General Cycling Discussion - Swimming/bike shorts and Cycling

It is really hot here right now. Supposed to rain and cool things off. Wish it would. Fairly humid too.
So getting to the ocean is so difficult . Tourists are everywhere. Parking impossible. THe road to the beach backs up a couple miles. Hate driving to the beach, plus it is $7 to park your car.
So , I'd like to bike to the beach. But, the beach is about 9 miles away. Enough that upon the return my arse would be aching without proper bike shorts.
Some say they can ride in regular street clothes. Not me, the arse hurts. Maybe 4 miles round trip would be ok. But not 20. My favorite beach has no change facilities. Could hide behind a bush. Tne beach does have a fresh water shower , however.
Anyone have favorite bike/beach attire and not fear about degrading your favorite bike shorts due to salt water's effects on a chamois. What do you wear for this multiple sport event. The sea was hig 70's yesterday.Felt awesome.
Hope I do not have to cope with that traffic again via car.
There is a nude beach a couple miles further. That is not our style. No thanks.Clothes optional. And some here at BF's think bike shorts too risque.

We ride to the beach (50km round trip) and change there. There are changing booths, but if the lines are too long I just change out in public.

If you are in France and not California, it really shouldn't be a problem just to duck behind a bush and change. No one will say anything and you don't run the risk of being arrested.

I was thinking maybe some cycling attire is designed specifically for this purpose? Like some kind of tri suit? I know my most expensive bike clothes will never be subjected to salt water. The shrubs are pretty small and scarce at our favorite beach. Guess, one solution would be to ride to a less favored beach another five miles away. My wife not being an accomplished rider yet- fears this closer beach is still too far for her.
Another thought. THink rinsing sweat out of bike clothes, they'd be ready before our return.
You are right. Modesty is considered sort of weird in these parts.

Have your wife hold up a towel for you if it's really an issue. Or just bike in your swimming trunks and get a padded seat cover. (I'm assuming you haven't taken up the custom popular among some locals to wear a Speedo, AKA slug hugger:D )

Getting fit enough speedo's would not be quite as embarraing. Wearing them under bike shorts, fear that their seams might unravel.
again, my original thoughts, maybe some piece of clothing works for both these applications. Do have plenty of room in my panniers for towels,etc. THere are always simple solutions to these complicated problems. ?

I guess to my mind I have given you my ideas for the simplest solutions. Good luck.

Try something like this.

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=137&subcategory=1243&brand=&sku=17089&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

Triatheletes use shorts with a thinner pad (there isn't time to change between stages), and I guess you could try them. No matter what, the pad is going to soak up water and be less comfortable than a pair of swim trunks.

Do have plenty of room in my panniers for towels,etc. THere are always simple solutions to these complicated problems. ?

Change beneath your towel.

I just throw on some board shorts and sandals and freeball it up to the beach. And this beach is about 6 miles away. It is a little less comfortable than riding in street clothes, which I ride in all the time. It is worth it though when I get there, toss the bike against a tree and dive in.
On a hot day those shorts will dry out in no time. If you're not feeling the underwear-less option, maybe you can wear speedos under the board shorts... or find some Hansel briefs like the ones in Zoolander that he pulls right off without removing his pants.
(Note: I don't know if these exist, but they should!)

Guess I was wondering about how well tri shorts work, since swimming is a part of their routine. Just not my Pearl Izumi bibs, please. Simplicity is wearing into the ocean whatever you bike in. There is a fresh water lake close by too. Less reluctant to wear medium priced bike gear into fresh water as compared to salt water.

I wonder what the effect is of saltwater dripping from a chamois down into the seattube, drying and leaving salt crystals in the pores of the metal?

tri shorts are okay, but if you aren't accustomed to it you'll probably experience chaffing riding in wet shorts, even the tri shorts if 9 miles is too far for street clothes, even if you rinse in freshwater.

the poster above is right, change under a towel or behind a bush, you're in France where they generally acknowledge people have bodies. Speedos in the pocket on the way and on the way back, you're all set!

go for some tri shorts dude. i ride my bike to the gym then hop off and go swimming without changing shorts. They are perfect for what you wanting to do.

Go to a nude beach! They are a blast! :)

P.S. If you bum hurts after 9 miles of riding in street clothes - you might need a new saddle.

IT's the combined 20 miles where I can feel the saddle being inserted up into my intestines. Nude beaches. Not for me. As a scuba diver , I have had too many fish thinking I was something nibbly. Think I might try tri shorts. Triathletes do.