Yeah, the sponsors on the jerseys is silly. I don't wear anything with names blazing, but I do wear lycra shorts, tights, and tight fitting jerseys. CamB is right about shorts. Try riding a bike for 1-5 hours, and you'll realize the value of a good pair of shorts. Few Americans have the body fat % to pull off wearing tight clothing, so why not flaunt it if you can.
I don't shave my legs, but there's also good reason. Road rash is a b~tch to maintain when your legs are hair covered.
As far as the beached sperm whales on your roads, I have no comment. I ride solo. This area has few bike lanes, and cycling is one of the rarest sports here. I guess few have figured out how to mount a gun rack to a bike.
Like every aspect of life, there are good and bad. There are good and bad cyclists, and there are good and bad motorists (like the one who nearly ran my arse over in October). And trying on the other shoe, some might wonder why anyone would be so vain to drive a targa.
jurgen