topless

Visibility and loss of pockets and my wife tells me it is in bad taste.That being said I have done it and it is hot as hell this year but I haven't done it as yet.
BTW: I understand it is highly recommended for hot ladie cyclist as an aid in performance and riding pleasure.

Depends on ones skin type.

Exposure to UV rays is dangerous.

Mr_Tee said:

What are the best arguments against riding without a top jersey? I am a fit male so I'm not an eyesore and where I live the heat index has been over 100* and the humidity has been in the 90% range. Riders from other regions may not understand. I also apply strong sun screen. Few other "serious" cyclists seem to be willing to shed and I was wondering why. It feels cool even if it's not cool.

What the above two guys said. Plus strong sun screen is not a perfect barrier to UV radiation.

I suspect that there are many cyclists who ride in areas with your meteorological conditions (humidity, heat) and who manage just fine, so it's unlikely that there's anything unique about the conditions your ride in that necessitates the no shirt option.

alienator said:

What the above two guys said. Plus strong sun screen is not a perfect barrier to UV radiation.

I suspect that there are many cyclists who ride in areas with your meteorological conditions (humidity, heat) and who manage just fine, so it's unlikely that there's anything unique about the conditions your ride in that necessitates the no shirt option.

Wind burn also.

No matter how hot it got, I'm not sure I could ride bare.
I'd literally feel naked without wearing a cycling jersey.

Quoted post said:

It feels cool even if it's not cool

This is the problem: It's not cool.

The fabric of a jersey is designed to absorb water and make it available on a very large surface area to the passing air. This increases the rate of evaporation (in comparison to bare skin) and therefore the rate of evaporative cooling. And, as stated above, it protects you from the sun.

I've never gone without a jersey. In summer it can be more than 40-45 C in Sydney or Adelaide (Sydney is renound for summer humidity too) and the sun is very strong. I might unzip a bit on a long climb when airflow to the front of the jersey is reduced, but that is it.

Yep, warm weather jerseys are designed to enhance your body's cooling ability.

But, if your only other clothing option is that heavy wool sweater your Aunt Matilda bought you last Christmas, then perhaps you should go topless. 😄

Here's my take:

When I was new roadie (about 2 weeks after getting my bike) and it was rare hot day in Seattle, I took off for a ride wearing my riding gear without a jersey - at that time I was still wearin' shorts as I hadn't discovered bibs yet. I thought the same as the OP - it's hot out; I make ridin' topless look good; anybody who says anything disparaging has the issue - not me.

Well, 4 years removed, would I do the same? Never. If I saw a roadie riding without a top, what would I think? Either he's a new roadie, or he's an attention-
[censored] who's tryin' WAY too hard to get his fix.

Topless situations: on a beach cruiser-type bike going no more than 10kph at the beach on a MUP; on a hybrid at the park on the bike path while chaperoning your child/children who are on their bikes; probably there are others.

Just can't get with the topless roadie look while riding amongst vehicle traffic...doesn't work for me...ymmv...

Fall, and you will scratch your nipples. Not a happy scenario.

Mr_Tee said:

Few other "serious" cyclists seem to be willing to shed and I was wondering why.

Most other serious cyclists are wearing bib shorts for the added comfort down in the engine room, and those don't look good without a jersey.

If you're gifted up top you might be able to pull off 'sleeveless', but topless would be a fashion faux pas.

I have a sleeveless, neon, cycling jersey (zipper up front) I wear if it is brutally hot, or late in the day. Would I ride topless; only up or down the street right for a "test spin" after fixing a derailleur or something in the hot, stagnant garage.

Since it would take extra effort to unclothe, I always wear a shirt. If it's a short ride early in the day I even go so far as to wear cotton. *GASP!* On hot days, I still wear a top, wicking + sun/wind/road/debris/decency protection is a must. I imagine stay cooler with a top, as any exposed skin quickly feels quite warm in the sun.

serra said:

Since it would take extra effort to unclothe, I always wear a shirt. If it's a short ride early in the day I even go so far as to wear cotton. *GASP!* On hot days, I still wear a top, wicking + sun/wind/road/debris/decency protection is a must. I imagine stay cooler with a top, as any exposed skin quickly feels quite warm in the sun.

Sliding and/or tumbling down the street without a shirt on will never be fun.

I used to do it the odd time when i first started road riding. I was 15, 16, 17 then. And pretty ripped up top too! Years of soccer and rugby and plain being an active teen did the trick. But if it was ridiculously hot...i later started riding with a tank top and regular gear. Funny i never worried about not having the extra pockets for 'stuff''. I wouldn't even consider riding bare now. Even though I'm in decent shape. Like others have mentioned.....don't want to go down and have road rash all over my back or chest! and the wife wouldn't let me outta the house anyhow!

Two reasons why not:

My dad is Spanish and dark skinned. He's played tennis 3 times a week for the last 35+ years in England. Not so hot and sunny there. A few years ago he started having minor surgery to remove melanomas. He's ok now but that was a wake up call. Skin type is no guarantee of protection.

I recently started wearing technical undershirts (I favour the Prendas Ciclismo ones as they are good value and if they are decent enough for Cav they must be OK). I live in Scotland but we've been having a bit of a heatwave since April. I've been training on hills alot in preparation for a beast of a sportive in September and even with an undershirt in 28C up a 13% I like the cooling properties of the jersey.

Save topless for the beach volleyball.

I was always taught that a gentleman keeps his shirt on unless he's at the beach or the swimming pool. You get the idea.

The tank top idea (my daughter calls 'em wife-beaters) is a good idea.

oldbobcat said:

I was always taught that a gentleman keeps his shirt on unless he's at the beach or the swimming pool. You get the idea.

The tank top idea (my daughter calls 'em wife-beaters) is a good idea.

Best response, yet.

How about full length zips on your jerseys? That way you can be cooler while being cool.

alienator said:

Sliding and/or tumbling down the street without a shirt on will never be fun.

Ugh that would be horrible. All the more reason to not go out in the nude

Yonni said:

How about full length zips on your jerseys? That way you can be cooler while being cool.

A good follow up question is why do manufacturers still insist on using 3/4 or shorter zips? Why aren't they all using full zips?