Riding across Iowa on a bike made it clear that choosing the right gear can make you ride a lot more enjoyable and cut down on discomfort. Here are a few tips that I found:

1. Eyewear -whether you choose a pair of glasses to protect you from the glare of the sun, or you choose something to protect your eyes from bugs and other flying debris, eyewear is extremely important. Sunglasses or riding glasses don't have to be expensive, as even a cheap pair can provide adequate protection.

2. Biking Shorts - You may not want to, but wearing spandex riding shorts with a reinforced crotch will make your ride a lot more comfortable. And not just any pair will do. I went through half the ride wearing a cheap pair of biking shorts and they caused discomfort and soreness each day. I finally switched to a better pair of shorts by Performance that cost around $60 and all the pain and discomfort went away.

3. Underwear - What you wear underneath your shorts is just as important as the biking shorts themselves. I found that a pair of Under Armour Heat Gear Performance Apparel or Nike Pro Tight Fit underwear is the most valuable thing you can wear. These items cut down friction, provide badly needed support and make the ride much more comfortable. They are well worth the price.

4. The Right Jersey - Finding the right riding jersey is about more than just looking good. First of all, you want to make sure the jersey has enough pockets. You likely will want to carry many things while riding (a snack, a wallet, nutrition supplements, etc.) and you want to make sure the jersey has pockets that can store these items. You also want the jersey to be breathable. When you are working up a sweat you want to make sure your not stuck in some hot jersey. Finally, you want to make sure it is semi-waterproof or that it wicks away moisture. Whether that moisture is sweat or rain, you want to make sure you have a jersey that dries quickly by evaporating excess moisture.

5. Wear a Helmet - Nuff said. Just make sure it fits.