the front and fits snuggly to offer air | | | | stable grip. In addition, they help absorb shock and |
| resistance. It is made from quick-drying, | | | | sweat. Finally, during colder weather they can |
| lightweight, polyester material. In addition, pockets | | | | keep a cyclist hand's warm or offer skin |
| have been placed on the back of the jersey for | | | | protection in the event of a fall. The other critical |
| easy access. | | | | accessory is the helmet. Today?s helmets are |
| The cycling shorts are often referred to as bike | | | | shaped to offer maximum aerodynamics while |
| shorts. The padded portion of the shorts is called | | | | providing a measure of safety for the cyclist. |
| the chamois. Certain shorts are referred to as bib | | | | These newer helmets actually cradle the head and |
| shorts. These shorts actually have suspender like | | | | can be adjusted to fit snuggly. Unfortunately, |
| shoulder straps that help hold them in place. Most | | | | these new helmets provide most of the |
| people wear cycling shorts without underwear, so | | | | protection toward the front of the helmet so |
| some shorts are treated with an anti-bacterial | | | | they are not useable for other sports like |
| matter and others with a moisturizing lotion to | | | | skateboarding or inline skating. |
| help reduce chaffing. In either case, the shorts | | | | Professional bicycling outfits are as unique as the |
| themselves are traditionally made from a spandex | | | | cyclist themselves. They offer style, comfort and |
| material. | | | | protection for the cyclist and act as the engine of |
| Originally, cycling shoes were actually affixed to | | | | the rider. |
| the bicycle pedal. However, today, many cycling | | | | |