There are plenty of other options for people looking for a comfy shirt for cycling in, and perhaps the best of all is the plain old tee-shirt. You won’t be racing, so a skintight fit isn’t necessary for reducing drag. It’s probably fair to say you won’t be haunched over the handlebars, head down and pumping the pedals like the clappers. So you won’t need a ‘proper’ cycling shirt with length down the back. In fact, you’ll almost certainly be sitting upright and looking at the scenery as you go, enjoying a leisurely ride.

So, there are a few considerations. These will depend on the time of year and the corresponding weather conditions, and also whether you intend to go out in traffic.

Weather first. Wear comfortable cycling shirts to reflect the temperature; tee-shirts for the summer and long-sleeved shirts for when it’s colder. You can get decent cycling jackets in the stores for riding in colder temperatures. In all cases, for your own comfort – especially if you sweat a lot – go for a fabric that has moisture wicking capabilities. These are more expensive but make a huge difference to your comfort when cycling longer distances. Some places sell moisture wicking cycling shirts specifically, but I don’t see any reason not to get the wicking shirts used for jogging or hiking.

The important point about moisture wicking materials is that if you start layering your clothes, make sure all the items can wick moisture. If you have one layer that wicks, and another that doesn’t, it won’t work properly, and you’ll probably end up feeling less comfortable than you were hoping to be.

That’s your comfort taken care of. Now onto road safety. Like with many of the professional cycling shirts worn by racers, cycling tee-shirts are available in some pretty revolting and dayglo color combinations – pick one of those. Not a black or grey one for night-riding! You need to do your utmost to be seen by motorists if you are on the roads, and even though you might not think the color scheme is very fashionable, it will more likely than not get the attention of drivers, and help keep you safe.

And finally, if you really don’t want to be shelling out cash for new cycling shirts of any description, then my advice is to wear a normal tee-shirt, make sure it’s bright, and don’t forget to take a spare with you to change into when you’ve reached your destination.