For a cycling day with lunch, clothing must above all be safe and comfortable on the bike and stay pleasant during lunch. Pay attention to trouser legs, room to move and shoes. An extra layer or top is handy if the weather or the length of the ride calls for it.
Two goals: comfort and a polished end result
A cycling day with lunch places two demands on your clothing. On the way you want freedom of movement, ventilation and a seat that does not pinch. At the table you do not want to look as if you have just come from a workout. The solution is not sportswear, but ordinary clothing with the right properties: a little stretch, a fine fabric and a silhouette that does not get in the way.
Four things to look out for
- Room to move. Stretch can help, but a good cut without elastane can also be comfortable.
- Safe trouser legs. Make sure fabric cannot get into the chain or wheel. With wider legs, use a trouser clip or band if needed.
- Layers. In the morning it is fresher, around noon warmer. A thin cardigan fits in your bag and you put it on at the terrace.
- Colour to your own preference. Light colours may absorb less solar radiation, but fabric thickness and ventilation also help determine how warm clothing feels.
The combination: T-shirt, jeans and cardigan
The light blue Lenora is slim-fit and fine-knit. The Adelaide are high-waist contour-fit jeans. Try the combination on while seated and in a cycling position to check that waist and crotch stay comfortable.
The light blue Veronique cardigan can come along as an extra layer. It is slim-fit, so check beforehand that it fits comfortably over Lenora or another top.
For the terrace: a second look
On a longer or warm ride, a clean spare top can be pleasant. The cream Josephine and white striped Fiori are both slim-fit knitwear. An extra top is optional, not necessary for every cycling day.
What is in your bag?
- The thin cardigan. For the morning, the terrace and the ride back.
- A thin scarf or sunglasses. Protects against wind and sun.
- An extra top. A folded T-shirt takes up little space and gives you a refreshed feeling.
- Sunscreen and a bottle of water. Handy, but quickly forgotten.
- A small make-up or care kit. For a quick freshen-up before lunch.
Shoes and accessories
Choose shoes that stay firmly on the foot and are suitable for your pedals. Carry luggage so that it does not hinder your steering and braking. Loose scarves or straps must stay away from moving parts.
A day in three moments
- The morning. You set off around nine o'clock and it is still fresh. Wear the T-shirt with the cardigan over it, so you can adjust to the temperature.
- The lunch. At the terrace you put the cardigan over your shoulders or stow it away. Your T-shirt and jeans look polished enough for the table.
- The ride back. In the late afternoon it gets cooler again. The cardigan goes back on and you are ready for the last part.
What if the weather turns changeable?
In our climate, a summer day is rarely completely certain. Bring a thin rain jacket or poncho that fits in your bag and choose trousers with an ankle-length leg, which catch less splashing water than a long one. Leave white shoes and wide legs at home if the sky looks threatening. With a light layer over it, your outfit stays polished, even if a shower surprises you on the terrace.
How to care for your clothing after the ride
Hang your T-shirt and cardigan up to air after a day of cycling before you put them in the wash. Then wash them according to the label; on our care instructions page you can read how to read the symbols. Fine-knit pieces are best dried flat, so they keep their shape.
Choose your route and your clothing together
If lunch is planned at a busy terrace, you want to look a little more polished than when you have a picnic on the grass along the way. For a picnic you choose trousers that can handle sitting on the ground, and a top that does not quickly show a stain. Ask yourself how long you will actually cycle and how much time you will spend at the table. The longer the ride, the more practical the base; the longer the lunch, the more polished the layer on top.
What do you leave at home?
Leave tight fabrics without stretch, long wide skirts and shoes with a smooth sole at home. Very dark shades also get warm on the way and show dust marks and sweat marks immediately. A carefully chosen light outfit is the most practical. You will find more ideas for summer days at all collections for Women.
Shop the look
Lenora: fine-knit two-tone T-shirt, light blue
Adelaide: high-waist jeans, light blue
Veronique: fine-knit lyocell cardigan, light blue
Josephine: knitted polo with V-neck, cream
Fiori: fine-knit T-shirt, white striped
Frequently asked questions
What do you wear for a bike ride with lunch?
Choose a comfortable top, safe trouser legs, suitable shoes and possibly an extra layer.
Can I wear jeans on the bike?
Yes, if the jeans stay comfortable in a cycling position and the legs stay safely away from the chain.
Which colours are coolest in the sun?
Light colours such as white, cream and light blue reflect sunlight and feel cooler than dark colours.
Should I bring an extra top?
It is not a requirement, but it is pleasant. A dry top for lunch takes up little space and feels wonderfully fresh after a ride.
