With the Tour de France taking over our TV screens for the next few weeks we can safely say the long-awaited summer is finally here. Watching the pros racing past fields of sunflowers and over sun-baked mountain passes always gets us geed up for a ride, and with temperatures looking as though they’re finally heading in the right direction in the UK it’s about time you refreshed your wardrobe, ready for those long summer rides.
Sun’s out, guns out
There is no better feeling than getting those sun-starved arms and legs out for some much needed vitamin D once the sun starts shining. There’s a lot of truth in the ‘winter miles, summer smiles’ sentiment – keeping on top of your form when it’s cold means you can really make the most of it when it turns warmer. One ride in the sun can make all those grey winter rides worth it, back when you were so rugged up you felt more Michelin Man than cyclist.
A short-sleeved jersey, constructed from lightweight and quick drying materials, is ideal once the mercury starts to rise. Designed to look cool and keep you cooler, a summer jersey makes a day out in the sun all the better. Get those guns out and get some colour!
Riding on summer days is sometimes just so good you don’t want to go home, so make sure you give yourself the most comfortable ride with a cooling and supportive pair of padded shorts. Bibshorts are increasingly popular with many riders, removing the feeling of waistline material rubbing on your skin. Others prefer the convenience of shorts without straps – they certainly make the dash for the loo after that mid-ride cider a little simpler…
Hit the trails
There aren’t many better ways to spend a sunny day than with a bunch of mates, smashing around the local trails. Kitting yourself out in some cool new kit will make the ride that much better, drawing admiring glances as you’re sending it off the kicker, or even just standing at the bar.
Our technical jerseys and shorts are designed to allow all the movement you need and are tough enough to handle the odd leap into the undergrowth – after all, if you don’t take a spill every now and again you’re not trying hard enough, right?
This ain’t Kansas, Dorothy
The weather on our green and pleasant land does, on occasion, take an unexpected turn for the worse. There’s no reason to let a little rain dampen your party though, summer storms usually pass pretty quickly so having a layer you can whip on and off and stash in your pocket or backpack allows you to keep riding all day long.
Eyes on the prize
One final piece of summer gear we’d be lost without is our sunnies. They keep your eyes free of those pesky flies, protect them from grit and dust thrown up by passing cars and other riders, and shade them from the glaring summer sun – what’s not to love? Quality cycling glasses also don’t fog up like cheaper ones do, so come down to one of our stores and check out our huge range.
