Runners can run in nearly any clothing as long as they have running shoes, but bicyclists practically require the highly specialized apparel of their sport. Even casual bike riders will benefit hugely in comfort, speed, safety and satisfaction if they don cycling clothing. Your bicycle itself may demand cycling shoes and your first experience with the chafing and pounding of a bike seat may convince you to wear cycling shorts, but you should also, less obviously, ride in a cycling jersey.

Cycling jerseys will not significantly add to your speed or safety, but they will definitely enhance your total riding experience in several ways. One, they are made to help your body deal with the energy draining impact of wind and weather as you ride.Most cycling jerseys are made of synthetic fabrics that will allow your body to perspire and wick the resultant moisture efficiently from the surface of your skin.Some of today's miracle fabrics, though lightweight as can be, also work powerfully to repel water and resist wind. Combined with the fact that zippered jerseys can be easily opened or closed in the front to allow or discourage air venting, cycling jerseys add enormously to the bicyclist's ability to withstand variations in weather conditions.

What is most cherished by riders about cycling jerseys, though, is simpler. It's the famous back pocket, standard and requisite equipment of any jersey. Whether you are a touring rider, a mountain maniac, or a road racer, the back pocket of your jersey is what Mama Kangaroo's front pocket is to her joey: Life. In this pocket, you will stash energy bars, goo packets, maybe bee pollen. This is your basic on-bike sustenance kit.Into this seemingly endless storage chamber, you will stuff the gloves you no longer need now that the sun's come out, and even the cell phone prudent cyclists carry (for safety, not for idle chatter). Your litter should also be stuffed into this pocket as you consume food. It is amazing what all goes into this pocket, and all without significantly impacting the efficiency of your cycling.

So go ahead. Wear a jersey. Wear it as gaudily as you like. Gaudiness and its companion brilliance, are your birthright as a bicyclist!