What to wear: Cycling

Cycling is gaining popularity -- more and more people are looking for ways to commute in a more eco-friendly manner, plus many of us like the added benefit of burning those calories.

If you're planning to ride your bike around to run some errands, you can wear pretty much whatever you want as long as it's comfortable and allows a good range of movement. However, if you're serious about taking up cycling as a sport, there are a few items you might want to pick up:

• On your head: For the love of all that's good, get a helmet and wear it. It should fit snugly, but not to the point of being uncomfortable. A good helmet is a good investment, so if you're planning on doing a lot of biking, spend a little money on your helmet.
  
• On top: You'll want a shirt that keeps you cool and doesn't hold your sweat against your body. Additionally, if you're riding a long distance, you'll do well to wear something wind resistant. That doesn't mean it has to be skin tight if that makes you uncomfortable, but you should leave the big, baggy t-shirt at home.
  
• Down low: If you're wearing pants, they need to fit snugly so that your pant leg doesn't catch on the pedals or the gears. Try to find pants or shorts that minimize friction, or find a product like Body Glide to avoid chafing on your thighs. Additionally, you might want to find padded bike shorts, as they'll give you more comfort on those long rides.
  
• For the feet: You don't need specific cycling shoes that snap into your pedals, but those are available. What you do need is a shoe that covers your foot and gives you some grip on the pedals.

Now, if you're looking at off-road mountain biking, you might want to consider specialized gear for optimum comfort and safety.