Cycling Gear and Clothing

Obtain the minimum required gear for cycling.

The words light weight and compact are key to cycling gear. Select the minimum required gear so that you can enjoy a more comfortable journey on bicycle.

Special Bags

When you end up with lots of luggage such as when traveling long distances or planning overnight stays, you can carry it all in balanced and safe manner by using a combination of special carriers and bags on the front and rear of your bicycle.

Day Bag

If you will only be going a short distance or are carrying a light load, you will find it easiest to use the familiar day bag or fanny pack.

Raingear

Raingear is mandatory during the raining season and whenever weather is unpredictable, but during seasons when the climate is more stable, a windbreaker will do the job.

Maps

Select the most compact road, prefecture, and other forms of maps showing your destination, and get well aquatinted with reading them.

Tools for Recording Trip

Keeping a record of precious experiences and discoveries during your trips is another one of the pleasures of cycling. You can heighten your fun by bringing along a compact and light-weight still camera or video camera as well as sketch books and field notebooks.

Portable Tools

Bringing along frequently used tools such as Allen wrenches and normal wrenches that can collapse into compact form is sufficient to deal with most needs during cycling.

Bottles

Bottles for carrying fluids are mandatory gear for all seasons. These bottles are normally filled with such fluids as mineral water, sports drinks, or other thirst-quenching beverages.

Snacks

Snacks such as chocolate that quickly convert into energy are highly recommended. Fresh and dried fruits are another source of quick energy you can carry along on your ride.

First-Aid Kit

In addition to typical everyday first-aid items, you should also have medicine for applying to external injuries and medicine for dealing with food poisoning. You will also find it very useful to have on hand medicine that can be directly applied to treat muscle fatigue.

Short-sleeved shirts, shorts, and socks are the basic style.

Choosing materials that absorb sweat away from the body and then dry out quickly will enable you to experience a comfortable journey without chilling the body.

Helmet

Helmets designed for racing are the lightest, have the best ventilation, and feel the most comfortable while you are riding. This is one irreplaceable item for cycling safety.

Upper Body

Choose clothing made of artificial materials such as polyester and acrylic. In addition to good ventilation and water resistance, these materials excel at absorbing sweat and drying out quickly. Materials that do not quickly evaporate the sweat they absorb will chill the body while riding and should be avoided. Being just a little bit cold as you start out will lead to a comfortable ride as you actually get going. Use a windbreaker or something similar to control body temperature.

Lower Body

As with the upper body, choose clothing made of artificial materials. We recommend beginners use racing pants because they have padding sewn into to their seat.

Gloves

Gloves are indispensable for preventing sore and callused hands and making sure sweat does not cause the hands to slip off the handlebar grips. They will also protect your hands should you fall off your bike. Use fingerless gloves in the summer and those with fingers in the winter.

Socks

It is important to always wear socks that can absorb sweat and keep the feet from slipping.

Shoes

Special cycling shoes with hard soles are the easiest to use. Low-top sports shoes and walking shoes can also be used, but try to select those with thin, hard soles. You should choose short shoelaces or tape down loose laces to prevent them from being caught in the chainwheel.

Special Bags
When you end up with lots of luggage such as when traveling long distances or planning overnight stays, you can carry it all in balanced and safe manner by using a combination of special carriers and bags on the front and rear of your bicycle.
Day Bag
If you will only be going a short distance or are carrying a light load, you will find it easiest to use the familiar day bag or fanny pack.
Raingear
Raingear is mandatory during the raining season and whenever weather is unpredictable, but during seasons when the climate is more stable, a windbreaker will do the job.
Maps
Select the most compact road, prefecture, and other forms of maps showing your destination, and get well aquatinted with reading them.
Tools for Recording Trip
Keeping a record of precious experiences and discoveries during your trips is another one of the pleasures of cycling. You can heighten your fun by bringing along a compact and light-weight still camera or video camera as well as sketch books and field notebooks.
Portable Tools
Bringing along frequently used tools such as Allen wrenches and normal wrenches that can collapse into compact form is sufficient to deal with most needs during cycling.
Bottles
Bottles for carrying fluids are mandatory gear for all seasons. These bottles are normally filled with such fluids as mineral water, sports drinks, or other thirst-quenching beverages.
Snacks
Snacks such as chocolate that quickly convert into energy are highly recommended. Fresh and dried fruits are another source of quick energy you can carry along on your ride.
First-Aid Kit
In addition to typical everyday first-aid items, you should also have medicine for applying to external injuries and medicine for dealing with food poisoning. You will also find it very useful to have on hand medicine that can be directly applied to treat muscle fatigue.

	Helmet
	Helmets designed for racing are the lightest, have the best ventilation, and feel the most comfortable while you are riding. This is one irreplaceable item for cycling safety.
	Upper Body
	Choose clothing made of artificial materials such as polyester and acrylic. In addition to good ventilation and water resistance, these materials excel at absorbing sweat and drying out quickly. Materials that do not quickly evaporate the sweat they absorb will chill the body while riding and should be avoided. Being just a little bit cold as you start out will lead to a comfortable ride as you actually get going. Use a windbreaker or something similar to control body temperature.
	Lower Body
	As with the upper body, choose clothing made of artificial materials. We recommend beginners use racing pants because they have padding sewn into to their seat.
	Gloves
	Gloves are indispensable for preventing sore and callused hands and making sure sweat does not cause the hands to slip off the handlebar grips. They will also protect your hands should you fall off your bike. Use fingerless gloves in the summer and those with fingers in the winter.
	Socks
	It is important to always wear socks that can absorb sweat and keep the feet from slipping.
	Shoes
	Special cycling shoes with hard soles are the easiest to use. Low-top sports shoes and walking shoes can also be used, but try to select those with thin, hard soles. You should choose short shoelaces or tape down loose laces to prevent them from being caught in the chainwheel.