lycra isnt really nesecary for short distances but for 80 and 90 km its to be strongly recomended..They're not. The dutch have a term for them called "wielrenner". Basically you don't wear the lycra or use a race bike unless you are cycling competitively or racing. This is at odds with another chap we know. Spent 4 days in Amsterdam last week and didn't see a single lycra clad knobhead.