European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 10, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse Shopping Lis by Steve Taylor Munich Bureau let s go shopping while it s possible to enjoy cycling without spending a lot of Money on special clothing and accessories there Are some items that can make the sport More enjoyable. There s so much available that it can be an equipment fanatic s Delight or Nightmare depending on your budget. Experienced cyclists warn that it s Best to know exactly what you want and need before spending a lot of Money. Leigh Plowman an experienced Mountain biker works at the armed forces recreation Center s school of mountaineering in Garmisch West Germany. Quot we would t push All that stuff on beginners he says. Quot All that stuff Quot can make quite a list but most experts recommend the following items a amps. Gus Schuet Lier 3 scenes from the Mainz Kastel Bike shop Saleswoman Jeanette Matos displays a $984 Mountain Bike a Motorist fits a Handy accessory a bicycle Carrier to his car s roof and Brent Lundquist helps his 2-year-old son Tim pick out a new helmet this was no. 1 on everyone s list though helmets Are really optional items experienced riders highly recommend them. They sell for $12.95 and up. Generally the difference is not in safety but Comfort with the More expensive helmets having More padding and ventilation. Cafes sports stores offer two models Selling for $ 12.95 and $29.95. Tour guides at arc say they Don t require customers to Wear helmets but the guides Wear them and they recommend helmets to customers and make them available. Plowman says he began wearing one after a Nasty fall about two years ago a the sort of Accident that can happen even to an experienced rider. In the United Stales about 1,000 people die each year in bicycle accidents 75 percent of them from head injuries according to the United states cycling Riding pants Dean Diaz de Leon with arc in Chic see West Germany says any Type of pants As Long As they re not so baggy that they get in the Way of any gears is of. For maximum Comfort though padded pants or shorts Are Best. These cycling shorts Are seamless to prevent blisters or sores developing on medium or Long rides. They Start at about $20.�?� Jersey any shirt will do actually. But there Are special cycling jerseys available starting at $10. Jerseys normally have pockets in the Back Handy for carrying food and other Small items. Some have reflective material to make the cyclist More visible. Diaz de Leon says common sweatsuits work Well As do regular shorts. Plowman recommends clothing made with polypropylene a material like that found in Long underwear. It keeps perspiration off the body while providing insulation against the Cool Mountain air. Most clothing sold for cycling is made of this Type of synthetic material. A shoes any sturdy but lightweight shoes will do. There Are of course specially designed shoes starting at $60. Cycling shoes have More rigid soles than regular athletic shoes. The rigid sole minimizes unnecessary flex thus preventing a waste of Energy by More effectively transmitting the rider s Effort to the pedal. It also minimizes the amount of pedal pressure that gets through to the rider s fool increasing Comfort. Heavy boots May provide Protection but they Are tiring says Diaz de Leon. Plowman says lighter hiking boots Are of. A gloves gloves offer Protection against the occasional fall. Half gloves Are the Best leaving the fingers free for flexibility. The Palms Are padded. Prices Start at about $8, a Eye Wear ordinarily Good Quality sunglasses will suffice but a number of companies produce Eye Wear that is designed to meet the special needs of the cyclist. Mainly these glasses have a wraparound design Are lightweight and scratch resistant. Prices Start at about $16.�?� rain Wear lightweight foul weather gear in t needed All the time Plowman says but it can come in Handy especially in the mountains where the weather can change suddenly. A accessories there Are Many other bicycle accessories. Among the most popular at cafes Are Light kits with lamps wheel mounted generators and wiring $20auto shifters $30tire pumps $22mechanical speedometers $13electronic speedometers $82water bottle kits $6saddle bags $ 15 to $66car mounted Bike carriers $30 to $80 and snap on fenders to keep mud and water off the rider $ 10 to $12 a pair. May 10, 1990 stripes Magazine 7
