Despite the fact that it's pretty normal, I feel obliged to warn everyone anyway. I have something to tell all of you. I don't mean this in a confessional sort of way. I mean it more in the sense of, "Listen, I'm sorry that you may have done things different before, but this is how you're gonna start doing things now." I think this tends to be the way I normally speak, since while other people may believe they are correct, I *KNOW* I am correct. And here is what I'm about to school all of you non-knowers on - undershirts.

No, I'm not talking about the cheapo three-pack of A-shirts (aka "wife-beaters," to the uncouth among us). I'm talking about a proper cycling base layer. Remember those wonderful old AmEx ads - "don't leave home without it"? That's the category to which a wicking base layer belongs. If you are lucky enough to still be able to find snug-sleeved jerseys (American cyclists have destroyed this cut for the rest of us, including those of us who are American but have European-sized biceps), then a sleeveless base layer is preferred. If you have the jerseys where you need to size down one size and still feel like you need do a lot more preacher curls to fill out the sleeves, then I recommend a sleeved base layer. I have a particular affinity for the Specialized 1st Layer , thought the Tech Layer is a bit more "meshy" (I know that's not a word, but I am making it one) and is a bit better as the mercury rises. As much as I try to stay away from advertorial, I just know that many of you are so unknowing of base layers that I feel compelled to give you a starting point. 

The undershirt is ideally designed to work with bibs. If you wear shorts - and not bibs - then please go away. Or I will taunt you a second time. An undershirt helps prevent the bib straps from rubbing and provides an on-skin wicking layer that is much more effective than a jersey alone. A jersey - especially when worn with bibs - tends not to contact the skin directly, which is not ideal if you wish to wick sweat away from the skin. In case you weren't aware of it, this is what you wish. This is the definition of "wicking," and it is a wonderful thing avail yourself of.

The confusing part of this is that you are wearing more clothes in order to be more cool. More clothes equals less heat. And that is a baffling thing to many people. If you are baffled, fear not. It is the miracle of wicking fabrics. Wool was the original wicking fabric and that's why early cycling kit was made from wool, despite being seemingly "hotter" than something like cotton. Silk is also very nice, but should be reserved for sheets in Las Vegas penthouse suites. I think. I don't know. Yet. But I am still young. 

So, all of you undershirt neophytes, get thee to a undershirtery. And let the wicking commence.